beans

Great Lakes' Christmas Ale Pretty much as they describe. Deep honey and cinnamon. For some reason this year's batch tastes differently than previous years of this brew's production. It is a tad bitter instead of spicey. Regardless, it is still a treat and usually in short supply.

Not embarassing! Thanks for the link. And, welcome to eG MiguelCardoso! Perhaps we can ask if this can be merged into the vodka thread by one of the site managers?

Dunno. But God bless them for trying! Perhaps pleasing a fickle public? I just can't fathom the blending of Hpnotiq into anything as we still have the promo bottle from our distributor sitting in our speed rail, getting dusty, without any requests to date. I can only hope it is a one hit wonder in the world's history of distilled spirits that will quickly fade away. (IMHO)

Differing points of view. The first article I paraphrased was a consumer watch dog type of group pointing out the NeoProhibitionist efforts. The second article was included as it related to the 75th anniversary of the end of Prohibition. Without entering into moral judgments regarding any of the following, I can see where some of the legislative decisions have been seen by some as "prohibitive." Also, I need to stress quite vehemently that the Center for Consumer Freedom is stressing social responsibility with the consumption of alcohol, not as in the frat party sort of binging until puking. So, that being said, I hope any discussion can be made solely within that premise. I certainly am not able to debate whether any of this is "right" or "wrong." However I can empathise about some of these perceptions. Think about cities, such as mine, that taxed the heck out of everyone's choice to purchase alcohol or tobacco in order to pay for a new sports stadium (sin taxes, which by the way, are being kicked around again in an effort to build a new and improved convention center so as to "compete" with the big dogs for convention business ). These taxes are tacked onto bars and restarants, as well as consumer retail purchases, and now are faced with the struggle of the added expense for patrons to drink/dine at their establishment. This directly affects their revenues. This is sort of thrown in, but also of another consideration regarding government imposed taxing, I have travelled to countries wherein taxes are so sky high in an effort to prohibit -- when I toured Thailand, the auto tax was prohibitive (at the time a whopping 300%) so as to curb the purchase in an effort to reduce an already over-congested level of traffic. Increased taxation may very well be to a desired positive goal, however it may make certain purchases more difficult for some that make the moral decision to consume same. Regarding the road blocks. There are a few instances I am aware of regarding this practice prohibiting the patronage of a bar within the surrounding suburbia of the City of Cleveland. For a fair amount of time these two suburbs made quite a bit of news with their law enforcement efforts. The City of Euclid frequently did random stops on the busy Eucild Avenue under the premise that driving was in fact a priviledge and not an individual's given right. Legalese aside, it essentially came down to curbing the patronage of many local nearby pubs. Also in another similar situation, the City of Independence's police department aggresively camped out and sat within a particular restaurant's parking lot stopping most of the leaving patrons. Needless to say, there was a really crabby bailiff now managing a clogged case load of Mayor's court hearings and some really ticked off restaurant owners, managers, servers and bartenders! Patrons avoided the City of Independence establishment to the point of almost bankrupting that restaurant and bar. So it is reasonable that one with knowledge of these police campers and road block check points, even while being responsible with the consumption of one cocktail -- or not (!), one could be nervous, uncomfortable and perhaps rethink choice of establishments, thereby creating the perception of being prohibitive. Zoning is always a battle ground with many motivations. Change of use and location are two of the biggies that never end. I can think of one establishment that opened up shop in a restaurant location that had been vacant. But this involved semi-naked women (adult enterntainment issues) which mingled with liquor license and illegal changes in use issues as well. This was when I worked for the Law Department of the City of Cleveland and the matter was within my group area of practice. I had to giggle when the matter was before a county-elected judge for a pretrial hearing, and it was continued indefinitely for deliberation. Yes, this bar violated the zoning with illegal change of use and was noncompliant as it was within x amount of feet of a school, another adult entertainment establishment and a residential district. Yes, the City lost on that issue without the docket reflecting those exact words. The establishment owner argued he had a legally valid business that the City was prohibiting him to conduct -- the sale of alcohol and food. Side note: Somehow, I ended up bartending there, years later! Some may view/perceive that these legislative "penalties" linked to the consumption of alcohol as making it (more) prohibitive, in a social sense. Whew! That was too long. I think I need a ....

Intresting reading today! The following is a paraphrase of a PRNewswire story that cannot be linked: "I think this would be a good time for a beer." -Stated by Roosevelt hearing of the repeal of Prohibition. On December 5th, 1928, two thirds of the States ratified the 21st Amendment, ending Prohibition nationwide. Recent, a nonprofit coalition called the Center for Consumer Freedom, supported by restaurants, food companies and consumers, is a group that advocates and works toward personal responsibility and protecting consumer choices jumps in on what they are calling "neo-prohibition" promotions. These folks are warning that "neo-prohibitionist groups are targeting consumers in again reviving Prohibition -- as evidenced by movements seeking increased alcohol taxes, mandatory road blocks, restrictive zoning for family restaurants that "take aim at every American adult who drinks responsibly" according to the CCF's Executive Director, Rick Berman. Such a campaign has appeared in USA Today and the neoProhibitionists have launched their new website here. Hmmmmm. Well, here's another Prohibition article: The Kentucky Post, on line edition's article "When we were dry," written by Michael Collins, Post Washington Bureau Happy anniversary!

Article Here (Recipes are inlcuded). My .02: Dream Tini -- Using Hpnotiq! Bleh!!!!!! Golden Shower Tini -- !!! Sorry, name alone sort of ends it for me. $100 Martini -- Do these folks understand that photocopying notes for legal tender is a federal offense? Doh!!!

-- the roast chicken in backpack part -- Ms. Tillie! GREAT to see you around Matt.

I'm on a break before a huge private party booking for tonight.

A snipped fleck atop of each truffle perhaps. I was also thinking of a biscotti to add to the list this year. Which leads me to this question -- how many different types of goodies do you usually pull together for enjoyment and gift tins to others? Me it is restricted by time allowances with other cooking commitments and work schedules. Of course I always start out quite ambitious almost always leaving one recipe of cookie dough behind in the fridge, almost as if in waiting to be the New Year's cookies. Ooops.

I got one last Summer, after working with a very wine focused bar manager. (A pleasant first for us). He has given me some fantastic bottles and recommendations so lo and behold when buying my yard's worth of petunias/marigolds/geraniums was that little Sunbeam, at Home Depot. It is at a price should the compressor go on the fritz after a couple years, I wouldn't worry too much and consider opting for another, or an upgrade. BTW, tjaehnigen, which adorable feline's serving double duty as your avatar? edit to add: I think it was at either Costco or Sam's Club I've seen the Haier's very reasonably priced too.

Recently in Seattle, at my mother's restaurant of choice. Our server charmed my mother, had a mischief twinkle in his eye and made every anticipated comfort possible for seamless service, from beginning to end. We flat out announced we were there looking for the freshest dungies and some good wine to relax with a great dinner after tiring travels. A few fabulous recomendations/bottle(s) later, outstanding food and attentive service -- this was as perfect of a dining experience that could have been expected. After a cup and a half of coffee, the guest check was provided and settled, we were pleasantly surprised he had also made arrangements for our cab ride return to our hotel. Timing was on the spot. Not having to go through the rigamorrow of asking for everything, each step of the way was what did it. Very soothing experience. In fact, he's Server-of the-Year at this moment. So, Michael of McCormick & Schmick's, you're the shit!

Palates grow, as do preferences. cheers!

Yeah, the taxes are amazing. But then so are these wonderful holiday traditions. The sound like wonderful fun.

I am vaguely familiar with that area, and of Vancouver itself. However, I believe Chef's creation will be a destination type of establishment.

Pshaw! Silly man Bob Blummer did that years ago. He also has something else with cooking fish (? i think), again well wrapped in foil under the hood of your car. He has specifications on travel length, speed and time travelled. The first time I went camping I marvelled at the pies that can be made with bread and pie filling. I suppose that is what I'd consider to be the only non-traditional.... Or ironically, of all things coming from me, all things Alaskan kind of gal that I am, roasting things in the oven on a cedar plank board. (an ancient Pacific Northwest native American method of preparing food)

Aw crap. Minimising and restoring windows I cut and pasted the wrong address. Fixed Link: http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml...storyID=3927622 edit to add: I think this is the same story, different title, too: http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml...storyID=3927489

article here Brewed Holiday cheer!

Tandoori Oven and Paul's Siam Cuisine were fabulous restaurants within my fair city. Who named these? The Indian and Thai families, respectfully, that opened them. Infantile American clientele? I have eaten in any and all of the above offered cuisines within this city, surrounding suburbs and county. Name had *nothing* to do with it and the food was fucking great.

Guess that wasn't me. I've never been to Toronto, am 5'8", and don't use a cane ------but it COULD have been me!! LOL! I grew up hearing oldies in the donut shops. Windows and doors throbbing with a current dance club hit sporting an unruly, but hysterical old lady making us scurry and giggle in some frigid temperatures -- it was good fun.

We had one of those when I managed an Ann Taylor. It was a giant 8 track tape.

I've heard that!!!!

This was one of my most favourite Toronto weekend visit memories with my former sister-in-law. We were walking down Younge Street on our way to some club we spotted we'd like to check out (Was it Gotham? I've forgotten) and some 4' 5" grandmotherly woman came popping out of a donut shop swinging her walking cane over our heads cursing and screaming at us "Fucking punk rockers." New Order's Fine Time cd single was recently released and blaring as the door open and shut. Donuts, New Order and one frightening old woman.

Thanks sweetie! I was actually going for mostly non-chunky types of cookies last year. I had a few concerns with breakage in getting the cookie gift tins to the usual list of coworkers, one of which was our recently hired Executive Chef that came from the Ritz Carlton and CIA graduate. I'm thinking this year a few cookies and some confections. I've got an itch to play with gold leaf -- which very well can be an entire disaster. It solely depends upon whether if it happens to be a day when I happen to have patience!