Robin Shuster

Yes, Heller's is closed, but the owners are looking for another baker to reopen it. It was not well managed the last few years.

I also like Cibolla's bacon (unsmoked and nice for Italian dishes) at Dupont Circle farmers market on Sunday. Also Truckpatch sometimes has bacon at Rose Park Farmers Market on Saturdays.

Mr. McGee, In your book, you briefly discuss the health difference between early humans who were meat eaters and the less healthy grain eaters, pointing out that human health recovered in the 19th Century with better access to meat and milk, only to start to degrade again in the 20th Century in the industrialized countries. Could the problem be the change from grass -fed animals to grain -fed animals f(rom the 19th to the late 20th Century) that may be responsible? I have read that grass fed animals, for instance, have much less saturated fat and more omega 3 fatty acids. Also, do you have opinions on the current controversy over the most healthy ratio between Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids. Some people have argued that the traditional human diet was much higher in Omega 6 and we now eat too high a ratio of Omega 3. Would love to hear your thoughts about this.

I have been trying to figure out why it is that the skim milk foamers (they look like small, skinny French Press Coffee makers) create good foam with skim milk, but not with whole milk. The instructions call for warmed (but not boiled) skimmed milk. What role does the moderate heat and the lack of milk fats play in the greater foam volume? Many thanks for your new edition. I have been waiting for it for years with great eagerness. Robin

I have reheated the pork shoulder sandwhich wrapped in its paper in a regular oven after a night in the fridge and that produces crisp bread and a warm tender meaty interior. Wrapped in a tea towel and kept in the fridge, it held up great. In fact, the sauce had soaked all the way into the bread and after a minute in the microwave, it was all steaming, gooey porky pesto-ey goodness. I would like to second that vote for the chickpea and pasta soup. I have had it the last four times I have ordered from the Grill and it is superb. At 3 dollars for a a large take out portion, it is the best soup deal in town.