I'm pulled in two directions, this January 2nd. Today begins my get-rid-of-the-stomach diet and increased exercise regimen and I just finished reading Bill Scheller's article on Swartz's Montreal deli. Having eaten at Schwartz's -- only once, vs Bill's 27 years worth -- all I can say is the memories of that smoked brisket -- so well reconstituted in Bill's article -- would have put the barely nascent diet in jeopardy if Montreal were not an 11-hour car ride from my home. Ah well, back to the oil-less salad.

Tony Tedeschi