I’m late on this, but Laurie’s mom sent me the Oregonian’s [review](http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/stories/index.ssf?/base/entertainment/1170208531126900.xml&coll=7) of Pok Pok and the Whiskey Soda Lounge. They gave it an A, the equivalent of four stars, and the teaser said, “Portland’s best Thai Food, period.” Congratulations to Andy Ricker and the folks at Pok Pok, who have created the restaurant of my dreams, although why they had to do it in Portland I don’t know; *that* part wasn’t in my dream.

Also, it looks like the Oregonian, which had the worst newspaper web site in the country, period, has made a lot of improvements since last I looked at it. It’s hard to be a professional curmudgeon when life keeps offering you less to grouse about.