HERE'S TO THE LADIES WHO LUNCH!

*with apologies to Stephen Sondheim and especially Elaine Stritch.

Have y'all heard? The Economy has recovered so says our Federal Reserve Chairman, Mr. Bernanke. Oh really? Asks Miss Vero, well, oh well and nevahmind, we were planning on doing some shopping and lunching anyhow. Now Hunnies go on and mix yourselves a nice cool libation and get all sitch-e-ated 'cause Miss Vero has a whole heap of goodies for y'all today. Go on, we'll wait.

Y'all back yet? Good, now pay attention there's a whole heap of good info here today.

Aw'right now, for starters we've decided to name names and give up some propers to all of our lady friends who we love to lunch with. If y'all may have thought that you've seen Miss Vero out and about these days y'all may be right, because instead of lollin' about feeling bad about our lack of current cabbage, we have decided that the best thing to do is to stay connected with our friends and get out even more!


Y'all may have seen us sipping bloody marys at the Patio Restaurant with our society pal and Veronews contributor, Miss Mary Schenkel. Also in attendance the evah stylish and young Vero royal, Miss Charlotte Tripson. As we ordered another round, Chef Chuck Lamm stopped by our table and told us about the new Patio Express. Located directly next door, the flash in the pan gift shop reopened last Friday as a brand spakin' new 30 seat cafe. They are specializing in flatbread pizzas and sandwiches, take out and delivery -wow, we love havin' things brought to us!

Or perhaps y'all may have caught a glimpse of Miss Vero having a happy hour cocktail at Riverside with the hottest realtor in town. Whom may that be, y'all ask? Well, Miss Vero is pleased as punch to say we know talent when we see it and way back in May of last year we predicted that Miss Barbara Martino-Sliva was destined for big things and well, hunnies, we are right! Just google her or friend her facebook page and treat yourselves to the most fabulous inside Vero info. Nobody works harder or blogs better than Miss Barbara! Nobody, not even Miss Vero. Miss Barbara's Blogs are mighty significant, mark our words, just wait and see...

Have y'all been to Vero Beach Hotel and Spa recently? We have. Nevahmind their enormous facebook fan campaign with over 4,000 fans -and what is it with all these facebook obsessions, anyway? The big news is that since Kimpton has taken over they have made a point of getting all of us, who were not too enamored with the Indigo Room and the sporadic service, back in the fold. Well, we must say that their devious plot to win our heart has worked! We lunched recently with our good friend Miss Kitty Wagner, owner and Chef of Undertow and our recently returned from Paris pal, "Muse of the World". Service, food and cocktails were perfect and a little table side chat with Chef Matthew Dewey put our mind to rest that COBALT will be right on target for season. And we are so pleased to report that they may even have the best happy hour in town! $3 appetizers and $5 martinis - Get Out! Miss Vero loves, loves, loves that!

We've also had some out of town guests that we have sequestered there and they were very pleased with the accommodations. Now, not havin' personally spent the night we can't say too much about it, but hearin' that they will accommodate our little pet pup-pup, Miss Vero is strongly feelin the urge of a Staycation comin' on. We'll let y'all know.


Our ole pal, Muse, loves to shop and always points us in the direction of fabulous finds. After our lunch, we found ourselves in the cutest little cupcake shop on Cardinal called Frosting. Honestly, we contracted Diabetes on the spot. It was so sugary sweet, but in oh, such a a good way. Muse bought us the most scrumptious delish red velvet cupcake and it was put in a special box with a pink ribbon and we all could have died, 'cause we all felt like kids in a candy store. The selection of gifts and retro candy was so fun and fabulous, the only thing missing was Anthony Newly singing Candyman and showering us with Wonka Bars. No foolin' it's a magically little happy place and (of course) they have a facebook page with almost 600 fans! Ohhh...and Krispy Kreeme doughnuts too!!!!






















Did we mention they make specialty cakes too? For weddings and such. And speaking of Weddings and such, how nice is it that Miss Deb Daley decided to celebrate her wedding this weekend with a singles sale at Decorative Arts? All single lamps, prints, pillows, chairs, garden stools and side tables will be 40% off! Thanks Deb, Congratulations and big MWAH! to you Hunney.







And finally in our shopaholic roundup, what could be better than a sale on handmade in Florida, never go out of style shoes? We're talkin' Bonanno's Sandals, of course and Miss Cathy Riggs, proprietor of said fabulous sandals, has just sent us an e-mail that the sale will be extended one more week. $20 off any instock or custom shoe. Miss Vero stopped in and bought 3 pairs!!! We just couldn't resist.

We have saved the most fun for last. Our dear friend Miss Karen Mechling of Pointe West, is competing in the Co-Host Idol contest on WGYL93.7 The Breeze. She sounds fabulous and we all need to send her our votes on the WGYL website, so y'all just stop reading now and vote for Karen.

Well that's it for today y'all and we think that's quite a bit. We are feeling extra generous this week so since today was a "Ladies day" perhaps next time we'll talk about some men folk. There's an local election and some gossip floatin' around and well, we'll see y'all soon.

Did we mention we have a facebook page?

MWAH!

missvero@live.com

THE CONTINUING SAGA OF VIVIENE VON VOOT AND THE VERO DATING SCENE!

I have been lucky enough to accompany Miss Vero to drag queen show(s), bars, Sunday house parties, and of course cocktail hour in general… what I’m trying to say here is, Miss Vero if I hang around you any longer I’m going to be a left wing naked art dealer smoking cartons of stolen Tareytons… and oddly I don’t have a problem with it!

Anywho, so it’s Friday again – I happen to be carousing/researching this so-called “dating scene” later tonight, I’ll let you know how that goes.

On another topic, I was driving downtown and nearly ran into a new night club in Vero! Yes, a new night club called HOV (house of Vero). I wanted more information since it is my area of expertise at the beach house. If you all can remember before HOV it was Bombay Louie’s and then most recently, Tonic. Both were dumpsters, in fact, when you entered the bouncer at the door handed you a needle, leather belt, lighter, and a sterling silver spoon. Hopefully this HOV doesn’t fall into the same path that Mr. Tom Beaver’s fine establishment did.

The owner informed me that they’re going to have country night, rock ‘n’ roll, rap… I’m sure it will become very popular for the underage mall rats to sneak into. I wish it all the best though, I want them to succeed hopefully more great places will venture to downtown before it boards itself up from boredom! You won’t find me near there anytime soon unless I’m a little tipsy – that’s when I start to make the bad decisions.

You will however find me at a dueling piano show! Where you ask? Believe it or not THE PATIO. Every Saturday night dueling piano show! Where you ask? Believe it or not THE PATIO. Every Saturday night they put on a great show in the main dining room. I went last Saturday and it was hysterical. The pianist/singers mock the crowd and make fun of each other it’s less expensive than traveling to Orlando to Howl at the moon! Cripes, I’ve got to pick out an outfit for my big date!

Love and hugs,


Viv

Gotta love the Patio!

But Viv hunney,

Dont y'all want to sent up a call safety net for tonight? You know, have your girlfriend call you in the middle of the date, if it's going well you say "Hey, can't talk right now, I'm have a fabulous time with Mr. Wonderful!" or if it's going badly say, "What!!? They took your momma to the hospital, no it's alright, don't cry, I'll be right there!"

Just a suggestion...

MWAH!

missvero@live.com

THE CONTINUING SAGA OF VIVIENE VON VOOT AND THE VERO DATING SCENE!

While I was out and about socializing on a lovely Sunday, I ran into someone who gave me a little constructive criticism about my writing style. He told me I was focusing a little too much on the negative, which is true, and that I needed to lean more towards “advice” which I also agree with. He told me that he would’ve loved to have known the hot spots in town when he was brand new to V. So this week’s column is dedicated to him. This might be a rough column full of stereotypes and statements you might not agree with but for the good single people of Vero Beach it’s absolutely necessary and all stated merely through observations I have made.

Disclaimer: I’m trying to drink Miss Vero under the table so this will be about the bar scene...

Riverside is great at happy hour it’s actually sophisticated from about 5:30-8. It’s when the night falls and the flood gates open to the underage and fresh out of college crew. You’ll be packed in like sardines and it averages about 10 minutes sometimes to receive your drink. Needless to say you get tired of it quickly.

Longbranch is always a drunken mistake and the bathrooms are more frightening than the dark hole in a porta potty.

Undertow is an exceptional place to socialize at any hour. I’ve probably never been in a friendlier atmosphere and that is usually the place of choice for new comers in Vero.

Costa De Este has a unique atmosphere, but it’s someplace to go to be seen, not necessarily meet new people. The people there already have their ties to Vero and are not interested in adding to their group. Not to mention on Friday nights the loud techno music is about as bad as walking into a raging ecstasy party where everyone is chewing on light bulbs.

The Indigo Room in the new Vero Beach Hotel is extravagant and I really think that would be a great place to meet people. You basically fall onto the beach when you step onto the outside deck. It’s got a great piano player, and it’s just a relaxing time.

The Patio has gotten somewhat of a bad rep with the recent closing and re-opening, but if you want to experience old Vero it’s great. They also have a piano player during the weekend and fantastic drink specials as well as food. Very rustic.

Filthy McNasty’s is…unexplainable. They definitely have their own frequent fliers there. If you’re into live bands that play hardcore rock than that is your place! Personally, it aggravates my senses but see for yourself.

Whatatavern is like a modern day cheers. It can be fun, they have great deals on drinks. It’s smokey, filthy, and poorly lit (as opposed to any other bar) but for some reason it attracts just about everybody in the demographic 19- 35 (yes, 19 face it tons of underage drinkers running around).

Bodega Blue is a perfect venue for downtown Vero, I wish we had more wine and cheese pubs like it! They always have an excellent acoustic show any given night and if you want to try a variety of beers that don’t taste like Natural Light, this is your scene!

Szechuan Palace’s upstairs bar is an amazing place to go and I personally don’t think they get nearly enough recognition for it.

Havana Night’s (Caribbean Court Hotel) piano bar is a MUST see and is a hush hush hidden treasure! If you want to get tipsy and not worry about running into people you know, than please be seated in their bed like tables.

With all this talk about bars, I might have to start the cocktail hour fairly early. Miss Vero, I'll see you in AA. OH and last but not least... R.I.P. Lenny's Lounge, gone but not forgotten.



Love and hugs,

Viv






Miss Vero wonders - What is this AA you speak of child?
MWAH!

missvero@live.com

BIGGER FISH TO FRY

Oh my goodness the Press Journal has published a story about the Patio restaurant opening this fall! Seems like we did that two weeks ago. Wait! We did do that two weeks ago (read July 24th post "Vero Treasure Chest"). Yesterday we asked when they'll notice that Rip's and Monte's have closed and today we have to report another restaurant closing in Sebastian - The Red Garlic. Thank you to our Supreme Sebastian Source.

And we just have to add - the Coste D'Este staycation idea? Puh-leeeese. It's just more Lemmon juice poured in the wound, feels good to get the uninformed riled, huh Russ?

Oh well, Miss Vero has bigger fish to fry today. We just gotta tell y'all that this business of bloggin is seriously cuttin into Miss Vero's cocktail time, so we are takin Wednesdays off. Besides, scoopin the PJ is gettin to be old hat.

Got a lunch date, libations and snarky-snacks, comin right up!

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

UPDATE - PATIO RESTAURANT
Miss Vero found a letter from Mr. Tom Beaver that y'all might like to peruse:
http://www.veropatio.com/
Now we know.

A FOND FAREWELL TO THE PATIO

OPEN YOUR EYES AND BEHOLD THE CLASS SYSTEM!
Yes my dears, it is true. Miss Vero has a tear in her eye as she reports to you the closing of The Patio Restaurant. Now many people have made snide remarks on the TCPalm website about the roaches and rats and the food being bad, but these are the exact people that Miss Vero would tell to go and forget themselves and Miss Vero does not exactly mean "forget". Hunn-ney if you ever actually saw where your food comes from and the goings on in the restaurant biz, well let's just say you would never eat again. It seems that one individual gets it and that is Miss Donna from the Idea Garden. Miss Vero Has met Miss Donna (although Miss Donna will not remember Miss Vero) and applauds her for being concise in her assessment of the current situation. http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/apr/30/vero-beach-landmark-patio-restaurant-closed/?feedback=1#comment
Miss Vero noticed a line at the opening of the Olive Garden on Monday night and was suspended in disbelief for a moment, because children, Miss Vero has never actually ventured into an Olive Garden and wondered what all the fuss is about. Ironically Miss Vero did have the pleasure of visiting the Patio on Tuesday night, the last night opened and was happy to have a cocktail (or two) brought by the wonderful Miss Debbie. Miss Vero adores Miss Debbie (although Miss Debbie will not remember Miss Vero) and wishes her nothing but fabulous Mojo. And yes, Miss Vero has had the pleasure of Mr. Tom Beaver's acquaintance (although Mr. Beaver will not remember Miss Vero). While we found Mr. Beaver to be quite pleasant we do not know enough about his situation to make any comment, so for now children we will hold our tongue.

OK KIDS LET'S LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE SHALL WE?
OR BETTER YET...VERO ECONOMICS 101
Let's begin with the story of a lovely Italian restaurant by the name of Guytano's. A beautiful an profitable place with an open kitchen, scrumptious fare and a great location on US 1. This place was humming. For those of you that don't know it occupied the spot where the Barkley lion logo interior design store currently resides. Well, when the new Indian River Mall opened, Guytano's quickly thought that this would be the place to be, as did many high end shops. The likes of Bailey, Banks and Biddle (now gone) and others quickly filled what was touted as a high end shopping mall. One must have seen the writing on the wall when Talbot's provided the only exterior door to shield it's clientele from the mall masses. Oh Yes! Miss Vero can tell you of a cocktail party she attended and in conversation with a resident of the beach side (a beachie) was told "I'm disappointed that Guytano's moved, we dined there frequently, but now that they're in the mall, well, we would never eat in a mall would we?" Guytano's went out of business, people lost jobs and that was that.

The moral of the story kids, is there are beach restaurants and then there's the Carraba, Outback, Olive Garden fare for those that serve the beachies. And if you don't believe there are two Vero's just as there are two America's, answer me this -

Why is it called Martin Luther King Blvd. on the west side of US 1 and called 45th street on the east side? Perhaps Mr. Lemmon could use this as one of his droppings or would we be getting too close (EEE GAWD) to the truth of this town.

SHOW MISS VERO SOME GOOD LUVIN....
missvero@live.com
Don't make a lady wait!