Category: Food

I’m ELV and I’m an Addict

Two of these men can cook, one writes about it.ELV in the throes of his addiction with two of his favorite dealers.*

(ELV note: Yours truly has a book in him that will probably never be finished or published. Here is one of the chapters.)

“Hi ELV!” is how all those twelve-step programs start, and then they sink into one maudlin account after another of each individual’s slide into personal oblivion. Here’s my story:

It started innocently enough, as all addictions do. In 1982 in Wheeling, Illinois. “The first one’s free,” said Jean Banchet – at the time the celebrated chef/owner of Le Francais (considered at the time the best French restaurant in America). Then, in 1983. Andre Soltner, the dedicated Alsatian running New York’s best French restaurant, made a personal appearance at my table at Lutece. “Just take another hit, no one will notice,” he purred. And so I did.

Oh yeah, and Jacques Pepin — he of the velvet delivery and oh so elfish countenance — he was one, insidious seducer as well. Maybe the worst of them all.

Continue reading “I’m ELV and I’m an Addict”

SMASHBURGER

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We tried a couple of Smashburgers yesterday, a couple of days into its opening, and found them surprisingly beefy, well-seasoned, just the right degree of greasy, and encased in a nice, squishy, fresh and eggy bun. (In other words, it was everything our burger at Grind wasn’t.)

We weren’t as thrilled with the gigantic salad — under-dressed and topped with insanely oversalted fried onions — but Slapsie Maxie loved the two fried eggs that adorned its top, so we’ll give it a pass.

Besides, who orders a friggin’ salad at a burger joint anyway?

Our 1/3 lb. cheeseburger, decent vanilla malt, and forgettable fries came to $11.49. We left a buck-fifty tip.

Just thought you’d like to know.

SMASHBURGER

7541 West Lake Mead Suite 2

Las Vegas, NV 89128