// API callback
showrecentcomments({"version":"1.0","encoding":"UTF-8","feed":{"xmlns":"http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom","xmlns$openSearch":"http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/","xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.comments"},"updated":{"$t":"2023-09-16T12:00:05.309-04:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Feed Me\/Drink Me"},"link":[{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/feeds\/comments\/default"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/comments\/default?alt=json-in-script"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/"},{"rel":"hub","href":"http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/"},{"rel":"next","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/comments\/default?alt=json-in-script\u0026start-index=26\u0026max-results=25"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"braingirl"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04159313924554241811"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"generator":{"version":"7.00","uri":"http://www.blogger.com","$t":"Blogger"},"openSearch$totalResults":{"$t":"3174"},"openSearch$startIndex":{"$t":"1"},"openSearch$itemsPerPage":{"$t":"25"},"entry":[{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-5911183251241580123"},"published":{"$t":"2009-11-24T16:35:57.930-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-11-24T16:35:57.930-05:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"I believe I heard today that Hoover was granted he..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"I believe I heard today that Hoover was granted her variance\/permits."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/3383859860494397735\/comments\/default\/5911183251241580123"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/3383859860494397735\/comments\/default\/5911183251241580123"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/09\/mobilize-for-patachou.html?showComment=1259098557930#c5911183251241580123","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"braingirl"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04159313924554241811"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/09\/mobilize-for-patachou.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-3383859860494397735","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/10704477/posts/default/3383859860494397735","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-2007130943"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"11\/24\/2009 4:35 PM"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-1150062011751900410"},"published":{"$t":"2009-11-24T16:20:06.093-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-11-24T16:20:06.093-05:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Really, Meridian-Kessler? Are you really going to ..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Really, Meridian-Kessler? Are you really going to compare a gourmet pizzeria to Moe and Johnny\u0026#39;s? I think Moe\u0026#39;s is an awesome establishment with wonderful food and a fantastic staff, but they are a sports pub ... with a bar. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI hope you get your permits and kick over some garden gnomes when you do :)"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/3383859860494397735\/comments\/default\/1150062011751900410"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/3383859860494397735\/comments\/default\/1150062011751900410"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/09\/mobilize-for-patachou.html?showComment=1259097606093#c1150062011751900410","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Kris"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/15808826337897023618"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/09\/mobilize-for-patachou.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-3383859860494397735","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/10704477/posts/default/3383859860494397735","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-1091695854"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"11\/24\/2009 4:20 PM"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-6999273960204293762"},"published":{"$t":"2009-11-11T14:44:14.717-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-11-11T14:44:14.717-05:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"www.gabejordan.org for updates"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"www.gabejordan.org for updates"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/8802205435933614090\/comments\/default\/6999273960204293762"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/8802205435933614090\/comments\/default\/6999273960204293762"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/11\/gabe-jordan-stable-but-critical.html?showComment=1257968654717#c6999273960204293762","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/09339874573880545127"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/11\/gabe-jordan-stable-but-critical.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-8802205435933614090","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/10704477/posts/default/8802205435933614090","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-1082380011"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"11\/11\/2009 2:44 PM"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-6732496159485305232"},"published":{"$t":"2009-11-11T10:34:43.863-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-11-11T10:34:43.863-05:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Thanks for posting this. If you could add or chang..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Thanks for posting this. If you could add or change the link in the post, the family has setup a site for Gabe at gabejordan.org that will have regular updates on his recovery and other information.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWe appreciate your thoughts and prayers.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EPete (Gabe\u0026#39;s brother)"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/6791307919958616294\/comments\/default\/6732496159485305232"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/6791307919958616294\/comments\/default\/6732496159485305232"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/11\/jordan-family-blog.html?showComment=1257953683863#c6732496159485305232","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Unknown"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/02276820147793046325"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/11\/jordan-family-blog.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-6791307919958616294","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/10704477/posts/default/6791307919958616294","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-2135482971"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"11\/11\/2009 10:34 AM"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-3200732549988377999"},"published":{"$t":"2009-11-09T21:51:34.652-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-11-09T21:51:34.652-05:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Thanks for consolidating information on this. Am w..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Thanks for consolidating information on this. Am waiting and watching."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/8802205435933614090\/comments\/default\/3200732549988377999"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/8802205435933614090\/comments\/default\/3200732549988377999"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/11\/gabe-jordan-stable-but-critical.html?showComment=1257821494652#c3200732549988377999","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"John"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/13415282912677182843"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/11\/gabe-jordan-stable-but-critical.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-8802205435933614090","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/10704477/posts/default/8802205435933614090","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-1428460110"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"11\/09\/2009 9:51 PM"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-2184513088788346486"},"published":{"$t":"2009-09-26T01:18:13.997-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-09-26T01:18:13.997-04:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Thanks for the info.\n\nI, too, have blogged about t..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Thanks for the info.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI, too, have blogged about the scenario: http:\/\/blog.philthevoid.net\/2009\/09\/more-outdoor-dining-please.html\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELet\u0026#39;s hope we get to eat our pizza outside!"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/3383859860494397735\/comments\/default\/2184513088788346486"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/3383859860494397735\/comments\/default\/2184513088788346486"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/09\/mobilize-for-patachou.html?showComment=1253942293997#c2184513088788346486","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Anonymous"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/15321313005579284467"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/09\/mobilize-for-patachou.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-3383859860494397735","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/10704477/posts/default/3383859860494397735","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-242089591"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"9\/26\/2009 1:18 AM"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-9055442901442286682"},"published":{"$t":"2009-08-28T01:43:24.567-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-08-28T01:43:24.567-04:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Okay. Now I\u0026#39;m all...riled up, thinking about t..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Okay. Now I\u0026#39;m all...riled up, thinking about the assumptions of \u0026quot;elitism\u0026quot; in good food (not \u0026quot;fine\u0026quot; food, good food). The underlying assumption here is that by the \u0026quot;food snobs\u0026quot; insisting on good food, we are necessarily insisting on expensive food. Not true! Most traditional French cooking is the opposite of \u0026quot;fine.\u0026quot; Tough cuts turned into daube, old hens turned into coq au vin. I myself am a big fan of my grandmother\u0026#39;s chicken fried steak. All things are better with gravy.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd it\u0026#39;s not really a matter of subjective taste. Otherwise there would be no such thing as the concept of \u0026quot;classic.\u0026quot; Classic foods, classic movies, classic cars, art. If all things were really subjective, there would be no museums (though, I confess, most modern art escapes me), no \u0026quot;Top Whatever List of All Time,\u0026quot; no restaurants that most people agree are legendary. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELove it or hate it, this blog provides criticism, in the literary sense of the word. That kind of criticism is intended to provoke discussion and thought. Which it has."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/7844254824967005225\/comments\/default\/9055442901442286682"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/7844254824967005225\/comments\/default\/9055442901442286682"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/07\/where-ive-been-and-what-ive-been-doing.html?showComment=1251438204567#c9055442901442286682","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"silver"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/16383801935378272097"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/07\/where-ive-been-and-what-ive-been-doing.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-7844254824967005225","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/10704477/posts/default/7844254824967005225","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-807582101"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"8\/28\/2009 1:43 AM"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-2675096772797292031"},"published":{"$t":"2009-08-28T01:18:51.482-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-08-28T01:18:51.482-04:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Gotta disagree with Deut. It\u0026#39;s easy to write m..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Gotta disagree with Deut. It\u0026#39;s easy to write me off as \u0026quot;smug\u0026quot; and \u0026quot;arrogant,\u0026quot; rather than debating the facts. For our relative economic strength, we don\u0026#39;t have a comparable restaurant scene. I\u0026#39;ve been over this a dozen times. And whether it\u0026#39;s incremental improvement or giant overhaul, the fact of the matter is is that we can\u0026#39;t remain content with the status quo if we\u0026#39;re going to improve. End of story. And it\u0026#39;s not \u0026quot;fine dining\u0026quot; and it\u0026#39;s not \u0026quot;hundred dollar dinners twice a week.\u0026quot; Hell, I\u0026#39;ve been in truck stops in the south of France that ROCKED. It\u0026#39;s knowing what food can be when you raise the expectations and let it really shine. I\u0026#39;m not sure why some here are so threatened by that."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/7844254824967005225\/comments\/default\/2675096772797292031"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/7844254824967005225\/comments\/default\/2675096772797292031"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/07\/where-ive-been-and-what-ive-been-doing.html?showComment=1251436731482#c2675096772797292031","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"silver"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/16383801935378272097"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/07\/where-ive-been-and-what-ive-been-doing.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-7844254824967005225","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/10704477/posts/default/7844254824967005225","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-807582101"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"8\/28\/2009 1:18 AM"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-8154281686351390345"},"published":{"$t":"2009-08-15T12:21:41.967-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-08-15T12:21:41.967-04:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Thanks for your thought-provoking presentation on ..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Thanks for your thought-provoking presentation on reviewing ethics and blogging ettiquette (sp?) at BlogIndiana on Thursday, Renee\u0026#39;!  I really appreciated it.  I have been transparent from the beginning about the fact that I accept free tickets from theatres, but your talk made me realize that in addition to a comments policy, I really need a distinct review policy, too.  Thanks again, and it was fun seeing you in person again, too!  If you need more on your plate (hah!) I bet you would make a great food TV host.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHope Baugh\u003Cbr \/\u003EIndy Theatre Habit"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/3362065571477916123\/comments\/default\/8154281686351390345"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/3362065571477916123\/comments\/default\/8154281686351390345"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/08\/blindy-nominee-2009.html?showComment=1250353301967#c8154281686351390345","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Hope"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/07610305146063202140"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/08\/blindy-nominee-2009.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-3362065571477916123","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/10704477/posts/default/3362065571477916123","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-1372897714"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"8\/15\/2009 12:21 PM"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-290507707270959578"},"published":{"$t":"2009-08-13T10:43:38.739-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-08-13T10:43:38.739-04:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Hey thanks for the link, and congrats for the nomi..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Hey thanks for the link, and congrats for the nomination.  I have no idea how I got nominated either!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETommy\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESaturday Morning Central"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/3362065571477916123\/comments\/default\/290507707270959578"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/3362065571477916123\/comments\/default\/290507707270959578"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/08\/blindy-nominee-2009.html?showComment=1250174618739#c290507707270959578","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Tommy Day"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/15384288333902677874"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/08\/blindy-nominee-2009.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-3362065571477916123","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/10704477/posts/default/3362065571477916123","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-1178430046"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"8\/13\/2009 10:43 AM"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-3042716091084936312"},"published":{"$t":"2009-08-11T20:39:19.684-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-08-11T20:39:19.684-04:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Renee I hope this doesn\u0026#39;t come off as smug, bu..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Renee I hope this doesn\u0026#39;t come off as smug, but I also give my permission for you to blog in whatever manner you choose on your blog. \u003Cbr \/\u003EAs a restaurant owner I agree with your assessment of the local restaurant scene. Non discriminating consumers accepting mediocrity. Managers asking \u0026quot;how is your meal\u0026quot; like robots to customers that say \u0026quot;great\u0026quot; that are thinking \u0026quot;we\u0026#39;re never coming back here.\u0026quot;\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis blog cuts thru the polite bullshit that as hoosiers makes this agreat place to live. Most customers dont understand as an owner I want to improve I want honesty and that is what fm\/dm is all about. I use this blog to measure what my restaurant needs to do to improve.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI think we are gaining ground in the culinary arena and harsh critics have helped displace papa johns as the best pizza in indy just 6 years ago. This blog helps move us forward in improving our restaurant scene. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ERestaurants are hard to achieve perfection. Bonge\u0026#39;s I think has approached that. They dont try to do to much and what they do they do well. Maybe that is the problem with the local independants they try an extensive menu with a low budget staff and the results are mediocre at best.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003Egot to go and take75% of the stuff off my menu.\u003Cbr \/\u003Efm\/dm thanks for this revelation."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/7844254824967005225\/comments\/default\/3042716091084936312"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/7844254824967005225\/comments\/default\/3042716091084936312"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/07\/where-ive-been-and-what-ive-been-doing.html?showComment=1250037559684#c3042716091084936312","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"DON VITO"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/03048419050353180343"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/07\/where-ive-been-and-what-ive-been-doing.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-7844254824967005225","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/10704477/posts/default/7844254824967005225","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-37453186"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"8\/11\/2009 8:39 PM"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-8294839698929541199"},"published":{"$t":"2009-08-10T15:40:50.725-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-08-10T15:40:50.725-04:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Good to see such vigorous dialogue on the subject...."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Good to see such vigorous dialogue on the subject.  Renee, you definitely fill a niche and I wish you the best.  I just don\u0026#39;t want confuse constructive criticism with insincere praise, but that criticism does not need to extend to the patrons themselves of mediocrity.  Challenge the overrated chefs of the city by all means, explain why they\u0026#39;re bad, and if anything redeems the eating experience, that is probably worth a mention as well.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhat will lose some of your following (to which you apparently don\u0026#39;t care; that is your right) is akin to saying not merely that \u0026quot;Transformers is bad\u0026quot; but \u0026quot;People who watch Transformers in spite of the fact that it is bad are cultureless cretins\u0026quot;.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt\u0026#39;s that level of smugness that could repel a number of people, but as Robby says, you\u0026#39;re free to do whatever you want with your blog.  On that note, I\u0026#39;m outta here."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/7844254824967005225\/comments\/default\/8294839698929541199"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/7844254824967005225\/comments\/default\/8294839698929541199"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/07\/where-ive-been-and-what-ive-been-doing.html?showComment=1249933250725#c8294839698929541199","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Deuteronomy"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05282300728028633824"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/07\/where-ive-been-and-what-ive-been-doing.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-7844254824967005225","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/10704477/posts/default/7844254824967005225","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-182504875"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"8\/10\/2009 3:40 PM"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-7727727913754556838"},"published":{"$t":"2009-08-02T22:41:37.570-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-08-02T22:41:37.570-04:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"I just want to quickly voice support for Deuterono..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"I just want to quickly voice support for Deuteronomy\u0026#39;s comments and say that I wanted to leave a similar one months ago and decided it was not worth the effort. I love to read about food, love to eat out and try new restaurants, and am even an off and on culinary student. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI also support local food and restaurants as much as possible. But if you can\u0026#39;t afford to drop a hundred dollars or more every time you eat out or buy a bottle of wine, then this blog isn\u0026#39;t for you. I suppose people who can afford to do this are just naturally going to be somewhat arrogant and snooty about food. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo I realized I am not in the socio-economic realm of this blog and consequently just don\u0026#39;t read it."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/7844254824967005225\/comments\/default\/7727727913754556838"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/7844254824967005225\/comments\/default\/7727727913754556838"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/07\/where-ive-been-and-what-ive-been-doing.html?showComment=1249267297570#c7727727913754556838","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Anonymous"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/blank.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/07\/where-ive-been-and-what-ive-been-doing.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-7844254824967005225","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/10704477/posts/default/7844254824967005225","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-347136611"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"8\/02\/2009 10:41 PM"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-8298445377921853965"},"published":{"$t":"2009-08-02T00:20:45.483-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-08-02T00:20:45.483-04:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"I had the pleasure of tasting Junipero for the fir..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"I had the pleasure of tasting Junipero for the first time at a hosted meal at Forbes Mill in Los Gatos, Ca. The event special speaker was none other than, Fritz Maytag, owner an inventor of Anchor and Junipero. Junipero opened my eyes and my tastebuds to gin, prior I was an ocassional drinker of gin. Thanks to Mr. Fritz I know have a nice collection of Gin."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/198158585859067522\/comments\/default\/8298445377921853965"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/198158585859067522\/comments\/default\/8298445377921853965"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2008\/07\/junipero-gin-ask-for-it.html?showComment=1249186845483#c8298445377921853965","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Anonymous"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05319299967940977195"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2008\/07\/junipero-gin-ask-for-it.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-198158585859067522","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/10704477/posts/default/198158585859067522","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-1282046570"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"8\/02\/2009 12:20 AM"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-4796508111130768657"},"published":{"$t":"2009-07-31T08:26:31.022-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-07-31T08:26:31.022-04:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Chris, I don\u0026#39;t agree that just because somethi..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Chris, I don\u0026#39;t agree that just because something is better that it should be celebrated and shouldn\u0026#39;t be examined in a critical way.  I\u0026#39;m done being an apologist for Indianapolis fine dining -- and I\u0026#39;m done being an unnecessary cheerleader for incremental improvement that\u0026#39;s not always progress.  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe scope of this blog has always been fine dining and wine. There are plenty of others out there celebrating incremental improvement that the city touts as Great! There are also others who cover openings, closings, and mediocre independents I choose not to patronize because they do sub-par work. Doesn\u0026#39;t mean I want Indy to be SF or NYC overnight; it means I want chefs and owners to do better. And customers to ask for better. And readers to challenge writers to do better.  We should be aiming higher, and striving for more.   \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E(Case in point: The place in your nabe you were so excited about?  It\u0026#39;s gross.  The food is mediocre and the last two times I\u0026#39;ve gone it\u0026#39;s been dirty. With flies.  Is this good enough?!  Not for me.) \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI\u0026#39;m happily narrowing my scope of coverage again, calling people out I wouldn\u0026#39;t have before, and saying what I think when it comes to fine dining.  I\u0026#39;m not a paid \u0026quot;critic\u0026quot; -- and frankly, smug is what I intend to be.  If I lose a few readers who\u0026#39;re disappointed I\u0026#39;m no longer a positive \u0026quot;cheerleader\u0026quot; for Indy who wants to only look at the good, well, then so be it.  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI know I will retain just as many readers who join me (much more silently) in believing the only way we\u0026#39;re going to improve fine dining in Indy is to keep asking for -- demanding -- more."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/7844254824967005225\/comments\/default\/4796508111130768657"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/7844254824967005225\/comments\/default\/4796508111130768657"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/07\/where-ive-been-and-what-ive-been-doing.html?showComment=1249043191022#c4796508111130768657","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"braingirl"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04159313924554241811"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/07\/where-ive-been-and-what-ive-been-doing.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-7844254824967005225","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/10704477/posts/default/7844254824967005225","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-2007130943"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"7\/31\/2009 8:26 AM"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-2137298305358547848"},"published":{"$t":"2009-07-29T19:09:51.407-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-07-29T19:09:51.407-04:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"My common line recently has been \u0026quot;let\u0026#39;s n..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"My common line recently has been \u0026quot;let\u0026#39;s not make the perfect the enemy of the good.\u0026quot;  \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere are many facets of cultural life in Indianapolis where \u0026quot;good\u0026quot; is a (sometimes significant) improvement and something to be trumpeted, not lamented.  For the engaged and knowledgeable, this can be maddening, since you know how much better things \u003Ci\u003Ecould be\u003C\/i\u003E.  But incremental progress is a good thing, and I don\u0026#39;t think there\u0026#39;s any way to slice the Indianapolis food scene and say that we aren\u0026#39;t making progress. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIndianapolis will not be San Francisco overnight (if ever).  We need to see the progress we\u0026#39;re making for what it is: baby steps toward a better dining future.  Engage your dining companions, restaurateurs, fellow bloggers, etc. and fight for something better!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI will conclude that I generally agree with Deuteronomy -- lots of good, constructive criticism in those comments."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/7844254824967005225\/comments\/default\/2137298305358547848"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/7844254824967005225\/comments\/default\/2137298305358547848"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/07\/where-ive-been-and-what-ive-been-doing.html?showComment=1248908991407#c2137298305358547848","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"CorrND"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/15371462855078578516"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiefd_6B-XaV7vMrhbvrxmGThQgNeULKYYG2tImlYU8O8wq5uPCeu3bqt0ndkEgGdcrrcI_ZfTD1b_-3_oDNy33dQlJtTQdr-049IHwgg3ek4lZ9zheuoGAu3h0cIaUaA\/s1600\/chriswrote.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/07\/where-ive-been-and-what-ive-been-doing.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-7844254824967005225","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/10704477/posts/default/7844254824967005225","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-1848316973"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"7\/29\/2009 7:09 PM"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-6419323882339646093"},"published":{"$t":"2009-07-29T15:35:13.238-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-07-29T15:35:13.238-04:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Renee-\n\nI am also glad to see you back. I would li..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Renee-\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI am also glad to see you back. I would like to say generally all the new food blogs popping up around here all the time don\u0026#39;t bother me (how could I complain after all?) but for the most part I just don\u0026#39;t read many of them because they are either completely irrelevant to me, or so positive, why not just read the local mags instead?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI certainly don\u0026#39;t have anything against Indy, or its food diners, but I continue to believe (sounding like a broken record here) you can\u0026#39;t get a better food scene until you raise expectations (of the restaurants and the diners).  When the restaurants just get love all the time no matter what they do, why should they do it better?  That is why, I feel, so many restaurants that should go under don\u0026#39;t, and why so many that shouldn\u0026#39;t, do. Writing something negative sometimes doesn\u0026#39;t mean you hate Indy, its restaurants, or its diners. I think it means you actually give a shit.  I mean, if you raised your kid constantly praising them no matter what they did, and never giving appropriate constructive criticism, they would be totally screwed.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd as far as the diners go, until they have an opportunity to get some quality food in their mouths and broaden their tastes a little, they will keep going to the mid level chains that do so well in Indy.  So many restaurants in this town serve the exact same things on their menus, it drives me nuts.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo anyway, keep up your good work and keep the faith!"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/7844254824967005225\/comments\/default\/6419323882339646093"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/7844254824967005225\/comments\/default\/6419323882339646093"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/07\/where-ive-been-and-what-ive-been-doing.html?showComment=1248896113238#c6419323882339646093","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Erin in Indy"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/06236924407558284371"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"24","src":"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/_r5_D3YPbOt8\/S0HqEx92WBI\/AAAAAAAAAjY\/JalV9NTxI9k\/S220\/fork+8-web.jpg"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/07\/where-ive-been-and-what-ive-been-doing.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-7844254824967005225","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/10704477/posts/default/7844254824967005225","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-1170385219"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"7\/29\/2009 3:35 PM"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-4557342399701864403"},"published":{"$t":"2009-07-29T12:27:11.120-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-07-29T12:27:11.120-04:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Last time I checked, it\u0026#39;s Renee\u0026#39;s blog and..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Last time I checked, it\u0026#39;s Renee\u0026#39;s blog and this is where I add the clause about \u0026quot;whatever she damn well pleases.\u0026quot;\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe problem here is inescapably classic; when a hobby blossoms into a profession it somehow attracts the ugly accouterments of economic reality. Write a popular food blog, and people will want to commended by your popular voice. Having never signed up for sycophants and press agents, their requests---no matter how professional---are essentially unwanted. Hence the hiatus and nuclear return. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI for one look forward to whatever comestible commentary you choose to provide us dear readers. Whether you vilify victuals, repurpose recipes or festoon food fiction, know you are supported! You\u0026#39;ll remain in my RSS feed and your suggestions will occasionally find their way to my waistline. Keep it up!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E@robbyslaughter"},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/7844254824967005225\/comments\/default\/4557342399701864403"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/7844254824967005225\/comments\/default\/4557342399701864403"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/07\/where-ive-been-and-what-ive-been-doing.html?showComment=1248884831120#c4557342399701864403","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Robby Slaughter"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/10699269507844868795"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/07\/where-ive-been-and-what-ive-been-doing.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-7844254824967005225","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/10704477/posts/default/7844254824967005225","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-637013035"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"7\/29\/2009 12:27 PM"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-6049532008770308982"},"published":{"$t":"2009-07-29T11:06:57.666-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-07-29T11:06:57.666-04:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Thanks for getting back to me and responding thoug..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Thanks for getting back to me and responding thoughtfully; clearly my criticism is meant to be constructive.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBut I hold true to my assertion.  Many of the restaurants I listed yesterday I would agree are average at best.  But taste in food, no matter the level of expertise, is just as subjective as taste in anything else.  The box office reports reveal that far more Americans would prefer seeing the \u0026quot;Transformers\u0026quot; sequel over \u0026quot;The Hurt Locker\u0026quot;; that the majority of movie critics thought Transformers was bad does not give those movie critics any reason to sneer at the broader public because of its collective taste.  It accomplishes nothing and reflects more on the critics themselves than the mass audiences.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFurthermore, the assumption that good restaurants fail solely because of poor patronage is specious at best.  A good restaurateur will always blame lack of customers for failure, but who wants to admit that it could also have to do with a lack of business acumen, poor location, low morale or wages among staff, or a badly calibrated debt to equity ratio?  Tavern at the Temple, which could at times be brilliant, no doubt failed precisely because of this.  And I have family members who loved R Bistro but had to give up on it after service was so appalling (they were asked to leave by the owner because they hadn\u0026#39;t planned tables ahead for a 9pm reservation) they felt unwelcome.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo, when silver says \u0026quot;Indy diners are not sophisticated\u0026quot;, you are doing nothing to advance the dining scene.  Sorry, but there it is.  It\u0026#39;s counterproductive, condescending, and only serves to turn off people to the blog.  The economy is a very legitimate excuse; not all your readers can afford fine dining twice a week in the good times, even if we\u0026#39;d like to.  If you\u0026#39;d like to become a forum for food advocates rather than just a handful of food snobs who are clearly preaching to their choir, then the tone really needs to change.  Otherwise, you have my blessings to continue as an elite coterie that has no impact whatsoever (positive or negative) on the local food scene."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/7844254824967005225\/comments\/default\/6049532008770308982"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/7844254824967005225\/comments\/default\/6049532008770308982"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/07\/where-ive-been-and-what-ive-been-doing.html?showComment=1248880017666#c6049532008770308982","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Deuteronomy"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05282300728028633824"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/07\/where-ive-been-and-what-ive-been-doing.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-7844254824967005225","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/10704477/posts/default/7844254824967005225","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-182504875"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"7\/29\/2009 11:06 AM"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-3987010924803885951"},"published":{"$t":"2009-07-29T08:00:01.192-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-07-29T08:00:01.192-04:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Great! I’ve been to the Tastings in St. Pete, and ..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Great! I’ve been to the Tastings in St. Pete, and thought it was nicely done."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/8129119368513848108\/comments\/default\/3987010924803885951"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/8129119368513848108\/comments\/default\/3987010924803885951"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/07\/wine-bar-deja-vu.html?showComment=1248868801192#c3987010924803885951","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"J. Silverheels Gray"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/10173796922367510965"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEgIBujXETRU8taOeZ2zuaPPzceJEDi9j6XKdGiYe15i4huQNU2V88U6BeTVKLipsIpf-eEccjGc6CNAFgBEFk-UqiaJC3K5_CPU0x3JoTBGF6G5qQnfTeoYxyOTOp4Uow\/s220\/jackson-wine.jpg"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/07\/wine-bar-deja-vu.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-8129119368513848108","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/10704477/posts/default/8129119368513848108","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-929739787"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"7\/29\/2009 8:00 AM"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-4901753352378169952"},"published":{"$t":"2009-07-29T07:44:14.981-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-07-29T07:44:14.981-04:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"I sure wish Weber Grill would clean up their space..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"I sure wish Weber Grill would clean up their space.  The place is just tacky.  The grill tops in the fence around the seating area are rusted, paint is peeling, and that ever-present smell..."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/8129119368513848108\/comments\/default\/4901753352378169952"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/8129119368513848108\/comments\/default\/4901753352378169952"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/07\/wine-bar-deja-vu.html?showComment=1248867854981#c4901753352378169952","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"braingirl"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04159313924554241811"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/07\/wine-bar-deja-vu.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-8129119368513848108","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/10704477/posts/default/8129119368513848108","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-2007130943"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"7\/29\/2009 7:44 AM"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-389263533651867303"},"published":{"$t":"2009-07-28T22:58:37.399-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-07-28T22:58:37.399-04:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"\u0026quot;Wine by the bottle will be for sale at the r..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u0026quot;Wine by the bottle will be for sale at the retail price...\u0026quot;\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENice!  I will definitely be taking them up on that.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Dish barely touched on this, but the $1M renovation of the Washington\/Illinois corner of The Conrad is not to be glossed over.  They\u0026#39;ll be creating a separate entrance for Tastings on the corner and adding 80 sidewalk seats.  With the Panera seating across the way, these additions should be a huge boon to that intersection."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/8129119368513848108\/comments\/default\/389263533651867303"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/8129119368513848108\/comments\/default\/389263533651867303"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/07\/wine-bar-deja-vu.html?showComment=1248836317399#c389263533651867303","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"CorrND"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/15371462855078578516"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/blogger.googleusercontent.com\/img\/b\/R29vZ2xl\/AVvXsEiefd_6B-XaV7vMrhbvrxmGThQgNeULKYYG2tImlYU8O8wq5uPCeu3bqt0ndkEgGdcrrcI_ZfTD1b_-3_oDNy33dQlJtTQdr-049IHwgg3ek4lZ9zheuoGAu3h0cIaUaA\/s1600\/chriswrote.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/07\/wine-bar-deja-vu.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-8129119368513848108","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/10704477/posts/default/8129119368513848108","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-1848316973"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"7\/28\/2009 10:58 PM"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-6774619613656685161"},"published":{"$t":"2009-07-28T21:13:28.249-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-07-28T21:13:28.249-04:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"AAAAANNNNNND again with the \u0026quot;economy\u0026quot; ex..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"AAAAANNNNNND again with the \u0026quot;economy\u0026quot; excuse. I\u0026#39;ll save Braingirl\u0026#39;s sanity (sort of) by not rehashing that one yet again. Deuteronomy, my question to you is how do we change the status quo if we don\u0026#39;t challenge it? I\u0026#39;ve been on both sides of the order pad in more than one city and I know firsthand that Indy diners are not as sophisticated as our size and economic strength (yes, strength) would suggest. Sorry, but there it is."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/7844254824967005225\/comments\/default\/6774619613656685161"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/7844254824967005225\/comments\/default\/6774619613656685161"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/07\/where-ive-been-and-what-ive-been-doing.html?showComment=1248830008249#c6774619613656685161","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"silver"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/16383801935378272097"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/07\/where-ive-been-and-what-ive-been-doing.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-7844254824967005225","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/10704477/posts/default/7844254824967005225","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-807582101"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"7\/28\/2009 9:13 PM"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-2863968644166420567"},"published":{"$t":"2009-07-28T19:28:51.647-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-07-28T19:28:51.647-04:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Deut, you make a common mistake, confusing \u0026quot;l..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Deut, you make a common mistake, confusing \u0026quot;local\/independent\u0026quot; with \u0026quot;quality.\u0026quot;  I\u0026#39;ll happily spend the money at Oceanaire or Ruth\u0026#39;s Chis over many of the places you name because, well, they\u0026#39;re flat out better.   \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhy should we be penalized for eating at local and independent restaurants? Today, with only a few exceptions, we are."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/7844254824967005225\/comments\/default\/2863968644166420567"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/7844254824967005225\/comments\/default\/2863968644166420567"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/07\/where-ive-been-and-what-ive-been-doing.html?showComment=1248823731647#c2863968644166420567","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"braingirl"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04159313924554241811"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/07\/where-ive-been-and-what-ive-been-doing.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-7844254824967005225","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/10704477/posts/default/7844254824967005225","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-2007130943"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"7\/28\/2009 7:28 PM"}]},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-3086461507531183641"},"published":{"$t":"2009-07-28T13:56:32.932-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-07-28T13:56:32.932-04:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Maybe you aren\u0026#39;t as big of a fan of Agio, Meri..."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Maybe you aren\u0026#39;t as big of a fan of Agio, Meridian, ShelBi Street Cafe, Taste of Tango, Santorini, Brugge Brasserie, Dunaway\u0026#39;s, Saffron Cafe, Urban Elements, or Bosphorus, but they are all trying to stay afloat during a challenging economy.  Not all are fine dining, but all are independent.  Consistently praising and PATRONIZING the real winners does not mean abstaining from constructive criticism on restaurants with strong features that seriously need improvement (such as the sometimes great but deservedly late Buggs Tavern at the Temple), but it does not add to the food criticism scene to sneer at the city, or others with a similar passion but less knowledge.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI suspect from now on I\u0026#39;ll be gravitating to one of the other bloggers out there, perhaps one that you think has no clue.  I try to support locals whenever possible, but can generally only afford fine dining once or twice a year.  Several of us on here weep quietly whenever a new local restaurant folds, but I can\u0026#39;t say Indianapolis (or any other city for that matter) is any poorer if a particularly smug critic leaves town."},"link":[{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/7844254824967005225\/comments\/default\/3086461507531183641"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/10704477\/7844254824967005225\/comments\/default\/3086461507531183641"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/07\/where-ive-been-and-what-ive-been-doing.html?showComment=1248803792932#c3086461507531183641","title":""}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Deuteronomy"},"uri":{"$t":"https:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/05282300728028633824"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$in-reply-to":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","href":"http:\/\/feedmedrinkme.blogspot.com\/2009\/07\/where-ive-been-and-what-ive-been-doing.html","ref":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10704477.post-7844254824967005225","source":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/10704477/posts/default/7844254824967005225","type":"text/html"},"gd$extendedProperty":[{"name":"blogger.itemClass","value":"pid-182504875"},{"name":"blogger.displayTime","value":"7\/28\/2009 1:56 PM"}]}]}});