Sunday, December 2, 2012

What to do in Trinidad

     You might think in a small town there is nothing to do.  Well, at least with Trinidad you would be wrong.  Several Fridays ago, the United States Air Force Academy Band sent their brass quintet, "Stellar Brass", to perform in Trinidad at the Mount Carmel Center.  The performance was sold out (the tickets were really free, you just had to get them before they were gone.)  The music ranged from classical to jazz and the performance lasted about two hours.  When the Air Force sends musicians they always perform familiar pieces and some of which that I have never heard.  The group also explains the music which adds much to the evening.  Last fall we were entertained by the String Ensemble from the Academy, an equally excellent and versatile group.  We hope to see more from the Academy next year.
    The Southern Colorado Repertory Theatre is based in Trinidad.  We were fortunate enough to see three of their performances this past summer and the Queen City Jazz Band that they sponsored.  The one that I enjoyed most was "On Golden Pond".  It was not what I remembered from seeing the movie years ago.  It was much better, I thought.  The group had been performing at a theater on the campus of Trinidad State Junior College but they recently obtained their own building on Main Street.  Their opening was "A Dysfunctional Family Thanksgiving Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre".  Over the years the building has been many things but mostly it has been a department store.  So the theatre is named "The Old Historic 'Famous Department Store' Theatre".  They took possession on a Tuesday and gave the performance and dinner on Saturday.  It was a stellar production with such a short preparation time.  The gourmet dinner was catered by Cafe What 'A Grind.  The two families involved were the Uptons and the Bottoms and they were characters, not just in the sense of actors in a play.  The murder was committed (poison in a wine glass) and the audience was left to solve the mystery of who was the poisoner by questioning the cast members.  Eventually, with the help of Lieutenant Dan ( local police detective) the mystery was solved.  Who was the murderer?  A member of the family.
    In addition, we had a lighting parade and the town's Christmas lights were turned on.  We missed this, being in Denver for Thanksgiving.  Up coming is the Senior Center Christmas dinner, the Posada in which Mary and Joseph try to find a place to stay, and a ballet company is coming to town to perform with local dancers.
     Nothing to do in a small town?  I think not.

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Where to Eat in Trinidad

      This is NOT a review of restaurants in Trinidad.  I have not been to a restaurant here where the food or service is less than good.  I recommend all of them in which I have eaten.
     We often eat lunch at the Sayre Senior Center.  The food there is good, the service, provided by wonderful volunteers, is excellent, and company at the meal is wonderful and very interesting.  The patrons (and volunteers) are a mixture of life-long residents and transplanted newbies.  Discussions are always interesting.
     I believe that the first place we ate in Trinidad (except for breakfast at the motel) was Bueno's, first on Commercial Street and then at their new location at  Quality Inn  motel south of town.  I love  their burrito smothered with Christmas (both red and green chili) with rice and beans and sopapillas for desert. I usually order the burrito. I have not had their meat loaf but the DMM says that it is very good.  I can't remember what all we have eaten there but it has all been good.  Service is very good.
      We often eat at the Trinidad Diner.  Their meat loaf, fried chicken (the half fried chicken is enough to get three meals from it), Greek food and gyros, roast beef, and menudo are all worth consideration.  It is difficult, at times, to make up your mind.  Service is as good as the food.  Be sure to have a meal here.
     My son and his spouse say that Bella Luna's pizza is the best they have ever eaten.  I disagree but would place it second best.  The best pizza is at Tony's in Columbia, Missouri.  However, that was fifty years ago during our college years and in the company of the DMM and I may be suffering from nostolgia.  Since Tony's is no longer in business Bella Luna can rightfully claim first place.  Bella Luna is located on Main Street right in the Corizon de Trinidad.
     Bob and Earl's is located on Highway12 (the Highway of Legends) and their food and service is equal to any other place in town.  We have had roast beef, fried fish, meat loaf (yes, we like a good meat loaf), probably other items that I can't remember and, of course, their chili burger (try it, it is good).  This place is just a down home restaurant with good food and service.
     If you want Chinese food visit Chef Lui's.  There are other Chinese restaurants in town but we have not yet visited them.  The food and serve are good, hot tea is served at every meal.  Usually there is more served than we can eat so we have lunch the next with the Chef Lui's food.
     One of our neighbors recommended the Family Seed Restaurant so we went there.  At the risk of repeating myself the food and service were very good.  The first time we got burritos with rice and beans.  Instead of refired beans, they were either red kidney beans or pinto beans.  The other Saturday we went for breakfast.  The DMM got bacon, eggs, potatoes, and a small stack.  I got French Toast (lost bread) and got to help DMM eat her breakfast.  Good coffee and plenty of it.
     We have been to Cafe What 'Grind once for coffee and a roll in the morning.  The other night the cafe catered a meal we attended - Pear and Gorgonzola salad, Chicken Osso Buco, Tri-Colored Potatoes, Rice Pilaf, Asparagus and dessert.  It was very good.
       We have also eaten sandwiches and salads at the Corner Cafe and the Cafe at D Dry, both on Main Street.  Good food and service at both.
       From what I hear on the radio, we have 24 more restaurants to try.