Brandon on Food, Drink, Cigars, Travel and Life

Sorellina Dinner at Cigar Master

2010-07-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

FAKE CUBAN CIGARS! how you mock us!

2010-03-08T04:25:00.000-08:00

Why are there so many fake Cuban cigars in the USA?

Look at it this way. You order your "Cuban cigars" from a duty-free internet supplier somewhere off the coast of China. You get a box of cigars that might or might not be Cuban. How do you know? There are no official outlets in the USA to which you can take your box for checking. You cannot browse your local cigar shop and have a savvy through the boxes on the shelves to see if they look like yours. "No idea, son. Could be Cuban, could be a walk in the park."

WE WILL CHECK THEM AT CIGAR MASTERS FOR YOU!!!!

With nothing to check your box against you resort to checking with other peoples boxes and find out that the other boxes look different to the ones that you bought. But maybe those other boxes are also fake...and so on... In other words there is no stable reference point in the USA to which a box of Cuban cigars can be checked. The same goes for the cigar bands or rings on the cigars themselves - how do you know what is real and what is not? This is complicated even further when you find out that the Cuban cigar industry regularly changes the appearance of the cigar bands and that there is inherent variation in the printing of these rings anyhow. Click here to see how Montecristo recently changed their cigar rings.

How many fake cigars are there in the USA?

Let's do some simple maths. According to the CIA the current estimate of the USA population is 293 million people. According to ASH the estimated percentage of the US population who smoke cigars is 2% - about 5.86 million people. Lets say, for arguments sake, that of that 5.86 million people 10% bought a single box of Cuban cigars every 2 months (it might be more, it might be less, who knows?). If 10% of the US cigar smoking population bought one box of Cuban cigars every 2 months that would add up to 3.5 million boxes per annum. Suppose, on average, each box cost $150 that could mean a revenue of $525 million dollars per year.

What can I do to make sure I get the real thing?

The fact that you got so far in reading this is a good sign. The point is that regardless of what people may think they are buying, America is full of fake Cuban cigars. 95 out of every 100 purchases are of a dubious nature and the internet is full of operators only too willing to sell dud cigars to a gullible public. The single biggest factor is that of price. We are sometimes accused of being too expensive. Frankly we are proud to be this expensive if that is what its called. We cannot reduce our prices and stay in business because we only supply genuine Cuban cigars. The internet sites selling the fake cigars are always going to be able to undercut suppliers such as ourselves and other genuine dealers. Its a fact - no matter what the official price is in any country the counterfeiters can always undercut that price - that is the nature of their business plan. Of course if the clients were to pay attention to this factor then the USA would not be full of fake cigars but that's another story...
If you want to be 100% sure of buying genuine Cuban cigars you should be very wary of sites offering unbelievable prices and "duty-free deals" on Habanos cigars. If you are looking for a "cheap" Habanos Cuban cigar we would suggest that you are on the wrong tack - there is no such thing. There are Habanos cigars "hecho en Cuba" and, like any hand-made product of quality, they come at a price.
Inform yourself of the methods by which Cuban cigars are distributed and sold around the world. Enquire of your prospective vendor as to where they obtain their cigars from. All of our cigars are supplied to us from Altadis www.altadis.com the only official supplier of Cuban cigars in France and Spain. In the United States the company is known as Altadis USA - www.altadisusa.com. Habanos S.A. are the only company responsible for the marketing and promotion of Cuban cigars throughout the world. Contrary, however to what many people think and to what some websites erroneously state as fact, Habanos S.A. are not the company that sell the Cuban cigars to the retailers. There is a worldwide distribution network of official suppliers appointed by Habanos S.A. who control each country's supply of Havana cigars. The list of each country's official distributor can be found at the website of Habanos S.A. - click here for details. More details about the role of Habanos can be found by clicking here.
Inform yourself of the fake cigar "giveaway" signs when buying Cuban cigars. e.g. did you know that on a genuine box of Cuban cigars the green dollar seal should be folded so that the coat of arms is bisected in half by the top edge of the box?
A good primer on fake cigars can be found here - www.cigarnexus.com

Habanos Cigars - the top lid of the box runs through the centre of the coat of arms on the Cuban dollar seal - verdict, genuine.

Fake Cigars - the entire coat of arms on the Cuban dollar seal is visible on the top of the cigar box. The seal is also normally on the left hand side of the box on Romeo y Julieta cigars - verdict, fake, fake, fake...

Our cigar boxes have all the markings associated with the genuine Cuban article and with their official Spanish distributor Altadis:-

1.	A factory code and date is ink-stamped on the base of the wooden box.
2.	The Cuban dollar seal is placed with the lid of the box running through the centre of the coat of arms.
3.	The Habanos seal is placed across the corner of the box.
4.	There is a heat-pressed stamp that reads "Habanos s.a. HECHO EN CUBA Totalmente a mano" on the base of the box.
5.	There are certificates of authenticity inside the boxes.
6.	All boxes come with the round blue official seal of Altadis.

GOOD LUCK, Suckers!

IF YOU WANT TO AVOID ALL THIS.... Stick with the best tobacco in the world right now (Nicaraguan) and buy BOUTIQUE Cigars from your local retailers. Like Don Pepin, Padron, Liga Privada or Rocky Patel.

The day of the Cuban Cigar being superior is over, just as the battle wine is no longer won solely by France

cooking lately

2010-03-03T04:45:00.001-08:00

I've been cooking a lot.

This week

I've made

Mushroom omelettes,

Pancackes

Lasagne

Beef bourguignon

Braised Veggies

Root Vegetables

Potato leek soup

Meatballs

Broccoli rabe parm

rice and beans

salsa

hungry?

Some good pasta and things that annoy me, funny pictures and how to tick people off.

2010-02-13T03:38:00.000-08:00

Food..

Providence is blessed with great food places. Its fortunate approximation to an art school, an ivy league and a culinary university are the necessary ingredients to fertilize the old traditional soil that blankets the land here in this delicious state of Rhode Island.

Now, I hope that wasn't too wordy.. I'm never wordy...

But I Am trying to keep whoever reads this updated on the food I come across. I enjoy food of all kinds, feel that I have a pretty good knowledge of foods and a suitable pallet to match. I hope that my choices and descriptions allow you to enjoy your time in Providence, Boston or wherever you and I may travel.

Cheers! (if you are reading this at home you should have already opened a bottle of wine - Zin - and at this point you should be taking a drink....ok)

Food - Sienna

Siena Restaurant

238 Atwells Ave
Providence, RI 02903
(401) 521-3311

- they also have a location in East Greenwich

I eat here often and so I wanted this to be first on the list. They do not hurt for business as their food is always consistent and delicious.

Every time I go there, it is busy (even on slow nights). They do not do anything special to draw crowds except create delicious traditional Italian Dishes.

So what's good? Well, everything. But here is what I like...

Tagliatelle alla Bolognese - $17

Delicate golden egg noodles tossed with a truly classic Bolognese sauce made with pork, pancetta, sirloin, diced vegetables, tomatoes and a touch of cream. Topped with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

Their Bolognese is just right. What's that mean? Well, I like Bolognese to be fine with a good balance between the sauce (if there is any - some bolognese don't use tomato) and the meat. The type of meat is important and I can guess that there is more than just beef (i.e. veal and/or pork). Maybe I'm wrong... but the sauce is perfectly balanced ot only in texture but in flavor. Sometimes, sauces are too spicy, sweet, salty, bland and so on... not here. This is a great dish and the final ingredient -THE PASTA - is also done al dente. The pasta soaks up the sauce and the marriage of flavors is comforting and soothing. With some fresh Parmagian Reggiano

and I like this..

Garganelli con Tartufo - $17

Semolina egg pasta with a white truffle butter, Prosciutto di Parma, mascarpone cheese and cream sauce. Garnished with shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.

If you like truffles and cream sauce.... get this.. again, the balance of the sauce is remarkable (and I get this a lot) and the consistency is just amazing... I am not going to go into detail here because I am getting hungry and cannot concentrate.

YUM!!!!!!!!!

Anyway... like I said, all their dishes are great and the meats are cooked perfect. I will get take out there a lot and it really tastes like a home cooked meal. Give it a try!

Ok.. these blogs are great.. it lets you really vent.

so here are some things that really annoy me:

When there is a long line at the ticket machine in the parking lot and (after waiting 5 minutes) the person in front of you decides that - now is the time to start looking for their parking ticket as they get up to the machine.

I think it's great when people take time to repeat everything you say

THINK ABOUT IT

Sometimes, I find so much joy in seeing people sit in their car as I wait for their parking space. They know I'm waiting... because I've made eye contact and waved my hand... yet they just don't want to move.. they really like holding on to how imortant that space feels right at that moment. I love it!

It's so awesome when people smell like fried food!

When someone puts glass in your food... that totally irks me!

It is really annoying when either two cars OR two people decide that they want to go the exact same speed at the exact same time on the exact same road or sidewalk..... that you're on.

Meteorologists... need I say more.

How about when you have too many drinks and people are simply not driving fast enough to keep up with the music in YOUR car... no courtesy... hate it.

When people ask... "what's good"

Here's a little more fun...

and how you can really get on people's good side!

try these...

Leave the copy machine set to reduce 200%, extra dark, 17 inch paper, 99 copies.
In the memo field of all your checks, write "for sexual favors."
Specify that your drive-through order is "TO-GO."
If you have a glass eye, tap on it occasionally with your pen while talking to others.
Stomp on little plastic ketchup packets.
Insist on keeping your car windshield wipers running in all weather conditions "to keep them tuned up."
Reply to everything someone says with "that's what you think."
Practice making fax and modem noises.
Highlight irrelevant information in scientific papers and "cc" them to your boss.
Make beeping noises when a large person backs up.
Finish all your sentences with the words "in accordance with prophesy."
Signal that a conversation is over by clamping your hands over your ears and grimacing.
Disassemble your pen and "accidentally" flip the ink cartridge across the room.
Holler random numbers while someone is counting.
Adjust the tint on your TV so that all the people are green, and insist to others that you "like it that way."
Staple pages in the middle of the page.
Publicly investigate just how slowly you can make a croaking noise.
Honk and wave to strangers.
Decline to be seated at a restaurant, and simply eat their complimentary mints at the cash register.
TYPE IN UPPERCASE.
type only in lowercase.
dont use any punctuation either
Buy a large quantity of orange traffic cones and reroute whole streets.
Repeat the following conversation a dozen times.
"DO YOU HEAR THAT?"
"What?"
"Never mind, it's gone now."
As much as possible, skip rather than walk.
Try playing the William Tell Overture by tapping on the bottom of your chin. When nearly done, announce "No, wait, I messed it up," and repeat.
Ask people what gender they are.
While making presentations, occasionally bob your head like a parakeet.
Sit in your front yard pointing a hair dryer at passing cars to see if they slow down.
Sing along at the opera.
Go to a poetry recital and ask why each poem doesn't rhyme.
Ask your co-workers mysterious questions and then scribble their answers in a notebook. Mutter something about "psychological profiles."

I'm off to have a morning cigar and an espresso.... hope you enjoy the day!

-Brandon

FROM INFORMED

2010-01-29T09:04:00.000-08:00

The BELOW IS FROM "INFORMED". I found it online after we took a test after our son was just born.

During this test done by Brown and Women & Infants, they asked all these cigarette questions. Obviously because of business, I pay more attention to these questions. What disturbs and upsets me is the fact that no distinction was made for tobacco products.

I wrote the Dr. a Letter.

Here is his email if you want to write to him:

Carmen_Marsit@brown.edu

Here is my Letter:

Dear Dr. Marsit,

My name is Brandon Salomon and I just participated in your Rhode Island Child Health Study.

I wanted to say that our interviewer was very nice and explained the process thoroughly.

I also appreciate studies like these because it further expands our knowledge and strengthens are ability to grow and evolve as a species.

The reason for my letter is because of some of the questioning that is involved regarding tobacco or specifically, "cigarette" use.

Please keep in mind that I am not a habitual cigarette smoker and have no bias, however, I am involved in the cigar and tobacco industry and therefore have a much more vast knowledge on the subject of tobacco products, their manufacturing processes and the extreme differences these products have.

During the interview on several occasions, my wife was asked in many ways how, when, where, etc. she smoked cigarettes. (She is not a cigarette smoker btw)

Because my business is involved in this industry, I asked the interviewer about these specific questions. Here are some of the questions I asked:

Does the survey ask what kind of cigarettes? - she said menthol or regular

What is regular?

What about additive free cigarettes?

What about roll your own tobaccos?

Filter or filterless? What kind of filters?

I did not want to berate her with anything overwhelming, but my point is that the research that you are doing is important.

I think that there are many different products today that are mass produced and manufactured that affect us. And I think that mass produced cigarettes and all the chemicals that are added to increase addiction and delivery of nicotine are as unhealthy as a McDonalds Big Mac.

However, due to my specific knowledge of this (Tobacco) industry and the fact that I am participating in your study (which is something I believe in), I feel it is my obligation to you to bring up this small point. Again, I think these studies are vital.

I also think it is vital that you are getting all the information properly.

Mass produced products, like cigarettes, have chemicals and additives that affect our bodies.

But, there are cigarettes and tobacco products (like premium cigars for example) that are enjoyed simply for their relaxing and stress reducing properties. (Sometimes, when my wife needs to go to the bathroom, she has a cigarette). These products are not used habitually they are enjoyed as a hobby or random pleasure to relax and reduce one of the biggest killers in our society - Stress.

Few people defend the tobacco industry - or rather understand it - , and for what RJ Reynolds or Phillip Morris did to their products, I do not blame the lack of defense.

However, these two giants to encompass tobacco or "cigarettes" in general and I think many times, the types of questions your survey asks become minimalized and the information they could be providing may not be coming through fully.

I understand how a lot of these projects are funded (special interests) and am asking to just keep these points in mind for injecting into future investigations. It would also be nice to see some investigations into these specific (above) points in general regarding tobacco.

Please Remember,

- Potatoes contain Nicotine

- McDonalds didn't used to be bad for you.

- Things ARE OK in Moderation

- Well Informed people are capable of making their own decisions

Thank you for taking a moment to read my concerns. I appreciate the time.

Respectfully,

Brandon Salomon

THIS IS FROM "INFORMED"

I would like to point out that the “carcinogens” in cigarettes are a by product of the manufacturing process (mainstream brands). Tobacco, in it’s natural state, used for millenia among indigenous populations the world over, has NEVER caused “cancer” (dis-ease of civilization) amongst the populations who use it in it’s natural form. It is the processing that causes it (over 100 toxic chemicals are used - nicotine is extracted from the tobacco(through the use of chemicals), and then reapplied to the leaf(with chemicals used as binders).

Also, Nicotine in and of itself, is a valuable chemical to cognitive function. There was a side by side study done with other “drugs”, ie caffine, ephedrine, and other similars testing the ability to help one study (boost brain power). Nicotine is the ONLY one to have IMPROVED cognitive ability. The others just made one awake and/or ‘wired’.

If you are going to have an opinion, it only “counts” when it is ‘informed’. Please do some research to prove to yourself what you ‘believe’, as the truth is truly stranger than fiction.

Informed

Understanding America like an African Guide

2010-01-20T05:27:00.000-08:00

had this thought this morning...

It was very interesting.

When I was in Africa, our guide would tell us many insights about the creatures and animals. He would carefully and slowly explain to us all of the different characteristics and social workings of each animal group as we journeyed through the different and exotic landscapes.

The plains gave way to lions, wildebeests, rhinos and warthogs.

"You see the warthog?" Mowolo exclaimed in a thick Kenyan accent, as we stopped our vehicle and all looked quickly to the right.

"The warthog is a stupid animal," Mowolo spoke quietly and clearly, "and an easy prey for the lion. The Warthog is fast, but forgetful. When the lion approaches the warthog runs very fast and then stops when the lion stops to hide. The lion is getting ready to pounce now and the Warthog forgets why he is running. He walks back toward the lion!" Mowolo laughs deeply. "This is a very stupid creature, which is why he is a main food source for the lion."

"But," Mowolo is quiet and intent "this is also one of the only animals that is bound to the mate. It is a loyal creature." Mowolo started the vehicle and we continued through the beautiful landscape of sparse trees and endless sky.

We soon approached a Water Buffalo. This massive creature stared at us and did not seem to enjoy us being there.

"This creature is the most dangerous." Mowolo slowed the vehicle so we could take photographs of this gigantic beast.

"You see, these creatures run in packs. If there is ever a disagreement, like with a female or territory, the buffalo fight. They fight until one is expelled from the pack."

Mowolo started the vehicle and we begin to drive away. The buffalo approaches slowly as we depart.

"These creatures are dangerous because they have no purpose. They have no pack. They are alone. Because of this they are very dangerous. They need to prove their dominance and will do so upon any creature they feel they can overcome. They are very sad and constantly searching for redemption. For this reason, we are now moving away from this beast."

We drove away and as I looked back, you could see the pain of this creature and feel its lonly existence.

Throughout the trip we learned more and more about different animals (elephants, lions, impala, baboons, and so on). It was very comforting how everything had a place and a reason and a special existence. These guides only would get involved if absolutely necessary. It was also fascinating how humanlike the relationships were between these animals and how many parallels could be drawn to personal and business relationships and interactions. I often think about these parallel in my daily life, how we interact with customers, co-workers and family. It helps put things in perspective and allows me to step back and see the bigger picture.

This outlook is important when looking at all aspects of our lives, but it can go beyond this and it needs to.

Yesterday's election was a significant sign that we should be noticing. It made me think. We should be seeing the bigger picture and I think people are. This is in no way a political essay, but one about general aspects of life that we can parallel with our current situation.

If we watch people like we watch the animals in Africa, we can see a more simplified view of our society (in the United Sates) and our global community.

The United States and its citizens are much like a parent/child relationship. If you watch the United States like you watch other families or like you watch the animals in Africa, you find patterns and similarities. I see a huge parallel in the development of this country and the development of the modern western family.

As a parent, you want the best for your children. You want to protect them and give them a good life. Our nation does this,and has. But, as children grow, the (modern day) parents try to keep them close with material items. These gifts come with the price of over protection. And the result of this is Entitlement.

Too often today, are we over protective. Too often we try to control the uncontrollable and in doing so create much larger and deeper issues. When our government takes on more responsibility than it need and encroaches on our civil liberties, freedoms and basic values that have made this country successful, we must step bak and look at the bigger picture, what we have learned and how not to make the same mistakes.

We need to be like the experienced guide. We need to see the patterns and know when and when not to become involved in situations and when those situations will naturally and intelligently (in humans) be solved without any parental intervention.

When you see other parts of the world, other cultures, societies and governments, you truly appreciate what the United States has built as a society as a culture and as an example for the world to follow. Africa taight me to watch, listen and see. We can be the guides to a great future for this country and the world if we do it naturally, without force and with the wisdom we have obtained and can responsibly share.

-Brandon

Ant vs Grasshopper

2010-01-19T13:52:00.000-08:00

I like this story and know it has been on the internet.

But I wanted to post anyway:

THE ANT AND THE GRASSHOPPER

... . Two Different Versions............

.... Two Different Morals

OLD VERSION

The ant works hard in the withering heat all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.

The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.

Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed.

The grasshopper has no food or shelter, so he dies out in the cold.
MORAL OF THE STORY: Be responsible for yourself!

MODERN VERSION

The ant works hard in the withering heat and the rain all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.

The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.

Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while he is cold and starving.

CBS, NBC , PBS, CNN, and ABC show up to provide pictures of the shiveringgrasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food.

America is stunned by the sharp contrast.

How can this be, that in a country of such wealth, this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so?

Kermit the Frog appears on Oprah with the grasshopper and everybody cries when they sing, 'It's Not Easy Being Green.'

ACORN stages a demonstration in front of the ant's house where the news stations film the group singing, "We shall overcome." Then Rev. Jeremiah Wright has the group kneel down to pray to God for the grasshopper's sake.

President Obama condemns the ant and blames President Bush, President Reagan, Christopher Columbus, and the Pope for the grasshopper's plight.

Nancy Pelosi & Harry Reid exclaim in an interview with Larry King that the ant has gotten rich off the back of the grasshopper, and both call for an immediate tax hike on the ant to make him pay his fair share.

Finally, the EEOC drafts the Economic Equity & Anti-Grasshopper Act retroactive to the beginning of the summer.

The ant is fined for failing to hire a proportionate number of green bugs and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the Government Green Czar and given to the grasshopper.

The story ends as we see the grasshopper and his free-loading friends finishing up the last bits of the ant's food while the government house he is in, which, as you recall, just happens to be the ant's old house, crumbles around them because the grasshopper doesn't maintain it.

The ant has disappeared in the snow, never to be seen again.

The grasshopper is found dead in a drug related incident, and the house, now abandoned, is taken over by a gang of spiders who terrorize the ramshackle, once prosperous and once peaceful, neighborhood.

The entire Nation collapses bringing the rest of the free world with it.
MORAL OF THE STORY: Be careful how you vote in 2010.