Alex

A little less sarcasm and a little more proof, please. You and I started posting on eG about the same time, but I don't perceive the same global animus toward the man that you do. From what I recall and from what I see via a quick search (and from the small sample now on this thread), the comments are within shouting distance of balanced. For an interesting and somewhat related (and long) forum, here's the one about Rick Bayless and Burger King, mostly from 2004.

Because Auguste Gusteau is his hero.

We actually have (farmed) shrimp here in Michigan, so I think I'll pick some up on my way to the Gathering and make an app with them for our Feast. Tomatoes and basil in some form will likely be involved.

Hey, if we can have a forum about the Best Fast Food Burger, why not one about Popeye's? For what it is, it's good stuff. According to their web site, there's one not too far from you, in Roslindale. Give it a go and let us know what you think.

One of my favorite books, What to Drink with What You Eat, actually has an entry for Popeye's Fried Chicken. Paul Grieco, general manager of Hearth in NYC, says, "Popeye's should offer [dry Spanish] sherry at all its locations! It helps cleanse the palate, and that salty tang to it mirrors the saltiness of the fried food. It's a staggering match."

Echoing Beebs, I believe that at the very least you have grounds for a complaint to the EEOC if--and this is a big if--they actually wrote that they weren't hiring you specifically because you were younger than the other finalist. Management experience is a legally defensible reason; age in and of itself--including its relationship to comfort level--is not. I understand if you hesitate doing this out of legitimate worry about possibly gaining an undeserved reputation as a "troublemaker" in your community.

Not my style, thanks, but others might enjoy it. I was planning to enjoy some quiet free time and maybe a bit of socializing in those hours betweeen the bread workshop and Grange. In fact, I was contemplating seeing if a couple of folks wanted to join me for an informal drive around the area--perhaps lunch at The Common Grill with a stop at Jolly Pumpkin Brewery, or maybe a visit to Zingerman's to stock up on supplies (it'll be less crowded than on Saturday, I imagine) and to bring back some stuff to eat with our bread. I also want to spend a little time at Motawi Tileworks.

It would be great if you wanted to talk to MetroTimes. It also occurs to me that I know someone who writes for the Ann Arbor Observer who might be interested. So Fat Guy, maybe loop me in to your conversation with Alex? I've sent info out to my local foodies and some are definitely looking forward to attending. I just need to get those last couple menus, and then I'll be able to get the reg site up and point people there, and we'll get a better sense of confirmations. I just remembered that I was a friend of one of the Observer's editors, although we haven't had any contact in over 20 years, so I don't know how much that would mean, if anything.

But maybe Metro Times would like to do a story about us. Would you like me to contact them or would you like to do that? I was their restaurant and food writer back in the 80s somewhere, but I don't think that'll get me any special treatment nowadays. Steven, can you pass along some written information or a web link relating to what the KC Star did? Tammy, what's the current status re local A2 foodies?

May I introduce another option for Saturday night (or for your next trip to Chicago): the eight-course tasting menu at Vie, in Western Springs. It's not as "ultra-modern" as Avenues or L2O (as I mentioned earlier, I haven't been to either), but in its own way is certainly "high end." (Here's an eGullet thread about the place.) If you don't have a car (or even if you do ), it's right by the Western Springs Metra station (timetable), about a half hour from Union Station.

I certainly don't want to ignite another pizza debate, but as a native NY'er, I have to agree with Josh's assessment. Deep-dish pizza was an interesting diversion when I was much, much younger and in my "mo' cheese, mo' better" mode, but frankly, I think there are better alternatives if you're looking for Chicago-ish food. For example, there are authentic and delicious Mexican restaurants in the Pilsen neighborhood, as I mentioned in another forum. (Here's an article about Rick Bayless's Pilsen tour.)

Here's my feedback as a semi-frequent visitor to Chicago, not a resident. Unless there's a specific need for a car, I'd recommend against it. If you're considering walking to Xoco from your hotel, then you're centrally located and pretty much everything will be within easy reach of public transportation or your feet, or even a cab ride if need be. I suspect you won't have too much trouble getting a seat at Avec, but I've always gone there early, so I'm not the best advisor about that. For Friday breakfast, do you mean Lula Cafe? If so, good choice, and very near the Logan Square stop on the Blue Line. For lunch, North Pond would be fine, and is indeed accessible via public transportation (Brown Line to Diversey, then the eastbound #76 bus.) However, there also are many excellent choices much closer to where you're staying, including The Purple Pig, Naha, and Topolobampo. For Saturday breakfast, M. Henry is a bit of a schlep, but it's right on the #22 Dearborn/Clark bus line. For lunch, as a closer-in alternative to Hot Doug's, you might consider Franks 'n' Dawgs. (Here's their LTH forum thread.) It's a short walk from the North/Clybourn stop on the Red Line. I have no opinion about L2O vs. Avenues, never having been to either.

I can't tell you anything about the food, but you're in for a great concert.

I'm in the market for a large skillet. In my research I ran across this line of cookware with a durable, non-stick ceramic coating and, apparently, a bunch of chef endorsements (which I know is neither here nor there). It's sold in the U.S. through this (very small?) company, GoCookware. The 12½" skillet is US$122, with free shipping through July. Does anyone own, or have experience with, this line of cookware (not their earlier, Teflon-based product)?

Still water. Sparkling water at room temp is disturbing, though.

I agree. I love having choices, and with the berries on top I can have it both ways. It's like having two...two!...two pancakes in one!! I like the nutmeg idea, too; I often put a few grindings in my blueberry cobbler, but never thought of that for pancakes. I just shopped the GR Farmers Market today, so tomorrow morning...

If it's not a bread, pastry, or dessert item, everything is negotiable--within limits, of course.

Not to worry. Pictures have never been in short supply at Heartland Gatherings. For example, here's the forum about the 2006 Gathering and here's the one from 2005, both in Ann Arbor.

I agree with Katie Meadow. Weird question. Sort of a "Would you rather..."-type question, like "Would you rather eat live monkey brains or jump into a vat of horse manure?" I'd love to know how Chris came up with that vegetable-related showdown. That said, the world would be a better place with more carrots and less celery in it.

Heresy, perhaps, but I'm not a fan of blueberries in pancakes. Not necessarily because the pancakes need to be thick--not a bad thing in and of itself, which I accomplish by mixing a glob of sour cream into the batter--but mainly because the berries turn into little lava balls. I prefer them scattered over the top, along with some sliced strawberries.

"I always take a small container of olive oil when I go hiking..." Now, if that doesn't exemplify "eGulleteer," nothing does. I love it. Echoing Blether, I also would look at supermarket jars, e.g., artichoke hearts. You also can buy specialty travel containers like this one. For a belt-and-suspenders approach, you could put your container in two layers of resealable plastic bags (but I suspect you already do that).

That looks amazing. What is the date stuffed with? It looks like almond paste plus something else. Eh, the gods wouldn't appreciate them, but I certainly wouldn't turn one down if it happened to mysteriously appear in Ann Arbor. Nah, just kidding, really. Besides, our friendly Customs/TSA probably would confiscate them.

Here's a nice little article from today's The Grand Rapids Press about the Kerrytown neighborhood, where I suspect we'll be doing most of our Feast-related shopping. It's home to Kerrytown Market & Shops, Zingerman's Deli, and the Ann Arbor Farmers Market.

Chia Shiang bread workshop Grange feast brunch, maybe

If you have a car, try Bellezza Gelato Caffe. Or, closer to downtown, and easily reachable by bus (but not train) is Black Dog Gelato. (Their URL, blackdoggelato.com, goes to a pharmaceutical web site.) There's also Bobtail Ice Cream, by the fountain in Grant Park.