FunJohnny

So what does "osteria" actually mean/imply? I believe it could be most closely translated (I'm doing this from Latin, since I don't parla Italiano) as Eatery. But if the iteration at Galileo is going to feature grilled food only, that doesn't really capture the osteria concept, or does it? Help me I'm CONFUSED!

I googled Seven Deadly Sins out of curiosity -- recall that in Spenser's "Fairie Queen" there is an interesting passage which describes the sins feeding off of Sin (their mother). Anyway here's an answer as to the origin: Greek monastic theologian Evagrius of Pontus first drew up a list of eight offenses and wicked human passions:. They were, in order of increasing seriousness: gluttony, lust, avarice, sadness, anger, acedia, vainglory, and pride. Evagrius saw the escalating severity as representing increasing fixation with the self, with pride as the most egregious of the sins. Acedia (from the Greek "akedia," or "not to care") denoted "spiritual sloth." In the late 6th century, Pope Gregory the Great reduced the list to seven items, folding vainglory into pride, acedia into sadness, and adding envy. His ranking of the Sins' seriousness was based on the degree from which they offended against love. It was, from most serious to least: pride, envy, anger, sadness, avarice, gluttony, and lust. Later theologians, including St. Thomas Aquinas, would contradict the notion that the seriousness of the sins could be ranked in this way. The term "covetousness" has historically been used interchangeably with "avarice" in accounts of the Deadly Sins. In the seventeenth century, the Church replaced the vague sin of "sadness" with sloth. Throughout the Middle Ages, Church hierarchy emphasized teaching all lay people the Deadly Sins and Heavenly Virtues. Other spiritual manuals embellished on this tradition. Gerson presents a list of Contrary Virtues in his ABC des simples gens, which was derived from the Psychomatica, or Battle for the Soul, a fifth-century epic poem by Prudentius. He believed these virtues would help counteract temptation toward the Deadly Sins. According to The Picture Book of Devils, Demons and Witchcraft, by Ernst and Johanna Lehner, each of the Sins was associated with a specific punishment in Hell. I once saw a set of 16th-century engravings by George Pencz that used animals in their depictions of the Sins. The prints also used women to symbolize all the Sins, which was probably okay in the sociopolitical climate of the 16th century but probably wouldn't be encouraged nowadays.

I called before marching over, thankfully and was told that the Chef would not be grilling today. Since the lady who answered the call sounded rather abrupt, I didn't press her about future possibilities. I wonder if the fire code issue is preventing this from continuing?

Since I'm now on a no carb diet I wonder about gazpacho -- some classic recipes call for bread to be a component. Any idea if the recipe used at Jaleo does?

I second these sentiments. One man's extravagence may be some else's just desserts. So long as the money spent on a great dining experience is come by honestly it really ain't nobody's business other than the customer, his/her investment advisor and, perhaps, his/her spouse! What would be a moral turpitude is being charged a high price for food and a dining experience that didn't deliver.

I've often wondered why soft-shells seem only to be served in restaurants in this region over a few week period each year, when the crabs (molting approx. every 3 months) should be available to fisherman virtually all the time. Anyone got an explanation or care to hazard a guess...

Jelly Belly tribute to Reagan may be seen here: Jelly Belly Saddened by the Passing of Ronald Reagan

This is great info -- thanks! I think it's supposed to be rainy again on Monday But Tuesday could be a good possibility for me, and maybe I can persuade a few of my colleagues to come too. What an opportunity! Can anyone lse make it on Tuesday?

Well the cost of milk -- and dairy prods in general -- can be a topic for another thread, but the point is well taken that gas insn't the only commodity to have gone thru a recent price spike. Since we must abjure policy debates we shan't speculate as to possible linkages (I really doubt there is any), but what effect has the higher cost of milk had on your cooking and eating habits. If this persists will we see more brittle skeletons and stunted children...

WoW! Did you get a photo?

What a lovely idea! May I join you? Absolutely

If we can throw a time machine into this phantasy -- I'd like to be with Andre Soltner at Lutece sometime in the mid-60s

Ortanique upstairs or downstairs can accomodate a group your size, provided there's no parties already booked. Call ahead if this location interests you. And there's always Zaytinya...

So do they. Ever seen it? It's like two trailers, back-to-back in a straight line, coupled at the hitch, motionless, providing a deeper meaning to the notion of the cicada cocktail. And then there's this. Oh Yeah! For some reason, my deck seems to be the love-shack of choice (or maybe just a choice for the exhibitionists among the cicada herd). I've had two or three couples doing it at once on the railing outside my kitchen. Made me scream, "Get a room!"

Then there's this from today's Washington Times - Inside the Beltway: Cicada farmer An entrepreneur named Howard set up his deep-fryer at Alexandria's Del Ray Farmers Market and cooked up a batch of tempura-coated cicadas, served on skewers and sold for 50 cents a bug. "His presentation was great," conceded one woman, who nonetheless declined the delicacy. Still, Howard raked in an estimated $100, which impressed several of the nearby farmers. How come no one reported this on the what's new at the Farmers Market Thread?

I like a root beer based sauce to add to the pork after it's been pulled: 2 liter bottle of root beer boiled down to one cup (make sure not to use diet) 1&1/2 cups apple cider vinegar 1 quarter cup of yellow (yes yellow) mustard 1/2 cup ketsup 1-2 teaspoons lemon juice 1 tsp tabasco or similar hot sauce The root beer really adds an interesting twist to this otherwise standard vinegar-based recipe.

For those in DC Metro-land, Eden at 7 Corners has the chocolate ones (probably many other Vietnamese groceries in the area do as well). My daughter loves them (too much!). Didn't know there are so many other varieties. Hmmm -- should I let her know?

If you are looking for places that serve them -- I saw someone eating something at the bar that just looked weird at Zaytinya's the other day. When I asked the bartender, he told me it (or they) were deep fried softshells. Perhaps it was the way the batter had adhered, but you'd never have guessed... Anyway I'd already had enough of a snack, so I didn't personally try one. Everything else at Zaytinya is pretty darned good, so next time I'll give these a whirl.

Kinkeads? If your grandparents (and the others in the party) enjoy seafood.

Thanks for the scoop on Yuca. As for the Bluedy Moods -- Did you Go? "Tuesday Afternoon..."

You're a brave man, laddy! Let us know if there is in fact a Happy Hour.

I need to clarify that the Happy Hour wasn't an official one at Yuca, it was one organized by us to say farewell to our colleague. I'm not sure if Yuca has a "Happy Hour" and darned if I can remember precisely how much the mojitas were -- not unreasonable though. Other than that can I be of further assistance...?

So did everyone's butts get smoked and how were they? Mine turned out quite nicely in my Brinkman Smoker (The Gourmet Model, of course), and won acclaim from those who gathered at my house on Sunday. One friend, from Memphis said it was just as good as Tennessee pulled pork -- but she was probably just being gracious.

Actually I have been there -- for a Happy Hour for a departing Cubana whith whom I had the pleaseue to work. Damn fine mojitos and a nice space. The menu looked interesting, but since I didn't sample anything solid can't comment on the food.

This is an intersting anecdote not only from the perspective of this topic but also from a Human Rights perspective. The Uighurs are a Muslim minority group who have been the victims of human rights abuses (according to the State Dept.'s Human Rights report) by the Chinese authorities. It's possible the guy you saw fleeing from the cops was simply a common criminal, but given the treatment of Uigers in China who knows. Anyway, sorry to digress...