Zins...Cedar Rapids' Newest

There is a new restaurant in Cedar Rapids that we decided to visit. We are always looking for restaurants which are 'Billy friendly'. Zins seems to hit the mark. Valet Parking and no stairs or curbs to negotiate. We can pull the Hummer up to the front door, where one of the two valets will be happy to unload Billy and push him through the double doors. Where they park the Hummer will be easier than where to park the lung though. We predict it will be an unassuming spot in the corner near an electrical outlet or next to the maitre de station.

This was my second visit in as many days....maybe its the signature sausage thats served up with the drinks. Catherine was our barkeep for the evening and she was eager to keep us fortified with whatever potion was prescribed. I wonder if she knows about "Funnys"?

I asked Jimbo to join me there so we could catch up on things present and past. Jimbo is not his real name, its his entertainer name he uses when he is on stage. His birth certificate would have something like" James" listed. Jimbo is a techy guy and also known by the nickname of "Stuff" because he has so much stuff. We like to outdo each other in that arena. When we first sat down he hauls out his new LG Cell phone with 3 lines and numerous bells and whistles and lights and sirens and I sleekly pull out my new BlackBerry 8830 World Edition and trumped him. Nuff Said.

Its always more fun to talk about the past....because nothing beats the "good old days"...he reminisced about the days when he used to "hobble" and of hanging out in the neighborhood of Jeffrey Dahmer. From memory he took a cocktail napkin and drew a map that zeroed in on the Dahmer residence faster than Garmin StreetSmart could ever do. He told of dining with the infamous character,
but thats another story and Jeffrey is not around to corroborate.

As if they had some sixth sense, Billy's Godparents show up with their personal assistant Sylvia. The Puzzler continues to work his magic. It seems that they were at the nearby Museum of Art and just happened to stumble through the front doors.

Sylvia is a way trendy lady with manicured nails and designer eyewear. She is on the cutting edge of everything trendy and that is probably the reason she jet-setted to Vins. It is there that she is able to drink three glasses of wine at the same time without looking conspicuous.


Sylvia, is not to be confused with the Pasadena Sylvia in an earlier post. She is local. Since learning of Billy's plight she has taken on the challenge of protecting Billy from 'Lung to Grave' as she so eloquently states. She is the one who would insist that Billy have a blanket for warmth and modesty reasons. She is the one who would cover him with Life Insurance. She is the one who would manage his Social Security proceeds and the list goes on. It was Sylvia who thought Billy ought to have his designer puppy, Snatches.

Zins is not just all about libations. They pride themselves with offering an eclectic menu suitable for any palate. Sylvia chose the macaroni and cheese dish which was delightful. I t goes well with the Pinot Noirs that were paired for that entree. I was hoping for a toasted cheese sandwich or the like but having over-tipped the barkeep, I was out of dough, and went home hungry.

As I was departing, local celebrity Bruce Aune stopped by to quiz the Puzzler........... Could Jodi Huisentruit be far behind?