oliveDC

I think Sushi Taro has shochu.

The "artsy" movie theater in my college town, Cinemopolis, used to have shaker containers of brewer's yeast that you could put on popcorn.

Aha. I knew there had to be sightings out there.

(I just bought a can to reinstate the tradition.)

As a child I used to eat entire lemons, but my mom made me stop b/c it's bad for your teeth.

I did the same thing ... and mom did the same thing. Eats the enamel or some such.

She also used to put brewer's yeast on our popcorn that she's smuggle into the movies. I remember it tasting like parmesan, and I keep trying to remember to pick some up and try it again. Maybe she was sneaking B vitamins into us? I know she didn't make it up. Anyone else ever had popcorn this way?

It's called Yazuzu, and word is it'll serve Middle Eastern food.

There are some interesting details in this Biz Journal article.

I keep meaning to ask this in a chat, but I could have sworn Tom used to give a place three months before reviewing. I could be mistaken. Now he regularly says one month. Is my memory failing me?

This place isn't a dive, its a faux dive, to paraphrase the Simpsons.

But give it a few months and the grime may start to build - I noticed ketchup splatters on the freshly painted walls beside my table. And I was impressed.

The Post's FreeRide blog did a post on the Kobe beef at BLT.

I was researching this after eating at The French Laundry and having the beef described as Kobe. This is the farm they use for the beef: Snake River. If you say American-style Kobe beef does that make a difference? Or is it diluting the designation?

Meanwhile, back on topic, will check out BLT tonight ...

Can I express how happy I am to be able to walk on a rainy day for lunch at Stoney's and get a bowl of Maryland crab soup and a gooey grilled cheese? Oh so happy.

I made a recipe similar to this one, where the orzo, tomato mixture was layered with shrimp and feta in a baking dish. It was pretty good, but baking it seemed to dry it out a little. And the feta I used didn't really melt - it was a drier, more crumbly feta. It reminded me of the shrimp saganaki at Zaytinya, though not as good.

I'd use the same ingredients but maybe mix the orzo, tomato, feta, etc, in a pot, plate it, then spoon some shrimp sauteed in garlic over it.

I polished off a half today as well, and one of my dining companions got a full - looked like an entire baguette on his plate. He made a valiant effort. Next time I'll grab for the Tabasco as well.

Looked like the bar was almost full toward the end of lunch. Clearly the neighborhood is embracing them, which is great.

I would've liked to read more on how people get this way, too. I may be limited in my understanding of OCD, but I can't help but think overly indulgent parents are responsible for this behavior. I didn't really like fish until I was 10 or so, but it was always on my plate if that's what was for dinner and I'd take a few bites. On the other hand, I have an aunt who let my cousin eat nothing but hot dogs for 15 years. Even if the kids got a special meal, like pizza, he got a hot dog.

On yet another hand, I don't have kids so what do I know.

Interesting to see that Magnolia Grill held the #11 spot both in 2001 and 2006. I love that place.

Was so glad to see my hometown representing, with Lantern as well, though I haven't made it there yet. Magnolia Grill is really fantastic, and I love how casual it is. And it's held strong for so many years.

I typically order a kir royale if given the opportunity before a big meal out. I like to think "it's an aperitif!" even though I have no idea what effect it really has on me - other than that bubbly euphoric feeling.

My mother goes for a campari and soda.

The Suburban Tasteland blogger had a cake done by Duff more than a year ago - very cool pic at this link.

And regarding my earlier Miami Ink comparison, the food and tattoo worlds further collide when Tony Bourdain gets some new ink tonight on the show, 10pm.

I went for the Cooks Illustrated recommended Thermapen - it ain't cheap (it was a gift for my boyfriend - he loves kitchen gadgets) but it's been wonderful.

I couldn't find it in any stores so I ordered it from the company's web site.

I liked the show too. It's just like Miami Ink (anyone watch that?) but with cake instead of tatoos...

With this and Feasting on Asphalt, which I thought was the best thing the channel had done in a while, I have hope for the Food Network yet.

I thought the photos in Chow were a turn-off. I know they were trying to be "different" but I like my food porn air brushed...

Read about the new site, which rolls out next week, here. Will be interesting to see what it turns into.

You could drive 300 miles down south to Durham and go to Locopops for an olive oil cream popsicle (paleta de crema) ... so wonderfully delicious. The olive oil flavor turned almost buttery with the rich cream. But sorry, I realize that doesn't exactly help.

Before realizing I needed to master the whole cornmeal/paddle thing to get pizza dough onto the grill, we would place the dough on one of those flimsy plastic cutting boards and rapidly (and often spastically) flip the whole thing, hoping the dough round would transfer to the grill in a somewhat round shape.

Four people for dinner, four 8-inch rounds of dough, and because they stuck to the board, two ended up crumpled into the corner of the grill as we tried in vain to stretch them back out as they similtaneously cooked and puffed. The funny (ok disgusting) part came when someone commented that the crumpled dough looked like a face - peeled off by Hannibal Lechter. Mmmm. Face pie.

We ate the dough anyway - made a nice bread for dipping in oil.

Pretty sure someone else has their eye on Andale's space (mentioned on the Andale thread), but nothing's final til leases are signed as I'm so often reminded. =)

I walked through last week and was told most likely August for an opening, but there's still a ways to go construction-wise. The space looks like it's going to be really cool - the Comet sign is going inside, over the kitchen.

Highlights from a few recent meals: Roasted olives arrive hot and I have yet to leave a single one behind; greens of any kind - kale (cooked with pickled fennel) and collards were really flavorful; tender pork belly; and soft chorizo with white beans. The charcuterie and cheese plates (with changing selections) have been really nice also. Since there are only 10-15 things on the menu, it's easy if you have 3 or 4 people to try one of everything.

And the wines really are super cheap. Glasses are $4-$8.

I'm heading to Asheville for the weekend. Sounds like Tupelo Honey is a good bet. Anyone been recently and have any other recs? My sister mentioned a place called Table... ?