If you are not already watching “Shrinking,” on Apple TV, you should be.
“Shrinking,” which just finished its third season and has been renewed for a fourth, is a gently comedic look at the lives and relationships of three therapists – played by Jason Segal, Jessica Williams and Harrison Ford – in the Southern California communities of Pasadena and Altadena. Even as I write those words, I realize how inadequate it is to the fabric of the show; with every episode, I find myself moved by how the characters are navigating the shifts in currents that life throws at them. Some are momentous (Segal’s character is a recent widower, Ford’s is dealing with Parkinson’s), and some are less so, but still in their own way challenging. Life never is easy, but with love and support, it can be manageable.
I won’t tell you more about the show because it deserves to be discovered, except to say that the writing and acting are uniformly excellent. (Especially Ted McGinley, who has been acting in run-of-the-mill supporting roles since “Happy Days,” and who absolutely kills it here.)
But I will say this. “Shrinking” is misnamed. I understand that it is centered on three shrinks, but the lovely reality of the show is that it is about people enlarging – becoming better versions of themselves (not quickly, not easily, and certainly not all at once).
I love “Shrinking,” and cannot wait until it returns.
A few weeks ago, I asked for some advice:
My oldest son is getting married in September. (That’s two weddings in the Coupe household in less than a year. Yikes.)
He’s planning his bachelor party for a weekend in New Orleans, and he’s been kind enough to ask his Dad to attend. I was flattered, and said I’d go on two conditions. First, he wouldn’t expect me to keep up with him and his friends – the last thing he needs is his father not knowing when to make a discreet exit. And second, I want to take him and his friends out to dinner one night.
He agreed to both conditions. (Why wouldn’t he?)
But that means I need to find a place to take about a dozen people to dinner, but that won’t break the bank. (Emeril’s, Commander’s Palace, Brennan’s, and the like probably are out of the question.) It’s been years since I’ve been to New Orleans, so I figured I’d turn to the MNB community to get some recommendations.
Can you make some suggestions for restaurants in or near the French Quarter or Warehouse District where the food will be great but the price tag won’t be onerous – someplace cool that will make these guys think that David’s dad still has some game?
Well, you all came through. Big time.
You offered literally dozens of suggestions. Lots of overlap, but that was reassuring. The one that came up the most often was Acme Oyster House, but unfortunately they don’t take reservations and my party isn’t big enough for a private room.
In alphabetical order, among the restaurants you suggested were Adolfo’s, Atchafalaya, Brennan’s, Cochon, Court of Two Sisters, Deanie’s, Dooky Chase’s, GW Finn, Herbsaint, Joey K’s, Pascal’s Manale, Pelican Club, Plates, Redfish Grill, and Shaya.
We’re working our way through these names, and more, and I promise to let you know where we end up. I’ll even try to take pictures when we’re there.
We’re big Albarino fans around our house, and I have a new one to suggest: the 2022 O Fillo da Condesa Albariño, which is light, refreshing and not too fruity – perfect with seafood or just by itself as the weather warms. And it seems to range from between $12 and $15 a bottle.
Lovely.
That’s it for now. See you next week.
Sláinte!!
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