I was discussing good meats to smoke recently with my fish dip guy – regular readers of this editor’s note will know that you’re not really a Lauderdale local until you know of a guy who makes fish dip and makes it possible to obtain fish dip without giving your fish dip dollars to the industrial fish dip complex. Big Dip, if you will.
Anyway, we were discussing all the various meats you can put into the smoking/dipping process, and he mentioned that he’s experimented with invasive python dip. It’s not his favorite. For one thing, small bones. And beyond that, even when you’re done gutting and skinning, you’re left with something that just … doesn’t move like meat moves. Steak shouldn’t slither.
So if you’re looking for advice from your local magazine editor, how about this: python meat is probably not the way to go for a romantic meal this month.
This month, of course, includes Valentine’s Day, the day when those of you who are romantically enmeshed will perhaps peruse an Italian restaurant’s special menu and selection of finest domestic merlots. Perhaps you will stay in and watch a romantic movie. In that case, according to Netflix when I checked the “romance” section just now, your best bet is Just Go With It, a 2011 film where the “it” we are apparently supposed to just go with is the idea that Adam Sandler is a believable love interest for Jennifer Aniston. Perhaps you will adjourn to the nearest local bar that still allows smoking and has more than one type of beer for less than $5, in which case, hey, see you there.
Perhaps you’ll even use the services of one of several businesses and institutions that feature in this month’s magazine. If your evening out is in Miami or West Palm, looking your paramour in the eye over a glass of Brightline train wine is a much more civilized way to get there than death-gripping the steering wheel as you get cut off on I-95 by somebody who has decided while going 103 in the left lane that exiting is what they absolutely need to do now. If you’re staying in Fort Lauderdale, you might pop into the lavishly remodeled Parker. (They try not to say Parker Playhouse as much these days as it’s really more of a music venue.) The house is dark on Valentine’s Day, but tickets to an upcoming show make an amorous gesture. Of course, if you’re going all out for romantic gestures, maybe stop into another featured business, Daoud’s Fine Jewelry.
We look at a few local businesses this month mostly because this is our Business Issue. What will 2022 and beyond look like in terms of development, small business, investment and community? We asked some people who’d know.
And of course, we also recommend some businesses and products you might want to sample if you plan on getting romantic this month. Drink recommendations? We got ‘em. Fun gifts? Absolutely.
Bonus tip from an editor? Sure, here you go: maybe steer clear of the python.
