Category Archives: Reading

What’s A Wine Lover To Do- Wes Marshall

I just finished reading a very good book:  What’s A Wine Lover To Do? by Wes Marshall.  Consisting of 334 paragraph sized entries on all aspects of wine it is  not a book that you can easily read from start … Continue reading

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Six Rules For Dining Out

I came across a great article in the May 2012 Atlantic Magazine by Tyler Cowen.  Its called Six Rules for Dining Out and I found it fascinating.  Amongst the rules are: in the fanciest restaurants, order what sounds least appetizing.  Sound nonsensical?  … Continue reading

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Scoops and stuff

Nine days after my post the Frederick News Post had an article about Bryan Voltaggio looking to open a second restaurant.  Which was three days later than the Washington Post article that referenced this blog.  OK maybe I got the possible location wrong … Continue reading

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Wine Spectator

Wine Spectator is making their website free (you know how I love THAT word) from November 15th through the 28th.  I think they normally charge around $50 a year for access.  They are doing this so that people can see the … Continue reading

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Odds and Ends

Just received word that the magazine Edible Chesapeake is ceasing publication.  That’s sad as I always looked for it at the Common Market and enjoyed reading it.  From the release:  I will no longer be publishing Edible Chesapeake magazine. The decision is … Continue reading

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Farmer’s Market Book

As promised in my earlier post there is one book that I find invaluable in helping me turn farmer’s market finds into delicious food on the table.  That is Vegetables from Amaranth to Zucchini: The Essential Reference by Elizabeth Schneider.   This is … Continue reading

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When I Grow Up

When I grow up I want to be a blog just like this one.  Seriously, this is a phenomenal blog that I read regularly even though I don’t do much in Howard County except drive through it.  This is a true … Continue reading

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Broadbent’s Revenge

Loyal reader(s?) may remember my review of the book The Billionaire’s Vinegar.  As a follow up to the story I saw that the venerable British wine critic Micheal Broadbent settled his libel and defamation suit against Random House, the publisher of the … Continue reading

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Reflections of a Wine Merchant

I just finished reading Neil Rosenthal’s book Reflections of a Wine Merchant (from FCPL).   Mr. Rosenthal is a thirty year plus veteran of the wine importing business, dealing mainly in European wines and especially fine Burgundies. The book was so-so.  I … Continue reading

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Budget Cuts and the Fourth Estate

I don’t think anyone is envious of those poor souls labouring in the newspaper business right now.  However one of my favorite abuse pinatas:  the Frederick News Post is really plumbing the depths.  Yes in their current “In Good Taste” column … Continue reading

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Ethics

Interesting article in the Wall Street Journal about two reviewers from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate accepting trips etc. from winemakers.  One reviewer “vacationed and enjoyed lavish social dinners in the company of wine importers whose wines he reviews.”  It raises … Continue reading

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An Outstanding Cookbook

The sleeper hit of Christmas has to be the book I gave Mrs. F called Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day by Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francois.  In short this book is amazing.  We have always dabbled in baking but this book … Continue reading

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Ahead of the Curve

A bit of tooting my own Fred horn, but loyal readers heard about it here first.  In today’s food section of the WashPo guess what wine is listed as “excellent” and “a good value?”  Why the one right below this post … Continue reading

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Linganore Cellars

There was another nice article in today’s Frederick News Post about Linganore Winecellars.  They must be paying them or something.  Ostensibly it was about pairing the right wine with food, but all of the wines featured were from Linganore Winecellars.  Honestly … Continue reading

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Frederick News Post Rant (Again)

I interrupt my planned series of anniversary posts to bring you the following rant.  Maybe I am just feeling cranky today, but another FNP article about food and drink irritated me.  As mentioned earlier the Beaujolais Nouveau season is almost upon … Continue reading

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Three Books That Should Be On Every Wine Lover’s Shelf- Part I

Those of you that read this blog regularly know that I am a big fan of the library.  However  there are some books you just have to own.  There are three such books that have been invaluble to me in … Continue reading

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Passion on The Vine

Continuing my summer reading I recently finished Passion on the Vine: A Memoir of Food, Wine, and Family in the Heart of Italyby Sergio Esposito which I picked up from FCPL.  Every time I am in New York City I … Continue reading

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Cook Through Blogging

I recently came across an article in the Wall Street Journal about an amazing phenomenon that I was unaware of.  Its called cook through blogging, where a writer selects a cookbook and then works his way through every recipe in the book writing … Continue reading

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The Billionaire’s Vinegar

Continuing my posts on books I’ve been reading: I just finished up The Billionaire’s Vinegar: The Mystery of the World’s Most Expensive Wine by Benjamin Wallace (also available from FCPL).  It was an interesting, if a little dry at the beginning, read.   Briefly … Continue reading

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Quote of The Day (and brief history lesson)

Most of you may not know that one of the first food critics and publisher of a best selling guide in 1935, Called Adventures in Good Eating was Duncan Hines. (yes that Duncan Hines- he ultimately sold the rights to … Continue reading

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A Great Read- Mediterranean Summer

I am in the middle of reading three food related books, which I will probably post about as I finish them.  What do they have to do with Frederick?  Honestly, nothing except that I got them all from the Frederick … Continue reading

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Fred Foodie Ignored!!

There was an article (here) in yesterday’s Frederick News Post about Frederick area food bloggers.  It failed to mention this site, yes loyal readers not a peep about Fred Foodie.  Oh the horror!  The humanity! The snub!  I pity the next restaurant I review.  … Continue reading

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Robert and me. (Robert Mondavi RIP 1913-2008)

Just wanted to throw in my two cents on the passing of Robert Gerald Mondavi one of the giants of American wine who died at age 94 on May 16th.  According to Robert Parker “he had the single greatest influence … Continue reading

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Edible Chesapeake

The Spring 2008 edition of Edible Chesapeake is out.  You can pick up a copy (for FREE) at the Common Market.  Has an interesting article on clams that makes me want to make some clam chowder or pasta with clam … Continue reading

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Great Book

I just finished a great book.  It’s called In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan.  He is the author of the bestseller Omnivore’s Dilemma.  Both are phenomenal books and really force you to think about what you eat, and where … Continue reading

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