Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 544

March 18, 2011: The Meal To End All Meals!

I remember when I first started watching Iron Chef (the original Japanese version), being mightily impressed with the creativity and effort that went into the various dishes.  I would sit back on my couch and envy the lucky judges who were granted the opportunity to sample the varied culinary masterpieces.  And I'd think: "Wouldn't it be great to be able to go to a restaurant that would serve up dishes that brazenly ingenious?".  Sure, I'd frequented restaurants that would offer the occasional intriguing menu item – braised ox-tails, chocolate-port reductions, and almond foams – but these delights were a rarity.

And then, one day, I happened across a place called Fuel.  And my prayers were answered.  Finally, a restaurant that served food that was not only inventive and adventurous but delicious as well! In no time, it became my home away from home.  In fact, back in the day, I ate more dinners at Fuel than I did in my own house.

Alas, times change.  I lost two of my longtime dinner companions and began to eat out less and less while Fuel reinvented itself, shifting effortlessly from fine dining to more casual dining. Rechristened Refuel, it didn't miss a beat, continuing to serve up creative, quality plates like no other restaurant in the city.

Over the course of my many, many meals at Fuel (and Refuel), I developed quite a relationship with the gang (co-owners Tom Doughty and Chef Robert Belcham, and the rest of the kitchen crew led by the incomparable Chef Ted).  I greatly appreciated their work in the kitchen, their willingness to be inventive with their cuisine, and they appreciated my appreciation, serving me some of the most amazing dishes I've ever had in ways I've never seen before and since outside of Fuel/Refuel.  I attended their first Whole Hog Dinner, was one of the first to sample their crispy duck confit, enjoyed a whole crispy confit pig's head served tableside, got to try one-time-only culinary marvels like shaved pig's with black truffles.  And, every year, since moving the venue out of my house, Fuel/Refuel has served as the location for my annual chocolate party, prepping and serving up some incredible multi-course meals for my 40+ guests before coordinating the chocolate rush.

Like I said – this place was my home away from home, and the people who worked there became my friends.  And so, when Tom learned I was leaving town for Toronto, he suggested I come by for one final blow-out meal.  The meal to end all meals!

Apparently, Tom, Chef Rob, Chef Ted, and the entire staff at Refuel spent weeks devising the menu, sourcing ingredients, and doing test runs in anticipation of the big night.  The results?

Without a doubt, it WAS – THE MEAL TO END ALL MEALS!  Let me tell you about it…

My dining companion on this special night was my fellow foodie (and fellow Refuel-enthusiast) Denise.  We arrived at 6:30 p.m. and were ushered over to one of the restaurant's big center tables that usually seats about eight.  Turns out, we would need all that extra room.

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Tom Doughty and his "You won't believe what we have in store for you" smile.

Chef Rob Belcham and HIS "Hope you're hungry!" grin.

Tom asked us if we wanted to start with a cocktail.  I elected to go with my favorite -

The Moscow Mule! And check it out! Served in a copper mug! To date, Refuel is the only establishment outside of Tokyo that serves it so!

As much as I enjoyed my drink, I was itching to get started.  And so, I gave Tom the signal.

And the culinary extravaganza began.  Dish #1: Acadian Caviar – traditional service – and blinis cooked tableside by Tom himself.

Chopped egg yolk, shallot, egg whites, chives, and creme fraiche. My preferred combination was the chopped egg whites and chives - both subtle enough not to overshadow the...

Acadian Caviar that was surprisingly good. Missed a little bit of the pop of, say, the Osetra, but possessed of a rich, almost nutty flavor. Great. Especially since it came with a show...

Tom make buckwheat blinis.

Et voila!

Tom broke out the fine dishes for this special night. They went all out for us!

Next up was Dish#2, a one bite…

Red Sea Urchin with giant radish, green chili, and lemon. The sweetness of a light syrup married beautifully with the natural sweetness of the sea urchin.

Tom and co. pulled out all the stops for this special evening including…

The fine cutlery.

Apparently from his personal family collection. Gorgeous, no?

Dish #3…

Weathervane Scallop 3 Ways: sashimi, crispy mantle, and "gomashio". The sashimi was sweet and delicate, a sign of absolute freshness. I discard the mantle when I eat scallop because it's usually too tough to eat but here, lightly fried, it was ethereal and utterly divine. I could have eaten a bowlful! And, finally, the gomashio, was the perfect capper to the trio - the coral/roe was rich and savory.

Dish #4…

Beetroot Veloute with lardo and thick cream. The thin layer of lardo was a transparent skin atop the cool, tasty veloute.

Dish #5…

Hot Spring Egg with dungeness crab and broccoli rabe. This was one of my favorites. The different elements of this dish came together beautifully. It's topped with a mind-blowing lobster brain foam.

Dish #6…

Ravioli alla Carbonara - with pig's brain...

And black truffle!

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Tom shaves.

A very generous topping! Earthy, aromatic, and toothsome.

Dish #7…

"Pushed" Foie Gras with toasted bread and maldon salt. The look and texture of ground beef tartare is achieved by passing the foie through a fine mesh (Tom named the implement but I don't recall what it is), lending it an even greater mouth-melting quality.

Dish #8…

Slow Roasted Steelhead Belly with aromatics and finger lime, cooked on a rock with steam bath. Without a doubt, the best smelling dish we were served - a heady mix of coriander, lemongrass, galangal, and holy basil. I've never tasted trout so good.

Dish #9…

Wild sturgeon...

With Sauce Chateau Chalon. The sturgeon was good, possessed of a firm, almost meat-like texture, but the real star here was the velvet, spoonworthy sauce.

Dish #10.  Okay, watching this one was a lot of fun…

Consomme Saignant (literally: Bleeding Consomme - Yes, you guessed one of the not-so-secret ingredents).

Nose to Tail Meatballs.

One of the most robust and intense cosommes I've enjoyed. Loved the meatballs.

Dish #11…

Paprikash-Stuffed Crispy Chicken Wing with creme fraiche. The wing was deboned and stuffed with an offal paprikash. Crispy chicken skin outsidel; delicious livers, hearts, and gizzard inside!

We enjoyed a glass of one of the only red wines I thoroughly enjoy…

A Three Barrel Merlot from the Montagu Cellars Winery.

And the owner of the Montagu Cellars Winery: Tom Doughty.

Next up was Dish #12:  The Lamb Neck "Kakuni" with oroshi daikon and foie gras.  The broth was poured tableside…

The neck was very tender, requiring only the slightest of nudges to come apart.  A perfect match to the daikon and foie.  Again, the broth was wonderfully flavorful.

Dish #13…

Beef Deckle Chop with BBQ sauce and white bread! Best BBQ ever!

We were slowing down, so Chef Rob came by to cheer us on. "EAT!!!"

Check out this luxuriantly marbled cap.

Dish #14…

Pierre Robert Cheese with soft herbs and crystalized textures. Some really nice taste and textural contrasts offered by the soft cheese, bread crumbs, hazelnuts, chives, parsley, and tarragon.

Dish #15…

Chocolate Consomme with Pistachio Sorbet. How the hell do you make chocolate consomme? I didn't get to find out but I'd love to know because even though it looks light, it was fairly bursting with intense chocolate richness. The pistachio sorbet was silky smooth and terrific.

Dish #16…

Chocolate Lollipop - white chocolate with liquid caramel. We were instructed to just pop it in our mouths and chew.

THIS was an impressive creation. The chocolate exterior was thin and melted instantly with the caramel liquid interior that was neither thick nor cloying but surprisingly refreshing!

Dish #17…

Peanut Butter Panna Cotta. My next favorite dessert ingredient after chocolate and pistachio = peanut butter. On this night, we covered all the bases in grand, delicious style!

Dish #18.  Well, let's let the pics and videos do the talking here.

They begin by clearing everything off the table. And I mean everything. I was even cautioned to clear off my cell phone. Then, this was set down.

An impressive array of ingredients were lined up, everything from chocolate mousse and syrup to honeycombed caramel.

Chef Ted, torch in hand, prepares to administer the coup de grace.

The results…

Tom admitted to having gotten carried away and cautioned us against pushing ourselves. Well, we didn't finish but we certainly put a dent in this piece of dessert art.

Dish #19…

More Dessert! Hand-crafted chocolates, nougats, macarons! AND a couple of giant macarons Denise brought along because, clearly, she assumed the gang would forget to serve dessert!

It was almost 10:30 p.m. by the time we finished.  That's a four hour 19-course culinary marathon!  And the pics, videos, and descriptions don't do it justice.  I can honestly say that I have never so thoroughly enjoyed a meal.

I can't think of a single thing that would have made it better.  Actually, one.  And they almost pulled it off.  Tom had arranged for my former culinary wingman, Martin Gero, to come down for the big event.  The plan was to surprise me by having him already seated when I walked in.  Apparently, Martin had gone as far as to book a ticket but, unfortunately, had to cancel at the last minute.  Still, what a great gesture.

And, finally, when I asked for the bill, this is what I received instead…

Seriously.  Leaving Vancouver?  What the hell am I doing?!

And finally…

The people that made it all possible (plus a few hiding in the back).

A huge thanks to everyone at Refuel.

I'm gonna miss you!

Tagged: Refuel restaurant

March 17, 2011: Gaaaaah!

A thoroughly exhausting day and it's far from over.  A little wrench thrown into my "two trips/two dogs in-cabin" plan.  "Little" as in nine inches, the approximate height of the seat I'm going to have to squeeze the dogs underneath for the duration of the 5 hours flight. Suddenly, that charter jet option is looking much more likely.

Last night, Denise and I went to Refuel where we were treated to one of the most memorable meals I've ever had.  I took so many pics and vids that it's going to take me two days to upload, so you'll have to wait until tomorrow for the tasty lowdown.

Been running around like crazy.  It's almost 11:00 p.m. and just got in.  Hung around long enough to see to the dogs, upload this blog entry (complete with yet another behind the scene pic), and now I'm off to the hospital to deal with this apparent throat infection.

Did I mention I'm exhausted?

Toronto ticks ever closer….

March 16, 2011: Some SGU behind-the-scenes action! Okay, gotta go!

As if coordinating the move and dealing with outstanding home issues isn't enough, yesterday one of the light indicators in my Q7 went off meaning I'm going to have to bring it in for a bulb change.  Not a big deal, but with 101 things already on my to-do list, making it 102 IS a little annoying.

And so, a short entry today as I address this and that, get my hair cut, and then head over to Fuel tonight for what will undoubtedly be THE Meal of 2011!  I know, I know.  Joel Robuchon and E by Jose Andres were pretty damn impressive, but the buzz leading up to this dinner has me very intrigued.  I'm expecting BIG things from the gang behind my annual chocolate party soirees and annual Whole Hog dinners.

No pressure, guys!

Anyway, just so you don't leave today's blog feeling like you've been ripped off (ie. "I came all the way over here to check out his blog and all I get is some complaint about a blown tail light!"), here's some behind-the-scenes action from an upcoming episode.

But first, a gentle reminder: Get your questions in for Ghosts of Manhattan author George Mann!

March 15, 2011: Things are picking up! Trailers! We we so excited! Stewie! And some Ghosts of Manhattan discussion!

Well, things are starting to pick up.  I've secured a car rental for the first couple of weeks I'll be in Toronto while I wait for my Q7 to be shipped over.  No house as of yet and since we're cutting it kind of close, I've decided to rent a pet-friendly condo while I'm hunting.  I've narrowed my search to two potential doggy daycares located fairly close to the production offices.  I finally got through to someone at Air Canada and informed them we would be traveling with two dogs.  I've also got a couple of candidates for next weekend's dog haul.  Finally, the writers' room on the new show is taking shape and chances are you'll recognize at least one familiar face -

Or two.

Hey, check out the new Conan the Barbarian trailer starring Stargate: Atlantis's own Jason Momoa.  Looks like he bulked up for the role.  Also, it's nice to see him put those sword skills SGA Stunt Coordinator James "Bam Bam" Bamford taught him to good use!

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While on the subject of Mr. Momoa, another one of his projects is headed to a t.v. screen near you.  And soon!  Game of Thrones (based on the uber-awesome book series by George R.R. Martin) premieres on HBO April 17th.

Also headed your way soon (Opening March 25th to be exact) is Sucker Punch!  I'm so hoping this turns out to be as good as it looks -

Also, last night, while perusing the latest news headlines on twitter, I made the mistake of checking out some of the trending topics, which brought me to the following music video.  You know how some stuff is so bad it's good?  Well this is so bad it's good and then slingshots back through bad to downright awful.

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"Yes-ter-day was Thurs-day.  Thurs-day.

To-day it is Frid-day.  Friday.

We we we so excited.

We so excited.

We gonna have a ball to-day.

Tomorrow is Saturday.

And Sunday comes afterwards…"

Seriously.  Her parents presumably help her with her math homework.  Would it have killed them lend out a hand with those lyrics?

Yesterday, Fondy sent the following pics of Stewie – Lulu's future boyfriend.  Hope she likes younger dogs…

Relaxed, no?

Some Ghosts of Manhattan discussion:

dasNdanger writes: "What I loved most about the book was the relationship between Donovan and The Ghost."

Answer: Yes.  This relationship was one of the book's strong points.  I actually found it much more compelling than Gabriel's relationship with Celeste.

dasNdanger also writes: "I also enjoyed the atmosphere of the book, and after a slow beginning thought it flowed just right."

Answer: Slow start?  Really?  I thought the book opened quite fast with the Ghost's violent takedown of Roman's men.

dasNdanger also writes: "As far as the revelation about the Ghost's identity, it was more of a sense of satisfaction that I had picked up on the clues…"

Answer: But it wasn't as if you had to think that hard.  It was so obvious!  Especially if you happen to be familiar with a certain Batman character.

dasNanger also writes: "he was revealing the identity slowly to the reader so that we already knew who he was, while Donovan did not."

Answer: But, again, why do the slow reveal when there was really no mystery?  Why not just reveal it from the beginning and still keep Donovan in th edark?

dasNdanger also writes: "I saw it as more of a sci fi turn, keeping in line with the whole steampunky feel. I can't find my book right now (I SWEAR I set it next to the computer last night for quick reference, but I was half asleep, so who knows where I stashed it), but as I recall wasn't it some sort of portal between worlds? Isn't that more sci fi than supernatural?"

Answer: It's admittedly a very fine line but given the creature's physical manifestation, the reason for its intrusion into our world, and the whole life-giving angle, it definitely felt supernatural.  It had a very chthulu-esque quality about it which I would classify as horror over SF.

dasNdanger also writes: "Also, getting back to the supernatural element. I went back and checked because I was sure there was a hint of it early on, and sure enough, in chapter 8 Gabriel is having a nightmare about crashing his plane during the war, and making his way to a farmhouse that's in ruins, and once inside, he hears a noise and tentacles start reaching out for him, at which time he wakes up with Celeste on top of him, trying to wake him up. A nice bit of foreshadowing there, I'd say, and something I did recall once I got to the part with The Roman."

Answer: Well, okay, but we're talking about a dream sequence here.  In last week's episode of House, we glimpse a dream sequence where House battles a bunch of zombies.  If, at the end of the episode, he would have to actually battle zombies outside of the dream sequence, I wouldn't have considered that setting up the supernatural angle.  Rather, my reaction would have been  more along the lines of WTF?

anneteldy writes: "I agree with Mr. M., however, that golems, rocket boosters, and the flashback to France weren't enough to set up the SF ending."

Answer: True. Golems aside, the story itself was fairly grounded in reality.

anneteldy also writes: "Also, I felt the use of profanity was awkward and uneven. Not that I mind profanity in literature, per se, but in this novel, it was inexpertly used. I felt it was put there to try to shock me as opposed to being an indication of people's vocabulary and way of thinking. It didn't work."

Answer: Hmmm, interesting you should bring this up because I did kind of bump on it but I wasn't sure why.  I think it's because the book has the feel of a pulp novel of a bygone era.  It does such a great job of capturing the spirit of those classics that the use of profanity just took me out of that world.

Thornyrose writes: "I also found the sudden appearance of the Moss Men to be a bit odd for a steampunk story. The moreso since they appeared, with no real explanation of how they operated or were created."

Answer: Yes.  While I liked them, I kind of wish they'd been more fully integrated into the narrative.  They were a unique and interesting obstacle for our hero, but nothing much beyond that.

Thornyrose also writes: "The Roman made for an interesting villian, so long as he remained mysterious."

Answer: Alas, so it is with almost all mysterious characters.

Thornyrose also writes: "And Celeste's connection to the Roman really didn't make sense to me. If I have an extended family watching an immortal villian through the ages, the heck with waiting till he calls on an alien/demon/extradimensional entity to extend his life. Kill the Roman, and you don't have to worry about sacrificing a family member to kill the creature."

Answer: Excellent point, Captain Logic.  This would be a good question for the author.  Why DIDN'T Celeste act sooner?  And why was she so evasive and secretive when the information she held could have helped the investigation?

Thornyrose also writes: "As for Gabriel/The Ghost, I'm ambivilent about him. He's not the classic pulp hero, absorbing damage or even avoiding it by outwitting his foes. I like the fact that we do see him battered, and often out of control of the situation. But other than the peeks at his wartime experiences, we don't get much of a feel for the man vs. the vigilante."

Answer: I'm thinking this book only scratches the surface of the character, and we'll be offered more in the way of backstory and development in future installments of the series.

 

Tagged: George Mann, Ghosts of Manhattan

March 14, 2011: Ghosts of Manhattan, by George Mann

It's 1927 Manhattan, but a time and place both familiar and strange.  The first world war has ended and the United States is in a Cold War with the British Empire.  Steam-powered automobiles command the streets of a city terrorized by the mysterious underworld figure known as The Roman, so named for his penchant for leaving Ancient Roman coins on the eyelids of his brutalized victims.  Police detective Felix Donovan is charged with the daunting task of bringing The Roman to justice, and quickly learns firsthand the villain's power and reach.  He and his family are threatened and he is made an offer he cannot – or perhaps should not – refuse.  But Donovan is a man of honor and refuses to be bought.  Instead, he sends his family into hiding and pushes forward with his investigation.

Fortunately for Donovan, he has an ally in the form of a costumed hero known as The Ghost who has declared war on The Roman's organization.  Outfitted with a host of gadgetry, from rocket boots to flechette-firing weaponry, the Ghost patrols the streets of Manhattan at night, disrupting The Roman's operations with brutal efficiency.

The dual investigations lead both men through a labyrinthine mystery involving ancient artifacts, a wealthy playboy named Gabriel Cross, a supernatural bargain, and an alluring jazz singer who may prove the key to it all.

Ghosts of Manhattan is a hard-boiled, noir, steampunk, AU thriller with supernatural trappings and echoes of The Dark Knight.  Yes, it covers a lot of ground, but it does so in well-paced fashion, offering up an interesting premise and some intriguing world-building that, I suspect, sets the stage for future adventures in this series.  It's nicely atmospheric, establishing and developing a unique sensibility reminiscent of both pulp fiction and classic cinema. It succeeds well on this count but its success makes the book's late "supernatural turn" a little jolting.  In all fairness, one can argue that this was set up with the introduction of the seemingly indestructible golems (which do, inevitably, end up destroyed in spectacular fashion), obviously otherworldly elements operating in an otherwise grounded environment, but, for me, the revelation concerning The Roman and Celeste still felt jarring.

The only other creative decision to give me pause was the choice to maintain an air of mystery surrounding the Ghost's true identity rather than reveal it from the get-go.  It stuck me as odd given that it was very obvious throughout.  In fact, it was so obvious that, at a certain point, I began to suspect it was a clever misdirect and my assumptions would be upended by a wholly unexpected revelation.  Ironically, when the Ghost's alter ego was finally revealed, I'd so convinced myself that I was in for a surprise that when I wasn't surprised I WAS surprised!

Finally, I should make special mention of the gorgeous, eye-catching cover by Benjamin Carre that so effectively captures the moodiness of the story itself. This was one of those instances where the cover actually drew me to a book rather than causing me to banish it to the "maybe some day" pile.

So, what did you all think of Ghosts of Manhattan? Let's hear your thoughts.  And get those questions in for author George Mann.

Well, the news coming out of Japan continues to worsen.  My friends in Tokyo are reporting that the city continues to experience after shocks, putting everyone on edge.  Electricity is being rationed, ransportation has been badly affected, and stores are having a hard time keeping shelves stocked.  One of Akemi's friends has heard regular food deliveries won't resume until the end of April.  Most international and ex-pat communities are leaving.  I asked one of my friends if she was thinking of following suit.  Her response echoed the stories I've heard, of survivors supporting one another, demonstrating patience and perseverance in the face of the tragedy: "We are thinking about it, but at the same time, I trust the people here in Japan and their strength, and it is up to us who are able to resume to everyday life to get this country going".  I asked her how those of us so far away could help, and she suggested making a donation to a reliable organization like the Red Cross (a spokesman on CNN assured viewers that fully 91% of monies contributed go to the stricken countries), or JEN (http://www​.jen-npo.o​rg/en/inde​x.html).  Meanwhile, the American Humane Association has set up a relief fund for animals affected by the disaster:

Meanwhile, the situation with Japan's nuclear reactors continues to worsen.  Attempts are underway to cool exposed fuel rods at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant and avert a meltdown.  What does this mean?  Well, according to CNN, it's "very bad news".  BUT what does it mean?!  Well, one CNN pundit called it "the worst possible news".  Okay, but WHAT DOES IT MEAN?!  What are the consequences of a meltdown?  For the Japanese people?  For the rest of the world?  Unfortunately, the news outlets are too busy using terms like "worst case scenario" and "disastrous" to properly explain anything beyond their detailed, illustration-laden, accounts of what is being done to avert this "disastrous" "worst case scenario".  I did, eventually, come across this article: http://theenergycollective.com/barrybrook/53461/fukushima-nuclear-accident-simple-and-accurate-explanation, but with today's developments, we're already past the points covered.  On the one hand, we have the end-of-the-world kooks spouting their doomsday theories on conspiracy and survivalist sites; on the other hand, we have various world governments reassuring the public that the effects of any radiation released will be minimal.  Obviously, the truth lies somewhere in between.  I'm just saying, I think it would just be nice to be able to tune into the news and get actual news – say, information, possibly even answers to some fairly obvious questions.

Amid all the videos and photos of the vast devastation, one simple picture of the human element at the heart of this tragedy really drove home for me the sad reality of this almost surreal situation.  It's a photo of a young girl who looks not all that dissimilar to Akemi, hunkered down behind the window of a radiation barrier, reaching out to almost touch her dog on the other side.  Heartbreaking.

Tagged: George Mann, Ghosts of Manhattan

March 13, 2011: Ghosts of Manhattan, by George Mann

It's 1927 Manhattan, but a time and place both familiar and strange.  The first world war has ended and the United States is in a Cold War with the British Empire.  Steam-powered automobiles command the streets of a city terrorized by the mysterious underworld figure known as The Roman, so named for his penchant for leaving Ancient Roman coins on the eyelids of his brutalized victims.  Police detective Felix Donovan is charged with the daunting task of bringing The Roman to justice, and quickly learns firsthand the villain's power and reach.  He and his family are threatened and he is made an offer he cannot – or perhaps should not – refuse.  But Donovan is a man of honor and refuses to be bought.  Instead, he sends his family into hiding and pushes forward with his investigation.

Fortunately for Donovan, he has an ally in the form of a costumed hero known as The Ghost who has declared war on The Roman's organization.  Outfitted with a host of gadgetry, from rocket boots to flechette-firing weaponry, the Ghost patrols the streets of Manhattan at night, disrupting The Roman's operations with brutal efficiency.

The dual investigations lead both men through a labyrinthine mystery involving ancient artifacts, a wealthy playboy named Gabriel Cross, a supernatural bargain, and an alluring jazz singer who may prove the key to it all.

Ghosts of Manhattan is a hard-boiled, noir, steampunk, AU thriller with supernatural trappings and echoes of The Dark Knight.  Yes, it covers a lot of ground, but it does so in well-paced fashion, offering up an interesting premise and some intriguing world-building that, I suspect, sets the stage for future adventures in this series.  It's nicely atmospheric, establishing and developing a unique sensibility reminiscent of both pulp fiction and classic cinema. It succeeds well on this count but its success makes the book's late "supernatural turn" a little jolting.  In all fairness, one can argue that this was set up with the introduction of the seemingly indestructible golems (which do, inevitably, end up destroyed in spectacular fashion), obviously otherworldly elements operating in an otherwise grounded environment, but, for me, the revelation concerning The Roman and Celeste still felt jarring.

The only other creative decision to give me pause was the choice to maintain an air of mystery surrounding the Ghost's true identity rather than reveal it from the get-go.  It stuck me as odd given that it was very obvious throughout.  In fact, it was so obvious that, at a certain point, I began to suspect it was a clever misdirect and my assumptions would be upended by a wholly unexpected revelation.  Ironically, when the Ghost's alter ego was finally revealed, I'd so convinced myself that I was in for a surprise that when I wasn't surprised I WAS surprised!

Finally, I should make special mention of the gorgeous, eye-catching cover by Benjamin Carre that so effectively captures the moodiness of the story itself. This was one of those instances where the cover actually drew me to a book rather than causing me to banish it to the "maybe some day" pile.

So, what did you all think of Ghosts of Manhattan? Let's hear your thoughts.  And get those questions in for author George Mann.

Well, the news coming out of Japan continues to worsen.  My friends in Tokyo are reporting that the city continues to experience after shocks, putting everyone on edge.  Electricity is being rationed, ransportation has been badly affected, and stores are having a hard time keeping shelves stocked.  One of Akemi's friends has heard regular food deliveries won't resume until the end of April.  Most international and ex-pat communities are leaving.  I asked one of my friends if she was thinking of following suit.  Her response echoed the stories I've heard, of survivors supporting one another, demonstrating patience and perseverance in the face of the tragedy: "We are thinking about it, but at the same time, I trust the people here in Japan and their strength, and it is up to us who are able to resume to everyday life to get this country going".  I asked her how those of us so far away could help, and she suggested making a donation to a reliable organization like the Red Cross (a spokesman on CNN assured viewers that fully 91% of monies contributed go to the stricken countries), or JEN (http://www​.jen-npo.o​rg/en/inde​x.html).  Meanwhile, the American Humane Association has set up a relief fund for animals affected by the disaster:

Meanwhile, the situation with Japan's nuclear reactors continues to worsen.  Attempts are underway to cool exposed fuel rods at the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant and avert a meltdown.  What does this mean?  Well, according to CNN, it's "very bad news".  BUT what does it mean?!  Well, one CNN pundit called it "the worst possible news".  Okay, but WHAT DOES IT MEAN?!  What are the consequences of a meltdown?  For the Japanese people?  For the rest of the world?  Unfortunately, the news outlets are too busy using terms like "worst case scenario" and "disastrous" to properly explain anything beyond their detailed, illustration-laden, accounts of what is being done to avert this "disastrous" "worst case scenario".  I did, eventually, come across this article: http://theenergycollective.com/barrybrook/53461/fukushima-nuclear-accident-simple-and-accurate-explanation, but with today's developments, we're already past the points covered.  On the one hand, we have the end-of-the-world kooks spouting their doomsday theories on conspiracy and survivalist sites; on the other hand, we have various world governments reassuring the public that the effects of any radiation released will be minimal.  Obviously, the truth lies somewhere in between.  I'm just saying, I think it would just be nice to be able to tune into the news and get actual news – say, information, possibly even answers to some fairly obvious questions.

Amid all the videos and photos of the vast devastation, one simple picture of the human element at the heart of this tragedy really drove home for me the sad reality of this almost surreal situation.  It's a photo of a young girl who looks not all that dissimilar to Akemi, hunkered down behind the window of a radiation barrier, reaching out to almost touch her dog on the other side.  Heartbreaking.

Tagged: George Mann, Ghosts of Manhattan

March 13, 2011: March Madness! Dog transport! Moderne Burger!

Well, damn.  I just realized that traveling next Saturday and the following Saturday will mean missing a big chunk of this year's NCAA tourney.  It's the one extending sporting event I look forward to more than any other and I hate the prospect of being on a plane while, somewhere, a Cinderella thirteen seed is upending a Duke, North Carolina, or Kentucky (ideally).  Sadly, no office pool this year, so the excitement of the games themselves will have to suffice.  Or what I'll see of them anyway.

Oh, by the way, this video sums up my feelings about the NCAA expanding the field to 68 teams:

Thanks to everyone who offered advice on transporting the dogs cross-country.  I looked into many of the possibilities mentioned but, at the end of the day, decided that the "two trip in-cabin" option was best.  Bubba goes stir crazy in the half hour it takes me to drive him to daycare, so driving six days across Canada is not an option.  Hiring one of those luxury buses that approximate the feel of sitting in your living room would certainly be more comfortable but, at a cost of approximately $20 000, it's a little more than I'd be willing to pay for what would still amount to a six day trip.  Chartering a private jet would ensure I get all four dogs there in one go, but paying $35 000 – $50 000 for a one-way trip feels a bit excessive.  And I won't fly the dogs cargo.  I've heard too many horror stories. Which leaves me with the aforementioned "two trip in-cabin" option.  I now regret having allowed the production to sell off all of our working puddle jumpers in the last live auction.

Next weekend, I'll fly out with Jelly and Maximus and, the following weekend, will return for Bubba and Lulu.  In the meantime, I'll continue my attempts to acclimatize my dogs to the sherpa carriers.  And, tomorrow, I'm going to do a test run with the baby gravol.  I picked up two packages.  One for them and the other for me.

Hey!  Look who I had dinner with tonight!

Ivon and Lawren!

Ashleigh and James!

We went to Moderne Burger.  Ashleigh and James were twenty minutes late because Ashleigh was still celebrating her big soccer championship win.  No goals scored but, apparently, she did kick several opponents in the shins really, REALLY hard.  Curiously, over the course of the meal, the conversation would always manage to wind its way back to that spectacular soccer win.  Sometimes, naturally enough: "Whoa, it's really raining.  Looks like we wrapped up our soccer season just in time!.  Sometimes, not so naturally: "You know what these fries remind me of?  Soccer goal posts.  Also, our big win today…".

Finish up Ghosts of Manhattan!  The discussion begins tomorrow!

March 12, 2011: That Toronto Check List!

Well, with a little less than a week to go before I move to Toronto, it's time to go over that Toronto checklist:

FIND SOMEWHERE TO LIVE:  Nope.  I've already bemoaned Toronto's not-so-production-friendly accommodations situation.  And, since that post, not much has changed.  Hope those production offices are comfy.  And pet friendly!

FIND A CAR TO DRIVE: Nope.  I've been so busy searching for furnished rentals online that I haven't even gotten around to looking into a car rental.

INFORM AIR CANADA WE'LL BE FLYING WITH TWO DOGS IN-CABIN NEXT WEEKEND: Nope.  I was able to do everything online EXCEPT register my dogs.  This, apparently, can only be accomplished by speaking directly to an Air Canada representative.  And good luck with that.  "The average wait time,"the recorded message informs me, "Is forty-five minutes."!  It's been that way for the past TWO WEEKS!

FIND A SUITABLE DOGGY DAYCARE FOR THE GANG: Nope.  I'm looking at two possible candidates, but won't decide on one until I've had a chance to check them out personally.

FIND SOMEONE TO ACCOMPANY ME WITH A SECOND DOG ON THE FOLLOWING WEEKEND'S FLIGHT: Nope.  I had plenty of offers for next weekend, so I'm hoping people will be in a flying mood two weekends from now.  Anyone interested in a return flight to Toronto, business class?

ESTABLISH THE TEAM: The writers' room starts spinning next Monday and, outside of Paul, Alex, myself and, (I assume) Rob, it's still uncertain who'll be in there with us.

TAKE DOWN THE CHRISTMAS TREE: Check!  Done.  Today.

I was up for most of last night angsting over the prospect of flying cross-country with the dogs.  I brought the soft-sided carriers out of storage and started getting the pooches used to the closed environment – tossing in a treat to get them inside, tossing in another treat to get them to duck their heads so I could zip the sherpa closed, then tossing them a final treat for being good sports.  Jelly, Maximus, and Lulu seemed fine for the two minutes or so they were inside, but Bubba went ABSOLUTELY NUTS, scratching and rolling, barking and crying.  I think he may be claustrophobic.  Is that possible?  I am so screwed.  We're looking at a scheduled 4 hour and twenty-five minute flight!  That's not including the times enroute to and from the airport as well as the inevitable departure delays.  I AM flying Air Canada after all.

Looks like I might have to invest in some children's gravol.

Allow me to unwind with some pics of my recent Vegas trip -

I thought she looked cute, but Akemi prefers oversized sun hats with big honkin' sunflowers on top.

Outside the Venetian hotel. In the next James Bond film, I want to see a high speed gondola chase through the hotel's canal.

We received this lovely parting gift at the conclusion of our dinner at Joel Robuchon.

The raspberry (?) pistachio cake it contained.

Which we made short work of the following morning.

I love Vegas. It's so subdued.

Ceiling of the annex between Bally's and the Bellagio.

Ceiling of the Bellagio.

Joe's Stone Crab! We went twice.

I'm not a fan of key lime pie, but I LOVE the version served up at Joe's Stone Crab. So much so that I have seriously considered ordering in the past. They deliver!

Restaurant in the shopping plaza adjoining the Aria. I'd be too nervous to eat here.

Akemi makes a quick call in the Cosmopolitan lobby.

The chocolate fountain outside the Jean Philippe Patisserie.

Some of the unbelievable selection. Check it out. Rose macarons! I haven't seen those outside of Tokyo!

Intense: dark chocolate mousse, chocolate cremeux, and chocolate glaze. Yes, thank you! Rich, dark chocolate through and through. None of these airy fairy gelee's or light creams so prevalent in other so-called patisseries.

Snickers Cake: almond dacquoise, peanut crisp, caramel, milk chocolate mousse. As awesome as the dark Intense was, this was even better. Sublime.

The view from inside the shop. Screw the Venetian. Next time, I'm staying here. IN the pasty shop!

March 11, 2011: Vegas Day #4! Restaurant Guy Savoy!

"Got a couple of maintenance issues for you to deal with,"said our pilot, motioning back behind him.  And, as the two workers disappeared into the cockpit, so did any hope that our return flight would be departing on time.  Moments later, the steward got on the intercom to confirm as much.  We  would be delayed by thirty minutes, give or take – presumably as long as it took someone to run down to Radio Shack and purchase a replacement part.  I settled in and had almost dozed off – adrift in that delicious middle ground between almost asleep and asleep – when I was roused by  the elderly Chinese woman sitting in front of us.  "Miss!"she cried.  "MISS!  Your feet!".  Obviously referring to the 50-something woman seated to my right who had taken off her shoes and was resting one of her bare feet on the handrest in front of her.  "Yes?"asked the barefooted woman, oblivious to any problem.  "Your feet!"snapped the owner of the handrest.  "They stink!"  Blunt yet effective.  The woman to my right lowered her foot and quietly slipped her shoes back on.  Problem solved, thankfully before it became a problem for me.

Other than that – and the thirty minute delay – it turned out to be a pretty uneventful flight.  Unlike last night's fairly eventful meal – my last big dinner in Vegas, this one at Guy Savoy…

It was a very different dining experience than the one we enjoyed at E by Jose Andres the previous night.  A lot more formal and, at times, somewhat staid, but the service on the part of our waiter was warm and friendly.

Since it was my final dinner in Vegas, I decided to go all in with the Prestige Menu which came with its own bread pairing.  I kid you not.  We were served a different bread with each couple of courses.  But before getting into the individual breads, we were free to choose from…

The Bread Cart!

All the bread is baked on the premises – fresh and wonderful.  But when you're pairing it with an eleven course menu, it does fill you up quickly.  Once I'd settled down to a parmesan bun (with choices of salted, unsalted butter, and sea salt and crushed black pepper for sprinkling), it was time for the main event…

French Club: The Guy Savoy version of the club sandwich is made with a double layer of foie gras and brioche. Next time, I come back for the whole sandwich!

This was followed by a small soup and tiny surprise in the form of tiny pea preparation which was, in turn, followed by the "Eggs All Truffle": a heavenly combo of creamy egg and earthy truffle.  It was served with -

Truffle-buttered toast for dipping!

Next up was the Tuna Carpaccio.  I'll let the video do the talking -

Subtle in flavor but certainly not in presentation.

We were then served a Crispy Sea Bass with Delicate Spices, one of Savoy's signature dishes.  Like most of the meal, it was quite subtle in its flavor with the exception of the accompanying vanilla foam that overwhelmed.

Our next dish was the Foie Gras en Papillote and Radish Bouillon.  The foie was prepared sous-vide which, to be honest, seemed like an odd way to go. As was the radish bouillon.

Colors of Caviar. Another signature dish. Layers of caviar vinaigrette, caviar creme fraiche, haricot vert puree, Osietra caviar, and a sabayon. We were instructed to dig deep to ensure we spooned out all the layers. Loved it.

Our next dish as the Artichoke and Black Truffle Soup which was served with a toasted mushroom brioche with black truffle butter (for dipping).  The soup was thinner than I expected, but tasty nevertheless.

Roasted Poussin. One of the juiciest chicken dishes I've ever been served.

Along with an outstanding black truffle mash.

We capped of the savory portion of our meal with a fine salsify dish before moving on to -

The Cheese Tray!

I enjoyed three soft cheeses with an orange marmalade, a berry jam, and some lavender honey.

At which point, it was time for dessert.  First up was a pre-dessert dessert consisting of raspberry sorbet, green tea foam, and green tea pearls.

Apple - Apple slices, apple caviar, and apple foam. This was so tart, I couldn't manage more than a bite.

Chocolate Fondant, Crunchy Praline and Chicory Cream: Now THIS I DID finish. A rich dessert only this side of decadent because of the portion size.

And finally, we finished with = The Dessert Cart!

A very good meal with some outstanding dishes (the Poussin comes immediately to mind) but, at the end of the day, in the Battle of the Vegas High-End Dinners, it ranks an easy third with Joel Robuchon and E by Jose Andres battling it out for top spot.

Finally back in Vancouver, tonight's dinner was comprised of baked Arctic Char with yuzu and sesame oil, steamed rice, and sauteed broccoli.  It was a much appreciated change of pace.

Thanks to everyone who inquired about Akemi's friends in family in the wake of the recent earthquake and tsunami to hit Japan.  Her family home is located in Osaka, west of Tokyo, and wasn't affected by the tragedy.  Sadly, many, many people were.  Here's hoping for better news from the area in the days ahead.

March 10, 2011: Vegas Day #3! E by Jose Andres!

I've eaten at several molecular gastronom-themed restaurants over the years (The Molecular Tapas Bar, Les Creations de Narisawa, Aronia de Takazawa) as well as restaurants that have offered occasional molecular-inspired menu items – but these have all been in Tokyo.  Last night, I finally sampled one in North America when I dined at E by Jose Andres in the Jaleo Restaurant in the Cosmopolitan Hotel.  I've already explained how I happened across an intriguing passing mention of this (purportedly) secret restaurant, an eight-seater, that can only be booked through a secret email.  Fortunately, my google-fu was strong and a search for "e by jose andres secret email" turned up very positive results.  I booked and had been looking forward to the meal ever since.  And the recent arrival of my golden access tickets days prior to my departure only intensified the excitement. 

I never thought my life could be...anything but catastrophe...but suddenly I begin to see a bit of good luck for me...'cause I've got a golden ticket...I've a golden twinkle in my eye.

Marty G., dressed appropriately for the weird and wacky night ahead

Hold the phones! Akemi psyches herself up for another epic meal.

As much as I was looking forward to this meal, I'd say my fellow foodie Martin Gero was equally thrilled at the prospect of the culinary theatrics that lay ahead.  We arrived, as instructed, well in advance of our seating, and enjoyed a drink at the bar while we waited for the rest of our dining companions to show.  This would be theater after all.  Delicious theater, but theater nevertheless, and the audience would have to be seated before the show could commence.

Our view of Jaleo, the restaurant within which E is located. Also a Jose Andres joint and one I'm making a point to check out the next time I blow through town.

When the rest of our dining party showed, we were finally ushered through an innocuous-looking door and into the mini restaurant comprised of bar seating which allowed all participants an unobstructed view of the proceedings. 

As we prepared for our meal, I asked one of our genial servers, Anthony, about the presumed "no picture" policy.  He explained that flash photography was not permitted (understandable in most high end restaurants) and that while the snapping of the occasional pic was not frowned upon, incessant photography, it was felt, tended to detract from the meal.  "Bloggers,"he confided. 

The meal went something like this.  It was comprised of three parts: appetizers, mains, and desserts…

Stephanie kicks things off by concocting a wicked brew using liquid nitrogen and sangria.

Frozen Sangria and Grilled Strawberries. The warm sweet strawberries were in marked contrast to the boozy sangria that had the consistency of a slushy - albeit an adult slushy. To be honest, I'm not a fan of sangria, but I do like it in slushy version.

Caramelized Pork Rinds. The lightest pork rinds I've ever eaten, both sweet and savory. If they sold these at the concession stand, I'd start going to see movies at the theater again.

Spanish "Clavel". Named after a flower, the dish is actually - if memory serves me right - papered yogurt. Melt-in-your mouth sweet and slightly sour.

Beet Jewlery. Served up, appropriately enough, in a jewlery box: dehydrated beet curls sprinkled with gold dust. It packed so much intense sweet and salty beet favor in such a tiny crispy bite. One of my favorites.

Membrillo and La Serena Cone. Quince and La Serena cheese in a sweet cone. Another contrast of tastes (sweet, salty, slighly sour) and textures (creamy, crispy and crunchy).

Apple "Brazo de Gitano". This one is hard to describe - the cheese espuma was injected into the light firm foam that instantly dissolved in my mouth. Another intensely flavored dish that also ranked as one of my faves.

Jose Taco & Artichoke with Caviar. Fried artichoke and caviar. Iberico-wrapped caviar. Phenomenal. Akemi's favorite.

Bocata de "Calamares". Actually, an uni roll - fried sea urchin, aioli, and cucmber in a mini brioche baguette. Yet another favorite. I haven't stopped thinking about this dish and am already thinking about how I can replicate it back home.

It turns out that two of my fellow diners were also visiting from Vancouver – and were hitting the same restaurants we were on this culinary circuit: e by Jose Andres, Guy Savoy, and Joel Robuchon.

Ellaine and Yonnie from Van City.

According to our server, Stephanie, the restaurant has entertained a disproportionate number of guests from Canada – clearly home of the foodies. 

Ajo Blanco. Bead, nuts, olive oil and a couple of mystery ingredients I don't recall.

Finished with almond milk. Interesting but not among my faves.

Jose Andres' beer. Apparently, he created it to specifically pair with certain foods. I'm not a huge beer drinker but thought this version was qutie tasty and very drinkable.

Santa Barara Spotted Prawn with Roses. Langoustine served in a sauce made from the head of the langoustine and accompanied by dollops of rose foam. The rose flavor was very subtle and I almost missed it entirely. The langoustines were delicious.

Smokey Oysters in Escabeche. Oysters were encased in a gel of their liquor and smoked along with some pearl onions.

Topped with toasted honey air.

Catch of the Day. Turbot served with black garlic and topped with citrus pearls. A wonderfully accomplished dish, its ingredients coming together with surprising subtlety.

Whole Lobe of Foie Gras Baked in Salt

Sitting atop a cacao smear -

And served with an orange sauce. Probably the lightest foie I've ever had.

Secreto of Iberico Pork. It's called "secreto" because, apparently, not many know about the meat sourced from between two layers of fat from the pig's shoulder.

Black truffles. $$$!

Interestingly enough, the only other time I tried the Secreto of Iberico was at another molecular restaurant - The Molecular Tapas Bar in Tokyo's Madarin Oriental Hotel.

And then we moved on to dessert…

Orange with Puree La Serena. La Serena cheese served with an orange puree, topped with basil and pumpkin seeds.

Plating the next dish.

Frozen Apricot Coulant.  A fruit-based version of the molten-centered chocolate cake was one of the stand-outs of the evening.  I never thought I'd say this, but I preferred this version!

Pedro Ximenez 1982. One of my favorite dessert wines!

Apples & Red Wine "Fredy Giradet". Vanilla ice cream with apples two-way - apple spheres and apple jelly encased in gel capsules.

Plating the next dish.

25 Second Bizcocho. Cooked for twenty-five seconds in a microwave. Tasty, very unique.

Our affable hosts take a bow.

To finish - Chocolates. Saffron milk chocolate and dark chocolate "air" with sea salt.

My culinary wingman is BACK and flying in high style!

What a dinner!  What a show!

Tagged: e by Jose Andres