Bourbon & Medicine

Now, I'm really back!

2006-03-07T11:20:00.000-05:00

Have been very busy lately. But am going to try to post on a more regular basis. Stay tuned.

Feeling Poor!

2005-01-11T11:34:00.000-05:00

To prove that sometimes doctors do get sick, I've had a little virus the last 48 hours. Almost feeling back to normal now, although my appetite hasn't returned. This week's Carnival of the Recipes is up. For foodies, it's a pretty good read.

I'm Back!!!

2005-01-07T13:32:00.000-05:00

Haven't been able to blog much lately. However, I do believe that blogging will resume on a Monday-Friday schedule now. I will begin by point you to this article about Americanism and its place in the world. Very interesting take.

Merry Christmas!!!

2004-12-24T08:50:00.000-05:00

Blogging will be light during the holiday season. You should read this.

This Sounds Good

2004-12-16T15:06:00.000-05:00

Well, in case you couldn't tell, I've been thinking about food and especially the Venison sausage with the Huckleberry Vinaigrette that we had at Alize. Searching for the recipe, I came across this which sounds very good. I think I'll try to make it over the Christmas Holiday. (I'm talking about the dessert, not necessarily the whole meal.

Great, Simple Appetizer

2004-12-16T14:59:00.000-05:00

If you want to impress you friends and family. Make this. It may not sound good, but it is. The tastes compliment each other very well. And best of all it can be made in a matter of minutes.

The Perfect Gift for a Music Fan

2004-12-16T14:53:00.000-05:00

If you have a music fan who likes female jazz/blues, then rush out and get them any album by this artist. The live album is especially good. Her version of Sting's "Fields of Gold" is simply stunning. Unfortunately, she died at the very young age of 33 secondary to Melanoma. It wasn't until after her death that her music caught on. There have been many posthumous releases of her music.

Betting in Vegas

2004-12-16T14:46:00.000-05:00

Several people have asked how I did gambling while in Vegas. Well we started out gambling at the Bellagio and Caesar's and lost quite a bit in no time flat. However, at our resort I was able to do better at the Roulette wheel and overall came home with a few more dollars than I went with.

Great Wine Last Night!

2004-12-16T14:42:00.000-05:00

After medical staff meeting, I came home and the wife and I shared a bottle of this. WOW!!! Really exceptional bottle. Highly recommended.

Back from Vegas!

2004-12-14T09:47:00.000-05:00

Had a very good time. The JW Marriott Resort is nice, however, it is 15-20 minutes off of the strip. This means about a $40 cab ride. They do offer a shuttle to and from the Strip, however, the last one runs at 11:00, not very late for Vegas. And more bad news, both restaurants that I wanted to eat at most were unavailable. Picasso's was closed for holiday break and Rosemary's was closed for private functions.
The good news - I did it here. The meal, the view, and the service was some of the best that I've ever had. Highlights were the Foie Gras and lobster appetizer - and the Venison prepared four ways. The Huckleberry Vinaigrette was incredible. Finally, I was able to enjoy this, which if you'll look at one of my earlier posts was one of two that I was most interested in trying. Unfortunately, it was $40 a glass. It was good but not 4-5X better than Woodford.

Will be gone for a few days

2004-12-09T14:47:00.000-05:00

Will be no posts while I'm gone to Vegas. Will resume Monday 12/13/04.

In Answer to a Question

2004-12-09T14:40:00.000-05:00

There are many factors that influece the taste of a bourbon. The amount of corn, the length of time that it has been aged, the type of charred (usually oak) barrel used for aging, and, most importantly, the drinker's particular taste buds. Most of the bourbons that were on my list are sweeter with hints of honey and vanilla. The taste for fine bourbons, much like wine, is a taste that is cultivated over time. Also, I do enjoy American muscle cars, however, my tastes can also run quite exotic, like this and this.

Top 5 Bourbons

2004-12-07T15:48:00.000-05:00

Money, no object, these are the top 5 bourbons in the world.

And two that I haven't tried but hope to soon.

Honorable Mentions

Black Maple Hill 21 year old
Blanton's (which started the premium bourbon revival along with Maker's Mark)
Noah's Mill
Rowan's Creek

What a Perfect Name

2004-12-07T15:20:00.000-05:00

Well, the name of the establishment certainly is appropriate.

Toys for Doctor's Kids

2004-12-07T15:08:00.000-05:00

These are rather bizarre. The Flesh Eating bacteria is probably my favorite.

You Need to Read This!

2004-12-07T14:56:00.000-05:00

It is so sad that an organization like this needs to exist. Now, as Paul Harvey would say, here's the rest of the story.

Las Vegas

2004-12-07T10:26:00.000-05:00

Will be leaving for a medical conference to Vegas on Friday, 12/10. Will be staying here. Will be eating here on Friday and here on Saturday. Overall, very much looking forward to it.

I Understand This Completely

2004-12-07T09:22:00.000-05:00

This makes so much sense.

Almost the Bandit

2004-12-06T16:29:00.000-05:00

If you're looking for that perfect gift for me, it wouldn't take much (a different paint job and hood bird) to make this look perfect. And the price isn't too bad either.

So, what's a "blog"?

2004-12-02T14:47:00.000-05:00

I've had several friends ask me what is a "blog"? Well, perhaps this will help.

New Posts for 11/30/04

2004-11-30T16:03:00.000-05:00

Sorry for the delay in new posts. A few scattered thoughts for the day.

If we're not careful we may end up like Sweden.
With the departure of another good head football coach, I become increasingly concerned regarding the future of Louisville's Bobby Petrino.
Looking forward after a tough night of call and sitting by the fire with a good bottle of pinot noir.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2004-11-26T08:54:00.000-05:00

Have been to Louisa for Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday and then back home for our family's thanksgiving on Thursday. Now back to work today. I fixed sweet corn pudding and an upside down caramelized pear tart. Also, enjoyed much Woodford Reserve and then some Monte Antico Sangiovese varietal last night (Monte Antico is basically our house wine......dependably wonderful). More posts to follow later in the day.

Thoughts from the Weekend

2004-11-22T13:51:00.000-05:00

Pacers-Pistons - I agree with at least a year's suspension for Ron Artest. Hopefully, criminal charges for Artest and some of the other players will follow as well as for the fans who attacked players. This has no place in "family" entertainment. And is one more good reason for me not to ever watch pro basketball again.
U of L football - Another convincing win. I see that they have climbed to no. 7 in the AP and no. 8 in the ESPN/USA today poll. Hopefully, their chances for cracking the BCS top 6 are not out of the question, however, it appears that Cal and Texas may have to both lose.
U of L basketball - Someone should have warned us that these Div. II guys had shot 45% from beyond the 3 point arc as a team last year. We eventually wore them down and my hopes are undeterred for a great season. We'll get a better idea today when they play Iowa.
My daughter's 6th birthday party was this weekend. 16 (yes, sixteen) 6 and 7 year old girls at my house for a princess party (they bring formal dresses for the girls and serve them formal tea and hand sandwiches). Most of the girls stayed the night. It wasn't as stressful as I had worried.
Fixed dinner on Friday night, served mixed greens with crumbled goat cheese, chicken pounded thin and layered with country ham rolled, grilled and sliced, served with my own blackberry and port wine reduction sauce. Sweet potatoes sliced then and baked at 500 Degrees for 15 minutes and sprinkled with parsley and thyme. and finally asparagus . All served with Smoking Loon Merlot.

Thoughts on Kentucky Football

2004-11-18T08:47:00.000-05:00

In today's Lexington Herald Leader there is an article about a possible conflict between Athletic Director Mitch Barnhardt and Head Football Coach Rich Brooks. As a long-suffering UK football fan and season ticket holder I have some thoughts. First, Coach Brooks seems to be a nice enough man. However, his hiring and subsequent coaching has left much to be desired. I, for one, place 100% of the blame on AD Barnhardt and UK President Lee Todd. Why would a univerisity with a high profile athletic's program hire an AD whose dream job is to be the AD for one of your biggest rivals (Barnhardt was a long time Asst. AD for the University of Tennessee and he obviously dreams of getting the AD job there some day). Then you let a well respected and winning football coach (Guy Morriss) leave to take another job and then hire a coach in semi-retirement for more money than the previous coach had sought. Subsequent to this, an offensive coordinator is hired whose style of football (they say pro set however at times it just looks like an option offense) is not suited for your players. (Who would have thought of using 300+ pound quarterback, Jared Lorenzen, blessed with a phenomenal arm, in an option attack). I do believe that Defensive Coordinator Mike Archer and recruiting coordinator Joker Phillips have done good jobs in tough circumstances.
It's a hard call to let Coach Brooks go or not. He is bringing in some good recruits and the future 2-3 years down the road looks brighter. However, I know a lot of fans, myself included, may not have the patience to wait. My favorite time of the year is fall. Tailgating with friends and UK football had a lot to do with that. However, this year they (the AD and coaches, not the players) have robbed me of my enthusiasm for the game, something I once thought impossible. It is still questionable whether I will renew my football tickets next year and every single other person I know who owns tickets feels the same way. I was able to acquire Louisville season basketball tickets this year, maybe I'll switch and get Louisville season football tickets as well instead of UK's.

Favorite Louisville Restaurants

2004-11-16T16:57:00.000-05:00

Well, why not start my second post with a beginning list of some of my favorite restaurants in the Louisville area.

The Oakroom at the Seelbach Hilton - Legendary establishment (Gatsby talks about it in The Great Gatsby), phenomenal service, wonderful food served in an Old World atmosphere
The English Grill at the Brown Hotel - Very similar in many respects to the Oakroom, Wonderful ambience, great food.
Lilly's - premiere French restaurant in Kentucky (which may not sound like quite the accomplishment, however, it is a regular winner as best overall restaurant in Louisville.)
Lynn's Paradise Cafe - One of the most unique establishments anywhere, Widely renowed for its breakfast, Where else can you see a 10 foot ceramic yellow coffee pot pour real coffee, outside, 365 days a year.
Azalea's - personal favorite of my wife's, Crisp tablecloths and tasteful decoration.
Ramsi's Cafe - Fabulous, fun place, inexpensive, the Jamaican jerk chicken and the Cubean burritto are great.
Limestone - Jim Gerhardt, the legendary chef that brought the Oakroom back to national prominence. his new restaurant on the East End. Kentucky fusion

This is an incomplete list and many more to come.

In the Beginning

2004-11-16T16:33:00.000-05:00

Why now? I've been a voracious reader of blogs since just before 9/11/01. And certainly my consumption increased thereafter. This blog is inspired by Prof. Glenn Reynolds, James Lileks , Eugene Volokh, Stephen Green, and many others. After thinking about beginning a blog on numerous occasions I have finally overcome my trepidation. Why now? Why not!
First, a little bit about me. I am a (happily) married 35 year old physician (Board Certified in Internal Medicine) in Kentucky. I have two lovely girls, ages 6 and 2 1/2. My interests include fine wine, fine spirits ( especially bourbon), good food, University of Louisville and University of Kentucky athletics (what can I say? I graduated from both schools), and politics. I fully expect that this blog will contain many aspects of all these ingredients and I'm sure many more that I can't think of at the moment. I consider myself a decent amateur chef and will often blog about my own creations as well as restaurant reviews for Lexington, Louisville, Cincinnati and any other locales where I happen to have an enjoyable evening.