Ann Lemons Pollack

  • Flashback: Malmaison

    The Guide Michelin describes a two-star restaurant as "worth a detour". Malmaison, in St. Alban's, was worthy of more than a detour. I wrote about it here.  Am I the only one that remembers the aroma from the fireplace as well as the lovely garden?

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  • More Titus Androgynous

    YoungLiars Titus Androgynous has been extended through November 18th. It wasn't to my taste, but I'm glad it's doing well. 

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  • Of Mice and Men

    Of Mice and Men, one of John Steinbeck’s great works, was originally written as a novella and potential play. Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble’s take on it is now running at The Chapel by. I suspect the novella isn’t taught much anymore in school – there have been arguments about vulgarity and offensive and racist language

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  • Pizza Shop: An Italian-American Dream

    The St. Louis International Film Festival has, in effect, a food night this Sunday. Advance tickets strongly suggested. Here's more info: Here's more info on it – you can smell the pizza baking.

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  • On Your Feet!

    On Your Feet! The Emilio & Gloria Estefan Broadway Musical (to give it the full proper title) ticks lots of boxes. Looking for a modern musical that isn’t sung through – that is to say, there’s lots of dialogue so it’s far easier to understand what’s going on? Yup. Thinking you’re needing some flash instead

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  • Just One Bite: Whitebox Eatery

    Nope. Not on the menu during the week. That’s the fried chicken biscuit at Whitebox Eatery that’s served for weekend brunch. “Bacon cheddar biscuit, apple jalapeno syrup,” said the menu board. I’m thinking a sandwich, yes? No. What came was three, count ‘em, three skinless, boneless breasts. That’s a concept that gives me pause right

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  • Titus Androgynous

    Well, it’s Halloween season, which may account for the timing on YoungLiar’s production of Titus Androgynous. YoungLiars has a history of trying some innovative theatre, so the Usual Suspects know things will be different when they walk into a one off their shows.. It’s a farcial version of the Shakespeare play of the near-same title,

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  • Heisenberg

    For those of us unschooled in quantum mechanics (I sigh and raise my hand), Heisenberg was the physics professor who created the uncertainty principle, which says that you can’t exactly measure both the speed and position of a particle, because to measure one would affect the other. He also discovered why some metals become magnetized.

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  • Flashback: The Flaming Pit

    Okay, raise your hand if you remember the "treasure chest" with toys in it. St. Louis' budget-ish steak house chain, The Flaming Pit, was actually begun by the man who also gave us Noah's Ark. But that's another story.  The Flaming Pit we talk about here. And I didn't forget the spiced peach.

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  • Chocolate Rum Cake

    Every once in a while a dessert comes along that smacks you in the face. Here’s one. It’s a one-layer French-style gateau, not a layer cake, dark, rich chocolate but not oversweet. It’s from Clare Ptak, a Chez Panisse alum who’s now baking in London. The recipe came out of Milk Street Magazine. It results

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