Epigonos ...

[+ Oliver]

Just one year ago today, my dear friend and travel companion, Epigonos, left us on his 82^nd birthday.  He was gruff and garrulous with strong opinions, always vocal about where he stood on an issue, but the sweetest man, in disguise.  He was generous, kind and sentimental, always protective of those he loved.

Was it just a year ago?

 

I miss him.

Edited October 24, 2023 by Oliver

[MikeBiDude]

28 minutes ago, Oliver said:

Just one year ago today, my dear friend and travel companion, Epigonos, left us on his 82^nd birthday.  He was gruff and garrulous with strong opinions, always vocal about where he stood on an issue, but the sweetest man, in disguise.  He was generous, kind and sentimental, always protective of those he loved.

Was it just a year ago?

 

I miss him.

Still so very hard for me to believe. As I mentioned before he was part of a small handful of forum members I'd met in person. Lunch a couple times a year. Sometimes a restaurant sometimes his home.

We were working on scheduling our next lunch when he left us.

[BuffaloKyle]

His passing showed how you never quite know when your time will come. He was posting very regularly I see up until his passing and still talking about providers he was interested in hiring. I'm glad then he was still enjoying and living a great life up until the end. RIP!

[+ purplekow]

Always welcoming in the trips to Palm Springs.  Not always welcoming to ideas not consistent with his own which led to some interesting and well considered debates.  I recall at one of the pool parties he was in a debate with another guest, he was sitting on a couch next to an escort who he would either stop to enjoy orally when his opposing viewpoint guest was speaking or manually massaging the escort's member to emphasize his own point.  It seems to me the two things he enjoyed the most were a good debate and good sex, but I know he many other passions such as cooking and traveling and history and....well the list goes on.  I know he was a great friend to Oliver and to many others.  

[viewing ownly]

He was a terrific guy who had some nerve to not respond to my Merry Christmas text. Now the reason is clear as could be! I appreciated his fitness journey story, and was awestruck how disciplined he stayed from the time he started to the time he passed.

[+ azdr0710]

Slept on his sofa a couple times (sheets, pillow, and blanket perfectly fitted) after incredible dinners he'd quickly whip up.  Loved to make all the food for the forum weekend, presiding  over the kitchen.  "Those people in Sacramento are assholes".  Daily long walks in his fantastic neighborhood and helped run his HOA like a well-oiled machine.  Long full career as a beloved teacher.  Xmas decorations meticulously placed in plenty of time, then carefully boxed up for next time. Southwestern and Mexican art expert. Knew all the best breakfast dives and agreed that "Mexican food" and "upscale" don't go together.  Argh!  Too much to say here!!  Very glad I knew him. 

[Peter Eater]

On 10/25/2023 at 7:27 AM, azdr0710 said:

that "Mexican food" and "upscale" don't go together

He was wrong that Mexican food and upscale don’t go together, but nobody’s perfect. 😉 RIP

[+ azdr0710]

2 hours ago, Peter Eater said:

He was wrong that Mexican food and upscale don’t go together, but nobody’s perfect. 😉 RIP

well, we'll agree to disagree with you on that.....he loved the heritage and foods of Mexico and certainly was free to create an opinion, just as you are......

[Rod Hagen]

We had one very fun meeting long long ago.  He insisted on having lunch before activities.  I understood the "getting to know you aspect" of that arrangement, but I was dreading athleticism after a meal.  But I ate light and it was a great time. Interesting and fun man.

[+ BenjaminNicholas]

On 10/25/2023 at 9:27 AM, azdr0710 said:

 "Mexican food" and "upscale" don't go together.  

Spend time in CDMX, Monterrey, San Miguel or Guadalajara and then come back to me.

Mexican food can be incredibly high-end.

[MikeBiDude]

1 hour ago, BenjaminNicholas said:

Spend time in CDMX, Monterrey, San Miguel or Guadalajara and then come back to me.

Mexican food can be incredibly high-end.

Contramar with Gabriela Cámara!

[Peter Eater]

8 hours ago, BenjaminNicholas said:

Spend time in CDMX, Monterrey, San Miguel or Guadalajara and then come back to me.

Mexican food can be incredibly high-end.

Pujol in CDMX, for one example among many. And Enrique Olvera also opened high-end Damian in LA. Mexican food is not only folkloric (although that can also be great). 

[+ azdr0710]

argh!....this thread is about Epigonos, not the merits of upscale restaurants in Mexico!!......I was dropping arbitrary thoughts of what I remember about him in my post upthread, which included our shared opinion of Mexican food......

[Peter Eater]

20 hours ago, azdr0710 said:

argh!....this thread is about Epigonos, not the merits of upscale restaurants in Mexico!!......I was dropping arbitrary thoughts of what I remember about him in my post upthread, which included our shared opinion of Mexican food......

Never met him, but he was always helpful in a DM.

[Becket]

Met him on my one visit to the Palm Springs weekend. I'm kinda shy around new people but he introduced himself to me and spoke with me as if we were life long friends. He made me feel very welcomed and I am very sorry to have no more time with him. Believe he would have been a friend. Rest well please.

Edited December 15, 2023 by Becket

[+ glutes]

We agreed on almost nothing, but he was one fine & gracious gentleman.

How was riding in Polaris up to Heaven Epi?

[marylander1940]

@Epigonos 

[MikeBiDude]

Yesterday i booked a private room and hosted my management team to lunch. The restaurant we visited in Orange County (CA) was the first place Don and I met for lunch. Gave me a small chill as I walked through the door reminding me of this great man.

[+ Tygerscent]

On 10/24/2023 at 9:26 AM, Oliver said:

Just one year ago today, my dear friend and travel companion, Epigonos, left us on his 82^nd birthday.  He was gruff and garrulous with strong opinions, always vocal about where he stood on an issue, but the sweetest man, in disguise.  He was generous, kind and sentimental, always protective of those he loved.

Was it just a year ago?

 

I miss him.

No doubt, wherever he is… The party he is at is enjoying those famous deviled eggs

[+ Oliver]

Another year has gone by - one of those "just yesterday", but "forever" things.  I so miss arguing ("discussing") about almost anything with him.  And I plain just miss my dear friend.😔😌 

[MikeBiDude]

2 hours ago, Oliver said:

Another year has gone by - one of those "just yesterday", but "forever" things.  I so miss arguing ("discussing") about almost anything with him.  And I plain just miss my dear friend.😔😌 

I was just thinking of him the other day when there was a discussion in the cooking forum about kitchen knives. He showed off his simple, sharp, and effective knives to me in his kitchen making me lunch one day!!

[Vin Marco]

On 10/25/2023 at 7:27 AM, azdr0710 said:

Mexican food" and "upscale" don't go together. 

That's an incredibly narrow minded "opinion" to put it mildly... as a very proud Mexican born individual, I'd like to know if you truly believe Mexican food can only be prepared as "street food" or served from only taco 🌮 stands?  

 

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[Vin Marco]

On 12/12/2023 at 10:28 AM, BenjaminNicholas said:

Spend time in CDMX, Monterrey, San Miguel or Guadalajara and then come back to me.

Mexican food can be incredibly high-end.

Spot on! 👌🏽👏🏽🙌🏽
He's obviously never dined at the restaurant(s) at Las Ventanas ( Cabo San Lucas ) or any of the the  ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ in  Mayakoba and the lovely places you mentioned because if that's not high end or "upscale" I don't know what is. 

Edited October 31, 2024 by Vin Marco

[+ purplekow]

When I lived in Mexico I had a young woman Spanish instructor who on the first day of class said:   "Do not eat at the taco stands, it is the best, but not for you".  Well we all ignored the warning and she was totally right and totally wrong.  The food was the best but it was for us.  I have never found food as satisfying and flavorful as at Peruli's a taco stand.   The atmosphere may not be "high end" and the prices were definitely not "high end" but the food was great.  Now if you are looking for a different type of dining experience with white glove service and fine cuisine which is fully appreciated by those with a trained palate, there are certainly terrific Mexican restaurants that fill that bill and I have enjoyed them as well,  but for me, Peruli's is high end and a dining experience I would have regretted missing more than I would miss a Michelin starred restaurant.  It has been nearly 50 years since I first ate there and the thought of the flavors still makes my mouth water.  

 

As far as Epigonas  is concerned, he was a man with definite opinions and he was not afraid to express them.  He made impassioned arguments for his point of view, many with which I disagreed.  but I do believe that he lived an examined life and that is more than most can say.  

Edited October 31, 2024 by purplekow

[Vin Marco]

9 minutes ago, purplekow said:

When I lived in Mexico I had a young woman Spanish instructor who on the first day of class said:   "Do not eat at the taco stands, it is the best, but not for you".  Well we all ignored the warning and she was totally right and totally wrong.  The food was the best but it was for us.  I have never found food as satisfying and flavorful as at Peruli's a taco stand.   The atmosphere may not be "high end" and the prices were definitely not "high end" but the food was great.  Now if you are looking for a different type of dining experience with white glove service and fine cuisine which is fully appreciated by those with a trained palate, there are certainly terrific Mexican restaurants that fill that bill and I have enjoyed them as well,  but for me, Peruli's is high end and a dining experience I would have regretted missing more than I would miss a Michelin starred restaurant.  It has been nearly 50 years since I first ate there and the thought of the flavors still makes my mouth water.  

 

As far as Epigonas  is concerned, he was a man with definite opinions and he was not afraid to express them.  He made impassioned arguments for his point of view, many with which I disagreed.  but I do believe that he lived an examined life and that is more than most can say.  

I love bacon 🥓 wrapped hot dogs 🌭 found on the streets of Mexico 🇲🇽 of course I love taco stands too. High end and upscale places are plentiful all over the place not just in Mexico. It's perfectly fine to enjoy both experiences with equal enthusiasm. Like you once told me... "it's entirely possible to have both the measles and a broken leg"  one hardly rules out that the other. In Mexico and elsewhere, high end upscale  Mexican food coexists BEAUTIFULLY 😋