This month marks the beginning of the Year of the Dragon, the only mythical creature of the 12 animals represented in the Chinese zodiac. Despite its reputation in Western literature as a brutal and ferocious creature, China’s legendary dragon is much more altruistic. “There’s an ancient story about how all the animals were chosen,” says […]
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Mixed ’Burys
Whenever I drive through the ’burys—the bucolic cluster of towns including Southbury, Woodbury and Middlebury—I feel like I’m (more…)
Petals and Roots
Renowned horticulturist Luther Burbank (1849-1926), creator of the popular Shasta daisy and hundreds of other cultivars, reportedly wrote, “Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine to the soul.” (more…)
Changing Tunes
I was anxious heading into my first karaoke night at The Cellar on Treadwell. I feared I’d encounter hours of off-key wailing followed by audience ridicule or, worse yet, long intimidating silences broken only by the occasional bold soul. What I found instead was a boisterous and welcoming scene that supported every participant, even when […]
Super Bowls and Plates
Whatever your reason for watching Sunday’s Super Bowl LVIII—you love checking out the multimillion-dollar advertising; you’ve invested big bucks thanks to legalized online sports gambling; you’re a Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce ’shipper; or, you know, you enjoy watching football—you’re going to need sustenance. (more…)
Items of Import
According to The Japan Times, “zakka” emerged in postwar Japan as a catch-all term for “everyday tools and objects such as kettles, brooms and buckets.” In 2001, the International Herald Tribune noted that latter-day Japan had elevated it to something else (more…)
Advanced Coursework
Michelin Guide has referred to omakase as one of the most “revered” and “intimidating” dining experiences. The Japanese word means “I leave it up to you”; that is, the diner leaves it up to the chef to present a meal that is, ideally, “seasonal, elegant, artistic and uses the finest ingredients available.” And yet there’s […]
Magic Kingdom
Now in its 35th year, Curious Goods New Age Shop in West Haven promises “all those with an open mind a Magical Temple, a repository of secrets, a mystery school, and a safe haven from the everyday world. To those who are looking for new insights, it’s an open door to the unknown. To those […]
Like Fine Wine
I trust the proprietors of Hamden’s Mt. Carmel Wine & Spirits Co. more than I trust my doctor. In decades of frequenting the store, the suggestions I’ve gotten, no matter the price, have never disappointed. The staff—currently including Bob Feinn, the owner for more than 50 years; his nephew Fred, son of Bob’s late brother […]
Shifting Sandwiches
There’s a classic scene in the Oscar-winning 1963 film Tom Jones in which the titular “adopted bastard,” played by Albert Finney, enjoys a succulent meal with actress Joyce Redman that’s clearly not focused on what they’re eating. I was recently reminded of that moment while surreptitiously taking in a young couple enjoying lunch at Meat […]
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