I have absolutely no desire to try the habañero-infused tequila, but I did enjoy reading the Globe's plug for Hell Night at the East Coast Grill.
We're heading there tonight to partake of the fiery food challenge:
…I've always liked spicy food and, in the early days of the East Coast Grill (circa 1986), we had gained a little reputation for serving some spicy dishes, which was a little unusual outside a Thai or Mexican restaurant. Unsuspectingly, I was baited into a culinary dare by a small, sick sect of the dining public whose taunts of "that really wasn't that hot" finally got the better of me and my formal training. I could not control the burning desire to silence at least a few. The resulting creation was the now infamous Pasta From Hell, fueled primarily by the original Inner Beauty Hot Sauce. Customers dropped like sweaty, panting, weak little flies. The kitchen howled at their tormentor's agony. But when the smoke cleared there were a few left standing, a crazed, goofy, half smile on their faces and a faraway look in their eyes, and, as I looked out from behind the grill, I would get an almost imperceptable, knowing nod. Their fix had been had and, lost in that chile stupor, they acknowledged the contest was a draw. But, like a gunfighter in the Old West, I knew this was only the beginning. They would return, they would bring their friends to face the true test.
The Globe's Lifestyle section spreads the word about savetosci.com:
[…] For those who want to contribute to the cause, the site includes the option of donating money either online or by check. For those who simply want to read a heated debate on fiscal responsibility vs. community building, the site features a highly emotional comments section."Let's remind everyone that small, locally owned and independent businesses are vital to community," reads one comment.
"A for-profit asking for donations… that is absurd," reads another.
And a third simply says: "Coconut sorbet." […]
To which I would add: "Chocolate-orange sorbet."
Rosebud…
Yay! Toscanini's reopens:
[…] The Central Square sweet spot got the keys back from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue today after handing over more than $30,000 it raised from fans over the last five days. The revenue department shut down the popular dessert destination a week ago because the owners failed to pay more than $167,000 in taxes dating back to 2000. […]
Ladies and Gentlemen, meet the (hopefully!) soon-to-be host of Discovery Channel's Hidden Cities: Mr. Iwan Axt.
Hidden Cities Demo from Iwan Axt on Vimeo.
The city, like you've never seen it. We will assemble a highly experienced team of adventurers who will use a combination of their extraordinary skills and unparalleled knowledge to give our audience a view of city life they have never seen. Via their unconventional exploration and hosting techniques HIDDEN CITIES will reveal the inner workings of the most essential elements of urban life through the structures and infrastructures that make the city work, whilst awe-inspiringly uncovering the history behind them. We'll examine such essential elements of urban life as water, power and transportation, among others.
The Boston Globe has an article today on the Save Tosci's campaign: Donations pour in for Toscanini's.
Toscanini's has raised more than $10,000 in donations to help pay its delinquent taxes since the state shut the ice cream shop in Central Square on Thursday. […]
The main page over at tosci.com now links to the Save Toscanini's web site. They've posted an open letter from Gus Rancatore that (partially) explains what happened and what they're trying to do.
[…] Toscanini's is collecting donations after being seized by the Mass. Department of Revenue. Several years ago at the start of an ill-starred and very disorganized expansion we did not pay taxes. I made a mistake. I screwed up.For the years since then we have been paying taxes and running in a business-like manner. We have been talking with the Mass. DOR about the very important question of how much we owe. We had hoped to postpone a resolution of this until the spring when our cashflow is much greater but that didn't happen. […]
As you might expect, the comments are filled with debate and no small amount of rancor regarding the wisdom of donating money to someone who should have paid their taxes. On the flip side, there are many posts from people attesting to the kindness and goodness of Gus and Mimi, and the worthiness of the cause. I didn't know Gus or Mimi, but I have always enjoyed their ice cream. I think it's worth donating because I want to see them come back (hopefully with a new business plan) and because I already miss the chocolate-orange sorbet. Plus, it's just not fair— I finally get a job in Central Square, and Tosci's closes 2 weeks later?! Cruel, cruel Fate.
Just one week ago today, I went out to lunch at Miracle of Science with a friend. Afterward, she suggested a quick trip to Toscanini's for dessert. I happily agreed, and had the most amazing Chocolate-Orange Sorbet that I've ever tasted. Utterly fantastic.
Today, I read that the Mass. Dept. of Revenue seized control of Tosci's yesterday for nonpayment of taxes. I was stunned.
[…] Department spokesman Bob Bliss yesterday said the agency has worked for years to resolve the matter but has made no progress. The department plans to auction off the assets of the Central Square shop, including equipment and furnishings, to recoup whatever money it can. About $140,000 owed by owner Gus Rancatore is in meal taxes and the balance is in employee withholding taxes, Bliss said. Rancatore did not return messages seeking comment last night. His brother Joe Rancatore, who owns a separate ice cream firm in Belmont, declined to discuss the matter. […]I went by there at lunch today and confirmed that it's true. All the chairs were up on the tables, and there were large, bright-orange placards in the window reading "SEIZED". I am very sad now.
Chris and I went to see the first part of the New Works Winter Festival 2008 last night at Acme. I had referred to it as "short attention span theater"— if you don't like a play, another one will be along in 5 minutes. We really enjoyed "Track X" (female playwrights), especially Fairy Tales at the Subway Station and Boo/ Yay. Tonight we're going over to work the concession stand and see "Track Y".
The festival will be performed January 11, 12, 18 & 19, 8PM. Call the Box Office at 978-823-0003 for reservations.For 2008, we are scratching our seven year itch and mixing up the festival format a bit. As always, we will have two festival tracks, but this year, we'll be separating the tracks into a night for female playwrights and a night for male playwrights (X&Y).
Plays and Playwrights are as follows:
TRACK X (January 11 & 19)
A PERFECT MATCH by Gail Phaneuf
CANYON'S EDGE by Barbara Lindsay
FAIRY TALES AT THE SUBWAY STATION by Philana Gnatowski
MAKE IT A GOOD ONE by Lisa Burdick
ALIEN TO ANTIQUITY by Stacey LaneBOO / YAY by Jennifer McCartney
BOOB TUBE by Carol Mullen
FERRAGAMO NEVER MADE A CIRCUS LINE by Kristyn Leigh Robinson
AND SO IT GOES by Debbie Roy
TRACK Y (January 12 & 18)
A PONCE ON THE COMPETITION by Steve Lewis
SIR EDMUND WALTER HAS A THOUGHT by Matt Haldeman
SPEECHLESS by Paul Kahn
THREE KINGS by James VenhausFOUR EXTREMELY ATTRACTIVE WOMEN SITTING AROUND FANTASIZING ABOUT RICH ORLOFF by Rich Orloff
WHO IS RUTH by Matthew Hanson
TALL ORDER by John Shanahan
A LOVELY MOON by Evan-Guilford Blake