But this lady is right on when it comes to restaurant issues.
More importantly, forcing my small spoon fetish on others is vindicated in our nation's newspaper of record! Ephron writes:
One of the greatest things about this land of ours, as far as I'm concerned, is that we never fell into the dessert-spoon trap. If you needed a spoon for dessert, you were given a teaspoon. But those days are over, and it's a shame.
As my friends and family can attest, even a teaspoon is too big for me. Look through my purse and you'll find tiny gelato spades stashed away (and in need of washing). I blame B-R taster spoons for the early development of this preference. So come dessert time, there's really no reason to feel bad about asking for the smallest spoon possible. Are there any good explanations of why bigger spoons are better?
To be fair, sometimes wine descriptions are helpful. As long as they're not totally overdone and pretentious for pretention's sake. It pisses me off more when waiters know nothing about the wine they're selling for $12/glass. (Because remember dear, wine isn't priced here like it is in France.) Like at Cafe Stella in Silver Lake, the waiter recommended a young Beaujolais to go with filet mignon! And they don't let you taste either. We were like um, we'll just figure it out on our own, thanks.
Posted by: Jess | September 18, 2006 at 09:37 AM
217.70.181.38
URL: http://www.stevenspicks.com/
DATE: 09/15/2006 01:28:35 AM
That's an amazing article! Having been in France for several years, I'm always taken aback by restaurant protocol when I come back to the US for a visit. The constant interruptions by the wait staff drive me crazy. The drink pouring and chit-chat are such an intrusion on the conversation.
And the haughtiness! "Fresh ground pepper". Eek. And wine descriptions on the menu! "Subtle woody accents..."?? ::roll eyes:: I've never heard anyone talking about wine like that here.
Don't get me started. Thanks for posting the article, though.
Posted by: Steven | February 07, 2008 at 03:05 PM
DATE: 09/20/2006 08:06:18 AM
Yeah, it's true. Big price difference for wine.
Posted by: Steven | February 07, 2008 at 03:05 PM
63.110.83.248
URL: http://gastrologica.com
DATE: 09/23/2006 12:58:38 PM
Oops, looks like someone got spammed. Hmm, I wonder what'll happen if I follow one of those links...
Posted by: Steve | February 07, 2008 at 03:05 PM
URL: http://www.stevenspicks.com
DATE: 09/18/2006 07:48:33 AM
And another thing. The portions! Way way way too big. There's something so satisfying about having a several course meal in France... and being able to finish it. And nothing more stressful than an enormous appetizer placed in front of me. Though, I think this can be traced back to my childhood when my mother's mission was to "fatten me up".
Posted by: Steven | February 07, 2008 at 03:05 PM