Being a foodie runs in the family. My sister, for instance, is as adventurous as I am when it comes to dining out. And, on her recent trip to Miami, she sampled some of the best and most unusual the city had to offer. She gave me a rundown on a few of the spots she hit and one in particular stood out: a little place called Chocolate. Her thoughts:
“The salad was very tasty – tender mixed greens tossed in a not too tart vinaigrette, with dark chocolate pieces and slivered almonds. Even you would have loved it. The next dish was the crab and chocolate stuffed ravioli. Topped with a rosee sauce, sprinkled with slivered almonds, sun-dried tomatoes and dark chocolate pieces, and finally drizzled with a dark chocolate sauce, this dish really won me over. It had the perfect balance of salty/sweet that I love, plus the added crunch of almonds and tang of sun-dried tomato. I tried to eat slowly to savor every bite as taste-buds from all areas of my mouth fired up.”
I wonder if they do chocolate dessert too? I have got to check this place out.
Spent most of the day in editing today (Reunion is coming along swimmingly), taking a break for lunch and the Be All My Sins Remember’d read-through. I read the part of Caldwell and really killed. Alan McCullough read the part of the lovely Larrin and we were all blown away by the palpable chemistry between him and Joe Flanigan. If we’d known he’d do such a spectacular job, we’d have cast HIM for Travelers.
Picked up a few more books today before dinner including: Hal Clement’s Half-Life, a collected works of James Triptree Jr. and another collected works of Frederick Pohl, Castleview by Gene Wolfe, Terry Pratchett’s Going Postal (based on your recommendations), and Barlowe’s Guide to Extraterrestrials (as I’m planning a Jovian picnic for later in the week).
Today’s pics: that chocolate salad, that crab and chocolate-stuffed ravioli, an excited Martin Gero looks forward to the reading of his script, Carl enjoys the poetry of Martin’s verse, director Andy Mikita realizes what the hell he’s gotten into, Alan preps for his role of a lifetime, Jason and David chow down before the performance, Carl demonstrates some mallard pride, ace editor Rick Martin relaxes in his suite – by watching Atlantis dailies, Barlowe’s Guide.
Let’s take some questions –
M writes: “When something you (or any of the other writers) write is being filmed, do you go downstairs and hang around when they’re filming? Or do you just ocassionally pop in and check it out?”
Answer: None of the producers have the time to do much hanging around on set. That said, we do try to drop by whenever possible to answer and questions and weed out the drunk extras.
Anonymous #1 writes: “Do you ever find yourself putting down a book because of bad grammar, changes in point of view/tense?”
Answer: The past few books I’ve had to set aside I gave up on because they were – a) overwritten, b) devoid of plot and/or interesting characters, c) craptastic info dumps.
LogicSequence writes: “Do you have any favorite “southern U.S.” cuisine?”
Answer: I do enjoy Cajun a lot – gumbo, cochon de lait, crawfish pie, andouille sausage, and beignets. Unfortunately, not much in the way of Cajun cuisine in Vancouver.
Anne writes: “Wondering have your try Henry’s Kitchen yet?!”
Answer: I’ve heard mixed reviews. How is it?
Jeopardy Wilm writes: “I had dinner at the Fat Duck recently – a famous fusion food restaurant in the UK and I can say that I totally agree with you. Bacon and Egg icecream just isn’t a good combination!”
Answer: The Fat Duck was named Best Restaurant in the World by Restaurant Magazine in 2005, coming in second last year. Bacon and Egg ice cream, huh? I may have to revise my opinion about fusion cuisine.
Mary writes: “ Ever eaten a Durian before? And if so, did you like it?”
Answer: I sampled Durian ice cream once. It was a most unpleasant experience.
Grace writes: “I thought you should look into this book I’m reading now “Kithchen Confidential” by Anthony Bourdain”
Answer: I read it. Some great advice in that book including don’t order seafood on a Monday and never, under any circumstances, order mussels or Hollandaise sauce.
Jen, the cow hugger writes: “Do you ever BBQ?”
Answer: Nope, but Rob Cooper is a master of the BBQ!
Anonymous #2 writes: “I will never understand people who choose to blame writers for bad episodes when it was budgeting, networking or other issues that made them crap.”
Answer: And, every once in a while, the writing.
Ghost writes: “What is your opinion on Hot Chocolate? Do you have a favorite kind?”
Answer: I actually make my own hot chocolate by melting down premium dark chocolate in boiling water, then whisking it up with a milk frother.
CD writes: “Do you think the 2 middle-eastern men will play a part in the end of “The Sopranos” or were they just a red herring?”
Answer: I believe that when the war between NY and NJ (Go Jersey!) heats up, the Feds will step in and offer Tony a deal for his cooperation in some anti-terrorism case they are pursuing.
More Than Secret writes: “Is there any chance of being granted access to your sets/offices to see the “magic” behind the magic?”
Answer: If I could, I’d bring everyone to work with me but, alas, so long as production is ongoing the sets are closed to the general public.
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