I probably seem a little weather obsessed…but when you live in a region where the elements can so easily kill you (extreme heat/humidity alternating with freezing cold, tornadoes, blizzards, etc.) or at least make you exceedingly uncomfortable, it’s something that comes to mind frequently. So I’ve mentioned that we’ve been having another unusually mild winter, which, lack of sledding snow aside, was pretty much ok by me. Just a few days ago records were breaking left and right with temps reaching a springish mid-50s. But oh how quickly things change here. It is freaking freezing out! Literally, of course. 12 degrees Fahrenheit with a harsh, biting wind. Which I just experienced a little too closely. I set out to meet a friend for lunch but didn’t know whether I’d make it. Initially I decided against the skyway because:
a: it’s crammed with people (smartly seeking protection from the elements);
b: the route winds and bends and loops around in a most annoying manner.
Walking down the Nicollet Mall is far more straightforward. But I wasn’t prepared for how, umm, bracing it would be. I’d neglected to grab my hat…an item that has gone unneeded since last winter. At least I remembered my scarf. But walking against the wind it felt like my forehead was being smacked repeatedly…by a slab of cold steel. A headache instantly blossomed and I felt increasingly queasy as I forged ahead. Eventually I reached my first destination, but was scurrying, then all out sprinting at the home stretch. Was able to warm up in the lobby of the library a bit before we continued on to our lunch spot, but it took a while for my appetite to catch up with me. It was a little better when we set out in a different direction, with the wind at our backs. And once settled in at the restaurant both the company and the food were excellent. It’d been some time since I’d been to Pizza Luce. They’ve done a little remodeling, which is looking good. But they’ve also rudely discontinued their weekend brunch. No more vegan breakfast delights, like the banana-pecan waffle. Or vegandaise. Oh the vegandaise. Will have to make it myself one of these days. It’s not for everyone (like J, who thinks it’s gross), but the little man and I sure liked it. Especially the bed of crispy hasbrowns. On top of which was seated a tower of salty savoriness. The base was an english muffin. Followed by a mock sausage patty. Then a chunk of tofu (which some of us dubbed the tofu nipple). All sprinkled over with fresh spinach and tomato chunks, then doused with a vegan hollandaise sauce. Sigh. Guess I’m a little food obsessed too. Oh well.