PATIO PERFECT!

Chef Lamm, Mr. Ralph Sexton and hostess, Mrs. Marcia Loewinger,

at the grand opening, while members of the Sexton and Tripson families

gather to hear the presentation.

Hunnies, if y'all were goin be one place this season, last night at the grand opening of the new Patio restaurant was the place to be. When Miss Vero tells y'all that anyone who is anyone in Vero Beach was there, we mean it! This was the Vero old guard, not the new beachies with attitude, not the midwestern and yankee "reporters" and not a politician in sight! (Ok, Miss Carole Jean Jordan was there, but not in political capacity, so that doesn't count). This was an evening of true Vero aristocracy and a party that celebrated what we all remembered -Vero as it was and as it still could be.

Mr. Ralph told a few stories that everyone was strainin to hear over the noise of people greetin and chattin. But they just couldn't help themselves, everyone was just so happy to see each other. As we stood next to our beloved Queen Mother of Vero, Miss Alma Lee Loy, folks were trippin over themselves to greet her - and rightly so.

Miss Hildie Tripson was the most gracious hostess, who at one point scouted every room with Miss Vero in tow, to introduce us to Mr. Milton R. Benjamin of Verobeach32963 and Miss Willi Miller of WQCS' Arts Spotlight, because after a few cocktails this seemed like a good idea! Unfortunately, Mr. Benjamin and Miss Miller had already left, so a meeting of the minds never transpired. However there were a few others (especially one of our favorite people, Mr. Mark Wygonik!), that Miss Vero had a fabulous time with and as usual, we were one of the last to leave.

Y'all will be so happy to hear that the interior is just like y'all remember it, all of the priceless treasures of Waldo are still in place, although not a speck of dust to be found. Some items were "found" and brought back safe and the very fascinating Mr. Clemmer Mayhew, from the Addison Mizner Museum, was on hand to point out the spectacular artifacts around the room. The interior is now spic and span and most of the renovations are unseen because the kitchen got most of the makeover right down to the cement foundation!

And the food! The food children was fabulous, we not only enjoyed every tasty shrimp, chicken and meat dish, prepared every way imaginable, we also enjoyed the company of Chef Lamm, who will make this place hum. The offerings were endless and each one more delicious than the last, only to be topped by the fantastic pizzas!

We had such a wonderful time, but it was all over too soon, so we tried to continue our cocktailin and cavortin elsewhere. We went over to the beautiful Costa d'Este for a nightcap and a little company, because we just happen to love the staff and they always take such wonderful care of us. It turns out that only Miss Vero goes out late on a Monday night and we had the entire bar all to ourselves! Everyone gathered round and was interested in our tales of the Patio and all our pictures. Yes, it was a good night in Vero.

MWAH!

missvero@live.com

HAVE YA'LL HEARD?

Look, if Russ Lemmon can fantasize about "healing" Vero Beach and luring Mrs. Estefan here to do that once promised "free" concert, then hunnies, Miss Vero can dream too...


Can y'all imagine? Mrs. Estefan eagerly devouring her dose of Lemmon droppings and saying - "Mira Emilio, Russito wants us to do that concert in Vero, hand me the phone, he's on speed dial!"

As if.

Please stop beating that horse, there's nothing left but bones. How many times must we beg for mercy? Leave the Estefans alone and stop pretending that you have an idea what it was like to go through those hurricanes!

A real investigative journalist would answer the contracting question. If y'all remember the comments that were posted to the hotel opening article, many subcontractors claimed there was some payment hankie pankie goin on. http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/jun/18/30gtestefan-hotel-open-to-public-monday/?feedback=1
Well kids, Miss Vero heard a rumor that all the subcontractors were paid by Proctor construction and now Proctor is owed many millions still. True? Y'all tell me 'cause I'm not the "real journalist" supposedly gettin paid to do that job.

Here it is Friday morning and we are still recovering from our wild Wednesday. Children remember, Miss Vero is a professional partier, so don't try to keep up. Here's how it went:

We started out at the crack of noon over at the M. T. Pockets Ranch discussing the treasure biz with our good friend Miss Taffi, who by the way would love our support in telling the State of Florida to stop harassing our Treasure Coast treasure people. So if y'all haven't had a chance, please read yesterdays post and send off a quick email saying "Leave the Treasure business as is".

We should have listened to our ole pal Miss B. Havior who very wisely told us:

"You've been busier than a boar bee in soft yella' pine. Just slow your azz down to a trot (it's hot outside) and spend a little more time with the cutest bartender in town. In case you're ready for a change, try the bar at the VB club and Resort. The Indigo Room's charmin'barman Tom, serves a mean martini and the burgers knocks the stuffin' outta of the burgers at Bobby's."

But no, we just had to go to Bobby's where we spotted school board candidate Charlie Wilson havin lunch. He musta worked up an appetite after being on the Rhett Palmer show that morning with the other candidates. Guy Barber was pining for the days when the paper was owned by the Schumann family and we loved that even Rhett voiced his disapproval of the Press Journal. After Rhett's Woodstock comment, (read June 4th post "Rhett Palmer's Hippie Claim) we've been randomly tuning in to see what other surprises the self proclaimed "mayor of the airwaves" has in store.

After some seriously needed afternoon spa time, Miss Vero hooked up with the Secret Squirrel, who for some reason had a hankerin for steak. We stupidly decided that we would try the Dockside Grill or "Bobby's II" at Royal Palm Point. As we arrived we were quick to notice the Barbara Sharp painting behind the desk (read May 15th post "Places to go, People to Annoy...") and Andre, formally of Carmel's, cheerfully greeted us but then broke the bad news that it would be an hour wait! Well waitin is just somethin that we don't take kindly to, especially in the midst of every local beachie poser with a bluetooth surgically implanted. Hunnies, if there's anything we can't stand, it's the vibe of the self important.

So what were our choices for steak? Outback or 14th Ave Steak House. We chose 14th Ave and guess what? We were treated like royalty! And it was so good, we hadn't been there in a long time and we're glad we went. We love to support local business and sure would love to see some life in downtown. The last restaurant critic at the PJ, Sheila O'Mera had this to say about 14th Ave back in 2006 and it was exactly the same on Wednesday: http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2006/nov/08/brestaurant-reviewb-eat-be-merry-at-14th-ave/

Hmmmm, Maybe Miss Vero shouldn't be calling Miss Sheila "the last" restaurant critic at the PJ. Another big rumor that came our way, is that Miss Diana Foote has left. Could it be true? We haven't seen her opinion column or reviews in the past two weeks. Honestly, the person who tattled was sure that we'd be fiendishly delighted, but truth be told, Miss Vero doesn't have any ill will toward Miss Foote. Bless her heart, we just think she was not the right person for the job and her writing was/is a continual painful reminder of that. We sincerely hope that she is well and finding a place where she can wear that fur to lunch.


More Restaurant Hubbub - add it to the list, City Tavern is closed! No tidbits on that yet. And how 'bout Yannick and Valerie leaving Masion Martinique? We haven't been there in a while, but we wonder how the menu will change.

Of course we did take one piece of Miss B. Havior's advice and after dinner we mosied on down to visit with the Cutest Boy in Vero at the epicenter of Cool - Undertow. Miss Kitty always has it going on and most of the young Vero royalty makes it a destination. We chatted with the very beautiful Miss Tripson, who looked fabulous and had the cutest little outfit. She made us laugh when she told us that in the recent PJ story the reporter gave a blank stare when Addison Mizner was mentioned. Poor thing, if only they'd seen Miss Vero's post two weeks before (read July 24th,"Vero Treasure Chest"), they'd have known that Miss Vero made the Palm Beach Daily News story regarding Waldo and Mizner required reading for everyone in Indian River County.


Are we all caught up? Ohh, one more thing, here's a picture of ole Russ Lemmon gettin that call from Mrs. Estefan -

Have a great weekend kids, see y'all Monday!

MWAH!

missvero@live.com

VERO TREASURE CHEST

Miss Vero has been busy lately with not enough hours in the day and while we've been driving around town, doing our errands, we have passed the Patio and noticed the yellow tape and orange mesh fence, makin the whole thing look like an unfortunate crime scene.

The Patio was not only a restaurant that Miss Vero frequented, but it is also a treasure chest of our county, thanks to the vision of Waldo Sexton. Here's a fabulous article, that everyone who lives here should read, documenting his love of the artifacts of Addison Mizner and how Palm Beach's trash became Vero Beach's treasure:

http://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/news/content/news/travel/B1veromizner0527.html

We were concerned for the beautiful antiques, stained glass and wrought iron inside, so we called Miss Hildie Tripson, of the Sexton family to put our fears at rest.

Miss Hildie was especially gracious and took the time to assure us that nothing in the interior is being removed and the original decor will remain with all of the wonderful quirkiness that Waldo intended.

"We're just remodeling the kitchen" she promised. "and the restaurant will be opening again in November with a new tenant."

Thanks Miss Hildie, now we can breath a big sigh of relief. So there y'all have it, something to look forward to.

Oh and by the way, today's Press Journal restaurant review is about the Ocean Grill. Now y'all know we have something to say about that, but we promised someone that we would mind our manners and not say anything nasty today. Don't worry kids, we'll be back to our ole vinegar veined self tomorrow!

MWAH!

missvero@live.com