May 13, 2004: UPDATE in today's Post-Intelligencer. Reporter Mike Lewis has the inside scoop on the duelling covers and offers an insightful look at Seattle's alternative weeklies.
Seattle Weekly's annual guide to local restaurants hit the newsstands yesterday, followed less than 24 hours later by The Stranger's guide ... to Seattle restrooms. Notable because The Stranger's covers usually bear no relation to the paper's content. But look what we have here: a parody of The Weekly's cover. How'd they do that?
Even more pointed is The Stranger's other headline, that Seattle Weekly profits support George Bush's reelection. A bit far-fetched, given the complex web of Village Voice Media's ownership; still, a valid observation.
More fun: the weekly catfight between Seattle Weekly's slutty Date Girl columnist Judy McGuire and The Stranger's Savage Love columnist Dan Savage. Current installment: Judy confesses to a three-way with pictures; Dan reassures a reader that wearing diapers is kinda kinky but not perverted.
The restaurant reviews? No particular surprises. The bathroom reviews? The ladies room at Barca gets a top rating. Ho hum.
Overall, though, I'd have to say that Stranger has drawn first blood. Watch your back, Mossback: Savage claws are out! Rowrr!
Hey, it's the big Specialty Coffee Assoc of America trade show in Atlanta this weekend, so I rummaged through the archives and found an article I wrote 12 years ago about the then-nascent coffee culture. My editors titled it "Jitterbug Perfume," which makes only marginal sense, but it's worth rereading for the fascinating early history of Starbucks and giving credit to the crucial contribution of Seattle writer Gordon Bowker to our collective love of latte. To read the full story, please click here.
Birthday party at Highfield Ranch! Happy birthday to my brother the Zebraguy! Terrific barbecued tri-tip steaks, salads, chocolate cake ... and a new baby goat [for petting, not roasting].
One of the Internet's Top Ten Food Blogs -- About.com "Focused, witty and informative"--SeattlePI.com Prominent blog, best at covering the restaurant scene --Seattle Spin One of Seattle's 15 Greatest Blogs -- UrbanSeattle.com "Belltown's boulevardier"--Seattle Magazine "An elder statesman among bloggers" --Seattle Times One of America's favorite independent wine blogs --LocalWineEvents.com
Many of these posts also appear on Seattlest.com, part of another network of city blogs.
Real Absinthe -- Thujone Absinthe Absinthe Original offers a large selection of real absinthe varieties, also called the Green Fairy, containing varying amounts of thujone, derived from wormwood. Find absinthe liquors, spoons, glasses, and other accessories. Quick worldwide shipping.
The oldest and most comprehensive blog about Paris, BonjourParis, produced by a stellar team of writers and editors (including occasional contributions from Cornichon).
Maribeth Celemente's blog, Bonjour Telluride, with regular updates to her shopping guides, The Riches of France and The Riches of Paris.
French Chef Sally is my friend Sally McArthur, who hosts luxurious,
week-long cooking classes at the Chateau du Riveau in the Loire Valley.
Local Wine Events.com,
the worlds leading Food and Wine tasting calendar. Spirits and Beer events as well. Post your own event or sign up
to be notified when new events are po
sted to your own area.
VinoLover, Seattle wine promoter David LeClaire's bulletin board of tastings,
dinners and special events.
Wine Educator Dieter Schafer maintains a full schedule
of Seattle-area tastings and seminars
for amateur wine drinkers and professional alike.
Nat Decants, a free wine e-newsletter from Natalie MacLean, recently named the World's Best Drink Writer at the World Food Media Awards in Australia. Wine picks, articles and humor; no ads.
