Reignking

Article on BlackJack BBQ's trip to NYC... "BlackJack got a stipend for coming, essentially a break-even proposition given the festival's scope and exposure."

Granada? Wonderful place -- I've been there twice. The wonderful thing about that town -- other than the Alhambra and the view of the Sierra Nevadas -- is that they give you free tapas with every drink that you order. And they were good, too -- mimi-omelettes, croquetas, etc. I stayed around the plaza at the bottom of the road leading up to Alhambra -- Plaza Nueva. In Sevilla, I stayed near the cathedral; the food was still good, but not as memorable as Granada's.

Out of the way...a block or two from East Bay and Market I'll second Sermet's, and meant to get to Cru last time. I've always enjoyed Meritage, too, which is on East Bay, downtown.

I've been meaning to write about my Memorial Day vacation there, and this gives me an excuse. Try Granville's, which is near Moe's Crosstown Tavern. The chef catered my wedding last year, and his new restaurant was fantastic. They have small plates, salads, and full entrees -- my Thai braised short rib in coconut milk was excellent. Make reservations; despite it being new and not downtown, it was absolutely packed. Closer to you, Morgan Creek Grill on IOP is a little less adventurous, but has always been very good when we've been there. Nice setting on the bayside, as well.

It killed me when, two weeks ago, they came down on JAG because his dish wasn't something a home cook could or would prepare -- that it was too complicated. I think this was in reference to the Bon Appetit contest, but it seemed to me that they don't value his "advanced" skills for a show, either.

I've never heard of them, but this is fantastic marketing...

Funny that no one has commented on the latest episode. [and funny that someone was when I was writing this] Colome, who got kicked off, should have been kicked off just for not actually cooking anything. She made nachos, but only made the salsa -- didn't make the chips, didn't make the cheese. Meanwhile, she had extra time after prep, and Josh/JAG was able to complete his dish and make a cheese sauce. He's my clear favorite -- good personality and can actually cook.

Willie Cellucci of the Palm, heard on 790 the Zone...

I was pleasantly surprised by the food at my grandfather-in-law's retirement home. There was actually a good selection, plus they focus on making things healthy. It was cafeteria-style, with a salad bar.

BTW, anyone notice the new scar that Marcel was sporting, on his left eyebrow? Glass bottles will do that...

I enjoyed it; I thought it was a sneaky way to bring viewers back into the fold with people they already knew, while lightly introducing the new cast. A handoff to the next season, if you will... And no corporate tie-ins this time! It wasn't the Publix Pasteurized Egg Cook-off sponsored by Bed Bath & Beyond, where you too can buy over mitts for cooking one handed!

What show are you watching? ← Better is a RELATIVE term!!!

Who previously won this show, and do they currently have shows? I've never seen it...

I had the exact same thought. It just seemed too obvious. Gordon's line about the implant was hilarious, though. As for the casting, I would argue that they've actually included more people w/ kitchen experience this time -- before, I believe, very food had real experience (and they almost always lasted towards the end). Also, to be completely shallow, the cast seems to be better-looking, as well (this is "reality" TV, after all). They do drop some $$$ into set design and special effects (the transitions, opening), though.

Is FOX trying to bury this? I've seen no advertising, and I only found out about it because I was watching some summer-TV preview.

Amen 1000 times. I'm so sick of going out for "Mexican" food, and its the same menu -- by the numbers -- with the same 6 ingredients. So far my worst experience has been a place in Atlanta that I've ordered mole at 3 times, and I've gotten enchilada sauce 3 times. Sanborn's would cringe.

Smokey Bones

I work downtown, and I can't recommend much (especially in that price range). Les Fleurs De Lis is outstanding, and FAB (French-American Brasserie) just opened (and is much closer to Peachtree Center). Azio's would be an option for a low-priced Italian meal.

In trying to find ways to use up all of the beans, I stumbled upon a Vanilla Brine for Pork recipe that I loosely followed. I experimented with it last week, and it was fantastic. The vanilla is well-complemented by the pepper, and it smells incredible when you throw it on the cast iron.

Thanks for the tip. Along those lines, I noticed a fish market on Roswell Rd in Sandy Springs, in a shopping center with a BB&T, Marshall's, and a Mexican restaurant (bout a block north of Trader Joe's, about a mile south of Abernathy). Has anyone tried this store?

I'm stunned that you could get an entire leg back here. In 2003, I "smuggled" a kilo of sliced jamon back, cryovacced at a grocery store in Madrid. The butcher did not include the aluminum backing, either, as I told him that I was going to the US, and he knew better -- knew that I didn't want it examined. As I was walking through customs, almost through the doors to freedom, a dog came up and sniffed my extra-large luggage. Luckily, he was only trained to sniff for drugs, because I couldn't imagine returning to the US without jamon. At least it is easier to find here, now...

I'll drive from Dunwoody to go to Seasons de Provence in Acworth, though, every once in a while.

FYI, I should've mentioned that Bookstore Cafe moved out to Mt. Pleasant for rent reasons. There's a new diner in its old space. The new location was actually shown on The Hungry Detective.

I'm trying foodman's pastrami salmon recipe this weekend for an Easter brunch. I started the cure last night, so I hope that it will be ready in time. The first time that I cured salmon, two days was plenty of time.

My wife and I will be there in late May, as well, for our first anniversary (we were married there). New restaurants for us will be FIG, Cru Cafe and McCrady's Ones that we must return to will be Fast & French, Cypress, Charleston Bookstore Cafe and Granville's Cafe (the latter two because they catered our brunch, and wedding although Granville's Cafe is new). Has anyone tried Granville's Cafe? I love what he did for our wedding...