LaNiña

Merida....Tulum.....Xcaret....Sopa de Lima.....ahhhhh.... There are some great ceviche places in Playa. And an excellent cigar store. I don't like to stay in Playa itself, that's why I stay in those places next to Playa.

I drink NYC tapwater. Unfiltered. I know, I'm such a barbarian.

yeah, i was quite disappointed with my sandwich there, but i thought i'd give them another chance....i like the farm-to-table concept, sourcing some of their foodstuffs, though. but my sandwich, as i feared, had too little bresaola & too much bread.... but bierkraft is down the block!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yo, you in da 'hood?

Yes, I meant the ringing, not the talking, as long as it's not screaming. I've never asked anyone to switch to vibrate mode - good idea.

I've become very good at the blatant sudden turn and give an evil stare move.

I got a hepatitis shot the first couple of times but then I stopped. Then again, I didn't eat a lot of street food on the last few trips. Wait - is hepatitis food-borne?

lesley, see post above. i'm happy to describe the food at KaiLuum if you'd like.

Well then. First you gotta check out: http://www.mexicoholiday.com/ I have stayed at Capitan Lafitte, but mostly, I stay at KaiLuum II. I go there to dive, and do nothing. And eat home cooked Mayan style food. And there's no electricity there but you don't even miss it for a second. You'll see there also about KaiLuumcito, where I'm dying to go. Lafitte has electricity. And a pool and a nice bar outside, and the food is good, but not served in a candle lit palapa family style. These two places are 10 minutes by car/cab to Playa del Carmen. Easy ferry to Cozumel. I could go on and on. I go to Kai Luum every chance I get. I've never had such a restorative experience, over and over again. You want more detai? I could write a ton.

True, it's been a while since I"ve been blown away by the cheese course at Chanterelle, but back in the day, oh man. You know, I don't love Picholine. Not the cheese specifically, but the tables are too close together and I don't think the service is all that great. I've only been there twice and the food (besides the cheese) didn't blow me away that I recall. However, when I went to the Taste of Tribeca event, Max Macallum (is that how you spell it?) had a table there, and he was cutting cheeses and he took the time to talk to every person...the cheeses were interesting and unusual, just like FG is talking about - very nice.

Lesley, I have been in that area many times. Cancun is, frankly, not interesting. If you're willing to go even 1/2 hour further down the peninsula, I have some great suggestions for you for places to stay.

Not every time I've been, but a few times, the cheese course at Chanterelle was magnificent.

She mentioned Press 195, which is a couple of blocks from my door...mediocre. I've been there with khao - it's a source of much humor because of a CH controversy.

I had a lovely rose a couple of nights ago: Prieure Saint-Hippolyte, Coteaux de Languedoc, 2001. Under $15 retail.

Actually humentashn is Yiddish, and it means Hamen's pockets, not the ears. In Hebrew, they're oznei haman, which are Hamens' ears.

lxt, remember that garnish on top of the ravioli we had, that had those deep purple stems and bright green leaves, almost clover-like? Did you figure out what it was? Also, an addendum: they have a nice wines by the glass list - I had a delightful rose. And they even have an aged, dry oloroso by the glass - I didn't have it, but its presence made me happy.

You might be right. I haven't been to Pepe's in quite a while. But The Spot, I will admit, has a high nostalgia factor for me. When I was a kid, the clubbed foot old Italian man moved slowly through the open kitchen, wielding those huge wooden paddles - it was like watching a show - and there was a blind cat who slept on top of the ovens - we loved it. Have you ever had a calzone from Tony & Lucille's? Also on Wooster St.

I think The Spot is better than Sallly's or Pepe's. Love, Girl who grew up in New Haven

oh my god that sounds wonderful. i've been wanting to make an onion tart. any good recipes?

i swear it's not hard to make. tikka masala i mean.

What from a jar, Tommy?

Tommy, your wondrous talents never cease to amaze me.

I had a really nice glass of rose at lunch today at Tocqueville, with the lovely lxt. I've been curious about roses for a while, just read an article about some Spanish ones (in Saveur? Food & Wine?) What experiences do people have? What's worth buying and drinking? How do you make an accent over an e ? Thanks.

Yeah, I told lxt that very thing at lunch.

Great! I think lxt is going to do it, too. Cabby, did you decide? Blondie?

Again, there's a really good cow's food soup at this little Ecuadorian place called El Conquistador on 5th Avenue near 7th St. in Park Slope.