alacarte

NEVER!!!

You know I do... don't you? If not, refresh your memory up-thread! ooops. I fixated on the coffee syrup bottle, didn't realize it was going into coffee not just milk. YUM!

I'm enjoying this thread. Last night, I attended a lecture (here in NY) given by Elizabeth Andoh (who is a NY native, but now lives in Japan) about eki-ben, the bento boxes sold in train stations. She showed us the most beautiful slides of different eki-bens and how they vary from region to region. Also some lovely shots of scenery from the bullet train. Wish I had a copy of the slides to share with you! What do you think about eki-bens? Any memorable ones?

I'd add Kossar's on the Lower East Side if you want to see how great bialys are made.

I was trying to take photos in Wegman's Grocery for my blog and gthey shut me down the moment an employeee spotted me with the camera. Weird. It's not as though their store layouts or dsplays are so unique as to be unrecordable with a simple paper and pencil sketch if one were so inclined. At least they didn't call the cops on me! That reminds me of Torakris's blog -- wasn't picture taking frowned upon in Japanese grocery stores too?

This is a cozy blog, B. Cat, dog, boat, fruit, coffee, diner. I feel more relaxed already. Do you ever put coffee syrup in your coffee?

If anyone wants to hear more about how the NYC Greenmarkets became the way they are (and how they used to be), this event next month may be of interest: NEW YORK CITY'S GREENMARKETS: A History and Inside View Guest speakers include Barry Benepe (founder of Greenmarket) as well as farmers and chefs who use Greenmarket produce. Something tells me we're going to be hearing more about some of the issues covered on this thread -- whether it's intended in the program or not.

Wow. Hats off to you guys for consuming all those lovely dishes that sissies like me won't touch.

When does it officially close? I've done the early AM pilgrimage to the Fulton fish market (I work nearby) -- it's fascinating. It's also quite smelly, be prepared. The people who live nearby are thrilled with the closing -- their real estate will skyrocket without the stench of fish.

I think offal needs its own language, like wine... "barnyard aroma, with a hint of feet."

another offal-ly good story for you

Do Southerners favor a particular cocktail or liquor? All I think of are mint juleps. That has to be a stereotype, doesn't it?

so, who's the next victim?

This has been an exceptional blog. Now that I think about it, I really have made it a part of my morning routine! I'll miss this blog when it concludes. Can I just say -- whoever blogs next, don't feel intimidated. Yes, this has been a most interesting, visual, and mouth-watering blog. Bleu's done an amazing job of letting us into her space, and we're honored that she did. But part of the beauty of these blogs is that it illustrates so well that there are as many ways to eat as there are to live. If you're willing to let us into your "space" for a week, and that space includes food, you'll find a supportive audience here!

I'm so impressed by you morel-hunters. Very brave. Thought of this thread when I read the following in the "newsletter" produced by Chez Sophie restaurant in upstate NY. "Paul" refers to Paul Parker, the chef of Chez Sophie. The newsletter also has a list of mushroom-related links this week.

From the advance-planning department: Perhaps we should lump 2 or 3 Manhattan by-the-slice places together and do them all in one trip. It struck me that, for instance, Joe's in the village is probably worth visiting but not in itself worth a whole trip. That reminds me... maybe at some point we can do a comparison of the place that serves pizza by the inch (PINCH) and the one that does pizza by the pound (I forget the name), preferably both in the same day, I think both are downtown anyway, one Village & one Flatiron. Could be amusing to do those together.

I can confirm that the LA Times considers Schrambling to be a NY correspondent.

Before the next eGulleter steps up (and I have no doubt that someone(s) will!), just wanted to thank JosephB and slkinsey for graciously organizing the outings to the 'Big 5' pizza joints. We raise a glass of Merlot in your honor. THANKS!!

quick, someone get Priscilla on the line.

The Greenbrier Resort in West VA sounds like it would fit the bill. But be aware that it's in the middle of nowhere...

I read in NY mag that Totonno's is opening in Kips Bay! Restaurant Openings & Buzz column

That's likely due to real sugar (like it used to be here) rather than the corn syruppy mess we have in the US> I only drink DP from the last real sugar bottler in the world, Dublin TX. Exactly. I hate corn syrup, there's no reason for it to be in soft drinks. That's why I stock up on kosher-for-Passover Coke when it's out -- corn isn't kosher for Passover, so they make a version with sugar for a limited time. But this year, they used sucrose, so I lose. It's still better than friggin' high-fructose corn syrup. re coke vs. pepsi: I prefer Coke from the plastic bottles. I prefer Pepsi from the cans. There's no good reason why I would prefer one over the other based on the container, but I do! Best of all: Coke served with a squeeze of lime and a splash of grenadine.

I bought the "Berryclear Sprite Remix" (purple can). Has anyone else tried it yet? It tastes like grape soda with extra fizz.

from the LA Times: Dining Frenzy Takes Gotham I know I've read this story before -- where was it, NY magazine? The description is more dramatic this time around though: Schrambling's Hot List of NY restaurants ("for food or for the scene"): Spotted Pig Spice Market BLT Steak Oceo Landmarc Asiate Schiller's Liquor Bar Davidburke & Donatella