But I have to say that I would not be one of these people.

When Envy is on the Menu

When I talk to people in the kitchen after their meal, people frequently tell me they made a special trip to Chicago just to eat at Alinea. Of course I find this completely flattering. They call two months before to the date they want to dine and plan their trip around the event. One can hardly blame them for expecting the maximum experience, given the commitment that they have vested.

…

On occasion a front-of-the-house member would come back to the kitchen and mention that a table adjacent to a “VIP” table was jealous that they did not receive a particular course. “I didn’t see that listed on the menu,” they would tell the captain. What do you say at that point?

I would have to say… why are you watching other tables?  Of course the answer to that is, they are so consumed with what “everyone else” gets, they can’t enjoy what they have in front of them.  Good heavens!

The only time I’m looking around is if I’m looking for waitstaff (we have been seated and ignored on occasion) or if another party in the restaurant is blatantly calling attention to themselves.  Otherwise, I have no interest in other diners not to mention what or how they are served.  If I get what I pay for, I’m good with that.  If the waitstaff is polite and genial it’s even better.

I am ever stunned that people expend so much energy on what others around them are doing.  Especially when it’s people they don’t know.

Enjoy your meal instead – it will make you far happier and more relaxed than gazing upon other diners and what they are doing.  Really.

My favorite food in the world.  Dark Chocolate.  Not the plastic candy bars in the store, but the real deal 70%+ cocao.

Divine stuff.

Apparently in hard economic times, chocolate doesn’t sell so well!  Who knew!

Bitter times for chocolate

“The global chocolate market continues to decline in volume terms because consumer sentiment is still worsening in most economies,” said Victor Balli, the group’s chief financial officer said.

This can NOT be good. It could result in the disappearance of good chocolate and that would be a shame. Therefore, your assignment this week is to get out there and buy some good chocolate.  If we all pitch in and buy a little, it will add up.  Now get to it!

My sister called me today and while we were talking she said, “Remember those little snack crackers called Chicken in a Bisket?”

Well, yes, I remember them.  I wasn’t particularly fond of them, but then I never did go for crackers much.  I liked cookies so much better.  I do remember they were very salty.  My sister decided to google it and found that there is an entire cult following of these crackers!!!  Who knew!   Well, of course they have a wiki – what doesn’t.  But there are many sites out there with hilarious chit chat about these snacks – just google it.  Someone even created a blog with the name!

I barely remember them, but apparently they are loved by many and even reviled by a few.

Cult indeed.