Al_Dente

Good one.

Why don't you just fire up that smoker? Saturday is out for me. Could probably do Sunday.

Hey, I'm going Wednesday night too! I'm hoping to get outta work early enough to just make it under the wire to Faidley's for a crabcake. Otherwise, it'll be badly cooked sausage and peanuts bought in the parking lot just before the game I wish there was something decent at the Inner Harbor-- freakin Hooters and Cap City... ugh

$53/dozen?!?!?!?! Yikes. Almost $4.50/crab. Did they fly first class from the Gulf Coast?

I know I've brought this up before, but, if you have a pool, you must do this. 1. Throw a pool party. 2. During party line up 8 or 10 folks into two teams at the edge at each end of the pool. 3. Apply a generous coating of vaseline to a whole watermelon. 4. Toss watermelon into middle of pool. 5. Command the two teams to dive in and commence playing underwater watermelon rugby. 6. Hilarity ensues.

...to continue... I stumble into town with my pantalones down visions of tamales in my head flans for everyone

I was just about to say-- kumquats and halibut

Nope. Though I dropped a heavy one on my foot once and had a big bruise. Does that count? I hate to see people use Corian cutting boards. Your knives wouldn't be able to slice an over-ripe peeled banana after that kind of abuse.

The taco joint across 7th from Eastern Market makes great tacos al carbon.

Thanks! Piece of cake: 2 bottles Rioja bout 6 oz Brandy Cup of sugar Cut up fruit (I used an apple, couple of lemons, and a ruby grapefruit) Quart of seltzer Homemade marshmallows (optional)

Me and my girfren, and misser and missus busboy were the lass to leaf. We had a fine time, and drank lotsa wine. The foo was oustanding, and we cand wait to do it again. Tanks to efereyone for their efforts, and for the wine. The wine was goot. We drank lotsa wine. The pork was so tenner and juicy, the tomato salad was delish, and the wine was very nice. We drank lotsa wine. Oh my gosh, and the bread. The bread was outstanning, and went goot wit da wine. Oh yeah, and the spreads that we put on the wine, I mean bread, was really excellenn. Special tanks to misser Rocks for sending the fine bottles of Riesling. We called you dude, and left a tanks messach on your voice mails. The wine waz goot. We drank lotsa wine. We muss do this again zumtime. But someone needs to bring da wine. Wine is good. Next time, Al Dente and Al Dente's girlfren

It might have something to do with the wine, martini, and a few other drinks last night, but I seem to be on more of a 2pm schedule. I'll try to make it 1:30. See you there. The sangria tastes gooooood. Mike

I think I'll go red. I'll take care of the wine for it. What do you think? Will a gallon of Sangria do the trick? Or do we need more?

Is this event rain or shine (or thunderstorm)? Forecast ain't lookin great Busboy-- do you want me to pick up some charcoal? Do you think we'll have enough grill space to do everything? I don't have a grill to bring. I could drop the wing idea and be the designated cheese man. I'll go and get the finest cheez-wiz, velveeta, and american slices money can buy! Just kiddin, really. I'll drop by Dean and DeLuca.

Right, they're legumes. Good episode-- I plan to use nuts more often. Cashew butter is delicious. I love pistachios. Not real wild about walnuts, but otherwise I love em all.

Will there be grills available? Is anyone else using one? I'll bring some charcoal. What is your sangria preference? Red or White? And I see John W lurking in here-- you coming or what?

Thanks for all excellent info everyone! I really appreciate your efforts. Our trip is shaping up. It looks like we'll spend about 1/2 of our free time in Big Sur. 2 nights in SF, 3 in Big Sur, 1 in Hollywood (just for kicks), and then the 2 nights in SD for the family reunion. Reservations are in for Zuni Cafe, we'll probably hit one of the North Beach Italian joints mentioned above, and defitely hit whatever vineyards you all mention (especially Bonny Doon). I'll also have to do the oyster feast that Tana suggests. Any suggestions for Hollywood? Something kinda cheesy would be fun. Also, I'll be making a big paella in San Diego for family. Any suggestions on where I can purchase a paella pan? What about good local seafood to throw in the dish? Sausage? Saffron? Arborio rice?

If you're talking about authorizing for an amount larger than your total check, take a look at your card holder agreement with the credit card issuer. It should state that this can occur. People are actually bouncing checks because they use a check card and they don't allow for the over-authed amount. I work in the credit card biz. This is one of the biggest cardholder complaints. My advice is not to use check cards for purchases-- besides, they don't offer the same kind of fraud protection that regular ol credit cards do.

It wouldn't be too hard to do a spiderman cake. Frost a cake with red icing and pipe a spiderweb over it with white icing. Get a spiderman action figure or something and plop him on top in a suitably heroic pose. Get some plastic spiders and stick them all over the sides.

A co-worker of mine had a cookout this past weekend that featured a 40 lb lamb roasted on a spit. He has a lot of leftover cooked meat and doesn't know what to do with it all. Can he prepare something and freeze it? I know you folks will have some good ideas, so please my lamb-laden friend out!

They were intimidated by a grizzled restaurant veteran.

Weirdest thing I ever saw while perusing someone else's selections: Two very large bags of store brand cheetos Two enemas

And if you rent the DVD, you get a recipe and a how to make your own puerco pibil. Does anyone have that recipe? I saw the director make it, but forgot to write it down. I don't want to have to rent it again.

Sounds like some good 411 so far. Keep it coming! Thanks!

On August 14th I'll arrive in SF with my girlfriend. We'll stay a couple of nights, move on down to somewhere around Big Sur, and then move on down to somewhere within 4 or 5 hours of San Diego where we'll spend the 20th through the 22nd at my grandparents' 60th wedding anniversary. Questions: 1) I've been to SF many times, but my girlfriend has not been at all. What restaurant would be a great place to go-- not a tourist joint, but somewhere where the locals go-- something quintessentially San Francisco. Money IS an object, so we're not doing anything French Laundry level. 2) We won't get a chance to go to Napa or Sonoma this time, but are there any vineyards worth checking out on the way south along the coast? 3) Any good food finds around Big Sur? 4) Any good recommendations for areas to stay for a couple of nights between Big Sur and San Diego? We're not thinking of doing anything in L.A. but maybe somewhere relatively close to it? Sorry to be so vague. 5) Are any of you CA eGulleters up for a drink? I value your opinion. And a complete write up will follow when we get back. Thanks!