Weekend Fare

The weekend wraps itself around food and sunsets.

Friday: Dining outside is a primal pleasure. Pitching a tent near a pond in a vineyard and serving local species (both as fare and as diners) is a good way to raise money to promote the National Road.

We like to sit by a fire after dark. A guitar player adds to the music of the crickets even if he doesn't know all the words to "American Pie" by heart.

Saturday: Combine human courtesy with a talented chef, and the result is memorable.

Finding international dishes prepared with fresh ingredients in Youngstown, PA (Arnold Palmer's hometown) is a surprise. Stop and see Michael and Yelena Barnhouse at Barnhouse Bistro (also known locally as the Tin Lizzy), and you won't be disappointed.

Open for both lunch and dinner, their menu ranges from burgers or bangers and mash, to lavender lamb Bolonese or cassoulete. There's also the "small plate of the day" and the seafood of the day.

It's a rarity, but everything on their menu tempts us.

They seem to be working hard at the American Dream and deserve success. Yes, her accent is Russian. His is Ohioan.

Sunday: The weekend is far from over, and so is the summer. We're going outside to wallow in it.

The last of anything can be the best of it.

Stretch the day.

copyright 2010 J. O'Brien, all rights reserved