William Lawrence Sr Omnibit 9-8-15
I am asked why earthworms have five pairs of hearts. Don’t know why, but they do.
Day: September 8, 2015
Charlotte’s Restaurant Review
I took my parents to Charlotte’s Restaurant in Newtown Square for their 56th Wedding Anniversary. The experience was 66-percent enjoyable. 
Charlotte’s has been open since 1981 at 3207 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, Pa. 19073.
It may be Dad’s favorite restaurant. He loves –well, loved — their crab cakes with the champagne sauce.
Anyway we went there Saturday just in time to catch the early bird specials and as it was their anniversary I was the only one to take advantage of them.
I got the 12-ounce rib eye. It was perfectly cooked, smothered in onions and mushrooms, and was truly delicious. Mom got the veal piccata, also delicious.
Dad, as expected, got the crab cakes and gave it a thumbs down. I tasted them and have to agree. They were dry and not what we remembered.
Also getting a thumbs down were the drinks. Dad did not like his Manhattan and my house Merlot tasted boxy wineish. Cheap boxy wineish.
Mom did not complain about her Sprite.
At this point, I’d like to note the sides. The restaurant is generous with sides — the regular meals come with a salad and vegetable — and they were very good. The early birders also get soup du jour, escarole in my case which was superb, and a desert for which I picked an ice cream dish. The vanilla was smothered with strawberries and a liqueur sauce. I won’t call it gourmet but I certainly won’t complain about it.
The service was great and friendly. The price was $85.41 not counting the tip, which I count as a very good bargain.
The bottom line in any restaurant experience is will one return. I think it is safe to say yes in our case. Dad might even give the crab cakes a second chance. I think I will stick to Sprite though.
Charlotte’s Restaurant Review
John Roman R.I.P.
John M. Roman, journalist extraordinaire, died last week. He was 73. John worked for the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin and the Delaware County Daily Times. He was the author of the mystery novel “Ink in His Blood” set in Philadelphia. 
John was likely the first journalist who gave extensive coverage to Nicholas Yarris, who spent 21 years on death row for a rape-murder in Upper Chichester before being exonerated by DNA tests.
Phil Heron, his editor at the Times, has written a touching tribute.
When I walked into the Delaware County Daily Times newsroom here in beautiful downtown Primos for the first time back in 1982, one of the first people I met was John Roman. He stuck out his hand and offered a hearty welcome to the new guy who was shaking in his boots as he braced himself for the challenge of being the dayside city editor at the Daily Times.
Update: All services for John will be Friday morning, Sept. 9, at Sacred Heart Church in Manoa, 105 Wilson Ave. Havertown, PA 19083 Visitation is 9:45 to 10:45 followed by Mass.
John Roman R.I.P.
Sestak Discusses Iran Deal
Former Congressman Joe Sestak will discuss the Iran nuclear agreement, 7 p.m., Sept. 9 in the Driscoll Hall Auditorium at Villanova University.
The event is sponsored by the Villanova Navy ROTC.
Parking for the general public is available in the university’s main lots along Route 30.
A campus map for directions to Driscoll Hall can be found here.
Hat tip Bob Small.