Josh Friedland's Eatymology chronicles the vocabulary of food, wine and spirits for the 21st century....

One of the most informative, charming, readable and witty food books of late; Eatymology: The dictionary of modern gastronomy  is a great primer  for those wishing to learn the "new" vocabulary of food, wine and spirits. Author Josh Friedland catalogs this vocabulary with an admirable combination of seriousness and satire (and very accurate reporting and research)  in both his illustrations and writing.  The sharp, sleek binding make it a sophisticated, offbeat host/hostess gift. It would also work with food aficionados who need a good self referential laugh....

FELF-IE: A photographic self-portrait of a farmer, typically taken with a smartphone and shared via social media

DUO's great Bloody Mary....

Lynn and I went through Kingston last weekend and stopped at one of our Upstate favorites, Duo Bistro.   The food was predictably great but the Sriracha infused Bloody Mary was an unexpectedly pleasurable way to warm up in bitter cold Upstate,..

Mark and Lynn discover Henry's in Ballston Spa....

Lynn and I went through Upstate New York last weekend to celebrate New Year's seeing friends, visiting old favorite haunts and so on.  We found ourselves famished in Ballston Spa and didn't feel like enduring the pangs of hunger any longer so we ditched our idea to make ti to Saratoga Springs and decided to take a chance on a place that was new to us called Henry's .

The restaurant's website describes itself as a "neighborhood tavern and restaurant."  Our thought was the place was selling itself short as it had better food, atmosphere and service than many a gastro-pub that we have visited.  There was a nice fire near the entrance; the bartender was attentive and instinctual; Lynn had a great platter of fish and chips with the fish being prepared more in a tempura style than the usual heavy handed, over breaded, over battered manner.  I had a crisp, crunchy spinach salad and we both warmed up with a frothy pint of Guinness.

We make a point of going through Ballston Spa when we are Upstate and we are glad for this place to be a newly discovered  pit stop for us.

M&L

Singing the praises of Torso Lingerie Studio (yet again)...

Lingerie is a subject mostly  uncharacteristic to our site.  However, as much as we focus on food/spirits/wine and the like we like to think of this site as a reflection of our experiences and interests.  So, in that spirit we feel obliged to sing the praises of Torso Lingerie Studio in Ballston Spa (not far from Saratoga Springs).  There is little doubt in our mind that Torso is the most fashionable outpost in Upstate.  The pieces are expertly curated by the sublimely warm and chic owner Deborah; indeed, most of the studio's pieces come off are works of art with their sculptural quality, silhouettes and sensual shapes and textures.  I have found Lynn great stuff there for years and this weekend Lynn managed to find some beautiful pieces to inject her wardrobe with some sensuous  energy to combat the letdown after the holidays....

M&L