table talk / By Bob Doran

Roasting chicken and a Taste

I love dessert, but there are just too many places giving out ice cream, cookies and “treats.” Then there are the downright stingy joints. To save them some embarrassment I’ll leave their name out, but one venerable restaurant is just giving out bread - again.

The area of Old Town near the Gazebo was the place to be last year and it’s not much different this time. But if things go the same, expect a mob at prime venues like Hurricane Kate’s, where they once again have their “hors d’oeuvres with a twist,” or next door at the new Half Empty Café, where they’re serving Spanish tapas, and definitely down the street at Gallagher’s, where they had a hard time keeping up with the demand for their deep fried prawns.

As I recall last year’s event in detail, and think about all the people we encountered, it’s becoming clear why we did not get through our ticket books. We kept running into friends, which, unless you’re rude, entails catching up on what they’re up to and so on. Did I mention there’s music? There is. And no surprise since it’s the kick-off for the Jazz Fest. It’s a convivial sort of affair, and while it can be problematic when you’re hungry, that’s actually a good thing. Come to think of it we had a fine time, so maybe Taste of Main isn’t that bad after all.

A Taste of Main Street runs from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, March 29, rain or shine. Advance tickets are required (it will sell out) and are available for $25, which as Mary likes to point out, comes to a buck per taste. Call her at Eureka Main Street, 442-9054, for further details.

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