Blondie

They certainly do. I had one a few days ago. Bleachboy was on the right track as they do use simple syrup in theirs, and it far surpassed any that I've made without it.

I'm *loving* this blog, girl. You Heartlanders should do yourselves a favor and meet up with Suzi - she's wonderful company.

I really like Rai Rai Ken too. For the record, it's on 10th St. between First and Second.

After a push from slkinsey during our post-Totonno’s chat, I took up the challenge. I acquired some Lillet and crème de cacao and started mixing up Twentieth Centuries. Each night I’d vary the recipe slightly and concluded that the proportions that Sam settled on worked best for me too. Once I located a bottle of Luxardo I added Aviations into the rotation, but I’m really hooked on the Twentieth Century. After so many years of being stuck in a wine and beer rut, these seemingly irreconcilable ingredients now have me totally enthralled by the alchemy of alcohol.

Welcome to eGullet, ljr! Edit to add: Are you based in Ireland? What's the deal with Guinness and black currant? I never bothered to ask when I lived there, but it is a black currant liquer or a slug of Ribena that people defile their Guinness with?

That's a fine start right there. Eww. Yes, that's a scent that sticks with you. I understand the Brick Pit (on Old Shell Road) is still good. It was my BBQ nirvana until the Pig Pickin’ at Varmint’s. Yes! I’m biased, but I think it’s well worth the trip. My grandparents lived over the road from the Grand Hotel, along the golf course, and I consequently spent most of my summers there growing up. It's a gorgeous spot. Brooks is right, the Sunday Brunch is fantastic. I’m *really* looking forward to my visit later this year. Does anyone know what’s up with Judge Roy Bean’s in Daphne? Hopefully that’s still worth a stop.

"The Workman's Friend" by Flann O'Brien When things go wrong and will not come right, Though you do the best you can, When life looks black as the hour of night - A PINT OF PLAIN IS YOUR ONLY MAN. When money's tight and hard to get And your horse has also ran, When all you have is a heap of debt - A PINT OF PLAIN IS YOUR ONLY MAN. When health is bad and your heart feels strange, And your face is pale and wan, When doctors say you need a change, A PINT OF PLAIN IS YOUR ONLY MAN. When food is scarce and your larder bare And no rashers grease your pan, When hunger grows as your meals are rare - A PINT OF PLAIN IS YOUR ONLY MAN. In time of trouble and lousey strife, You have still got a darlint plan You still can turn to a brighter life - A PINT OF PLAIN IS YOUR ONLY MAN.

I thought this was a very entertaining and thought-provoking film. As far as the criticism thusfar (mostly, I'm guessing, from people who haven't seen it yet) I think the focus on McDonald's specifically does the film a disservice. As the king of fast food, McDonald's is a convenient device to examine the obesity epidemic. Just as "Bowling for Columbine" wasn't just about the tragedy in Colorado, Spurlock goes farther afield. The film's own website says: With that in mind, I didn't think that subjects such as school lunch programs and the increasing incidence of diabetes were out of place. While I think it can't be emphasized strongly enough that McDonald's only interest is to sell as many burgers as possible, I think Spurlock's intention was to educate and encourage people to take personal responsibility for what they eat. "Supersize Me", in the best tradition of satire and muckraking journalism, *should* be pissing people off and spurring conversation. Before I read Jeffy Boy's post I was going to say that if it convinces one person to stop and think before they shove a Big Mac in their mouth without considering what it will do to their body, then it has a done a public service. Thanks for making the point for me

In a few weeks I'll be making my first visit since the 80's too - for Gomez. I can't wait to see the space.

Do you still need the super-secret phone number to get in? I'll be around there tomorrow so I'll give it try. Thanks for the recommendations.

Thanks for starting this thread, beans. After years of not being able to stomach gin due to one unfortunate night of overindulgence and subsequent paralyzing hangover, I picked up a bottle of Juniper Green Organic Gin. It makes a nice gin and tonic, but I had planned to branch out. Can someone name a bar in Manhattan where I can try a proper Aviation before I go off searching for maraschino liqueur?

As I said on a similar thread on the New Jersey board, I’m thrilled that this material is finally seeing the light of day. Being one of the lucky recipients of the dispatches Bourdain referred to, and, not wishing to give anything away, I can only say that you guys are in for a treat.

I’m thrilled that this material is finally seeing the light of day. Being one of the lucky recipients of the dispatches Bourdain referred to, and, not wishing to give anything away, I can only say that you guys are in for a treat

The Wetlands on Hudson Street. I never failed to have a great time there.

Cool

It was a very fun evening. Thanks again to Stone for organizing. My favorite dishes were the Kung Bao chicken, string beans, the whole fish and the bit of jellyfish we scrounged from the other table. I liked the beef tendon, but didn't think it was earth-shatteringly good. Overall a very good meal, but as usual the company was stellar.

I was so disappointed to discover that the mullet is a type of fish. When you said "mullet-tossing," I had visions of tossing local dudes with mullet hair-dos in the air. I guess the Florabama version is fun too.

You make a great point. As we were watching the conversation between Rocco and Choderow, Blovie (who is a lawyer) turned to me and said he would love to see their contractbecause he had a feeling it was poorly drafted. (Yoohoo, Smoking Gun? ) Right here. As TrishCT said, according to Rocco's complaint the operating agreement was never signed.

The Smoking Gun posted Chodorow's federal indictment. Edit: the last several pages are the DOT memo urging the revocation of Braniff's certificate to operate as an airline. I had to laugh when they got to the descriptions of the mismanagement. According to the Inspector General's office: "Senior management had little control over day to day operations". Seems like Rocco's not doing anything Chodorow hasn't done himself

NulloModo, you don't mention ground roasted rice. On the few occasions that I've forgotten it, the final product was disapppointing. Give it a try next time.

Salon has an interview with "Reality TV's Intern from Hell".

Brooks, you did such a wonderful job describing it that by the time I got to this line I could hear Lucinda Williams singing it It is a beautiful, evocative song (and easy enough that even I learned how to play it ). Since my college days I always thought of Judge Roy Bean's in Daphne, AL, just across the bay from Mobile, as the quintessential southern bar: big, old rustic roadhouse with great live music, BBQ pit out back, loads of people outside on weekend afternoons surrounded by huge oak trees with overhanging Spanish moss. Anyone know if it's still around? The Flora-Bama (another personal favorite) was our alternate, although I never managed to attend the infamous Mullet Toss that joiei mentioned. We'd stay on the beach all day, running back and forth for additional refreshments, then after sunset settle in for the band (endless Lynyrd Skynyrd and Marshall Tucker Band covers, of course).

I have seen the same non-rinsing behavior in Ireland that Hallie describes. I remember having houseguests insist on doing the dishes, then running into the kitchen later to give everything a proper rinse. No one else seemed bothered by it, and in fact I never felt ill after eating in a home where non-rinsing was the norm.

Off the top of my head you missed INXS, Crowded House and Nick Cave.

New York Magazine on Rocco vs. Chodorow.