23830 Tue Apr 22 20:58:43 -0700 2003 5 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 91452 My fine bottle of grappa that I've been enjoying by the capful since it went half empty (I guess I'm a pessimist) is about to run out. Wondering who might have a good selection of grappe and/or eau de vie, calvados, etc. near my Berkeley home. Also, if you have any interesting cooking ideas for these brandy-like products, do tell. I put grappa into fruit dishes such as apple pie and cobbler, fruit salad, etc., and it just makes them pop. Don't bother replying to say how disgusting you think grappa is. You'll be embarrassed later. Tue Apr 22 20:58:43 -0700 2003 0 Mr. Eli 1 91541 I've been looking for ways to decide who's postings to trust and who's not to trust. Tell me if you like Grappa or not. Because if you don't...well I don't need to waste my time reading your postings anymore. Also tell us if you like Olive Garden, that works even better. Link: http://www.curmudgeon.com Wed Apr 23 17:25:26 -0700 2003 91452 0 Curmudgeon 2 91569 There's grappa and there's grappa. Much of it is disgusting, just as most of the meals the world consumes are not things I would put in my mouth. But I have had the rare pleasure that very fine grappa can bestow. Here's some advice from Ms. McCune on how she figures out a poster's tastes: "I have noticed that some people have extreme dislikes of certain restaurants. For me, its French Laundry and Brothers-in-law BBQ but I try not to go overboard in my rants and try to be specific so people can understand why. You might consider this - whenever I see a "snide" comment. Do an "Edit - Find in Page" search for that poster's name. I do that whenever I see a posting that is bizarre, controversial, rude or one that I completely disagree with. Sometimes I find the poster hasn't posted, sometimes I find something very charming or something I totally agree with - it helps me build a picture of the poster as a whole person, not just one off/weird post. And sometimes it allows me to completely discount (as appicable to me) anything that person posts." Wed Apr 23 23:15:38 -0700 2003 91541 0 Melanie Wong 1 91543 Are you familiar with St. George Spirits? They actually make grappa, eau de vie, etc. at their facility in Alameda (which is also home to the well-respected Hangar One Vodkas, and next door to Rosenblum Winery). Link: http://www.stgeorgespirits.com/ Wed Apr 23 17:33:08 -0700 2003 91452 0 Ruth Lafler 2 91648 Thanks for the reply. I hadn't heard of them, but it turns out that they are having an open house event this weekend. So I'm going to try to make it over there and get some sample on! Thu Apr 24 21:28:00 -0700 2003 91543 0 Eli Manjarrez 1 91557 Actually, if you have good grappa cooking ideas, please post them over on General Topics where they will be seen by many more chowhounds. Please keep this thread focused on where to find grappa around Berkeley and use the General Topics board for non-regional topics. Link: http://www.chowhound.com/boards/general/general.html Wed Apr 23 19:56:23 -0700 2003 91452 2 The Chowhound Team