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Breaking: More Obama Burgers; Orders Lunch from Five Guys
"Not to be racist or anything" are the words that usually precede a racist statement.
So:
Not to be racist or anything, but I always noticed when I was a cook that it was poor-looking whites who ordered well done meat. I always just but the grill marks on and then microwaved it. I assumed that's how they did it at home.
Served: New York Is Not the Only Place for a Restaurant
I like this column. The lives of the people who staff/own/run the restaurants are just as important as the food being served. It's rare that we see something other than celebrity chefs or glorified bloggers slash eaters. This kind of writing has its appeal.
--which is why I never understand the criticism of this writer's posts. Does she hold a gun to your head to get you to read it? If so, then yes, by all means, read it. If not, don't let the door hit you when you click away after reading the first paragraph.
Photo of the Day: Banana Sponge Cake
Tokyo banana are the thing to bring back from Tokyo as omiyage. Glorified Twinkies with the old-school banana flavor...
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Costco Will Accept Food Stamps at Two NYC Locations
I'm all for Costco taking food stamps. One of my high school teachers received food stamps because he could not make enough money to raise his family on a TEACHER'S salary. Would I begrudge him a Costco membership or the ability to pay for his groceries with food stamps? No.
My niece is nineteen, a single mom, goes to nursing school, WORKS part time, and receives food stamps. If she asked me to pay for a costco membership for her, I would.
But since Costcos in our state don't take food stamps, it's a moot point.
I'm with you, pumpkinbear. The way hateful words are sometimes slung around these boards smacks of the ubiquitous cowardice that the internet allows those who clearly lack empathy and who have nothing more substantial to offer than their prejudices.
Breaking: More Obama Burgers; Orders Lunch from Five Guys
"Not to be racist or anything" are the words that usually precede a racist statement.
So:
Not to be racist or anything, but I always noticed when I was a cook that it was poor-looking whites who ordered well done meat. I always just but the grill marks on and then microwaved it. I assumed that's how they did it at home.
Served: New York Is Not the Only Place for a Restaurant
I like this column. The lives of the people who staff/own/run the restaurants are just as important as the food being served. It's rare that we see something other than celebrity chefs or glorified bloggers slash eaters. This kind of writing has its appeal.
--which is why I never understand the criticism of this writer's posts. Does she hold a gun to your head to get you to read it? If so, then yes, by all means, read it. If not, don't let the door hit you when you click away after reading the first paragraph.
Photo of the Day: Banana Sponge Cake
Tokyo banana are the thing to bring back from Tokyo as omiyage. Glorified Twinkies with the old-school banana flavor...
Making Butter at Home
Your mom sounds awesome, engmcmuffin!
Homemade butter is the best. If you sour the cream a bit before, you can take your butter to a whole new level. More culture, yo!
Served: Why Not to Date Customers (One Day I Will Learn)
Thank you, Simon! Though I do think restaurant jobs are a *little* about the food, they're also about the personalities behind the food. I enjoyed reading this for that reason.
Oh, and Hannah, E. is a jerk. Don't waste another thought on him. Be the one that got away.
Lap-Band Eating - I Need Help For A Friend
I'm confused. Did she ask you for help with her diet or nutritional stuff? It doesn't sound from your original post as though she did. It sounds more like you're taking on the mother role and being a (self-admitted) "enabler." But sometimes an enabler is the last thing a food addict (current or former) needs.
If she's just blowing off steam about being bored with the maintenance phase of weight loss, you might focus less on the food and just lend her a sympathetic ear.
Fancy Restaurants Should Implement an Early 'Baby Seating'
Here's an alternative plan: Why not find another set of parents who wants to have a nice meal out and *trade* babysitting duty with them? You get your dinner and your child is taken care of by someone who has some childcare experience and you both save on babysitting.
Fancy Restaurants Should Implement an Early 'Baby Seating'
Not getting a lot of love for this idea, huh?
Your suggestion could only come from someone who has never waited tables. Children *destroy* restaurants. (Maybe not when they're 2-3 months old, but soon after, and until they turn, like, eighteen.) I'd rather clean up after drunken frat boys than a bunch of kids with handfuls of parent-approved snacks and leaky sippy cups.
No, that's pretty snarky. Sorry. But c'mon. We all know that *you're* a good parent who cleans up after their well-behaved child. But all those *other* parents, well...
Why not suggest that fine dining places start doing take out, then you could eat with your child in the comfort of your own home? Still enjoy the food at least and save the cost of a babysitter.
Spousal Cooking: Am I a bad person?
@ mince: How funny to think that a man who enjoys his bedroom wife is obviously not being faithful! Methinks there is more to the story--your story I mean. ;) He is deliriously happy with his choice to have a bedroom and not a kitchen wife.
Neither me nor my partner cooks, so we eat about 98% of our meals out. We do love to enjoy looking at food porn together, however. (I hope he's not sneaking around on me looking at Robyn Lee's site all by himself!! :)
Spousal Cooking: Am I a bad person?
I have a wonderful friend who has almost never, in 30 years of a fabulous marriage, cooked for her husband. She says there are two kinds of wives, "kitchen wives" and "bedroom wives." She is not a kitchen wife. And yet, he is still a very, very happy man. Go figure!
SPAM spam SPAM spam SPAM.... what to do?
Spam on white bread with mustard (iceberg lettuce optional) is a childhood favorite. Spam and eggs are classic.
I adore spam, always will--and I haven't tasted it in probably twenty or more years.
I preserved Meyer Lemons... now what?!
Salted lemonaid. Seriously. Absolutely glorious stuff.
Sugar Rush: Sun Mary Bakery’s Steroidal Chocolate Cream Puff
The filling looks vaguely tuna mayo-ish, no?
Cooking with Kids: Scrambled Egg Smackdown with Tyler Florence
Oh, thank you, gschaefer, for being a science geek, too. That quote also bugged me.
Now if only there was time enough in the day to debunk the myth that salmonella is only found on the outside surface of the egg's shell!
Pumpkin as a substitute
I've always substituted pumpkin straight up 1:1 for butter in cakes & cupcakes. It is a bit gummy, but I actually like that. Never tried with banana bread, but I imagine it will be excellent.
Oral Surgery - What the heck do I eat?
I had gumbo sans rice after having all my wisdom teeth extracted (at the ripe old age of 27). I recommend it very highly. Less appetizing was the baby food and canned o-shaped pasta in sauce that I also sucked down.
(The oral surgery meds are all fun and games until you put a couple of doses too close together and end up with a toilet as your best friend. Not pretty.)
Cannibalism
If my plane crashed in the Andes? I'd probably eat my fellow passengers before the little packets of pretzels and peanuts ran out.
In other words: Yeah, why not try it?
Food jokes and parody: 5th grade boys seem to excel at this
It's only tangentially food related, but my elementary school-aged niece once chanted, "Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater, spit the seeds out of his peter." And I laughed and asked her if she knew what a peter was and she very sheepishly admitted that she did. When I asked her where she learned it, she said, "At school. All the kids say it."
Chef Tell -- does anyone remember him?
Oh, Chef Tell! Loved him. He was pure corn. So corny. Like the Italian Martin Yan, no?
Blogwatch: Chocolate Pasta
A friend once excitedly cooked chocolate pasta for the first time for a dinner party, oh, I guess about fifteen or seventeen years ago. She was in the catering business and we expected great things. How was it? Absolutely vile. We pitched it and sent out for pizza.
Condiments hate them or love them?
Was it Dorothy Parker who said that people west of the Allegheny ate nothing but ketchup? Well, she was right. I go through a bottle of ketchup each week. I put it on broccoli and it's like sweet, sweet candy.
Pantry 'Ghosts': Do You Have Them?
A can of jackfruit in syrup.
A can of hearts of palm.
A can of vanilla frosting. (The shame!)
Cream of mushroom soup and a can of corn from a bout of tounge-in-cheek "hot dish" offerings.
Even a food kitchen wouldn't take this stuff methinks.
Horse, Anyone?
Actually, you can find horse in izakaya in Tokyo. And whale. And if you do find either one, pass.
Engrish.com Saying as a Little Golden Book Illustration
I'm guessing this is the bedtime story that Billy Ray read to Miley Cyrus when she was little.
"Engrish" is not racist?
On Banning Photography from Restaurants
I just got back from Corton. The website asks guests to refrain from using flash photography and cell phones. I accept that gladly. You quote Drew here as saying,
"No, we're not going to stop people from taking photos," Nieporent said. "We'd just like people to be considerate of the other people in the restaurant.""
So why, when I entered, was I told that no photography was permitted. I asked nicely and was told, "no". The host asked the chef and reiterated that it was not permissible. I explained that I would not use a flash. I explained that I would not use the photos online nor for any commercial purposes. Still, my request was refused. I feel lied to based on the website only saying that "flash photography" was not permitted and also the quote here from Drew. So Drew, why is this?
The food at Corton was good but, just like Momofuku Ko, I won't be back. I see no reason to reward restaurants who don't consider my desire for a permanent memory, valid. They can make any policies they like but I still get to chose where I dine. I also chose to deal with people who advertise honestly. Drew said that, "we're not going to stop people" but that is just what they did. That to me is deceptive.
In the interest of full disclosure, the host did comp a round of drinks for us because of this. Still, it, (please, please, pardon the pun, leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
Michelle Obama to Deep-Fry on Paula Deen Show
I was hugely disappointed Michelle Obama would be on Paula Deen's how no one should cook show. Was she sending a message to Americans that fried, battered foods are good for you? I would expect the first lady to set an example of healthy, nutritious food preparation. I can't express how disappointed I am. I know I am being redundant, but I just can't believe she would choose Paula Deen of all the shows on the food network. Absolutely, the worst!
Grocery bagging violations
I live in the UK, where you bag your own groceries. We use our own heavy bags rather than disposable ones. Why not pack your own? It's not like you have crucial work to perform while being checked out.
Grocery bagging violations
Rubbed, perky and ready to grill!
Grocery bagging violations
But when are they getting their much-deserved rub down? And tell me you insured that your rub was environmentally friendly, containing no fragments of plastic bags. Nothing disgusts me more...
Grocery bagging violations
She IS a nut Katie...but she's got a nice rack...of ribs.
Oral Surgery - What the heck do I eat?
i just got all four wisdom teeth taken out yesterday and i made a zucchini casserole without the cracker crust for supper last night. it was really good and surprisingly easy to eat without that gross mushy taste.. just make sure you bowl the squash/zucchini nice and soft don't over cook it in the oven. the more cheese, the better!
tonight for dinner i'm planning on making either hamburger pie (hamburger, mashed potatoes, green beans, etc.) with really finely ground hamburger or a bubble up pizza, which is a pizza made with soft thick bread and tons of cheese. if either one doesn't work i'll let you know, but so far i'm definately not stuck with soup and jello and the only thing that's been painful to eat was mint chocolate chip ice cream. you just gotta do a little research. : ]
get better soon everybody!
victoriaa.
What are your coffee shop expectations?
Hi Vicki..I am an Iowa girl. but have lived in the Southwest a long time..so glad to hear that you are located there:) It is so beautiful in Iowa inJune and July...minus the humidity of course!! I grew up outside of Dubuque-You?
Here's an update for you-for some reason the food issue lessened a bit when I wrote "No Outside Food Please" on the large whiteboard sign at the entrance of our cafe. We have had signs on each table since we opened 3 years ago but find that folks ignore them...see last posting, right?!
Anyway, we have no walls separating us from the rest of the library..oh how we wish we did. So it seems that while the Library staff here (who are valued regular customers and truly wonderful folks) support our no food policy, they allow or overlook food and drinks in other Library areas. Hard to draw a line on the floor and say "See? This is the Library and THIS is the cafe..Food is okay here but not over THERE." And there is our food dilemma-even with Library support.
Also, to make our lives more interesting, the Library is under renovation for the next year...80 computers were available and now that is down to 30...and 2 of these 30 sit in the cafe. Again, the way we are constructed means that people waiting for these 2 computers (reserved at the reference desk) sit at our tables and do not purchase any cafe items.
Then, our safe is far away from my office where I do the money managing everyday...I now have to make my way thru these folks carrying the money bags...imagine how secure that feels.
The lady in the office next to mine is a grant writer and organizes the use of our large meeting room. Oftentimes, she is on a teleconference or hosting a "webinar". Throngs of people outside our offices waiting for their computer times are NOT conducive to business. Because you know Mr. Youtube and his teenage buddies are all using the same computer and commenting or playing the latest rap video without considering the others around them. Also, people walk into our offices (Labeled STAFF ONLY!!!) looking for the printers tied to these 2 computers.
I was told today that these 2 computers would be removed from the Cafe-hooray-can't happen soon enough. So, one difficulty down...just the food and messy people to go! Hope you are hanging in there! Have a great weekend-Julie
On Banning Photography from Restaurants
I feel shy about taking pictures of food (I don't know why, but I feel like some sort of freak, the only person on the planet to do this, which is obviously nonsense), and only do so occasionally, but as long as other patrons are being strictly omitted from the images, and a flash isn't used, I don't think this is a problem. True, food is meant to be eaten, but sometimes it is also so impressive visually, I want to show a few friends, and I'll take a shot. I usually only move myself or the dish I'm shooting in order to ensure that other diners aren't in the shot. As long taking a picture or two is a brief, low-key incident, it seems fine.
It seems strange that any restaurant would ban even the taking of photos of the diners at one's own table, as this has been a longstanding tradition, and I can remember seeing this done even when I was a small child (in excellent restaurants), by people celebrating some special event; the waiter was often included in the shot. And let's not forget all those photos of dinners at all classes of restaurants that go back as far as the existence of the SLR camera, at least
On the other hand, use of the terms 'food porn' and 'foodie' should be punishable by law ;)
What are your coffee shop expectations?
Julie,
Sorry it's taken so long to post here!
I had a meeting with our library board and they are in total support of our coffee shop.
They are also understanding of the public's desire to have a place at the library for family eating.
While they had planned for folks to come to the library and buy items from the cafe and eat or drink at the available tables, they did not plan for people bringing their own food. Since this is a public library they would like to accommodate their patrons.
I think they have decided to amend our lease, with no extra cost to us, to include the 6 tables in the entryway. The four tables outside are to be for public use.
This really works for me as I figure the outside tables are least profitable. Here in Iowa they are not used at all during winter and later this summer it will be to hot to sit outside. The tables are metal. I have also stopped maintaining those tables to discourage people from using them! Since they are not part of the lease I feel it's not my responsibility to clean off the bird poop, except for my customers who want to use them, of course!
I highly recommend you meet with your foundation people, they support your shop, yes? and find out what their expectations are for your space. Let them know how detrimental to your business the practice of customers bringing food and beverage into your coffee shop. I know you said you chase them to outside tables, that is good and you must continue to do this. I would encourage you to put signage on your tables letting people know which tables are for coffee shop use exclusively (with the support of the library) and which can be used for the public (hopefully none of them) and be very vocal about enforcing this decision.
I personally told a lady unloading her fast food onto a table the other day that she needed to take it outside. She replied that it was raining (it wasn't!) so I told her she needed to take it inside and she did. I let her know those are my tables and to move on!
Yes the table had signage that said tables reserved for our customers!
Once you let people take over your space they will continue to do so. Most customers appreciate the signs and feel people bringing food in are rude.
Get the support of your library and enforce it!
By the by, I spoke with another library coffee shop and they pay a bit less rent that I do but they only rent the counter and the space behind it so the serving portion of the shop is library property but they still maintain it and ask people to leave if they are busy. They said while they allow people to bring in food and drink it is rare and they really hate it when people leave their trash to be cleaned up! Can you imagine?
Look forward to hearing how you're doing
Vicki
Costco Will Accept Food Stamps at Two NYC Locations
quit badgering jerzee, you can't argue with someone that thinks shopping at costco is a "luxury experience".
Costco Will Accept Food Stamps at Two NYC Locations
I have to say, I am a little concerned (OK appalled) at the comments on this site. Here we are in the 21st century and people sound like they've been living in caves for the last millennium..."food stamp people?"
Anywho, I think everyone has the right to an opinion and if you don't think Costco should accept food stamps, that's fine. But a few clarifying qualifiers: a) people receiving food stamps are taxpayers, too; b) Costco is a membership-based entity - not luxury; i.e., if you can afford it, you can participate. If people can afford the membership, they should be permitted to pay with any monetary forms accepted by the company.
In my opinion, people should be able to shop wherever the food is the most healthy. Often markets and stores that are offering the most "bang for the buck" are also selling the most unhealthy products...which is probably why many of you aren't shopping there.
There are so many implications (and assumptions) being made about things with which many of you are obviously unfamiliar and unaware. Again, we are all entitled to our opinions, I just think that we should be careful to remember that our opinions are shaped by our thoughts, which define our actions; which define our character...stop me if you've heard this before.
Janaatwg, I am also a very spiritual person and I agree with you. I think there are definitely some things that need to be changed about the system, and I think to do that there must first be some changes in the way we perceive the system and those supported by it. This means we have to educate those making the decisions, and based on what I've read so far that would be people like those on this board who have "made it," and don't understand why everyone else can't just get it together and do it too.
I pray that those of you who are sitting high now never fall lest your need the very services you contest. And to those of you struggling, I pray it will soon be over.
Costco Will Accept Food Stamps at Two NYC Locations
I am the product of a Southern Baptist and a Quaker, so you might imagine that I did indeed move to the middle of the pack. I don't like being taken advantage of in any way by anyone, but it happens and how I act in the face of it is how I can hope to be treated down the line. I don't understand this "I got mine, now you get your own" attitude that I have encountered on ocassion in recent years. I don't know how spiritual anyone on this thread is, but the stronger of us have been given the task of helping the 'lesser' of us when we can.
I am in Penna. and our WIC (Women-Infants &Children) program provide coupons for good, nutritious foods-peanut butter, dried beans, milk, cheese and even fresh fruits and vegetables. There is even an approved list for the cereals one can purchase.
What I object to where food stamps are concerned is that a box of Fruit Loops or Lucky Charms is acceptable, but not a bar of soap for cleansing. Maybe a little education along with the stamps would go a long way at swallowing that pill that sticks for some. Not everyone would get the education offered on cooking and nutrition, but it could help others.
God Bless to all of you who are struggling.
Costco Will Accept Food Stamps at Two NYC Locations
It really upsets me when I hear ignorance! Due to the economic crisis I was laid off and my husband's employer also began to do cut backs. I ran a maintenance company and my husband works at a nursing home. My husband's hours were cut and in a matter of a few weeks our entire lives were flipped upside down. Our family of four was in great need of assistance. My husband and I worked our behinds off to get the things that we have and yes we are a frugal family. Watching what we spend and making sure that our needs are met at a reasonable price. We were referred to the public assistance office. It was embarrassing that after working for so many years to have to ask for assistance. We pay our taxes and continue to be a working family but we just can't make it on our own for right now. The image that you have of people that are on food stamps is one of fantasy. Yes there are people that take advantage of the help that is out there and because of those "bad apples" people that are truly in need of assistance are looked down upon. In this time of economic crisis you had better appreciate that you are in a comfortable place! For the rest of us we had to face reality in the blink of an eye. It is not fair to any of us to have to support a family that does not belong to us but, there are just some circumstances that are beyond our control. Costco is not a store completely full of "luxury items". A frugal family of four such as ourselves appreciates buying in bulk and trying to save some money in the process. If you look at it in a different light you will be able to see that if we "food stamp people" can save money then you wont have to support "us" and "our families". So which would you prefer? Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and I respect that, but don't judge if you don't know the situation. How would you feel if the shoe was on the other foot? If it was your family that was put in this situation. Would you appreciate the comments that are posted on this thread? I teach my children to appreciate what they have, just because you have a little more than someone doesn't make you a better person. God Bless!
Costco Will Accept Food Stamps at Two NYC Locations
After perkymacs story I think we should all thank our lucky stars . I guess it could have been worse he could have attended The University of Iowa .
Costco Will Accept Food Stamps at Two NYC Locations
Sounds like someone doesn't want her "luxury based shopping experience" to get all mucked up by the "food stamp people". (That's not an assumption either, I gathered this much from the comment, "I am not for extending my exlcusive membership shopping to the those less fortunate.")
BTW, I always think, "Wow. Luxury." when I pass the samples of the canned chicken and hot sauce served in paper cups at Costco.
Costco Will Accept Food Stamps at Two NYC Locations
If a person uses food stamps to buy staple items like rice, beans, flour and cooking oil in bulk at Costco, I applaud them. However, I myself cannot resist temptation and rarely leave Costco with only the few items I had in mind when I entered. It seems inevitable that people will waste food stamps on more luxurious items available in Costco.
What the government really should do is eliminate food stamps and just hand out food--rice, beans, flour, cooking oil, fresh vegetables, eggs, milk--along with some education on how to cook nutritionally and frugally. I live in a mixed economic area, and I see far too many people using food stamps to buy frozen dinners and desserts, which are poor choices both nutritionally and economically.
Breaking: More Obama Burgers; Orders Lunch from Five Guys
but i don't hold it against barry
Breaking: More Obama Burgers; Orders Lunch from Five Guys
not to be judgmental or anything but working in restaurants i noticed that IDIOTS order their burgers well done.
Breaking: More Obama Burgers; Orders Lunch from Five Guys
I am LOVING all the Five Guys Love from the Obama's.
If you'll excuse some overthinking on my behalf, is it possible that the Obama's love of Five Guys is in keeping with some good food politics? I don' t know about how they source their meat, but you always know the exact location of the fresh potatoes the use for their fries.
Costco Will Accept Food Stamps at Two NYC Locations
Hmm its nice too see this issue creating opinions. I have lived on both worlds. I was raised by a poor mom who definately took advantage of the food stamp program. There where times we went to bed hungry because there wasnt enough food. Then I grew up and became a tax payer became a mom and then a single mom and I soon found myself needing help. I am a teacher I love teaching and helping raise beatiful, smart children and too live in almost the same circumstances as my students.
Its really humbling too find yourself standing in the same line as the parent of one of your students or even going to the super market and taking out your ebt card.
The look I get is not of pity or dislike but rather "I know!"
I am a teacher, a mother a student, I pay my taxes and yet I cannot afford to feed my family, pay rent and all sorts of other bills. I am soooo looking forward to having Costco accept Food stamps. It will give me more of the daily staples I use at a better or even cheaper price. Its not a luxury to be able to provide your family more food at a cheaper rate even if it costs an iinitial $50 to get it going. Its more expensive shopping at the corner grocery.
Costco Will Accept Food Stamps at Two NYC Locations
@judithuk - my mistake, I double checked. It's actually BJ's that accepts manufacturer coupons. Sorry for the misinformation!
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I'm all for Costco taking food stamps. One of my high school teachers received food stamps because he could not make enough money to raise his family on a TEACHER'S salary. Would I begrudge him a Costco membership or the ability to pay for his groceries with food stamps? No.
My niece is nineteen, a single mom, goes to nursing school, WORKS part time, and receives food stamps. If she asked me to pay for a costco membership for her, I would.
But since Costcos in our state don't take food stamps, it's a moot point.
I'm with you, pumpkinbear. The way hateful words are sometimes slung around these boards smacks of the ubiquitous cowardice that the internet allows those who clearly lack empathy and who have nothing more substantial to offer than their prejudices.