Lyle

Unfortunately for me, that's not saying much. Dallas is totally underrepresented in the bbq arena, especially for a southern city this size. Sonny Bryan's at it's best is darn good 'que, but it is sorely inconsistent. None of this really pertains to Blue Smoke, which I plan on sampling soon.

Off Topic Chat warning - Are you participating in the Del Improv Olympics next month? As I will be working around the new theater during my "vacation" I will be spending an unususal amount of time there, attending the Olympics, and generally trying to make myself feel famous. Sorry, I must have missed you at the old theater. What is your history performing the Herald? What of this eight-year streak?

Canned tomatoes, AND canned tomato soup . I've even consumed the Campbell's Creamy Tomato Soup in the jar with the "cream" already added. Uh, nevermind.

Thanks Rachel. We're staying within walking distance, and I know at least I will have an abnormal amount of free time in the area alone, so maybe I'll check out Craftbar, form an opinion, and go from there. Thanks again!

Honestly, gsquared, I wasn't trying to come down on you. But on occasion it is not unhealthy to dine in front of the TV. Sporting events come to mind. Probably twice a week we dine in front of the TV. Hell, even tonight. We've had the video of About Schmidt rented for far too long and still haven't watched it. I left the house at 7 a.m. and will probably get home at 7:30 p.m. I suspect (hope) we'll casually eat and watch the video and chat and live our lives. The fact that certain entertainment/culture happens to be delivered to us through that medium does not lessen the inherent value of that entertainment/culture. To enjoy [whatever] that comes on TV that I enjoy/learn from and, through the constraints of time, happen to do it while dining does not reflect on my degree of "cultivated". I still converse with people. I've also tried to read while dining with others and, trust me, no matter how cultivated I felt it still didn't work. So, bring on some Jerry Springer. Edit: We don't have kids. We'll raise them in a different utopia, of course.

I guess the Tonys may not be something "normally on TV" ? I thought Cook's Tour was on Fridays. I don't think he's known for turning down parties. Any day of the week.

Along those same lines, and for much the same reason, does this menu seem accurate, offering and price-wise? BTW, that sounds wonderful.

Are you suggesting that our Tony party last night was uncultivated? We were drinking, talking, playing, thinking, cooking, loving, and arguing - all in front of the TV. It's not all bad. I even find time to read now and again.

We almost always sit at our table...which we set directly in front of a TV . Actually, for about three years we didn't even have a proper, only an entry table with wings that we would fold out when we had company. Eating on TV trays is a hard habit to break.

What if they're right?

Of course there are, but steakhouses, or more specifically places that specialize in beef, are more universal. You're likely to find them anywhere unlike, say, a gumbo shop.

Really, assuming you know nothing of the town, have to stay away from chains and local burger joints, and don't want to spend all night at the bar, the regional cuisine is what I would attempt. In areas where there is no definable regional cuisine am I allowed to go to a steakhouse?

With that criteria, you're going to end up at the Olive Garden or the Cheesecake Factory. Depending on the city, those may be your best bets.

Not in Minnesota, but to add to the "On a Stick" list, Roasted Corn Chicken (whole breast) Marshmellows

I suppose I could average it to paying for food away from home at 3 times a week. But it is much more cyclical than that. For two to three weeks, one or the other cooks and cooks and we don't go out unless necessary work-wise, and then it's usually only me. Then, we'll go out 7-8 times a week for a couple. Who said the secret to success was consistency? Oh, we also attend several fund-raisers a month where food and wine are free. I usually stick to the wine.

So tourists were always welcome in NY. If we only knew...

Has anybody noticed a different attitude towards others since the the events two years ago? I didn't, but I've read it theorized. Have NY'ers, especially the service industry, had a at least temporary "change of heart" (again, nobody's ever been rude to me without something to gain), or is this just the perception of certain media?

I really, rrrealllly love the South. But I've never had anyone act overtly rude towards me anywhere ever in NY. At least if they had nothing to gain. I can't be alone in this...

Kristin, is this meant for multiple-diner parties, or would it not be uncommon for a single diner to order moriawase?

Late night binge: pickled serrano peppers with a bit of cheese and mustard.

Also, if possible, could someone tell me where in Manhattan are there large concentrations of Vietnamese restaurants/businesses? In greater NYC?

Okra. Lots of peppers. With martinis.

I always make too much of everything in order to be able to make a few plates of it day after next.

Agreed. I disagree completely. How do you heat the pasta without it becoming rubbery and, if sauced, oily? I eat reheated (reheatened) pasta often, but it is never as good as pasta straight from the boiler. In my book, ratatouille. And chili. Any warm soup/stew.

Thin crust pizza. Pretty much any bread, for that matter. At least for the aroma.