Andrew Fenton

My guess is that somebody's looking for a job. Never eaten at Chipotle, but it looks pretty good, and if it'll spread CA-style burritos around the country, then I salute 'em. Besides- Niman Ranch pork at a fast food chain? Who'da thunk it...

Thanks for the tip. I haven't had a decent Carolina-style 'cue in Philly (and very little first-rate BBQ, period)... but am always on the lookout. I'll try to head up to Sweet Lucy's this week!

I would like it better if I could grow my mushrooms on a little bunny or doggy. You know, like a Chia Pet.

it's clearly not silly to others. and it sounds like those people have given it considerable thought. You're right; it's not fair for me to dump on others' family traditions.

Jubilee would be terrific. I missed out on a tasting of their chocolates earlier in the fall, but Beth went and thought they were amazingly good. BUT... I didn't get my slacker butt into gear soon enough: according to their website, it's too late for Xmas delivery. I'd like a Philly product (instead of those fancy-dancy furrin chocklits), so I'll head over to Miel this weekend, I think.

That's pretty much the same pricing in the Cherry Hill store. The same individual small pastries roll out at $7.00 at Food Source in Bryn Mawr. The quality is well worth the trip to Jersy and CC. Seems we're paying for access in the 'burbs. I went by this afternoon and noted that they also have a good selection of smaller, cheaper pastries; e.g. cheese danishes for $1. A lousy buck! At that price, you can't afford not to buy them.

Kim, what a terrific story! Put me down as another member of the Sharing Club. Since I don't cook for a living, and I'm not in one of those "who's got the best pie at the church social?" competitive situations, I'm happy to share recipes. The whole notion of a secret recipe (ancient family or otherwise) strikes me as silly. Let's remember, too, that often asking for recipes isn't about actually making the recipe; it's a way to praise your friend's cooking. I've asked for recipes that I've been pretty sure I'd never cook, and I'm sure I've given out recipes that were never made.

I've run out of ideas for a present for my dad; and when this happens, it's time for the Old Faithful of holiday gifts: a box of chocolates. Where should I get them in Philly? I'm tempted to go to Miel, just because I can. And I've never been to Le Bec Fin's pastry shop (and if nothing else, that name would impress my folks.) But I'm open for suggestions.

Right. It's surely not a coincidence that it's my friends (broke grad students) who like to cook and are good at it, while my wife's friends (lawyers) who, if they're interested in food at all, like to have it in a restaurant.

How do they make the patty melt? Do they put the cheese/burger on toast, or put it on bread and then grill it? Seems like an odd combination of cooking techniques. Also, it looks like there's some white sauce on the patty melt (and maybe burger): what is it? That fried zucchini looks awe. some.

Oh, it just hurts to read them. I will never be get that hungry. Ever. Scratch one idea for the July DDC...

I'm with you there. Word. Add canned cranberry sauce to the list as well.

Evidently there are many testicle festivals around the US. Here is a list, from a website called (ahem) chicktrip.com ("travel for women and their friends.") This, my friends, is what made America great

Holly, I'm with you. I like to have coffee- or at a minimum, water, but coffee's better- with dessert, for exactly the same reason. Without an unsweet chaser, most desserts quickly get too cloying for me to enjoy. I've never been hassled about it in Europe: but then, they probably just assume I'm an ugly American. A debonair international man of mystery like you, it comes as a surprise, I guess.

Proof that not eating meat will drive you crazy.

Ooh, can we have those at the dinner? Those are a few of my favorite things, and I have yet to find a really first-rate jiao ze in Philly...

Since I got no organizational skillz, the only things I'm never out of are the things I never use. That box of kasha in the back of the cabinet will soon celebrate its third anniversary as an inhabitant of my apartment. I suspect that the tub of margarine lurking in my fridge has been receiving mail for months now. But I have a hard time keeping a constant supply of, say, flour.

Is this "malt beverage" as in lite beer, or "malt beverage" as in those Smirnoff Ice things? If the latter, it could taste okay, I guess. But 1% alcohol is kind of weird: why even bother making it alcoholic at all? Edit: Crud. Posted without seeing that there was a link, which answers those questions. But I do like the name of the other "beer-tasting" beverage: "Barbi Can." Perfect for appealing to the under-12 market; I applaud their foresight.

The beach at Tybee. Bring the one you love, a blanket and a bottle of champagne. And a bowl of black-eyed peas...

I have just finished off a tin of Trader Joe's peppermint bark that was outstanding: peppermint-infused dark chocolate, white chocolate and small candy-cane chunks on top. My only regret is that I went nearly thirty years on this planet before discovering this amazing confection...

I'm going to be in Seattle over the holidays; from reading the NW board, it looks like if I'm going to get sushi at one place in Seattle, Mashiko is the spot. Is that about right? (I have to say, I'm intrigued by the notion of sushi in West Seattle. Hell, I'm intrigued by even going to West Seattle, for the first time in probably a decade...)

I like that they have an entire forum dedicated to sauces. Tres Français... And I'm a little jealous that I can't be a "Membre Mega Génial"...

Being dressed is a definite requirement, yes. Beyond that, use your imagination...

If you're talking takeout, I'd say that just about any place in Chinatown would let you eat at home. Just call them. For delivery, our go-to place is Pagoda, next to the Ritz East. They do some pretty good things with noodles, and know from duck. I don't know how wide their delivery range is, though. A shame about Penang, although I always found that their food didn't translate too well to delivery.

I expect that somebody will post the video to this site in a day or two.