There's a major controversy in the New York metro area. It seems that besides a tax on sugary drinks there are also commercials showing the bad side of drinking too much of the stuff. It's annoying.It's not that I'm from NJ and find pontificating from a mayor that's not my own irritating. I just don't like to be told what to do with my eating habits. Neither do others.
I can understand the need to show smoking and alcohol PAs. Too much of either is deadly and can harm others. However what one chooses to eat or drink with one''s meal is another matter. Yes,sugary drinks are bad for every and anyone - kids or adults - whether it's soda , sweetened teas or coffees. Yet, Coke and Snapple are a part of our everyday diets, much more than cigarettes or a bottle of beer could ever be. We could switch over, It's easy to wean yourself off them. Yet that let that be your choice - not one made fo r you or me
As far as regulating sugar intake - why let it stop at drinks? Every processed food has some form of it in them. Do we tell people not to indulge in French or Russian salad dressing because those have sugar. Do we cut out Girl Scout cookies or the occasional morning Danish? What about the chocolate? Will there be a ban on white and milk chocolate because it's not as healthy as dark? Then do we go after fruit because that contains sugar too - as does corn . It gets ridiculous after a while, doesn't it?
How far will it go? Will we wake up one day and find the Sugar Police at your doors? The illegal white stuff won't be cocaine anymore, that's for sure. Just think Prohibition could be brought back - not for Jack Daniels but for Pepsi!
Showing posts with label matches. smoking restuarants. La Grenouille. Show all posts
Showing posts with label matches. smoking restuarants. La Grenouille. Show all posts
Friday, February 4, 2011
Friday, June 11, 2010
Googling Your Food
I remember a time when you used to just walk into a restaurant blind and sit down. there were no reviews on Bing. No menus poste d on Google. No reviews listed by anyone and their cousin. You just walked in and if the aroma was good , then that was all you needed to make a judgement.
I miss those days.
Now you get everything on your Blackberry. Looking for a particular sushi restaurant ? You can find it's location plus the number of stars enthusiasts have given it. Interested in a brick oven pizza or a good polenta? Google it and the answers automatically comes up.In some ways this is great. At least you know that you can always find a good meal as well as the best atmosphere and service too. It cuts out the guess work and gives you a direct answer.
Yet I miss the old days of just driving by a restaurant and stand and stopping. the whole adventure was wondering if it was good or bad. I've found the best places that way, whether they be coffee stand or diner. I like the sense of adventure when I head o ut on my occasional day trips. That's how I disocered this awesome Polish deli in South Amboy that makes the best ham on rye sandwiches. it;s also how I discovered a cool and yummy bakery in Long Branch. This last had received such bad reviews on line and if I had read them I would have avoided the place I walked into it , seduced by the pastries' look and smell. The result was a yummy homemade cupcakes and cookies.
Sometimes it's best to avoid the Internet when you're looking for a good meal or even a snack. If a place catches your eye. then look into it. You may just be pleasantly surprised by what you discover.
I miss those days.
Now you get everything on your Blackberry. Looking for a particular sushi restaurant ? You can find it's location plus the number of stars enthusiasts have given it. Interested in a brick oven pizza or a good polenta? Google it and the answers automatically comes up.In some ways this is great. At least you know that you can always find a good meal as well as the best atmosphere and service too. It cuts out the guess work and gives you a direct answer.
Yet I miss the old days of just driving by a restaurant and stand and stopping. the whole adventure was wondering if it was good or bad. I've found the best places that way, whether they be coffee stand or diner. I like the sense of adventure when I head o ut on my occasional day trips. That's how I disocered this awesome Polish deli in South Amboy that makes the best ham on rye sandwiches. it;s also how I discovered a cool and yummy bakery in Long Branch. This last had received such bad reviews on line and if I had read them I would have avoided the place I walked into it , seduced by the pastries' look and smell. The result was a yummy homemade cupcakes and cookies.
Sometimes it's best to avoid the Internet when you're looking for a good meal or even a snack. If a place catches your eye. then look into it. You may just be pleasantly surprised by what you discover.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
A Holiday Treat La Grenouille
Because of the holidays I thought I'd write about the Times Dining section today on Wednesday (which kind of makes sense because it comes out today). Another new thing is that I'll be writing about a Times restaurant review (something I used to do for that newspaper ) for La Grenouille that famous Manhattan landmark.
The review written by Sam Sifton tells about this 48 year old NYC institution. La Grenouille was right up there at one time with The Russian Tea Room and Elaine's as place to be seen and to enjoy the lush food. It was opened in 1962 by Giselle and Charles Masson, pere, French emigres and now run by their son Charles fils. This is French cusine at its' all time best, meriting a three star rating from The Times. The restaurant is known for its' stocks and sauces that transport everyday meats and vegetables into fare for the gods. There are frogs legs, bien sur, ("La Grenouille means frog)sauteed in garlic, parsley and butter. Another true Parisian dish are the kidneys sauteed in cognac. Dover sole is a must here and La Grenouille's signature dish. It's grilled and then served in a butter sauce. Tableside it's filleted for diners and served with a mustard sauce. This is a meal fit for Monsieur Escoffier.
La Grenouille also has amazing desserts. primarily the souffles. These come in Grand Marnier, chocolate and pear. The restaurant also has the classic tartins as well. There's also a heavenly sounding tarte with warm apples and accompanied by vanilla ice cream. La Grenouille also has Armagnac prune ice cream as well as vanilla and praline. (although after a rich meal , I think dessert would be a simple and soothing cup of Earl Grey tea from the restaurants varied tea chest)
This holiday season treat yourself to dinner at this famed NYC landmark. It's worth the travel time and the cost. This is where France comes to America and brings a gift of heavenly dishes and desserts.
The review written by Sam Sifton tells about this 48 year old NYC institution. La Grenouille was right up there at one time with The Russian Tea Room and Elaine's as place to be seen and to enjoy the lush food. It was opened in 1962 by Giselle and Charles Masson, pere, French emigres and now run by their son Charles fils. This is French cusine at its' all time best, meriting a three star rating from The Times. The restaurant is known for its' stocks and sauces that transport everyday meats and vegetables into fare for the gods. There are frogs legs, bien sur, ("La Grenouille means frog)sauteed in garlic, parsley and butter. Another true Parisian dish are the kidneys sauteed in cognac. Dover sole is a must here and La Grenouille's signature dish. It's grilled and then served in a butter sauce. Tableside it's filleted for diners and served with a mustard sauce. This is a meal fit for Monsieur Escoffier.
La Grenouille also has amazing desserts. primarily the souffles. These come in Grand Marnier, chocolate and pear. The restaurant also has the classic tartins as well. There's also a heavenly sounding tarte with warm apples and accompanied by vanilla ice cream. La Grenouille also has Armagnac prune ice cream as well as vanilla and praline. (although after a rich meal , I think dessert would be a simple and soothing cup of Earl Grey tea from the restaurants varied tea chest)
This holiday season treat yourself to dinner at this famed NYC landmark. It's worth the travel time and the cost. This is where France comes to America and brings a gift of heavenly dishes and desserts.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Match Points
The big article in yesterday's Times had to do with restaurant giveways, primarily matches. They seem a strange anachronism given today's no smoking bans in eateries. Yet match books giveaways survive, much to the deleight of collectors and the occasional smoker.
The article , written by Katrina Heron, tell about some famous restuarants and their giveaways. New York 's famed Russian tea Room is known for their match book giveraways. Why? Because the covers are considered artwork and for that, valued, highly. The restaurant also hands out special Christmas themed matchboxes during th e holidays. These are bigger and have a picture of a fancy wreath on the cover. Some other known NY restaurants ' giveaways are also pictured. I love La Grenouille which features a reclining crowned frog on a lily pad.The Almond bar has a neat looking one that has it;s lettering against a picture of a neon circle.
Even if you don;t smoke, take th e matches your restaurant offers to you. The covers are great keepsakes (there are even clubs devoted to this ) and the matches do come in handy. I use them to light the burners when the stove is being troublesome or to light candles. They're useful in a black out as well. I do prefer the chocolate mints that most places give with your check however. yet the matches are practical along with the covers being pretty and collectible.
Matches are still a big giveaway even in this smoke free age. Take any that your restaurants give you. They do serve a purpose and they're a nice memento to keep.
The article , written by Katrina Heron, tell about some famous restuarants and their giveaways. New York 's famed Russian tea Room is known for their match book giveraways. Why? Because the covers are considered artwork and for that, valued, highly. The restaurant also hands out special Christmas themed matchboxes during th e holidays. These are bigger and have a picture of a fancy wreath on the cover. Some other known NY restaurants ' giveaways are also pictured. I love La Grenouille which features a reclining crowned frog on a lily pad.The Almond bar has a neat looking one that has it;s lettering against a picture of a neon circle.
Even if you don;t smoke, take th e matches your restaurant offers to you. The covers are great keepsakes (there are even clubs devoted to this ) and the matches do come in handy. I use them to light the burners when the stove is being troublesome or to light candles. They're useful in a black out as well. I do prefer the chocolate mints that most places give with your check however. yet the matches are practical along with the covers being pretty and collectible.
Matches are still a big giveaway even in this smoke free age. Take any that your restaurants give you. They do serve a purpose and they're a nice memento to keep.
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