…if you’re visiting from somewhere else, but quite possibly even if you live here.

We have good food.

Further, it will keep getting better, with new places like Nob Hill Bar & Grill opening in less than a week, and Jennifer James’ new spot poised for summer 2008.

Much to sing about, indeed.

Today I received a text message informing me that the creator of the Egg McMuffin has died.

I’ve written before about the masterpiece of flavor combinations that is the breakfast of choice for road warriors everywhere. It went on and on for 35 years after its creation, and will satisfy so many millions more in the next generation. I certainly wouldn’t eat one every day or even every week, but they are neither too heavy nor too greasy to pass up from time to time. There are far worse things on the grocery shelves and restaurant menus that could be eaten, so choose the Egg McMuffin and have a (relatively) healthy breakfast.

Before I arrived at work, in a half-hearted attempt at a memoriam I purchased a sack of the juicy, salty breakfast treats to bring to my coworkers, and we munched in equal amounts sorrow and gustatory joy.

. . . having many shots (of course), contemplating what to do with my last 10 hours in Manhattan

. . . which is also the waiting area for a small off-off Broadway theater, and the whole place is full of older wizened theater goers all in line for The Seagull.

Bizarre.

Surreal.

Fuckin’ killer Ethiopian espresso pulls.  Now I go to Strand Bookstore, and then Max Brenner for paper and chocolate fixes, respectively.

http://www.everymanespresso.com/

Well, let’s just say that I am not eating both tacos and BBQ here in the Duke City.  I know we have both, but right now I’m spending a quick weekend over in the big city of Austin for SXSW to see a bunch of films.

When I return the gossip will once again fly….  don’t worry.

It had been a long day. A very, very long day indeed.  And I had never been to Bangkok Thai, so off we all went.  My standby of insanely hot grilled beef salad was just the perfect cure for that whole day behind me.

Well, its past 20 years that Flying Star (or Double Rainbow of years past) has been both tempting locals with sweets and pissing off damn near everyone it seems with their price increases.

I have defended Jean and Mark in the past, and I will continue to do so, and I will also start bitching the moment things start going downhill.  I send emails monthly to Jean letting her know that something tastes awesome or that the coffee pots aren’t changed frequently enough, and it is this kind of feedback that keeps restaurateurs on their toes and serving the public - which is of course the way that they remain profitable.

So, they begin to break ground in Santa Fe, and also near completion of a huge Bernalillo complex combining work, eats, and residential units.

Jay Wulf at the Greenside Cafe has rather frequent wine dinners, exploring some new item he found or a wine that just had to be bought on a great recommendation.

Last fall there was an oyster fiesta, of course recently a Valentine’s dinner was held, and now the next several weeks hold the promise of Italian delights.  See the menu below:

Italian Wine Dinner
Thursday, March 6th
and
Saturday, March 15th

Handmade Wild Mushroom Raviollis
Santa Martina Rosso Toscano 2005

Proscuitto, Arugula, Balsamic, Strawberrys and Black Pepper
Salviano Orvieto Classico Superiore 2005

Free Range Chicken Saltimbocca with Soft Polenta
or
Sea Bass with Salsa Verde
Nozzole - Chianti Classico Reserva

Tuaca Zabaglione with Vanilla Poached Pears
Nivole Muscat de Asti 2006

$52.50 tax and gratuity included
$50 for cash paying customers
reservations only 505-286-2684

Vox kind of sux.

Welcome me to my new home, and let the insane food gossip and restaurant tidbits flow…