No Holds Barred



Temptations



For the past 14 months I have been trying to resist temptation and generally succeeding. However, trust me when I say it has not always been easy.

The temptation is food.

I can easily resist most temptations; to drive too fast or drink too much; or even worse do both at the same time!

I am not into recreational drugs, nor do I crave to launch myself out of perfectly good airplanes to get my thrill fix. I was cured of thrill seeking behaviors after a few years in the jungle getting shot at, and a few other hair-raising experiences while on the trail of a hot news story.

My idea of living dangerously lately is to drive with my son Darcy when he forgets I am in the co-pilot’s seat.

With food however, it is another matter.

I am addicted to the stuff. Not just the proper amount to be well nourished, but rather I enjoy the role of glutton.

Have you ever tried the Mixed Grill at Jim’s Restaurant?

Plump sausages, topped by a generous helping of lean bacon, with a select cut of fresh baby beef liver, and a juicy pork chop, fresh garden vegetables and homemade mashed potatoes. Now who can resist that?

Or how about Brax Café’s famous melt?

Delicious generous serving of beef, fresh onions and green peppers, topped with melted cheese and wrapped in a warm bun. Now that is lunchtime heaven!

Gus still makes a fine sizzling breakfast at Kosta’s, and does not hold back on the bacon or the potatoes. Hot coffee and friends like the one’s only found on Cheers round out his fine menu.

Apple Sarah’s make a special Peter burger, just to tempt my taste buds, complete with cheese, onions and mayo. There is no escape!

Hungry yet?

Even when I try to escape home, Papa George tempts me with his Take and Bake Milano’s pizza, easy on the sauce. One for the road, so to speak!

Even more exotic foods tempt me, like Chinese cuisine at Steve and Denis, #39 please; a buffet at the Half Moon or Vietnamese dishes made in authentic sauces at the Happy House, and there is no end to the temptations.

Let’s not even talk about Montreal, where I first gained my experience in gluttony.

If it is not Ben’s thick smoked meat on real rye, then it is the world’s best sticky ribs at Bar-B-Barn.

Spicy chicken tops the temptations at the Chalet BBQ off Decarie, while Mexican delicacies are the specialty of the Three Amigos just around the corner of Guy at Ste Catherine. There is nothing quite like sizzling fajitas to make the mouth water.

I know I have missed a lot, like the Lighthouse which draws me like a breakfast connoisseur in Constance Bay, or Wing Night at the Prior; it is really too much to resist.

They don’t have to be fancy, just have good food, when you are a true addict.

It has taken a great deal of courage and will-power to stay out of these dens of fine dining; to resist the siren call of an assignment which includes a dinner meeting at the Quality Inn.

However, because my shirts and trousers were continually shrinking (bad laundry soap I am sure) it was necessary for me to lose a few inches. So far I am down 40 pounds, with another 30 to go.

I think it was when somebody, forgetting my name, suggested to a friend that it was the guy from the paper they should talk to – you know the old, fat guy from the paper; that I decided change had to come.

Here I had thought they were all referring to Jake Davis, but alas, it was moi!

Yes, I am managing through pure will power to restrict my number of visits to these vendors of vittles, as hard as it may be. Like a junkie trying to stay away from the corner dealer.

Occasionally I simply gulp and ask for coffee, just for the chance to inhale the aromas of fine dining.

So, soon it will be off to the gym to show off my new buff look and develop some abs, instead of ab protectors.

I can envision it now as I sit at my desk reaching for a handful of almonds dipped in chocolate.

I think I am ready for a quick snack of home baked scones from Bonnie Jane’s dripping with lemon topping - I’ll be right back to finish this column…….

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