Lunch with Zelda

I took a trip  with Zelda just before she died in 2005.  She had fond memories of her time in Ventura, California, and wanted to give me a tour of her old haunts.

She was a terrific cook, and loved fine food.  We shared some amazing meals along the California coast.  These delicious experiences were the highlight of our trip...


Suzanne's Cuisine
502 W Ojai Ave
Ojai, CA 93023

I had a Grilled Cheese Sandwich made with Asiago, Danish Emmenthal, Smoked Mozzarella, Tomato and Onion on Sourdough Brea.  I think I had a bowl of Tomato Soup as well, but the the Sandwich really stole the show.

Nona's Courtyard Cafe
67 South California Street
Ventura, CA 93001-2801

I had Gnocchi with Garlic, Olive Oil, and White Wine Sauce (like an alfredo sauce).  The food was good, but in that case it was the setting that made that experience memorable.  What a beautiful garden!

 

















Chase Restaurant & Lounge
1012 State St
Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Warm bread is served before the meal, and comes with butter, of course, and a dish of fresh shaved parmesan that you can sprinkle (or heap!) on the warm bread.  I had the Lasagna, and Zelda had the Fish Picatta.  Both dishes were excellent, but her Picatta was divine.

Zelda was was well spoken, and well read.  She was a graduate of UC Santa Barbara, and had a degree in English Literature.  She loved books and had a collection of signed first editions by Sue Grafton.

Zelda also loved to quilt.  My favorite was a patchwork done with 1 inch squares - it was incredible!  Her next quiliting project was to be made of old Jam's World shirts and dresses which she and I had collected from thrift shops.

Zelda collected 1/12th scale museum quality dollhouse miniatures.  She'd made a number of room boxes including a library, a screened in porch from a country home, a room with a Southwestern theme, and another room with a Christmas theme.

I remember she also collected Waterford Crystal and Le Crueset Cookware. 

Zelda loved cats, and had been a good mother to her cat Simone.  Before she died she made arrangements in her will for the care of her cat.  Sadly, when Zelda died her wishes were ignored and Simone was put to sleep. 

Zelda's vast collection of museum quality miniatures, along with a trunk full of quilts she'd sewn by hand were shipped off to a sister she never spoke to.  The rest of her possessions, including her fine crystal and cookware were sold off at a garage sale put together by the ex-husband she despised.

Zelda drank a bottle of vodka every day, and chain smoked cigarettes.  She had also been diagnosed with hepatitis, and desperately needed a new liver.  She was ineligible for a transplant due to her alcohol abuse.

Her ashes were scattered at Kailua beach where she had occasionally attended AA meetings.