Thanks for the introduction to SAWA. I and my wife live in the bay area for over 20 years and we’ve never heard of this mystic japanese joint before. Can’t wait to go do the tasting. Too bad we just spent a fortune eating at French Laundry with my kids last week so we have to wait a few more weeks. What names I can use to get in there though?

Keep up the good food blog!

I too had lots of cash during that time and had the ‘best of the best’ in Paris – Rome – Spain and Germany, etc., etc., but never had a food let down until I returned to the USA and had to eat such 4th class food as was served everywhere on the East Coast — and especially in Baltimore.

An epiphany came for me but for another reason, not food, but fine art and my painting. When you live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland you paint f #@king ducks, duck scenes, decoys or fishing scenes to make big bucks and I refused.

F#@K a bunch of D#@KS!

My ABSTRACT art was the epiphany and was accepted by the powers that be. The problem was similar to yours, except that the POWERS representing my art wanted 70% of the sale. With materials costing another 15 to 20% and the cost for insurance and transportation for me and the art to the exhibition I was netting less than 10%. The art that was not sold would go missing after the exhibitions closed. They were all crooks.

Looking back on it, I had what you are now having and look back with great delight on that wonderful European food.

I paint here at my Eastern Shore studio for myself and eat food mostly at Baltimore restaurants that is rarely more than mediocre at best. There is no food like a French Laundry or Chez Panisse that you can eat here.

I look foreward to Spring when I get fresh, just picked, organic Amish fruits & veggies and jumbo steamd crabs … as my SAWA.

You have learned the most valuable lesson. There are people that know the ** price of everything … and the value of nothing! **

ENJOY THAT GOOD LIFE!

Wilbur