this ginger cake is a great summer cake: http://www.chow.com/recipes/10684 because you don't have to worry about frosting it and it's best simply served a la mode with your favorite ice cream.

or, you could use up some summer stone fruit and make this upside-down cake: http://www.chow.com/recipes/10244 . just leave out the optional schnapps.

also, some of your hot pasta recipes could do well as a salad if you let them cool. this risotto made with farro is great cold: http://www.chow.com/recipes/10895
or, you could even dress others up with some more veggies. try a pesto: http://www.chow.com/recipes/10397 with some tomatoes and blanched broccoli florets added in.

Haven't been to Fraiche and can't wait to check it out, but have to say that I wasn't totally taken by FFS. Have you checked out Village Idiot? It's over in the heart of Melrose (so a bit of a ways from CC), but worth it if you want good pub fare.

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Village Idiot
7383 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Hey, everyone. We're trying to round up a list of the 10 best out-of-print cookbooks and we wanted to know all your opinions. Wdyt?

Anyone been to La Famille's newest venture, Cheri Bibi in Paris's 18th arrd? I read about it in the paper a few weeks ago and want to check it out when I'm next in Paris.

thanks for the recs, repete! you are making my mouth water in anticipation just as i read your post!

Going to Torino for 5 days in Oct and would love some quality recs for dinner. I'd prefer eating near the city center as I won't have a car and would like to eat affordable but memorable meals. Any recs?

Thanks for picking up on that! It was just a slip on our part and the recipe does yield 24 cakes. Go ahead and use two standard muffin pans (with 12 wells) and enjoy!

My favorite restaurants in Montmartre are Cafe Burq and La Famille. They both embody the character and spirit of the neighborhood to give you a concrete example of why Montmatre is so different from the rest of Paris.

Inaki is one of my favorite chefs in Paris and he left La Famille (Paris 18) a while back to go to Trasversal (Vitry sur Seine). However, this April, Le Chateubriand (Paris 11) reopened and has Inaki and his equally esteemed colleague, Fred Peneau, at the helm. I was recently out in Paris and my favorite restaurants of the moment are La Famille (Paris 18), Cafe Le Burq (Paris 18), and Le Refectoire (new resto by La Famille crew).

Looking for a few restaurants with really good Gateau Basque in San Sebastian. Any advice would be appreciated...

I have always defaulted to Colle Bereto or the Frescobaldi wine bar for a good cantina. Anyone have any other suggestions?

I am in the market for a really good saute pan and have narrowed it down to a Demeyere, a Mauviel, and an All-Clad. Any advice? And has anyone tried out the new Henckels?

Anyone heard of any good Mexican food in Moscow?

Has anyone tried Chateaubriand in the 11th since chefs have changed? Two of my favorite chefs, Inaki Aizpitarte and Fred Peneau, started to have an influence there and I am wondering what the outcome has been.

I have always defaulted to Colle Bereto or the Frescobaldi wine bar for a good cantina. Anyone have any other suggestions?