john b

We knew that when we decided to have kids, we'd have to give up movies and restaurants for a few years. It appears, after seeing toddlers in R rated movies and babies in "nice" restaurants, that too many parents are not willing to make that same sacrifice. Children do not belong in upscale restaurants until their manners and attention span are developed. We take our kids out for pizza, to Friendlys or to diners. If one misbehaves, I take them out to the waiting area or the car. They're way too young (the oldest is 4) to even consider going anywhere else to eat. I think diners are a good training ground for kids.

It's the method by which sediment, i.e. dead yeast, is removed from the bottle. The bottles are placed in a rack, upside down at about a 45 degree angle and given a few small twists per day. Eventually the sediment will work its way into the neck of the bottle. The neck is frozen, freezing the sediment buildup. The bottle is uncorked, the sediment plug is removed and the bottle is recapped/corked.

I'd be pretty ticked about spending $600 after that kind of treatment. You should send a letter to the owner (even though it seems that he was a big part of the problem) and cc the restaurant/food media, like La Ban, et al.

Any suggestions for a main course I could make for New Year's Eve dinner which would be good with this sparkling riesling? I'm not a professional chef but I'm pretty good in the kitchen, so I can handle a recipe with moderate complexity. It'll be dinner for two (I've given up on restaurants on NYE). I'm thinking crab or lobster (or both???), but I'm not sure...

Wow! Cheese from DiBruno's and holiday beers!!! Someone may have to wheel me out of there.

Was anyone able to get any of this stuff? They're sold out (in bottles) at the brewery and the one distributor I figured would have it (Beeryard) is also sold out, with a good sized waiting list for the next run of bottles.

One of the best videos ever shown on MTV, especially the part where the singer's head comes out of the pot of beans.

Try Miel's green tea sorbet.

I am happy to report that my trip to Canal's (Pennsauken) was a success. In addition to the Anchor OSA I got some Weyerbacher Winter Ale.

One 2000 Fullers Vintage Ale One 2000 Heavyweight Old Salty Barleywine Two ???? (most likely 99 or 00) Victory Old Horizontal Barleywine Two 1986 Thomas Hardy's Ale (6.04 oz bottles) One 03 Dogfish Head Olde School Barleywine Four 02 Victory Storm King Stout I bought the Thomas Hardy's when I was in college, going through my "every week, let's drink a different beer that we've never heard of before so the chicks will think we're cool" phase. It was a great way to discover new beers, but it didn't have the intended effect on the women

I like that new last name. I wonder if it'll fit on my license and credit cards??

That is one impressive list. One of the coolest Christmas presents I ever received was years ago from a girlfriend (shhh, don't tell my wife) whose brother did a similar thing with his friends. At the time, micro/craft beers were not as abundant, so the case consisted of mostly foreign beers, but not too much run of the mill stuff.

John, youre not looking hard enough; I'ev already seen it in Joe Canal's and in some of the smaller package stores in and around Princeton. Princeton??? That's like NORTH Jersey!! I'll have to check out Canal's once the roads clear up. There is a new Canal's opening on Rte 130 in Hamilton, in that humongous Marketplace shopping mecca with the Lowe's and the Home Depot and God knows what other big box retailers, you lazy bastard. Yes, get off your ass and head to THAT Canal's if Princeton seems too "north" for you. Once I get north of Burlington, my ankle bracelt alerts the authorities and I get in trouble The OSA search is on my "to do" list for tomorrow. It looks like Canals, in their attempt to become the Microsoft of liquor in NJ, is opening another store on Rt 130 in Delran.

The thing about FoodTV that I think has the farthest reaching effect is the fact that small children now see becoming a Chef as a legitimate career option. Now if you ask a child what they want to be when they grow up it's Fireman, Doctor, Astronaut, Ballerina and CHEF! For every little kid that yells "BAM!" in imitation of their hero, there's another potential chef in the future. That's about as decent an influence as I can think of. My oldest kid could name Emeril, Mario and Sarah before he knew the names of the Muppets. He loves to cook (he's four), either helping make meals or pretending with his play kitchen. The other day he "made" me veal saltimbocca!

note to self: get off your butt and find some OSA this weekend. I forgot about the St. Nik from Penn Brewing. I had a case of it last year. It's really good stuff.

That is an excellent idea. In addition, I'd call a few of the better known beer bars/brewpubs, like Gingerman or Heartland, and ask if they do tastings.

When I was at RU, I was partial to the cali Cheeseburger from Mr. C's nad, if we could find someone sober enough to drive, the White Rose, AKA "The System" in Highland Park.

Troegs Mad Elf. This may be my new favorite holiday beer. The label says it's brewed with honey and cherries, so I was expecting something that would be too sweet, not what I like. I was surprised to find that the cherries add a nice tartness and the honey smooths out the beer, which is very big at 11% ABV. It's perfect for sharing a bottle and sipping in front of a fire like a port.

John, youre not looking hard enough; I'ev already seen it in Joe Canal's and in some of the smaller package stores in and around Princeton. Princeton??? That's like NORTH Jersey!! I'll have to check out Canal's once the roads clear up.

I know next to nothing about aging beer, but I have a 1986 Thomas Hardy and a Fuller's Vintage Ale (along with a few vintages of local micro barleywines) that is about three years old. Both are in my basement, sitting upright in a dark corner. So, the $64,000 question is...how long can/will they age?

I haven't seen it yet here in NJ.

Nope. I'm from around Philadelphia.

Keeping me busy, too tired for NBI and the GLP

Their customer service is as good as their beer. A few years ago I was near Downingtown on business. It was a Monday and unbeknownst to me, Victory is closed on Monday. I had brought my growler, looking forward to getting it filled. When I got to the brewery I saw the hours posted on the door. Standing at the front door, I called the brewery from my cell phone and asked if they'd open the door so I could buy some beer, and they did it. Way cool, in my book. I agree that Hop Devil on cask is an amazing beer. I had it at the Grey Lodge Pub a few years ago at one of their Friday the Firkinteenths.

I was told by a woman at DiNic's (Black Horse Pike) that they use Cacia's bread. BTW, DiNic's "loaded" roast pork comes with sharp provolone and roasted peppers, not broccoli rabe like Tony Luke's.