Dateline Dayton – Last Saturday was our regular bimonthly high school class breakfast. Since the weather wasn’t great, a few regulars did not show and one couple was in Florida. The topics of discussion varied from why young people don’t attend church to concerts, as well as the usual do- you-remember this person or that event.

Speaking of concerts, I remember a concert Pauline and I attended a few years back. I always have been a fan of Cher’s, probably more for her outrageous outfits than her singing. When I heard she was coming to Dayton, I convinced Pauline we should attend. Since it was in May, I told her it could be my birthday present.

I paid good money for seats on the floor of the Nutter Center, on the campus of Wright State University. Floor seats would be great, wouldn’t they? How wrong I was.

We were in the last row of the first section of the floor seating, and none of the people remained in their seats during the performance.

Worse, handicap seating was behind us. Those confined to wheelchairs only could look at the monitors. No way they could see the actual stage.

If we want to spend an evening with a bunch of rowdy drunks, we could have gone to a bar. It would have cost me much less. I don’t drink. In most cases, there would be music, even a television to watch. Cher might have been performing.

I told my classmates, if you want to see a concert in a great facility, without the noise and drunks, go to Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. For our anniversary some years ago, we went to see Celine Dion at Caesar’s. What a show. Sure, we were up near the last tier of comfortable seats, not chairs. But we were in the first row of the section and our sight lines were just fine. We were able to see the stage and always had the monitors if we desired a closer look. That facility would be my choice to see a performer in a first-class setting. By the way, it cost me less than the Cher concert and we only arose at the end for a standing ovation.

Speaking of Hearts

Tuesday was Valentine’s Day. A classmate unable to attend our breakfast, emailed me that her niece had opened an Italian restaurant in Dayton, and she had been voted the best chef in Dayton.

When I tried making reservations, was told they had none until 9 p.m. Not wishing to eat that late and still wanting to try th restaurant, we decided to celebrate on Wednesday. With 6 o’clock reservations, we arrived early. The place is plain and simple, but you can’t say that for the food. We were greeted by one of the owners, Beth, and immediately saw the other Dana Downs, the Executive Chef. What she is able to do with food is outstanding.

Pauline had a small salad, which, by our standards, was large. Wonder what the large looks like? For her meal, she chose the generous serving of grilled swordfish, done to perfection, served with capers. I selected roast beef tenderloin, again a generous serving, which absolutely melted in my mouth, served with Gorgonzola scalloped potatoes and sautéed spinach. For dessert, we shared a cream brule del giorno, and it was delicious.

Roost Modern Italian is pricy,by our standards, but well worth the money for the food and service. I know where I’m taking Pauline for her birthday.

Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglobal.net