Alex

Why of course it is me, Marlena! Thank you for the compliment. I must admit that I am particularly happy with my new hairstyle! No fuss, no muss, no flyaway hair. . .and whenever I get stressed out I can run my fingernail across it and be covered with a lovely, soothing lime scent. Guys like it, too. . .says it makes them hungry! And it doesn't "remind them of Mom" at all! ← This isn't quite on topic, but Carrot Top, given your avatar, I think you'd love the book Bad Cat: 244 Not-So-Pretty Kitties And Cats Gone Bad. And how about a post on The Avatar Story thread? Inquiring minds want to know.

Actually, it's called an attempt (and probably not a very effective one) at "negative punishment." Punishment is designed to weaken a targeted behavior (being ignored, in this case); reinforcement is designed to strengthen it. "Negative" means "decrease, avoid, or take something away" (payment, in this case); "positive" means "increase, or add something." The problem, as you pointed out, was that the server most likely didn't know what the heck was going on because Sam opted to take the plate directly up to the counter and, from the sound of things, didn't mention anything to her about it. Ergo, no punishment (or reinforcement). Ditto for the management. However, the negative reinforcement here appears to apply to Sam -- he walked out of the restaurant without saying anything to management, thereby avoiding becoming more upset. Personally, Sam, I think it's wrong to walk out without at least speaking with management about why you believe you shouldn't pay for the meal. I wonder why you were so concerned about irritation showing in your voice or about upsetting yourself further.

Wow, thanks, Phoebe. I don't get to the Metro area much any more, but Angel's will definitely be on the list for the next time.

If I may annotate CaliPoutine's pictures: Picture 1: Devilkitty and his inexhaustable supply of light cream, on its way to becoming Cream of Mushroom (or, perhaps more accurately, Cream AND Mushroom) Soup. Picture 2: Ms. jmsaul playing with her food. This creation soon became Roasted Cauliflower, which, if possible, was scarfed up even faster than at the last Gathering in Grand Rapids. Picture 3: An assortment of fresh herbs, thoughtfully collected at the Farmers Market by Fat Guy. Picture 4: Fat Guy, edsel, and our Zingerman's bread stash. Picture 5: jmsaul and tammylc at the bread table.

Here's another thread about Sweets & Savories. I think the no-corkage-fee deal is on only until the end of July. If I remember correctly, though, the corkage fee is going to be very reasonable. I agree that the tasting menu is one of the best, if not the very best, deal in the city. On my next visit I MUST get there for the burger and fries, though.

Here are some pictures, in rough chronological order. My apologies to the folks whose faces I neglected to capture. The Zingerman's Bakehouse tour: a French contraption used to transfer the unbaked loaves of bread into one of the ovens (also French). A portion of our rapt tour group. From left to right: our tour leader (Frank?); annarborfoodie; Mr. Jean Blanchard; Fat Guy; Jean Blanchard (partially obscured); edsel; Ms. Sam Iam; Sam Iam; CaliPoutine (her hair, anyway). Corn, beets, and onions at Kerrytown Farmers' Market A dragon showed up at Sparrow Market. The aforementioned squash blossoms being stuffed by Ms. jmsaul. That's Devilkitty in the background, wearing the green apron. torakris cooking the blossoms, with her nephew and Japanese friend looking on. Alex isn't really threatening the picture-taker. I'm slicing roasted golden beets for Guajolote's Beet Salad. On the counter in front of me is a tray of CaliPoutine's decadent brownies. torakris's nephew's green and yellow beans with bacon. Mrs. Devilkitty playing the Highland pipes and helping the sun to set. In the background, the far right-hand unit is tammlc's place. Jean and Mr. Blanchard and Devilkitty working on something. The famous veal roast. Sam IAm waving, Ms. Sam Iam in the foreground, Maria on the right, Mr. Maria in the back. At the dinner tables. Those are Sam Iam's Musician's Tarts in the foreground. And, finally, our hosts tammylc and husband Eric.

I can't believe no one's posted for 3.5 hours! I guess we've all been chopping, stirring, cooking, etc. Anyhow, the first course is out, so we'll get back to you.

Currently for Saturday... tammylc & crew Alex HeatherM BeJam (iffy) Maria & husband & friend and maybe friend's girlfriend CaliPoutine & Robin and friends from Chelsea TJHarris & spouse (maybe) The Devilkitties daniellewilley & Michael Bacchusrogue & spouse Jean Blanchard & husband Sam Iam & Joyce Fat Guy torakris and friend and nephew ronnie_suburban edsel Have I missed anyone?

It does sound like a tight fit into our schedule, but 9 a.m. might be a good time. I'd love to do it, but I'll be picking up Fat Guy at the airport then.

Yes, please contribute as many as you're comfortable bringing. I'll probably bring a couple from home, and I'm sure that others will do likewise or pick up a bottle in Ann Arbor.

I can do whatever -- pasta certainly would be fine. I'm also planning to make Braised Shiitakes, if at all possible ahead of time. Something with roasted beets would be good, too. Let's see what the market has to offer.

We're looking at a 7:00 dinner, so if you drove 200 kph and bypassed both tollbooth and Customs, I think you could make it. How long does it usually take to drive to your friend's place in Chelsea?

Updated: tammylc & crew Alex HeatherM Fresser & his slick PT Cruiser BeJam (iffy) Maria & husband & friend and maybe friend's girlfriend CaliPoutine & Robin and friends TJHarris & spouse (maybe) Devilkitty and Mrs. Devilkitty daniellewilley & Michael Bacchusrogue & spouse Jean Blanchard & husband Sam Iam & Joyce Fat Guy torakris and friend and nephew ronnie_suburban, maybe edsel

This is our Saturday crew as of today. Please post any corrections, additions, subtractions. tammylc & crew Alex HeatherM Fresser & his slick PT Cruiser BeJam Maria & husband & friend and maybe friend's girlfriend CaliPoutine & Robin and friends TJHarris & spouse (maybe) Devilkitty (and Mrs. Devilkitty?) maggiethecat (tentative) daniellewilley & Michael Bacchusrogue & spouse Jean Blanchard & husband Sam Iam & Joyce Fat Guy torakris and friend and nephew ronnie_suburban, probably

Domo. Nihongo ga hisashiburi desu. (Mixed metaphor?)

No matter which sex you may be, at one time or another, have you ever cooked a meal with the inner sense that it would be one of your arsenal of seduction techniques for a possible lover? What did you prepare? How was it received by the intended individual? Did it go off smoothly or were there problems which arose? (this can be read on all possible levels! ) Do you believe that this meal and the intent which it carried brought the intended even closer to you? Confessions or even personal anecdotes gratefully accepted! ← Our first home-dinner date. Haagen-Dazs vanilla ice cream with fresh raspberries and bittersweet chocolate sauce. Whatever courses preceded it were merely foreplay, and have been forgotten. We're still married.

Thanks, Steven. Looking forward to meeting you, too.

We're fine, Steven; we know how to plan. If you could, please put a lid on the Mr. Director Peace-on-Earth-cynic stuff and just relax. That's what we do here in the Heartland. It took me a long time to learn that.

Here's the latest and greatest: tammylc & crew Alex HeatherM Fresser & his slick PT Cruiser BeJam Maria & husband & friend and maybe friend's girlfriend CaliPoutine & Robin TJHarris & spouse & maybe other foodies Devilkitty (and Mrs. Devilkitty?) maggiethecat (tentative) Lady T (tentative) daniellewilley & Michael? Bacchusrogue & spouse Jean Blanchard & husband Sam Iam & Joyce Fat Guy torakris and friend ronnie_suburban, maybe There's some kitchen info and pictures in Tammy's foodblog.

What he said. I don't expect we'll have any shortage of food. The reason I mentioned fish up above is because the market we'll be visiting has an excellent fishmonger. But they also have an excellent meat market. Embrace the power of "and." What we have so far: Hors D'ouevres - CaliPoutine (fig and goat cheese crostini) Salad - Torakris Soup - Devilkitty Pasta or dessert - CaliPoutine Flesh or Fish - Devilkitty, if we don't get enough other volunteers (or maybe even if we do) Any other volunteers? We can have more than one of each kind of course, of course. ← I'll gladly make dessert. I have a suggestion and Id like some feedback. I've wanted to make Ina Garten's( barefoot contessa's) outrageous brownies for quite awhile. The recipe makes a lot of brownies. We could eat these with some zing's gelato on top. I know some people( egad's) cant eat/dont like chocolate. I can make an alternate fruit dessert too. ← Sounds absolutely wonderful to me

Sorry, I don't still have the email, but I do know it is still in effect. ← I just called them (I know, I could have done that first) and they said it'd be running "throughout the summer."

I can handle that. It's only 20-25 min. to Z's, and I drive like I still live in NYC. I'll bring my breathalyzer to help determine who drives you back to the airport.

Did they say how long the deal will continue? (I'll be in DC July 17-21.) ←

That all sounds great to me! We have the perfect small bowls for a little soup. Alex has been the keeper of the RSVPs. I've still got some locals/ non-eGulleteers to invite, but we should have some since of firmer numbers once we get closer. So far we've got Jean and Devilkitty needing hotel reservations. Is anyone else planning to stay at a hotel Friday and or Saturday night? I can try to negotiate a discount and reserved block at one of the hotels I listed above, if there's enough interest. PM me as soon as possible if this applies to you. Thanks! ← You also may want to look at expedia.com -- when I looked yesterday there were numerous options from $50 on up. Hotwire, unfortunately, had only two options, at $51 and $72. CaliPoutine told me she's had good luck bidding on Priceline.

Our cousins had to postpone our visit at the last minute, so unfortunately we won't be getting to Woodfire Grill for a while. Thanks for the info, though, and I'll post again if and when we get there.