A Luggage Mystery

When I was a boy my Dad had a pal named Boutillier.  He was a corporate pilot. Big time Korea veteran.  Way cool guy.  Whenever he would stop by our little 1000 square foot house in northern Wisconsin, Boutillier would carry only one bag.  A black leather, zip around the sides, one-suiter, pilot carry-on. 

It looked like the sorry drawing I made set out above.  I'd really like to buy one.  But I can't find one anywhere.  Can any of you Epics help me out on this?

When I get it, you can imagine me putting a weekend work of stuff in it.  And being gone a month.

Thanks.

ML

From The Epic Cellar: Kung Fu Girl Riesling

Some years ago I was at a wine tasting dinner at a very nice restaurant near Philadelphia when the nice young lady sommelier did a segment on "Weird Wines I Love".  Kung Fu Girl Riesling was one of them. The ten of us at the dinner fell in love with this wonderful wine that night as well and now you can get Kung Fu Girl all over the U.S for well under $20 a bottle. This wine pairs well with just about any food and is lovely to just sip out on the back porch on a hot summer day.  It has all the floral, apple, pear and other notes of a great Riesling at a very affordable price. No wonder it was named a "Best Value" by Wine Spectator Magazine several years running.  I have not met a person that didn't love Kung Fu Girl.

If you are looking for a crisp, great bottle of wine at a good price that will impress any wine drinker you may invite over, I strongly recommend Kung Fu Girl.  Cheers!!

National Spumoni Day!

Yesterday was National Spumoni Day in the U.S.  One of my favorite desserts, particularly accompanied by a double Espresso and a taste of Averna.  All of my favorite flavors, Pistachio, Cherry, Lemon and Frozen whipped cream.  Much deserving of a special day!!

Photo taken at the end of a wonderful meal at Andrea's Restaurant, Metarie, Louisiana.

Five Years!

The Epic is five years old today! I wanted to do something creative.  My creative career was becoming more and more bureaucratic so I needed something to keep that part of my mind sharp. Or at least not dull.

I've made great friends, learned a lot, and done some things here I am pretty proud of. And I've kept sharp. Or at least not dull.

Thanks to all my readers and commenters. I hope the next five years are just as fun.

ML

Icons: Maureen O'Hara

An Irish barman once looked at me as I sat, years ago, in a New Orleans saloon with my wife, the Irish Redhead.

"You two would be married then?"

"Yes. Ten years today."

"To a ginger haired woman. God help you."

That is my wife's favorite story. 

Today is the birthday of the prototypical Irish redhead.  A gifted actress, and co-star of The Quiet Man with John Wayne.  Still tied for my favorite movie of all time. Those who love the movie also love Maureen O'Hara.  Her intelligence, passion for living and natural fire make her a model for independent minded women and for the men who love them.  She turns 93 today.  Pour a neat Bushmills or Powers whisky and put on your DVD of The Quiet Man to celebrate.  Or go kick some ass in some way.  Ms. O'Hara would certainly approve.  

Epic Robes: A VERY Rare Selfie

Alert the [real] media. You won't see many of these. I can't put too many photos of my amazing "figgur" [as Mr. Darcy said] out there because it would drive ladies mad with desire.

In any event, I got this tremendous robe as a Fathers' Day gift a year or so ago and it is really superb. Ralph Lauren had this made from feathery Oxford cloth which is just warm enough for colder days and just cool enough for the warmer climes.  I love the shawl collar.  The piping doesn't hurt either. Wear it and feel like an instant movie star.  I take it everywhere I go as part of my standard travel kit.  Another great thing? It came with matching pajamas. No selfie of those is forthcoming I assure you.  Don't want to drive the ladies mad.

Selfie shot at The Drake Hotel, Chicago.

This Cat Knows How To RELAX!!

One of my ever present menagerie.  Nothing like being a cat in the sun, baby.

From The Epic Cellar: Carmel Road Pinot Noir

I love going to a new town and a new restaurant and trying a wine I've never had before just on a whim.  I was in Denver last night and went to a cozy bistro called Bent Fork Grill.  On their very fairly priced wine list I stumbled onto this GEM of a Pinot Noir from Monterey, California. I have not had a Pinot Noir I enjoyed any more than this in a long time. Carmel Road has an amazing aroma and a very complex set of flavors all of which build upon each other for a wonderful experience that you would think was a very expensive bottle indeed. But at under $20 a bottle in your wine shop, I highly recommend laying in some of this lovely wine.  Cheers!

Fuzzy Photos From Great Bars

Palm Restaurant, North Miami Beach.  The coolest Palm there is.  Where else can you get tremendous steak, or oysters, or veal parm and have perfect cocktails as well in a clubby atmosphere where nobody is going to find you if you don't want them to?