mhafinancial
Jul 4th, 2007, 07:34 PM
Great time in AP yesterday.
We hit town around 3:30 and checked into the Empress. For those who have been to The Shining down at the north end of the boardwalk, the Empress is nicer, the staff much friendlier, and rooms much cleaner than its competition to the north.
We hung out in the room and went to dinner at Bistro Ole (http://www.bistroole.com/) at 5:30, party of 8. Good thing we went that early because when we were done around 7:15 there was an incredible wait outside, and I bet most of these people knew that the wait was worth it. Simply put, Bistro Ole, which has been open around 4 years (this was my first visit), was simply phenomenal. A Spanish/Portuguese inspired menu, BYOB, large portions of perfectly cooked and seasoned food, great staff. A little pricey but 1) you definitely are getting what you pay for and 2) that is somewhat offset by the fact you bring your own alcoholic beverages. It is a must visit when in AP.
After dinner we drove down Cookman on our way to the Pony, and it was extraordinary to see how busy and hopping things were at virtually all the eating spots we passed. Very nice to see and it's about time.
Got to the Pony to catch the final 4 songs of Robert Gordon's set. He sounded great, and was a lot of fun. Sorry that we missed most of it, but, oh that meal.... :-)
Our group was standing in front of the stage on the far left side (stage right) in front of the monster speakers. Ouch. Southside came out and played a loooooong set. While overall I have always enjoyed SSJ, I am by no means a major fan and that set could have been cut by an hour and I would have been a happy guy, but clearly the vast majority of the audience was into it so c'est la vie.
The group we really came to see was our very own Boccigalupe and the Badboys. Whenever I go up to AP to see those guys, it's like a magical thing happens once I cross Main Street.... all my cares and worried are left back in Maryland because I know I am in for a couple of hours of classic -- and some current -- rock and roll, played by some extremely talented musicians and showmen. And to top it off, they are all... now hold onto your hats... very nice guys.
Bocci played a long set - maybe 2 1/2 hours with no breaks. Twice he reached out to our friend Katie and had her join him on stage for Crazy Train and Magic Carpet Ride. She has come a long way since her first trip to the Pony last year, and really hammed it up with Bocci during Crazy Train. Her mic was not turned up enough, especially during Crazy Train, so I could not hear her on the video we shot (and which the SP Security folks were not happy about, but they got over it), so I am waiting to see if the video her dad shot has better audio and I will then post a link on YouTube. And lead guitarist Billy Walton is simply one of the best guitarists I have seen live.
It was a no tequila night for me (although I did have a glass of sangria at the restaurant), which just goes to show that one does not need to be agave-buzzed to enjoy Bocci and the Badboys.
Pics to follow shortly....
We hit town around 3:30 and checked into the Empress. For those who have been to The Shining down at the north end of the boardwalk, the Empress is nicer, the staff much friendlier, and rooms much cleaner than its competition to the north.
We hung out in the room and went to dinner at Bistro Ole (http://www.bistroole.com/) at 5:30, party of 8. Good thing we went that early because when we were done around 7:15 there was an incredible wait outside, and I bet most of these people knew that the wait was worth it. Simply put, Bistro Ole, which has been open around 4 years (this was my first visit), was simply phenomenal. A Spanish/Portuguese inspired menu, BYOB, large portions of perfectly cooked and seasoned food, great staff. A little pricey but 1) you definitely are getting what you pay for and 2) that is somewhat offset by the fact you bring your own alcoholic beverages. It is a must visit when in AP.
After dinner we drove down Cookman on our way to the Pony, and it was extraordinary to see how busy and hopping things were at virtually all the eating spots we passed. Very nice to see and it's about time.
Got to the Pony to catch the final 4 songs of Robert Gordon's set. He sounded great, and was a lot of fun. Sorry that we missed most of it, but, oh that meal.... :-)
Our group was standing in front of the stage on the far left side (stage right) in front of the monster speakers. Ouch. Southside came out and played a loooooong set. While overall I have always enjoyed SSJ, I am by no means a major fan and that set could have been cut by an hour and I would have been a happy guy, but clearly the vast majority of the audience was into it so c'est la vie.
The group we really came to see was our very own Boccigalupe and the Badboys. Whenever I go up to AP to see those guys, it's like a magical thing happens once I cross Main Street.... all my cares and worried are left back in Maryland because I know I am in for a couple of hours of classic -- and some current -- rock and roll, played by some extremely talented musicians and showmen. And to top it off, they are all... now hold onto your hats... very nice guys.
Bocci played a long set - maybe 2 1/2 hours with no breaks. Twice he reached out to our friend Katie and had her join him on stage for Crazy Train and Magic Carpet Ride. She has come a long way since her first trip to the Pony last year, and really hammed it up with Bocci during Crazy Train. Her mic was not turned up enough, especially during Crazy Train, so I could not hear her on the video we shot (and which the SP Security folks were not happy about, but they got over it), so I am waiting to see if the video her dad shot has better audio and I will then post a link on YouTube. And lead guitarist Billy Walton is simply one of the best guitarists I have seen live.
It was a no tequila night for me (although I did have a glass of sangria at the restaurant), which just goes to show that one does not need to be agave-buzzed to enjoy Bocci and the Badboys.
Pics to follow shortly....