Taste Acquisition

Three notes about Rochester:

Last Thursday marked the start of the South Wedge Farmer's Market at Boulder Coffee. The opening ceremonies had an excellent turnout, and were introduced by our man Duffy himself, who impressed me by hanging out and chatting with people for at least the duration of my stay. It's starting small - and obviously can't get too big without changing venues - but there was a good solid crowd and it seemed like we'd outdone the vendors' supply in short order - I got the impression most of them hadn't expected to need quite so much stock. Hopefully it'll be equally attended next week, only this time with a wider selection - having a good produce market that doesn't require getting up with the sun on Saturdays is a wonderful thing.

This past Saturday, the intersection at East & Alexander was packed well beyond any sane capacity for a concert by Rusted Root, which I was pleased to attend. In point of fact I might as well have stayed home; I was able to catch the encore quite well from my apartment with the windows open, but it was still neat to see the band, which I've enjoyed for some time now. I haven't attended a good street concert since Concrete Blonde in D.C., and on the whole this was a pretty good time.

Tonight, I had dinner at a new(ish) Thai place called Siam, in the new buildings at Corn Hill Landing. I didn't like the restaurant itself, to be honest; the acoustics were terrible and I had trouble making myself heard by the person across the table from me even once most of the other guests had left. However, there was outdoor seating available, and I suspect I would have enjoyed that more (if, of course, it hadn't been pouring rain). Our waitress, 'Linda', provided what was unquestionably the worst service I have ever had in my entire life, and I am not exaggerating - I did something I think I have never done before, and left her exactly zero tip, but only after complaining to the manager about her. I can only assume she is the owner's daughter and very desperately not interested in being there, because no one who would actually apply for a job in the service industry could be that terrible. I have, and I say this in all honesty, had better service at McDonald's, and I don't mean the occasional good service you get there, I mean every single time I have ever been. However, the food was amazing. Just beyond belief. I was in awe. I will go back, most likely for take out, and I will likely do it over and over again - I just don't think I'll ever eat my food there again.

On the whole, to paraphrase a friend, this week is the closest I've come to not hating Rochester in a good long time. I'm impressed.