hjshorter

Thinking back, selling fast-food type items in school cafeterias is nothing new. When I was in high school during 1980-84, in addition to the regular lunch, my school had a cart that sold hamburgers and french fries. The burgers and fries consistently outsold the more nutritious lunch fare. Vending machines selling soda were freely available, too. This wasn't the slightest bit controversial, so have our perceptions changed? Certainly we know more about what constitutes a healthy diet - why are kids so much heavier these days? This is just my opinion, but it may have less to do with what kids are eating and much more to do with much lower activity levels. Most kids in my area do not play outside unless directly supervised, are not encouraged to ride bikes around the neighborhood - video games, computers and TV take up most of their time not spent in school.

Our tournedos were fantastic. Scott unwrapped them and was so taken with the raw meat smell that he brought them into the living room for me to get a whiff. He pan seared then finished them in the oven briefly. The result was perfect little medium rare nuggets of pure beef heaven. We're ordering strip steaks next.

What a great idea, Dave. Maybe in my next house. The trouble with redesigning/remodeling is that you always think of ways to do it better the next time. I'd also like a marble block for pastry - someday.

My mother-in-law has tile counters and loves them. She doesn't worry about stains, but about chipping them with something heavy. If we had to redo our kitchen someday (a possibility I'm not even willing to contemplate right now ) I would consider tile. We have oak floors throughout our house including the kitchen. It looks great, but is NOT practical in the kitchen.

We opted for Corian with an integrated Corian sink. It has one very large, very deep side, and one small side with a disposal. We love it, very easy to care for and it looks great. The cost, however...boy it was steep, especially since our kitchen is one huge u-shaped piece. And with Corian, it must be installed by a qualified company, not your general contractor, which adds to the cost. As far as the faucet goes, I bought a Grohe. It's tall, has an integrated hose, and can be turned off and on and adjusted with one hand. I love it, but Scott nearly had a heart attack when I told him the price.

That's a bold statement. Which food group do you think is missing there? I'm not a big fan of McDonald's but on my last road trip I stopped there for lunch and had a grilled chicken salad and a milk - I would not characterize either of those as nutritionally deficient. Junk food isn't the same thing as fast food. Junk food is the stuff with no redeeming qualities - potato chips, candy, and soda.

Lobel's steaks. Fried duck eggs. Toast. OJ. Coffee. And a nap!

Had to update this. Further rumors have Johnny Depp or Christopher Walken (!!) starring as Wonka.

By all means. I like shandies with lemonade or 7up. I'll even 'fess up to liking lager with a shot of Rose's Lime in the summer.

Ayinger Ur Weisse. Had one the other night with a slice of lemon - heavenly!

Scott and I would be interested! Just give us enough notice to get a babysitter. The only days we have irrevocably booked in August are the 7th, 11th, 20th, 23rd, and 24th.

Address?

Oh really? As long as you don't wear it around me...

Soba, that sounds incredible. I want one.

It's north of New Brunswick. Exit 10 from the NJ turnpike, I believe. Near Piscataway. It's the only part of NJ I have been to in the last 10 years.

Thanks Tommy. I haven't actually figured out exactly where it's going to be. My knowledge of NJ is very limited. But, we may be spending a few days with some friends in N. Plainfield (exit 10, I believe) so it wouldn't be too outta the way to meet you all.

If we are in New Jersey that weekend, are Scott and I welcome at this shindig? How far is the Pig BBQ from North Plainfield, anyway?

Not according to the label. Technically it's "salad dressing."

Jason, I cannot answer your initial question, but I must ask you (and everybody else).... Remember "KFC"'s Chicken Littles? (or what the f they were called?) Those were the fried chicken patty, served on a spongy bun with a dollop of rancid mayo I did a short stint working at a KFC in college. Chicken Littles didn't have mayo on them. It was Miracle Whip. Now that Little Tavern has closed there is no mini burger franchise in the Washington DC area that I know of. I sense a marketing opportunity for some chain to make up for that deficiency.

The water here in lovely Rockville MD tastes gross and reeks of chlorine. We filter it and it still isn't great. And I have to agree with fifi - New orleans water is disgusting. Easily the worst I have ever tasted.

Sounds good. What goes on one?

I like this with turkey instead of pastrami. Classic reuben - so hard to find done well. I hate soggy reubens! Hot pastrami on a hard roll with deli mustard. Meatball sub, oozing provolone, extra sauce. This is one I wouldn't dare eat in the car. Oyster po'boy, dressed.

You're working on this? I was wondering about that line too

We had a morning wedding with a jazz brunch afterwards. We were so busy socialising at our reception that the waitstaff took our plates before we had even taken a bite. We stayed at the Morrison Clark Historic Inn for the night and had a fabulous dinner - this was back when Susan McC. Lindeborg was still the chef. The day after we had a big cookout at our house with all of our friends, and ate the wedding cake for dessert. It looked too good to freeze.

Welcome to egullet, Zenial. Are the ditzes expected to do their share, or do the more experienced waitstaff have to pick up the slack?