Gee, Jack's Bistro got in there. Cafe Hon sure as heck isn't hidden. Is there anyone who hasn't heard of it?

The Air Tran woman just wanted someone to do her homework for her, apparently. Which kind of jibes with Air Tran's entire corporate culture.

Ok, so I follow the American Way link and the first place I see named is the ubiquitous - and rapidly becoming a sad joke - Jack's Bistro!

What's the joke about Jack's? I don't understand why so many on this blog seem to be so down on the place. Sure, it's not for everybody, but they should be cheered on for doing something different in town and being recognized for it.

I asked Bourbon Girl what she wanted to drink with her ribs and she said, "Jack's Bistro". On Saturday we went to the movies. Guess what we saw? Jack's Bistro. I can't wait for Jack's Bistro II -- The Reckoning. I bought a new pair of shoes. Guess what size? Jack's Bistro. Every key on my keyboard now says "JACK'S BISTRO". I think I might blow my brains out with a ... Jack's Bistro.

I don't think it's "down on Jack's" so much as it's "down on Jack's publicist" (who, for all I know, may BE Jack. In which case, we're down on Jack but not down on Jack's.)

We don't go into Jack's Bistro and yell out, "HEY EVERYBODY!! You should really start reading Dining@Large."

From what I know, I seriously doubt that Jack's has a publicist of any sort. It's just Ted working his butt off in the kitchen to make his restaurant successful. I can only guess that the crowing you speak of comes from the regulars that really enjoy and appreciate the place and just want to see it succeed. Heck, I'm probably guilty of it more often than not. But I'm apt to be more supportive of the independent places in town and hope that Jack's and more restaurants like it prosper here in Charm City.

You roll through our bloghood hiding your colors and we get all street on you. We're bustin' caps in publicists like they was eyeballin' our shorties y'all.
That's just how we roll ...

I got my black shirt on.
I got my black gloves on.
I got my ski mask on.
This sh*ts been too long.
I got my twelve gauge sawed off.
I got my headlights turned off.
I'm 'bout to bust some shots off.
I'm 'bout to dust some flacks off.

I'm a flack killa, better you than me.
Flack killa, I know your family's grieving,
Flack killa, but tonight we get even.

I got my brain on hype.
Tonight'll be your night.
I got this long-assed knife.
And your neck looks just right.
My adrenalines pumpin'.
I got my stereo bumpin'.
I'm 'bout to kill me somethin'.

Word to your publicist.

I mentioned Jack's Bistro because of the great work Ted is doing there. Not only I, but other chefs in town also sing his praises.

One note, I did submit three restaurants for consideration, but, the editor at American Airlines only selected one.

I recommended:
Jack's Bistro
Woodberry Kitchen
Iggies

All three of these places are doing great work to make Baltimore proud.

~LARS~

P.S. I do not, and have not, gotten any free meals at these venues, or been asked, by the owners, or any related p.r. people, to publicize them in any way.

Now that's the Mr. Meat I know! Respeck. Channelling your inna blogsta. Did you and BGirl have a fight? I hope not.

There are too many layers to this blog sometimes. iT makes my head spin.

Lissa, I think, said we were being too hard on Jack's Bistro. She's probably right.

I could spend the time bashing Pat Karzai, who shilled even worse on behalf of Tapas Teatro, but that would be parochial on my part.

I'll just let it all go and sit here wondering what on earth has gotten into John McIntyre these days? He worked Palin into a topic headline, and he is trying to nickname his readership...EL, are you wearing a bow tie to work? Is that what started this?

Pat Karzai, who shilled even worse on behalf of Tapas Teatro

Yeah but he did it openly. That's okay. We don't like people who pretend to be real customers and promote a business. It has happened here plenty and sometimes it is comical because they just regurgitate a PR blurb. I have witnessed restaurant owners planning their fake user comments campaigns in person. Yeah, it happens.

We're being too hard on Jack's Bistro *if* it really is a bunch of customers who've sprinkled nothing but praise around this blog for their first post, and never posted again.

I think there was a suspicious string, though, of purple praise post after purple praise post at some point. That tends to rile folks up because it stinks of blatant blog manipulation.

The one thing we all seem to detest is blatant PR flacks who pretend to be civilians. EL has invited flacks to post stuff on occasion, and I've seen more than one post from a self-identified, polite PR person. That's fine. If I know someone is being paid, I know how to take them. Some of them have posted useful information.

Faking posts, though...that is nasty.

In Mr. McIntyre's defense, Sarah Palin is a great topic for a language blog. Someone described her as a person without a first language. BG and I watched an interview with her on Sunday that had us laughing. She's the female George Bush in more ways than one.

Someone described her as a person without a first language

That was Dick Cavett, in this wonderful NY Times piece titled The Wild Wordsmith of Wasilla.

I was first alerted to it by this post on John McIntyre's blog.

She's the female George Bush in more ways than one.

There aren't many people out there that can make Shrub seem almost literate.

I really enjoy how everyone here can snuff out a shill and then berate them incessantly! Way cool.

I have never been there, but I hear Jack's Bistro has the best food on the planet!

In defense of Caribou Barbie as compared to Shrub and public speaking, her posture is better. Ever notice that Shrub doesn't stand at a podium? He rests his elbow like it was a bar. I guess its all the early training.

I'll say this for Caribou Barbie--she doesn't lack self-confidence. Too bad it's totally misplaced.

she doesn't lack self-confidence. Too bad it's totally misplaced.

Isn't that a wholly American trait?

what on earth has gotten into John McIntyre these days?

Buck, I suspect the powers-that-be are pushing numbers, as in, hits.

voodoopork, I believe that's "self entitlement" you're thinking of, not self confidence. or, maybe both...

Look at You Don't Say for today and you'll find the stuffy seriousness that you have been missing.

If Mr McIntyre had read yesterday's sandbox postings, he could have linked for us.

There are what? 10 of you, bloggers- "gotta be witty" "gotta be creative" "gotta correct", and, Bucky, you live in Colorado, but you're clinging to Baltimore? Go Home! ...Let's bash Jill!(don't care about topic), I JUST WANNA BE HEARD! My life blows, so I feel CLEVER as I blog! I wanna be witty and rap so everyone takes me seriously. I know Jack's Bistro doesn't have a publist, but I'm soo JEALOUS! I am really Ethan Hawke's character in "Reality Bites." I JUDGE YOU. I AM SMARTER THAN YOU. I blog!!

[Turns German-helmet-topped head towards screen and says] V-e-r-r-y Interesting...

Sounds like csmertycha needs to take a poop.

Ah the classic - criticizing people who you think are critical. It's the Circle of Blithe. Awesome use of the caps lock key dude.

More fiber, less typing.

Thanks Owl, I laughed out loud. Still chuckling too.

I think csmertycha just took a poop. Too bad Spring1 (csmertycha's Mom) isn't around to change the dirty nappy.

On a slightly different point, "gotta be witty" "gotta be creative" "gotta correct", isn't that the point of blogging? Oh, and there are way more than 10 of us. Hell, Raptor man has almost that many personalities alone.

To Honoured Members of the Sandbox: a Funtastic Friday game in honour of csmertycha. Without looking at posts, from memory, list as many regulars as possible. A small hint to get you started: The Girls and the League of Roberts

okay RtSO, I'll try...

Bucky
Owl Meat Gravy
voodoopork
Amanda
RtSO
PCB Rob
RoCK
Piano Rob (currently MIA though)
Cinnamon Girl
Hyancinth Girl
Bacon Girl (MIA too lately)
Bourbon Girl
Lemon Girl (Blog Tart)
Cosmo Girl
Joyce W
Dahlink
Rosebud
hmpstd
Lissa
Eve
KristinB
Retired in Elkridge
jl
John McIntyre
Hal, VoR
Donny B
and of course, EL.

whew! That took awhile to think up! I hope I didn't miss anyone, if so, sorry!
I'm thinking I missed a Girl and perhaps a fellow Robert.

PCB Rob - you are braver than I. I started making a list--two lists, to be honest--but I was afraid I would leave someone out, so I didn't post it.

In addition to those you mentioned, my first list had Kitkat (with whom I share a geographical history), Laura Lee, Trixie, Dottie, LJ, LEC, Michael A. Gray and Carol from Hampden (who was one of the first people I interacted with when I stumbled into the Sanbox but who has also been MIA.)

My second list also had RevEd, Pierre, Rock Chick (or Chiclet?) on it.

There should, I suppose, be a third list with Professor McIntyre, Kate Shatzkin, Gorelick and Sam Sessa on it.

And there's Springs1 and Springs2, but I'm not sure which list they should go on. And Josh (JWIV) who at times I think belongs on the third list but at other times I think should be on the first list.

And, of course, Gailor, who doesn't post often but who is lurking out there, I'm sure.

And even at that, I'm sure we have missed someone and hurt their feelings, which isn't our intention at all. (I was at a family party last weekend, gave a toast and neglected to mention my very favorite niece. It's just memory, not a ranking of any sort.)

Oh, crap. Whiz-inator just chewed me out for omitting:

dcdiva
Regina
sean
twotoedsloth
matt hudock
pigtown
Baltfoodie

I'm just digging us a deeper hole, Rob.

Very impressive Sunshine Boy. If you haven't noticed our weather. We're having a few snow flurries and I think 2 bingo placed have canceled their games, for tomorrow. Its winter in Baltimore.

Guess I'm not THAT regular...

PCB Rob - Always present, but usually quiet. Kitkat

Kitkat, love the name. Oh sean, maybe you need a zippier name, like Kitkat.

you forgot bryanfromtimonium

and LJ, Trouble and Bob UU, another Robert.
and Cheese Girl who seems to be lost in her cheese cave lately. I think Pierre is Sam Sessa's alter ego.

We've all left MD Canon off. Hope we don't get excommunicated for that oversight.

I hit post too fast: Brother Bim.

I thought I'd miss a bunch of prominent folks, and I also thought RtSO would have very few folks trying, so because we are fellows in the League of Roberts, I would give it the "old college try".

I am sorry that I missed so many. the comments by all are thoroughly enjoyed. But hey, it was a contest and damn, it took me a good 10 minutes at least, at work no less, to come up with the list I did.
I am swamped at work but I always take time, sometimes too much, for the Sandbox.

Hey Bucky, your list of posters is good, but I concentrated on those that posted daily, or more.

Again, for those that I omitted, I truly apologize and really appreciate your contributions to The Only Blog You Need

RtSO,
I see that y'all are having a "winter event". Down here, we are quite cold as well. The temps maybe got to 51 and with that 30 mph wind, it certainly doesn't feel like Florida. That, and I decided today was the day to take my car in for an oil change. The place is about a mile from where I work, so I decided to walk. Brisk for sure.

Tonight we are having our second hard freeze. But by Sunday, it will be up to 70. Ahhh, warmth.

How did I spend my long drive home tonight, you ask? Going over the list in my head. I'm obsessing on not missing anyone.

I arrive here to find that RtSO posted MD Canon and I also remembered we had neglected to mention Hue.

I see that y'all are having a "winter event".

Well, the idiot local "news" shows would like to call it a "winter event" (what the heck does that mean, anyway? That the sun rose in winter?), but in reality we had some really pretty snow showers (for maybe an hour in my part of town) while it was way too warm for the snow to even think about sticking.

Bucky,
You are right, it was a daunting challenge. I undertook it but didn't realize that I would leave out so many quality posters. I suppose my memory is failing me, even as I try to produce seven tech manuals on breathing air equipment for the Navy.

To all I left off my offering, please accept my apologies. There are so many now that are popping up that I feel bad for not including them. I owe y'all a beverage on me.

sean,
If you take a laxative, you could be quite regular.

Sorry for the exclusion, your posts are always good!

sigh..."winter event" before TG!!! arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!

Can't forget frequent contributor(s?) "Anonymous."

Dahlink - you mean that's not Owlie, too? Boy, I had that pegged wrong.

Bucky, I'm never sure who is and is not a manifestation of the feathered brain, but I think many of us have been "Anonymous" at one point or another when the blogware was hiccuping. And then there are those who don't have the courage to sign a name.

Don't punish yourselves too badly for leaving people out. Have you ever tried that thing where you have to name all 50 states by memory. Obviously we all know all 50 states, but when it's time to sit down and make a list, there are always a pesky one or two that just won't come to mind. It's a brain thing. (And not just my brain; I know others who have had the same maddening experience.) We don't like those other states any less for not thinking of them at the moment. Same thing with the Sandbox!

Shoot! Now I'm going to have to go give myself the state-naming challenge again, because I swear I can do it, I swear I can!

KristinB, I just tried the state thing and started off with Alaska. Mrs. Bucky didn't say a word. She just closed the atlas and picked up the tv clicker.

Naming the states is like naming the elements: all you have to do is learn the song. I think the one we learned in elementary school was by Ray Charles (though my memory could easily be betraying me there). In any case, I learned it then and have been able to name all the states, in alphabetical order no less, ever since.

Now if only someone would write a song for the denizens chez Dining@Large....

Gee Bucky,
Did naming Alaska first have anything to do with its current governor?

just sayin'...

My younger son's fourth grade teacher was a wizard at making up those mnemonic songs. There was a great one about the countries of Central America, which is not so easy to pull off, if you think about it.

I must say a state song by Ray Charles would be well worth learning! I'm afraid Georgia is the only state Mr. Charles is bringing to my mind just at the moment.

Rob - probably it did. It's been in the news so much.

Hey, Abigail.

Oh Bucky and Abigail, you're not going to start talkin' states again, are you?

Okay, Piano Rob, wherever you are--there's a challenge for you!

Oh Bucky and Abigail, you're not going to start talkin' states again, are you?

*laughing* No, Laura Lee, not at all. As entertaining as it would be for me to see how far Bucky could take it, the subject has made its way to its natural denouement. This time, we're just saying hi.

Hello, Bucky.

Have you ever tried that thing where you have to name all 50 states by memory.
Good grief, no! I have enough trouble remembering the 7 dwarfs.

The seven dwarfs, huh, Sis? Okay, Sleepy, Grumpy (aka Owlie), Doc, Sneezy, Chucky, Lucky, Yucky--is that seven yet?

I don't think Owl Meat could ever be Anonymous. I imagine he names his sneezes.

now that bourbon girl has reported on owl meat's weekend activities - lounging in a purple velvet jumpsuit, playing the mandolin, having her draw him a bath (?) for recreational folk song recitals and (I assume) recreating famous battles with his toy boat armadas while eating macaroons I have come to conclude that is not just one of the seven dwarfs but all of the Seven Deadly Sins. Think about it.

Maybe I'll just eat more raisin bran... Sorry, slow post. But check the new name!