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February 27, 2009

Kind of the Beard Universe

Believe it people. My friend Eamon has successfully lifted 21 lbs with his beard all in the name of charity. Random humor and goodwill truly don't get better than this!

Posted by nikl at 10:34 AM | Comments (0)

February 26, 2009

In the middle of Times Square

Looks like Bloomberg has a plan for a park in the middle of Times Square. Me thinks me likes.

Posted by nikl at 09:31 PM | Comments (0)

My friends rule

Posted by nikl at 01:04 PM | Comments (0)

Just like this

Thanks to Undercover Black Man for the link.

Posted by nikl at 11:52 AM | Comments (0)

February 25, 2009

and a bag of chips

Posted by nikl at 09:31 AM | Comments (0)

February 16, 2009

Fond on Main Street, Edwardsville

With one of my NYC friends coming to town, I knew it was time to try Fond. We didn't confirm Randy's visit until late in the week so given the Valentine's day timing, I wasn't hopeful when I called for reservations late Friday afternoon. To my delight, my reservation for three was no problem - and it's a good thing, because upon arriving I ran into my friend Jeff (who had come over from St. Louis) with two of his friends and they'd just been turned away.

In my opinion the reason to go to Fond is to experience the market menu. Five courses, fully showing the range and talent of the chef. Seriously serious preparation and presentation. Outstanding. Not comparable to anything else in town. I know there was a hubbub when Amy was upfront about why she was opening Fond and what it would bring to town, but it really is different than anything else currently open in Edwardsville (except perhaps my friend Kris' kitchen :)). Maybe if I didn't eat out a lot I would lump all those restaurants together. Or maybe if I hadn't done the market menu I wouldn't really get what Fond is about. I wouldn't even lump it in with anything I've had in St. Louis. It's very specific and very good. The fact that Fond is now among the choices in Edwardsville makes me _extremely_ happy. It's exactly the type of thing I've been saying Edwardsville needs more of and I hope the trend continues.

The atmosphere is perfect. One of my disappointments with some other restaurants in town is that the experience doesn't carry through. Everything at Fond from the chairs to the centerpieces to the background music matches the experience. The service is _almost_ there. You can tell they know what they're working toward and know they need to exceed it.

The one gripe we had was that the market menu requires full table participation. It's clear that Fond understands what it is and what it's out to deliver, which is why I totally understand why this is the case. It's a much improved experience when the full table is experiencing the courses together, and the market menu experience is a full realization of the Fond brand. Unfortunately, it's now pretty likely that my husband will never go back with me. So, while I understand why it is the way it is, it was really unfortunate that everyone couldn't get what they wanted to order - to the point that we almost left. Because the market menu is so in line with the experience, I don't know what the solution is. I'm only getting the market menu when I go there, I don't see the point in going and NOT getting the market menu. My husband is not a tasting menu guy, and I'm pretty sure not all the girls in my dinner club are tasting menu gals - so the whole group misses out on the experience because one person isn't up for it.

I, on the other hand, want to join a Fond email list and get a notification every time the market menu changes so I can find my fellow foodies and make my reservation.

Posted by nikl at 10:07 AM | Comments (0)

February 13, 2009

Kittens inspired by kittens

Posted by nikl at 09:23 AM | Comments (0)

February 01, 2009

Super Bowl 3D promotion

When I first saw this promo, I mocked it openly, calling it "so 1987" wondering who in the world would give 2 humps about this tired gimmick (besides Ted).

My father just made a special trip to the grocery store for the 3D glasses.

Posted by nikl at 01:22 PM | Comments (0)