High Altitude Warning!

Geppetto’s presents… Salem’s own TBL Basketball Team! These guys are great athletes who, thanks to Owner, Jason Conrad, have chosen to make Salem their home. They will be at the restaurant tonight, Thursday, 2/24 at 6:00pm for a meet and greet as well as photo opportunities!
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Rise above it all! Seek new heights! Come and meet your Salem Capitals!

This night was special…

Geppetto’s was there. We brought our house made, Gluten Free meatballs and meat sauce along with mini Caprese Salads; fresh Mozzarella, basil and Bougie Balsamic… served with hand picked, hydroponically grown, Heirloom tomato slices… deeeelicious!

Everything we offered was well received. To put it frankly… what we had to offer was a hit.
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We are thankful for the opportunity to provide and learn.

With every experience we learn and grow. #grateful

Posting now because… well… I should.

The next post will be deemed most important though.

Stardate 022222.2 coming soon!

A friend was in New Orleans for food and drink… so good! Soraida… thank you for sharing… beignets… heck yah! Coffee please!
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If I could choose my team for a tight game ahead… I would want Soraida on my bench. She is the real deal… a get it done girl… who raises the bar! If I had to face the enemy in any alley… she would be one I would want there. Bless you, Soraida! Love you and thank you… for calling a spade a spade… and keeping it real and true and to the point.

An excellent meal from an unsung location.

Event after event takes place downtown at the Salem Conference Center. Breakfast events aren’t as common as lunch and dinner.

This morning… breakfast with the Chief was well attended and absolutely inspirational. Did I mention there was bacon? Bacon, scrambled eggs, potatoes and coffee!

How do they do it at SCC? Delicious food… served hot… when it’s meant to be hot… to hundreds of people… all pretty much at the same time.

The crew at SCC deserves recognition. They provide great food, service and professionalism… no matter the cause.

SCC has suffered great losses through the pandemic. No in person events… could kill an event space. But SCC did not die. They knew what to do to persevere. And as hard as the decisions and choices were to make… they did it.

SCC is gradually returning to a semblance of normal. While group size fluctuates by necessity… food quality and the high level of service provided does not.

While benefiting from the venue… I made a new friend today. Her name is Shelby. She is nothing but just a hound dog. She is energetic, loving and very slobbery. Her handler, Officer Merritt was kind enough to pose for photos.

Thank you to Salem Conference Center, chefs, servers, crew and management.
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Thank you to all who serve! Everyone… stay strong and stay safe!

Once Upon a Time - There Was Love.

When fans think about Star Trek and romance, Captain Kirk usually comes first to mind. He was the one who had the most relationships in the original series. However, Spock also wasn't entirely lonely. Despite the Vulcan way of life that makes showing emotions undesirable, Spock has experienced a great deal of romance over the years.

We are grateful. Valentine’s Day 2022 was a success at Geppetto’s. Our staff worked hard to make everything special. Our guests were gracious and happy; dining in, ordering takeout and receiving delivery.

Wildflowers & Whimsy made each table look great. Long time customers left us an original Valentine which made everyone smile.

Geppetto’s has amazing customers.

Earlier this week we learned of the sudden death of a very frequent delivery customer. For their family, our hearts break. He was kind and always happy to greet me at their door. I drove to their place many times. If I thought food would help… I’d bring it. Mahalo, dear friends, Mahalo.

You know… Love is a many-splendored thing. That means; love is a thing which has many splendors. Likewise; splendors are to be found in many different kinds of love.

Case in point; We love our customers… regulars who appreciate what we offer… and the new business which gives us a try and finds love in the atmosphere, food and service Geppetto’s has to offer.

If Spock found love… everyone can. Keep your eyes and ears open, not just one day of the year… but every moment.
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Once upon a time… there was love. Be ready… it might not appear as you thought it would.

What’s a Girl to Eat? I’m looking for recommendations.

While the Winter Olympics are underway…The Special Olympics Polar Plunge will be commencing soon also.
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Michellee Grogan and I will be joining the rest of our team, The Plunging Opi, for a dip into cold waters to benefit Special Olympics. This will be the first time plungers have plunged The Polar Plunge in Oregon’s capitol city. This inaugural moment will be one to remember.

As I lay here in my bed… under my toasty heating blanket… I know there is no point in asking, “What was I thinking?” I just need to get up and move… dress for the plunge and pack for the aftermath; the opportunity to warm up and cheer the rest on!

Michelle informed me last week that she would not be going under the water because she wears hearing aids. She made it pretty clear that going under water was my job… and so… I will.

I’ve heard… the first one out of the water will have to pay $100. I’m bringing cash… just in case.

So now… what should I eat? Is there any food which fuels heat from the inside out. Just wondering… grasping. This too shall pass. And knowing me… I’ll probably be hooked and looking forward to next year.
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Go Team USA! Go Team Plunging Opi!

In years past… the responsibility of floral arranging at Geppetto’s has fallen to my mom. (Judy Lindal) She has such a way with flowers and ribbon. Covid season has changed things up a bit… and for now… venturing out is simply not a good idea for mom.

Feeling the need for festivity… and inspired by the Still Small Voice… I reached out to my dear friend Erin Wood at Wildflowers & Whimsy. Erin willingly accepted the challenge to create lovely table arrangements for the MONTH of LOVE!

Not only are they beautiful but her turn around time was super quick, very affordable and my mom… is going to LOVE them!

In other news… Specials will be offered Friday and Saturday of Valentine’s Day weekend. There will be Prime Rib served with Roasted Red Potatoes, Wild Mushroom Risotto with Grilled Chicken and Prawns sautéed in a Lemon Butter Wine Sauce! More about that soon!

Meanwhile… flowers are on the tables in preparation for a heart filled month.

We’ve come a long way from the deep freeze of last year… outdoor dining, lap blankets and heat lamps, power outages and food loss. Praying Mother Nature plays nice this year.
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Call Geppetto's Italian Restaurant for takeout and delivery (All of Salem and Keizer) 503.378.1271

Taterrific! Spudtacular!

Since last week’s post about craving a baked potato the desired destination was undeniable.

Baked and Loaded Potatoes from the Spud Bus hit the spot!

I branched out from simple butter and salt… when I saw a photo of the Broccoli and Cheese. I left off the sour cream so as not to stray any further. Roger opted for the Stroganoff, which made up for my lack of sour cream. He ate too fast to share.

It was a pleasure meeting Ken and hearing a bit about how the Spud Bus came to be. Sounds like what it took was teamwork… along with a heaping portion of creativity and good ol’ potato ingenuity.

It was a fast and hearty meal cooked to perfection. I’ll be having my second half for dinner tonight.
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Driver… move that bus! And give me your address there!

February 1st… the day my sister Jane was born. She is a constant in my life, a constant reminder that life has much to offer. We can get the most or the least out of it… and she will always get the most.

Jane and her husband, Dan, find the most amazing things. From delicious food to the most interesting places to visit… they do it all and they do it well.

They brought us to The Noodle House in Portland and they were right, it was amazing. When it comes to what to eat… They. Just. Know.

One time… on an Oregon coast overnight… they brought everything needed to stuff jalapeños with sausage, spices and cream cheese. They baked them in the beach house rental and about killed us with the aroma. It hurt so good. Made us all want more.

That’s what they do. They make you want more.

My suggestion… have someone in your life… if you’re not it… who knows how to find the fantastic… the unbelievably wonderful… the “you’ll never forget it.” That’s what my sister Jane and her husband Dan do.

Now… I could have chosen to focus this day on the negative Geppetto’s review which was posted. But… life is way too short. We can lift others up or tear each other down. We can seek that which is amazing and share it with others or we can spend our lives seeking to destroy.

The choice is ours.

Choose a weapon… or use your time on Earth to leave positive ripples.

Dan retired after decades at Boeing and took up wood working. They brought us a beautiful wine barrel which is a centerpiece at Geppetto’s now. Dan and Jane love Geppetto's.

I will cherish the good and look forward to more. Life is short. I thank God for those who seek the best and the most wonderful. If you don’t have a Jane and Dan in your life… Maybe you’re it.