May I complain about Food and Wine?
No, not really good food or wine, such as described in C&B, an oasis of my DU posting...
The magazine, IMO (not so humble) is something I subscribed to from around 2003 to 2006. I still have those issues for good reason, because the recipes and some articles, wine listings were all really, really good.
My grandson's school recently wanted to raise money, and since I'm not physically close to just handing him over the money, I said, "I'll contribute and choose one of your magazines", and the only one tempting me was F&W.
It's so awful. I can sum my extreme displeasure this way... For one thing, it's now put out by American Express Publishing Corporations thought it has the same executive editor. For every 5 or 6 pages of glossy advertisements that somehow tie into the travel adventures a la American Express, there are a few appealing recipes, but mostly things that grill cucumbers, make "cocktails out of things the average cook would raise an interested eyebrow to, and so much other eye candy crap ads! By the time you find any usable recipes or stories worth reading, you're almost to the back of the issue, which is smaller and thinner, but same price.
It's just crap, and I wanted to say that here and now.
Glad I saved the older issues and called them personally to take me off the lists they admit that they sell to for being a "subscriber", which I will be no more!
= new reply since forum marked as read
Last edited Sat Jul 21, 2012, 12:20 AM - Edit history (1)
SP's Sunset Limited train was its premier line, running between the West Coast and the East Coast. The magazine, originally distributed in 1898 on board and at SP stations along the route, was geared to promote West Coast tourism, especially to SF and LA. For moneyed tourists / vacationers in the late 1800's, the West Coast was rarely a first choice. SP and the magazine targeted that market, specifically. All trains were sleeper / diner cars only. No coach cars.
The magazine evolved a number of times, keeping its decidedly West Coast focus yet shedding much of its promotional jingoism. A good read today, imo. Food and Wine may do well to look at that history.
The Sunset Limited still runs and has evolved, as well. Rode it recently. Still a good ride, imo. I've some negative opinions about the buy out by Union Pacific as operator, but that's another topic.
(ed for grammar)
When I subscribed I enjoyed only about half of the magazine. Some good recipes and some really interesting articles at times (stories about her mom or some very detailed piece on milk glass or something.) Then there were the parties or gatherings and the Ralph Lauren ads that I could not relate to. When I'd end my subscription, I'd see a pretty cover on the newsstand and miss the mag. The kids' school fundraisers made it easy to re-subscribe. And then I'd get several months behind and I finally let it end. 
