Discourse Neat

## Episode description

In this episode, an argument about Elizabeth Holmes and Bernie Madoff turns into a debate over impossible promises, investor responsibility, and how much hype anyone should believe. Dinner offers a change of subject, with Pizza Bruno’s kale salad, Hillstone’s crab cakes, and Enzo’s antipasti all making a case for leaving the house. First-date restaurants become compatibility tests, from a lakeside dinner to the original PR’s Taco Palace. Then the group takes on private clubs and discovers that the table they already share might be membership enough.

## Places Mentioned

- Pizza Bruno — The drive to Curry Ford gets complaints; the pizza, kale salad, and wood-fired octopus get considerably better reviews.

- The Drake — Nick praises the tender, breaded fried octopus, a preparation he hadn’t tried before.

- Hillstone — Edd’s missing French dip leads to a crab-cake discovery. The group weighs the consistently good food against the lakeside setting, with plenty of enthusiasm for taking a drink outside.

- Enzo’s — The waterfront setting earns first-date endorsements, while Pragasen talks through his antipasti platter and usual clam pasta order. Nick contributes a dinner memory with a less romantic ending.

- PR’s Taco Palace — The original Fairbanks location becomes the centerpiece of a first-date compatibility test, complete with writing on the walls and a train-triggered tequila ritual.

## Timestamps

00:00:00 We get the table talking.

00:01:10 Nick brings up the Holmes film.

00:07:41 Madoff enters the argument.

00:11:15 Edd pushes back on the AI comparison.

00:16:45 Nick shares his blood-test experience.

00:21:06 We compare moviegoing plans.

00:26:09 Pizza Bruno is worth arguing over.

00:28:26 We compare our food limits.

00:40:48 Nick recalls getting stood up.

00:45:38 Enzo’s gets its turn.

00:50:25 A taco place becomes a dating test.

00:57:42 We argue about private clubs.

01:04:47 We already have our own club.

In this episode, Edd brings champagne for the Mid-Autumn Festival, and Paul’s dinner at The Drake turns into a rum tasting and a debate about risotto.

Pragasen’s school fundraiser leads to a surprisingly spirited discussion of cookies, followed by barbecue stories and Nick’s disappointing pastrami order.

Edd revisits his first impression of Osteria Esther after realizing a hot patio may have been doing some of the reviewing for him. The crew finishes with martinis, a late-running trivia night, and the appeal of pairing golf with go-karts.

## Places Mentioned

- The Drake — Paul praises the mushroom risotto, properly cooked salmon, and a duck and goose dish; its rum flight supplies a bottle for the table to discuss.

- George’s — Pragasen finds the catered luncheon meal average, but the cookies have guests asking for more.

- Smoke Made Meats — Edd says its barbecue is worth a weekend wait, prompting a debate about how long anyone should queue for food.

- Palm Beach Meats — Nick likes the shop’s selection but is disappointed by his pastrami sandwich, especially after receiving the wrong order first.

- City Barbecue — A party platter wins the group over with its variety; the brisket is solid, though one host has had better.

- Osteria Esther — Edd reconsiders an initially grumpy review after enjoying the crispy polenta and leftover lasagna away from the hot patio.

- Sparrow — Edd and Pragasen recall an excellent soft opening, while the group discusses its value, mortadella, and martinis.

## Timestamps

00:00:29 We toast the Mid-Autumn Festival.

00:03:19 Paul reviews The Drake and its rum flight.

00:19:04 We plan a cigar outing.

00:20:23 Nick revisits his massage spot.

00:23:33 Pragasen recounts a school fundraiser.

00:25:34 George’s cookies steal the luncheon.

00:30:16 We debate Gideon’s giant cookies.

00:34:03 We weigh the wait for barbecue.

00:36:05 Nick tries Palm Beach Meats.

00:39:09 Barbecue stories lead us to Austin.

00:44:35 Edd rethinks Osteria Esther.

00:50:33 We compare Good Salt restaurants.

00:52:01 We make a case for bar seats.

00:53:33 Martinis take over the table.

01:00:05 Nick takes a night off from trivia.

01:02:24 Edd warms to golf and go-karts.

In this episode, a liqueur from Santa Fe sends the table from craft spirits to memorable meals. The hosts compare Foreigner, Ômo, and Kappo Tsan before asking how many courses a dinner really needs. Steak leftovers, dining habits, and Magical Dining all get a hearing. Then a visit to Seasons 52 turns into a spirited discussion of Tony, the Anthony Bourdain film.

Places Discussed:

• Foreigner — Chef Bruno’s tasting menu and personal hospitality win over the table.
• Ômo by Jônt — The hosts compare its multi-room tasting menu with a meal ordered à la carte in the Salon.
• Kappo Tsan — The Taiwanese cabbage impresses, and its chirashi bowl enters a close ranking of local favorites.
• Christner’s — Nick praises the tuna appetizer, steak, sides, and even the next-day leftovers.
• Osteria Ester — An upcoming dinner draws enthusiastic recommendations for its veal and chicken dishes.
• Seasons 52 — A pre-movie meal is better than expected, and the bar gets its own lively review.

Timestamps:

00:00 We take our seats.
00:42 A Santa Fe liqueur starts the night.
03:49 A Tokyo cocktail inspires a detour.
05:27 Craft gin gets the technical treatment.
08:20 Foreigner makes an impression.
11:50 Hillstone’s artichokes divide the table.
13:03 Ômo offers two ways to dine.
15:51 Good service earns its own discussion.
17:43 Kappo Tsan enters the chirashi rankings.
23:25 Sushi Pop is worth the drive.
24:48 Soup dumplings are moving in.
26:22 Tasting menus test everyone’s limits.
32:02 Christner’s leftovers get their due.
33:50 A dining discovery becomes table talk.
36:35 Osteria Ester joins the dinner plans.
39:29 Magical Dining divides the table.
44:24 Rocco’s bar inspires a strategy.
45:28 Seasons 52 leads to a movie.
46:01 Tony sparks a Bourdain debate.
49:52 Seasons 52 gets another vote.

Places MentionedTimestamps