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06/11/10--06:19: The FUSSYlittleBALLOT Redux (chan 1178777)

Yesterday, at long last, the 2010 Best of the Capital Region poll results were published by the Times Union.  Mysteriously, given the fact that I am not a subscriber, a copy of the paper happened to be delivered to my house. Curious. If you may recall, a little over two months ago I posted the [...]


Daniel B.

06/23/10--05:42: A Pesto Pounding (chan 1178777)

Three thing have collided this week 1) My love affair with near-authentic Genoese pesto. 2) Ruth Fantasia’s review of a new Italian restaurant, Grappa ’72. 3) The rising tide of basil being harvested by my CSA. Here’s the thing.  I believe words matter.  Thus I find it upsetting when someone calls an American sparkling wine [...]


Daniel B.

08/17/10--03:00: Regime Change (chan 1178777)

It’s times like this that I really miss Mrs. Fussy.  There is some important and timely local food news to comment upon, but unchecked, my tone may come off as smug, pompous or self-important.  Perhaps even a combination of all three.  Luckily I’m aware of my tendency towards self-promotion.  So I will try to keep [...]


Daniel B.

09/08/10--05:47: Tell Me More, Tell Me More (chan 1178777)

Everyone has their favorites.  Despite the obvious superiority of Five Guys to In-N-Out Burger, there will always be people who prefer In-N-Out.  Taste is subjective, and ultimately people will eat what they like. That’s where I come in. Because while taste may be subjective, one can evaluate foods based on a number of criteria.  The [...]


Daniel B.

10/04/10--05:14: Bad Dreams (chan 1178777)

First, two pieces of business. Number one: Let’s not forget that Downtown Albany’s Restaurant Week is underway.  I’m still not sure if I’ll be able to get out any night this week, but I’m hoping it works out so I can try one of the more promising menus. Number two: Yesterday’s post should have totally [...]


Daniel B.

10/13/10--05:41: Blindly Eating Pizza (chan 1178777)

Round One of the Third Annual All Over Albany Tournament of Pizza is over.  Now I feel like I can talk about it without spoiling any of the surprises.  For those who may not have been following along, or who may be new here, the Tournament of Pizza involves four judges, including myself, evaluating our [...]


Daniel B.

04/13/11--05:54: What is Best in Life? (chan 1178777)

To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women. ~Conan I don’t know why the subject of The Best has been coming up recently. Maybe it has something to do with the Times Union’s annual reader poll of The Best in the Capital Region. What is really [...]


Daniel B.

07/19/11--05:14: Good Better Best (chan 1178777)

One of my big quixotic campaigns is to try to influence the Times Union Best of the Capital Region Reader’s Choice Poll. It’s the powerful poll with the very long name. In all seriousness, it’s the only one that matters here, and that’s because it comes from the largest daily newspaper in the region. Say [...]


Daniel B.

08/18/11--07:25: It’s Called a Magazine (chan 1178777)

Because of my past career in advertising, I have a deep relationship with food magazines. I ate lunch with Ruth Reichl, attended tastings hosted by Bon Appétit and went to wine awards presented by Food & Wine. But I’ve always preferred the smaller niche publications. Soon after Gourmet or Bon Appetit published one of its [...]


Daniel B.

12/19/11--05:32: A-Holes and Monks (chan 1178777)

You know what happens when you start comparing decadent food to Big Macs? It makes Big Macs look downright virtuous. Think about this: If a tub of movie popcorn is the same fat and calorie load of three Big Macs, then getting one Big Mac can’t be that bad. It would seem as if the [...]


Daniel B.