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Salmon Jowl & Smoked Salmon Chowder

Labor of love for a cold day on a long weekend: Smoked salmon and salmon jowl chowder topped with smoked gouda.

Salmon heads are delightfully cheap at the seafood counter. It's good to ask if they'v...

Last Tea Session of the Year

Peaceful tea sessions: Last tea session of the year, New Year's Eve. Skipping a big holiday cook event for some simple grilled rainbow trout and grilled pork belly. I drank three teas, but this one is...

Death in the Afternoon with Rosé

Getting covid last month seems to have robbed me of enjoying most cocktails, but today I still poured a Death in the Afternoon (absinthe + champagne), the ultimate ode to decadent disillusionment. I u...

Homemade Rose Essence for Cocktails

Had a really high yield of English roses from the spring bloom so I made rose essences and oils. The essence of this rose turned out surprisingly well (Munstead Wood) with a rich color and taste so I...

Boston Room Service Surprises

A quick overnight business trip to Boston, and was pleasantly surprised by both the hotel and the room service. I'm due for a longer post about why room service is one of my favorite indulgences, and...

Grilled Mackerel & Rainbow Trout

I really wanted to grill some mackerel, (but I also picked up some gorgeous rainbow trout) and enjoy some sake with some izakaya (Japanese bar)-type snacks. I ordered some dishes from my fave Japanese...

The Office, Chicago: Cozy Speakeasy

If you're looking for a charming speakeasy, The Office on W. Fulton in Chicago is highly recommended. I was on a business trip at the time, and did not take the best notes on what we ordered, but ever...

Gin Tasting Notes: Newport Craft Gin

Newport Craft is local, and I've enjoyed the rest of their lineup, so it was time to give their gin its due. I poured a tester before reading the label, couldn't figure it out what I was tasting, and...