Dear friends, it was only a matter of time. A matter of time before someone launched an artisinal online food source coupled with compelling stories that would make me truly have no reason to leave the house. May the record show that Wednesday 18th May was that date, the date that I put on a pair of elasticated waist trousers, sat down in front of my computer and shopped for unique eats to be delivered to my home, ne'er for my skin to see the light of day again!

Okay. Maybe not, I know I at times have a penchant for the over dramatic, but if you succumb to a similar fate upon visiting the new <a href="http://www.gilttaste.com">Gilt Taste</a> site, do not hold me responsible as you were suitably warned.
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://www.remain-silent.com/cm/kewlstuff/GiltTaste.jpg" alt="gilt taste screenshot" width="450" height="266" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">screengrab via <a href="http://www.gilttaste.com/">gilt taste</a></span></p>
<a href="http://www.gilt.com">Gilt Groupe</a>, or as I prefer to call the lifestyle purveyors <em>Guilt Groupe</em>, have mastered the online <a href="http://www.gilt.com">designer sample sale</a>, the <a href="http://www.jetsetter.com/">discount luxury travel</a> market as well as the <a href="http://www.giltcity.com/">low priced exclusive city based events</a> arena and have now naturally gravitated towards the one genre that inevitably links every human: food. But being Gilt, this isn't just <em>any</em> type of food. We're talking dried Morels, Mitibleu cheese, Truffle Honey, Noble Maple Syrups...oh my the list goes on and on.
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter" style="border: 0pt none;" src="http://www.remain-silent.com/cm/kewlstuff/gilttastechoice.jpg" alt="my wishlist" width="450" height="521" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">a few gilt taste items on my wishlist: 1. <a href="http://www.gilttaste.com/products/76564382">noble xo - tonic no. five vinegar </a>- $79.95, 2.<a href="http://www.gilttaste.com/products/76570663"> boxsal urban picnic set</a> - $25, 3. <a href="http://www.gilttaste.com/products/76580500">white truffle risotto set</a> - $25 { sold out },  4. <a href="http://www.gilttaste.com/products/76582417">cave aged cheeses</a> - $94</span></p>
There are several things that Gilt Taste seems to be doing right off the bat - one being that this is not all about feeding the body but also the mind and conscience. Doubling as a magazine helmed by Ruth Reichl former editor in chief of Gourmet Magazine and featuring articles by writers such as author Barry Estabrook, who runs a blog I love called <a href="http://politicsoftheplate.com/">Politics of the Plate</a>, as well as some of the most talented chefs, food stylists and food photographers out there like<a href="http://mattbites.com/">Matt Armendariz</a> and  <a href="http://harlanturk.com">Michael Harlan Turkell</a>, ones intellectual appetites will be well and truly satiated. I for one, cannot wait!

<a href="http://www.gilttaste.com/specials">Sign up now</a> for membership to this wonderful new venture, kick the tires while it's in beta mode and above all, eat, read and be merry!
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><em>ps. I love the header images that look like they were created by the lovely <a href="http://fromme-toyou.tumblr.com/">Jamie Beck</a>! Can anyone confirm?</em></span></p>