TheTastySnicket.

When in Japan make sure to stock up on Marie biscuits.
They are tastiest with a cup of green tea.
I usually eat them about an hour after gorging on oooodles of that tasty Uni.

LeXinGtOn, KeNTucKy.

julePs & GreEn tOmaToeS

A friend and I headed south for Kentucky last weekend. She needed to escape the doldrums of work life and I needed to get my hands on a mint julep. A pit stop in a motel and a few hours later, we found ourselves in Lexington at the tourist office inquiring about horse races, best places to camp and...where to find a mint julep. We'd miss the races (which take place in April and October) but could still have a drink, according to the two ladies from the office. In fact, they were so thrilled that we try some while in Kentucky that phonecalls to local hotels and restaurants quickly ensued. And that's how we ended up at DeSha's Restaurant greeted by the entire staff about an hour later. By 11:30 a.m., we had a julep in one hand and a fork to indulge in some fried green tomatoes in the other. That's when we learned that mint juleps are a bit like egg nog (in that they are seasonal) and are enjoyed during Derby season, in principle, when they are served in silver cups with lots of crushed mint. So while ours weren't the most authentic...we did learn a thing or two about bourbon.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A BOURBON?

Bourbon must be made from corn and must be aged for at least two years.

TASTE-TESTING BOURBON?

Drinking a bourbon with something made with or from corn will help bring out its natural aromas and flavors. We had cornmeal battered fried green tomatoes with ours...but, cornbread may be an excellent thing to eat while taste-testing different bourbons. And, a little side note: fried green tomatoes are not made from unrippened red tomatoes, but rather a unique variety that always remain green. Green tomatoes(the kind you find in the south) are a bit tarter than regular red tomatoes and have a bit of a lemony taste.

According to DeSha's bartender, Ronnie, Kentucky's finest bourbon is a bottle of 20 or 23-year-old Pappy Van Winkle. At $60.00 a shot or $250.00 a bottle, it's supposed to be the smoothest and most incredible of all bourbons. People sign up on the Van Winkle waiting list every year, as well, as there are only about 900 to 3,000 bottles available per bottling season. The next one is scheduled for Spring 2007. I've already started putting away a dollar a day.

...piCniCpiCniC...

On Murray Hill way up in Westmount with the first lady of J. Shiek, Miss Julia S., for a picnic, yesterday. On the menu: sandwiches of camembert, basil and tomato, followed by a dessert of yellow watermelon (enjoyed in the company of dear friend, Charlie the squirrel) and some mineral water straight from the springs of Bergamo.

***All items were carried from Atwater station, to the 24 bus, to the top of the hill in J. Shiek beach party bags. All goods arrived in pristine condition.