owen_meany's Profile
Let’s make a list of obnoxiously loud restos
Second this after our first (and likely last) visit their on Saturday.
Vegetarian invited to a BBQ - Should I offer to bring something for my entree?
Here was my response:
"Thank you so much for the kind invitation. We are all looking forward to coming so count us in!
Please let me know what I can bring. I don't actually eat meat or chicken ( and certainly do - I'm to odd man out!) so I was thinking I could definitely bring a hearty but still summer dish to share with all. Would that be ok with you? I'm happy to bring as many things as you'd like (entree, side, dessert, drinks, you name it!). I love to cook (and eat!)."
She responded that it would be great if I brought a main and a side (so as someone pointed out, that was likely her intent - she'd provide the mains and guests would provide the sides).
Thanks for the advice everyone!
Sara
Vegetarian invited to a BBQ - Should I offer to bring something for my entree?
Roland,
You are absolutely right. I should have been far more careful in my post. I don't identify myself as a vegetarian in "real life" for exactly the reasons you state. I thought I was being more efficient in my post to just cut to the (wrong) chase but I can see now that was the wrong idea.
I hope I did not offend any true vegetarians in the process! My apologies should that be the case.
Sara
Vegetarian invited to a BBQ - Should I offer to bring something for my entree?
Thank you to everyone for the suggestions. I will be responding to her today with a modified version of option 2.
Sara
Vegetarian invited to a BBQ - Should I offer to bring something for my entree?
I've been invited to a BBQ. Only a few people will be there - 6 adults and 5 kids. 3 of the kids (6 YO) are friends at school so the get together is a play date for them with the opportunity for the adults to get to know each other better.
The invitation mentioned the possible menu: "We'll probably be cooking shrimp, chicken and hot dogs on the grill."
So, here's my dilemma: I don't eat chicken or hot dogs. I do eat shrimp. None of the above sound like a given. Normally I would certainly offer to bring something (with the expectation that they might decline) and normally I would not expect there to be something at a BBQ that a vegetarian would necessarily eat (especially as they don't know that I am a vegetarian) and normally I wouldn't give it a second thought...I would just load up on salad or sides and not draw attention to the fact that I'm not eating anything off the grill.
But, I feel like this gracious invitation deserves a different response for a few reasons:
1. The group is small (so everyone's eating or not eating is likely to be noticed)
2. As she mentioned a possible menu I would feel very strange to show up and not eat. I envision the conversation: "Oh, I told you what we were having...why didn't you say something?"
Here are the options that come to mind: All of the below are preceded by a gracious acceptance of this invitation and expressing our delight at attending.
1. Ask if she would mind if I would bring veggie burgers to share. The downside I see to this is that this creates additional work for the host and also that it doesn't sound like she's serving hamburgers so perhaps I should offer to bring buns too? But then it seems like I'm taking over the menu.
2. Offer to bring a main dish sort of salad or maybe something like hummus. I guess I would preface this by saying "I don't eat meat. Would it be all right if I brought some veggie items to share?"
3. Say nothing other than my usual offer to bring something nonspecific.
4. Your thoughts?
I do want to reiterate that if the situation were different I would be delighted to go without any fuss, flying under the radar screen and enjoying whatever food was offered that I eat. I'm not a big fussbudget in that regard (other ways to be sure!).
Your constructive ideas are appreciated.
Sara
"Hitting" on the Waitress (server) Is it OK?
:-)
I'm glad I didn't have Chowhound to poll about leaving a note in a restaurant for a handsome busboy some 26 years ago...I never would have met my husband!
Of course, YMMV.
Sara
What tasks do you excel at in the kitchen?
I have an uncanny ability to tell you where, exactly, something is in the refrigerator. I know that sounds odd or mundane or perhaps not even a talent, but it's to the point where my husband can actually call me when I am out of the house and I can tell him exactly where something is.
I realize this is making my husband sound odd (who can't navigate a fridge?) but the universality of his lack of talent (and the depths of mine) were driven home one day when the CEO of my company grumbled "why can't I find the XYZ I brought in last week in here?" while standing at the fridge and from 3 offices away I called out "It's behind the whatever on the right middle shelf next to the whosamabob".
Sara
Is Venetian Moon in Reading / Can I bring a baby?
I haven't been in a while but they used to have the more "hip" area upstairs and a downstairs area that was more suitable for a mixed group. You might call them to ask.
Other suggestions might be:
Sam's Bistro
Grumpy Doyle's
Bangkok Spice (small)
None of them will really knock your sox off but imho, neither would VM:-)
Sara
Looking for really delicious sandwiches (platter) for a party
Wanted to follow up to say that we ended up getting our sandwiches from Flour and they were very well received.
We got the:
Smoked turkey
BLT
Fresh mozzarella
Roast beef
Grilled roast chicken
Grilled tofu
All were well received but the favorites of the party goers were the roast beef, BLT and the vegetarian ones (I will order more of these next time as I was shut out!).
Easy to order over the phone, certainly easy to pick up (thank goodness I didn't have to wait in the huge line!), spendy but it felt worth it.
The sandwiches are a good size so one per person felt like plenty.
Thank you for the suggestions!
Sara
So WHY were we forced to sit at the table till the food was gone??
Thanks, Exy00. Didn't seem like quibbling in the least to me but responding as such would have seemed like quibbling :-)
So WHY were we forced to sit at the table till the food was gone??
I think my mother's fascination with serving the same meal over and over if you didn't eat it the first time ended abruptly after my sister threw up all over the table after choking down the soft boiled egg at lunch she couldn't force herself to eat that morning.
So WHY were we forced to sit at the table till the food was gone??
Well, I guess I'm part of the crowd you expected to arrive because I very respectfully disagree that it's a parent's duty to control their children - I think it's their duty to teach their children how to control themselves...sometimes that's through parental control but ultimately it should and could not be.
Mealtime in my childhood home was a battle ground - not a chance to socialize - in large part due to my mother's "eat until your plate is clean or you will see this exact same food for your next meal and so on until it is gone". Let me assure you that my mother wasn't slaving over a hot stove to create lovingly prepared meals. She was pouring boiling water into instant oatmeal or somehow making canned tomato soup and grilled cheese absolutely inedible.
Mealtimes in my house ARE an opportunity to catch up with each other sans the power struggle that results from forcing kids to eat. A balanced meal is presented and each person can decide to eat or not and how much. Dessert is not a usual part of the meal just because that's not how we do it in our house but if it is available it's not dependent on how much you've consumed.
Sara
Are you a dessert person or not ?
I love dessert but rarely order it out and don't eat it at home on a regular basis. Why? Well to the first point, because the type of dessert that I most enjoy is far simpler than what is generally offered in a restaurant (I like old fashioned layer cakes, warm cookies, etc. not the frou frou desserts that are all over the majority of today's dessert menus). To the second point, I'm quite petite and dessert every day would pretty much wreak havoc with my girlish figure so it's more of an every so often thing. We are entering a phase where there will be many desserts in the house...little girl's birthday and birthday party so birthday cake and chocolate chip cookies will abound for a few weeks.
Sara
PS I also love cheese. I think I'd be far more likely to order cheese in a restaurant as it is something I won't buy for the house as I'm the only cheese eater here...but I think I'm either too cheap or too full to order it too often when we go out.
Looking for really delicious sandwiches (platter) for a party
We're hosting a party of about 30 people next month and I'd love to find a place that has really good sandwiches we can buy by the platter. We're north of Boston (Reading) but can do Arlington, Somerville, Cambridge, as well. The sandwiches don't have to be "fancy" necessarily but just really high quality ingredients put together well.
TIA, Sara
PS Yes, I've considered just doing it myself...still a slight possibility.
Dinner before drinks at the Oak Bar
So, the Oak Bar is still open? I had heard (via Boston Globe article, I think) that they were closing for "renovations" around the beginning of 2012. It was around Thanksgiving that the article came out because we made a big fuss about going there with our 5YO so she could experience the "special place" that her dad and I go to. I am very happy to hear that they haven't shuttered the doors as yet (obviously, we had not checked).
Reheating a Chocolate Croissant
I've always had good luck just popping day old croissants in my toaster oven for a few minutes. Watched carefully of course!
Portion control at a dinner party
I definitely tend to cook way too much for a gathering. I do have one question that pertains to this. Let's say you're cooking for a party and it will be a buffet. You're going to have lasagna and chicken cutlets and salad and rolls and maybe pasta on the side. Plenty of food, really, if you look at the sum total but if you have 20 people invited to you plan do have at least 20 cutlets? Or do you assume that because you are offering a multitude of things that people people will not eat an entire serving of a main dish? It tends to be an issue in my mind if the item is a "unit" (cutlet, etc.) as opposed to something that can be subdivided easily (lasagna, etc.)
Sara
Local source for popcorn on the cob
I see that I can get it on line but I'm wondering if I can get some locally...Reading to Waltham would be good but I can go farther afield if need be.
I'm looking for ~20 ears of it to actually pop (not just decorative!).
TIA, Sara
Restaurant near forest hills for 40 people
Thank you for your reply. We will be going to West.
Restaurant near forest hills for 40 people
I am hoping someone might have an idea for a restaurant in or near forest hills which could host a post funeral reception for about 40 people. Parking is a priority. Obviously nice food and atmosphere too.
TIA for your help
Sara
Pie Crust - Which One?
this is my go to pie crust. I can't imagine making any other one (I reserve the right to change my mind...or not!)
How Long Did it Take You to Learn How to Make Pie Dough?
It probably took me a dozen attempts but I never had confidence until I found the "vodka recipe". I absolutely adore the results and the fact that the directions are so precise.
Need Newburyport input
Thanks everyone for the input. We ended up at Port Tavern and it was a good choice. We started with nachos with chili. They were very good! Husband had a chicken salad wrap with onion rings, I had the veggie burger and dd had a cheeseburger. The fries were tasty. My burger was odd - if i just ate the burger part it tasted very bland but if I bit into the sandwich and got a bit of everything (mozzarella, roasted eggplant, etc) it was much better. Beer list had some nice choices, too.
Need Newburyport input
Any suggestions for an early dinner on Saturday night in Newburyport that would be family friendly but not the same old same old?
I've done some searching and it looks like the Grog gets mixed reviews.
How about
Giuseppe's
Port Tavern
or any other location you would recommend?
TIA, Sara
Office holiday lunch (Waltham and nearby)
I've been charged with pulling together the holiday luncheon for 7 people (just a small affair!). "Someplace lively with good food" are my operating instructions. Taking a midday reservation is a must and having parking is a plus.
We are in Waltham but could travel to nearby locales. I made a reservation at Masa in Woburn. Thoughts on that as an idea? Other suggestions?
I think we're steering away from seafood but it sounds like most everything else is fair game.
Thank you!
Sara
Rolls/Bread for Thanksgiving?
No hand wringing here though I do still offer bonus points if they are open...it's the perfect errand for my lovely husband and daughter to do together on Thanksgiving morning...it gets them out of the kitchen and it means that dh can pick out what he likes. They can stop by the local HS football game on the way home.
Thanks, again, for all the suggestions everyone!
Rolls/Bread for Thanksgiving?
Thanks for the suggestions, folks. Sounds like a trip to WF is in order.
As for being open on T-day I think I remember WF having just this issue (wanting to open but not being able to) a few years back.
That said, I note that Wilson Farm does appear to be open on turkey day! Good to know.
-----
Wilson Farm
10 Pleasant St, Lexington, MA 02421
Rolls/Bread for Thanksgiving?
DH has very specific requirements for Thanksgiving rolls...crusty on the outside, soft on the inside, no sourdough taste.
Any suggestions? We live in Reading, happy to drive to Waltham or Arlington or in between. Bonus points if they are actually open on Thanksgiving.
TIA, Sara
How are Martha Rose Shulman's recipes?
I love her recipes and they have saved me as I crank through my full CSA box every week. I use the NYT's recipes and also her books. I especially enjoy cooking from Mediterranean Harvest and Mediterranean Light.
You know those delicious looking half moons in the front case of Lyndell's in Central Square?
Or 45 and enjoy a sugary sweet traditional cake as I do :-)
We like Lyndells half moons and cakes, especially the opportunity to get a super decorated one for our daughter's birthdays (like the Little House on the Prairie one they made for us last year).
Definitely to be avoided if it's not your style of dessert.
Sara
