THEME:   circled letters in an L-shape spell rivers   
GOOD ONES:     Topographic feature (theme)   RIVER BEND   
Bow tie preference   AL DENTE [I thought cloth, not pasta.  BTW, I think I went to school with him.]   
Hyde's birthplace?   LAB [or Stevenson's mind]   
First, second, or third person?   BASEMAN [I thought grammar, not baseball]      
BTW:   
Pinch for Pepin   SEL [
salt in French;  Mercedes has an SEL model which would, I believe, be preferable --- though maybe a commonly known French menu item, which I can't think of, might work]         
RATING: 
 
   Three grins = Loved it; Two grins = Enjoyed it; One grin = A bit bland for my taste; One teardrop = Not much fun