Reignking

I didn't mind him until I caught one break of his most recent show -- something like an amateur cooking competition meets kitchen stadium. He came off like a dumb Alton Brown on open mike night at the Funny Bone.

14 days? I would definitely check some other places out. I loved Biarritz, France; you could Eurorail it, too, through France and Spain (therefore buying that ticket in dollars and saving some money). Pamplona is a nice, town, too. I took my honeymoon two years ago, and for 2+ weeks we went to 9 different locations (all in France except San Sebastian), so I'm a bit biased. I'm not the type of person to use a foreign vacation to relax, but to explore...

I was in Vegas, and saw Andres on Best Recipes in the World, which had about 15 minutes with him and the host in rural Spain. I don't think any of Made in Spain is on Atlanta, though. Offtopic, the second half of the show was with Mario Batali, making a pasta dish, saying that he would have this in all of his restaurants...in fact, in his (either B&B or Enoteca; doubt it was CarneVino in the Palazzo) restaurant in the Venetian, there was a ricotta-and-egg ravioli, but with a different sauce.

Mario Batali's new restaurant in the Palazzo, CarneVino, in Las Vegas (attached to the Venetian) has bellota on the menu. I didn't have a chance to stop by to see if it were in; L'Atelier might have had it. I did not see it at L'Atelier...

Being from Philly originally, there are two things that I (and other Philadelphians) know that no one else can duplicate -- the hoagie and the cheesesteak. Living in Atlanta, hoagies don't even exist, and I will never, ever order a cheesesteak from a restaurant -- it just won't be right.

Not necessarily. I don't want to be more specific...

More info on Blais, and another Atlanta contestant, Nimma Osman: SPOILER ALERT!?!?! For some unknown reason, Meredith Ford thought that it would be a good reason to post the rumors on how the contestants did. True or not, I have no idea, but I'm not happy I just read that. http://www.accessatlanta.com/living/conten...hese_two_t.html

Their appetizers are usually good -- things like dumplings or lemongrass sticks. But their frozen asparagus risotto was just terrible. Come to think of it, I don't buy too many of their frozen items, save those appetizers and veggies.

I missed while I was gone -- looks like it has opened: http://www.accessatlanta.com/living/conten..._is_baaaaa.html

I think that they both (Andres, Tienda) were both to thank. La Tienda is certainly to thank for being a trailblazer in the importation of Spanish goods, when no one else even considered it. I ordered piquillos from them a few years ago because they were the only ones that had them. And if you think it is too expensive -- save the money and go to Barcelona instead

After the closing of two Pies -- Piebar and American Pie -- I feel validated in my feeling that both were quite overrated, even after just one visit to each. Piebar, with its forced-valet-in-an-empty-parking-lot, disgusting bathrooms and clueless staff turned us off quickly. As for American Pie, we sat there for 20 minutes waiting to get served on a Saturday college football afternoon before we left. Of course, the valet fascination is Atlanta-wide, but it was specifically frustrating in such an empty parking lot (it was 5:30 on a weekday, after work, as we tried to avoid rain-soaked traffic).

Do you know who else? I saw Steven from Season one is opening one and then winner, Harold. I havent really heard anything from Season 2 (which imo really sucked anyhow) ← Perhaps that includes those that already owned one? Like Betty...

Funny that you mention that...I was in Cozumel over the holidays, and if you spent $20 at a certain store, you got free vanilla! Sure, it was a small bottle (and probably Mexican vanilla beans), but I was shocked to see that it also had corn syrup in it. I feel bad for the tourists that come home and try to bake with it.

They've disappeared once again (from Atlanta, anyway). I actually stopped by, saw that they were MIA once again, and left for somewhere else. That's how much I (usually) hate McDs

FYI, Tuesday Morning (a merchandise discounter) often has FoodSavers available. And I've seen every different model, as well.

I'm salivating...I had ibericos at Jaleo in DC last Christmas, actually, so I know that has been around. Jose Andres has a few connections, anyway

I had the TV on in the background yesterday, on the History Channel, because it had a piece on distilleries. There was an entire segment on Modern Marvels given to absinthe, its history, and its current production.

Yes, the parts are metal. The most problematic are the food baskets, but the two main metal discs that hold it all together have never been 100% clean again, either.

I've always enjoyed the food that comes out of it -- but it is the cleanup that I hate. I can never get the parts clean, so it is sitting in my cabinet, as I have been thinking about getting rid of it.

It won't turn colors -- I use it on salads that I make the night before. If it lies around for a few days, though, it might get a bit slimy (which you can wash off).

I've got to reiterate -- it is just perfect on eggs. Can't live without it now if I scramble some up...

I wouldn't say there is a remarkable difference (I haven't tried hickory yet). I had some on my salad today.

It is basically a 2nd version, yet even more watered-down, of the Rachel v. Giada contest last year. I don't mind it, but I would like to see two ICs in it (as opposed to just Cora). Paula is on, so just make it Battle Butter -- although the theme is dessert, so who knows if there is a real secret ingredient.

Besh also won some seafood cookoff on FN, representing LA in a battle of coastal states. Paula Deen represented GA. Anyone else a little miffed that, in next week's previews, they showed the "secret" ingredient? They usually hide it, unless you go hunting for it.

Was it on today? Wish I had known...