Infinite MonkeysI've got a meeting with a customer in Palo Alto tomorrow, so I'm staying downtown at a really old hotel, very close to the Stanford campus. When I say really old hotel, I mean "no air conditioning and an elevator where you open the door yourself" kind of old. But it's got character. Deuce says that should be the slogan above the door: "No air conditioning, but lots of character."
Of course, we're in silicon valley, so of COURSE the hotel has Wi-Fi. No air conditioning, but the wireless internet access has a great signal. I checked in, called my wife and told her how to reach me, and booted up my MacBook to check my e-mail. After I was done (around 9:00pm) I headed next door to the English Pub (The Rose & Crown) I noticed on the way in. Sat down, got comfortable, and ordered a Fullers ESB (on tap!) and the Fish & Chips. But it was not to be - their kitchen closed at 9. NINE O'CLOCK???? I know it's summer, but we're practically across the street from Stanford. No food? That's just crazy talk.
I needed to eat, so I walked across the street to a neat diner/soda fountain. Ordered the Pastrami Reuben. The pastrami was quite good, but the swiss cheese was quite a bit stronger than I like. I'm really not a swiss cheese guy - I rarely order it on anything other than a Reuben. I've had a couple of REALLY good Pastrami Reubens in the last couple of weeks. Last Wednesday, I had a great one at this little New York-style deli near the Orange County airport. The week before, at a Cafe at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas. So, frankly, I was a bit disappointed. I'm guessing the place had a good black & white malted, but once I ate, I was ready for a beer or three, so I headed back to the Rose & Crown.
Oh, I forgot to mention, great Wi-Fi access in the diner, and again at the Rose & Crown. Say what you will about Palo Alto, you won't lack for Internet access. But I have to say I'm kind of ambivalent about the town. Maybe it's just a bad night, but I had higher expectations. Fullers ESB on tap is great, but the bar's kind of a snooze. Staff are clearly American, and when you go to an English or Irish pub, you kind of prefer a first-generation immigrant. Or, at least, I do. And did I mention that the kitchen closes at 9:00pm? What kind of college town is this?
Nothing interesting on the stereo. I've been catching up on podcasts on my iPod Nano. Mostly Penn Jillette and Coverville. I'll do another post some other time about my favorite podcasts, but those two are definitely on the list.
Alright, if anything my awkward prose has conveyed the ambivilence I feel about this town. You're welcome.
Posted by RobbL at June 21, 2006 11:45 PM