ptrap's Profile
Chopped All-Stars - Episode 4 [spoilers]
I think Jeffrey should have won. Aaron bugs...all that chef bravado and trash talk gets so old. I am calling Anne and Nate in the final dessert round. And Anne taking it all.
Any good chow near Lake Lanier?
Ninja Sushi and Steakhouse on Hwy 20 is great for kids (they like the show) and the food and sushi are very good.
Atlanta Season Opener - Good Eats????
Here's a second vote for brunch at Murphy's. Charming, charming place (do go after 12:30pm so you can have mimosa if its Sunday...due to GA's lame liquor laws). I've enjoyed a lovely dinner at Rathbun's. And there is much talk of Richard's Blais's new restaurant, Home (not his, per se, but he is the chef there). In Buckhead, I really enjoy Kyma...Mediterranean with a focus on fresh seafood. The tasting menu was heaven!
TNFNS winner! spoiler
Well, that was disappointing. Only Adam and Lisa had intersting ideas for shows....Lisa with the 5 star dining brought home or Adam with the web interaction. Aaron's show, it seems, will rely solely on his charm, which in my opinion, is too forced. The cooking portion was nothing out of the ordinary...Big Daddy? Big spices? I thought it would be Adam, I really did. Oh well...more disappointment from FN. I agree with another poster who said to put Lisa on Style network. She could be the new, hip Martha Stewart. And Adam is engaging enough to watch on a weekly basis, too.
TNFNS 7/20 (spoilers inside)
I think Lisa "warmed up" or was more "human" with the additiona of the singing (isn't it weird and kind of unsettling how much her singing voice sounding NOTHING like her talking voice?). And she seemed rather at ease up on the wires. I would watch her show. She's my pick. Yes, they are keeping Aaron around...his bland pasta dishes in the buffet should have sent him packing (what on earth did he spend his $1,000 on? Orzo?). And how hard could his shoot have been when Bobby was like..."Here Aaron, walk like this and say the lines like this..."...Lisa didn't get any of that kind of help, and neither did Adam. And Aaron's attempt at humor when presenting his buffet to the crowd made me cringe...I literally had to fast forward past it because it was so difficult. Lisa's my pick. I have a conspiracy theory to add, too....the rant and rave she posted recently about her unfair editing which made her look like the sore loser was actually a very carefully crafted PR move on her and FN's part to make us THINK she had lost...when maybe she really won. But then again (ok, I sound crazy now)...when you freeze frame the end of Sunday's show, where they show the previews of next week's show with a shot of winner in the downpour of gold lame confetti....it looks like Aaron and Adam hugging, based on clothes. I don't see Lisa's bright yellow dress anywhere in that shot...it looks like two dark shirts, which is what Aaron and Adam were wearing. Yes, I rewound and replayed it a few times. And now that I sound like I watch WAY too much TV and have WAY too much invested in this show, I will just stop talking now.
Was it just me...(TNFNS 7/13)
Mexican chorizo. And basil and breadcrumbs on top. I looked and can't find the recipe on line...it was from Men's Health magazine a few years...it was in their "when you want splurge" column. I think it was your basic baked mac n cheese recipe, stirring in some crumbled, cooked chorizo, top with basil and breadcrumbs. It might have had canned green chilies. So good.
Was it just me...(TNFNS 7/13)
Mac 'n cheese with chorizo and basil is obscenely delicious. Try it!
Was it just me...(TNFNS 7/13)
Lisa seems to geniuinely like Aaron and there have been shots of them hugging after evaluations, and she really isn't all that horrible of a person. And they probably played up that split second interaction anyway.
Um..judges? You need some new buzz words. Really..what do you want from Aaron? On camera breakdown? The criticism is the same week after week. This isn't American Idol! 'Dawg, you weren't my dawg this week. I wasn't really feeling your cassoulet".
Kelsey gave me the shivers (not in a good way) with her steely vow that she WILL cook on TV. That is her role in life. Not to be a good cook, but to be a TV cook. Ok Kelsey. You little evil wind-up doll.
Cooks illustrated question
I've got to add that CI, or the entire CI machine, greatly disappoints me. If you read the magazines or watch the show, Chris Kimball comes across as having so much integrity. But the completely aggressive marketing techniques the company uses have turned me off. Sending you books you didn't order, and your option is to pay or send it back. Why is the hassle mine to bear? You can't get access to on-line recipes unless you join...that kind of thing bugs me. Just hoping someone from there is reading here.
TNFNS- 7/6/08 elimination (spoiler inside)
I was ready for Shane to go when he was espousing the French lifestyle and how his show would be based on it and he's never been there. Nice idea but if you really don't know what you are talking about, how can you do a whole show on it? Just because he learned a few French dishes in cooking school? Interesting melt down from Lisa; she went all "Cindy Brady goes on TV game show and freaks out". Kelsey was uber-irritating...she just doesn't get it. She thought it was a good idea to go on RR's show and have her make her dish..oh and along the way correct her while she was doing it. Diva action from RR..."so what are you going to do while I do your job?" And she thought that was how to be authoritative...she's on her way out. Poor Lisa, I don't see her winning now, what with her "demons" to conquer. And I don't see wanting to watch a show hosted by Kelsey, Aaron or the other jokey guy...can't even remember his name...that's a bad sign! (Although his tears about his lost restaurant did make him seem more human, less Bozo, for a minute). This is sadly becoming more fun to watch to see who FN gets stuck with.
NFNS - Episode 4
Lisa is growing on me, like others have said. I rolled my eyes when she commented on her shirt and shoes..."No, Lisa...just when people are starting to like you!". But hey, she's a girly girl. And she wasn't above showing up covered in sauce. So you go, girl. But tartar for the Red Lobster crowd? Nah. Quit putting on airs.
Kelsey did tone it down, but it felt like she did it through gritted teeth. Same with the Red Lobster commercial, she was subdued but it was killing her. She's Elle Woods! 'Culinarily Blonde!' Bubbly, and sparkly and irritaing as heck.
I was hating this show when it started but it growing on my. And if you read the judges blog, can't think of his name (Jerry?), the grey-haired Network guy, he's pretty funny. But that Suzie...she needs to tame that mop o' hair before it takes over the kitchen and starts whipping up a souffle.
Visiting Bloomington, IN in August...
Thanks all! I will add Nick's, Finch's and Uptown to the list. And Oliver instead of Butler Winery.
Visiting Bloomington, IN in August...
Looking for recs. I'll be arriving Friday night 8/8 for DCI,and then leaving Monday morning. I read some older posts and looked at Lennies/Bloomington Brewing Co. and Upland Brew Co. Those look pretty good...its me, my sister and brother so we aren't looking for fine dining...just some fun, casual places with good food (we're from SF Bay area) like brew pubs or pizza or something very "Bloomington" that one shouldn't miss (they like hand-crafted beer, I'm a wine drinker so I think we'll visit Butler Winery too?). Would love a rec for a good breakfast place, too. We are staying at the Fairfield Inn. Never been there before, but looking forward to it! Thanks.
Why a Female Needed To Win Top Chef
A female didn't "need" to win, a female just happened to win. Big diff.
Ready for the Next Food Network Star?
Yes, Lisa is growing on me too. I think she is trying to change her earlier mistakes and she seemed geniunely moved to have met Martha. But she squints a lot when she talks. Kid cooking lady is like watching a piece of wood...boring. Kelsey the psycho cheerleader makes me cringe and if the best she can do is Sloppy Joes...er, I mean Janes (cringe) then I'm scurred. I like the laid back Cider-Vinagrette guy...his product sounded pretty good. They all are just so desperate for a TV gig and aren't really as interested in their food. That's the big diff with this and Top Chef. Cayenne and sugar? But its the "perfect" ratio? Please, Nipa go home with your sour attitude. Ugh.
Report on Rathbun's, Atlanta 4/5/08
Boyfriend and I ate at Rathbun's Restaurant Saturday night. Delicious!
We started with two small plates...the crab tart and pan fried kefalotiri cheese. The cheese was great, fried to a nice crispness with a drizzle of lemon and olive oil (Kyma's is better, but this was pretty good). Two very creamy green olives came with, on the side. The crab tart was a small pastry shell (very flaky, very good) with crab meat inside. The tart shell was brushed with a grainy mustard. It was good, except my first bite had a BIG piece of shell, so I let BF finish the rest. He loved it.
Dinner for him was sea scallops with asparagus, country ham grits and spiced hollandaise. We asked the server what they meant by "spiced" since it could mean anything...spiced with cinnamon, cayenne, who knows...he just wanted to make sure it wasn't spiced to be sweet...server just said "you know, with seasonings". Ok. But the dish was great, BF said. I had the apple risotto with arugula and parmesan. Yum. The risotto was quite al dente, with a creamy mouth feel and a nice parm taste, then drizzled with a good bit of olive oil. The small scoops of apple were perfect...not too tart, not too sweet...their apple-y freshness cut through the oil and cheese and the arugula added a nice earthy spice. Yum. We both had a glass of the Evangeline chardonnay with dinner and it was a great combo.
We wanted to try some sides so we got the spinach w/ olive oil and garlic and the french fries w/ blue cheese fondue. The spinach...eh. It was just a plate of wilted spinach with some undercooked garlic slices...I was hoping the garlic slices would be crispy but they were not. But the fries were perfectly cooked, not too salty, and the creamy blue cheese dip was a nice addition.
For dessert we shared the chocolate ganache cupcake. It was perfectly warm as if just from the oven...a rich, dense chocolate cupcake covered with ganache and these small crunchy Rice Crispy like balls. Not overly sweet, which is how I like a chocolate dessert.
Total bill $113. I'd say their prices are rather reasonable. We got there at 5:30 and we were one of the first tables seated. The space was very loft like with brick, exposed ducts, and cool Ikea like lighting. The doorway to the kitchen is completely open so you can see the goings-on in there. There is a covered patio which would allow for eating in most any weather. People were very casually dressed, many in jeans, which seemed perfectly acceptable for the place as a casually upscale vibe. We will go again! Good place to take out of towners.
Help! Need Mexican Recipe for Dinner Party!
Delish, authentic tostadas! Boil a chicken, then shred from bone (or use rotisserie but homemade is better so you can use the stock). Steam a few dried chiles (like California, take off stem, shake out most seeds) with some garlic cloves, onion and a tomato. Blender this into a paste and add enough chicken stock to get it to a nice consistency to simmer your chicken in (takes about 1/2 hr). Then fry up some corn torts to get a nice flat shell. Here is the unusual part (and I swear a family member that cannot speak english makes them this way)....spread mayo on the shell, top with a nice layer of your simmered, spicy chicken. Top w/ shredded cabbage, sliced radish, avocado slices and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese (or cojita, but the parm is delish). Yum, yum!
Help me, I'm a tourist...
Thank you David and Will...I have made Saturday night reservations there and I very much looking forward to it! I will write back on our experience!
Help me, I'm a tourist...
Will4Food, can I ask a dumb question? I love the look of Piano Due...how long would it take us to walk to it from the theater? It looks close on a map, but since I've never been to NY, I just dont know...thanks!
Help me, I'm a tourist...
Ah, thanks for the info on Becco...the loudness level sounds like it would irritate my sound-sensitive boyfriend. Love your recs, will check them out.
Help me, I'm a tourist...
Taking my first trip to NY in two weeks. We are Broadway bound and are seeing Avenue Q at 2pm and then Curtains at 8pm on Sat March 8. These theaters appear very close to each other on W. 45th Street. So after the first show, we'll stay in the area and have dinner before the next show. I realize I will be part of the "theater rush" so can someone recommend a good place? We like just about anything...I am a fan of your brasserie-type places, but really, I'll go anywhere. I'd like something memorable since this is my first trip to NY and obviously we have slight time constraints. We are staying at the London and trying to have dinner Friday night at Gordon Ramsey (we are on the wait list). Any recs are greatly appreciated!
Visiting Biltmore Estate - need restaurant suggestions
The Bistro on the Biltmore property is delicious. Its right near the winery. They use fresh produce grown on the estate. Its a great place for lunch, and you dont have to drive off the property. Not trendy, slightly upscale.
What's "the" food where you're from?
That was my reply too....burritos. People outside of SF do not take their burritos half as seriously. Man, I miss me some good burritos (live outside CA now). Even outside SF, into San Leandro, Hayward, etc...you can still get some good ones.
What did you cook today, and was it good?
Saturday night I made fettucini carbonara (Giada-FoodTV recipe). It was delish. Very few ingredients...crisp up 4 slices of bacon and pancetta in a skillet. Let it cool a bit off the heat. Add two cups whipping cream, 1 1/2 cup fresh parm, 6 eggs yolks (I added pinch cayenne). Whisk it up a bit. Then add (fresh) fettucini (cooked for 3 minutes) straight from the water into your sauce. Warm over low-med heat for a few minutes to thicken, but dont overcook the eggs. Salt, pepper...yum.
Need recipe help for soup
I am trying to duplicate a soup I had at work and did not get the recipe for. Cream of Mushroom with Gorgonzola and Filet Mignon. It had little pieces of meat throughout it. It was rich and heavenly and I want to make it. I came across a recipe on the net for the Cream of Mushroom w/ Gorgonzola part...but how/when to add the filet? How to cook the filet first? I thought maybe cooking very small pieces in a skillet first so all sides sear, then adding to the finished soup? Any other ideas out there or does this sound gross to you?
Best sandwich I ever invented
Boars Head maple turkey, sliced cheddar, spicy brown mustard on one side, grilled on sourdough in a skillet with lots of butter. Before the sandwich is done grilling, I sprinkle parm on each side of the bread and crisp it up. Yum. Good tomato is added if available.
ONE fast, smashing, veg, one-bite app please! [Moved from General Topics board]
Recipe posted on this very site...rice crackers with goat cheese topped with edamame. Sounds interesting and easy.
La Table Joel Robuchon?
I have no expectations of La Table...I've never been there. I have no experience with La Table...I've never been there. But thanks for the reply. I have made a reservation and was just hoping to hear from someone who had been there recently and what their meal was like.
