Andrew Fenton

Well, it was actually the "Axis of Eating." Sort of the opposite; that is, the food isn't evil...

I haven't eaten deviled ham in ages. But I used to love it! I think it'd be too salty for me now; which is a shame, because I'm trying to up my consumption of satanic foods.

I was gonna say that! Maybe you could start? I bet lots of folks on egullet would be interested. I'll second that. Lots of great stuff there, that as far as I know isn't available in my area. I'd love to experiment with heirloom beans...

I mixed up a batch of this (sugar, cinnamon, clementine zest- be sure to wash the clementines first) a month ago. I've kept it in the fridge and it has stayed good all that time. In addition to toast, it works great in oatmeal.

Great topic. On the issue of bean freshness, Aliza Green's The Bean Bible has an interesting comment: Which is fine, I suppose, but while may be best to use beans from the current season's crop, most beans sold in the US don't have a harvest date. I bought a bag of blackeye peas the other day; it has a sell by date (12/9/04), but as you say, that doesn't mean much.

Ah yes, that would have been the "Get-Laidium."

Lots of good information there, vigna. I completely agree with you about what a shame it is that the Palladium is being turned into classrooms. It was a beautiful room and a great place to go for a drink: either outside when the weather permitted, or by the fire in the winter. Here is a link to the Daily Pennsylvanian article you cited; note the sad picture of the space as it now exists, with carpets and fluorescent lights. But I do have to take issue with one li'l point you make: My experience has been different: nothing there is horrible, but nothing is very good either. And worse, it all tastes more or less the same: as if they have a big vat of textured vegetable protein that they turn one day into "meatballs" and the next into "stroganoff." It's very popular, though; my guess is because it's the one place where vegetarians can order anything from the menu. But maybe I'm missing something- what do you like there? Welcome to eGullet, by the way! (Hey, better late than never...)

Interesting. Why Geno's?

Yes. I think the point is to zero in on what places serve food that is unique to (and best in) Philly.

Very interesting. Tony Luke's was my top of mind choice too. And bottom of mind, as it turns out. I'd follow Herb's menu almost exactly. Only instead of a chicken cutlet from Tony Luke's, I'd get the veal cutlet with rabe. And instead of the sausage sandwich, I'd head over to Bassett's in Reading Terminal Market for a scoop of their chocolate malt ice cream. Ooh, that's good ice cream!

Tommy is absolutely right. That said, I don't understand how you were insulted in any way. Probably you should indeed avoid fast food places.

This reminds me of my worst cheese experience ever: "Käse mit Musik". I had it at a restaurant outside of Frankfurt: it's a strong cheese (Limburger, I think) marinated, and served with raw onions. It's "mit Musik" because of the gas you'll have afterwards. Truly awful; the most overpoweringly stinky (and salty) cheese I've ever encountered, like something pried from the devil's crotch. I couldn't eat more than a couple of bites. And I like stinky cheese!

I dunno; can those be any worse than the "cappuccino" machines they have at gas stations?

Has anybody eaten there yet? I walked by today and checked out the menu. Carnitas plate- good. All you can eat menudo on weekends- VERY good! I may have to get stinking drunk on Saturday night, just so I can go there on Sunday and properly enjoy the tripey goodness.

So is there a difference between spatchcocking and butterflying? Other than the fact that "spatchcock" is more fun to say, that is.

I'm willing to believe that there's sexism in kitchens- in the UK or anywhere else- but it's not clear from this article. Lots of bullying/hazing (which, in the absence of a control group, might or might not be evidence of sexism) and some second-hand comments. There were plenty of reasons for the author's treatment (being a newbie, bringing along a camera crew), and one comment that verged on explicit sexism. Or does a kitchen's boys-club atmosphere add up to de facto sexism? I do love this quote: Seems like a bad move; there's not much meat on toes. Hard to make them into "fine food."

I'm awfully fond of Roquefort; especially along with some toasted walnuts, apple slices and maybe a nice glass of dessert wine. Man, that would be great on an icy night like tonight...

Well, at the moment anyway, the answer is yes: there's a great big country of non-cheese-eaters, in China. But that may be changing...

That was my thought too: there was some water clinging to the fatback when you started rendering it, and when the fat started to melt, the water started a-poppin'.

Methinks that the Taqueria delivers!... I don't know if Veracruzana delivers, but La Lupe definitely does. Never tried it, though.

It was great fun- both the wonderful food and the company- and as Katie said, I'd happily make the drive any time. Many thanks to the organizers for a lovely evening. As to my favorite dish, I'll take a possibly contrarian position and vote for the flounder in tofu skins. Simple, succulent and juicy; and really like nothing I've ever had. Delightful. Now it's time to go digest...

I'd be happy to move it to earlier; especially as I'll have a fairly long drive home to Philly afterwards, which I'd prefer not to do in the snow. 2 PM would suit me just fine.

"I seem to recall." As to Mad4Mex: my experiences there have all been pretty bad. As in "undercooked beans in my burrito" bad. It's a pretty decent place to drink- there are always tons of Penn undergrads there, doing that- and they have some okay bar food. I've had some decent nachos there; but you have to try pretty damn hard to screw up nachos.

Barbecue? Barbecue.

Priceless. Also shows that if you wanna be happy for the rest of your life, marry someone with a sense of humor!