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The Dandy Games 08

Click to look at photos first if you want.

For my birthday this year we went back to a common theme for us. Interesting clothes, booze and games of sport. When I first read about The Chap Olympiad, I knew that was this years theme - in a matter of speaking. In some ways we completely ripped them off, and then did them the disservice of not doing the sports as well as they did. In other ways. . . Well, we had plenty of gin and we had a Rocket Car.

As usual Amanda did a ton to make the day special, and I really must commend our friends for going all out on the attire. Skipping down the spray-painted lanes of our backyard while trying not to spill your gin and tonic looks so much better in a waistcoat or corset. A best-dressed award would have been too difficult to give out! We only got through a few of the events (Mostly my fault as MC. I should have contracted that job out to a guest.) Again, I want to thank everyone so much for the fun, the gifts that stocked the bar and for putting up with our themed parties that have become our favorite way to celebrate special occasions with friends.

View photos of the day here.

At the table with Anthony

So I just finished watching the premiere episode of At the table with Anthony, and although it’s too similar to After Hours with Daniel Boulud to be considered groundbreaking or unique, it was / is a good show.

Put some interesting and (to foodies) mostly recognizable famous people around the table at a fabulous restaurant where they eat and answer questions about life and eating and you have a jealousy-inducing inside look at what it’s like to eat at the cool-kids lunch table at various impossible-to-get-reservations restaurants in NYC. Subjected to the ultimate tasting menu and the best wine pairings the sommelier has to offer, the guests sit around the table and have an intimate meal that we get to watch. Sign me up.

This episode was at wd~50, where chef Wylie Dufresne showed his reverence to Ferran Adrià with a an incredible molecular gastronomy menu. Personally I’m not a fan of such severe deconstruction and foam and would rather eat classic dishes, but if the invite shows up in my mailbox I’ll happily attend.

5 Friends

Prosciutto wrapped scallops

The one dish I cooked for my birthday that I remembered (or had time) to photograph.

On Bluetooth Headsets

If you’re not driving, there is exactly one condition under which it’s acceptable to wear a headset of any kind: When you are coaching a Big Ten college football team.

[via Gentlemen's Quarterly]