StInGeR

I was actually thinking about this the other day and wondering if you'd put pen to paper or picked up the phone. I'm really glad you did hathor and seriously happy that Jack and Grace didn't disappointment by blowing of the criticism. Let us all know what it's like the next time you go..... Cheers Tom Edit for spelling

Well that explains why hillvalley hasn't emailed me back Congratulations to all Cheers Tom

I just sprayed friggin' beer all over my keyboard. This has to be my favourite quote : "While I cannot endorse the eating of Pickled Pork Rinds, I do endorse playing with it like a puzzle. I did have some fun trying to put the pig back together, but eventually that got boring as I lost the will to live." Cheers Tom

I have to agree with Rosie on this - there's only 2 ways to have roo. One is straight off the grill like Rosie said the other is in a red wine casserole. There's no need to cover it in a sauce or anything like that the meat speaks for it self Cheers Tom

I'm missing soft shell crabs and that's absolutely killing me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cheers Tom PS I'm walking on it again - only small twinges of full blown pain

God that picture makes me homesick

Oh, there are ways around that. Tell him you want to be able to send photos of him to his mother, for instance. or take..... well never mind ........ Me bad Cheers Tom

where the hell is englewood?? Remember I'll be in Sparta Cheers Tom

That makes wonder just how big your cats are Cheers Tom

You have to admit the food from those street vendors on Temple Street is damn good Cheers Tom

Why protect him?? That's what a concierge is for!!!! Especially in NYC Cheers Tom

You rang Looks like everyone's beaten me to it so there's nothing left for me to say Cheers Tom

As an Australian I'm really disappointed that d'Arenberg seems to be being pushed at the moment, I noticed this while I was in NJ and NY last month. South Australia has soooooooooo many great wineries that out do this one it makes you wonder about how the others are marketing their product. TRY: Annie's Lane Leasingham Taylors Jim Barry's Penfolds Olssens Good solid, great tasting wines. Cheers Tom

Hey hathor, I'm walking again .. ok I take that back I'm limping again and without crutches - thank god for pain meds I actually didn't mean it in a polite way just tell Jack exactly what you thought. Hell Vick told him exactly what she thought about the live shrimp and he accepted it and had a word to the sushi chef about it (to the effect of "pick the customers you do that to". Cheers Tom

Hathor, after having eaten at JB and gotten to have a good conversation with the owner (Jack Lamb) I'd call them and express your disappointment with the service, oysters etc. I'm not suggesting asking for freebies just talk to Jack and explain everything that happened but that's just me. Cheers Tom

Everyone is entitled to his/her opinion. But somehow, I smell a troll... I was actually thinking super troll Cheers Tom

Corn syrup is a pretty good substitute for cane syrup. As for boomerangs the answer is no ........ sorry to disappoint the kids Cheers Tom

Like I said in a previous email to you hillvalley at least they don't think I'm a teletubbie Cheers Tom

After reading the beginning of this blog and bleudauvergne's, I think I'm going to rename my foodblog "inept and inadequate" either that or race out today and buy a digital camera for next time . Seriously though I'm really looking forward to reading this. Cheers Tom

Hey guys and gals... just a quick note to let everyone know that we're FINALLY home safe and sound... 27 hours on planes and in airports then a 2 hour drive and all is well. Even the cats remember V Just a quick note if you're flying to Australia from the East coast and have points available - FLY business class it's a HUGE difference to cargo class. Anyway it's not my blog time so have fun guys Cheers Tom

Make that 2-0 - I second the nomination! Tom - have you tried Cape Cod brand Sea Salt and Vinegar chips? They'll blow you way - really worth seeking out. Thanks for a great drink-a-log.... uhhhh.. I mean foodblog We're looking forward to seeing you show up back here in the States again! Oh damn I thought I was on "edrinking" and this was supposed to be a drinking blog SHEESH why didn't someone say something???? OK I've made a mental note about the Cape Cod S&V chips and told my MIL to ship some across in the next couple of weeks. Seeing as how V and I are leaving the US tomorrow bleudauvergne will be taking the foodblog over at about 5pm NY time so that should make for interesting reading I'd like to thank everyone for the questions and comments and next time I get to do the foodblog about 20 years from now I promise to make it a hell of alot more interesting. V and I also look forward to meeting up with alot of the East coast egulleters for dinners and various egullet functions. Cheers Tom

Well seeing as how my lovely wife has decided to go shopping for some last minute things before we leave NJ tomorrow night. lunch today has been a large packet of Yuko Gold Salt and Vinegar chips. This is one thing I'm going to be taking back with me to Australia - I love the thick cut and they've got just the right amount of S&V. The only problem now is hobbling out to the kitchen to grab a beer and bringing it back into the computer room. BUT always remember where there's a will there's a way. OK I've got the way... I figure the pockets on my sweats are big enough to load up with 2 beers at a time Ya have to love ingenuity...... Cheers Tom

ah yeah. you just gotta love the italian in-laws. hope you enjoyed every bite and you're now happily passed out on a comfy chair After last night's dinner I now remember why I married and Italian girl that's right guys it was for the food. Things started out simply with fried shrimp and baked clams. Not being funny but if clams were the only seafood available I'd be one damn happy man - I'll take them anyway, anyhow - raw, fried, baked, steamed - just bring them on. This was served with a green salad and some garlic bread. Next up was cappelini with a fish gravy - calamari, shrimp, clams - and baked scallops and more shrimp served in a butter, garlic, oregano sauce. For the record my wife is a total heather, as I keep telling her parmesan does not go on ANY sort of fish gravy. The bonus last night was that FIL turned to her and told her the same thing --- wooooooohooooooooo one for Tom. All of this was then followed up with steamed lobster with drawn butter. I still can't move!!!! I've got to give the MIL alot of credit - damn she can cook wish she'd taught her daughter how to tho Today is going to be another quiet one for me, that is until tonight when for our last night in NJ we're going barhopping with the BIL's and their respective wife and girlfriend. Isn't it funny how appropriate the term "barhopping" is for me at the moment, damn it should be alot of fun trying to use crutches while drinking. Anyway breakfast and painkillers are calling, I'll be back later Cheers Tom PS By a unanimous vote of 1-0 bleudauvergne is being tagged for the next foodblog

You're just milking this sprain, aren't you? I bet you won't have to wash up after dinner, either. I'd be nuts not to milk it So far on this 3 week trip I've done a fair bit of cooking and besides I want to milk it with the airline for an upgrade from JFK through to Sydney In all honesty on one of the first nice days we've had in NJ and NY I'd rather be outside reading in the sun Cheers Tom

Well I just remembered why I married V... and no it's nothing romantic or a warm fuzzy feeling. It's because even though she left me ALL alone in the house, she remembered I NEED food!!!! And what could be better than an Italian sub, that's right absolutely nothing. Cappicola, prosciutto, genoa salami and provolone (with lettuce, hot peppers) and topped with oil and vinegar on a gorgeous chewy roll. Now I'm sated for awhile and await BEER. This could be a really good day if the food continues as it is Cheers Tom PS Owen you're right coffee in Australia is usually pretty good. Especially Vittorio - that is one coffee that we'll be shipping back to the US when we finally make the move later this year. PPS I'm now in heaven FIL just brought me a jug of beer