A Poem for Laura

March 2, 2009 | Filed Under staff, Musings | No Comments

Often we receive praise in our guestbook, or compliments in person. Every so often Gianluca even gets a marriage proposal. This morning I read this e-mail that was sent by a current guest to Laura after eating the previous night in the cafe. It’s a sort of poem, an ode to a great food experience:

It being a great Italian habit, and love,
Eating is to be appreciated, Savored, Dramatized,
with love, with fondness, with warmth, with friends.

I am on my own,
boohoohoo.
I am alone, with myself, and my book, and my ability to chat.

Laura is the chef de cochine, and I am the excited novice,
coming to taste of her expertise, her company, and her love of cooking.
She spent time in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A.
and I am understanding, there is therefore a certain seriousness,
in the style and the way of cooking.
But also a simplicity, that I always respond well to.
A country, no-nonsense attitude, that augers well for me.

The restaurant tonight is quiet, which I am told happens occasionally.
Lunch though was busy.
This Hotel, The Beehive, Via Marghera 8,
has 6 rooms only, with a dormitorio for the less well heeled.
Opens its doors to the public, and has a steady Clientele, apart from the guests/residents.

So first, I tell you now,
This place uses organic and naturally grown products,
No supermarket grown produce here.
I can attest to the quality of produce and the inspiring tastefulness
of all the food, I partook in eating.
Delicious, and I know, Nero Cesare Himself would be envying Laura’s cooking.
if He were about.

Second, I tell you,
the bill presented, is a suggestion.
If you wish to add to it, you can,
and if you wish to detract, well,
I for one,
would not want to be a friend of yours.
Meanness has its place in HELL,
not in this kitchen.

I started,with a glass of not so full bodied
red wine, vin de table, very drinkable.
And presented with a plate of delicious toasted walnut bread,
and plenty of it,
a red bean collation,
an avocado with lemon pulp,
and a baba ganouche with mint.

Followed by more of this home-made scrumptious bread,
liberally sprinkled with olive oil that awakes the dead,
and some Rustici, which are puff-pastry rounds,
small enough to consume in two Burnett-bites,
which had sage and cheese stuffing,

Enough in itself, I can assure you,for a small meal.
With another drink of your choice,
this in itself constitutes the Happy Hour !!

The chat with Laura, being 90, we decided to ask Her, to decide on my first course.
I feel that she could respond to my desire,
because She listens and,,,,,,,,understands.
The palate must be stimulated, if it is to appreciate. The joy there-of.

I was well rewarded for my confidence.
A plate arrived with a Savory pie……egg and spinach, that would make you fly,
a side salad garnish, of fresh spinach leaves with shavings of Reggiano cheese,
red cabbage, sliced thinly carrots, pine nuts aplenty, diced fried potatoes, nice and crisp.
and sliced mushrooms in a vinaigrette, that would excite a most weary palate

I was spoiled in this kitchen.
I was.

And to be sure, to be sure,
I decided on the next course, to be Laura’s decision, yet again.
Something to compliment, and to complement, the first two dishes.

The freshly made Ravioli, with with spinach and ricotta, served with butter and sage,and some grated Parmesan.

Oh the joy of it, oh the smell of it, fills my heart to tears !!
Was there ever a more al dente dish, ?
was there ever a more firm ravioli ?
was there ever a more proud dish served before the greatest ?

Desire of good food can lead to gluttony, I am told.
But I think I prefer the ideas of The Epicureans.
This restaurant does not aspire to over indulge the appetites,
It is here to satisfy them with simplicity, goodness and most of all QUALITY.

Too many “good” restaurants serve ravioli with a cream ?? sauce, that runs out on cutting open.
Too many serve standard “ITALIAN ” fare, most of it out of a package, or tin.

Let me tell you now, this was stupendous.
Mouth-watering.
Plenty for a hungry Burnett.

To finish, I had another glass of red wine,
and I knew that all was well with our world.

Let me say, Laura, and the people here, at the BEEHIVE, have a very simple attitude, that belies so many.
Service, quality, natural products, home-cooking, service, and quality, and Quality, again and again.
Long may they continue.

And for many, those who would ask,
the bill presented, was ………………………….20 Irish Euro
remember hell, dear friends, remember Hell !!

Le Mise

Burnett