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A Long Time Coming…

A Long Time Coming…

This update is quite overdue, and for that I apologize. Thanks to my dear old friend Scott for the nudge to write this post. An update on Bean, our dear old dog who is battling liver cancer after beating spleen cancer: She’s hanging in there.…

DESIDERATA by Max Ehrmann

DESIDERATA by Max Ehrmann

This poem really speaks to me, where I am right now. Also, for an aural treat (in all it’s 1970’s production glory), check out this video on YouTube of the late, great Les Crane “performing” the poem. DESIDERATA by Max Ehrmann Go placidly amid the…

SLIMS/Vout Closed

SLIMS/Vout Closed

It came across the Foodnews wire a couple days ago that SLIMS (and Vout) restaurant on Hamilton Avenue in Northside has closed. Checking their website (www.slimsrestaurant.com) and the outgoing message on their phone confirms the closing (“…please do not leave a reservation”) .

It’s sad when any restaurant closes, and SLIMS/Vout will be missed. SLIMS and Vout shared the same physical space – part of the week the restaurant was called SLIMS and part of the week it was called Vout – the two restaurants were conceptually different but concentric. I’m not sure diners clearly understood the concept or the differences between the two places – nor that the concept was clearly understood by anyone other than those at the top levels of the restaurant. The most concise description I saw was “SLIMS is prix fixe; Vout is a la cart”. I don’t know if it’s an accurate description, though.

I had the pleasure of dining at SLIMS many times, and working there for a good many months with Chef Joanne Drilling. On its best nights, SLIMS thrummed with an urban energy that was addictive. There were long community tables that actually seated the community (perhaps the only community tables in the area that worked), and the food was hearty, a little elegant, and well-prepared. We put out “real comfortable food” and served the guests well. People liked the food and the vibe.

I’ll miss SLIMS. I don’t know what will happen to the space, but I’d love to see another restaurant concept in there. Maybe just one concept the next time.

An update on Bean and Akhenaten

An update on Bean and Akhenaten

BEAN: After surviving spleen cancer (and spleen removal) a few months ago, we recently noticed that Bean was once again slowing down. Wendy checked her out and we determined that she’s got liver cancer. On Wednesday, November 10, 2010 we took Bean to Dr. Cheryl…

Vacation, Mexico 2010

Vacation, Mexico 2010

Wendy & I recently got back from a wonderful vacation to the Mayan Riviera in Mexico. We were there at the end of October 2010. Pictures and videos are coming soon. Please stay tuned! Quick thoughts about our trip… When SCUBA diving, we noticed that…

Y-Peeler

Y-Peeler

RedYPeeler

This is a picture of a vegetable y-peeler.

Sometimes, I need to find this picture when friends ask me what kind of peeler they should purchase to peel vegetables. Most recently, a friend wrote to ask about the best tool for peeling asparagus. This is it!

These peelers run about $2-$3, and while they are pretty sturdy, can be considered disposable. I keep two in my knife kit all the time.

Another update on Akhenaten

Another update on Akhenaten

Wendy took Akhenaten to the specialist yesterday (along with Bean, who is going there for weekly chemotherapy). The specialist did an ultrasound of Akhenaten and was cautiously optimistic that instead of being in “kidney insufficiency”, he may be instead sub-clinically dehydrated from his ordeal. As…