Knife's Edge - Restaurant Rants & Raves

Looking Back All I Did Was Look Away

2008, despite the recent financial meltdown was a good year for me personally, but not such a good one for blogging. I just needed a little time to do what the title of the song in the lyric I used for the headline says.

As for the year's end, I'm hoping the crash and subsequent repair of our keg fridges will be an omen of things to come. I knew the fridges had problems. The beer wouldn't pour properly. It was foamy and took a loooong time to draw a pint. The waiters sold little beer, and I don't blame them.

There are two parts of the keg beer equation. One is temperature, the other pressure. The Co2 pressure was correct, the box just wasn't cold enough.

Last night, the beer poured perfectly. The new compressor is working great. I'm not looking forward to the bill, but I'm glad the problem is fixed. Just like, hopefully, our nation.

Sour Grapes

"But Atticus, he's pouring sugar molasses* all over his dinner!", is what went through my mind when the couple asked for olive oil and balsamic vinegar for their bread. I don't get it. How did this start?

Olive oil I can (kind of) see. But not really. Bread acts like a sponge, soaking up way more oil than I really want to eat, unless you're really quick about dabbing the bread in the oil. You might as well drink a shot of olive oil.

Balsamic vinegar I can't see. Especially not the "balsamic" you are likely to encounter at 99% of restaurants. I don't have real balsamic on hand, and indeed have only tasted 100 year old balsamic twice in my life. Even restaurants that keep really great vinegar on hand are unlikely to pour it for a bread spread.

In the scene from"To Kill a Mockingbird" that I reference above Atticus lets Scout know that to comment on how or what people eat is rude, especially when, like Walter the sugar molasses pourer, they don't know any better. My role when I'm on the floor is to be Atticus. Inside though, Scout is hollering.

*Thanks meloukhia

Compressed

The compressor for our keg refrigerator died. A fitting end to the year. Things tired and crapping out, needing an overhaul, but probably not until the new year.

I often forget machines need maintenance. I somehow think they're just supposed to work, forever, with no input or care from me. I forget less than I used to, and am no longer surprised when they break, or parts wear out. At least, on older machines. When a new Kitchen-Aid mixer starts popping springs after only a month or two, I get irritated.

My own machine needs some maintenance. A little oil at the joints, regular movement of all the parts, a little spit and polish wouldn't hurt. Ah, the stuff of New Year's resolutions. See you soon.