babyluck

I find them positively unAmerican.

Just wanted to share a story from the last time this same convention was held in DC. I was event planner at the time and I heard it from a sales exec at my hotel who heard it from a friend at the hotel where it happened, so I have no idea how much of it is true. An attendee at the conference was put up at a luxury hotel with his family by an exhibiting company--all expenses paid, tours for the kids, penthouse suite, the whole shebang. One evening on one of the lower meeting levels, a staff member saw this guest sneak over to a utility closet and put a package inside. Hotel security was summoned to inspect the closet. Inside, they found a huge stash of freebie bags from the convention filled with hundreds of place settings of hotel china and flatware. The guest was detained and the hotel management came down to discuss the situation. The guest claimed that they had no proof that connected him with the theft and that the staff member was a liar. The hotel stood firm and said that they would not press charges but that he was no longer welcome on the premises. They offered transportation to the airport and a plane ticket home--or anywhere else he wished. He remained belligerent, wanting to finish out his stay so that he wouldn't be humiliated in front of his son. The hotel said that they would of course be discreet and make up a cover story. He finally agreed and was on an elevator up to his room with a security guard and the friend of my contact when he suddenly punched the guard in the face and tried to wrestle him to the floor. He was taken to the lobby where he was met by a very concerned wife and son and a couple of uniformed policemen. They arrested him, cuffed him, and escorted him out the front door while a room full of colleagues looked on.

Surprised how many of you share my dislike for raw tomatoes & onions. For tomatoes any kind of marination or cooking makes them A-OK. For onions I need to cook the crap out of them. If there is any crunch left I am skeeved. Especially when they are hiding in melted cheese or egg. The sole exception was the onion in the mango salad with the smoked trout dish at Chickenbone Café in Brooklyn. I'm not a big fan of walnuts or asparagus either. Especially white asparagus--ick. Evil processed foods: mayonnaise, anything raspberry-flavored that's not a raspberry, waxy icing on cheap cakes, those deli-type corn muffins that taste like baking powder and instantly dessicate your whole mouth, artificial sweeteners and most anything sweetened with them, Tastycake (but Drake's will go to heaven, even the Devil Dogs), yellow mustard, shredded lettuce on sandwiches, chocolate+citrus, marzipan, Toaster Strudel, Hot Pockets, Eggo Waff-fuls, fat-free bologna, fat-free cheese, Nutri-Grain bars, Snackwells, and flavored milk other than chocolate. My parents have a picture of me from Sweden when I was 16 looking petrified at the white asparagus draped across my quiche and one from England when I was 7 stoically choking down a lime-flavored milkshake. [shudder] I learned to be more careful about what I order.

Thanks--it's closer anyway. Of course, when I say "breakfast" I mean a bacon cheeseburger deluxe at 11 AM--for early mornings there will be a spread in the hospitality suite and hopefully a coffeemaker in my hotel room. Anyone know of a quick takeout place near the convention center? Both for myself and the breakdown crew--something communal like a bucket o' chicken so I don't have to take everyone's order works well. It's funny how different my food experiences will be from slbunge's. Eating during a convention becomes somewhat of an obsession. If I were on vacation, I would never eat, say, at the convention center, but I also wouldn't be able to afford meals at some of the best places in town. I try to balance need vs. want and most of all find myself craving the divey-est places where normal people go. I like to get a breath of fresh air in the literal and figurative sense. I don't know how many times I've trudged along for blocks looking for a place to eat and ended up in the hotel with another Marriottburger. God, I hate that smoked bacon and those individual ketchups. I'm considering writing The Misanthrope's Guide to Business Travel.

Bust away. I'd have never heard of Kozy Korner without you. And without you I wouldn't have heard of RFD--I'm now very excited too although when I googled it I got a link to a Post article with pretty awful reader reviews. Link. Some recommend the Brickskeller instead. But I'm not complaining--never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I'd be able to get an Old Thumper within 2 blocks of a convention center. Beats the concessions. Darwin's Waiting Room--no way am I missing that. I'm pretty sold on Zaytinya too. Sounds like a place to take the bosses & international folks--I'll save Marrakesh for my friends. More for the experience than the food. Definitely "best drunken meal" candidates but the one business dinner I had there was dullish and awkward. I did get a kick out of the fact that when my boss stood up after the bisteeya, he left two perfect shoe prints in the powdered sugar he had brushed off his lap. VA is totally out. For the steak/Guinness meal, I care most about proximity to the Mayflower, then Guinness quality, and the steak last. I have had this meal in every conceivable setting and I enjoy the variety and the element of surprise. I was interested in the Ethiopian places since it is something different from what we get in NJ but my sidekick would never go for it. If we end up going separate ways for dinner one night it's an option. Anyone been to El Chalan? It is Peruvian and sounds really good, but will the squeamish sidekick be put off?

Damn--that information would have come in real handy on any of the 5 first business trips I took in my career--all to New Orleans. I piggybacked a vacation onto one of them (actually my boss covered all the costs as a reward--those were the days!) and didn't think it would be too crazy over St. Patrick's Day--I didn't know there were any Irish living there! Also didn't realize it was spring break--ouch. And thanks to everyone else who has responded--I will keep compiling the results and cut you in on the book deal. Heading to DC soon so I will try Al Dente's suggestion if I can.

I've never heard of it either. You might want to check out Jaleo. Also, there is an Irish pub in between the convention center and MCI. I think it's Fado. Kozy Korner is at 20th & N--apparently it's a real diner or close to it--the food is supposed to be good. Just the place for a late breakfast on my morning off after a hard night of entertaining. I like that Fado--it was the first one I'd ever been to. Much cozier than the one in Chicago where I ended up because I hadn't done my homework on egullet first. I probably loved it more because I didn't know it was a chain, but it became my home away from home on a previous trip a few years ago (same show). I forgot to say that I love Marrakesh and was planning to drag a group there by cab but Zaytinya might fit the same bill and be more appealing to the crowd--dare I ask, what's the call?

Hmmm, that's funny--I'm going to be working that show. I was just about to start my own thread when I saw this one. Don't worry, I'm not a rep--I'm just a graphic designer. My requirements are a little different since I'll be working most of the time--if I'm lucky I'll have a morning or afternoon to myself once in a while but mostly I'll be running between the hotel (Mayflower) and the convention center. I'll also have a 25-year old colleague in tow who likes trendy Mediterranean places--she will branch out to Thai or sushi but won't eat at "dirty" places. We have a meal allowance--$35/day but I always pad it with my own money if I find a place I like. So, my needs are: --cheap & quick breakfast & lunch places between hotel & CC --middle-priced relaxing dinner spots not too far away --a place to get a Guinness & a steak (a tradition of mine) --a trendy bar/lounge --a few top spots to put on the entertainment account Here's the list I have so far in no particular order: Johnny's Half Shell, Zorba's, Teaism, Bistro du Coin, Obelisk, Gabriel, Al Tiramisu, Childe Harold, Kozy Korner, Penang, Malaysia Kopitiam, Rice, Blackie's House of Beef, Nectar, Firefly, Sushi Taro, El Chalan. Sorry to bust in on your thread.

Tried the Goats do Roam--we both enjoyed it and Mr. Babyluck commented that it's a less sweet version of Love My Goat. I'm not so sure, but they do share a similarity that I can't put my finger on. It was a little tannic but otherwise very pleasant.

I just got into these wines recently as a '00 Ribera del Duero was recommended in the January issue of Bon Appetit as a complement to the Catalan braised chicken meal. I have tried both the Condado de Haza & Pesquera multiple times as I love the meal and the wine. Still haven't decided which one goes better but they both go down easy. As a relative novice I like to get specific pairing suggestions but at the same time feel like I'm missing out on some flexibility. Can anyone tell me why the 2000 was suggested especially? Is it just because it's on the market now, or do my stores offer it because it was a good year, or because it's the time to drink it? Would love to know more about these delicious wines.

Staying in the same species should make it less traumatic. I will pick up a bottle tonight if they have it. Thanks for coming to the rescue--I've been addicted to $20 bottles of Ribera del Duero lately & I needed something a little cheaper for everyday.

This is embarrassing... It seems Mr. Babyluck & I have both outgrown our taste for Love My Goat; we pretended to enjoy it till recently when we confessed to each other that it doesn't do what it used to for us. Where before it tasted fresh and grapey, now it is a bit cloying. I still have wonderful memories of drinking it with a friend while camping out at a bluegrass festival--maybe its place is outdoors with simple food.

Just received the Windsor pan & it is the genuine article. I'm still curious about what's going on: is Calphalon pushing off "seconds," samples from another manufacturer, perhaps, or is a counterfeit operation selling merchandise through Amazon under an existing product description? I've seen it happen with bootleg DVDs, where the description is for the real thing but customers receive the bootleg. In that case, though, it was through the link "Buy new or used"--where you buy from another consumer, not from Amazon. I also found out that my office is moving this spring so I won't be able to just sit back & see if my other package arrives next year!

Well said. The taste right out of the bottle is definitely closer to a good pub pour than the draught can poured into a glass. Milder, yeastier & broader. I seem to recall that a mini-head would be formed each time the bottle was tipped. More research is clearly needed. I volunteer my services!

At last, the voice of reason...

The soup that was mentioned in the article was "Simmered Lamb Soup"--definitely not Campbell's--it's simmered overnight and blended with yogurt, cashew & curry leaves. Sounds good!

I think Aquavit is a steal at $35--with the volume of recipes, 4C printing, expensive paper, great layout & photography. With softcovers at about $20 and hardcovers from $25-$50, I think it's priced extremely fairly. For instance, Slow Cooker Cooking, a skimpy volume with no photos for $25 that was absolutely not worth it, but far from the stupidest cookbook I own. The other 2 slow cooker books (came with the appliance as a gift) are pretty damn bad. This is one of them. (I'm the "reader from Westfield, NJ.") I thought it was extremely cute of them to call it the BIGGEST Book of Slow Cooker Recipes when about a third of the recipes are cooked on top of the stove and don't even give times for the slow cooker. They just put in a load of random recipes they had around so they could call it BIGGEST. I have a whole unused row of appliance books that came with gifted or hand-me-down appliances--about 5 pressure cooker books, a Vitamix cookbook, juicer stuff... Don't get me wrong; I appreciate the hand-me-down Vitamix & pressure cooker! The worst one I've seen lately was at my parent's house. There was a copy of Good Housekeeping Pies in the room I slept in and I hadn't brought a book so I read it cover to cover. A number of recipes called for canned grapes.

Here is a list of addresses & phone numbers of places that have been mentioned + some others, with comments where appropriate. Asian Food Centers: 965 US Highway 22 North Plainfield, NJ 07060 908-668-8382 The most convenient for me and a good standby--about the size of a normal grocery store, with a bakery, hot food takeout, sushi basics, and housewares. -- 1723 State Highway 27 North Edison, NJ 08817 732-819-8139 The benchmark for me before HAR in Ridgefield--huge, with a substantial dry-goods section for most regions in Asia, nice dishes, produce is better than supermarkets but inferior to HAR or Garden Farm Market. -- 1281 State Route 35 Middletown, NJ 07748 732-957-1888 -- 660 Plainsboro Road Plainsboro, NJ 08536 609-799-1828 Four Seasons Thai Cuisine & Oriental Grocery 1353 Stelton Road Piscataway, NJ 08854 www.pad-thai.com 732-819-8787 Garden (State) Farm Markets: www.gardenfarmmarket.com 80 Fulton Street Edison, NJ 08817 732-572-7999 -- 2549 Route 1 South North Brunswick, NJ 08902 732-940-9877 Love this place--used to work a block away. The best and cheapest produce anywhere including HAR. Got perfect Asian pears for 99¢ each. Fresh fish & meat, sushi bar, overpriced dry goods, mini-Anglo section with Portuguese rolls, yogurt, soda, and a florist. Very popular with the locals, not just foodies. -- 927 West Kelly Street Woodbridge, NJ 08840 732-906-0506 I haven't been there--it's not clear from the website whether it's open yet, but the menu on their site is all Italian sandwiches!? Hanahreum Farms 518 Old Post Road Suite 14 Edison, NJ 08817 732-248-8586 As discussed in this thread, this is an independently owned franchise of the magnificent HAR. Quality unknown. Hong Kong Supermarket 265 State Route 18 East Brunswick, NJ 08816 732-651-8288 Kam Man Food Inc 511 Old Post Road Edison, NJ 08817 732-248-9611

I'm so glad to hear it! The funny thing is that I was never quite sure whether his premise was fabricated or not until I saw this thread about ancient Egyptian beer a little while after this one popped up.

You mean you want a fancy sushi joint? Hon Bang on South Ave is not fancy but has the best fish around.

Kalluri Corner, 235 Nassau Street, Princeton, (609) 688-8923.

Thanks for the report--it passed me by somehow. I grew up near there (hence the local pride) and could easily go while visiting the folks. I definitely foresee picnic lunches this spring. I'll take my dad--he'll go gaga over it too. Here's an idea for a Saturday trip that will give you that real country feeling (for the warmer weather): Pick up provisions for a late lunch at Maresca's. Head down to the river (don't forget to go through "the oldest covered bridge in NJ"). Find a nice place to picnic along the river. Then head back to Sergeantsville for the Heartlands Hayride, the weekly old-time country & bluegrass show that's broadcast live on the air. You will feel like you've stepped 70 years back in time. Get there early 'cuz the pews fill up fast! If you're not up for a hoedown, you could have an early picnic lunch, hit the Golden Nugget flea market on the river near Lambertville, and have dinner in New Hope or at the great Thai place in Lambertville.

If you mean "helps" in the sense that immediately after scanning your post I went to amazon & bought both of the pans I wanted, came back here to report, and then read the important line where you suggest that I contact them first to find out where they're made, then yes, it helps. I got the 8 1/2 qt saucier & the Windsor Pan. The Windsor & my other purchase should arrive Jan 21 with free shipping. The saucier, marked "ships in 1-2 weeks," is due to arrive on Jan 20--of the year 2005. Like you said, the price is right.

Anyone read the 2 reviews on this amazon page about the Calphalon Windsor pan being too thin & not up to Calphalon quality? It makes me nervous about all the closeout stuff. Any truth to it?

We didn't end up at a Mexican joint but fyi the Hat is closed for renovations.