porkchop's Profile
Should I buy a Prime Rib from.. [Moved from Calif board]
I've bought prime rib from both a meat market and supermarket. Based upon my experiences, the advantages a butcher shop would have over Ralph's is they can cut the specific number of ribs you like, sometimes from the best end, and they cut the meat from the chine and tie it back on (which s what you want because it makes it easier to cut when time to serve.) Also, I've heard (I emphasize HEARD, not know) that some supermarkets inject roasts with water, which will add weight, though I believe Ralph's is pretty reputable. Marinades only penetrate to around 1/4" into the meat, so he's not offering much.
Bottom line, to me anyway, is more in how you cook it. You said you've never purchased one before, but have you ever cooked one before? That's going to be the tricky part, and there are numerous recipes and tips on how to do it. They're easy to do, which means they're easy to screw up. I do recommend you use a meat thermometer with a wired probe. That way you can leave it in whatever you cook it in (I roast mine on a barbecue) while monitoring the internal temperature. I've done several and only screwed up twice; one because my fathers thermometer was not working properly (it came out a little overdone), and one because the battery died in my thermometer in the middle of roasting (that came out a little too rare.)
Good luck.
Giuseppe Gallo's - Fresno
We just got back. I'd heard a lot of good things from a co-worker, so was looking forward to dinner. Unfortunately what we had did not live up to the hype. First up, if you are going to order the Gallo Chips appetizer, be hungry. It was good, but it was almost a garlic cheese pizza unto itself, just cut into diamond shapes instead of wedges. But it was good. They serve roasted garlic in olive oil with the bread, and though good, I could hardly taste the garlic.
My wife ordered the Chicken Oscar with the clam chowder, and I had the Sea Bass with the garden salad with house dressing. I loved the chowder; lots of flavors (which is why the wife didn't; too busy.) The salad was also very good. It was the dinner that failed to impress. Both dishes were literally covered by their respective sauces to the point we could hardly taste anything but sauce. So much so, that neither could see what the sauce was covering; both completely covered. Crab (from the chicken) and basil (from the sea bass) can be overpowering flavors and should not be heavily used (unless to cover up an overcooked sea bass, but I'll never know on that point.) Was it ok? Yeah. Could I have gotten my hopes up too much? Maybe. Will we try again later when they hit their stride? Most definitely. There's still a lot on the menu to try. Which could also be a problem if it's too ambitious. That's a lot for a chef to keep track of.
They're still new, so I'll chalk it up to getting their logistics down. Just my opinion.
What to do with these left over :6oz steak and 4 chicken wings,
If you're too uncertain of the microwave (which can destroy food), or reheating in the oven, try putting them in a strong ziplock freezer bag and place it in simmering water for several minutes. They should heat without cooking any further.
Phil's Fish Market. Is it worth a trip?
I've been to Phil's several times. In my opinion, their Cioppino is some of the best I've had. I get a sense of a spicy peppery flavor that goes great with the broth that I can't recall tasting in other Cioppino's. You can also buy some to go (I would recommend the small bucket; trust me.) Caution though, parking is a nightmare. Their lot is small, so you may have to park along the road and walk down. If there's a long line inside to order, don't let it discourage you; it moves pretty fast.
Restaurant recommendations for Monterey, CA?
I have two suggestions, but they'll take you completely out of Monterey and across the bay to Moss Landing: The Whole Enchilada (http://www.wenchilada.com/wenchilada/whole-frame.htm), and Phil's Fish Market (http://www.philsfishmarket.com/) No show, just good food. Phil's does get crowded, though.
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Whole Enchilada
Highway 1 Moss Landing Rd, Moss Landing, CA 95039
Recommendations for Dinner in San Jose- 8 people
I've only been to two places in San Jose, but you could try Original Joe's. I enjoyed it.
Looking for casual non-chain restaurant near Bulldog Stadium --- Fresno
Non-chain within walking distance of Bulldog Stadium. That's a pretty tall order. I can only think of maybe two; Sushi and Pop, which I have not been to for a while and gets mixed reviews, and Fajita Fiesta, which I'm not sure if it's a local chain or not.
Porkchop
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Fajita Fiesta
1540 E Nees Ave, Fresno, CA 93720
Wining and Dining in Amador County
It's been a while since I was in Jackson, but both Buscaglia's and Theresa's were very good.
Dinner In/Around Monteray
THAT's the place I was thinking of. I wasn't hungry when I went in, but it was impressive and the food looked great.
Salinas Dining Recommendations
If it's a place to take a kid to have fun; Dennis the Menace Park in Monterey
Dinner In/Around Monteray
If you run out of places in Monterey, I'd recommend driving up 1 to Moss Landing and try The Whole Enchilada. It's Mexican style seafood. Also there's a fish market there I cannot remember the name of that has a restaurant that always seems packed.
Salinas Dining Recommendations
I like Salinas Valley Fishhouse. I think the food is good and reasonably priced. As far as fun place to take a kid, I presume you mean to eat?
Cedar House curiosity
Has anyone tried the Cedar House on 156 just past the Casa de Fruita? I know previous owners had trouble getting business when it was the Sugar Plum, but Cedar House seems to always have customers. I always thought that would be a tough one to work due to the popularity and more attraction oriented Casa.
Fresno's best Restaurants for Fish
You could try Pacific Seafood at Herndon and First.
Piazz del Pane, Fresno
I haven't been to the one on Palm, but I have tried the one on N. Cedar. Not a bad place, foods pretty good. I'm unsure if it's a chain, though; I think I've seen them in other cities. It's not some place I'd go out of my way to, but if i"m nearby I'd stop in.
Jackson California
It's been about 5 years, but the two best places I found in Jackson are Buscaglia's, and Theresas; both conveniently located across the street from each other. Avoid the Bonanza.
The Claim Jumper, are all chains like this???
I think that's one of the dangers surrounding chains; you go there expecting something you're used to from local places made by people who probably grew up learning to make it. It doesn't cross over. When I go out of town, I rarely eat at chains. I always ask for a nice local place because those are the people who righteously care about what they make. You can't grow up on the "real deal" and then go to a chain where the recipes are set in stone and made by someone who probably never heard of it before working there. Claim Jumper actually has some good things. I've just learned what not to order in chains and don't get your expectations too high.
Where does a foodie eat in Fresno?
I'm not sure about where to get tapas, but if you like Mexican food, I would have tried the downtown Toledo's since it's near the Met.
Heading to Monterey/Carmel from SF on Rt 1
It's been a while, but last I was there "The Whole Enchilada" in Moss Landing was pretty good. It's right on Highway 1.
http://www.wenchilada.com/
Cooking Classes in CA
I've done classes here a few times. They're usually kept to a small group, and I've enjoyed everyone I've been to.
http://www.culinarycenterofmonterey.com/
Make your own lemonade
One thing I noticed last time I made lemonade is the added layer of flavor I get from keeping a cleaned and dried used vanilla bean in my sugar jar.
Panko Crusted chicken breast - not crispy :(
I tried it once with regular pankow crumbs and it did not brown; so I don't think pankows brown in the oven. If I'm making oven fried chicken I'll use regular bread crumbs, but if I'm going to fry them, definately use pankow. They not only brown perfectly in a skillet, but if you have leftovers, they'll do well reheated in a toaster oven.
Batali got the boot (from FN)
Please excuse my sloppy typing. It's difficult to see the keyboard with all the blood oozing from my computer. Amazing how this started off as Batali leaving FN and took on a whole life of its own. Yes FN is taking a different direction; all networks do after as many years. I used to watch it religiously, but that dwindled over the years, not because my favorite chefs left, but because I lost interest in what they were doing. They became caricatures of themselves. I used to love "Emeril Live" for ideas, and would always find something from his show to do. I can't remember the last time I saw it, and once I saw Deen got her own live show, knew his days were numbered. That doesn't mean FN is getting rid of him; with all he has going he may want to leave. As far as Deen goes, she's a character with her own restaurant. Hey that seemed to qualify everyone else in FN's early years. However, for the record, whenever I hear her voice or laugh, it makes me want to tear my head off and throw it at the TV. So I just don't watch her. I don't think Sandra Lee tried to pass herself off as a chef; from what I've seen she just takes things that would be a chore to do from scratch, and shows acceptable shortcuts. Not everyone enjoys spending a lot of time in the kitchen just to say look what I did from scratch (I love it, myself, but I'm wierd). Giada does what she does, and she seems to do it well, even if she is uncomfortable in front of a camera. I have noticed that when her ratings drop, so does her neckline (hey, what can I say. I'm a guy). It has nothing to do with her competency in the kitchen. Unlike many here, I don't hate Bourdain (he's not even on FN - so who cares); I rarely watch his show, but he seems fairly likeable. I'm just uncomfortable with a heroin addict making my dinner. So what if he doesn't cook anymore. Lots of chefs who graduate academy's and worked or had restaurants lose interest. It's a tough life, I know many people who've done it and had the same. Rachel Ray's just annoying.
That's all just my opinion, I agree. But I also agree with many here who say if FN keeps on its present course I'll probably tune it out altogether (I still love "Good Eats", but my interest in that is even waning). I do find it interesting, however, that one of the best food shows I ever saw was not on Food Network, it was on the History Channel. How FN missed "American Eats" is inexcusable.
Pastrami in Fresno
The sad fact is I would sell you all into slavery for the perfect pastrami sandwich or even the perfect pastrami recipe. (yes, I've tried making my own which, though it made my wife jealous because I paid more attention to it than her - wives just don't appreciate good pastrami- it just wasn't there). Havn't tried Sam's, so now I have to. I have always likes the ones at the Silver Dollar, I've been told the best was at Max's Bistro. I did try it, but, alas, still not there. I think the best Pastrami I had was over 20 years ago at a place in Salinas called "Mr. Big Lou's", which not there anymoer, either. So you're all safe...for now.
Trader Joe's olive oils [Moved from General Topics board]
Accused by friends and family of often being a food snob (I'm not a snob, just overly particular), if it doesn't say 'Estate bottled" I don't buy it. But I'm fortunate enough to live about 3 miles from a place that grows and makes their own, so I can get it relatively fresh. Go by what you like best. One way I learned from an old chef is to put a little in your hands, quckly rub them together, and quickly sniff your hands. The more intense the olive smell the better.
Mother's or Grandmother's treasured passed down recipe....
My grandmother had the same recipe for Ritz Mock Apple Pie. I even made it a few times. I thought she was just being the clever farm wife she was. Imagine my disappointment when I found they still print the recipe on Ritz boxes. (but it is a good pie)
Dinner in Jackson/Sutter Creek Area
I second Teresa's, and would also recommend Buscaglia's, right across the street. I would also recommend Susan's Place in Sutter Creek.
Sutter Creek and Environs
I've been to both Susan's Place and Via d'Oro, as well as a couple other places in Sutter Creek. Susan's Place is bar far the better. Also, if you want to go a little further south into Jackson, I would definately recommend "Buscaglia's" and "Theresa's" (right across the street from each other).
Sutter Creek pre-concert dinner
If it's still there, I recommend Susan's Place in Sutter Creek.
Looking for good Fresno restaurants
Depends what you're looking for and where you're going to be.
If you're looking for more upscale places, I'd recommend places like Campagnia's or La Paella on the north end or Upstairs-Downtown in the downtown area. If you like Basque, there's the Shepherd's Inn also downtown. If you want medium priced Italian, I'd recommend Il Vesuvio (it's been a while since I've been to La Gondola, so I don't know if I should recommend it or not), and Telio's, though I've heard mixed reviews of it lately. If you want Mexican food, two sit-down places I have no problem recommending are Toledo's or Plaza Ventana. There are also a number of Armenian, Indian, and Mediterranean places. There are also a few local chains throughout the city.
