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The Ten Most Recent Comments By Sommelier

From Eating Out

America's Regional Hot Dog Styles

"What--35 comments in and no NYer has come in to crap on everyone's heads???"

Sorry... after seeing so many abominations, I was in the bathroom, trying not to throw up. Really, if you start with a delicious, all beef dog, why would you put so much crap on top of it? A smear of mustard, maybe a forkful of sauerkraut and it's hot dog heaven. I guess the rest of the country must have really bad tasting dogs, and they need to hide that terrible flavor with a ton of crap. Really: mango relish? Give me a freakin' break!

Sommelier at 4:40PM on 07/03/08

From Required Eating

Gordon Ramsay Is Not a Jerk; He Just Plays One on American TV

So... let me get this straight. Gordon, in the UK, does a television show where there are real restaurant people in a real restaurant and he lets the real Gordon come through. Here in the US he does a television show with actors pretending to be restaurant people, on a set pretending to be a restaurant and Gordon pretends to be a screaming asshole. This is supposed to make us like him and his US show because.... they think that Americans are just to friggin' STUPID to watch the real thing? No wonder it's on a FOX network: the think that we're all dumb enough to swallow whatever shit they shovel our way.

Oh, and Gordon... you want to be taken seriously AND play a clown at the same time? Yeah. Right. Sure thing, you pathetic Bozo. You own how many successful restaurants yet you act like an asshole on American TV for what? More money? Your screaming idiot act is a kick in the teeth to the real Chefs of the world who spend the time:
1 working their way up through the ranks, confident that they really know their craft
2 hire good people with good skills and work ethics
3 take the time to instruct their staff in how they want the dishes prepared
4 get the right equipment & supplies for their staff to do their jobs
5 hire a dining room manager who knows how to pace the reservations so that the kitchen doesn't get so slammed that they can't do their jobs well
6 leading by example... not by posing for a camera and screaming.

Sommelier at 5:12PM on 04/05/08

From Recipes

Sack Lunch: Peanut Butter and Honey Sandwich

Peanut butter & honey with alfalfa sprouts on whole wheat.

Sommelier at 8:49PM on 03/31/08

From Required Eating

Food Description of the Week: Mammer Jammer's Cheesesteak

Cheesesteak? You have got to be kidding me! That filling is so loose and wet, it resembles a sloppy Joe more than anything fit to carry the word "steak".

Sommelier at 6:08PM on 03/14/08

From Required Eating

Japanese Michelin Guide: It's Been a Rough Ride So Far

Michelin has failed to give Chanterelle even a single star, twice! What more proof does one need to see that their New York book is useless?

Sommelier at 3:16PM on 02/24/08

From Talk

Popcorn's poppin' today!

The stovetop "Whirlypop" popper works beautifully, almost never leaving unpopped kernels behind. You get to use the oil of your choice (even bacon fat works great!) and know that you're not eating chemicals: just corn, oil & a bit of salt.

Who needs a microwave?

Sommelier at 7:09PM on 01/19/08

From Required Eating

The Wine's Organic, but How Does It Taste?

"organic is bound to fail."

Domaine Romanée Conti is biodynamic, and I don't forsee failure in their future. Where, oh son of Nostradamus, do you get your facts that cause you to forsee the failure of a way of farming that has sustained humans for countless centuries?

Sommelier at 8:38PM on 12/03/07

From Required Eating

The Wine's Organic, but How Does It Taste?

"Do those who suffer from bad headaches from wine really find the sulfite free wines help?"

There are many naturally occurring chemical compounds in wine... ALL wine. One or more of them may cause a reaction, including headaches. Sulphites do not cause headaches. Tightening of the throat, similar to an asthmatic condition: yes. But not headaches.

If a big, full-bodied red causes headaches, tey a lighter red from a cooler climate. I have a friend who can't drink southern Rhône reds, but is OK with Burgundies. If you can, see an alergist... but one who is not a teetotaller!

Sommelier at 8:33PM on 12/03/07

From Slice

San Francisco to Ban Pizza?

See: what did I tell you? First, they come and take away your foie gras, then they come and try to take away your pizza. Next, they'll be coming for our doughnuts!

Sommelier at 9:50PM on 11/28/07

From Required Eating

Fake Gordon Ramsay Now Blogging

A fake Gordon Ramsey? You mean to tell me that that the guy on Hell's Kitchen was REAL? Oh, please! So everyone else was an actor, and HE was real? And he thinks that people will still actually take him seriously?

Sommelier at 9:40PM on 11/28/07

Responses to Comments by Sommelier

From Eating Out

America's Regional Hot Dog Styles

Oh boy am I ever happy with my decision to bring hot dogs (OK, OK, they're veggie dogs) to the tailgating event I'm going to tonight. After reading this I'm going to have to clean the drool from my keyboard.

And FWIW, Venezuelans have the greatest hot dogs in the world: mayo, ketchup, mustard, onion, cabbage, and crushed potato chips on a steamed potato roll. Pure win.

Djinn at 3:01PM on 07/15/08

From Eating Out

America's Regional Hot Dog Styles

Japadog in Vancouver? That's hilarious! I just had a real Chicago Red Hot guy open a few blocks from me in Portland. He even discounts his dogs during Cubs games.

litagent at 1:45AM on 07/14/08

From Eating Out

America's Regional Hot Dog Styles

Frank's on Pima and Alvernon has Sonoran hot dogs. Pretty good, but I will try Hermano's suggested above.

Luke's on Ft. Lowell has best Chicago style dog in the Tucson area according to my Chicago born and raised spouse.

BTW, it's "Tucson" not "Tuscon" (And "Wilmot" not "Wilmont").

fg

fuzzygoats at 9:18PM on 07/13/08

From Eating Out

America's Regional Hot Dog Styles

Best Wurst in Austin is pretty legit.

Julian at 3:26PM on 07/13/08

From Eating Out

America's Regional Hot Dog Styles

Am I the first person to mention another New York regional variation - the split dog, fried in butter, like they do at the iconic, venerable Walter's in Mamaroneck (Westchester County)? If memory serves, the bun is grilled in butter, too. Spicy mustard is the only appropriate topping. Careful crossing the Post Road with your precious cargo.

eleeb at 10:20AM on 07/13/08

From Eating Out

America's Regional Hot Dog Styles

In Seattle the hot dog stands all do cream cheese and grilled onions.

adrockuw at 11:27AM on 07/12/08

From Eating Out

America's Regional Hot Dog Styles

I know this was a US survey, but I recently had my first Japadog in Vancouver. This modest hot dog stand downtown serves a variety of dogs with unique, Japanese toppings including Japanese mayo, nori, teriyaki sauce, fried onions, soy sauce, green onions, daikon, miso sauce, and Kaiware (daikon seeds). Yum!

lawandmusic at 1:56PM on 07/11/08

From Eating Out

America's Regional Hot Dog Styles

Sabretts with NY style deli mustard and red onions, nothin' better IMHO.

davidinmpls at 9:01PM on 07/10/08

From Eating Out

America's Regional Hot Dog Styles

Growing up in the Chicagoland area, I agree with 'bodaciousgirl' in that the only way to successfully achieve a Chicago Dog is to use Vienna Beef Franks. Now living in Orlando, I've found that Hot Dog Heaven has done a great job at bringing the Vienna Beef Chicago Dogs to central Florida (dragging them thru the garden with the neon green relish and sport peppers along with the poppy seed buns.)
For any Phoenician looking for a great Sonoran Dog, hit up the stand off the southwest corner of 19th Ave. and Broadway. They set up around 8 p.m. and stay open well after midnight.
Lastly, if ever in the Allentown, Trexlertown, or Fogelsville, PA area, ask where the nearest Yocco's is. (The Hot Dog King; the secret's in Yocco's (chili) sauce.)

Food Hobo at 12:07PM on 07/10/08

From Eating Out

America's Regional Hot Dog Styles

Saugy's is very good. I wouldn't call them veal based; they are made with pork, veal, and beef in the German style. Mild, but flavorful, with a slight peppery taste in the background. Reminiscent of Sahlen's from Buffalo.

hotdoglover at 8:41PM on 07/09/08