My birthday lunch at Gaetano's in Denver, accompanied by the Brick and Daughter #1, was fascinating. Although the insides weren't as dark and Mafioso as I'd hoped, the dark red leather round settees and dark brown bar, with splashes of glass here and there, were interesting enough.
The food was GREAT. And at happy hour prices weren't bad at all: $5 each for a plate of fresh oysters and crunchy fried calamari. Daughter had a Negroni, which she said the bar was known for.
Our waitress, who'd been there three years, said she had never seen any ghosts. On the other hand, there were areas, particularly the basement, where she didn't go until addressing 'whoever' and telling them she was coming in. The guy who made their pasta at night (and worked in the basement to do it) said that he often heard voices and saw movement late at night -- but he'd gotten used to it. In the basement, with blocked tunnels (!!!) was where people gathered to play craps and do other gambling.
As we went to leave, the waitress came by: "You really need to mention the dimes." According to her, Clyde Smaldone, the son of the owners, would often leave dimes laying around, to encourage the cleaners (his sons) to do a good job. Although Clyde has been long gone, and Gaetano's sold to a new owner, the waitstaff still often finds dimes, particularly on the bar counter. (She said she wiped down the bar, went to do something else -- and when she got back, three dimes were waiting for her. This was common.)
The waitstaff had gotten so used to odd little occurences and moments that they were rather blase about it -- as if old friends dropped in for a quick visit now and then.
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| Clyde Smaldone, pondering dimes, no doubt (from Gaetano's website) |
If you're curious about Gaetano's, you can find out more in my book, Ghosts and Legends of Colorado's Front Range. It will be out in a week or so. Yes, we'll be offering a special!
The holidays must be on my mind -- a fair amount of the entries this week have to do with Christmas presents, particularly homemade ones. P.S. My book would make a great present, too!
Meanwhile:
When to get the best plane ticket prices. (From Skyscanner)
"The Woman in the Iron Coffin:" an overview of a fascinating documentary.
"Core principles for achieving financial independence." (From the Financial Samurai). One of his best statements ever:
"You can fail because of superior competition, bad luck, or poor execution, but you cannot fail because you didn’t try your best."
19 homemade food gifts -- that don't look it. (From Buzzfeed)
The perfect sandwich -- plenty of good tips here to give your sandwiches zip, and keep them from getting soggy.
Celebrities with connections you'd never realize... Kim Kardashian used to be Paris Hilton's assistant? They don't like each other much now... (From Cracked)
Incredible stories related by credible people. Yes, my old friend Bigfoot is included. (From Listverse)
'Spicy Can Opener Soup:' made with three cans and some spices. Wow! (From Harvest Lane Cottage)
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The latest from the Department of Irony:
A man is killed -- near a baseball diamond, of all places -- by a hit-and-run driver. The same man who confessed in recent years to his own fatal hit-and-run incident.
Coming in second: Brett Kavanaugh's mother, also a federal judge, ruled in court, decades ago, about a lawsuit Professor Ford's parents were involved in. Some people are trying to argue that Dr. Ford's testimony during the Kavanaugh hearing was sour grapes about this incident, decades ago. (She ruled in their favor, by the way.)
And a distant third: Duchess Meghan's half-sister is 'vacationing' in London. How much do you want to bet she'll make a scene at Kensington Palace while she's there?
Update: Oops, she says she's sorry (sort of) about all the nasty comments she's made, but she did it because she was hurt she wasn't invited to the wedding. "There is so much water under the bridge, and so much has spun out of control that was never intended to..." Yep, I'll bet that makes Her Highness feel better about the whole matter.
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21 of the stupidest criminals on the planet. (From EBaums World)
20 spectacular warehouse-to-home conversions. Someday... (From Dwell)
A millionaire is made ten bucks at a time. (From Mr. Money Mustache)
Plaids in quilts. Why the heck not... (From Wonkyworld)
Fun, frugal and inexpensive holiday gifts. An older-but-goodie from The Frugalwoods.
Twenty easy homemade gift ideas. (From Thrifty Frugal Mom)
Small Christmas present ideas. (From Thrifty Fun) Some good stuff from Like Merchant Ships, as well -- I come back to this post over and over:
No-bake, no-craft gifts for $1 or less.
Really Helpful gifts for seniors. (From Holidappy) Take a minute to watch the "Hello Jerrie" 91-year-old drummer video at the bottom of the page -- she's a winner!
Matisse's models: a fascinating look at the painter (and paper-cutter) and his obsessions. (From Fine Art Multiple)
Sixteen apple recipes for fall. (From Hundred Dollars A Month) Also from her:
Hash brown waffles. Gonna try these.
Ten wonderful dogs in history: brave, loyal, smart. (From Listverse)
Hydroplaning for football practice!
Have a good week.
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