Raw

I hesitate to admit to being something of a gourmand since it seems that term holds some negative connotations, especially in the age of FoodTV. Good food --excellent food-- well-prepared is something I value greatly. I'm not a big fan of actually preparing said food (although I'm not half-bad as a chef when put to the point), but I'm a huge fan of eating.

One dish that I make it a point to try at every opportunity is beef carpaccio. It's actually quite difficult to find because we Americans are panic-stricken at the idea of eating anything that isn't seared to within an inch of existence, with the notable exception of sushi which is so trendy right now that you can find it in convenience stores. However, if you see it on a menu at a reputable restaurant and can get past the rawness factor, you will be amazed. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.