[Days after the storm, the kitchen somehow managed to keep serving hot food. Guests have taken to calling the place the Hotel Rwanda.] It’s a jungle, and it’s dog-eat-dog, ... When you see the police doing the same thing the looters are doing, it tells me you’re going to have to fend for yourself.

Let him not eat any dainty food which he does not offer to his guest, the hospitable reception of guests procures wealth, fame, long life, and heavenly bliss.

It is all about making food that is especially interesting without being able to see it first. It affords guests the opportunity to explore another world, understanding something beyond what we know.

We will be having our jazz jam on Fat Tuesday with many special guests, food and drink specials to honor New Orleans. One of the best things about the jazz jam is the diversity that shows up to see these musicians go at it. There are not many places left to celebrate jazz on a regular basis. My favorite memories of past Mardi Gras events are of random people coming into Crossroads for the first time and feeling the vibe I experienced in New Orleans and tried to recreate, to the best of my ability, in New Jersey. Everyone is usually in great spirits.

We are seeing a lot of people who are cutting back on other necessities - food, medication - to meet their utility bills.

Whoever thought a tiny candy bar should be called fun size was a moron.