web1_bass-fishing-wallpaper-C.jpg

Bass Casters Tournament results

web1_AP19216113417273-1-.jpg

20 dead in El Paso shopping-complex shooting

<p>Usually when my family and I set out for dinner, it&#8217;s a tough choice.</p><p>I offer up my list of carefully prepared places. I make my list based on where I have or haven&#8217;t been, what I&#8217;ve heard about recently and who&#8217;s actively marketing themselves. I figure if a place is out there talking about and posting photos of their latest features and dishes, seemingly inviting you to visit, why not go it a shot?</p><p>My mother makes her recommendations by where her tennis and church friends have been. My sister has her own ideas. My uncle, a true creature of habit, always brings up the same two spots at which he&#8217;s comfortable. And my father, the diplomat in the bunch, agrees to go wherever.</p><p>Easy peasy, right?</p><p>Fortunately, last weekend the decision was already solidified a few days in advance. It takes the stress out of the whole experience.</p><p>The occasion was for my parents&#8217; wedding anniversary, and the setting was Buona Sera, which means &#8220;good evening&#8221; in Italian.</p><p>The restaurant is the former Mark&#8217;s Pub, now remodeled, on North Washington Street in Wilkes-Barre near Hollenback Golf Course.</p><p>I&#8217;ve been hearing rave reviews for what seems like forever, but the restaurant that&#8217;s quickly making a name for itself has only been open more than a year.</p><p>When we walked in, I immediately spotted our table for five positioned near the bar.</p><p>The place was cozy and classy, and it was easy to get comfortable and prepare for a &#8220;good evening&#8221; there.</p><p>We joked with the staff, saw friends we knew, and enjoyed perusing the expansive menu, which had everything you could desire.</p><p>My uncle inquired about additional meat options, only to have the staff offer to prepare beef short ribs for him. It was on special when he dined there before, and they were kind enough to accommodate since he loved it so much.</p><p>As for me, I settled upon the fresh seabass, which was a special feature and prepared with capers and artichoke hearts.</p><p>It fit my fancy because not only is seabass my favorite dish, but it&#8217;s hard to find places locally that offer it.</p><p>Others had various seafood and Italian selections, none of which disappointed.</p><p>While the setting was idyllic and the food was delicious, the best part of the evening was having the family together to celebrate.</p><p>Oftentimes it&#8217;s easy to get busy and forget about annual occasions or milestones, but we should try harder to make time.</p><p>Make time to spend time with those you love.</p><p>Make time to honor an occasion that&#8217;s special.</p><p>And make sure to savor every second of the special moments.</p><p>It helps if you pick a good restaurant, as we did, too.</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/web1_McGinley-New-Headshot.jpg">
<div class="neCaption"></div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/web1_McGinley-New-Headshot.jpg</photo0><caption0></caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>Mike McGinley</p><p>Around Town</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Mike McGinley is the Times Leader Media Group&#8217;s major accounts executive. Reach him at mmcginley@www.timesleader.com or 570-704-3945.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Around Town: Be sure to take time to mark special occasions