Bitter Sweet

Appetizer- Pineapple Glazed Meatballs
Main Course - Lemon Pepper Halibut and Steam Vegetables
Featured Book - "The Paris Wife," By Mclain
Spoonful Rating - 4 Spoons
Beverage - Green Tea (Iced)
Dessert - Carmel Truffle Cheesecake


Falling in love is suppose to be surreal and memorable, yet alluring that one dives in with both feet, anticipating for what lies ahead. In the moment, one captures the eye of another, and blissfully, they join together for what they believe is eternal. Except when there is three, four, or more in the triangle, then there's ties that are not easily broken, and scares that can never be erased.

In the dramatic exposition of Ernest Hemingway's life, Mclain draws the lines of his life between his greatest passions --- the 'drink', women, writing, socializing, and the great temptations of always wanting more. Over the span of 299 plus pages, she unfolds the struggle Ernest divides his time and treasure with, and the constant need to be adored more than loved. And, someone enters his triangle he had not accounted for --- the love of his life, Hadley.

She enters his life for the better, but amid his strong pursuit for public acclaim and the endless nights of partying and emptying every glass, he scarifies the basics --- that is, shared life with one true love, stability of family, and a sense of self. The multiple appraisals of his work does not curve his appetite for even more. He cannot tear himself away from the deep rooted sores of emotional baggage of his past and thriving lust for life ahead of him. So, his decision is to indulge all of his passions, at the risk of losing everything, Ernest crafts a mirage of pain, shackled, mistakened emotions, and a web of lovers, he no longer knows.

In the corner space of each room he lives and across miles of ocean, Mclain draws the reader into the world of one fine artist, writer, and prolific orator. Through the captivating lens of his true love, Hadley, the reader witnesses the stains Ernest endured and passion he exuded on paper, as well as, in the flesh. Whether you are a fan of Hemingway or not, the reader cannot deny the torn emotions the book evokes, and by far, leading a public life draws so many questions, like what's normal?

Hadley Hemingway is the source of inspiration for the late author, and she, bares the scares that will leave you breathtakingly in awe of what it means to sacrifice all in the name of family and for love. This is a novel of true American spirit to be more than life, and survive the tumultuous times of the 1920s.

Pull up a seat, sink into a comfortable, oversize chair and blanket, and fall into the world of one amazing writer's thrust to overcome a lot. In the end, what will be said of a life lived so large, and to what degree will you sacrifice the passions you care for most.

In a word, the reader is left with is, ahhhhhhhh!

Bon Appetite!


Lemon Pepper Halibut and Steam Vegetables

3-4 pieces of fresh, cleaned Halibut
2 tsp. of non-salt margarine
Olive Oil (or Canola Oil, if preferred)
1 cup of bread crumbs (corn bread)
Dash of salt
Dash of coarse pepper
2-3 tbsp. of lemon juice
1 slice of fresh lemons (if in season)
1-2 cups of sliced, yellow squashed (julienne sliced)
1-2 cups of sliced, zucchini
1 tbsp of red peppers
1 tbsp of yellow or orange peppers
1/3 cup of cauliflower


Clean and separate fish in a bowl. Sprinkle on lemon juice, dash of salt and pepper. Dip in bread crumbs and set aside for 5 minutes. Soften margarine in sauce pan over medium fire. Add vegetables (in order) and stir for approx. 3-5 minutes, tossing on each side. Heat olive oil or canola oil in frying pan. Add Halibut to sizzling pan, one piece at a time. Cook on both sides until golden brown. Remove from pan and damp lightly excess oil. Assemble plate for fresh bed of vegetables and top with Lemon Peppered Halibut. Serve for 4-6 people.