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The 814: Bistro 26 gives guests a dinner to remember

By Victoria McGinty Managing editor

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While Valentine’s Day may be long over, there should always be an excuse to wine and dine once in a while.

Whether you’re in a romantic relationship or looking for somewhere to celebrate with your closest friends, Bistro 26 is the perfect place to treat yourself.

Located on West 26th St., Bistro 26 is a hidden gem in Erie perfect for any occasion. This quaint place may not look like much, but looks can be deceiving. There is a warm, intimate ambiance within the modest building, as well as some of the best food money can buy.

The staff is incredibly friendly, and the service is sublime.

Although Bistro 26 is on the high-end side in pricing, it is a great treat at the end of a long week or on a special occasion.

I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re on a budget, but it’s the perfect place for something different than fast-food and chains.

As for the menu, there is something for everyone.

Bistro 26 has a variety of steak, pasta, seafood dishes and an extensive menu of starters and desserts.

For guests 21 and older, Bistro 26 has a long wine list which includes reds, whites and chardonnays available for customers to try.

When dining at Bistro 26, I could not speak more highly of the crab cakes.

As someone who is not the biggest fan of seafood, these crab cakes were light yet filling and cooked to perfection with incredible flavor.

If you’re looking for something with lots of flavor, the center-cut sirloin is marinated in lime and other spices that are the perfect combination of tender and mouth-watering.

As for the side dishes that are served with every entree, the mashed potatoes are whipped to perfection and taste like your favorite homemade mashed potatoes.

The rice on the other hand is what ties the entire meal together. Never have I ever had rice so fluffy and flavorful. Rice is a side dish that is often hit or miss, although Bistro’s rice is what makes the entire dining experience worth it.

If you’re not full from the heavenly meal, Bistro 26 offers top-of-the-line desserts that are incredibly hard to refuse or pick from.

Both the chocolate cake and the creme brulee left me full and made me remember why they are my desserts of choice to begin with.

A good slice of chocolate cake is hard to come by, but Bistro 26 absolutely aces it as they balance flavor and richness perfectly in their chocolate cake.

As for the creme brulee, it is delicately sweet and reminds me of one of my favorite bakeries back home in downtown Cleveland.

A dessert that tastes like home —what more could you ask for?

If you are in search of a place that is perfect for a first date or somewhere to celebrate that is unlike anywhere else in Erie, Bistro 26 gives you the elegance of fine dining and the feeling of being home in Erie (even if you’re from out-of-state like me).

With traditional spring celebrations such as Easter and graduation approaching, Bistro 26 would be the perfect place to consider if celebrating.

For more information on Bistro 26, you can visit their website at www.bistro26erie.com or call 814-835-3553 to make a reservation.

Boston resumes St. Patty’s Day festivities

By Vydalia Weatherly Staff writer

South Boston’s St. Patrick’s/ Evacuation Day Parade will take place on March 20, 2022.

The parade is coming back after a two-year hiatus caused by the ongoing global pandemic. In previous years, the parade would attract about a million spectators.

However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, that number will be greatly reduced.

The route for the parade will be shorter than previous years, reduced to only one mile, to better combat the spread of COVID-19. Nevertheless, this year’s parade route is not completely new as it has been used pre-pandemic when there was inclement weather.

The parade will begin at 1 p.m. on Broadway T Station. It will continue the entire way down Broadway before ending on Farragut Road.

Despite the COVID-19 restrictions, the parade is still predicted to be a worthwhile event. The parade will feature floats, marching bands, military vehicles, costume performers and more.

Along with the parade, the annual St. Patrick’s Day Road Race will return this year and will take place the morning of the parade.

All the pubs in Boston are expected to be packed before, during and after the parade, and many establishments are even advertising drink specials to commemorate the special day.

Massachusetts held the first St. Patrick’s Day parade in the United States in March 1737 in Downtown Boston.

During this time, Boston was experiencing a large influx of Irish immigrants.

The parade, along with banquets held throughout the city, was put on as a sign of solidarity to the new city residents. The parade was moved from Downtown Boston to South Boston in 1901. The beloved tradition continues to take place on the Sunday closest to March 17.

On March 17, 1776, commemorated now as Evacuation Day, British troops were evacuated from Dorchester Heights in South Boston.

The parade has continued since honoring both Irish Heritage and military service on Evacuation Day, so its return this year is much anticipated.

Dave Falvey is a Commander of the South Boston Allied War Veterans Council (SBAWVC).

The SBAWVC is tasked with organizing the parade each year.

“As the first American city to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day 285 years ago, we’re simply delighted and honored to be holding the parade again after a very long, two-year absence,” Falvey said in a recent article. “To have such an iconic Irish brand like Guinness as headline sponsor supporting this year highlights what an important event this parade is and why it is so welcome to be back.”

The support of sponsors and the community are crucial to the parade’s roots in both heritage and history.

Falvey continued, “The level of interest this year from sponsors, participants and the entire community has been incredible, showing how important these twined events are to the fabric of the city of Boston, the region of New England and beyond. We look forward to a fantastic event where all are encouraged to take part.”

Losing the parade to the pandemic was undeniably devastating last year, so this year’s is an exciting opportunity for everyone involved.

Falvey’s optimism does not delude him of this year’s inherent changes.

“There’s no getting away from the immense strain caused by the pandemic on public health and safety and this year’s shortened route is a recognition of this,” he said. “Due to ongoing uncertainty caused by COVID-19, the Broadway route enables us to actually hold a parade after two years away, but also to hold it in a way that makes public health and safety paramount in these difficult times.”

Boston’s pride has always been one of its most commendable achievements, and the annual parade celebrating both Saint Patrick’s Day and Evacuation Day is a true testament to this loyalty to the beautiful city.

Make sure you tune into the parade to satisfy your Saint Patty’s requirement for the year.

As Falvey ensures that this weekend wille be “a fantastic day for all.”

Contributed Photo

Bostonians celebrate their historic parade commemorating Saint Patrick’s Day and Evacuation Day.

Hurst Hot Take: “The Office”

Contributed Photo

Promotional photo for NBC’s the Office featuring (left to right foreground) Craig Robinson, Ed Helms, Rainn Wilson, John Krasinki and Jenna Fischer.

By Hannah Brooks Features editor

When I scroll through Netflix or Hulu looking for something to watch, the first thing my mind instantly goes to is anything with lots of drama and action.

Ironically enough, my Hot Take is about a show that is literally neither of those things. Rather, it is a comfort show that will always hold a special place in my heart: “The Office.”

The premise of the show is a mockumentary, meaning that it is set up as if it is a documentary following the everyday lives of the employees of a failing paper company in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

While the characters and stories are fictional, they are incredibly realistic in the best and cringiest ways.

Some of the main cast includes Steve Carrell, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, Rainn Wilson and Ed Helms—the cast is too star-studded to deny.

This show ran from 20052013 but remains a popular fan favorite to this day.

You are not likely to see a ton of action in this show, except for maybe the parkour episode.

Storylines will not have you on the edge of your seat wanting to see what will happen next. It is a low-stakes, light-hearted comedy minus the obnoxious laugh track.

However, although the show is made to be a comedy, what I like best about the show is that all of the characters are realistic enough to be people you would encounter in everyday life, and every character brings value to the show. There is no such thing as a background character when it comes to “The Office.”

Each character has something to bring to the table and each has a unique storyline that viewers have the opportunity to see through to the end.

Some of the main characters include the eccentric yet lovable boss, Michael Scott; the quirky assistant to the regional manager (who will remind you whenever he gets the chance to), Dwight Schrute; the prank-loving salesman, Jim Halpert; and the sweet and slightly shy receptionist, Pam Beasley.

Though these characters could be considered main characters because they get the most screen time, there are several other characters that make up the rest of the cast, each with their own unique quirks and show highlights.

In addition to the comedic value that the show has to offer, the show has its equal share of moments that are wholesome, satisfying and even awkward in a relatable way.

Viewers get to see romantic relationships blossom in the lives of employees as well as crucial moments in the lives of characters, whether they are at their best or at their worst.

I would say that one of the most satisfying parts of the show is the fact that viewers are able to watch the characters as they grow and change throughout the series.

The show brings humor to everyday life in a way that is somewhat unusual. When you think of a show based on a workplace, you are likely to think of an intense job such as an ER doctor or a detective rather than a small-town office employee.

The show does a great job of showing the beauty of everyday life in a job that any average person might find themselves working.

In addition to watching the show itself, I like that this show also provides a large fan community online that is still going strong even though the show ended nearly a decade ago.

Popular today are also podcasts such as “The Office Ladies” and “The Office Deep Dive,” which are hosted by former cast members of the show and offer behind-the-scenes takes from the show, exclusive information and secrets from the show and more.

Sometimes the breakdowns of the episodes are just as interesting as watching an actual episode.

I highly recommend this show to anybody that is looking for a new comfort show that shockingly has yet to watch this classic.

It is a perfect show to watch while studying, before bed or just any time that you want to watch something that doesn’t involve too much thinking. Make sure to check it out!

Keeping up with the West-Davidson drama

By Bella Lee Staff writer

Celebrity drama: we love to hate it and we hate to love it.

Whether it’s a celebrity getting sloppy drunk at a party, being accused of all sorts of allegations or just straight up dying, we can’t ever go a full 24 hours without some type of sensationalist news rising.

The news cycle has recently been focused on the drama following Kim Kardashian and Kanye West.

The two are integral in the world of fashion, music and fame, so the clashes between the two are incredibly high-profile.

However, the specific situation in hand has been ongoing for about a year and a half now.

Kanye West and Kim Kardashian got married in 2014 and are the parents to four children: North, Saint, Chicago and Psalm.

Talks about Kardashian and West possibly splitting have been up in the air since the summer of 2020, but Kardashian did not begin acting towards divorce until February of 2021.

Nowadays, there is a lot of feuding between West, Kardashian and a third party in Kardashian’s current boyfriend, Pete Davidson.

November 2021 is when dating rumors sparked between Davidson and Kardashian with their relationship being confirmed in February of this year via Instagram.

This all occurred in the midst of West attempting to deny Kardashian the ability to proceed with their divorce.

Additionally, West had a short relationship with model Julia Fox, although they did not last long.

It is known to just about everyone that West has been very distressed over his marriage deteriorating, taking very drastic measures to call out Kardashian over anything that possibly irks him.

West has been incredibly outspoken on his Instagram, even encouraging fans to go after Davidson.

However, his real-life action have been even more unhinged and difficult for Kardashian to grapple with.

Some of his outbursts have including Kardashian letting 8-year-old North post on TikTok, claiming that he wasn’t invited to 4-year-old Chicago’s birthday party and pleading with God over social media to bring his family back together.

Despite all of this drama, however, Kardashian has refused to change her stance, stating that West’s outbursts are causing her “emotional distress.”

While divorce rumors began circulating in summer of 2020, tensions actually began in January of 2019.

At this time, Kardashian posted a birthday message for rapper Kid Cudi. The post included Cudi smiling and laughing alongside West, Davidson and actor Timothée Chalamet.

Fast forward to October 2021 when Kardashian and Davidson were both in a Saturday Night Live sketch that included a kiss.

They were first revealed to be casually dating in November of 2021, with Davidson calling Kardashian his girlfriend for the first time in February and Kardashian making their relationship public just a few days after.

The most troubling part of this entire situation is the media’s portrayal and public’s reception.

At this point, West is harassing Kardashian and threatening Davidson while people laugh at Kanye’s Instagram posts.

We need to understand that, just because of the celebrity nature of it all, we do not forget that this is incredibly invasive and stressful for the people involved.

The public and media both need to learn not to promote this sort of behavior. Not to mention how distasteful and immature it truly is.

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