hollywood

Corkage and cartage?

Looks like the Danieli is owned/run by Starwood. If you stay at more than one of their hotels on your trip (again, not cheap) you probably get a deal. That used to be the case going back to when it was a CIGA Hotel. Also, appears that if you are eligible for AARP, there are potential deals.

Our 17 month old daughter just had (for her) an impressive dessert at a Mimi's Cafe and for free. Chocolate pudding with 2 buried gummy worms and covered with Oreo crumbs. Great, now she'll be wired!

Damn! I never thought of doubling down on the cheese.

Yeah, a better investment would be The Magnetic Fields 69 Love Songs.

because you promised you'd send one for free! Maybe you can get the clip in time for Italy, tommy. Bet the locals would get a kick out of watching you magnetize their wine.

From my Austin memories, you're more likely to find a sizzling steak platter.

As attractive as that might sound conceptually, you really don't want to do that (yes, I have). There's a lot to be said for contrast and variety.

What would Rush do?

I know people who think putting in peanuts improves the taste of Dr. Pepper. Wonder if it works on wine? Hmmm.... Peanut power! Who needs magnets--and you can eat them!

Obviously, you don't understand fuzzy logic.

Thanks for a very informative report. Definitely several cuts above the usual young couples' trip to France!

I'm aware of an incident in which an egg shell used to hold flaming liquor turned over on a Baked Alaska and exploded. Not the intended effect--either the explosion or the lawsuit.

Not exactly showmanship but I was impressed a number of years ago when after a long and delicious meal 9accompanied by some luscious Nuits St. George) at Chateau de Marcay near Chinon, we asked the waiter for a glass of champagne. We waited and waited. We asked what progress was being made on getting our drinks. Finally, the waiter appeared with two coupes bearing glace of champagne! I'm not sure if something got lost in the translation, or if the chef was having fun with us. BTW, it was just the thing to end the meal with.

I think it's just the hassle of dealing with pennies. They could charge you the right amount and bring around Apu's Give-a-Penny, Take-a-Penny bowl, I guess. Seriously, servers here routinely bring back change rounded in the customer's favor to the nearest nickel or dime (if you pay cash).

All mod cons!

MP: Aye. BECAUSE we were poor. My old Dad used to say to me, "Money doesn't buy you happiness." EI: 'E was right. I was happier then and I had NOTHIN'. We used to live in this tiiiny old house, with greaaaaat big holes in the roof. GC: House? You were lucky to have a HOUSE! We used to live in one room, all hundred and twenty-six of us, no furniture. Half the floor was missing; we were all huddled together in one corner for fear of FALLING! TG: You were lucky to have a ROOM! *We* used to have to live in a corridor! MP: Ohhhh we used to DREAM of livin' in a corridor! Woulda' been a palace to us. We used to live in an old water tank on a rubbish tip. We got woken up every morning by having a load of rotting fish dumped all over us! House!? Hmph. EI: Well when I say "house" it was only a hole in the ground covered by a piece of tarpolin, but it was a house to US. GC: We were evicted from *our* hole in the ground; we had to go and live in a lake! TG: You were lucky to have a LAKE! There were a hundred and sixty of us living in a small shoebox in the middle of the road. MP: Cardboard box? TG: Aye. MP: You were lucky. We lived for three months in a brown paper bag in a septic tank. We used to have to get up at six o'clock in the morning, clean the bag, eat a crust of stale bread, go to work down mill for fourteen hours a day week in-week out. When we got home, out Dad would thrash us to sleep with his belt! etc.

I had some of the 2002 last night. Heavy, fruity, and yes lacking balance--or you could say, off balance. Cute label, but if you want cute labels and good wine, Bonny Doon.

Felix's is a block off St. Charles across the street from Acme Oyster House.

Hm. Perhaps its the mayonnaise you use? Exactly. Frites and the mayo in Holland are the best. Personally, I like em with Dijon. Yesterday, by coincidence, I had some blue cheese fries. First 3-4 mouthsful were great. After that, it was de trop. Some in LA favor chili cheese fries.

Burnt Umbria??? That's not in my Crayola 64.

Plus you get to take the picture of your SO holding up the Tower (or pushing it over).

you are coming very close to committing a criminal offence... Hey, he burnt siena.

This may be true, but Venice is the most fun place to get lost in that I know of.

You might brush up on Turner. His paintings of Venice mean a lot more once you've seen the place in the flesh. Really.