71899 Tue Aug 02 14:29:35 -0700 2005 10 2 Los Angeles Area 0 393662 Sad news. Loved his Matter of Taste columns and all his writings, especially about food and wine. Tue Aug 02 14:29:35 -0700 2005 0 jsl 1 393666 IMO the best writer that paper had, maybe ever. They seemed to think so, too, judging from the obituary - they couldn't say enough about the depth and breadth of his work, and how unsparingly serious he was about it. There's something wonderful, and increasingly rare, about a writer who takes everything seriously except his own ego. Some of my favorite writers have fallen at times into the trap of self-indulgence; Shaw never did. I don't know in which part of the paper I'm going to miss him the most. I do hope there's a tribute in the food section tomorrow. Tue Aug 02 14:43:37 -0700 2005 393662 0 Will Owen 2 393671 very sad news. his columns on taste were unbelievably good espeically his ones on hot dogs in la, pizza, and a great article on thanksgiving and turkey. definitley anyone who hasn't read his articled should. i asked him once that he should write more of the restaurant reviews but he politely declined saying they already had a restaurnat critic. Tue Aug 02 15:06:56 -0700 2005 393666 0 kevin 1 393672 His take on food and wine should be mandatorily understood by all who follow in his footsteps. There was a 3rd dimension to his writing that you truly felt you were there with him enjoying the moment. At wine tastings where I was fortunate to be in his company, he was always just a lot of fun, very low key, and passionate about the grape. Tue Aug 02 15:11:05 -0700 2005 393662 0 carter 1 393800 David was just an acquaintance when I innocently asked if he'd recommend some restaurants for my wife and I to visit during our honeymoon in France (oh, so many, many years ago). He not only offered a list, but wrote ahead to pave the way for us. Needless to say, we were treated like newlywed royalty. The trip was the culinary experience of a lifetime. Tue Aug 02 23:46:39 -0700 2005 393662 0 JonW 1 393807 He was the only Times writer whom I would read every piece he wrote, just because he wrote it. He cannot be replaced. Wed Aug 03 00:12:47 -0700 2005 393662 0 Adsvino 2 393925 Me too - he was the only one. I miss him already. Wed Aug 03 15:42:42 -0700 2005 393807 0 quiz wrangler 3 393965 I think we are witnessing a change in journalism. There used to be writers who stayed with one paper forever--or at most they moved to a rival paper in the same town. The Times and its readers were fortunate enough to have long runs with David Shaw, Robert Lawrence Balzer, Jim Murray and Jack Smith. They were less fortunate with their runs with Charles Champlin and (still going) Robert Hilburn. Sadly, Kritina McKenna seems to have left for good. But Kevin Thomas has served foreign and indie film well for a long time. Then you get into the highly charged issue of the classical and art critics. And, how can I forget Leonard Feather? Someone, once mentioned there was a time when Ralph J. Gleason and Leonard were the only two white men in the jazz scene. Wed Aug 03 23:03:57 -0700 2005 393925 0 mc michael 1 393809 Respect must be paid. I raise a glass.... Wed Aug 03 00:31:03 -0700 2005 393662 0 mc michael 1 393857 Fair, decent, and down to earth. A regular at a former restaurant I managed, very approcahable and engaging..........he will be missed. Wed Aug 03 11:21:45 -0700 2005 393662 0 Joe Baylis 1 393943 An incredible loss for journalism and for hounds everywhere. A man of consummate decency. Wed Aug 03 17:59:29 -0700 2005 393662 0 SteveA