dumpling's Profile
Pigall's to close (Cincy)
This news makes me very, very sad. What De Cavel brought to Cincinnati is invaluable. I hope things work out for him--I, for one, will definitely support whatever new venture he might offer. Pigall's was fantastic. I agree that I should have gone there more and when I went gone for the higher end offerings, but I didn't know they were suffering. Should have known, I guess. I wonder about the closing of Pho Paris--I loved that place. Maybe De Cavel would have kept it open except for his partners.
dinner menu for picky gourmets
Please help! We moved to our new home, east to midwest, about six months ago, and we've gone out several times with a couple who love to eat out. We've been to their house for dinner a couple times and had a minimal sort of meal, at least IMO. Pork chops and bottled salad dressing. But when we go out they love to eat. Now it's payback time for us. I need to cook for them. No pork, we've done that at their home. Beef or chicken? No Asian--she hates cilantro and that makes me nervous when it comes to adventure.
I consider myself a very cook home cook. But I am nervous about this.
Cincinnati casual dinner
I second the Cafe Istanbul recommendation. It's one of my favorite restaurants, and very convenient for you. Jeans would be fine, I'm sure.
Cincinnati -- best places to eat right now
Hugo, Daveed's, and Vito's Cafe in Ft. Thomas are the most celebratory places I've found lately. I'm sad Pho Paris is gone. Cafe Istanbul is great--I'm planning on going there this week.
If your daughter and son-in-law are included I highly recommend Vito's Cafe. It's so much fun. Hugo is great, but it's a little bit pretentious--not food-wise, but the waiters are not quite comfortable yet. At least that was our experience. I do adore the shrimp and grits, though.
Daveed's is just outstanding. We hadn't eaten there in the past couple years, but recently went again. I loved the meal. The tuna tartare and duck breast were first class.
Now I'm hungry.
I still recommend Vito's cafe for a foursome. It's excellent.
Covington, KY. Jean-Robert's "ChalkFood & Wine"
We were there for lunch, and the menu was not as extensive as the dinner version which is posted on the website. On the left hand column of the menu, there were about half a dozen offerings: ham, salmon, burger and so on. But no other info! No idea as to how it would be served. Sandwiches, I suspected and was right. But the waiter seemed surprised that I asked for clarification. Also didn't seem to be as much of a bargain as Pho Paris was at lunch.
I ordered smoked salmon on a bagel. It wasn't great. For one thing, it had caramelized onions on top of the salmon. That sweet flavor didn't work for me, I would have prefered raw red onion. The bagel was too soft.
I miss Pho Paris!
Covington, KY. Jean-Robert's "ChalkFood & Wine"
Anyone tried it yet? I did, and I am very sorry Pho Paris is gone only to be replaced by Chalk. The menu was confusing, but it's still early days. I'll wait a couple weeks and try again. I was happy to go next door to Greenup Cafe and buy some totally yummy pastries, but even that didn't quite help with my sorrow at Pho Paris' demise.
Cincinnati--Vito's Cafe in Ft. Thomas
The other night my husband and I had a fabulous meal at Vito's Cafe in Ft. Thomas. We each ordered the short ribs with spinach and gnocci in a barolo wine sauce. It was truly outstanding--I could go back and have the same meal again and be very, very happy. The short ribs were meltingly tender and the gnocci were light and slightly crisped. The singing waiters were excellent and even though I didn't think it would be my "thing," it turned out to be great fun and an enhancement to the evening. Real talent there. Vito's deserves the four stars Polly Campbell awarded it.
Still looking for good Thai, though. Preferably a place that doesn't have sushi on the menu. That is just not authentic Thai. Lemongrass Restaurant is too sweet for our taste, and Teak Thai isn't quite what we're looking for either. Any recommendations would be appreciated.
Traverse City, MI - good eats?
We have cottages northwest of Traverse City on the Leelanau peninsula and know the food places pretty well. For good eats in a delightful setting try the Blue Bird restaurant in Leland, about 23 miles north of Traverse City. It has a very informal bar area with good casual food and a dining area reknown for its salad bar and tasty dishes including whitefish. But for a truly memorable dining experience, I recommend making a 45 minute drive north of Traverse City to Elsworth, a very unlikely place for an outstanding gourmet meal presented beautifully. The restaurant is Tapawingo. Tiny town. Beautiful location. Superb food at a price you would expect for that. We take the long drive from out cottage at least once a summer.
Best Bread Baker DC/NOVA? (for sale by loaf, not restaurants!)
I agree that the best I've tried is Baguette Republic. Marvelous Market is okay, but not as good as it once was. Best Buns is okay, I don't think it's half as good as Baguette Republic. Firehook is excellent. Breadline is good too. But Baguette Republic is young and trying hard. Their croissants are fantastic too.
Farmers Market Vendors
The crab cake guy is at the Falls Church Farmer's market on Saturday. He also has fabulous soup. His crab cakes were mentioned in Saveur magazine about a year ago as being outstanding.
Washington's Green Grocer
Are they worth it? Do they have great produce? Are they organic? A friend just told me she signed up. Should I? I'm very picky when it comes to produce--I go to farmer's markets and Whole Foods. But a delivery would be nice.....
Tamarine
I am visiting SF, and going to Tamarine tomorrow night. How does it compare to the Slanted Door? What to order?
Shrimp & Grits
Wishbone's shrimp & grits recipe is available online. I googled it, and up it popped. Perhaps you can find a kind soul who is willing to help you out. The recipe doesn't look terribly difficult.
Tom yum question
Thanks, you're right. I'm not talking about tom kha gai. I have perfected that--IMO it's way easier to make than the tom yum soups. I appreciate your chili paste recipe. I think that's what I'm looking for. I've tried some of the commercial pastes, and they just don't quite match what I'm looking for. I'll check out your favorite brand. Again, thanks!
Tom yum question
I love tom yum soup--the Thai soup that's usually offered with shrimp or chicken. I esp. like tom yum goong, the shrimp version. I've made it at home many times, but I always feel there's something missing. At my very good local Thai restaurants there's a film of red oil on top. What is that? It must come in a jar.
I'm going to move to a place that lacks good Thai food, so I'll have to learn how to make the version I love.
Please help!
rockville town center Superfresh grocery store
Yes, I shop at that Magruder's, but it just isn't the same as the old one, IMO. What do you think?
rockville town center Superfresh grocery store
As I said, my experience with Superfresh was long ago and not very satisfying. White Flint is way down Rockville Pike--too far for easy shopping. Why wouldn't they have a Harris-Teeter or Whole Foods in Rockville Town Center? The area is striving for the upscale crowd, aren't they? I miss Magruder's. I don't like Giant as much anymore. I was hoping for Harris-Teeter to tell you the truth. Forgive me for being disappointed, but that's just my opinion.
rockville town center Superfresh grocery store
Yikes. I was hoping for Whole Foods or Harris Teeter. Is it true that Superfresh is moving in? Is it better than it used to be? The last Superfresh I knew of was not appealing, but maybe it's changed.
Trader Vic's in Palo alto,good or bad for birthday party?
You will not be disappointed. It's wonderful.
Favorite Thai restaurants in D.C., nothern Virginia?
Rabieng has a wonderful weekend Thai dim sum selection. Actually small plates would be a better description. Very inexpensive and very fine. I think Rabieng is quite authentic and the atmosphere is lovely.
Tamarine in Palo Alto
We're going there for dinner tomorrow night for the first time. Any special recommendations?
Favorite Seinfeld food moments
How about "man hands" breaking up the steamed lobster with her bare hands. Jerry can hardly look.... LOL.
Good rugelach in DC/NoVA area - even Maryland, if needs be
My Jewish brother-in-law loves the rugelach from Pastries by Randolf in Lee Heights shopping center which is located at Lee Heights shopping center off Lee Highway in Arlington. I am not a connoisseur, but they taste good to me too. (I'm not 100% certain they are always available.)
best korean bbq in DC area
Woo lae Oak isn't a hole-in-the-wall sort of place, but their bbq is wonderful, both the beef and chicken in particular. The quality of the meat is much better (IMO) than what I had at Yechon or any other Korean restaurant I've been to. However, I must say the panchan at Yechon was a highlight. I try other Korean restaurants, but I think Woo Lae Oak in Arlington is #1.
Best Eggs Benedict in DC metro area
It's probably not festive enough for a birthday celebration, but Cafe Parisienne Express in Lee Heights Shopping Center (Arlington) has fantastic eggs benedict for brunch on Sunday. Only on Sunday... but they are divine.
Favorite Thai restaurants in D.C., nothern Virginia?
Do you know that Mr. Boon sold Crystal Thai a couple months ago? I think it's still very good.
Favorite Thai restaurants in D.C., nothern Virginia?
Duangrat's has changed over the years and become less authentic. But they are responding to their audience, I imagine. It's a wonderful place for a festive occasion and the food can be scrumptious, just not as authentic as a place like Thai Square. Duangrat's is upscale Westernized Thai food, but still very yummy. I don't think I'd like to go to Thai Square for a birthday celebration, but Duangrat's would be great. Does anyone remember when Duangrat's had Khantoke? That was fantastic. I wish they'd bring it back.
BTW, I am pretty Thai-food savvy. Spent many years in Thailand like some others on the board. Thai food is wonderful; I'm spoiled by having my early life taste buds affected by Thai cooking. Nothing else compares, IMO.
Favorite Thai restaurants in D.C., nothern Virginia?
Thai Square, Bangkok 54, Duangrat's, Rabiang, Crystal Thai, Supee's Kitchen (now has a new name, can't remember what it is). Supee's Kitchen is the former wonderful Thai House which was on Wilson Blvd. Maybe now called Siam Sala, but it still has the Thai House/Supee people in the kitchen.
I am in Thai food heaven where I live....Yay! Arlington. And yes I know some are in Falls Church, but still very close.
Crystal Thai, BTW, has been sold. But it's still very good.
