Our pal Steven Raichlen launched the extensive book tour for his new book, Planet Barbecue, last night at Books & Books. The place was mobbed. We all got to taste food prepared from some of the recipes. Steven and Barbara, Mitchell Kaplan, Steven's publicist Selina Meere, Cindy and I went out to this wonderful, cozy Indian brasserie in the Gables later. It's called Mint Leaf. We all ordered appetizers, and that was more than enough. The tandoori chicken tikka was spectacular. Right now Cindy's got a pork shoulder smoking on the grill. She's making Keith Allen's Smoked pork shoulder from Planet Barbecue. Steven says that Keith makes the best barbecue in Carolina.

John Dufresne