Last Saturday, hubby and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary.

And really - what's a better date than a good movie and a great meal.

The Movie? The World's Fastest Indian. Seeing as we both love motorcycles, this was the perfect date movie for us. It's the true story of Burt Monroe who (at an advanced age) travels from New Zealand to the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah to race his modified 1920s Indian motorcycle and set a new land speed record.

There are several factors that contributed to the reason why this movie was so satisfying: For one, Anthony Hopkins is perfect in it. While I'm usually only able to see him as a mere deviation of the Hannibal Lecter character (in lesser roles), the minute he opened his mouth and that Kiwi accent came pouring out, I forgot all about Hannibal.

Two - Burt Monroe is probably as close to a "crazy old coot" as any character I've ever seen, but that's what makes him so irresistibly charming. While he spends the entire movie in the single-minded pursuit of his goal, he is also able to relish the journey in itself, embracing all people he encounters on his travels without prejudice (drag queens, used car dealers, and lonely old ladies alike), and with an utter lack of pride that allows him to ask complete strangers for help and become their instant friend. It was truly refreshing to see a character like that on screen.

Three - the movie gets away with zero special effects or gimmicks. It has a raw quality that you can relate to, lent by an exquisitely told story, but without the usual cheesy tugging-at-the-heartstring crap.

Verdict: Highly recommended.

The Meal? Staccato's at the Old Firehall.
Expensive? Yes. But worth every penny. And I just *love* that I can show up at a really nice restaurant in downtown Bend on a Saturday evening without reservations - and still get a table without having to wait even a few minutes.

As a starter, hubby and I shared a plate of the delicious young spinach with toasted pine nuts, goat cheese and crispy onions, tossed with warm bacon vinaigrette (although I don't remember encountering any pine nuts).

For the entree, I had really wanted either the Wild Boar Pappardelle or the Osso Bucco, but unfortunately both came laced with celery, a vegetable I'm highly allergic to (props to the waitress though who was diligent in checking on the ingredients for me). So instead, I settled for the Halibut Special, with purple mashed potatoes on a bed of spinach (you can never have enough spinach...), while hubby indulged in the Culotte Steak - grilled to perfection with gorgonzola cheese and a roasted garlic risotto cake, sautéed forest mushrooms and port reduction. Both dishes were flawlessly complimented by the glasses of Barbera and Chianti wine.

Are you salivating yet? You do so with good reason, believe me. It was utterly delectable.

Alas, our stomachs were too full for dessert - although I just about *died* when I saw the desserts they served to our neighboring table....

Verdict: Very Highly Recommended.

Life is good.