Watching Joel and Ethan Coen’s latest film reminded me of Franz Kafka’s story “Before the Law,” which appears in The Trial. A man travels to the door of the Law and asks for admittance, but a guard bars his way. After years of fruitless waiting, hoping and scheming outside the door, the man, on the brink of death, asks the guard why he’s never seen anyone else — doesn’t everyone seek the Law?... Read more

A quarter of a billion dollars was spent making this movie. A pie chart depicting the allocation of all those millions would have a fat slice labeled “publicity” and a much fatter one labeled “special effects.” The slice for “story and character development,” on the other hand, would be so skinny it wouldn’t have room for a label.... Read more

It used to be known as the Chocolate Show. But this year, the local festival — to be held at Burlington’s Doubletree Hotel this weekend — is expanding: It’s now known as the Festival of Sweets. “The vendors reflect the artistry of Vermont confectionery,” says co-organizer Darrick Pitstick.... Read more

Burlington has lots of restaurants, but ¡Duino! (Duende), which opened last week in the former New World Tortilla spot on North Winooski Avenue, is unlike any of them. For one thing, the menu is composed of “global street food,” ranging from American sliders to buckwheat blintzes to an Israeli dish made with rice, lentils, fried pistachios and an exotic sauce.... Read more

He probably won’t be whipping up many $205- per-person tasting menus, but this January, Michael Clauss — who most recently was executive chef at Daniel Boulud’s Feast & Fêtes catering company in New York City — will take over the kitchen of The Daily Planet.... Read more

Here's the weekly astrological forecast for November 11 - 18, 2009. What's your sign, baby? They're all here...... Read more

Peter Guetti’s home these days is a modest dorm room at a small Catholic liberal-arts college on a wooded campus in Rutland. He left his family’s home at age 11 and hasn’t lived there since. Having spent three years in guardianship and four years in two foster homes, he finds the concept of “home” something of a moving target. “The College of St.... Read more

Santos Cocina Latina, Stowe’s newest restaurant, had its soft opening yesterday. According to co-owner Miguel Garcia Lopez, “Next week we’ll be fully open.”

Located in a new, energy-efficient building on the Mountain Road — where Mes Amis used to be — the eatery will offer fare from Garcia Lopez’s native Puerto Rico, as well as from Argentina, Cuba and Peru. The current menu includes several different types of ceviche, picadillo taquitos and lots of exotic entrées, most of which cost $20 or less.... Read more

Looking at restaurant menus these days, it’s sometimes difficult to distinguish the entrées full of local, organic produce from the house cocktails full of … local, organic produce. Take the Tomato-Basil Elixir I tried this August at the Inn at Shelburne Farms.... Read more

Dear Mistress,

I recently broke up with my boyfriend, and I have a dilemma. I've been roommates with Joe (not his real name) for a few months, and he's a great guy. Whenever we’re home, we laugh and talk a lot. We went to a friend’s party together and had a great time, but I can’t tell if he is interested in me. Considering my recent state of singleness, I'm hesitant to get involved with Joe, because I don’t want to transfer any residual feelings I have for my ex onto him.... Read more