21 - FBA celebrate's LucyLu's Birthday And More Monterey Bay Museum Pics!

Dear LucyLu celebrated her birthday with Flat BA.
I've been remiss in posting her darling photos.
(I'm employing the magic of backdating.)

Here's her report of FBA's visit.
Dana

LucyLu:
I had the honor of hosting Flat BA this past week.
I picked him up at the Monterey Bay Aquarium book signing.
So I'll start there:

This is Alton in the Kelp Forest:
Very funny guy, even under water.
Did a great Darth Vader impression!

Alton telling me what he thinks of Anthony Bourdain.

Looking at the pictures of the cake I made for myself.
(Even though it was really for him.)
Pictures of cake below.

All together now!
Awwwwwww!
Flat BA and me feeling cool after the signing.

Flat BA on the way home, driving across the Golden Gate Bridge.

And now on to the cake!
I made this cake as a belated birthday cake for myself...
And in honor of the Alton signing and of Flat BA's visit.

Here's a shot of Flat BA appreciating his likeness.

Flat BA said he didn't take the first piece, but I believe otherwise.
*smile*
And finally, I took Flat BA around town to see some of the many Charlie Brown and Snoopy statues honoring the Peanuts and Charles M. Schulz.

He had a good time!
Hope you all enjoyed.
Miss the little guy already.

-L

20b - Monterey Bay Report

Note:
First, an apology. Due to an unusually hectic work schedule, I had to take a short "sabbatical" from being agent to the Flats. (The boys didn't seem to mind, they had logged quite a few frequent flier miles recently and appreciated the rest.) Sorry for the delay. Thank you for your understanding.
--Dana

Since Flat BA is a man of few words and I'm a woman of many, I agreed to let FBA give you the short version of the Cooking Demo with Alton Brown and Darina Allen at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Cooking for Solutions event on Friday evening, May 16, 2008. Take it away, FBA.
--GoldenGirl

Thanks, GoldenGirl.
If you want the long-winded version, you'll have to read her posts. I hope you have a comfy chair!

First off, bernabee was an awesome hostess and a really sweet person. I got to hang out with her and GG Friday night and then we hooked up with LucyLu, cornchili, Missjane and her daughter, Elizabeth, the next day (more on that later).

The cooking demo with Alton and Darina was pretty cool especially since Darina is this big deal chef from Ireland (International Cooking Teacher of the Year) with a TV show, a fancy cooking school and best-selling cookbooks AND she'd never even heard of Alton Brown! She called him "Alvin" -- twice!! Man, that was just too funny.

Darina cooked a whole flounder with herb butter which did look tasty. Alton, being Alton, kept asking "why are you doing that" questions but I don't think she's used to working with a sidekick so it kind of threw her in the beginning. You could tell the audience was filled with Good Eats fans and they really got AB's humor -- Darina, not so much. In the end, Darina and Alton made a funny comedy team and I'd watch their act on TV anytime. Also, you could tell they both share the same passions for quality food prepared simply but well AND for choosing foods with an eye toward sustainability -- especially seafood.
**Darina and Alton working as a team

Following the demo, bernabee and GoldenGirl made a beeline for the stage in order to ask Alton for his signature. (Those wacky girls, don't they know they can wait and do that at the wine and hors d'oeuvre reception that follows? -- Apparently NOT.) Here's how the conversation went. (Oh, and notice that bernabee has NO lines. At this point she was just awestruck -- I don't think AB noticed she was standing there with GG who was doing ALL the talking.)

**That's me, Flat BA, with Alton. GG is the blond on the left; bernabee is the brunette on the right.
(I'm calling that guy in the back "Alton's assistant" but he probably has a better title than that.)

AB: "Oh, now YOU have him . . . is this guy just going to keep following me?"

GG: "Yes. Well, this guy (Flat BA) and the other guy (Flat AB)."

GG: "Would you do us a really big favor and add 'Chicago 3/15/08' and 'Atlanta 3/29/08' to our Flat BA clone since those original signatures weren't copied?"

AB: "You want me to LIE?!!!"

GG: "No, not 'lie' just document the previous signings since those signatures were lost when, you know . . . "

AB: "What's in is for me?"

GG: "It would just make us really, really happy."

AB: "Oh, all right."

AB (writes): "Chicago 3/15/08 AB"

AB (to his assistant): "Hey, when was I in Atlanta? I don't remember doing anything in Atlanta."
GG: "Actually, that was the Cobb County Library fundraiser on March 29th. See, here's a photograph of your original signature on the back of the original Flat BA."
AB: "Oh yeah, okay."

AB (writes): "Atlanta 3/29/08 AB"

AB (writes): "Monterey 5/16/08 AB"

GG: "Thank you!"

AB: "Hey, I didn't sign that . . . what's THAT?!"


GG (puzzled): "I don't know." [It says CLONED 4/13/08]

FBA (turns to bernabee, who is looking at AB all starry-eyed):
"Uh, are you still alive??? Earth to bernabee! Look, she's starting to catch flies in her mouth!"

AB: "C'mon . . . don't you want wine?! Let's all go get some wine!"

By all accounts, the Monterey event was a wonderful experience. Please visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium's website for information on future events.

20a - FBA meets Alton at Monterey Bay, CA!

Here's a sneak peek at the Monterey Bay Aquarium event.
Just a taste... of what's to come!

Bernabee, Alton, Flat BA, and Golden Girl.

Alton - swimming in the Kelp Forest!

Bernabee, Flat BA, Golden Girl, and LucyLu.
What a darling picture!

Stay tuned for more pics and details...
--Dana

19 - FAB and Alton in the Gateway City! -And Good Eats With Friends

FAB went to visit with "eye4got" so he would be in town for Alton's appearance and booksigning. This is another stop on his "Feasting on Asphalt - The River Run Book Tour."
I'll let eye4got fill you in on the rest
--Dana

Hi everyone, it's me - eye4got,
FAB came to visit St. Louis.
Our first stop was the warehouse at my 2nd job.
An apron just wasn't going to cut it there.
So, we got him some proper safety gear.
(Like the hat?)
This alcohol may be 190 proof but it is not good eats (or drinks).

Is this the secret ingredient that gives Twinkies their 20-year shelf life?

FAB helped me ship some orders.

This is a street sign near my house. There wasn't any place to park near the intersection so I had to stop on the shoulder about a quarter mile away and walk up.Eye got some strange looks while taking this picture.

Mystic, Tena, Steve, Daniel, FAB, Kristina and Itchyfoot at the Thai Restaurant.
FAB was surprisingly adept at using chopsticks and he liked his first taste of Thai food.
After dinner, Itchyfoot and Eye made our way down to Ted Drewe's for some frozen custard.FAB remembered seeing Ted Drewes spotlighted on Alton's Feasting on Asphalt show during season 1.The next morning, the group met for brunch. After all that ice cream the night before - coffee and orange juice seemed a healthy choice for FAB. (Well, at least the juice part.)Tena and FAB smile for the camera.

Little Daniel summed up our experience nicely.

FAB never seems to pass up an opportunity to stop and smell the roses - er, tulips.
*FAB waves to Honeycomb and give her permission to release the stranglehold she has had on the Groundhog since February.*
Waiting to be let in to the book signing, we chatted with Amy whose husband was going through military orientation prior to being deployed. Eye told her about the GEFP and invited her to join. She seemed like she'd fit in well with us. FAB says her hubby later joined up - soldiermedic.
Next we headed up to a private reception for friends of the bookstore and their friends. (Kudos to JJ.)FAB poses with Rotten and Jugglergirl.

After the private reception Alton had a little Q and A.
FAB says "Alton spoke to the masses."
Yep, this is a former church.

Alton recognized Flat AB.

And, finally here's a shot of the 3 of us - Alton, Flat AB...and eye4got.

Thanks for the recap and fantastic photos, eye4got!

While Flat AB was off exploring St. Louis, his brother Flat BA, headed off to California. Alton will be hosting the Monterey Bay Aquarium's events on sustainable seafood choices, "Cooking for Solutions" this weekend, May 15-17, 2008.

There are rumors that Alton will be "swimmin' with da fishes"
and FBA just can't wait to see that!

--Dana

18 - FBA Meets Alton in the Big Easy- And Tours New Orleans

Hey there!
I know many of you were waiting anxiously.
I think your patience will be rewarded!

Here’s the recap of FBA’s tour of New Orleans – and meeting Alton once again. Our N.O. Briner and FBA spent a little time getting to know each other…and touring the city.

Warning:
FBA was a little saddle-sore from all the miles he’d recently logged. And, he was a bit on the snarky side.

But, if you read between the lines…
I’m pretty sure he had a great time. ;)
--Dana
P.S. Click on the pics to enlarge them.

N: Hi, everyone, I’m Nolafoodie.

FBA: And I’m Flat BA…

N: Hahaha, we just sounded like those Mac commercials!

FBA: (rolling eyes) Oh, yippee. *cough* Dork.

N: Um, anyway…
We just wanted to pop in and let y’all know what we’ve been up to over the past several days. FBA arrived on Tuesday, April 22. He was a little tired from his journey, so I thought I’d let him get some rest. I cooked some jambalaya so that he could at least enjoy a New Orleans-style dinner.

The next day was Alton Brown’s kickoff of the Feasting on Asphalt book tour. The event at Octavia Books had been slated for 5:00, so we arrived at 4:45, and the book signing was already in high gear. According to another fan in line, AB had arrived at 4:00 and began signing right away. Alas, there was no talk or Q&A session, just signing.

FBA: (snickering) Believe me, you didn’t miss much.

N: Hey now… The line was pretty long, but the staff kept things moving pretty quickly. As each of us approached, one lady took our books to hand to AB for signing, and another took our cameras for pictures. (The picture-taking lady, BTW, was very pleasant, loved Flat BA, and said she squealed when she found out AB was coming.)

FBA: Heh. All the ladies love me, of course, but him? I guess there’s no accounting for taste.

N: Unfortunately, this set-up theoretically allowed for only one photo, and it had to be taken with my cell phone camera to boot, because my “real” camera died. But as it turned out, the picture lady actually managed to snap a darn good photo.

Now, if I may backtrack a bit, for several months, I have wanted to ask AB if he would consider doing a “food-talk” show. The way I envision it, it would involve a changing panel of food writers, chefs/cooks, scientists, farmers, and other “experts” of various backgrounds, with AB as moderator, kind of like Bill Maher’s shows. Discussions would center around agricultural/agribusiness issues, environmental/sustainability issues, animal welfare, restaurant industry practices, and all sorts of fascinating topics about food.

FBA: Yeah, fascinating. (Coughing) Dork.

N: So, I had intended to ask my question, but there was really no time. It was more important that I introduce AB to the recently cloned FBA, and our conversation went as follows:

Alton: (When I presented him with FBA)
Oh, hey, I remember this one. Wait, didn't I sign him before? How many of him are there?
Me: Just him and the other one. They're going to follow you through the rest of your tour. It appears there's been an accident involving overnight shipping... so he's been bionically remade.
Alton: Ooh. Well, he does look stouter than I remember him.
Me: Yeah, he's been working out.
Alton: Unlike me. I haven't been working out. I'm lazy.
Me: Nah, you're busy. You're justified.
Alton: No, there's really no excuse.
Me: Aww. (Well, I certainly couldn't disagree with him, could I?)

FBA: (snickering) Heh.

N: And then it was time for the picture, so we posed, I thanked AB, and FBA and I left. I would have liked to stick around until the end of the event, but by the looks of the line, it was probably going to be quite a while. And given that AB had to be in Jackson the following day, it seemed clear that he would not be dawdling around. I just hope he was able to stay in town long enough to have a great dinner.

FBA: Believe me, there’s no need to worry about the dude missing any meals.

N: (Wagging finger) FBA!
Well, anyway, we then crossed the Mississippi River to check out some furniture stores…

FBA: Yeah, I come to New Orleans to have some fun, instead I get dragged on a shopping trip. Figures.

N: FBA had insisted upon riding shotgun, and that was OK, until he started wanting to drive. Unfortunately, FBA can’t drive because he’s flat and has no depth perception. But he’s a persistent guy, and we had to compromise: FBA rode on my dashboard.
N: I snapped some photos while crossing the Crescent City Connection to the West Bank, and then driving off into the sunset on the way back.

FBA: Heh. Only in New Orleans can you drive into the sunset while traveling to the “East” bank of the river.

N: Well, true. Because the river bends through New Orleans, when crossing the Crescent City Connection, “West-bank-bound” traffic actually travels due east, and vice versa.

FBA: Wow, fascinating. (Rolls eyes, coughs) Dork.

N: Anyway, I suddenly became very busy with some family events, as well as work, so I couldn’t spend as much time showing FBA around time as I would have liked to have done. But as it turned out, FBA didn’t really need my company, as he had been planning to get together with some old friends from – how did you say you know them, FBA?

FBA: I didn’t.

N: Oh. Um. OK, well, anyway, FBA went out with his friends most nights, and although I felt a little guilty for being a bad hostess, he seemed to have been having plenty of fun on his own.

However, today, we did get to spend one last afternoon enjoying New Orleans. Since FBA had gotten his fill of French Quarter, we agreed –

FBA: (snickering) More like, you decided.

N: We decided to spend the day sightseeing and enjoying some of the other activities New Orleans has to offer, besides those things for which it’s notorious. Since I had some errands to run as well, we covered a lot of ground.

First, we visited the Saints practice facility in Metairie.

FBA: Heh. Big deal. The Falcons’ facility is better.

N: Oh, right, being from the Atlanta area makes you a fan of those “dirty birds.”

FBA: At least I don’t have to wear a paper bag over my head when I go to games!

N: Excuse me? I’m sorry, but didn’t you guys have a 4-12 season last year?

FBA: (Mumbles under breath.)

N: Anyway, so then we visited the Uptown/Garden District area of New Orleans. It’s a nice place to go for leisurely shopping for unique items, great restaurants, and a place to just chill out on a beautiful day like this one. As we drove down St. Charles Ave., taking in the stately architecture and ancient oak trees that line the street, I think I spotted a smile creeping across FBA’s face.

FBA: Me? Nah.

N: Then we reached the city’s center of private postsecondary education: Loyola University and, literally right next door, Tulane University. Now, being an LSU student, I’m not a huge fan of Tulane, but I do appreciate its beautiful campus (though most of the newer buildings are just big concrete boxes).
N: I was pleasantly surprised to find that FBA was also eager to take a walk around these campuses. Matter of fact, here's a shot of you admiring Loyola University's Thomas Hall.

FBA: Ha! I was checking out the other bike.

N: And I thought you were contemplating an education!

FBA: Hey, where's that picture of Gibson Hall at Tulane?
I liked that building.
N: There is is. Then we spent some time strolling through Audubon Park, which was just beautiful.
N: Afterwards, we traveled along Magazine Street for some shopping and sightseeing with a more local flavor. Whereas St. Charles is elegant and serene, Magazine, which runs roughly parallel only four blocks away, is vibrant, funky, and eclectic, with a more pronounced artistic vibe.
N: Some of my favorite places to shop are there - like Blue Frog Chocolates.

FBA: But WE didn't GET any chocolates.

N: You mean, YOU didn't get any. *Grin*

FBA: Sure, pick on the flat guy.

N: Another of my favorites is Big Fisherman Seafood - which was featured in Feasting on Asphalt.

Before long, I could tell FBA had grown tired of my shopping and errand-running, so it seemed like a treat was in order. And what’s the best treat on a warm afternoon? Ice cream, of course! But not just any ice cream… today, we would have some gelato.

FBA: Mmmmm, gelato.
N: In a truly bizarre business move, a new, wildly popular, uber-hip “sweets boutique” called Sucre set up shop on Magazine St., selling handmade gourmet chocolates, desserts, pastries, coffees, and gelato.

What’s bizarre about Sucre is that they sell gelato only three doors away from another gelato place that had been in business for a few years: La Divina Gelateria.
Yep, La Divina Gelateria was featured in Feasting on Asphalt. FBA and I were both a little disappointed that the strawberry-balsamic sorbetto was not available, but there were lots of other flavors to enjoy.

The store’s owner, Carmelo Turillo, recognized FBA from the Internet.

FBA: What can I say? My reputation precedes me.

N: We sampled several flavors, and all that sugar made it unwise for me to attempt to eat a scoop in-store. So, we ordered four scoops to share at home with the family. But then, FBA came up with an interesting suggestion…

FBA: A smackdown!

N: Right, a gelato challenge. We went over to Sucre to check out their gelato. Frankly, I had never tried their gelatos, having been too distracted by the chocolates and other desserts.
But today would be all about the gelato. We ordered another four scoops.

FBA: Ohhhhh, yeah… Gelato smackdown!

N: In short, for gelato flavor and quality, La Divina won hands-down. Some of the flavors available at Sucre were perhaps more “my thing” (mostly fruity stuff), and Sucre had a greater selection of sorbets, but La Divina’s gelato just had better flavor and texture all around. It certainly helps that they make their gelato completely from scratch, using natural local ingredients. I’ll still go to Sucre for their sparkly, fancy desserts, but when it comes to gelato, La Divina is divine.

FBA: Mmmmm, gelato!

N: Before FBA’s departure, we also drove through a little of the Lower 9th Ward. There’s not much to see there anymore. N: The debris has been cleared away, and now the area is mostly a field of unkempt grass divided by streets and dotted with a few slabs where some of the houses used to be.
We stopped the car at the Katrina Victim Memorial and soon a sticky gelato cone was being handed to me. FBA didn't say a word, but I understood that he wanted a moment alone.
N: And, we made one last stop alongside a trailer.
It’s sad, but I have no doubt that the area will thrive again.

Will you be heading this way again FBA?

FBA: Uh-huh.

N: For the food? The people? The history? The culture?

FBA: The gelato. *grin*

Thanks Nolafoodie!

Stay tuned food fans.
While FBA was touring gelato shops in New Orleans...
Flat AB was busy in St. Louis meeting Alton.

Those pics will be ready soon!
--Dana