Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 505

April 2, 2012: The Supermovie of the Week Club reconvenes! Cookie Monster reviews The Punisher (1989)!

Monster really looking forward to not seeing dis movie.  So looking forward, in fakt, dat me make planz to visit Wildwood New Jerzey for jellyfish mating seazon instead. Joe accuze monster of not trying hard enuf to find movie, but iz not true.  Me look everywhere for it!  Even check out speshulty video store dat have hard-to-find moviez NOBODY want to see like Howard de Duck, Showgirlz, and Tree of Life (Trip not total loss.  Me reserve advance copy of John Carter of Marz).  No dice.  Or Punisher.  So monster decide to take week off.  Me shopping for new flip flops (me got fungal infektion after lending last pair to Grover for his trip to Iziba) when get call from Joe.  He have not good newz!  Blog reader, kymm, find copy of Punisher for me. So instead of Wildwood trip, monster stay at home to do movie review.  Biggest trajedy is jellyfish.  How dey supposed to have seks witout people watching dem?

Punisher movie start off wit opening credit sekwence dat remind monster of Kwentin Tarantino parody of cheezy late 80′s action movie opening credit sekwence. So far, so good.  But den producerz get greedy and decide to release rest of movie.

Headbreak Hotel

Movie start wit mob boss going home after being akwitted of murdering family of cop.  Turn out dat cop very angry.  He now go by new name, Punisher, becuz dat what he do now: punish bad guyz dat commit crimez, punish screenwriter by butchering his dialog, punish viewerz by making dem sit thru his scenez.  Dolf Lundgrim play Punisher as cross between comic book charakter, Elvis, and not very good aktor wit shoe polish 5 o clock shadow.  But, boy, he kick some ass!

Hello, God. It me, Punisher.

He kill gangster, den go back home, aka de sewerz, where he strip down, oil up, and chat wit God about life and current affairz.  Punisher have only one friend = homeless stage aktor who quote Shakespeare and, sadly, miss some great opportunitiez to die.  He also have former friend and police partner, Iron Eagle, who trying to help him with plot-forwarding-cliche-computer-ekspert-female-cop-Sam.

Alas, poor York, I knew him Horshack. A fellow of infinite jest, excellent fancy pantz, and dislocated shoulderz.

New mob boss come to town and try to unite gangsterz.  But dey threatened by Yakuza boss Lady Tanaka who wear pinky thimble like 50 Cent used to back when he more street.  She also have crazy adopted blond daughter dat make good argument for old timey orfanages.  Lady Tanaka kidnap gangsterz kidz to get dem to cooperate – but kill gangsterz anyway AND sell de kidz into slavery.  She be one col' azz mofo!

Punisher crash club dat look like bad 80′s rock video (Old rich-looking white guy? Check!  Guy wit turban wit a blond on each arm?  Check!  Half-dressed super-muscular woman on stage?  Check!  Hey!  Where Dee Snyder?!).  He shoot up amuzement park and get captured and tortured.  But he tuff and full of witty one-linerz.    He eskape and reskue kidz, load dem on bus and drive away.  Bad guyz try to stop him by shooting at bus, but no one have bright idea to shoot out tirez. Punisher get away, spot police road block, speed up toward it AND…stop.  Ha!  Fooled ya!  Police not amuzed.  He arrested.

BUT he freed by new mob boss who need his help to save his son, only kid dat still wit Lady Tanaka!  Marvel Super Villain Team Up!  Eksellsior!!!

Dey take elevator up.  Shoot up room full of guyz wit swords.  Hobo Hamlet killz de elektricity and switch mood lighting to looorid red.  For some reazon.

Like Saturday night at Grover love shack.

Punisher fight crazy blond adopted daughter.  And snap her neck.

Take dat, bitch!

Not so fast, Punisher-san.

Halfway thru movie, producerz realize Lady Tanaka not quite stereotypikal enuf Japanese villain so dey dress her up like geisha for final fight.  Ah.  Much better.  She threaten to kill boy.  Punisher kill her wit knife to de head.  Den gangster boss try to kill Punisher.  But Punisher kill him first.  Den son want to kill Punisher.  But he not have de stones.  Son upset but, hey, whatyagonnado?

Verdikt: Plot aktually not bad.  But monster can't say same for Dolf Lundgrim.

Rating: 5 out of 10 chocolate chippee cookies.

Pleaze diskuss.

Tagged: Cookie Monster, Cookie Monster Movie Review, Cookie Monster reviews The Punisher (1989), SuperMovie of the Week Club, The Punisher (1989)

April 1, 2012: Remembering Maximus

Today would have been Maximus's twelfth birthday.  I'd like to dedicate today's entry to his memory and offer up some of my favorite photos of my boy, "the handsome one".

Tagged: pugs

March 31, 2012: They're killing your pet. And you could be next!

I've been reading Marion Nestle's Pet Food Politics, a book that details the mass 2007 tainted pet food recall and its far-reaching implications.  For those of you who don't know, back in 2007, cats and dogs started dying under mysterious circumstances.  Panicked pet owners contacted the FDA which, in turn, contacted pet food companies.  Ensuing tests discovered the presence of melamine (used as a fire retardant, fertilizer, and in industrial plastics) and cyanuric acid (a chlorine stabilizer) in their products, two chemicals that, when combined, can result in kidney failure.  Further investigation revealed that their presence in the pet food was clearly not an oversight or mistake on the part of Chinese suppliers.   Melamine and cyanuric acid, it turns out, are added to animal feed by unscrupulous suppliers because they make the feed appear as though it contains high amounts of protein. In the case of the pet food ingredient coming in from China, wheat gluten was the culprit.

The book offers a fascinating and incredibly troubling overview of the scandal, the fall-out, and the possibility that it could happen again because there are no proper safeguards in place to protect our pets – and, apparently, the human food supply. Among the surprising revelations in Nestle's book is the fact that some of that tainted wheat gluten found its way into animal feed – chickens, pigs, and fish destined for dinner tables.

It may also interest you to know…

- Menu Foods, the company at the heart of the largest pet food recall in history (60 millions cans), manufactured pet food for 17 of the top 20 North American retailers. From cheap Walmart brands to high-end premium labels like Iams and Eukanuba, "they were all lumped together in one recall, all made at exactly the same place, all with virtually identical ingredients, and all made by one manufacturer." (Pet Food Politics, Marion Nestle – P. 14).  Menu Foods is criticized for waiting so long to issue a recall (about a month after the first reported cat deaths) and there is the implication that they would have waited even longer had their best customer, Proctor & Gamble, not forced their hand.  Menu Foods  was bought out by Simmons Pet Food in August 2010.

- Menu Foods had bought the contaminated wheat gluten from a company called ChemNutra, a Nevada-based importer of food, animal feed, and pharmaceuticals that has described itself as "The China-Source Experts".  The wheat gluten it sold to Menu Foods had come from a Chinese manufacturer, Xuzhou Anying Biologic Technology Development, that denied any knowledge of how the melamine got into the food and even denied shipping wheat gluten to the U.S.  However, a truck driver interviewed by a New York Times reporter revealed the company had a factory that made wheat gluten, a factory that was, suspiciously, shut down since the scandal broke.  There are suggestions the company ran a shipping scam, exporting the wheat gluten through another company (Suzhou Textiles Silk Light Industrial Products Arts and Crafts Import and Export Company) to bypass Chinese food inspection.

- The Chinese government shut down the companies associated with the scandal and detained its managers.  Neither, it seems, faced any criminal prosecution. Zheng Xiaoyu, the former head of the state food and drug administration didn't fare as well. He was accused of accepting $800 000 in bribes for drug approvals and subsequently executed.

- From 2006 to 2007, China was the largest supplier of food additives to the U.S. More than 50% of U.S. apple imports originated from China, 21% of seafood imports, and 24% of animal food products.

- The FDA is surprisingly ineffectual.  It doesn't have the power to issue recalls of harmful foods, only suggest voluntary recalls.  They are underfunded, receiving 20% of budgetary support to the USDA's 80% (even though the FDA is responsible for monitoring the safety of 80% of the food supply as opposed to the USDA's 20%). They are also undermanned.  In 2007, they were able to inspect only about 1% of the 25 000 daily food imports.  Of the 20 000 food products that came in from China in 2006, they were only able to inspect roughly 2%. (Pet Food Politics by Marion Nestle – PP. 146-147).

- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is even less inclined to get involved in matters relating to the health and safety of our pets.  According to a spokesperson for the CFIA, Canada doesn't regulate pet food  because "We're the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.  We deal with food – and food is for humans." (Pet Food Politics by Marion Nestle – P. 158).

Which brings us to this week when I noticed Jelly was feeling under the weather, vomiting and drinking excessive amounts of water.  I brought her to the vet who checked her out and sent her home with some meds.  She was on the road to recovery when Bubba fell ill, exhibiting the same symptoms.  Was it mere coincidence that we had picked up a bunch of new treats for them earlier in the week?

According to the labels I checked, the products were made in North America – but that's small solace given that there's a difference between being made in North America with North America ingredients and being made in North America with ingredients from China, a distinction that is lost on some companies.  Add to this the fact that a couple of the pet food companies caught up in the recalls claimed to have no knowledge that some of their ingredients were sourced from China, and I'm erring on the side of caution.  The treats went into the trash.  At which point I turned my attention to the dog food I've been buying – Royal Canin and Hills both of which, it turns out, were part of the mass recall back in 2007.  Yesterday, I contacted both companies and asked them whether the ingredients in any of their products originate from China.  I've yet to hear back but will report their responses when I do.

While I was doing a little online research for this entry, I learned of another ongoing pet food issue.  Dogs are getting sick (600 reported cases including my sister's husky, Aspen) and all fingers point to chicken jerky treats from China, but no recall has been issued because, according to the FDA, "a definitive cause has not been determined".  Still, that hasn't stopped the FDA from linking three products to the recent problems:  Waggin' Train Chicken Jerky, Canyon Creek Ranch Chicken Jerky and Milo's Kitchen Home-Style Dog Treats, the first two made by the Nestle Purina Pet Care Company and the latter made by the Del Monte Corporation.

Back in July 2011, when first approached about the possibility that it's product may be making dogs sick, Waggin' Train responded: "…In 2007, the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a notice regarding dog illnesses, but was unable to determine a definitive cause of the illnesses or a direct link to chicken jerky products. To date, extensive testing performed by the FDA has not uncovered a contaminant or specific ingredient as the cause of any illness, including in Waggin' Train treats. It is widely accepted that any association between dog illnesses and chicken jerky is likely the result of dogs (primarily small dogs) consuming treats in excess of normal or recommended levels. Chicken jerky products should not be substituted for a balanced diet and are intended to be used occasionally, in small quantities. Consumers should read and follow the feeding guidelines found on Waggin' Train packages."  In other words: "It's not OUR fault.  It's YOUR fault."

Doubt it.

The attitude of the FDA, the CFIA, the government, and these pet food companies is maddening.  They say they care about the health of our pets but actions speak louder than words.  I don't trust any of them.  And, after reading Pet Food Politics, you may have reservations as well – when it comes to not only pet food safety, but the safety of the food you eat as well.

So, what can be done?  Well, you can start by getting involved, making some noise, writing your government and these pet food manufacturers to let them know you're worried and want to know what they're doing to address your concerns.

Educate yourself on your food sources.  Buy local as much as possible for both yourself and your pet.

And, if you can, start cooking for your pet.  Today, I'm picking up some chicken, beef, and veggies for the gang.  Will they be safer?  Probably?  Will they be happier? Definitely.

Tagged: chicken jerky treats, chicken jerky treats from China, Dogs, Marion Nestle, melamine, Menu Foods, Pet Food Politics, pet food recall

March 30, 2012: Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! And chocolate.

So I was in bed last night, dreaming about the end of the world (don't recall the details but I do remember we only got a days advance warning – fairly typical of the government), when I was awakened by the sound of something hitting the floor - kerplunk!  I sat up, assuming it had come from downstairs, glanced over at Akemi first, still fast asleep, and then at the dogs – both snoozing comfortably. Both?  Where was Jelly?  At which point I realized the old gal was on the floor, scrambling to right herself.  I'm not sure if she'd been sleepwalking or simply misjudged a rollover but it marked the first time she had fallen off the bed.  I hopped out, scooped her up, and deposited her back onto the pillow beside me, seemingly none the worse for wear.  By morning, she seemed to have put the incident behind her.  I think she was embarrassed and just didn't want to talk about it.

FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!  FIGHT!

I received an email from Cookie Monster, this blog' resident film critic, complaining about the fact that he's been unable to track down a copy of The Punisher (1990) for this Monday's Supermovie of the Month Club meeting.  Apparently, it's unavailable for download on iTunes and the only copy at his local video store was rented out some time last year by Grover and never returned (along with The Last Boy Scout, and Lady Chatterly's Lover).  I suggested he give it to the end the day and then switch gears to those lovable Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1980) although I would feel a little letdown missing out on the always entertaining Dolph Lundgren.  I'm heading downtown today to see if I can locate a second-hand dvd I can overnight to Sesame Street.  Wish me luck!

The other day, Akemi put her Pierre Marcolini Cafe experience to good use.  No, she didn't wipe down tables or serve me Earl Grey tea.  She made truffles!

Akemi presents her truffles.

Dark chocolate, mascarpone, dark rum, brown sugar, crushed almonds and macadamia nuts.

Good timing. Love chocolate? That may be good news for your waistline  I can feel the pounds melting away!

March 29, 2012: In Japan, the dogs go "waan waan", the cats go "nyan nyan", and the sheep go "meeeeeeeeh"!

1) bi shyo bi shyo, 2) ku te'n ku te'n, and 3) gu su ri - Or, in English: 1) being wet, 2) drunken sway, and 3) deep sleep.

Since returning from Tokyo in early February, I've set aside about an hour every day to study hiragana and katakana, two of Japan's syllable-based writing systems.  Each contain about 48 characters, some frustratingly similar in appearance (like many of you, I occasionally have trouble distinguishing between シ and ッ,or ザ and せ), others so downright bizarre you would think they were created with the express purpose of annoying you (Yes, を, I'm talking about you).  Still, in the long run they're a lot easier to master than kanji, the system of Chinese-based pictograms that number anywhere between 5000 to 10 000.  I have to wonder what a kanji keyboard would look like. Incredibly confusing is my guess.

Anyway, all things considered, 96 or so symbols isn't too tall a task (although I much prefer the relatively simply 26 alphabet system I've been operating under for most of my life) and I think I've done a pretty good job of learning them.  But learning to spell and sound out the words is only half the battle.  Actually figuring out what the words mean is another matter entirely, one that has proven fairly daunting – especially when it comes to sound effects.

ga ra ga ra (gargling, as opposed to gu chu gu chu which is swishing the water around in your mouth before spitting - which is pe by the way).
bo - oooo (staring out vacantly)
bu tsu bu tsu (sound of a pimple)
ko'n ko'n (clearing one's throat)

The other day, I was reading my study manga when I stopped to sound out a word.  I was stymied.  Akemi informed me it wasn't a word but a sound effect – in this case, the sound made when one picks up something very light.  Yep, there's a specific sound for that in Japanese.  There's also a specific sound someone makes to convey the sense of anxious/impatient waiting (so wa so wa), the sound of billowing smoke (mo ku mo ku), the sound of someone napping (su ya su ya) and the sound of paper being torn (bi ri bi ri bi ri).

The Japanese have about 2000 of these mimetic words (known as gitaigo and giongo), but you can apparently get by only knowing between 400-500.

Let me help get you started:

bi shi: the sound made when you stand up straight.

hiri hiri: the sound made by a painful burn.

chiku chiku: the sound made when someone jabs you lightly with something sharp like the corner of a piece of paper.

buooooon: the sound of a hair dryer.

ji ri ji ri: the sound of the sun's rays beating down on you on a hot summer's day.

pa ta pa ta: the sound made when you fan yourself or a bird flaps its wings.

gu cha: the sound made when you crush and empty beer/soda can.

pi ka pi ka: the sound made when you achieve some sort of enlightenment that results in a light from the heaven's shining down upon you.

gai ya gai ya: the sound of a lot of people talking.

bura bura: the sound made when someone wanders about.

ba sa: the sound made when you drop a stack of papers down on something.

shi yu: the sound made when a screen door slides open easily.

ga ra ga ra: the sound made when a screen door slides open with effort.

ko so ri: the sound made by someone sneaking about.

bo ki: the sound of a bone or chopstick breaking.

be shi: the sound of a slap.

bo ri bo ri: the sound made when you're eating a hard snack like a rice cracker.

And, by the way, in Japan, dogs don't woof or arf, they waan waan, cats don't meow they nyan nyan, sheep don't baaaa they meeeeeh, horses don't neigh they hi hiin, pigs don't oink they buu buu buu, and cows don't moooo they moooooow.  And snakes?  They sssssss of course.  What did you expect?

Finally - heto heto: in my case, the sound of being thoroughly exhausted after researching this blog entry.

Tagged: gitaigo and giongo, hiragana, Japanese, katakana, mimetic words

March 28, 2012: Shooting the horror trailer!

Former Stargate Special Features Producer Ivon Bartok is helming the trailer that will accompany my horror script when it eventually goes out.  He's been at it for weeks now – shooting, sourcing, editing.  The trailer, as envisioned, breaks down into five section (and subsequent sub-sections) and we've got two of four done.  Of course, depending on how things come along, we may not use every planned sequence so it's important to see how things cut together.  As Ivon has gone along, assembling the footage, I've offered him notes and we've bounced ideas back and forth.  I think it's looking great but the most challenging sequences await.  Ivon is still looking for the perfect location.

Welcome to set

The crew

Hey, it's that guy from Stargate!

On the script front, got some notes from Rob who readily admitted he's not a big fan of the genre (or sub-genre to be more precise since the horror category is fairly general).  I'm going to try to address them over the next couple of days and, ideally, get the script off to my agent(s) before the weekend.  And, after that, it'll be smooooooooooooth sailing!

Great feedback from our U.S. agent on Paul's pilot script.  Now it's just a matter of deciding when to go out with it.

Apparently, that's not the only decision in our not too distant future. Our agent asked Paul if we would be interested in staffing on an existing show.  Paul (who I suspect is going a little stir crazy at home) told him he'd be interested but couldn't speak on my behalf.  For my part, I'm…undecided.  And pretty damn comfortable working from home.  Accepting a staff position would mean moving to Los Angeles, something I'm not sure I'm prepared to do.  I suppose it would depend on the show.

Also today, Paul and I pitched out our vision for that horror television series.  The ball is in their court.

March 27, 2012: Pugs on the Beach!

With the warm(ish) weather upon us, I decided to treat the gang to a morning at the beach.  Coincidentally, the last Sunday of every month is Pugs at the Beach so it worked out perfectly – minus the biting wind and fact that only about a dozen pugs showed.

Bubba, impatient as always, couldn't wait to get out of the damn car and hit the sand -

Like I said – about a dozen pugs in all.  I'm sure that once the weather warms up, the turnout will be better.  Still, Jelly, Bubba, and Lulu didn't seem to mind -

Lulu charged around, harassing the big dogs and their sticks.

Bubba stuck close to Akemi and I. Big chicken.

Don't know this dogs name. I called her Bootsy.

In addition to harassing the other dogs, Lulu made it a point to sniff out ever bag and purse for treat, and then help herself to some loving by parking herself beside (and on top of) unwitting victims.

Jelly, despite being 13 and hobbled by bad hips, couldn't resist trying to get into the action whenever the big dogs tussled -

One of the big dog owners felt so bad for her that, after getting knocked down for the twelfth time, Jelly got a lift.

Ashleigh and James showed with their pug, L'Eau.  An seemingly endless parade of dogs approached Ashleigh to say hi – and pee near her.  Not quite sure what to make of that.

Lulu helps herself to Ashleigh's lap.

Bubba and Ashleigh = hot couple. James was soooooo jealous.

 L'Eau moved so quickly I could barely keep up with her -

Ashleigh and James, dressed for the weather - unlike Akemi who wore flip-flops and froze her toes.

Jelly is done and ready for the ride home. Right after getting a lift to the car.

Tagged: french bulldog, pugs

March 26, 2012: The Supermovie of the Week Club Reconvenes! Cookie Monster reviews Batman (1989)!

Finally, a supermovie dat not completely suck.  Only partz involving wet noodle main charakters, a butler who can't keep a sekret, and bad guyz dancing to Prince.

Movie star wit family lost in big city.  Dad say he know where dey going.  Yeh. Me know too.  Straight to Hell!  He lead dem down desserted alley where dey beaten and robbed. Tanks, dad!  But robberz not get far.  Batman make grand entrance like he Phantom of da Opera, ruff dem up, and call it a night.

It turn out cool, tough Batman really skinny lame Michael Keaton Bruce Wayne. Monster not like dis bit of casting.  Batman not all about de soot and bat shark repellent.  It about de man under de soot who aktually real hard and tough like Animal in his MMA dayz or Christian Bale yelling at direktor of photography.

Milktoasty is adjektive?

Love interest in movie not dat interesting at all.  Vicky Vale about as eggciting as bag of low calorie shortbread cookies.

Vicky Vale = de steamed halibut of Batman charakters

But dats okay becuz villain in movie make up for both boring charakters.  Jack start off as bad guy working for Curly Washburn but have affair wit girlfrend of boss and end up set up at chemikal plant.  Police arrive!  Den Commishuner Gordon arrive! Den Batman arrive!  Jack fall into vat of chemikals!  And nobody bodder to fish him out. Monster not sure know why not.  Mebbe it a union ting.  Anyway, when everyone leave, Jack crawl out of chemikal vat.  He transformed into…Joker!  Green hair!  Pancake make-up!  Way too much lipstick!  Scary?  Not really.  He just look like ladiez night regular at Sesame Street Pub.

Jack Nickelson tear it up on de golf course AND onscreen.

He consolidate power over udder crime lordz.  He kill dem with joy buzzerz and fedders.  He poison beauty and Hi Gene! produktz so dat everybody scared to use. Newscasterz end up looking like weekend Groverz.

When Joker start dancing to Prince, monster reddy to call it a movie.

Joker fantastik villain.  Very impressive.  Until he show up at muzeum and start dancing to Prince.  Prince?!  Twenty years ago mebbe dis seem like good idea.  Now, it just painful to watch.  Joker kidnap Vicky Vale.  Monster tink he could do better. Batman tink so too becuz he show up and take Vicky away in bitchin' Batmobile.

Sweet ride.

For some reazon, Bruce Wayne decide he in love wit Vicky after two dates.  He wrestle with wedder to tell her he Batman.  Den Joker show up at her apartment. Bruce Wayne dare him to shoot him.  But not in de head.  Only in de chest exaktly where he hide metal tray to deflekt bullet.  Joker shoot him.  Not in the de head. Only in de chest exaktly where Bruce hide metal tray to deflekt bullet.  Luckeeeeee! For some reazon, before he shoot Bruce, Joker say silly line.  He claim he always say dis silly line before he kill somebody.  Really?  He not say it any udder time in movie. Why important?  Turn out it lame plot device to remind Bruce of night his parentz killed – by man who use same line!  Yes!  Joker killed Bruce Waynez parentz! What a coinsidents!  A lame, lame coinsidents!

While Bruce being all mopey, Alfred bring Vicky into batcave.  What de Fudgeoo?  Old coot suddenly start giving tours of bat cave now witout permishun?  ("Over on right is bat computer where Batman, aka Bruce Wayne, search for bad guyz.  Over on left is Batmobile dat Batman, aka Bruce Wayne, drive around in.  And we walking.  We walking.  Say, did me mention Batman really Bruce Wayne?").  How dis idiot still have a job?!

Joker trow parade.  More dancing to Prince.  :(

Stoopid people rush to Joker for cash – and death.  But Batman arrive.

It's de Phantom - er - Batman!

Dis all lead to most unsatisfying final battle in movie history.  Batman in super batsuit vs. bad guys.  Batman beat dem all.  Yawn.  Joker try to fight him.  No match for super batsuit.  Yawn.

De most anti-cimactik climaks

Joker fall off building.  But not dead!  Manage to turn tablez on Batman and Vicky. He try to get away – but Batman murder him with batarang and handy gargoyle. Just as well for dis monster.  Me not like prospekt of possible sekwell wit Joker dancing to Sheila E. or Appolonia.

Verdikt: Monster appreciate any film dat me not have to take Zanax to sit thru!

Rating: 7 out of 10 chocolate chippee cookies.

Pleaze disckuss!

Today's entry is dedicated to anniefromfreemantle.  Condolences.

Tagged: Cookie Monster Movie Review, Cookie Monster reviews Batman (1989), SuperMovie of the Week Club

March 25, 2012: Last Dinner at Refuel!

This was the message that greeted diners on Refuel's final night of service last evening.  Akemi and I showed up for our 6:00 p.m. reservation to find the place packed.  We were greeted by the friendly staff, then welcomed by the ever-affable Katherine who informed us it would be a big curtain closer on account of the restaurant's many regulars who, liked myself, had booked one final blowout meal.  As a special thank you, Chef Jane and the staff had apparently prepared a few farewell surprises…

Like these cromesquis - deep-fried crunchy on the outside, a delicious foie gras liquid center hidden within. Refuel and Montreal's Au Pied de Cochon are the only places I've ever sampled these sinful little morsels.

Speaking of foie gras - an addition to the menu saw it pan-fried with sweet sun-dried Cascade tomatoes served atop a toasted brioche.

One of Akemi's all-time favorite dishes one last time: Lemon Herb Risotto with albacore tuna tartare.

I was torn between the ribeye and the crispy duck but ultimately opted for a special menu addition: the melt-in-your-mouth rolled confit pork belly rack accompanied by a potato puree and crispy Brussel sprouts. Unreal!

For dessert - as Akemi pointed out, what boy is going to say no to peanut butter, in this case, Refuel's signature Peanut & Chocolate Parfait with honeycomb and vanilla ice cream.

And that was that.  Our final meal at a place that had become my home away from home these past five years.  Akemi had only known it two (one of which we spent in Toronto) but was nevertheless upset by the fact that it had been taken out of our dining rotation.   She went through the three stages of Japanese grief -

Shock.

Boozing.

Disbelief and slightly buzzed.

I finally talked her down to acceptance.  But she wasn't happy about it.

Chef Jane doing what she does best.

Before leaving, I got two bottle's of the restaurant's best wine and gifted them as a goodbye gift to the staff and kitchen crew (minus my modest two glass cut).

Here's hoping our plates cross again in the not too distant future!

Tagged: Refuel restaurant

March 24, 2012: Dogs eating ice cream!

The sun is out, spring is in full bloom, and that can only mean one thing.  It's THAT time of year, time for…DOGS EATING ICE CREAM:

Tagged: dogs eating ice cream