“Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” was penned by the cleric Charles Caleb Colton. This kind of described the night, a while ago. Went to the cinema and saw another of the films in the new generation of Star Trek; we saw Star Trek Beyond.   Now I have to admit that I am not the “Trekkie” in this household, but I have seen the movies, and the original television series goes back to the days when I actually watched that little box. There was just something so fun to watch the original series, because they did not take themselves really serious, and the star was so hammy, that it was enjoyable. Any show of this genre, gets my Bride’s attention, and she has watched all of the shows and the movies and will still watch them in syndication. The film was “kind of” like watching the old show.

We went out for dinner in conjunction with the show. We ate at California Pizza Kitchen which is a chain, and they were in the adjacent mall where the movie was playing. California Pizza Kitchen has a tight and decent menu, nothing outstanding, but good, just the same. My Bride had the Thai Crunch, which is a salad that has crispy vegetable and cilantro, chicken, peanuts and rice sticks tossed in a Thai Peanut Dressing. She tends to be a creature of habit and she normally orders this dish when she is there, and it is “kind of” a form of Thai food. I have to admit that the odd time that I have gone there, I am also a creature of habit and because I have found a dish that has some flavor, I keep repeating it as well. Now we have had several holidays in the French Quarter of New Orleans, and the dish I always have is “kind of” Cajun in flavor. I had the Jambalaya Fettuccine with blackened chicken and shrimp, crawfish, Andouille Sausage and Tasso Ham in a spicy Cajun sauce. We both liked our dinner that time, as well as any other time that we have been there.

We both had splits of sparkling wine, because it was a very hot day and the chilled wine would work with both of our entrée picks. My Bride had Le Grand Courtage Grand Cuvee Blanc de Blancs Brut NV. This “kind of” sounds like Champagne, but it is French, but from Nuits St. George in the Burgundy region. This sparkling wine is made in Stainless Steel and is a blend of Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Colombard and Ugni Blanc. I have to admit that it fitted the bill very nicely, though it would not be confused with Champagne, it had that festive feel to it. I also tried some sparkling wine, but mine was Mionetto Prosecco de Treviso DOC Brut NV. Prosecco de Treviso DOC is a relatively new designation from 2009 for the Treviso province in Veneto in North East Italy. To get this designation the wine must be made from at least 85% Glera or Prosecco grapes. The other 15% can be Verdiso, Bianchetta, Trevigiana, Perera, Glera Lunga, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanco and/or Pinot Nero. I have to admit that I enjoy having Prosecco or almost any other sparkling wine, if there is some taste and flavor, and I don’t confine myself just to Champagne. The evening on the whole was much better than “kind of.”