MHesse

I like J.H. Henkes' gin, from Holland. I used to travel to St. Croix, USVI regularly and could buy it in Woolworths (which shows it's been a while). The was a wide selection of liquors from around the world, some not oftn seen in the States. Duty free, too. It's a white gin, in a tapered green bottle. --mh

I like a Rum and Tonic with a twist of lime. Works with either white or dark, though I usually have white. --mh

Welcome, Sam. Have him take another picture of that eye after 6 months on the job. Compare, then see how you like it. --mh

My wedding party consisted of 6 people total. We all got into a limo, rode up to Washington Heights for a ceremony in my old rabbi's study, then back to the west side for dinner at Cafe des Artistes. We ordered off the menu, but I don't remember what we ate. I do remember that they had a Dom Perignon Champagne that is still the best I have ever had. I think we went back for anniversary #3 or 4. All anniversaries include me making a homemade card and a fine dinner out. There was a party at our apartment a week or so later. Most of that food came from Zabars. The cake came from Dumas (yum ). I remember one of the cats stealing chicken from the table and eating it while sitting on the guests' coats. --mh

If you want a romantic outdoor setting, consider The Inn of the Seventh Ray, which is on one of the canyon roads heading east from Malibu. they have a website. (just picking a canyon road, driving a few miles east, and then going north is a neat experience - very un-LA like - do it during daylight). Other good places in Venice, just north of MDR, include Chaya Venice (on Main?) and Lily's (on Abbot Kinney). --mh

Living in ignomy long after the Imclone scandal had faded from the news pages, a beaten Ms. Stewart is still determined to make a comeback with her K-Mart Tuna Blue Plate Special. --mh

This tuna is compatible with all analog and digital devices. --mh

On the low end of the scale is the San Juan, Puerto Rico airport. I don't recall any partuclarly bad experience, but certainly don't remember any good ones. The beer isn't even cold. The best option is to get an ice cream cone. --mh I try to pack at least a granola bar or two for unexpected delays. If it doesn't happen, my nighttime snack is taken care of.

The Hourglass fits the description of what you're looking for. Italian food. Good, but not fancy. Every table has an hourglass next to it that is supposed to be turned when you sit down so you will be on time for the curtain's rise at your show. 47th and 9th. --mh

That was a wonderful program. With the news on one side and "reality tv" on the other, it's comforting to know that good TV still is possible. --mh

Too late for this Valentines Day, but Bissingers is another good choice. Besides some of the standards, they specialize in chocolate covered fresh fruit, e.g. raspberries. --mh

During my dinner at Aix on Saturday, there was only one variety of bread roll, so no choice there. It was a good roll though. And I was offered another. I agree the foie gras app was quite small for $17. Bigger than most postage stamps, but not much bigger than 2" by 1.5" and thin. It did come with a few asparagi. Perhaps the vey large plates Aix uses for everything made it look even smaller. I've been similarly disappointed with app or entree portion sizes at many other places. The wait staff attire didn't bother me at all. As far as I'm concerned, the staff's presence tableside when required is what is key, rather than their appearance. It's not as if the costumes are so displeasing as to ruin one's appetite. And our waitress was very attentive and helpful. --mh

I like peanuts. At the ballbark I don't worry about the mess the shells make. I usually bring my own sandwhich if logistics permit. And cherries. Sometimes snipe, if it's fresh. All washed down with six dollar beer. --mh

Hey, how the hell do you pronounce "Laphroiag"? I hardly ever drink Scotch, so it hasn't come up, but I see it on the shelf and silently give thanks that I don't have to order it, since it's probably pronounced "le-FROO" or something. I pronounce it La-Froyg - rhyme with toy. --mark

As well as I can remember, I think my daily lunch was one slice of italian salami on white bread with mayo and an apple. This may have lasted throughout my entire K-12 public school education, but I must be forgetting some other selections. That was so long ago that I actually like it again. Now I am brown bagging it again and have Applegate's smoked turkey from Fairway on 40 calorie wheat bread 9 days out of 10, but I'm not tired of it after 6 years of lunches. As for dinner out, I have tired of swordfish. --mh

I did realize that this was not supposed to be a genuine review of Blue Hill. I have read many real posts about Blue Hill. I even realized there were some eG insider references. I just didn't think it was very amusing prose at the time. Or a move in the supposed direction of a serious food BBS - though I don't have a strong feeling whether the board moves that way or not - I like it fine now the way it is. Sorry I'm a grouch - my toe hurts. I'm sure if I meet Ivan sometime we will get along fine. What's a good thing to eat when you're sulking and your toe hurts? can't be too fattening....I'm trying to lighten up. --Mark

The initial biography was cute. The review in the same style of prose was tedious. It told me close to nothing about dining at Blue Hill. Ivan, you are very fortunate you have been given an outlet for your flimflammery. I don't see the sense in continuing to read your stuff. Fortunately, I always carry my own sense with me. --mark

When I worked in an oil refinery, we used to clean the big (50,000 HP) air compressor blades with walnut shells. --mh

Unless that's a brand new hair dryer, I'd suggest a cootie filter between the dryer and its target. A tissue would probably work if you have enough hands for dryer, tissue and food item. Is anyone really that desperate to cook this way in a hotel room? Wouldn't it be better to make hot water with the coffee pot and drop a boullion cube into it if you're so hungry? but, back to the thread.... What about the heat lamp in the bath room? Bet you could warm up a number of frozen Mrs Pauls products with that puppy! --mh

What would New Year's Eve be without Jelly Donuts? yeah yeah - I know.... Better! (but I must honor my German roots). sigh! I miss Royale Bakery on 72nd St. --Mark

Fajitas show a good imagination. I was afraid you were going to describe heated bologna or bacon strips. I think I'd leave the coffee thing alone and munch on a granola or similar snack bar. Hmmm, perhaps one could warm up a pop tart on that thing. --mark

Well, it was an "oddly enough" story. They are written more for their "hook" than for journalistic acheivement. Nesita - I know, it was bordeaux, not burgundy. I was carried away by the alliteration. I'll try to be more serious next time

97 years old and people still rip you off. Read about the burgundy burglary... click ici --mh

My wife's daughter, she's been my step since she was six also lives in LA now. Lives in Venice a block from the ocean, teaches yoga, has a bulldog as handsome as Momo. We also went out out last year and had Thanksgiving with her and her friends. We cooked. It's nice out there. My wife is back again this year. Alas, I've just started a new job and didn't have any time to get away. After saving my strength for a Fairway foray here in Manhattan, or a trip to a tiny supermarket, almost any food store in CA seems dreamy. And you can put the bags in the car instead of carrying them or wheeing them home in the cart. --mark

We still go there every now and then, but usually for Luxemburgers rather than other items on the menu. Good burger, not so good bun. We try to go early and the service is acceptible. For a step up in dining, there's Compass a few steps to the West.