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Friday, July 12, 2002

Are you sure you ate at the Carlton?

As a frequent (and never less than 100-percent satisfied) patron of the Carlton Restaurant for many years, I couldn't help but wonder as I read Ed Masley's review ("Paying for service," July 5) if he might have inadvertently wandered into the wrong establishment.

While being absolutely on-point about the service and staff (second to none), I believe he missed out on sampling some equally superb cuisine. I would elaborate on every delicious dish, but space does not permit.

In every business, everything starts and stops at the top. Kevin Joyce, proprietor of the Carlton, personifies all that is good about this business: completely professional, totally hands-on, obsessed with quality, and a great guy, as well.

I suggest Masley and company return there soon. If disappointed a second time, he'll know he's in the wrong place! Just a small request: take me along!

AMANDA WILLARD
Robinson

From the mosh pit to the Carlton

Ed Masley's review of the Carlton Restaurant (July 5) paints an unflattering portrait, which is totally undeserved. The Carlton is an outstanding establishment, having a very high level of service and outstanding food.

What is particularly disturbing about this review is that Ed Masley is a pop music critic -- not a restaurant critic. If the Post-Gazette wishes to present informed reviews of eating establishments, it ought to utilize services of an informed restaurant critic as it has done in the past. It is perfectly obvious that Mr. Masley has spent too many hours in the mosh pit eating rock concert food.

He has done the Carlton and its dedicated staff a great disservice.

IRA WEISS
Oakland

In search of the grape

Like many people in the area, I have a fond appreciation for wines. Most of my information comes from either the Wine Spectator, The Brown Derby Newsletter or the San Francisco Chronicle's weekly Wednesday wine articles.

Unfortunately, living in Pennsylvania, I can only buy a handful of the wines reviewed. I was quite happy to see that the Post-Gazette would have a bimonthly review of wines, Tastings, by Bruce May, which would concentrate on wines "readily" available in our area.

In the June 27 article, Mr. May listed a number of red wines that he rated highly, and all of which were reasonable. Armed with his article I stopped in at the state store in McCandless and found that only one of the wines was available. I don't surrender easily, so I drove over to the state store on Perrysville Avenue in Ross and found none of the wines were available.

I was informed by the wine manager that many people had stopped in search of the wines noted in Tastings and found they no longer were available and could not even be special-ordered. He further explained to me that Bruce May is reviewing special-order wines, which are limited in availability. This would be fine, but he does do his tastings long after the wines are sold out. If the Tastings article is to continue, it would be wise to feature wines that the Pennsylvania wine enthusiast can purchase!

JOHN M. DOLGAS
Glenshaw

Dancers need water

In his letter, Richard Mencken seemed to be quite upset with clubs like the Matrix and Sanctuary ("Pittsburgh clubs are a long way from 'hip,' Feedback, July 5), and I completely agree. These clubs claim to have the most "hot and hip" dance and electronic music, when they just play the same records week after week (which aren't exactly cutting-edge).

I've been a raver for quite some time, and I've been forced into going to clubs because my scene is pretty dry right now. But I'm not complaining so much about the music. Here's where my complaint comes in: Where's the water?!!

I mean bottled water. None of these places will sell me bottled water. Sure, they sell any kind of beer or liquor, which only dehydrates your body, but they won't sell me water.

I dance. I dance a lot, and naturally I sweat. I need water at these places. Actually I would think it's kind of dangerous to not keep up with your liquids. What happened to that 8 oz.-of-H2O-every-15-minutes-when-you're-sweating-a-lot thing?!

Alcohol helps not at all. I'm not against drinking. Go ahead, drink at these places -- drink all you want. I'm just suggesting that bottled water be sold also. There you see...I'm not your typical hang-out-at-bars girl. I'm a DJ-dance-loving-techno chick who's trying to understand how these places work.

JUDY S. NIRELLA
Scott

On Scooby and Satan

Are Philip Vick's comments about Scooby Doo serious ("You'll love Scooby -- if you're a Satanist!" June 28). How can he compare a children's movie to something that could only be appreciated by Satanists?

As a lover of all movies and one who is very open-minded toward different religions, I found it very offensive that the PG would actually print a letter bashing a legitimate (albeit stereotyped) religion due to demons and out-of-body experiences.

Would Mr. Vick's comments have been published if he had compared [the movie] to another religion?

Maybe if he had condemned/labeled another movie blasphemous and compared it to Catholicism or Judaism the PG would have thought twice before publishing his letter.

JAMES McMILLEN
South Side

PSO's Russian patriotism

Could someone please explain to me why the Pittsburgh Symphony chooses "The 1812 Overture," a paean to the Russian Czarist oligarchy, as the climactic ending of our Independence Day celebration?

Surely there are other much more appropriate pieces suitable for fireworks accompaniment. How about "Fanfare for the Common Man," "Stars and Stripes Forever" or "The Battle Hymn of the Republic"?

RONALD L. FLUCKER
O'Hara

Loving the drive-in

I was reading an article titled "The Big Picture" (June 6), and I wanted to comment. My family and I frequent the movies. The Showcases are nice, but we are partial to the drive-in, more specifically Dependable Drive-in.

I find that the environment at the drive-in is kid-friendly. My daughter and her friends are able to discuss the movie (during the movie) and laugh loudly without disturbing the other viewers. The children do not have to climb over people when they need to use the restroom during the movie. They are able to bring their favorite snacks and/or use the concession stand. And most importantly, the children can lie down with a pillow while watching the movie instead of fidgeting in a chair.

RICHELLE McGUIRE
Bridgeville

Columns from the beyond

Apparently the rumors on the street that Ann Landers was pummeled to death by wet noodles are untrue. I still see her column in your paper. And we still have Peanuts for that matter, even though Charles Schulz is no longer with us. How many dead people work for the Post-Gazette anyway? Might as well bring back Joe Browne and Gilbert Love. You could make one whole section dedicated to past newspaper columnists, along with a forecast by Weatherbird Donald Dingbat. Call it "Dead-to-Writes."

TIM BRIDGEMAN
Sheraden

Henri and Hopper

I found Mary Thomas' article on Robert Henri and the Ashcan School (July 6) to be very informative and interesting. After reading the article, I definitely plan on viewing the current exhibition at the Westmoreland. The article also reminded me that Henri was a major influence (at The New York School of Art) on a very young Edward Hopper, perhaps the greatest of all American 20th-century painters. Again, thank you for the timely news about what promises to be a remarkable experience.

JOEL MILLER
Bellevue