Posted by A few years ago, I did some work in Homestead, FL and while there, we went to what’s considered a high-end steak house, which will remain unnamed. Unnamed because you would think that for such a place, you’d expect nothing short of great food and prime steak! This was not the case. I ordered the soup du jour, which was Chicken Noodle. You wouldnt think a soup as simple as this, would be hard to not get right, I was wrong! When my steak came, which I ordered Medium Rare, favoring the “rare” side, it was Medium Well, favoring the “well” side! Which basically ruined the meal for me! How could you name yourself a reputable “steak-house” when the “Chef” cant even properly cook a steak?
Stay with me, this is actually going somewhere…!
I came home and made chicken soup, the way I expected chicken soup to be made in a so-called, high-end restaurant! The noodles were firm and not mushy, the broth was seasoned as would be expected, not bland and lacking simple herbs. The next night, I made myself a Rib-eye Steak the way a Rib-eye should be made! Perfectly medium-rare, leaning to the rare side and pleasantly seasoned, again, not bland! I posted my pics on FB and as you can imagine, the FB police were in full force. I called myself a “self-proclaimed Chef” and boy did that stir the pot! Pun intended!
So further to my point..!
As many of you know, during the pandemic, Al DiMeola created a “Home Event” package where select guests could experience an up close and personal VIP treatment complete with cocktails, tour of his memorabilia, at-home studio, personal concert and of course, a 4 course gourmet meal! Although he may be a “Chef” if not self-proclaimed, his meals, so Im told, are “Chef” quality! But does that make him a “chef”? The FB police certainly dont think so! (“PUT THE LADLE DOWN AND PLAY GUITAR..!!”)
Having said all that…!
I had the distinct pleasure of covering Al’s first date of his American leg of his Acoustic Tour at The Suffolk Theater in Riverhead, NY on Long Island and he and his bandmates did not disappoint. Starting promptly at 8:15p, performing for an hour for his first set, the audience, myself included, sat mesmerized during his heavily Spanish-influenced guitar mastery, erupting only to express our approval between courses. His music was set to a backdrop of video montages complementing each song choice. A favorite of mine, and probably many others, was “Ava’s Dance in the Moonlight”, which was introduced as a dedication to his daughter, including home video footage of her ballet dancing and father-daughter moments. After taking a much needed break, he and the band began set two, peppered with more “Classic Al” along with choice tracks of his latest release, 24.
Although Al may not be a so-called “professional” chef, he and his wife are maestro’s in the kitchen. And given the opportunity, that may be on my bucket list. But one thing for sure, Al and his crew sure know how to serve up, dish after dish of amazing guitar culinary for the soul!
Visit Long Island Sounds Facebook page for full gallery and give me a “follow”, yes, it does make a difference! To view previous review of Al performing at Patchogue Theater, here’s the link: https://longislandsounds.org/2024/05/11/al-di-meola-5-9-24-patchogue-theater/ For more information including tour dates and Al’s Home Events visit https://www.aldimeola.com/ and make sure you visit https://thesuffolk.org/ for all of their upcoming events and ticket info!!
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