hjshorter

Why would it? They are both sensitivities that can have mild to severe effects. Most people get the word "allergy", and most people with other problems would rather leave it at that than get into their medical history.

If you ate something and then puked every day for months, would you really want to eat it again? During my first pregnancy I became unable to eat large amounts of garlic, or garlic that isn't cooked for a long time without suffering "effects". I am not interested in having someone prepare a meal with large amounts of garlic just to test me.

If I need to grab something on the run the egg, spinach, & havarti sandwich is not bad. I just wish they stocked salt and pepper packets, because to my tastebuds it needs a little of both.

I think on eG if a thread wants to go on, and it's on topic and not offensive, then members are allowed to continue their discussion. I for one have found the posts on this thread very illuminating. Edit: comma abuse.

I'll be taking the kids to the pancake supper at church tonight. They love the novelty of having breakfast for dinner. Stupid me signed up for a fancy dinner tomorrow forgetting that it's Ash Wednesday.

Or you can always rent. Rentals are not that expensive if you're just having 12 or 20 people over for dinner, and they'll fit in your car. It's when you start renting tables, chairs, linens, chafing dishes, serving platters, salt and pepper shakers, butter ramekins and so on and so forth that the cost gets exorbitant. Renting tableware for most dinner parties is very affordable. And many rental companies allow you to return dirties! ← True, but what novice entertainer is going to rent silverware for a barbecue? And while the cost may not be exorbitant, for young people just starting out it might be a burden. It makes sense for a large dinner party. And y'all can go ahead and talk smack about if me you like but I have been known to use paper plates for very large parties.

Nothing says "I really don't care about you" like paper plates and plastic flatware. Instant turnoff! ← Agreed, except when you don't have enough dishes for 50 people. Edit to say that after a minute's thought...I'd say it's better to entertain with paper plates (Chinet, not the flimsy ones ) than be afraid to have company because you don't have enough dishes or silverware.

I assumed you were asking for a newbie. Hence the "don't try too hard to impress advice".

Mix up the company, and for goodness sake don't try to mix people who you know don't get along. The will most likely not be gracious. Try to introduce friends who might enjoy each other's company. Have plenty of wine, more than you think you need. Keep the menu simple unless you've had a lot of experience and know how long everything will take to prepare, or you know your friends are skilled enough to help you out in the kitchen. Set the table in the morning with lots of candles and lots of flowers. Don't leave it for the last minute. Don't cook something for the very first time for a dinner party. Every time I've tried this it's turned out badly. A buffet can be your friend, especially if you put some thought into the offerings. Don't try to impress people. It's never fun to be the guest of someone who is trying too hard and stressed out.

Well, for the children whose only meals might be the school breakfast and lunch I imagine it could compete quite well.

Mark, is that the place next to La Chaumiere? Any good?

I think Fettoosh is gone too. Pied de Cochon was for 2am, after a show or dancing at Poseurs or the midnight showing of Rocky Horror at the Key theater. I don't think I ever ordered anything but eggs benedict and frites, coffee and booze. It's a Five guys now, right?

My kid's preschool allowed home baked treats, but in cases of kids with allergies (sever peanut allergy in one case) they asked for store bought treats, and peanut free lunches for the other kids. And they have a no-candy policy for holidays. As the parent of kids who can't have chocolate, I appreciate non-candy Halloween, Valentines Day, etc., goodies. Kids are usually plenty happy with stickers and the like.

Although this thread has been going on far too long IMO, let me only point out that what was discussed here by people who haven't read the book was precisely the thread itself and the assertions that were made there in relation to a subject that some happen to know very well. No doubt you know the subject well. Just not the book under discussion, its methodology, or its conclusions. But how would you know that if you haven't read it? I am sure it was published here as part of an anti-Mayle backlash. I am sure, also, that it will probably be difficult to evaluate fairly in translation.

Or in this instance, whether they have read the book before commenting on it? Busboy, when did you say the book is available in DC?

I was responding to the posts quoted in my original post. "Food choices" are influenced by religion, philosophy, and sometimes even by lifestyle, right?

I repeat, whatever.

Whatever

The gelato is really good, especially coconut. The food is OK.

Read my post again. You misunderstood what I was saying. In those circumstances, why would telling the bar patrons that they are out of the lobster burger not be an honest answer?

Let's see if I can alleviate a little of the paranoia ...On a given night, the restaurant has x number of lobsters that has to last for dinner service. There's a run on lobster burgers at the bar, and more people than usual at the earlier seating order lobster. There is a chance that there will not be enough lobster to accomodate patrons with later dinner reservations. As the chef would you rather a.) tell the bar patrons that you're out of lobster burgers, or b.) tell the dinner patrons that you're out of lobster for one of the chef's special items? Easy decision. If you saw malawry's post describing her meal last summer one of the highlights at dinner was the "Begula Caviar" one of Chef Richard's whimsical creations featuring, you guessed it, butter poached lobster.

As would I - except, I still feel a little "miffed" (ie. suspicious) that they ran out of their most popular item at 6.30pm??? We weren't exactly outfitted in the refined raiments that we noticed the man at the next table wearing - he who casually chomped on their supposed last lobster burger while perusing over the post. ← I doubt you were denied the burger based on what you were wearing that night. Maybe the kitchen didn't have enough lobster for the burger and for service.

His original tome is the most joyless thing I've ever read in my life. Thanks for the link, ingridsf. Very interesting.

No, unfortunately not one of the 12 of us remembered to bring a camera.

Bob was very accommodating, quick with explanations of various dishes and advice on how much to order. The oyster pancake was my favorite, followed by the crispy squid with fried basil, and the Taiwanese burger. I never got any of the Rockfish, but the crispy sizzling flounder was excellent. The short ribs were ok, but in general I like my heat from chilis and not black pepper. Big, big thanks to Pontormo for organizing and broadening our horizons. And what a deal. More food than we could eat, plus tax and tip for $16 each.