from Joe Litvak

Among the many pleasures of knowing Alan has been that of sharing in his love of good food, and particularly in his love of Parisian good food. It was Alan who pointed me in the direction of the wonderful old Left Bank bistro, Allard; his exquisite descriptions of meals there made me my own, once I finally managed to get over there, all the more delicious. It was also Alan who opened my eyes (and nose and taste buds) to the joys of A. J. Liebling, one of the great bon vivant (and therefore Parisophile) food writers of all time.

Alan is retiring, of course, and I’ll miss our vaguely conspiratorial remembrances, in the corridors of East Hall, of meals past. But I know that his bec fin will remain as entertainingly sharp as always, and I look forward to many more meals, and many more reminiscences of meals, with a friend whom I consider my comrade in gourmandise.

Alan, bon appetit!
Joe