Casetta

Although my words will echo so many of the sentiments already posted I very much wanted to add some thoughts about Matt. Matt was a fascinating person whom I knew for much too short a time. The kind of person that “had you at hello”. I’m not surprised he had vast, and fast friends, even as a self described loner. Tall, Dark, Handsome (reminded me of Orlando Bloom) and smart as a whip. He had impeccable taste in everything we ever discussed. His clothing and style was extraordinary. His knowledge and passion about the culinary world was encyclopedic. I agree with others that he was an old soul, the ultimate class act. I concur with Katie that he could have been a Rat Packer or The Great Gatsby. I never had the opportunity to dance with Matt, but am certain he would have been an outstanding touch dancer and would be attired in a perfectly tailored white dinner jacket looking smashing. (I seem to remember a post about him eating in a white dinner jacket and flinging ketchup all over the place, so obviously, and not surprisingly, he had one.) I find it fitting that his last post had him eating Beluga caviar and dining in fine style. I also found a mention of his name in connection with a Cocktail presentation at the Museum of the American Cocktail on July 25th. Given his association with B.A.R. I assume it was he - Did anyone attend? I thought I had some pictures from Matt’s March visit to Philadelphia but was unable to locate them. If anyone has any photos of Matt they would be willing to share I would certainly enjoy seeing them. “Never in my word land could there be words to reveal in a phrase how I feel.” Lullaby of Birdland – Ella Fitzgerald. So I will leave it at this; the world has lost a truly special person. I will think of him often and fondly with a smile on my face and an ache in my heart. God speed Matthew you will be missed.

I really like their Beet & Goat Cheese Salad: Thinly sliced red and gold beets topped with walnut crusted goat cheese and micro greens with spiced walnuts in a white balsalmic vinaigrette. I've also enjoyed the Grilled 3 Cheese: Thick slices of fontina, asiago and grueye, thinly sliced sauteed apples, and applewood smoked bacon served on brioche and baked in the oven. Good quality ingredients, simply prepared accompanied by a carefully chosen selection of beers and wine (they have a nice Loimer Lois Gruner Ventliner by the glass which is a pleasant change from the more run of the mill whites). Very fair pricing as well. I have always found the wait staff to be knowledgable and helpful including being offered tastes of wines and beers I want to try. Be warned at night it does become a bit of a hipster hangout with a lot of people drinking PBR Pounders and smoking. If that bothers you I would take Andrew's advice and go for lunch.

Wow you guys are fast - I thought I had a scoop on this channel!! BTW - In Philadelphia on Comcast Digital you get this channel even without a high def TV. You are also able to "tivo" it through your DVR. Haven't seen Beer Nuts or 3 Sheets yet, recording them tonight, but I thought the dinner conversation on After Hours was histerical. Bourdain had a few lines that had me in stitches. Can't wait to see more. Has anyone been to Blue Ribbon Sushi?? Looks fab, or was it just pulling out all the stops for that particular audience? FYI: Off -topic: They are advertising this channel in our area as MOJO. Not sure if there's any relation to the Brit music magazine, but they do also have some great music programming. London Live is sort of a modern top of the pops but with up and coming bands, it's been enlightening. Also Muddy Waters tribute with some great Keith Richards moments. Pixies, Motley Crew, Sarah McLaughlin - something for everyone I suppose, never the less some good concerts / specials. Anna

Count me in for Pizza club. Anna is a maybe as she may have a work related thing that afternoon, but I will be there. Katie if you need a ride, let us know. -Tom

While I enjoy a good pizza and have been known to consume more than the average person, I prefer to enjoy my pizza eating experience removed from competitive competition. I'm not comfortable performing pizza eating techniques while strangers look on in stunned belief. Friends are no problem, strangers are a whole other story. I have to draw the line somewhere. However, I would watch others eat pizza in such a contest. Does this make me a pizza voyeur and if should the authorities notify my neighbors? -Tom

I (Tom) will be there. Anna will be at a conference out of town.

Greetings! Just got around to reading this thread and noted someone mentioned a screw top Sauvignon Blanc. Last night Tom & I really enjoyed the Kim Crawford 2004 Screw Top. I believe it is a Chairman's Selection. I grabbed it whilst perusing the aisles looking for something that wasn't Chardonnay. Very crispy and nice. Would be a good cheese and apple wine IMHO. Thanks to Katie I knew how to open the screw top with aplomb - didn't even notice it was a screw top until I tried to take my foil cutter to it. Really like the screw top on whites because they fit in the refrigerator door nicely! Cheers!

Greetings! Anna here - Tom and I have 167 that's just counting what we have on display in our built-in book case in the bay window of our living room. I know there are others kicking around. I also have Bon Appetites back to the 80's. Boy is it fun to look at the old ad's cars, computers (Have you ever sent a fax from the beach, you will damn them I hate technology now), cooking appliances (a wine fridge - cutting edge) Prodigy wow internet - Yuppies can book travel and so forth etc. My favorite cookbook for fun reading is The Joy of Cooking circa 1943. Such classics as Aspic with Grapefruit, Sweetbreads & Celery, Calf's head with tongue and brain, 25 cents & the Rabbit, Hare & Squirrel category are priceless. I have actually made some of the recipies but had to call my almost 80 year old mother to ask what a Size 2 can meant in today's measurements. Have we got to the moon and back yet Alice? Anna in Philadelphia

We will be there (Tom and Anna) as well. We called in our reservations on Tuesday. Look forward to see everyone.

Excellent article Katie. I'm sending it to my Jewish winophile (is that a word, if not it should be) boss. I'm sure he'll appreciate it given he keeps Kosher. I always thought Kosher wine was crap - guess this gentile should not be so judgemental! Thanks for opening my eyes! I promise if I meet a hunky Jewish boy you are so set up!! Anna

On Friday night I drove through Manayunk and there was black plastic over the windows at Kansas City Prime. Tonight there are giant red signs that say AUCTION. Anyone have the scoop on what's going on? Anna