L nrs's Profile
Strategies for Dining in Barcelona with a 10 Year Old
Yes, I've only seen rice-based horchatas (with cantaloupe in Oaxacan places) here. Can't wait to try the Spanish chufa version. Would never have discovered this without this site - love it!
Strategies for Dining in Barcelona with a 10 Year Old
Parigi, I'd love to hear more about "the horchata bar genre". We are big fans of horchata (if it is like the horchata we get in California - and if it's not, can't wait to taste the difference).
We are traveling to BCN at the beginning of July with our 2 and 5 year old kids, so I've been watching any post that has to do with kids very carefully!
Oahu (with kids) trip report
Yes, I stand corrected! We were at the Zippy's in Hawaii Kai. My 3 year old is currently in love with anything crispy-that katsu was a greasy gut bomb-don't let her love for it change your opinion :).
Oahu (with kids) trip report
Got back recently from a trip to Oahu with husband and two very young kids. Higher end dining was pretty much out of the question on this trip.
Sweet Home Waimanalo: Small "healthy" plate lunch type place in (where else?) Waimanalo. The woman working the counter heard my daughter and I discussing whether or not she was going to have her "own" smoothie or have some of my husbands and gave her a cup of the one she was making--problem solved! Husband got the peanut butter/chocolate/banana smoothie. We ordered two plate lunches. One with pulled pork and one with Waimanalo honey-citrus chicken breast with guava chipotle sauce. The latter sounds like it could be overpoweringly sweet but the chicken was moist and the sauce had subtle zing. For sides we got the hapa rice (half brown half white ;), okinowan sweet potato and mango chutney salad, paniolo potato and mac salad, and Waimanalo green salad. The sweet potatoes could have been cooked a tad more for my tastes, but all was good. I HIGHLY recommend this place. I wish we could have gotten over to this part of the island during a meal time for a second go.
Little Village (Honolulu, Chinatown): tasty Chinese in a clean, comfortable dining room. Very air-conditioned, so if you're sensitive to those sorts of things, bring a sweater. We had green onion pancakes, taro duck (Duck with taro around it and then fried. Sinfully tasty. My 3 year old couldn't get enough of it, which is always a plus in my book), stir fried ong-choy with shiitake mushrooms, and singapore rice noodles (dry curry noodles, very good).
Tokkuri-Tei: A not strictly traditional Japanese Izakaya in a strip mall. The staff was very nice and accommodating of our tots. Ended up eating there a second time after we ended up trying to go to Side Street Inn at 6:30 where there was a 45 minute wait. Called Tokkuri-Tei and they held a table for the 15 minutes it took us to drive there. Two stand out dishes were both fusion. The second time we were there we asked the waitress what she would reccomend and got them- the cream tofu and the ahi-tartare poki. Cream tofu was fried pieces of tofu, like you would get in agedashi tofu, that was in a wine sauce with mushrooms and a side of greens. I seriously wanted to lick the plate! Get it with a side of rice. I had a taste of the ahi poki tartare and it was good. Ahi poki on a toasted rice ball. flavors melded very nicely. Other yummy dishes: miso eggplant, ume shiso cut roll, zaru soba (served with a raw quail egg to mix in), goma-ae spinach and kara-age chicken. The grilled shishito peppers could have been grilled a tad longer and the grilled pork and shiso rolls weren't great. Overall, excellent food and service.
Gyutaku: Old-School Japanese. No ambience. Definitely not refined dining, decent food. Husband and I were both craving soup. He got the saimin and I got the udon. Soups were good as was the inari tofu. Tempura that came with was okay. The highlight was the Okinowan sweet potato pie with a layer of haupia and a ginger grahm crust. The crust made it stand out from the other haupia/cream pies that we tasted on this trip (like Bob's-which I thought tasted like haupia with a layer of Jello chocolate pudding on an insipid crust-don't waste your calories)
Side Street Inn: A lot has been written about this place. I think you'll be happy if you go in expecting good bar food, which it is. One surprise was the farmer's salad which had 'Nalo greens, a few pieces of shrimp, avocado and tomato and was delicious! We had the fried rice, the miso chicken and the rib-eye teri beef. Portions are large, so we had some to bring back with us. Everything was very tasty, my only complaint is that the chicken a beef had a little too much char on them for my tastes.
Leonards: What could be bad about hot fried fluffy dough covered in sugar and possibly suffed with something crazy like haupia or a slightly bitter chocolate? Didn't love the plain custard-too cloying and heavy (If they had something like Beard Papa's custard-that would be amazing) or the li-hing sugar (but I don't generally like li-hing because of the taste of aspartame in it)
KCC Diamond Head Saturday Farmers Market: This place is insanely busy, but has amazing prepared food vendors. I don't recall the names of many of the vendors, but we tried or brough home with us (over two visits): Mochi with adzuki paste and a fresh strawberry in the middle, chichi dango (mochi balls on a skewer toasted over a grill then dipped in a sweet/salty sauce, served warm), Chicken long rice and a deelicious chicken bun (from a no sign vendor at the far end of row B). The chicken bun was stewed chicken on a spit sweet bread roll with some pickled cucumber on top. We also tried grilled abalone, fried green tomatoes (don't let the line deter you-it moves fast), ice cream sandwiches, both loco moco AND beef hash benedict from the North Shore Cattle Company, which does grass fed cattle. I was pretty excited to try my first loco moco, but preferred the benedict. The patty on the loco moco was too big and dry for my tastes and my husband said they were a bit skimpy on the brown gravy. The oat cakes from Akamai foods and the lilikoi butter from Kahuku Farms both travelled home well.
Shave Ice (Waiola and Ailana): Both were good. The ice was fluffier at Waila but I loved the house-made syrups at Ailana-especially the chai and the strawberry milk.
Zippys: Not really my cup of tea, but my husband loves it (he grew up on Oahu). Especially the chili and rice. My 3 year old ate almost an entire order of chicken katsu. If you go to the one in Kahala you've got a nice view of the water.
Luibuenos Mexican Seafood and Fish: Ended up eating dinner here one night when the only other feasible option for us was pizza. I liked it more than my husband (I had the fried mahi tacos and he had the ono fish tacos). Friendly service.
Kaka'ako Kitchen: We always eat here on our visits. The shoyu chicken is really, really good. The tofu burger is also tasty. The teri chicken wrap was not bad but also wasn't particularly wonderful (too much tortilla, not enough filling, tasted too much of plain lettuce)
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Little Village Noodle House
1113 Smith St, Honolulu, HI 96817
Kakaako Kitchen
1200 Ala Moana Blvd # 135, Honolulu, HI
Side Street Inn
1225 Hopaka St, Honolulu, HI
Tokkuri-Tei
611 Kapahulu Ave Ste 102, Honolulu, HI 96815
Gyu-Kaku Yakiniku Dining
1221 Kapiolani Blvd Ste 105, Honolulu, HI 96814
I have chicken in the freezer that is a year old. Is it usable?
Good grief, in my parts, 3 pounds of organic chicken thighs cost considerably more than $3. But if you must know, they just didn't pass my (extra sensitive, at the moment) smell test, so I chucked them.
To everyone else, thanks for your helpful replies!
I have chicken in the freezer that is a year old. Is it usable?
The title pretty much says it all. I've been going through my freezer and realized I have 3 lbs. of chicken thighs that have been in the freezer for a year. Are they usable? If not, do you think they just won't taste as good or do I need to worry about any funny bacteria? I'm pregnant, so not really into taking any chances, but wold hate to waste the food.
Thanks!
More Places Like Joan's on Third & Clementine?
The meatloaf sandwich at Little Flower is A-ma-zing!
The Savory Japanese Pancake - Gaja Moc, the Okonomiyaki Specialist! [Review] w/ Pics!
As far as I know, in addition the Hiroshima style has a layer of noodles, while the Kansai style does not.
Shout out to Ruth Lafler for inexpensive spice tip
I would agree with buying in bulk whole heartedly. I had to re-stock my entire spice cabinet and I was able to get quite a bit-20 or so different spices-(about half of a typical spice jar each) for $12.00!
Best octopus in LA
Where in Little Tokyo do you find takoyaki? I loved it when I visited Japan a few years ago, but haven't seen it here.
Cake to cupcake conversion
In case anyone is curious, I used regular size cupcake cups and they were done in 20 minutes (at 350 degrees).
Cake to cupcake conversion
I'd like to make the cake for my daughter's birthday, but doing cupcakes would be so much easier! I've got a banana cake recipe that I love. It's baked in a 350 degree oven for 35 to 40 minutes in a 9x13 inch pan.
Any suggestions for needed timing or temperature changes?
Thanks!
Newport Beach business dinner.
The budget is fairly generous, but not too over the top (it's not an "expense account" in the bottomless-pit-of-money sense of the word)-and yes, business will actually be discussed over said dinner :)
If the dinner were being held in LA, some choices might be Luques, Spago or AOC, but probably not Cut or Providence, if that helps any. Table room is not an issue, nor is lighting, sound level can be moderate but being able to hear the person next to you speak is a must.
Newport Beach business dinner.
Hey all-I'm looking for suggestions for a four person business dinner in Newport beach. I don't know the area, so any suggestions would be highly appreciated.
Thanks!
Dinners in Rome
I was in Rome last month and ate at both Ditirambo and Coline Emilliane. Ditirambo was good, but nothing too special and certainly not worth it if you have just three nights. Colline Emilliane was very good. There were a few reviews on the board going crazy over their prosciutto, but I didn't think it was anything particularly out of the ordinary.
Our favorite dinner in Rome was at Palatium (an enoteca), which specializes in food of the Lazio region. Not a hole in the wall, very modern, not a ton of seats and great food. They even handled us (with our toddler) well. I don't think they see very many kids in the place. The cacio e pepe was outstanding as was the chicken dish we had (can't recall the name) which was stewed with olives and peppers. The amatriciana was very very good, too.
We also had a fantastic lunch at Bir & Fud. They source mostly organic ingredients. We had suppli (which were a little much for the hot day), a great pizza and possibly the best insalata mista I've ever had. Seriously. It was very simple, but all the ingredients (lettuce, carrots, onion, maybe some fennel, olive oil, vinegar, salt & pink peppercorns). They are also open for dinner. Very casual, but fun.
Best Beef Jerky
The teriyaki beef jerky from Mahogany Smoked Meats is also excellent.
Proposed Rome food itinerary (is there any other kind ;) ?
Thanks for your response, mbfant.
Any suggestions for tavola calda places near our hotel (by the spanish steps) for take out? Also, any suggestions regarding the reservation conundrum in my post above?
Proposed Rome food itinerary (is there any other kind ;) ?
I'll be visiting rome with my husband and toddler later this month. I've found an overwhelming amount of great suggestions for places to eat on this board and elsewhere. Now I'm just plain old confused! Because I'm a glutton for punishment, any suggestions or tweaks (if any) would be appreciated. We'll be staying just east of the Spanish Steps.
We arrive Saturday night. Depending on how trashed we all feel and the state of my 19 month old after a veeerrry long plane ride we might try and find a place that can take us for dinner or maybe just take a walk down to San Crispino for a gelato.
Sunday: wander to Pantheon & Surrounding area-not sure of places open for lunch in the area on sundays.
dinner: La Fiametta
Monday: have 2:15 reservations to be at Vatican and the only place I have found recommended nearby for lunch is Il Matriciano. This good or any other suggestions? We'll also try the gelato at Old Bridge.
dinner: takeout probably-I hope. I've read about GiNa, but otherwise how are Roman restaurants generally regarding ordering food for take out?
Tuesday: get to Volpetti when they open and get provisions for a picnic lunch around the Roman Fora and Coleseum. Dinner: Matricianella.
Wednesday: lunch Colline Emillane
dinner: Bir & Fud
Thursday: morning market in the Campo de' Fiori and then we're off to Castellina in Chianti!
Also, I realize that most places do not have high chairs, so that means I make reservations for three? (I realized this might be a silly question, but when the three of us eat out at home we usually sit at a two top and pull the high chair up to the table.)
Thanks again.
Stibbio and surrounding area?
Hey all:
Will be staying with my medium sized family (nine adults and one toddler) in Stibbio. Pretty much half way between Pisa and Florence.
I've found a few places close by (Trattoria Dell'orcio Interrato in Montepoli, TAVERNA DELL'OZIO in Corazzano Leccio, Osteria Montelupo in Montelupo Fiorentino and Ill Pettirosso and Antica Farmacia in Palaia). The additional challenge is that we will be staying there in August.
Any other suggestions in the area-perhaps not more than a 30 minute drive?
Thanks for your help!
Market or Grocery for provisions in Rome
Thank you so much for your responses so far! I remember the Campo from my last trip to Rome 8 years ago, which was just a couple of days-I'm looking forward to delving deeper this time around into the food and everything else!
One last question. Are diapers/nappies also generally available at places lake Despar or even in the alimentari or do I need to go someplace else for those?
Market or Grocery for provisions in Rome
Hello All:
Will be traveling to Rome in July with my spouse and child, who is 18 months old. As anyone who has a toddler knows, having snacks on hand at all times goes a long way to keep things calm.
We will be staying near the Spanish Steps and I'm looking for a grocery store or organic food market (big or small) where I can buy things like milk, raisins, crackers, yoghurt, etc. I'm looking forward to buying fruits at the farmers markets around town, but a place where we can stop by on our first jet-lagged day would be wonderful!
Thanks for your help.
Rome restaurant help with baby
I'd like to 2nd the request and ask the OP to please post your experiences when you return. I'll be in Rome in July with daughter (who will also be 18 months at the time). If it helps with any replies-we'll be staying right near the Spagna metro stop & the Villa Borghese (someone please help and tell me what neighborhood this is considered-Tridente?). Thanks!
"Healthy" cake for baby's first birthday
My little one is turning one very soon and since I'm trying to hold off on feeding her refined sugar for as long as possible I wanted to bake her a cake that was kind of "healthy". Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Boule Atelier: Not Bad, But Not Boule
I stopped in yesterday and also had some ice cream (the wild honey and the raspberry rose sorbet) which was very tasty. I brought home four truffles, three of which were terrible, especially the banyuls truffle, of which the wine content had turned to vinegar. Yikes. I won't be going back there for chocolate again, ice cream maybe.....
Big foodie new to LA from NYC- Need suggestions!
Canele in Atwater for a nice dinner (you'll be getting close to your $25/entree max, but it's worth it)
SoyCafe on Hyperion-very small menu, but they do it all well. In-house made soy milk, tofu dishes and great vietnamese sandwiches.
Square One Dining on Fountain in Los Feliz - breakfast and lunch joint. Very, very good. If the line there is too long, I second the recommendation for Millie's.
El Cochinito on Sunset for Cuban, in the same mini-mall there is also Allegria (Mexican), which I like, but not everyone does. Yucca's on Hillhurst in Los Feliz for great cochinita pibil tacos-the carne asada is also very good.
Speaking of pibil, I have only been to their location near USC, but Chichen Itza has opened a new restaurant on 6th St near Alvarado (pretty close to Silver Lake).
If you like wine, the Sunday, Monday and Thursday night tastings at Silver Lake Wine is a fun way to spend part of your evening with your new neighbors!
Uni Spaghetti or Risotto?
It was at least a year and a half ago (if not more) but I had a very tasty uni spaghetti at La Terza.
Cheap Chow in Maui?
Just called Honokowai Okazuya and the gentleman I spoke with said they would be re-opening on Monday, July 23rd! This is great news-because I'm going to be in Maui with my 8 month old in August and am looking forward to delicious take out.
My daughter is going to FLORENCE!!!!!
A great place for takeout schiacciata pizza is Pugi, right on the Piazza San Marco. Inexpensive tasty food.
Black Sesame Paste - Where can I buy it?
I also have found black sesame paste at Mistua Market in downtown that comes in a can that opens with a pull ring and a plastic lid in case you don't use the whole can in one go. I have made a great recipe a number of times from Elizabeth
Andoh's Washoku Kitchen wich, is just plain amazake and black sesame paste mixed together and then frozen. Sooooo good when it's hot outside.
