I am a lurker at this site but promised Don this introduction.
For the last 68 years, I have been a dedicated eater, and frustrated cook for about 60 of them. I have learned that building a fabulous kitchen in my home doesn't help if the foods easily available are not first rate. Not that I cannot cook with what's available, but inspiration was crushed by battered produce and plastic-wrapped meats cut in undesirable ways.
My wife and I recently moved in with her mother for health care purposes and my life in the kitchen has been blessed. Suddenly I'm doing most of the cooking and look forward to shopping. Now the menu is drafted at the grocery and farmers' market, not while reading recipes. Nice neighborhood! It has every ingredient I can think of and even a real German deli. And the restaurants - what a choice.
Over the years, we have ravaged the menus at many local restaurants, sampled many, many others, and regularly try places recommended by cyber foodies.
We travel to food (most recently New Orleans) and are thinking of an Ireland tour next. (Beer is a food isn't it?) I hope you guys have some food suggestions for us. Anyway, you keep on writing and I'll be reading. - Foodie Nick
