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Gapers Block published from April 22, 2003 to Jan. 1, 2016. The site will remain up in archive form. Please visit Third Coast Review, a new site by several GB alumni.
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Business Mon Aug 11 2008

Please Sir, May I Have Some More?

oliverAs I stared at my menu Sunday morning while sitting at a table at Lula Cafe, I looked around the restaurant to see if anyone was eating the specials I was interested in ordering. Having debated the merits of a sweet versus savory breakfast, my friend and I decided to split a sweet item to complement the eggs we had both ordered. An item on the special menu jumped out to us: the arborio rice porridge with chevre, peaches, anise hyssop anglaise and candied pistachios. But the woman sitting at the table next to me had ordered the porridge, and it was just sitting there untouched as she ate a pecan roll sitting between her and her brunch date. "Was it bad?" I thought. "She should totally send it back if it's that bad." Because let's be real--I've eaten great meals and not-so-great meals at Lula (and hope that luck doesn't extend to their forthcoming second location in Pilsen).

A waiter came along at the end of their meal and removed the porridge, fully intact, still decorated with a few peach slices, and on a one-way trip to the garbage can. I thought about my mother's instructions to eat food even if it tasted like coal because of starving babies in Biafra. "Come on," I thought to myself. "At least take a few bites, you bought it."

A few minutes later, our own bowl of porridge arrived. A slight river of green liquid (anise?) traversed the heap of white, creamy rice. The first bite confirmed that the woman who rejected the dish earlier was an utter fool. The creaminess of the chevre and creme anglaise, coupled with the sweet crunch of the arborio rice and the candied pistachio, was an unexpected treat and a reason to hope this dish is on the menu again. Our eggs seemed bland and uninspired next to this great dish.

 
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Jim Edgar / August 11, 2008 11:45 AM

What was the point of that article. You were going with something, then bam, its over. Were you just trying to name hipster diners and quaint food? A woman didnt eat, I did, it was great?


randy travis / August 11, 2008 12:06 PM

Jim, you hit the nail on the head with that one. It seems like the majority of Gapers Block food articles are rambling observations written by people who, quite honestly, can't write.

Andrew / August 11, 2008 1:02 PM

Strong words from two people hiding behind fake names.

Jen / August 11, 2008 2:35 PM

Jen is my real name! And I've posted a comment before...

The first time I read this post, I admit I did wonder what the point was. There was no announcement (other than the fact that Lula is coming to Pilsen) and it’s not like I can go and get that porridge today.
But then I read the not-so-nice comments and so I read it again.
In defense of the author—who I don’t know—I liked this little story. She set a mood and did a nice job of describing the special. She’s also waaay more polite than me. I would’ve probably just asked the woman what was wrong with the food! (Sigh, I am one of those people.)
Gapers Block appears to be open to new talent. If you can do a better job, maybe you should just submit your own reviews. Unless of course, you’re one of those trolls I keep hearing about…

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Feature Thu Dec 31 2015

The State of Food Writing

By Brandy Gonsoulin

In 2009, food blogging, social media and Yelp were gaining popularity, and America's revered gastronomic magazine Gourmet shuttered after 68 years in business. Former Cook's Illustrated editor-in-chief Chris Kimball followed with an editorial, stating that "The shuttering of Gourmet reminds...
Read this feature »

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Drive-Thru is the food and drink section of Gapers Block, covering the city's vibrant dining, drinking and cooking scene. More...
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Editor: Robyn Nisi, rn@gapersblock.com
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