KatieLoeb

Herb: Which one of us is driving? I'm in! I think Gary will want to come, Fentons also? We must have a well represented Philly contingent there...

In my delinquent youth we were known to have occasionally injected vodka into oranges with a syringe for portable yet innocuous looking Screwdrivers. I've always just cut out a plug as deep as the center of the watermelon in the middle of the fruit lengthwise with one of those gardening tool thingies or a biscuit cutter and then dig with a spoon a bit. Drain as much juice as falls out when you flip it over to leave space for the watermelon "cells" to soak up more alcohol like a sponge. Then you flip the bottle over into the hole and leave it for as long as it takes to soak up said alcohol of choice. We usually started these a day ahead... I told you we were delinquents I think flavored rums or vodkas have a lot of potential for this application. Vanilla, currant or raspberry vodka would be tasty. Dark rum, spiced rum or even pineapple or lemon rum could be tasty too. Ginger infused vodka sounds really good to me! You'll have to try them all and report back...

I'm told by serious jazz aficionado friends that tomorrow night's band, Elio Villafranca, is not to be missed. I called the information number just to check the hours of operation for the market itself, and they will indeed be open until 9PM Friday evenings, so you can hear the music and still shop at the market! I'm going to try head over there about 7PM or so, do a little shopping for hard to come by Latino ingrediments and catch some jammin' tunes. Looking forward to it! Anyone whose definitely going to make it, let me know via PM. We can trade cell phone digits and find each other at the front door. I'd rather leave my Groucho glasses home...

Chardonnay could be easily substituted into this argument. Less blank slate, more two-by-four, though...

Oooooohhhh! I LOVE that description! Fabulous, evocative and spot on turn of phrase Lissome! You go!

Oh come on Malachi - don't mince your words. Tell us what you really think!

Hey Marinade: Thanks for posting this!! I'm totally psyched and think I'm going to try make it over there tomorrow evening. Any takers to join/meet me?? Andrew? Herb? Rich? Where'd everybody go???

Would that be "posterbating"? I believe what's going on here is "poster Baiting"

Mitch: There definitely are some there that pull a great shot. However, I completely agree with your points about the training. One: Shit flows downhill. The level of care/customer service level is set at the top of the corporation. Absolutely. Two: Consistency is crucial. A valid point well taken. My problem is that when you're paying some part time kid $6.00/hour, whether you train them or not, you get what you pay for. It's the same problem with a lot of the "I'm-not-really-a-waitress/waiter" types. If people don't think of their job as what they "really" do, or simply as a means of getting through school or whatever, you'll never get top notch service, no matter what industry you're discussing. As for the ground coffee issue, one can only hope that perhaps your order got confused with someone else in line that ordered their pound of beans ground. It's a shame you still don't like the coffee though. Certainly I've found that when I make it myself, their roast is as good as any I've had.

weinoo: Was this at the 19th Street/Rittenhouse Square location, or elsewhere? I'm just curious because there are only two La Colombe cafes, the one I've mentioned and one in Manayunk. There are, however, quite a few small independent coffee shops that brew and sell their coffee. I've found that the quality of the cup of espresso/cappuccino/coffee there depends entirely on whom your barrista du jour is. Some of the staff pulls a great cup, and others are simply between their latest post adolescent crisis and next tattoo appointment What really surprises me about your story is the pre-ground coffee purchase. Now, THAT'S bad!

Rachel: When this is finished, and assuming the recipe comes out as wonderfully as it sounds, would you be so kind as to post the finished recipe (and/or tweaked recipe) in the Archives for the rest of us? I can't wait to hear how this turned out and know I'll be able to find it later when I know I'll want to make it!

Dana: I don't know which day of the week you'll be there, but Merryvale Vineyards Click Merryvale gives an EXCELLENT wine tasting seminar that is great for a self-procalimed novice. You taste the individual components of wine (tannin, acid, sugar and alcohol) and learn to "map" your palate and what each component adds to the blend. It's mentioned on their website at Merryvale. The class is held in the glorious candlelit cask room that is featured on the winery home page. Worth it just to see that, but also very educational and one of the best tours I took. Tasting seminar was only available on Saturdays and Sundays when I went a few years ago. I'd check with the winery or their homepage to see if that's still the case. Merryvale is great wine too! A very reliable and consistent producer of high quality wines. WINERIES: My advice for wineries is to avoid the huge commercial not-wineries-but-refineries (St. Supery, Sutter Home, etc.) and head for the smaller places you've probably never heard of. Many of the smaller wineries seem to be on/near the Silverado Trail, a road that parallels Highway 29 a few miles east. It's a much calmer, less traveled road and seems to have a few more of the gems on or just off of it. Definitely spend at least one afternoon exploring here. On/near Silverado Trail and heading northward are Robert Sinskey Vineyards ("Jolly Rancher" [my description, not theirs] Pinot Noir), S. Anderson (sparkling wine and Cabernet), Goosecross Cellars (Sauvignon Blanc was delicious), PlumpJack Cellars (really friendly folks and delicious riesling!), ZD Wines (fabulous chardonnay), V. Arroyo and Chateau Montelena. Others I visited and I'd recommend on the main drag (Highway 29) include Grgich Hills (their chardonnays and Violetta dessert wine are yummy!), Heitz Cellars, Merryvale (previously mentioned) and Niebaum-Coppola. Coppola is a larger and certainly more commercial sort of place than I would normally endorse, but I found the building architecture and some of the movie artifacts displayed there extremely interesting, and the tasting room was very nice. Their high end single vineyard wines are quite good. A little bit off the beaten path and on the road to Sonoma (Highway 12/Old Sonoma Road) in Carneros is Artesa winery Artesa Winery It's a gorgeous angular modern structure built right into the side of a mountain and designed by a famous Spanish architect. Definitely has that funky Barcelona feel to it. It has outdoor sculpture gardens and fountains, and art exhibits, a winemaking museum and a lovely tasting room inside. Artesa is owned by the Spanish firm that bottles Cordoniu, but the wines made here are small production and very high quality. This place must be a tax write off for the parent company because the structure alone must have cost hundreds of millions of dollars. There's no way their relatively small annual case production is covering that. But it's SO cool and the views are spectacular! Definitely some of the loveliest scenery in the entire area can be viewed from the terraces surrounding the building. Sit outside, stretch out and enjoy a glass of their sparkling wine in the sunshine - life doesn't get too much better than that! Saintsbury (whose Pinot Noirs are spectacular) Click Me is also nearby. As a matter of fact, the staff at Saintsbury are the ones that steered me to Artesa. I'd have never known it was there unless they told me! When you come driving around the bend and see this unbelievably modern structure built right into the side of a hill, it really takes your breath away! EATING: If you can manage to get a reservation at French Laundry - DO NOT MISS THE OPPORTUNITY! Best restaurant meal I ever had the pleasure of partaking in, period. I'd also recommend Terra Restaurant in St. Helena (1345 Railroad Avenue, 707-963-8931). It's Asian influenced California/French cuisine. Excellent food and service, great wine list and very helpful sommelier. Reservations are easier to come by than French Laundry, but still recommended. The sake marinated sea bass is spectacular! In Yountville is a place called Compadres (6539 Washington Street, 707-944-2406). I had a Champagne brunch there after a hot air balloon ride {Aside: a REALLY cool thing to do - $185/person and totally worth it. Check out Napa Valley Aloft and call Adventures Aloft at 1-800-944-4408 to make arrangements. They were REALLY nice and a pleasure to go flying with} Really good (read: incredibly filling) Huevos Rancheros, breakfast burritos, etc. I'm sure the lunch and dinner menus are just as good (if you like casual Mexican) and they supposedly make fantastic Margaritas. You'll want a change of pace from drinking wine ALL the time eventually, right? In Oakville on Highway 29 is the Oakville Grocery store. Looks like a general store out of an old western movie, but wait until you get inside! Fabulous cheeses, deli meats, olives and prepared foods you would only expect to see at Zabar's in Manhattan, and an EXCELLENT wine selection. All the makings for a fabulous gourmet picnic if you are smarter (and more frugal) than the average bear. Many of the wineries have picnic areas and encourage this sort of thing. I think they probably expect you to be drinking their wine you just purchased in the tasting room, but there aren't any "picnic police" so I wouldn't sweat it. Chateau Montelena in Calistoga has gorgeous grounds and Japanese gardens and fish ponds up on the hills at the northern end of the Valley. A very lovely spot, but there are many to choose from. (Hint: pick up wine glasses at one of the first tastings you go to - many times they are included as a souvenir in the nominal tasting fees. Keep them in your rental vehicle for spur of the moment picnics!) I hope this helps. I had one of the loveliest vacations ever in Napa/Sonoma, and would highly recommend it to anyone!

Interesting article. However, if they hire this waiter back they are both setting a dangerous precedent and leaving themselves wide open for future liablilty. I don't care how many customers say this waiter is the best. They aren't there on a day to day basis, and are in no position to either set restaurant policy or to overturn it's enforcement. Would customers be saying the same thing if Gilberto had been fired for stealing? Or what if he called out sick for a shift and was then seen by his off-duty manager at a local concert or sporting event? It's the restaurant's job to police their own staff, particularly when there are legal ramifications. How would these doctors and lawyers feel if someone tried to overturn their firing of the receptionist all their clients loved? Good lord! Get a life people!

Marlene: Looks like you've got it under control, unless there's some other small things to bring like cheese, pepperoni to slice, etc. Some fresh fruit? Some dried fruit and/or nuts for quick energy and easy snacks whilst hiking about in God's Country and No Man's Land?? Juice or other drinkables? Maybe more booze...you forgot the tequila and martini fixins'. I'm not sure your outdoor bar is well stocked enough yet. Maybe you should bring a bartender! Have fun and let us all know how your trip was and how the food all turned out!

Especially not my poor sainted mother, may she finally rest in peace... I've mentioned in other posts some of my favorite places that were around back in the Jurassic era when I was in high school, but for the sake of argument, I'll do it again... Heritage Diner in Hackensack for California pie. Bischoff's ice cream was the after a school event or after a date place. Louie's Charcoal Pit for late night coffee and pie or fries. Butterflake Bakery - I'd drive all the way to Teaneck from college in Philadelphia to pick up Passover goodies to take to roommate's family seder every year. There used to be an absolutely insane cheesecake bakery in Bogota but I can't remember the name of it. A small 7" diameter cheesecake cost about $20.00 (in 1978!) and must have weighed two pounds! Truly the densest and most amazing cheescake I've EVER had, even until now. Nothing has ever matched it. My favorite bar in Fort Lee, the Bombay Badminton Club (aka the BBC amongst my friends). Used to go in there and have a few drinks and play backgammon for hours! I think it closed ages ago...

I'm stilled bummed that none of this stuff was around when I lived there! No Pickleicious, no Fink's, no good real Mexican, etc. It's become so cosmopolitan! It was just a sleepy suburb when I grew up there

First of all - which place in Teaneck? Second of all - where were all these great places to eat while I was spending my first 18 years in Teaneck? Damn!

Thanks Busboy! I'm not such a Princess that I'd consider the Holiday Inn, "roughing it" , but I don't feel I have to eat the equivalent of Army rations in the great outdoors to make the experience more "complete" either. The cooler has to get packed and carried along anyhow, so why not fill it with good stuff!

I just blew through Summer Sisters, by Judy Blume in one day over this holiday weekend. Great "beach read" as it's about two women who grow up together summering in Martha's Vineyard with the rather eccentric family of the wealthy girl. Characters are well drawn out, story gets into various characters' perspectives in short chapter-like vignettes interspersed with the narrator's point of view, it follows the main characters from childhood through young adulthood and it has a surprise ending that really caught me off guard. Two thumbs up!

SWoodyWhite: Am I mistaken or weren't you and partner moving to the Delaware shore? (I remembered because I was going to invite you to take the ferry over to Cape May for cocktails one weekend. I work part time summer weekends at a restaurant in Cape May that sounds right up your alley). If you're still moving to Delaware there are Trader Joe's in South Jersey (Marlton) and in PA (Jenkintown). Probably under an hour drive in either case. Not exactly "right in the neighborhood" either, but perhaps closer than Maryland.

The 12th Street Cantina still has a location open at the Bellvue food court i in the basement at Broad and Walnut Streets. I pick up lunch from there regularly as it is a short block from my office! The same family that owned the farmers market still leases the space to Restoration Hardware, Pompanoosuk Mills, etc. They also own the Manayunk Brew Pub that sits at the other end of the complex. The elder Mr. Renner was murdered in the office there about a year ago, by someone trying to steal the (considerable) cash receipts from the brewpub. It was very sad as he was a kind and gentlemanly older man. I worked in the office for a short time, assisting with the administration of the properties, etc., and I was devastated when this happened.

Thanks for the link and info about Brilliant vodka. Stuff looks really cool! Has anyone tried the more unusually flavored vodkas in that product line? Specifically, I'm curious about the Almond and Tarragon flavored vodkas. My mind reels with possiblilites for interesting savory cocktails... I'd love to find somewhere to order the flavored "gift set" of Brilliant either for my own - ahem - "research" purposes, or perhaps as a gift for my Beverage Director whose birthday is fast approaching. Anyone have any ideas on that?

I took a wine class with Willie Gluckstern. Interesting fellow and very passionate about price/value ratio in his wine purchases. Thanks for the tip. I'll have to check out the wine shop next time I'm in New York!

Hi David! How lucky that you and the lovely Mrs. will have the chance to go play in New York! There are plenty of fun places. I've always enjoyed The Tasting Room and knowing you as I do I think you'd like it for a special meal. Very small seasonal menu, small and large portions of each dish available so you can "design as meal" and share things. Very well selected all American wine list and very friendly and helpful staff and hostess with the mostest, Renee. Although the Tasting Room is quite small (maybe 24 seats?) and a little tight, the freshness of the food, the eclectic wine list and great availability of interesting by-the-glass choices, and the truly welcoming staff make for a very nice meal, that at least for me, would make for a special occasion. It's not the fanciest place, or the "hippest", but definitely a fun time. Review available Click here I'm also fond of Molyvos for really great Greek food and an eclectic and value priced wine list. Perhaps you'd like to start your evening with a flight of Champagne? Flute Bar is a really neat Champagne bar that offers interesting flights and lots of by-the-glass choices. There are two locations so you could see which is more convenient for you Here Happy Anniversary!!

I'm with thezim. I absolutely love the Chopin. I think that potato vodkas have a more neutral taste than grain based vodkas. This of course only matters when I'm drinking them as a martini, vurtually unsullied with anything else. Chopin and Belvedere are both made by the same company except the Chopin is potato based and the Belvedere is grain based. A friend of mine once gave me a bottle of Chopin from Poland. Tasted the same but the label was in Polish I recently got into Christiania vodka from Norway. VERY smooth stuff! And all vodkas should be drunk from the freezer! For just mixing in a cocktail I like Finlandia , Skyy or even the Absolut since it will be "covered" by whatever juice or mixer is with it. Doesn't matter too much at that point as long as it doesn't have a nasty taste of its own.