Megan Blocker

I do believe it was both, Milagai, judging from the piece linked to at the top of the thread... I don't think there's any vegetarian-bashing going on here, so much as there might be hypocrisy-indicting. You know, the old issue - people who eat meat but don't want to think about where it comes from. GSquared brings up an interesting subtlety here - at what point is it appropriate to show children the butchering of the animals they eat? To me, this seems like something that may have more nuanced arguments on either side. My own gut says that they should see it earlier rather than later, and that it should be shown in a setting where the child feels comfortable asking questions, and so on. People who don't eat meat for their own ethical reasons would, I should think, be pleased that the process is being shown. It puts reality out there and creates an atmosphere where a true discussion between people who know the facts can be held.

Honestly, I hadn't looked too closely at the details of the recipe yet, beyond "yeah I can make that!." However, yes, it does look like there's a lot of butter in there...maybe I will do a test run of just the cake with less butter to see what happens. I'll have plenty of time...

Nothing wrong with that. Mmmmmm...Bourbon.

Fried chicken breast cutlets would be good. So would the Popeyes. I'd say chicken fried steaks too. And fried pork chops. ← All of this would be good with the syrup, too. Yum!

Oh, man, so true. Especially as it pertains to lamb. Wow. ← LOL....never thought about it this way, but it is true . What about pigs? Are they the exception? ← I dunno...piglets are pretty cute. Do we eat piglets? Also, witness "Charlotte's Web." I do cry every time I read it. And yet, I still eat BLT's. Sometimes not for a good week afterward, though.

Oh, man, so true. Especially as it pertains to lamb. Wow.

Woo-hoo! Rock on, Ling. Thank you so much! I will definitely be making this in Fresno. I love making things in my mother's gigantic kitchen, where I don't need to point a fan at the smoke detector every time I use the oven. Seriously, that thing is so sensitive to temperature change... I knew I could call you out. And, Daniel, thanks! The line was truly insane when we left on Saturday. The two of us were so glad that we made an effort to get there early. Personally, I think I'm most glad that I had the fitting for my latest bridesmaid's dress in the morning before going - because going afterward with my choco-foodbaby would have been a baaaaad idea.

Thank you! I have tried a zillion recipes, but none has ever been as popular or delicious as this one. Ever.

Thanks, Steve, for making up for the fact that I completely forgot to bring pen or paper with me on Saturday. Next time I go, I definitely want to spend more time at the demos, pace myself, and so on. It was just so insane - I'm not big on crowds, so I was pretty ready to go about 2 1/2 hours or so... Also, I did a bit of poking around, and found this shot of a fresh cacao pod (in the middle!): I will also report that I have now tried the caramel and sea salt chocolate from Knipschildt - and it was too-licious. My friend Aimee, who had come over for a baking lesson, concurred. Next up, tangerine chili.

Abra, those pics are GORGEOUS. I am officially jealous.

Me, too! Just don't forget the frites!

Now THAT'S good television.

That is just shocking and beyond inappropriate. Tejon, thank you for sharing your story - I'm sure this will make some of us think twice before delivering evil looks of our own.

I'm so glad the doughnuts are back on the menu! I think I'll have to head there soon...I also want to try that chicken!

Thanks, all, for your help!!! I ended up going with the Epicurious recipe suggested by Canadian Bakin' - it was simple, and my friend has to be able to do it on her own! It turned out well - we did get one little crack, but nothing too bad. The proof is in the pudding, though. It had to be refrigerated overnight, so we won't know until tonight how it TASTES! But it did smell pretty freakin' good.

I thought it just magically appeared in my grocer's refrigerator, wrapped in plastic and styrofoam?

I have often heard that being white leads to behavioral problems.. ← That explains ME! I should let my mom know...

If the issue is that the scene was too bloody for some viewers or needed to be preceeded by some sort of "what you are about to see may be graphic..." warning, ok. A little silly, considering the kinds of violence shown on TV on a regular basis (at least, American TV). Agreed. If the animal rights groups are only attacking Oliver for showing the slaughter of a lamb, or only for doing it on TV, then they are hypocrites. If they are using the public nature of the act to draw attention to their cause, then fine. They should be quite clear (and, perhaps, were - I don't know) that they take issue with the act itself, not with the fact that Jamie (a celebrity) did it or that it was shown on TV. If anything, given the uproar it may have created with even meat-eating TV-watchers, you'd think animal rights groups would grab at this as an opportunity to recruit those turned off by the sight of an animal being killed for food. They won't get me, but they may get some.

Osnav, I believe the cafe is "A Taste of Heaven," and a piece in the NY Times on it is what prompted the resurgence of this topic! Read a bit upthread, and you should find some specific discussion about it! Good point!

Totally. And kids should be welcome in adult places (you know, most adult places - let's not go overboard and include bars here ) if they are behaving well. It's really important, especially if you want to raise a little foodie who enjoys a good meal out! As an adult who as a child was taken to many restaurants, theatre productions and movies, I appreciate that children need to experience these things in order to grow and learn. I hope I haven't come across as anti-child - I'm more anti-annoying-parents-who-think-their-own-enjoyment-is-more-important-than-everyone-else's.

Milagai, I didn't think it was directed specifically at me, but I thought it was something that needed adressing! I work in vendor management and spend a great deal of time interacting with companies offshore in India. As part of my general training/upkeep, I took cross-cultural training last year with a group of Americans, one Australian, and about five representatives of one of our main Indian vendors. It was very interesting to discuss the cultural differences and how those impact business, communications, etc. For instance, we were all asked to introduce ourselves to the instructor at the beginning of the day. The Indian folks, to a person, all gave family backgrounds as part of their intros. I stuck almost entirely to corporate history (college, previous job, etc.) and to geography (born in X, live in NYC, etc.). The instructor used me as an example of the American emphasis on individuality - not on selfishness, but just how our idea of identity emphasizes individuals rather than a collective. The American attitude toward children at weddings probably has something to do with this; we gear our celebrations toward adults rather than toward whole families. Though, to be fair, our celebrations are typically shorter than those found in many other, more collective cultures. We're not asking people to leave their children behind for more than five or six hours, and weddings are usually viewed as a time for parents to have an excuse to get down and boogie without worrying too much about the little ones. There are places I go (the park, certain tea spots, Saks' Christmas windows, and so on) where I expect to find loud, rambunctious children. At these times, I am more than happy to share my space with them, and really enjoy watching them experience new things. However, I still think that a quiet coffeehouse used primarily as a spot to work or read is an inappropriate spot for children to run around like maniacs. That's what the park is for.

I have no disdain for people who have chosen to have children, and I really love the children I know. However, my problem is that so many people who have chosen to become parents seem to have disdain for me. Children should not be, nor should they be expected to be, well-behaved all the time. However, that does not mean that their parents should subject hordes of people to this misbehavior, if such a situation can be prevented. Therefore, when your child acts up in a coffeehouse and won't calm down, you should take them outside until they do, or take them home. It bites for you in that you won't be able to sit and enjoy your coffee in peace, but that's the trade-off you make for having those beautiful children that you love. I will note, again, that most parents I encounter do this, and that most children I encounter (and all of those I am related to or care for on anything resembling a regular basis) are as well-behaved as should be expected of a young child. Kids will and should be kids. They'll throw things (toys and fits). That's ok. But not necessarily in a coffeehouse designated mainly for adult coffee drinkers. At least, IMHO.

Could it be this? Or, maybe this? I agree - I do not like rosewater, and I do not enjoy all-beige meals! Unless the meal is mashed potatoes, and mashed potatoes only. The-en, I could get behind it.

You guys rock! Thank you!!!! Now, play nice.

Wowza! Thanks for the quick response, guys. Now the other side of the question: what should I use it for? The site has a photo, but doesn't tell me what to do with it!!!! Melissa, I'll ask my Mommy if you can come with.