bloviatrix

Trust me, I realize people have different body types. But I chose a provocative title for this thread in order to get people to read it.

It seems like there's been a backlash against bread and all other wonderful carbs in media as of late due to the "Atkins Craze." But today at lunch I had two thick slices of pumpernickle raisin bread slathered with Plugra. I sat at the table with a goofy grin on my face because bread and butter makes me happy. And so, I feel a need to stand up proud and say "I love bread!" Who wants to join me in the love fest?

Pim, I would love for you to describe the bread in greater detail. From the photo it looks like there is some form of nuts or grains in it, but I can't tell for sure. And what does it taste like?

According to my doctor, you're supposed to stay away from all caffeine. I find that taking 2 vitamin C (2000 mg) capsules a day help. Also, hot water with smashed coins of ginger. And of course chicken soup, but you already knew that.

Today's Times has another article about the imminent closing of Lutece, Gage and Tollner, and Le Cote Basque. Read it here.

We had veal cutlets brushed with dijon mustard and then breaded and baked in the oven. As a side I roasted cauliflower and red onions tossed with a little evoo. And we had some pumpernickle raisin bread. Apple cider to drink. No dessert. But I'll have a grapefruit later as a snack.

Redfox's dinner from last night sounded so good, I went out and bought a cauliflower and red onion. But, it turned out I don't have any chickpeas available (well, I do, but they need to be soaked and I was hungry). So, I just roasted the cauliflower and onion. It's still in the oven -- and it sure smells good.

Blo's observation reminds me -- I went to Williams Sonoma first & then downstairs to Whole Foods. I noticed quite a few items in WF that WS carried upstairs, for less money. For example, high-end chocolate, olive oils, fancy mustards, etc. That said, Whole Foods still ain't cheap. The price that blew me away was that Scharffenberger 10 oz bars of chocolate were over $11 (you read that right, not a typo) at W-S. They were not quite $7 at WF which is comparable to Fairway.

Soba, maybe I'm not being clear, but my point is that the perception of the UWS as a land of people who are cheap and don't care about quality food is considerably out-of-date. Valenti and Virot were on to something when they decided to open restaurants on the UWS. I don't disagree that there are a paucity of quality places to eat -- hence this thread. But, it's the "if they build it, they will come" concept. The UWS is a neighborhood dying for these types of places, and when someone actually opens a good place, it will do excellent business. The problem is the restarateurs haven't caught on that the UWS is a viable place to do business.

Well, the restuarants are already becoming a hit with celebs. According to today's Times, Sarah Jessica Parker held a dinner in Narciso Rodriguez's (the fashion designer) honor at Per Se the other night.

I caved too. I walked over on monday. Although the Whole Foods is being marketed as the "largest supermarket in Manhattan," I was disappointed. There's a lot of wasted space. And the aisles, where they have all the packaged goods are as narrow as the Food Emporium near me - 2 carts wide. Plus, their product mix didn't strike me as much different from any other store of this kind (such as the now defunct Healthy Pleasures on the UWS). That said, they had a sale on Scharffenberger cocoa (5.99) so I bought two. Plus, they carry the Liberte brand of yogurt. And they carry Dancing Deer baked goods, which just received kosher certification, so I bought some shortbread cookies. The best part of the store, to me, was the check-out line. There are lots of cashiers, a people pointing to where to go. It's very efficient. The new William Sonoma is nice, as alacarte stated. And I was unimpressed with the cookbook section at Borders. But that's just me.

My most recent disaster was the halvah I tried to make for Rosh Hashanna. I followed the recipe carefully. And yet, it never set up. It remained soft and oozy. And to make matters worse, the honey and tehina separated so there were two layers. Needless to say, it all ended it in the garbage.

Years ago, while walking in the concourse at Nassau Colleseum, a random stranger leaned in a helped himself to some of my popcorn while saying "don't mind if I do." I still haven't recovered from that one. As such, I think if a stranger helped themselves to something on my plate I'd have a coronary. Or I'd stab their hand with my fork.

So, what was on the menu today?

I never ate there, but for some reason when I was a kid I knew about it. To me it was the epitome of fancy dining (this was 70s). And, whenever we (my family) would dine out, my dad would ask "how does this compare to Lutece?" I'm not quite sure why, especially when you consider that we dined at kosher restaurants. Anyway, I know that the place was wonderful during the Soltner years, but last I heard, it had lost some of its goodness. But still, it's sad to see a NY institution close.

Asking to choose my favorite roast chicken recipe is like asking a parent to choose their favorite child.

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who thought it the review read as less than two stars. It just doesn't add up - too many things seemed to be either bad or go wrong.

Wow, I'm learning a lot here.

Tonight was left-overs. I had black beans and rice. Blovie had lamb stew and rice. I'm feeling lazy.

Thanks for the explanation. But one more question - what are Rotel tomatoes?

What's King Ranch Chicken? (be kind, I'm a northeasterner.)

Like you remember. I was thinking the same thing. You beat me to it.

I'm another one who thinks chili is a good idea. Plus you can put out all the appropriate makings for a "tex-mex" salad -- lettuce, diced tomato, shredded cheese, sour cream, guacamole, etc.

Whitefish salad on a challah roll, Tropicana Grovestand OJ, and a little square of mint-infused chocolate.

If anyone in your group likes soccer, the National Soccer Hall of Fame is in Oneonta, which is near-by.