The main point of this article is to explain how "fine dining" has turned into awful meals. Mr. Sedaris explains that when he and his friend got out to eat in New York, they face ridiculous dishes. He would much rather prefer something simple. However, I think that many Americans can relate to what he's saying. I appreicate simplistic foods because I appreciate the affordability.
Some dishes described by the author have over ten ingredients, and sometimes no one even knows what the ingredients are. Mr. Sedaris talks about how a food with so many different ingredients is humorous because it defeats the purpose of enjoying a meal. A food with so many "odd flavors" can not really be called a food anymore. Sometimes, the plating makes the food a bit less edible and desirable as well. I would much rather prefer a huge burger with cheese over a stick of meat topped with green speckled "things" and shiny glazes with who knows what in them. Sometimes simple really is better.
On to my favorite point about this "busy" kind of cuisine: the ridiculous prices. Although the author did not really touch base on how horrible the prices are. I woud never buy a $35 salad, and I wouldn't care if it had roasted almonds that had been baked in sunflower-seed oil. I would much rather have a salad with French dressing, and for $5 to boot. Although the chefs of New York and other big cities would like to think of these weird combinations of ingredients as food, others would rather call them an "interesting experience." I know that America jumped in late to the game in everything, but this doesn't mean we have to claim new recipes and call them American "cuisine." It's not the quantity that counts when dealing with almost anything, it's the quality, and some things are best served simple (like Google's blank webpage, for example.)
I completely agree with the author's attitude toward "fine dining" : It's not worth it.
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It's interesting that you didn't mention his tone. The colon in your last sentence should be a semicolon, by the way.
ReplyDeleteYou include a lot of your own thoughts, which is ok, but be sure you keep the on his writing and experiences. You're using him as a starting spot to relay your ideas instead of having your ideas as a side bar to your analysis of his points. See the difference?
I definitely agree with your whole writing. Simple is so much better when it comes to certain things. I like how you used the Google webpage as an example because that is just perfect. I guess maybe if you grew up rich with foods like that you would enojy it and be used to it, but to someone like me it's just plain out ridiculous. Having a fancy meal like that every once in a while on a special night or something would be perfectly great but to eat like that everyday? I would hate it!
ReplyDeleteSedaris's humor definitely adds to his article but his points are very valid. My simple oopinion is, keep it tasty. If it is so complicated that I can't even be fully sure of what I'm putting in my mouth, I don't want to eat it.
ReplyDeleteThe definition of tasty varies from place to place. The American palate has been changed so much over time, from exposure to high fat, high sugar, chemical laden dishes, that it is nearly impossible to make many comments on "American" cuisine. Sadly, this seems to be spreading to the point that the cuisine is whatever the fast food industry slops out at us. Given that most have difficulty doing anything more complicated than putting Peanut butter to bread as well, and it won't be too long before Soylent Green becomes a paletable option rather than a warning.
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