The Best Laid Plans - How a Single Spider Ruined a Thai Meal I have a confession to make. This is sure to change everyone’s idea of me. I’m supposed to be this masculine type of guy: climbing rocks, scuba diving, mountain biking, skydiving; it’s all child’s play to me. But I’m stalling. The truth is, I’m, um, afraid of spiders.When I was about ten, my parents wanted to … [Read more...] about The Best Laid Plans
My Favorite Comments and Dining Out Stories from Reviewing
I started this site in late 2004. At some point or another, I have managed to alienate every reader at least once. Private emails frequently follow. I have collected a good amount of my favorite comments and a few stories. I thought I'd throw in a few of them. Spelling errors are intact; all are from 2006:You are a stupid idiot. As a matter of fact you are dummer then … [Read more...] about My Favorite Comments and Dining Out Stories from Reviewing
Q Tonic vs. Fever-Tree Tonic
NOTE: This review has been replaced with a new, larger roundup, which you can read here. I have already rewritten and updated the recipe for making tonic water from scratch, which you will find here. In January, I reviewed Q Tonic. Now, Fever-Tree Tonic, another gourmet version, has hit local store shelves. I thought it was time to go back and update this post with a … [Read more...] about Q Tonic vs. Fever-Tree Tonic
Review: Meat Cheese Bread
In the last few years, Portland sandwich shops blossomed. We went from a town with hardly any decent options to an embarrassment of riches.The secret ingredient that is setting these shops apart is the staff; they actually have a chef and workers who are passionate about making the best damn sandwich they can. This leads to innovations that rise beyond the norm. In the case … [Read more...] about Review: Meat Cheese Bread
How many visits does it take to review a restaurant?
How many visits does it take to judge a restaurant? When I'm reviewing a restaurant, I always make at least three visits before I come up with my final opinion. This is because I have found that the experience can vary wildly from week to week, or even from night to night.This month, I thought I had my runner-up for Restaurant of the Year all figured out. On a whim, I went … [Read more...] about How many visits does it take to review a restaurant?