Rail Paul

The Costco store in Wayne NJ has an extensive supply of fine wines and harder products. Here are some current samples Add 6% sales tax to all Johnny Walker Black 1.75L $50 Absolut 1.75L 27.99 Johnny Walker Black 750 24.09 Jack Daniels 1.75L 32.99 Johnny Walker Red 1.75L 31.49 Seagrams VO 1.75 19.99 The Glenlivet 39.99 Macallan 12 26.49 Oban 14 39.99 Royal Salute 154.99 LaGavillan 16 46.99 Chivas 18 46.99 Remy 1738 47.00

Sample prices from the Costco in Wayne NJ. All are 750ml, and subject to 6% sales tax Iron Horse Chard 01 Green Valley 20.89 Penfolds Yattarna Chard 99 51.99 Dom Perignon '93 99.99 Fetzer Cab 00 Valley Oaks 6.99 Ravenswood Vinters 00 7.99 Renwood Sierra Zin 99 9.49 Quintessa Red meritage 99 $80 Wild Horse Cab 00 12.49 Chimney Rock Stags leap Dist '99 34.79 Simi Alexander Valley Cab 43 Veuve Cliquot 29.99 more listings under spirits for scotch and brandies

Well put Ellen. People often ask me how I can practice criminal defense law. From this point forward I will use your argument. Although I agree with your premise, Ellen, you're on a slippery slope. If each person can decide which laws THEY feel are silly or immoral, many children would not be vaccinated and gun toting folks would search the land looking for people with (cannabis, Korans, animal sacrifice) views, they feel are wrong. That's why we have laws, although the idea of being able to declare a fatwa is enticing at times...

The Beer bar at Cafe Centro used to serve their burger on a potato bread bun, very light and puffy. Don't know if they still do, but may find out tomorrow...

....Well, ain't that the truth, but I seem to recall something similar in nature by another political savior named Ralph Nader. Nader's "I'm fighting for the soul of the Democratic Party" turned into the Moliere-like farce of the 2000 presidential elections, as certain victory was snatched from Al Gore, due in part to Saint Nader's earnest outlook -- among many other things..... Some folks, me among them, believe Nader represented the true spirit of the Democratic party. Union members, poor people, greens, victims of exported jobs and lousy schools. The liberal, blow dry, corporate Democrats of Bill, Al, Joe, or Gephardt couldn't hold a candle to Reuther, Dellums, Barbara Jordan or pale imitations like Waxman or Hillary.

Dale DeGroff's excellent recipe book for hundreds of cocktails uses flamed orange in several situations. Good book, uses lots of basic recipes, then adds different ingredients to create new drinks. I'd be willing to bet if you identify the basic taste in Falernum, you can create or buy a proximation and not know the difference. We've tried several of his creations, and, if my liver holds out, I'd like to try the rest...

Costco should be among your choices for fine wines. Just don't expect to find every winery represented in the NJ stores. One article on Costco's wine business ran in the NY Times on May 29, 2002. Written by Amanda Hesser, the article made the Dom Perignon comment and the Bordeaux comment. And, Costco sold 2.5% of all wines in the USA in 2001. Also noted the top markup at Costco is 14%, many wines are marked up a penny over wholesale. In NJ, the three level system requires a wholesaler. The wholesalers are allowed a peek at each others proposed prices before they're finalized. If Costco or one of its affiliates decides to buy a wholesaler, and charge a penny over the winery plus shipping, the state might lose a whole lot in sales tax revenue. Article was discussed on egullet, a search under costco in the wine folder will show it. I posted the original comment

Rail Paul, do you remember what they said about the artichokes? Just curious.... It made an impact on me as artichokes are only occasionally mentioned on the radio. Don't recall the specifics The edition currently on the wync website is Esca from two weeks ago. I'm guessing the Celeste segment will show up later this week

I've tried to drink a prudent (for me) amount of wine when I dine out. In my personal experience, from the time I take my last glass of wine to the time I get behind the wheel is often an hour. (Dessert, coffee, cheese, sometimes, waiting for coats, maybe a valet) I'm not a scientist, but I've found my reflexes are very good if I've been off the sauce for an hour or so, and haven't been drinking heavily. (My def of drinking heavily in one hour = 750 ml of wine, 3 or more pints of Guinness or other beverage. I rarely drink mixed drinks, and only occasionally drink brandy or Amrangac) I-80 in western NJ poses a triple threat to motorists, with a high concentration of very fast NY drivers, lots of drunks out, and active state police / some local enforcement due to the drug trade

There was a thread a while back on this exact topic. It started with a similar request by Rebecca's in Edgewater. One conclusion: perhaps they've simplified the tip reporting system imposed on restaurant by the revenooers....

Costco also sells trucks and cars, via its referral service. The current deal is $350 over invoice for most models, which is nice if you want a baseline to haggle with a different dealer. (I like haggling with sales people, it gives me great pleasure...) Their wine and hard liquor selection in the Wayne NJ store is very extensive. If I get over there this week, I'll post their current prices in the wine folder.

Ed's Levine's food program ("DISH") on Friday originated from Celeste. Much discussion of the menu, inlcuding the artichoke items noted by Suvir. The group seemed to enjoy it immensely, although I'd doubt they were served exactly the same food an ordinary diner might get. Archive versions of the show may be available on wnyc's website. It originates, in edited form, on Friday afternoon,at 3 in New York, following the parade of lefty commentators who dominate talk radio on wnyc...

Perhaps this is a subject for another thread, but... many restaurants have an entirely different character on a weeknight vs a weekend. Perhaps its the difference between one table turn and three turns, or the customer anxiety levels, but I've noticed it often. Parsley & Sage, the place in Riverdale, is a good example. Weekdays, it's very French. You have your table all night. The place is 3/4 filled. Weekends, it's elbow to elbow, and waiting people drill holes thru each diner, waiting for them to finish.

Happy birthday, Rosie. It sounds like you had a great dinner. Do you recall the wine selection? It seems like you covered a lot of flavors (quince, char, pig, scallops, etc) which is a stretch for many wines.

Yes, Kirkland Signature brand seems to be nationwide, although different regional suppliers deliver the goods. "Gourmet" sounds interesting. FG - yes, Costco purchased Price Club, and subsumed many but not all locations

be thankful you have the washington LCB. In Pennsylvania, the liquor stores are state owned and run. Prices are the highest among the Northeastern states, and clerks are unionized state employees. Most stores are NOT self service. You take a number and wait for a clerk to return from break. Stores are closed on Sunday, and many are closed after 7 pm during the week. Here in NJ, Costco sells beer, wine, and liquor. Usually at the state minimum price. A $25 bottle of Jack Daniels will be $19.50 - $20, etc.

Triomphe on 44th street also has a good selection of half bottles in its mostly French list.

Jonathan - Viggiano's in Conshohocken (by the bridge, downtown) is dependable, Italian American. I dined there a few years ago, OK place. Opentable mentions Le Mas Perrier in Wayne (next town west from Radnor) and 333 Belrose (also in Wayne). No experience with either, both have websites. I'd be interested in your thoughts on the Barnes. Dee and I expect to visit the Degas show at the Museum of Art, and will consider tacking a next day visit to the Barnes, availability permitting Paul

The original NY Times mention is HERE

Thanks, Malawry If you're comfortable discussing specifics, was the internship arranged by your school, or did the various establishments have prior relationships with your school? I know the Shop-Rite market in town has agreements with the various high schools which supply co-op education students. These agreements cover pay, working conditions, access to equipment, notification in the event of injury, insurance coverages maintained by both the school and market, etc. These arrangements are transparent to the students. The Culinary Institute of America has an extensive externship program. Would any CIA grads be able to comment on coverages, arrangements, etc? (With this post, we've delineated a free-lance, "Hi Can I intern here for a few days" approach from a formalized element of professional education)

Helena - The article has been sent to the Times's $$$ section for viewing. Search Ryland Inn for Dec 29th KimWB did her usual excellent job of summarizing the restaurants, I'd rely on her synopsis. (Hope you're doing well) Paul

And so pro bono professional services are? (Medical, legal, etc.) Being a dumb volunteer for numerous social and cultural organizations, I disagree. Less often, but on occassion, I have provided pro bono professional services (architecture related, you wags) for both benefit to the client and to my resume. Does this differ? The question of liability is the only downside - and making sure you aren't being taken advantage of - agreeing to only as much as you are comfortable giving away. Our firm's errors and omissions coverage includes damages incurred in company sanctioned charitable and pro-bono work. I'd be surprised if your firm's coverage excludes that. Your broker can provide guidance. There is a charitable exemption or liability cap in many states for charities and their volunteers. The Boston bishop considered hiding behind it to avoid responsibility for his pederast priests. But, we're not discussing that, we're discussing working without pay or benefits or coverage of law in a for-profit business. I'd be very interesting in seeing the agreement, as I'd expect it waives all liability against the management for any damages the student may suffer

I don't recall many negative reviews in the Ledger. Even a place with lots of overcooked, sloppy, etc still seems to get a GOOD They did a blisteringly down review of Il Mondo Vecchio a few years ago (like 6). Re-reviewed it a year or two later, recognizing it had overcome its 'tude issues.

La Nina and hensonville raise important issues. Being in a place of business absent legal foundation does have risks and costs. As a food handler in many states, certification, TB testing, etc is required. If your (volunteer) action injures a patron, who gets sued? You are handling (raw) eggs, and other foods. In Europe, litigation over this issue isn't frequent, unlike the US. If you're injured and disabled with an on the job injury, who pays for your rehab? (I'll wager the agreement excludes the proprietor, though)

Thanks for the detailed notes, lizziee. Your meals sound wonderfully composed and presented. May I ask if the French Laundry provides a detailed menu / description or did you have to seek the information? The specific details of your report suggest FL honors its diners and suppliers with this recognition. Thanks again...