dre in the morning

Here’s the text I sent to my Representative, Congressman Tom Reed this morning:

Dear Sir,

Sincerely,
Dre Elmore

All you have to do is surf over to Wikipedia, plug in your zip code, or click on on the Big Red Stop SOPA Sign and you can let your own Rep know how you feel.

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“When I was a kid, I saw a pirate movie with Burt Lancaster, who wore an earring. I thought that was sexy. Then I learned that sailors wore gold earrings to pay for funerals if they died in foreign lands. I’m a sailor, so that nailed it.”

Link…

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I never drank Aquavit until curiosity got the better of me and I bought a bottle after reading The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. Turned out I like it; the caraway flavor reminded me of something I had tasted before… then I realized: drinking Aquavit is exactly like drinking a loaf of party rye.

It’s a remarkably smooth and forgiving spirit, and I can see where even non-pros could get down a shot with ease. Well, easier than straight bourbon, anyway.

My friend Bob Bahr sent me a link to the Skoal page on CookingIssues.com. I suggest you check it out.

Thanks, Bob. Skål!

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Jerry didn’t get a chance to google this yet, so I thought I’d post it here for him, you know, to make it easier.

Cabin Porn

The site is maintained by Zach Klein, who is single-handedly making me rethink my whole evaluation of hipsters. God bless him for that.

Anyway, there’s like 24 pages of gorgeous cabins, and I went though everyone, and was both upset and disappointed when I got to the end, much like I feel when I finish a Jim Harrison novel.

Because I want more.

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Possibly the best-kept secret in Rochester dining is The Blue Cactus in Fairport. I’ll admit, I’m biased, as it’s one of my favorite hang-outs, and I’ve been enjoying their delicious, traditional Mexican food since the day they opened, a little over five years ago, and I’m hesitant to let the secret out.

Many Mexican-themed restaurants (especially the chains) serve what amounts to baby-food; mushy refried beans, mushy rice, mushy tortillas stuffed with mushy cheese and mushy ground beef.

Not so at The Cactus, where the specialty is Southeast Mexican-style Yucatecan cuisine. Nothing on the menu could be described as “mushy,” everything is fresh, and they produce some of the finest roasted pork I’ve ever tasted.

Trina and her husband Chef Eduardo Moreno have created a bright spot in Fairport; the bright flavors of the cuisine on offer is reflected by the bright, cheery decor of the restaurant itself. The accent colors and custom tile and wood bar and tables produce a true jewel of a restaurant. It’s completeness is a study of a singular vision realized.

The bar is a twinkling oasis of tasty libations mixed expertly by Dave the bartender. Dave’s Margaritas are the best I’ve ever had, bar-none.

A little over a year ago, Montserrat Ladron de Guevava joined the restaurant staff, complimenting Eduardo’s menu with some specialties of her own brought from Puebla, the heartland of Mexico. One of these specialties is Caldo Tlalpeno, a chicken soup that is quite simply to die for.

Montse also serves up a really spectacular Pozole, and tucking in to this Mexican comfort food for the first time was a revelation to my palate.

Now I know why Famous Shoes was always requesting this dish after coming down off the Llano in all those books by Larry McMurtry.

Anyways, in this cowboy’s humble opinion, The Blue Cactus is the certified, dyed-in-the-wool, puredee real thing. A sure-bet, every time. See you there.

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