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Basics
Restaurant: Vientiane Palace
Visit Date: Jan 21, 2012
In Depth
Total Bill: $18.50
Total Paid: $22.00
Regulars: Don Elmer; James Elliott;
Number of QSC Regulars: 2
Number of Guests: 0
Total Attendees: 2
Baked in a Pie
Posted: Jan 22, 2012; 5:55 AM
Quiche at 4 & 20
James met Oliver for breakfast last Sunday at 4 & 20, his friend Scott's new bakery and cafe on the corner of Johnson and Fourth Street behind East High. Jim has been chowing down there on his recent days off. The bright and airy space, blue-stained tables, and yellow walls make for a pleasant breakfast nook.

James whole-heartedly endorses the scones and other items, including french toast, herbed goat cheese, and breakfast sandwiches. If you like your chai spicy, ask for Rachel's Dream. Oliver liked the perfectly toasted English muffin for his spinach-and-egg breakfast sandwich.

Skye and Oliver dined at the Shish Cafe last Sunday as a celebration before Skye departs for Boston. His parents could not make it as they were busy watching the Packers lose to the Giants. Oliver was impressed with the balance of spices in his spinach stew.

Nowell and Oliver engaged in some cordial video face time Wednesday. Nowell said his students were already making contact, even though classes had not officially started. Nowell has discovered places to watch good movies. He especially liked Shame, starring Michael Fassbender.

Nowell described how the bar Woody's in Philadelphia has changed from when Oliver visited a year ago. The remodeling makes it more upscale and less like a neighborhood bar. Too many young men basking in the glow of their smartphones.

Nowell e-mailed Oliver a list of 50 food things to do in Madison, compiled by none other than Andre Darlington, friend of Jamie's. Orange custard chocolate chip is on the list.

Bitter cold moved into the state mid-week, creating an atmosphere of cabin fever for Oliver. Don questioned Oliver's ability to gauge temperature. Oliver stayed home, avoiding the usual round of coffee shops, and watched The Big Lebowski and Trainspotting instead. Can someone explain the “Scotland's worst toilet” scene to him?

Lawyer friend Dan decided to take Oliver "Out" to the Symphony, an OUT event for LGBT professionals. The symphony included a young, attractive violin soloist, August Hadelich. Dan's binoculars got extended use. After the symphony, it was drinks and snacks at Fresco.

James is excited that his dark-stained wood cabinets have arrived. It has been cumbersome having no kitchen. In a short time, he'll have one again.

How best to describe Don's approach to shoveling sidewalks?

  • Very thorough (Fred)
  • Compulsive (Oliver)
  • We owe you a debt of gratitude (Pedestrians per Don)

Foodie Tip: In his on-going misadventures in the kitchen, Oliver cut 6-tablespoons of butter into his pie crust dough, but missed the 4-tablespoons of shortening. His mind ASS-umed a single pie crust could not contain more than a half-cup (8 tablespoons) of solid fat. The result was edible but decidedly not flaky.