LolaTran

As a petite woman (5'3", 101 lbs), it used to baffle my college gal-friends and guys friends (some of them foodball players) that I could match them drink for drink. I was blessed with an axpandable stomach of which I took full advantage and filled with water before each drinking contest and therefore was able to drink them all under the table; bathroom breaks notwithstanding. Throughout my college years, I never had a hangover - I had no idea what I was missing. Having read your highly satisfying essay, I'm going to make it my goal for 2008 to get myself "an exquisite" hangover. lol. Thanks.

You have to be careful with some "vegetarian" Chinese dishes because almost all of them use chicken stock and still call it vegetarian.

The list lost credibility with the inclusion of Buca di Peppo.

Jeffrey Steingarten.