FoodisArt's Profile
Follow up on a weekend in Nola....
I am glad to hear that it wasn't just us !! It was really sad for me as I did so much research prior to our trip and really, really looked forward to great meals especially since we now live in an area that is pitiful when it comes to good food. I think it was worse because we spent $40.00 on a round trip cab fare. I don't recall why we didn't drive !!! We also did not think them very gracious and we had said not a word about the food.
Follow up on a weekend in Nola....
We received some great recs from many ch'rs and managed to get quite a few " new to us" eateries in. Casamento's was yummy. Napoleans warm muffaletta a real treat and something I can see getting a craving for ! We of course had oysters at Felix's because it is my dh's favorite place for them. We had some very respectable barbecue at The Joint and really enjoyed the fried chicken from Mchardy's.Parkway's po'boys were really great!
The only dissapointment was Dick and Jenny's. The two apps we had were forgettable and of the three entrees, duck breast with sweet potatoes and greens, a stuffed flounder with turnip greens and seared scallops and shrimp with a bordelaise sauce plated with a salmon stuffed beggars purse the only item well prepared was the scallops which were perfectly cooked.
The duck breast was somewhat overcooked and rather tough. It could have used a sauce or seasoning of some kind as well. The flounder while cooked okay was stuffed with a very wet and VERY heavily spiced stuffing....read hot and we like spicy! The greens were were nicely cooked but flat. The sweet potatoes served with the duck were little cubes of blah. The bordelaise sauce was "raw" tasting. All in all there wasn't any balance to the plates.
We were there rather early....maybe 6ish and were amazed at the crowds of people that came in waiting for tables.
Perhaps it was just us but we certainly had a higher expectation due to recs etc.
Looking for a Crawfish Boil on Sunday, 03/09
Anyone know of a crawfish boil happening on Sunday, March 9th, within an hour of NOLA? Or perhaps a place in town that serves them regularly when in season?
Maine Classics
Bob's Clam Hut, Flo's Hotdogs,Cole Farms, and while not exactly an eatery Morse's kraut and mustard pickles.
Now I am homesick through and through !!!
trip to NOLA March 7-10
Thanks so much!! Wasn't that fun? I love doing that kind of thing for people in areas I am familar with. No complaints yet!
We will be doing the Friday part of your suggestion and I am thinking Stella's for Saturday supper. I think too Coops for Sunday will be great.Now we will want to fill in lunch on Saturday....I am thinking Po'boys.....where? Also Monday lunch...red beans and rice somewhere? And we would like to pick up muffalettas to bring home. I have heard of a place (other than Central) "something" Brothers maybe??? Too, isn't it mudbug season? Would there be a place for that on Sunday mid-day? We are driving in and my DH knows the city well as he lived there for a couple of years...obviously before meeting me and my CH ways !! Other than oysters at Felix's I have no idea where or what he ate !! What a shame for him but great fun for us to go back and share it all together.
We currently live in the Fl. Panhandle, Ugh !! Not the best when it comes to good eating !! Or anything else for that matter !! Out of here soon !!
trip to NOLA March 7-10
So I got a CH buzz!! Apologies. Booked accommodations just outside the quarter and set on that part. Blumie, you are right I know as I have done the Bourbon Street thing in the past.Took a look at your bio and see you are a NOLA native living in an area I know well.Especially heading north to New Hampshire and Maine.
So I ask, what would be your perfect 3 day flavor fest in NOLA? Starting with Friday Happy Hour and to Sunday dinner.
trip to NOLA March 7-10
It has been a few years since we have been so we are very much looking forward to a long weekend in New Orleans. Even better that we will bringing a first timer!!
Looking for recs on a reasonable place to stay....thinking Quarter with balcony because of our first timer....$150. range. Perhaps someone will have other suggestions.We will be driving in so parking is an important factor.That would be the only ammenity factor .
We plan to spend most of our time eating, listening and shopping. Would much rather spread our money around than put it all into lodging.
Been reading this board about restaurants and needless to say it will be a tough choice there. Have been to most of the landmark eateries and are looking for something a bit different....more artisanal if you will.
I am a planner so really want to get this itinerary together. Looking forward to ideas.
Destin Florida Restaurants
I concur on Thai Orchid. I may be wrong but I think Red Bar may be closed temporarily due to a water problem (?)
I think your other suggestions are great....very hard area to find non-chain, well done food of fair value.
big problem with lemon meringue pie
I think the clue is the "Can't believe it's not butter". It ISN'T butter...lol. Read the ingredients in that stuff. I am sure there is something in there that prevents something else from happening to the product which in turn probably prevented your lemon filling from completely setting. The purer the ingredient the better the result is my rule. Much better for the body too.
Burlington, Vermont
Thanks for that Mimi B !! It might work out for lunch! I am one of those that firmly believes GREAT food can come forth on many different planes. The most important is fresh,quality ingredients well prepared. I don't care if it's grilled cheese or foie gras .....as long as it is REAL food and well put together.
Favorite Out-of-print cookbooks
The Gold Cookbook....Louis P.DeGouy, Master Chef. This book was on my mother's shelf when I was a child and I would read it under the covers with a flashlight!! It was rather classic in technique but also very american. I learned loads about food from this book. I use it as reference mostly. In fact, although I still have the original from my mother, which is falling apart, my son found me a second copy on e-bay and gave it to me for Christmas. It came with a lovely note from the seller and the history of it being in her family.
Milano Inn Indianapolis
It has been suggested that this would be a possible place for a casual rehearsal dinner. (The groom's(my son) father knows the owners. I looked at their website....Americano Italiano as I call it.
At this point I am becoming okay with whatever as I live out of state and am at the mercy of others. As long as it is relatively decent and a fair value we can go with that. Tough for me as I have lived in Boston and New York where American Style Italian is quite good even if different than true Italian. Yes, I have been to Italy!! Yes, I cook true Italian at home!
Any input??
Burlington, Vermont
I too lived in the Schenectady/Nisky/Saratoga area for many years. I have a list of places to take my husband. A couple of hot dog places, Albany Pork Store in Schenectady,Ferrarie's, and a few others. Mostly long time hole in the walls....at least those still remaining! Also going to Cooperstown to the Baseball Hall of Fame ( GO Red Sox!) and need a lunch suggestion.
I am amused as to how serious New Englanders take food!! I know well as I am from OLD Mainiacs. I have been posting on the mid-west board as my son lives in Indy and is getting married in August and I have been looking for help with caterers etc. Not a lot of response. My son is really concerned that that his wedding reception will be " meatballs and relish trays" . (Not even called crudite' :) ) I had offered to do the food (50 ppl.) but have no place to prepare it as the wedding will be held at his father and stepmother's home and , well , I am sure you can guess the deal.LOL! Too bad!!
$40 Dollar a Day show
I too, hate that she spends so much on breakfast when coffee and a breakfast sandwich or bagel would be fine. I also hate that she doesn't seem to frequent places that serve dishes that are indigenous to the area.Not only are these places usually reasonable it adds to the whole experience of the trip.
I also can't stand that she orders diet drinks......they are so bad for the body. AND I could have done without seeing her in a swimsuit trying to water ski on Lake George!! Last straw for me!!!
We love to watch Mark DeCarlo on Travel channel. Not quite the same venue but good info and VERY funny.
Burlington, Vermont
And just a post note...we need to be in Schenectady,N.Y. at cocktail hour....my best friend's home and then to dinner at Ferrarie's in Schenectady. A hole in the wall family run restaurant that has been there forever but still does "homemades"(that's what we call their homemade pasta) AND an unforgettable red sauce which I think I have closely duplicated thanks to Zimmerman's and Mario.
Burlington, Vermont
Candy...You are my kind of Chowhounder!! I think your info about the ferry AND dogs for breakfast has just changed our itinerary ever so slightly! This is a short trip "home" for me...Portsmouth, Portland and into New York....Saratoga, Schenectady and then into Boston. All places that I have lived, explored and chowed in. The fun part is my darling husband (2 yrs. wed) has only experienced a quick Portsmouth/Portland trip with me and now we will add to his world! With people like you and TonyO it will be a new adventure for me too!! Grazie!!
best places to dine in Portland, ME?
I could not have said it better. When I lived in Portland, I had a friend from Florida visit and someone had given her a gift certificate to DiMillo's to use on her trip. (The gift givers had raved about the place!) We did use the gift certificate....for drinks on the upper outside deck just before I took her to the airport for her flight home !! While she was visiting we ate at Hugo's, Fore Street, American Pie, J's and my house.
Burlington, Vermont
Wow! Thanks again. I looked at both sites....maybe apps at Delia and dinner at Taste !! LOL. My husband looked at Delia and said "looks like food you cook." Considering we are having a porciini cream sauce on parpadelle for supper and had orichette and broccoli rabe last week.
I do very much appreciate your help...we are very much looking forward to our trip and eating our way through!
Burlington, Vermont
Thanks for replies.....Staying downtown is exactly what we want.I have been to Burlington once several years ago and I stayed across town and took a cab to Church St. and had a lovely meal at a Bistro type place. TonyO , you made several suggestions for dinner...what's your first choice?
Just' Cause Catering in Indianapolis
Has anyone used this catering service? Looking for feed back. Their menus sound really great, especially compared to so many others I have seen online.
I also very much like the cause. If you live in Indy and our a chowhound you should check it out.
Rehearsal Dinner for 20 in Indianapolis
Wow! Replies! I wasn't sure I would get any. Thank you !
In response....This dinner will be quite casual at the request of the bride and groom.(And I am grateful!) The Columns we are familiar with...not quite right. I am pretty sure on a visit there we once ate at Greek Islands. Good but still not right. We really try to avoid chains as well.
We are looking for BBQ at this point. (I think!?) Of course we are now 25 ppl.! I am a true Chowhound and have passed that on to my son. On visits to the area I have found it to be pretty generic.
In regard to caterers, I believe we may have found a fabulous one....Just' Cause. I
Burlington, Vermont
Thanks...Can you expand on that? What is the menu like? Any suggestions on lodging?
Burlington, Vermont
ROAD TRIP.....July 16th.....Driving the Kancamagus across New Hampshire and then into Burlington for a one night stay. Picking up the ferry into New York in the morning. Would like suggestions of places to stay and EAT in downtown Burlington or very close vicinity. Clean and reasonable lodging but great food and drink mosy important.
Also, any suggestions for the drive to Burlington......
Creating a Recipe Book
Candy....would love for you to post Joyce's Red Pepper Chutney recipe....sounds yummy and right up my alley and I amsure mamy others too!
Rehearsal Dinner for 20 in Indianapolis
My son is getting married in Greenwood and we need a great place to have a rehearsal dinner on August 17th. We need it to be with in 20 minutes or so of Greenwood.
We are open to the venue....BBQ, cafe, whatever, as long as it is really good. I am a huge food person and if I didn't live 12 hours away I would do the food myself.
I am also looking for suggestions on a caterer for the wedding, August 18th. There will 45-50 guests and the wedding will be at his father's home. I had hoped to do the food for the reception (Would be delicious,beautiful and inexpensive) but son's father's wife says no.
She says she knows of a couple of possibilities for caterers that are reasonable ($10.-$15. a head...I'm seeing cold cuts !! LOL!!) Oh well...it's her home!!
Even a nice hall with kitchen facilities might be an idea......Anyway, I am throwing this post out in great hope !!
Need caterer suggestions for 8/18/07 wedding for 45-50 people in Greenwood,In.
My son is getting married !! Although I am ready and willing to create a beautiful and scrumptious celebration meal I live out of state and have no place to prepare the food.
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Been to the Toast many, many times. Joshuas sounds great just not going to work time wise.....wish we could fit in somewhere. Actually, wish we could just eat our way through New England. Where we live the food outside our kitchen is sad.
Strange Pairings that Taste Uncommonly Good
Crunchy peanut butter, sharp cheddar and piccalli (my answer to the bread and butter pickles ! ) Grilled....Yum.
Indian Cooking with my Mom
This is terrific ! Thank you so much ! I am an accomplished cook and have become "like a native" in many global cuisines but Indian is a tougher one. I have books etc. but know I am missing some technique....I think it's from the get go and knowing the spices and aromatics and thier preparation. I only have one question....can your mom come to my house ?? LOL
Fresh eggs!
A favorite easy supper at our table is a poached egg on frisee( tossed with a light lemony vinaigrette) and shaved parmesan. Of coarse there could be many variations depending on what is either fresh and seasonal OR what is in our home that needs to be used. Fresh greens may vary, lardons (crisp bacon slivers) or proscuitto, smoked salmon or trout. Steamed asparagusbraised artichoke hearts, or even broiled roma tomatoes . Always though with a dense, buttery toasted bread....mouillettes or not!
