Michael

Recent Comments

• Viennese Coffee - Melange (Slashfood)

  Apr 1st 2009 7:54AM I just have a latte in the morning, but it is served on a small tray with a glass of water. I think the small glass of water is served more out of hospitality than anything medical. I remember reading an article that while caffeine can act as a diuretic, the effect is only noticable after very large amounts which would have you bouncing down the street anyway.
  
  They did serve big pints of water with just about everything in Athens, but that's very hot and filled with smog in the summer.

• New Year's Resolution #1 - Indulge More (Slashfood)

  Dec 29th 2008 5:03AM More. Bake more cookies, cakes and muffins. Finally cook that seabass in a crust of salt. Make the perfect bouillabaisse. Become a master of curries. Cook even more delicious seafood dishes. And eat more.

• A Tea Haven in NYC's Greenwich Village (Slashfood)

  Dec 22nd 2008 6:45AM I love a nice cup of tea, but, for the love of all that is holy, a bag? Unless the bag was one of those fancy big cloth bags, a teabag is quite out of place if we are to drink tea properly. I leave you with these words from Django Bates' song The Importance of Boiling Water:
  
  First put your tealeaves in a pot
  Don't use a teabag please do not
  

• To Crust, or Not to Crust? (Slashfood)

  Dec 10th 2008 12:33PM I'm all for crusts. And having bread with every meal. Delicious, crusty sourdough and a hearty tomato soup. Freshly baked bread with a crust tastes absolutely wonderful. I often eat a slice right after I leave the small Friesian bakery here. Delicious.

• Raising coffee and milk to high art (Slashfood)

  Sep 30th 2008 11:29AM Latte art equals good foam and that (usually) means a good latte. I usually get a heart, apple or leaf in my morning coffee and the occasional cartwheel, though those are not free-poured. Baristas earn extra points for difficulty if they use soy milk, because it is harder to get good foam with soy.
  
  It's all in the wrist, apparently.

• Where in the world is the most expensive cup of coffee? (Slashfood)

  Aug 18th 2008 12:44PM My regular latte costs me about two euros, or about 2 dollars and 60 cents. But it is served on a little tray with a cookie, small glass of water by the barista of my local shop. In case you're wondering, it looks like this:
  
  http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelcray/261558536/

• The man who microwaves his salads (Slashfood)

  May 14th 2008 10:48AM Dear Bob,
  
  Stop worrying and enjoy a nice fresh healthy salad. I mean it ;-) If you're really worried wash or soak your lettuce thoroughly and don't use premade dressing.

• Recipe: Greek yogurt cupcakes (Slashfood)

  May 10th 2008 5:52PM I wholeheartedly concur on a Greek yoghurt ( yaourti ) breakfast. I usually have it mixed with honey and cinnamon sprinkled on top. I also love the fact that it comes in a little bucket.

• What's your Walk Score? (Slashfood)

  May 5th 2008 4:29PM I got 51 but it can't be right. It lists the nearest bookstore as being over 25 miles away while it is only a brisk 10-minute walk past 17th century canals and cobblestone streets. And I walk everywhere. But perhaps information is less than accurate for smaller European cities.
  
  I really like the idea though. Walking is important. It's healthy, environmentally friendly and cheap.

• Dollars hard to sell in Amsterdam (Gadling)

  Mar 19th 2008 9:37PM There are indeed a lot of small currency outlets but you could always exchange your dollars at Schiphol or Amsterdam Central's GWK. It's a bit of an exaggeration to say you have to go "downtown" as Amsterdam just isn't very big and most tourists would be staying downtown anyway. But I really wouldn't worry about it too much. Have a great time in Amsterdam.