Jake

My father was famous for stopping at Friendly's for a bite when we were headed to visit some Long Island relatives. His biggest beef was that they took too long to put out any food. My husband and I now also grab a snack when we are not sure how quickly or how well we will be fed at someone's home. Better safe than hungry! ← I've been known to snack before hand or make good use of the bread (if offered) otherwise if the food is inedible and I'm drinking the wine (or using it to wash down the food) things could get crazy later

Definitely a fun thread. Worst meal in someone's home was when we were invited to my ex's best friends house for dinner. Now, I'd met the couple before, and he was great. She, however, was what one might call a harpy *itch. (They are no longer married. ) However, we showed up dertermined to have a nice meal and make the best of the evening. Not possible....... Upon arrival the wife greeted us with the comment that she had bought steak in honour of our visit and because the guys loved it. (Note: money was not an issue in this household.) Okay, Im thinking, at least she made an effort. I asked if I could help and handed her the wine we had brought (both white and red). "No" she said, "although I've heard you think you can cook." Getting a bit worried now. She sent us off to the other room to have a drink and called us an hour later when dinner was ready. While we were chatting I was sure I could smell something burning, but I wasn't about to question it unless I could see smoke. We proceeded to the dining room as she brought in the dinner. Minute steaks that had been bbq'd for at least an hour and cracked when you tried to cut them (Oh so that's what the burning smell was. ) Ceasar salad that was some wet romaine lettuce, stale bread and something approaching dressing. It had been sitting so long it had the consistency of steamed spinach and macaroni salad which she proudly told us was her own recipe. Overcooked macaroni topped with Miracle Whip and grated plastic cheddar cheese. Now I always try to be polite and eat some of everything I am served, but there was just no way to choke this down even with a lot of wine. Even her husband had trouble. The evening ended with her commenting that obviously I have some sort of eating disorder since I don't eat. (I am slender, but no eating disorder when the food is edible! ) We left as soon as politeness allowed and immediately went out for a bite on the way home. Thankfully they split up soon after and we never had to repeat the experience.

May I recommend the healing powers of triple antibiotic healing ointment? ← The healing powers of a very old single malt may be called for in this situation, at least 1/2 the bottle - while you sits there and wait for the bleeding to stop. ← Indeed, that is exactly the remedy I used. Unfortunately, the damn thing still hurts 5 days later, especially every time I bang it! It looks pretty awful too. Hmm, maybe another glass of that scotch would help......

Marlen, I like Tanqueray 10 in a gin martini. Your menu sounds lovely, but the not doing anything sounds even lovlier! Enjoy your day, enjoy the party. BTW, I can't believe you're already decorated for Christmas!!! I'm impressed, I never get around to it until the first week of December, usually the END of the first week.

I enjoyed dinner at Chez Piggie several years ago during my only trip to Kingston. The only problem we had was that we had to sit in the smoking section. We were the only table of non-smokers and it seemed that everyone else was a chain smoker. We ate quickly so we could get outside and breathe again. I would definitely go back, the food was very good, but only if I could reserve a table in the non-smoking section. ← I wouldn't worry too much. It is my understanding that you cannot smoke in any restaurants in Kingston now. I have eaten at chez Piggy twice in the past few years and never had a meal good enough to make me want to return. It was just average food. To get back on topic, I would return if the bad experience was due to the restaurant being slammed, staffing problems beyond control, or something of that nature. If the service was just plain lousy and the food good, I'd likely give it another chance b/c I would have spoken to the manager, and if the food was bad, then no I likely wouldn't return. In my experience that problem doesn't seem to correct itself often.

Beautiful! Glad it was so well received.

It looks fabulous, Sam. Great menu and organization. So tell me, although you will have time to eat, do you typically eat much when you do a menu such as this? I always find that between prepping, tasting and checking by the time we sit down my pleasure is in watching others enjoy and I absentmindedly pick at the odd thing on my plate.

Sounds delicious, Larry. Is it just your basic creamed leeks stuffed in the salmon and baked, or is there a special recipe?

What? No boneless, skinless chicken breasts?! It's a new trend, indeed. ← Oh, they still exist. I just don't report on those anymore. Speaking of which, I need to pick up more Mrs. Dash this weekend. Soba ← And what will you do when you find out the new guy only eats bone-in, skin on, chicken THIGHS! gasp

Perhaps you'll be cooking a lot more dinners in the near future with your new guy.... Cheers to you.

I'm moving in!! The space is huge and I'm sure you'll enjoy many get togethers there. I second the comment that you'll regret it if you do not have power in the island/workspace you wish to add.

Sam, it sounds like your menu is coming together beautifully, thank you for sharing the plans with us. I look forward to seeing some pictures.

Yep, that would be a great trip.

Great photos Daniel, thank you! Of course after reading this I could kill for a piece of fried chicken and some good bbq!

I admit to drinking a LOT of diet soda, but mostly stick to diet Dr. Pepper and Diet Pepsi. I find a lot of the other diet sodas have a very strong aspartame taste and regular soda (with the exception of grape soda) is too sweet for me.

Turn my head for 1 measly second to inform the SO that of course I always use my chefs knife to dice and cut most of the top off my thumb, right through the nail DAMN that hurts. He was kind enough not to say a word except to inquire if we should go to emerg. while cleaning the spurting blood off the wall. and then helped tape, bandage and finish the prep for me. Going to have a glass of wine to recover now. I haven't done that in years!!!! Stupid girl.

Dinner tonight, tartiflette and a green salad of boston lettuce, mache, leek, grape tomato dressed with a vanilla vinaigrette. Yummy. Off to relax with another glass of wine......

Wonderful blog, Wendy. Thank you for sharing your life with us. I'm sure you and Dayne will have many years of happiness based on what we've seen.

Marlene, your dinner looked wonderful and pork should be pink! If it seems to rare, look blankly at your guests and ask how much they've had to drink. P.S. Rum & Coke or Rye with the Benson & Hedges while making the hats???

Toast with pate (foie gras pate if I'm really lucky) Toast with roasted garlic Toast with marrow Toast with cretons Toast with beans Oh God, I'm hungry now, need toast.

Mmmmmm, fennel. I love braised and roasted fennel, all the brown carmelized bits.

Yes, I've seen that happen. In that situation if REALLY helps to have an inside source, although I'm sure the LCBO would deny it. I can see if I can get you a rec. of who to deal with if you can tell me what store you frequent most often if you like.

Sorry, usually shop at Summerhill or QQ and haven't had any trouble finding anyone, also have a family member with LCBO that is a great source and will order/pick up anything unusal I may want, or he thinks we'll like.

We're all adults here (in age, anyway). Let's call them by their correct names, shall we? Panties. ← Okay Marlene, will there be panties at the party?