Dine Like Gatsby

Went to see Leonardo Di Caprio's excellent performance as Jay Gatsby in the latest film adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's, THE GREAT GATSBY. I'd also like to mention that I totally bought Tobey Maguire's performance as the story's narrator Nick Carraway. (I have to admit that after seeing Sam Waterson in the role of Nick years earlier -- I was slightly skeptical.)

But when answering the literary food question of : What would be on the standard champagne sparkling menu at the grand Gatsby mansion on West Egg, Long Island in the year 1925, I really think the best answer would be found here: http://www.mercurynews.com/food-wine/ci_23133162/literary-food-what-would-great-gatsby-serve

And please go see this movie. I saw it in 3D. And minus the gratuitous 21st century rap music (which I sort of didn't get)... I loved it.

Pressure Cooker News... And Boston

The Associated Press distributed a ‘Pressure Cooker Redeems Itself’ story before the Boston bombings, which some readers found "offensive." The Cape Cod Times also apologizes for a Macy's pressure cooker ad that was placed next to a bombing story.

What does this really have to do with advertising or merely using the term "pressure cooker" on a newspaper page? Dunno. A few people a bit over-sensitive during an awful turn of events this past week? Maybe.

Anyway, you be the judge here.

Steak And Jazz

WBGO Jazz 88 , presents Pairings at Porter House – a three course dinner at Porter House New York followed by a great seat at Jazz at Lincoln Center for a special performance, betweeen now and June 13, 2013.

Everything from Paquito D'Rivera (who by the way was awesome!), to Ellingto, to Chick Correa, and more.

Worst Cooks Than You

Didn't think such a thing existed? You just might me surprised. Check this out. (Yes, it really DOES take effort to screw food up this badly.)

Soulful Sunday Brunch

Just got back a short time ago from the best Sunday bunch buffet and music fest I've attended in a long time.

Clearly, if you love good food as well as some good o'l hand clapping and soul stirring gospel music, drop in at B.B. King's Blues Club and Grill the next time you're in the Times Square area of NYC. And...you get to meet people from all around the world who come for this unforgettable hot and cold buffet and musical showcase, featuring the fantabulous Harlem Gospel Choir.

In a word: Awesome!
P.S. The Bloody Marys and Mimosas are to die for. ;-)
Watch this:

Person of the Year 2012

For me, the Person of the Year would have to be Martha Payne from Argyll, Scotland.

Disliking her daily school lunch menu (as we all did) and even going as far as taking daily photos of the awful stuff and posting it to her blog, Neverseconds, she has single-handedly turned it into a campaign not only for better fare in her own school, but to feed hungry children in Malawi

So needless to say the book (pictured above) on how she did it would be a terrific gift to a special someone on this year's holiday list.

Watch this video clip about this amazing young girl:

Global Crisis In Dining Out

Bartering has been around for centuries as an alternative to money, but an unending recession has increased its existence as cash-strapped firms trade services through intermediaries to cut costs and reach out to new clients.

And in Florence, Italy customers are allowed to exchange vegetables and used goods for a traditional Tuscan dinner, in a way to encourage people to dine out despite the recession.

"We decided to open a restaurant, a gathering place for those who like to go out despite the crisis," said a local restaurant owner. "Many cannot afford to go out to dinner in the evening and don't have enough money to last to the end of the month. So we decided to go back to the old barter system."

Sure, many of us who grew up far "less" than wealthy here in the good ol' U.S.A would probably say keep whatever you have, cook your own meals AT HOME and suck it up. But dining out has apparently reached such a global crisis level that people are willing to barter for the privilege…or, um, the "right," whichever way you tend to look at it.

Anyway, read more here