Alex

Best ever was a 1978 Mondavi Reserve, tasted at the winery in 1981, then bought three bottles when I got back home. That was my first exposure to really good Cab -- woke me right up. I usually drink other reds as my standbys, but if I need a Cal Cab I go with Raymond unless there's a better one on clearance.

Great post, Tammy -- thanks. I'll probably give them a try the next time I'm in A2. BTW, here's a well-written and interesting article about the business side of Zingerman's.

Another reason to come to Grand Rapids (from today's Grand Rapids Press): "McDonald's Corp. hopes a new addition to its premium salad line will be a hit with customers in several test markets, including Grand Rapids. "McDonald's restaurants in Grand Rapids, Detroit, Indianapolis, Tucson, Minneapolis and Las Vegas were chosen as test markets for this week's planned roll-out of the new Del Rio salad. "Similar to a taco salad, the new item will join the restaurant's line of premium salads...."

Nero and Maggie -- Friday or Saturday? If Friday, in time for dinner, I hope.

Listen to tammylc -- she knows Ann Arbor! Zingerman's is great and probably shouldn't be missed, if only to browse and maybe pick up some bread or pastry or cheese or smoked fish. It's possible to get lunch for <$10 (e.g., half a sandwich and a beverage). Michigan is still trying to figure out what part of the US it belongs to. As a native New Yorker, I think it's the Midwest, without a doubt. Someone from, say, Nebraska may disagree. Ann Arbor transcends all that, though.

fresh corn on the cob tomato and cucumber salad leftover chicken cheap Oz white leftover goat cheese ice cream wonderful

We're right in the middle of Michigan peach season -- ripe ones are everywhere! I know what I'm making this weekend.

I can introduce you to some people I know....

I've never heard Grand Rapids called "Offbeat" before, but hey....

I'd gladly pay you Tuesday for a French press coffee today (up to $4.50 for a 32-oz. pot).

In addition to reading, I've learned a lot by talking with my wine gurus at my local wine stores.

It's also on sale here in West Michigan. Either the winery or the distributor must have had a whole bunch they wanted to unload. I'll probably give it a try this weekend or shortly thereafter and report back.

that's a really nice turn of phrase--may i borrow it to describe these delicious elixirs when i use them in class? i, too, am a big fan of the "o" brand, and especially the blood orange and meyer lemon ones. they are a bit less expensive than the agrumato. not sure if anyone's mentioned this, but they are best used as a finishing oil, or a flavoring agent, as the delicate flavor dims when heated...so no blood orange oo saute. Well put. I've used all of the O varieties at various times on fish or chicken, in salad dressing, and even in mashed sweet potatoes. The oils aren't cheap (unless you find them at TJ Maxx ) but it doesn't take much to make an impact.

Thanks, Mr. g!

My bad. Thanks for the catch. Wonder how I missed it. Too much coffee coffee buzz buzz buzz, yeah, that's it.

I use both brands, so I'd love to know what the difference is. Could you (or someone) post the URL of AB's post or tell us which section and subsection of the message board it was in and the date of his answer? Thanks!

Welcome, leo. I looked at the Ben & Jerry's web site for the whoopie pie and didn't see it there at all. I wonder if it was a regional test and the flavor never caught on. The web site does have a Resurrect My Favorite Flavor form.

Crunchy natural peanut butter Pan bigio or other rustic bread with good evoo Vanilla yogurt Bittersweet chocolate Perfect tomatoes Fresh lemonade and, of course... Bacon

By me, the unsalted comes in a gold wrapper, the salted in a silver one (both 8 oz. packages). Is the red wrapper (which looks waxed) a 1lb. package? (Although that wouldn't make sense if the silver is double the cost of the red.) The distributor's web site also lists Plugra clarified butter and heavy cream. Has anyone use those products? (I've never seen them here.)

It's available on eBay for a starting bid of $124.95 + free shipping to the lower 48. If you live near a Younkers, they're running their Goodwill coupon sale through Sept. 21 (a clothing donation => 10% off kitchen electrics => $116.95 for the grinder).

Yeah, I know. What can I say? -- I'm just a nice guy.

Sorry -- I mistyped the URL for the heirloom apple place. It's here.

After hearing all about Trader Joe's (from eG and from friends who just returned from CA), I was planning to make it one of my destinations the next time I'm in Chicago. Now, I'm scared. How does a bottle of salad dressing blow up?

I suspect you're on target. Could this be related to salted nuts tasting so much better than unsalted? I'd be curious to hear if you tast any difference this way.

I love Cafe Atlantico -- nuevo latino cuisine. The regular menu will push $50 (appetizer + entree + wine), but the pre-theater menu is a super deal. The weekend latino dim sum brunch is loads of fun. Also recommended, in the same neighborhood, is Jaleo (Spanish -- tapas + others). That the pastry chef for both places is a regular eG'er did not influence these recommendations. Really. Lavandou is a good French restaurant in the Cleveland Park neighborhood (Red Line). Check out their specials! (For example, no corkage fee on Monday nights, $25 Table d'hote on Tuesday nights.)