Raynickben

There are a number of good places to go. Where are you staying (so we can pinpoint an area for you)? I like Dream Cafe. There's one location downtown and another in Addison.

Not Transylvania! I had some really awful swill from there around Halloween.

Extra MSG: Did you know Liberty Noodles is now closed?! I loved that place. I had some really great Thai at "Curry in a Hurry" in Lake Oswego. But I'm no expert on Thai.

Ebony & Ivory was a Paul McCartney song, not a Michael Jackson song. And the "ebony" part of the singing was Stevie Wonder. Oh yeah. I confused that with Michael's song where he sings "it doesn't matter whether you're black or white".

I don't think any company would dare use a Michael Jackson song in their promotions now!

I too allowed my Gourmet subscription to lapse. So many better publicatons out there now. Long live Cookie Puss.

Very sophisticated. (Did you have to open the bag with that screwdriver in the picture? I usually can just tear it open )

That's one of the funniest things I've heard in a long time..Thanks!

You know what I hate? When I'm talking to a parent and they interrupt me and say "Wait...can you just say hi to my kid?" and then they hand the phone over to a two year old who can't even say more than 3 words and I'm suppossed to have a conversation with them????? Annoys the hell out of me.

Bratt23: I just discovered your posts and I love reading them. Brings back fond and not so fond memories of my times in the kitchen. I wonder how many people caught your Marilyn Manson reference...how apropos! Looking forward to reading more

I have to admit that I get really pissed when the phone rings during dinner or just before dinner. Here I have created a culinary masterpiece and I am basking in the deafening accolades from my family when it happens. The damn ringing of the phone... "Who is it?"..."What do they want?" My moment in the spotlight has been stolen by a ringing phone!! ARGGGHH!

CITYPHUS, Loved your post! Thanks for the laughs...(Mayonnaise cake )

Go to www.guidelive.com and click on restaurants, by neighborhood, and then Grapevine. It looks like chain-city over there but there were 2 or 3 that may be worth a visit. Let us know if you find a good place!

800 Meatballs? Just for the heck of it or do you have a plan?

We ususally just go to a Chinese restaurant (the 4 of us) and wait for our name to be called.

My brother had meat accidentally after 13 years of not eating it and was violently ill. You do have to introduce it slowly and carefully. I am sure there is some medical information available out there that would help.

Verjuice: I hope you dug into the frangipane, pear galette and especially the whisky after that nightmare!

It is so worth it to make your own. I gave up ordering cheesecake out even in NY/NJ where I grew up because it was often substandard. Once I made my own I can't fathom ordering it out. You just never know how long it has been refrigerated and if you get a piece with that "refrigerator flavor"...well,

I used to (operative word being "used to") have a seasonal weight loss problem. Every spring I would lose weight without even changing my diet. People would come up to me and say "have you lost weight?" and then I would know that it was happening again. My solution was to jump start a weight gain by drinking whole milk with weight gain powder mixed in. You can get it at health food stores. I think you are suppossed to drink two a day. Your boyfriend could keep it in a thermos and drink it whenever he has a chance. It's not a long term solution but it always helped me.

www.moonstruckchocolate.com

I actually haven't been to Jasper's yet having just moved back to Plano last month. I tried to get in a couple of times but due to the holiday's they are booked with a lot of company functions, etc. That whole Shops of Legacy is really busy this month...and so beautifully decorated. I just love Abacus so much that I have high hopes for Jasper's. I'll let you know when I can experience it (hopefully in Jan.)

With all the millions of recipes I have a hard time making the same thing twice anyway so if someone wants a recipe they can have at it...I've already moved on to the next one.

I do the same thing when I'm handling chicken. I flip the bird around with the baggies. Slip my hand out of the bag when handling salt shakers, turning on oven etc. Works for me. And Pariah, what’s that old joke? If blood stains are your problem, you’ve got more problems than laundry. Lots of good tips here. --therese I never thought about using the baggies for chicken! Excellent idea. I usually am washing my hands 8 or 9 times after touching chicken but needing to open the pantry, etc. Thanks!

Pizelles, dusted with powdered sugar for those that like a little sweetness. Chocolate Cherry Cheesecake for everyone else.

Also not a fan of Paris Vendome. Dakota's just reopened after a year's renovation and menu overhaul. I haven't been there yet since the open but the DMN just raved about it. Also, consider Jasper's (in Plano). From the team that brought you Abacus.