the ulterior epicure

Every year, I have a ritual of watching as many Academy Award nominated films, actors, and directors I can before the award ceremony. If I’m lucky, enough of the best actors and directors overlap with nominated films that seeing the films rounds out the majority, if not all, of the actors/directors. This was largely the […]

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Although most people love it and would never give it up, few people want to think about the pain that lobsters (or crabs) endure when plunged into a bubbling bath of boiling water. Well, for those of you lobster (eating) lovers out there, maybe your conscious will never be taxed again… According to a new […]

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Well, it finally happened – the great Guide Michelin to restaurants has come to the U.S. Watch out Mr. Bruni, there’s a bigger man in town! Read Florence Fabricant’s article in the NY Times. I hear Chicago is next on the list… Long awaited Guide Michelin New York

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So, my birthday is coming up in less than a month. To allay my anxieties, I have found pleasant distraction in materialism.Outside of all of the altruistic things that one is supposed to wish for, like world peace, end to world hunger, cure for Cancer, etc… I thought I’d share my top ten wish list […]

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The answer to my previous trivia post: 1). Daniel Boone and Betsy Ross are the only two non-fictional characters that Pez has made. 2). Santa Claus is the most popular Pez head.

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Mitch Albom has a new book out entitled the five people you meet in heaven. After reading his first best-seller, tuesdays with Morrie, I vowed never to return to his sappy writing again (perhaps an overreaction). So, I have no idea who Albom suggests one will meet in heaven… but, as I walked through the […]

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Here’s some worthy trivia for you: 1). PEZ candies (you know, the little head dispensers with the noxious sugary blocks of candy inside) has only made two dispensers based on non-fictional characters. Which two? 2) Which PEZ head dispenser is the most popular (by sale)? Stay tuned for the answer….

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How many of you have ever waited tables in a restaurant?I have, and let me tell you, it’s a pretty humbling, but very rewarding job. However, unlike many who wait/serve as a means of last resort, I chose to wait tables for the experience – an exercise of “self-betterment.” I don’t say this to garner […]

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I had a wonderful evening eating with friends last night.  I cooked. Following is what I made: First Course Mache and Baby Spinach Salad with Asian pear, candied walnuts, grape tomatoes, roasted beets, and Roquefort Balsamic vinaigrette, balsamic vinegar reductionSecond Course Tuna “Nicoise” Grilled tuna steak with Provencal olives, capers, tomatoes, shallots, garlic Italian parsley […]

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