Jaymes

No. THAT'S Brooshetta.

But you do know that it's bread. Which puts you way ahead of the majority of the Americans that think it's "Italian salsa."

I believe it involves the same logic which means the word 'Celtic' is pronounced 'Seltic', instead of 'Keltic'. I think all us Americans can thank Boston for that. Frankly, I believe the "bean" thing worked out better.

Yeah. I could envision a couple big slices of garlic bread in my dish of pasta. So I did ask. And it turned out to be darn tasty.

Much of this stuff began life with the word, "style" added after it. So, "Buffalo-style Wings" and "Shrimp, prepared scampi-style" etc. But over time, the "style" part was dropped, being understood by most of the populace. I can say no such thing about the current total misunderstanding, in the U.S. anyway, as to the meaning (and pronounciation) of "bruschetta." We all seem to get that the Italian "ch" is pronounced with a hard sound when we say "Chianti" - why is it so difficult to figure that out with bruschetta? And the majority of the US seems to believe that bruschetta has nothing to do with bread; but is rather, the now-common tomato topping. And so I went to an "Italian" restaurant a few weeks back and the erstwhile young waiter said that the special of the day was "Chicken BruSHetta Pasta." What on earth is that? I wondered. "Well, it's chicken with bruSHetta, tossed with pasta." What? "'BruSHetta' is a kind of Italian salsa. So it's breast of chicken tossed with bruSHetta, served over pasta." Oh.

I really wish you would teach a tea class at CM. I'd go. For sure.

Folks - the hotel information has now dropped back where it might be difficult to find. It is really important that if you are going to be attending, you at least strongly consider staying at the Holiday Inn. Otherwise, the rate might well go up for those of us that do. So, I'm starting another thread with the hotel information in it. Thanks. Your EG travel coordinator.

Good question, and I don't know the answer. I do grow Yerbabuena - which is a Latin American mint, but I grow it primarily because it is supposed to be the best choice for Mojitos. It is also reputed to have medicinal qualities, and is often prepared in tea for that purpose. But I don't know if it is the same "Mexican mint" that you are growing. I've never noticed the tarragon flavor; but then again, I've never tasted for it. Perhaps a good place to start would be with the botanical name of the plant you purchased. That might help us narrow it down.

As a "woman of size," I always felt uncomfortable shopping in WF among the hairy, sandled set. But in CM, I'm not the only fatty perusing the imported cheeses, I'll tell you that.

Only if said "insular nation" also does not have immigrants that bring their food and culture along with them. That is most definitely not the case with the U.S.

Actually, guys, it was a Borders - not a Barnes & Noble. Maybe it would be helpful if I start reading the Austin Stateman before crumbling it up and using it for the bbq chimney starter. That's right David. You've got to KEEP UP!

Actually, guys, it was a Borders - not a Barnes & Noble. They did back out, citing the economy and decreased sales at their other Austin outlets. Also, they said, the concept of the project has changed and no longer fits their needs. Now, they say, it is going to be "primarily a headquarters for Whole Foods." However, it is true that the anti-Borders faction mounted a pretty strenuous campaign of harassing fax and email and telephone and snail mail messages against them, although they said that had nothing to do with their corporate decisions. But whatever the reason, it currently does look like there will be no large chain book/video/record store going into that location in the immediate future.

I sure hope you do come. I'm greatly looking forward to meeting all you buggers.

~~~~~~~~~~~North Carolina Pig Pickin’~~~~~~~~~~~ Okay, guys & gals, we’ve got some information for you. After chatting with several Raleigh hoteliers, we have selected the Holiday Inn Brownstone. It is a very nice property. The following description is from the Holiday Inn website (which can be accessed via the link below): “Fully renovated for 2002, we are the newest Holiday Inn in Raleigh. Our downtown location is next door to NC State University, and only 1 mile from the attractions and state government facilities of downtown Raleigh. We have 190 spacious well appointed guestrooms with all the amenities that our guests expect including: two line phones, coffeemakers, irons and ironing boards, data ports and voice mail. Our full service restaurant Ledo's has family friendly pricing in a comfortable atmosphere. Our lounge is open daily for your enjoyment. We have an outdoor pool and the adjacent YMCA provides all your workout needs.” The Holiday Inn Brownstone also offers free local telephone calls, and free parking. In addition, the hotel provides complimentary airport shuttles to RDU, so those that do not wish to rent a car can hop a free ride to the hotel. Varmint says that the hotel is within walking distance from his home (although a long walk, he says), but I am sure that there will be enough people available to share transportation. The rate that we have negotiated is $67 per room, per night. It is a flat rate for a single or double. It does not include local taxes, which are 13%. This rate is for standard rooms. If you wish to upgrade to a suite, ask your reservation clerk for rates and availability. When you make your reservation, whether it is for a standard room or upgraded suite, please either post it in this thread, or PM me, so that I can keep a running total and coordinate it with the hotel to be sure our group gets credit. We are holding a block of 15 rooms from Thursday October 9 through Columbus Day Monday October 13, a total of four nights. In order to get this special rate, we must use a minimum of ten rooms, and each person must stay a minimum of two nights. Should we drop below ten rooms/two nights per room, we will be subject to a rate increase. We did check out several other properties. The B&B’s were too small to accommodate us. Someone had mentioned the Velvet Cloak Inn. The Holiday Inn compares very favorably with the Velvet Cloak and the bid from the Holiday Inn was considerably lower. Each person will be responsible to secure his/her own reservations and for their own individual bill, including room charges and incidentals. In order to reserve a room, you can call the Holiday Inn Central Reservations toll-free number at 1-800-HOLIDAY, or the hotel directly at 1-919-828-0811. Tell the reservations clerk that you are part of the “Pig Pickin’” group. The group rate is not available for booking online. In order to get this rate you must book and guarantee your reservation before September 25, upon which date any unreserved space will be dropped. Persons calling in after September 25th may not receive the special group rate. Unless a minimum of 10 rooms are reserved by September 25th, the hotel has the option to increase the rate, so all of us will appreciate it if those attending the Pig Pickin’ do stay at the Holiday Inn Brownstone. The hotel’s general rules and cancellation penalties will apply. Check-in time is 3pm, although if your room is available you may be allowed to check in early. Check-out time is 12:00pm. YOU MUST CANCEL BY 4PM HOTEL TIME DATE OF ARRIVAL TO AVOID A CHARGE ON YOUR CARD. ~~~~~~~~So what’s to do in Raleigh?~~~~~~~~~ Sure the Pig Pickin’ sounds great, but is there anything else to do? Raleigh lies in an area called “the Piedmont,” the heartland of North Carolina. It extends from the Atlantic coastal plains east of Raleigh westward toward the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Piedmont contains rivers, lakes, woodlands, rolling hills, and picturesque villages that date to the mid-1700s. There are countless galleries, boutiques, and shops selling artwork, crafts, furniture and woodwork, and homemade and artisan foodstuffs such as jams, jellies and breads. The towns of Waxhaw, Cameron, Pineville and Matthews are devoted almost entirely to antiques. Any duffers among us? There is talk of having an eGullet Pig Pickin’ Golf Tournament, which should be easy to do as the Piedmont boasts one of the largest concentrations of golf courses in the world. Historic Winston-Salem is about an hour and a half west, and Old Salem, a restored 18th century village, offers museums staffed with period-costumed docents that provide a glimpse into a way of life in an earlier America. Raleigh itself has many attractions worth a visit. The State Capitol was built in 1840 in the Greek Revival style, and restored in 1976. And Raleigh is home to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, North Carolina Museum of Art, and North Carolina Museum of History. So there’s plenty to do! (We are currently talking with some rental car companies to see if we can negotiate group rates there as well, and will post information as soon as we get it.) Holiday Inn Brownstone

Oh yes - I think I've driven through it. Lovely neighborhood as I recall. And that Museum of Anthropology is one of the most fabulous museums I've ever been in. And the first time I ever had chicken mole was back in the mid-70's at a restaurant in Zona Rosa that was famous for it. Boy, was it good.

Jaymes, Mexico City, in Polanco - you know it? I am lucky enough to have traveled to Mexico DF several times. Beautiful city. Fabulous museums, churches, the zócalo - and I've hit all the tourist highlights, of course. But I don't think I am familiar with that particular neighborhood. Hope we see many, MANY more posts from you!!

Would love to know, Sandra, where did you and your friend grow up?

Howdy y'all. Just a quick update on the hotel info. I've been chatting up several local spots, doing a little investigation, and have a really good bid. We're just "firming up" the final arrangements now. By tomorrow, all of the information should be posted right here, as well as how to make your reservation, etc. Should tell you that I did investigate several of the B&B's and that didn't work out at all. In order to get the group rate that we have negotiated, we will need to book a minimum of 10 rooms, so I'm sure we'll all appreciate it if everyone tries to stay at the same place. The final details will appear here tomorrow. Meet 'ya here.

Couldn't help but point out here that most smokers I know also manage to get through the entire night - sleeping about eight hours or so - without having to arise from their bed every hour to go have a cigarette.

Wow. End of an era, that's for sure. Was fun to visit another world, and see how the rich ranch folk presumably lived.

I don't really know Corpus all that well - just visited there a short time back, but it's not one of my regular "haunts." I do know Progreso fairly well, though, since I am certain that in a previous life I was a border town floozy, and enjoy revisiting my past from time to time.

Okay, I've changed my order.

If I were going to Tucson anytime soon, the first thing I'd do is to go to Mi Nidito and order a bowl of Caldo de Queso. And Grey - what is the current state of the Tack Room?? Good, not good, there, not there?

All that chatting in the Russian food thread has put me squarely back in Alaska in gustatorial longing. And so, I want fried halibut from Katchemak Bay - crispy on the outside, and soft as a snowy white pillow inside; pink salmon just pulled from a rushing stream that was a glacier only hours ago, and basted with soy sauce and brown sugar and broiled over an alderwood fire; sourdough pancakes and biscuits dripping with fresh butter from the Matanuska Valley Colony Farms, and blueberries picked that very morning.

What is the other?