hathor

Fantastic! As in fantasy! I'm always on the look out for objects that are not traditional serving pieces, but you've taken it way beyond this. Its a very delicate balance between intrigue, excitement and being too precious. We once ate at the restaurant in the Hempel in London and the serviceware was so 'unique' the wait staff couldn't even pick it up off the table. But it seems as if you've taken the 'art' of eating to a whole new level, as well as having truly thought out the whole process of sight, smell, and taste. I can't wait to see more!

OK everyone! Clearly this is a cry for help. He's been reduced to eating ramen.... We need a sign up sheet for the next 15 months and everyone send some good home cooked food Owen's way!!

Seems as if garlic was in the air last night! I made a lemon/garlic/onion/chili pepper/basil sort of pesto sauce over fresh fettucine, and surrounded the pasta with spicy lemon shrimp and fresh cut cherry tomatoes. It was kind of an experiment that worked really well. The cool tomatoes cut some of the heat from the chilis. But there was a lot of garlic!! And...the really, really good news is that the new stove arrived this morning. The bad news it that I have to wait all day to go home and cook on it!!

Funny you say that John@the bar....my 'sources' in Umbria all seemed very optomistic about the '02 crop. You know the bad year for truffles...good year for wine adage...

The star chef looks very interesting. I did some reasearch on the DVO but it seems as if they may no longer be selling the program. thanks.

Wow!! Everything looks fabulous! Almost makes me wish I was a lady who lunched!! I have a question: what is anise hyssop? I'm familiar with hyssop (essential oil), but not anise hyssop. Thanks.

I don't think we'll have to worry about this. We're not much in way of cooks and I've never even heard of an immersion blender. Ah yes....but tommorow that immersion blender may be just what you need! Plan ahead!!

I'm heading to Umbria tommorow..thanks for the info!! Have fun Clifford!! We are having our festa this week, in Montone (between Umbertide and Citta dei Castello), its a lot of fun if you are in the neighborhood. Warning: do NOT drink any of the wine at the cantinas! No one is quite sure where it comes from..... But the roasted meats are fabulous!! ciao!

Thanks, that was exactly the kind of info I was looking for!

Don't be jealous...its a small bathroom. It was a way to maximize the space....

I live in a loft with really high ceilings. We built cabinets over the shower, and on another wall at that height. The ladder doubles as a towel bar!

We've been eating all summer: mash up anchovies with basil, EVOO, red wine vinegar, toss with tomatoes and purslane. Eat lots. I never thought to cook with it! Very sorry to hear its season is ending!

That's what the middle of the of floor is for, no? Actually, I was thinking how cool it would be to run a rail on the ceiling with a ladder attached like you see in the libraries and book stores. We did that in our bathroom. Putnam Ladders...I think they are on Greene St.

What does Mastercook 'do"? I mean, why does one use it? What about just using a straightforward data base program? I need to start doing this and appreciate any info. thanks!

Auguri!!!! Go out and celebrate...you earned it!! And yes, please, please keep the blog going, we want to know the next chapter in your food adventures!

Timely thread. My stove up and completely died on me on Tues night. It was a long anticipated and overdue death. I ran around yesterday looking at a bunch of stoves, and had very good luck at store call Gringer. Its on 1st Ave between 1st and 2nd street. Its a kind of range mecca. I need all electric because we don't have a gas line in our building, which is apparently very, very unusual in Manhattan. I'm going with a Bosch HES25, here's the link for the same stove in gas. I wound up going over to DUMBO where they have a showroom. Its amazing! Beautiful, huge space that show cases Bosch, Gagenau and Thermidor. A woman spent an amazing amount of time with me going over all the details. Apparently you can bring a load of laundry there and test out the Bosch washing machines. You could probably cook a meal there. Very worthwhile visit. You cannot buy directly from the showroom, and I did the actual purchase thru Gringer. Here is the info on the showroom: BSH Home Appliance Corp. 1 Main St. Brooklyn 718-625-2425. Good luck!!

As the song says: "its too damn hot. want to 'sup with my baby tonight..well you can have my baby tonight...its too damn hot." Wait till the weather breaks. P.S. ditch the wet wipes. use tongue. Menu was just perfect!!

Wow..what a cool press, simple and ingenous. Cannot believe the harvest has begun...they were just wee little plants such a short time ago. Of course I say that about my son too...! Have fun in Idaho!

What a great reason to go to Valle d'Aosta!!! I love that idea!!

Those little Indonesian ginger sticky candies with the powerdery stuff that gets all over so you so everyone knows you've been eating them. Pretzl salad sticks. tomato flavor is ok in a pinch, but the salad flavor is the best.

ok, I'll bite..what are they?? hookahs??

Great! Thanks Lisa! Enjoy!!

Tanabutler: what is "una"? (with emulsified olive oil and lime juice) Dinner was very spicy pan fried shrimp with avocado mousse to cool things down Sugar snaps Pan roasted garlic potatoes with thyme Watercress, orange, red onion salad because I actually think I may have reached capacity with heirloom tomatoes!

If we are talking sink: I vote for the double sink. Drain pasta water on one side, shock vegetables or soak pots on the other side. I love my double sink. I also really like the pull out faucet for a sprayer. I'm also a fan of the built in dishwashing dispenser..one less thing on the counter, but its kind of a soapy mess when you refill it.

Lisa, Alex: would you mind letting us know how SANA is? Its too late for me to attend this year, but I would really love to get there next year. Thanks!! hathor