The Last Supper

Last night I found myself "down-valley" from Aspen, looking for a place to eat. We happened upon Bella Mia, a restaurant formerly unknown to me, but now suddenly thrust into the spotlight as the location of Ken Lay's last meal. It was irresistible.

The chairs had a curious rocking motion, there were saffron swags on the ceiling, but otherwise it was a typical "family style" Italian eatery. We naturally ordered the Zinfandel called "Liar's Dice" and argued about what Ken might have eaten (the 16oz veal chop or perhaps, the Thai-chicken pizza?). The place was packed, people had to be turned away and there was a buzz in the air. We tried to identify mourners from the funeral service the day before, at which Mark Seidl had given the eulogy and Jeffrey Skilling had shown up with his attorney. The hoopla that scars Aspen in the "season" really gathered momentum with the sudden death of our most infamous part-time resident.

Alas that wasn't the only culinary tragedy of last week, so we decided to head back to Aspen for dessert at Campo de Fiori, the restaurant where Colin Powell had passed out while dining with President Clinton and Madeleine Albright. 30 minutes at Campo and I didn't blame General Powell, it was like being in the antechamber of a disco, I just couldn't help wondering who picked that joint for that dinner. When I got home I found this letter in the local paper:

"Editor: Mr. Colin Powell's recent illness in Aspen, apparently, due to high altitude adjusting and eating at an Aspen restaurant should keep all intelligent Americans alert to the continued intelligence gathering fiascoes and workings of our US State Department and our Central Intelligence Agency.

Ex-President Bill Clinton's stomach may be used to Arkansas swamp water, however if Mr. Powell had checked the health and safety records and underworld crime activities of the Aspen restaurant scene, he would have eaten at Aspen's MacDonald's or ordered a Domino's pizza. They are the "golden benchmarks" for the cleanest and safest restaurants healthwise...."

I guess my kids can order from Domino's tonight, safe in the knowledge that the food is...well, safe. I woke up around 3.30 this morning feeling a touch of heartburn, but I am glad to report I survived. So, in response to Joy, the owner of Bella Mia, who said, as we left, "Come and see us again" I can only reply, "We will". Meanwhile I heartily recommend the Penne Siciliana, not a bad choice for a last supper, even for a convicted felon.