“Nothing has such power to broaden the mind as the ability to investigate systematically and truly all that comes under thy observation in life.” – Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor Buenos Aires – One of the most common questions I get at Casa SaltShaker dinners, as well as via e-mail, is about the whole “restaurant de… Read More Culinary Investigations
“Observe what happens when sunbeams are admitted into a building and shed light on its shadowy places. You will see a multitude of tiny particles mingling in a multitude of ways… their dancing is an actual indication of underlying movements of matter that are hidden from our sight.” – Lucretius, On the Nature of Things,… Read More Brownian Motion
A couple of years ago, Los Angeles Times writer Corie Brown apparently wrote an article about how California winemakers went about intentionally making “cult Cabernets”. I vaguely remember the article being passed on to me a while back – interestingly, it’s no longer on the Times’ website – in fact it seems the entire series… Read More Grape Brutality
“I never read a book before reviewing it – it prejudices a man so.” Sydney Smith, Essayist, Clergyman Buenos Aires – In the last couple of weeks a trio, or is it a quartet, or quintet, of books has come across my desk. They didn’t get there by themselves, I went to book launching parties… Read More Libro Trio
“Of course we need to eliminate social injustice in Colombia … but what is first? Peace. Without peace, there is no investment. Without investment, there are no fiscal resources for the government to invest in the welfare of the people.” – Álvaro Uribe Vélez, President of Colombia Buenos Aires – One of the things I’ve… Read More Colombian Lights
A little dirt on our carrots doesn’t mean they’re organic.” – Kelly Barron, “10 Things Your Farmer’s Market Won’t Tell You”, Smart Money Buenos Aires – I’ve been thinking about going out to and writing up the Mercado Central for a long time. It’s an interesting trip to make for those who are into farmers’… Read More Under the Big Top
“A process which led from the amoebae to man appeared to the philosophers to be obviously a progress – though whether the amoebae would agree with this opinion is not known.” – Bertrand Russell, Logician and Philosopher Buenos Aires – I’d heard that Jangada has moved to new digs, at Bonpland 1670, around the corner… Read More The Price of Progress
Getting the truth in the New York Post has been as difficult as finding a good hamburger in Albania.” – Paul Newman, Actor Buenos Aires – I don’t know if it is, or was, difficult to find a hamburger in Albania. I’ve never been there. I don’t know if Mr. Newman had ever been there… Read More Double Eagle