weezy1074's Profile
Barcelona April 17th through 22nd
Thanks very much for the discourse. I am from SF, but am currently living in Dublin, and am very frustrated at the prices charged in restaurants for food/service/quality that just doesn't measure up. Understood, that this is in part, because we were spoilt for choice of restaurants in SF.
Don't get me wrong, I would love to visit a Feran Adria restaurant, but I don't think one needs to spend lots of money to eat well. Part of the challenge of visiting a city like Barcelona is finding good quality restaurants that aren't terribly expensive. Having been to Barcelona a few years ago, I think (hope) this is still the case. I agree fresh/organic/and sustainably farmed ingredients generally will run more than not. I want to eat well and see if I can do so without eating each meal in expensive restaurants. I'll weigh in upon our return. I look forward to trying some of the suggestions and hope to find a gem along the way. Thanks.
Barcelona April 17th through 22nd
Thanks for the feedback and suggestions.
Is lunch at Cafe de L'Academie to be avoided(touristy) or a good place to go? I will try Can Mano - for us, part of the joy of traveling is eating with the locals. We may pass on Fonda Gaig. In Barcelona one can eat so well without spending lots of money (as in our home in SF, CA).
Again, thanks for the suggestions!
Barcelona April 17th through 22nd
thanks! sounds like Los Caracoles is what I want to avoid
Barcelona April 17th through 22nd
We will be in Barcelona for 5 nights (April 17-22) and are hoping for some suggestions.
Tapas, Catalan style restaurants and sushi is what we'd like most. We will also have our 2 intrepid young diners with us - 4 yr old and 18month old, who are very good in restaurants.
When last in Barca we dined in Cinc Sentis and it was fantastic, also had tapas at Bar Pinxo in the market.
Below are a few places I was thinking of...I'd love to hear if we should cross any off our list, and if we should add something to our list. We would prefer not to spend too much, as I don't think we have to do so to eat well in Barcelona. (50 - 60 Euro for two). Wouldn't mind a recommendation for one meal that is more expensive, but only if it's really good.
sushi - Nakashita in El Born
Sant Joan -
Tapac 24
bar pinxto or El Quim
Tickets - any suggestions on how to get in?
Fonda gaig -
Los Caracoles - in Barrio Gothic - should we go or not?
Many thanks!
2 nights in Belfast? where to eat
Absolutely! Any suggestions for a similar type restaurant in Dublin? I can give you my list of them in SF if you go
2 nights in Belfast? where to eat
Thanks very much for your suggestion of trying Ginger Bistro. We were unable to get into Mourne Seafood as well as Made in Belfast. -the only spots either had available were for 5pm on Saturday night. Me thinks it was because of the children, which is disappointing. But, we did get a 9pm table at Ginger Bistro and it was phenomenal! For starters we had scallops with chorizo and black pudding. The chorizo left a tiny pool of juices to swipe the scallops and black pudding through. MMMMM! Dinner was smoked haddock as well as pork belly with a celeraic puree. The pork belly just melted in my mouth, and the haddock was perfectly moist and flakey. For dessert we had the banana tart tatin, the banana was gorgeously carmelized. The entire meal was the most memorable part of our trip to Belfast. We found the staff very knowledgeable and helpful and the restaurant was a cozy respite. The prices were reasonable, especially when compared to Dublin, our new home. When I closed my eyes sitting in Ginger Bistro, I could nearly be in San Francisco.
Unfortunately we hit the St. George's Market at the tail end of Saturday but were pleasantly surprised to find so much Indian food, as well as Mexican and Spanish booths. Ginger Bistro was such a lovely gem, and they didn't mind our children - who slept and watched an ipod. Thank you!
2 nights in Belfast? where to eat
We'll be taking the train into Belfast, arriving Friday evening (3/23) and leaving on Sunday midday. Question I post is where do you suggest as not to miss places? We have 2 small children, who are well behaved. Prefer to not spend too much, or too stuffy an atmosphere. Hole in the wall restaurants are fine. A short cab ride is fine, too far out we'll save for another time.
We eat all kinds of food, I think seafood is meant to be very good....What are Belfast's specialties? We just moved to Dublin, so we'll be back again...
Thanks for any suggestions.
casual dining recommendation for 1 night in Manhattan
We are two adults traveling with 2 children (10 mo and 4) who are very good in restaurants. Looking for a good and casual restaurant for tomorrow night (wed 24th). Something that will be memorable, good but either cheap or not too expensive (less than $150 incl wine).
Spanish/tapas...japanese, thai, indian, fusion. We are open to any cuisine, even good "american fare" wouldn't be bad.
We are staying near Times Square...but don't mind a subway ride or a short cab ride.
Any suggestions welcome. (for what it's worth, we are coming in from San Francisco)
We have a reservation at Txikito. Perhaps we'll just go with that one.
Thanks!
-----
Txikito
240 9th Ave, New York, NY 10001
Restaurant recommendation for smallish group (10 adults + several children)
I am looking for a place to host a group of 10 adults (with 4 small tots) on Thursday August 25th, and am looking to chowhound for some suggestions for restaurants that: 1) be able to accommodate such a group at such short notice 2) will be very good 3) might be able to put us in our own room (not mandatory) 4) needn't be expensive, just good. Cost: mid range $50-$75 / pp (dinner) of course drinks will run us more. We aren't looking for a formal dining experience, merely a place where our Grannies and Aunties can eat with us and we can enjoy the food!
Occasion: 40th birthday party. Coming from SF we can get a good meal without having to spend lots...it's abt a good meal and being together, rather than impressing someone.
Most of the crowd is Indian, so we'd probably stay away from an Indian (or Pakistani rest. for that matter! :)
The area of city...doesn't matter...midtown, East or West Village. (The venue is more important than neighborhood - as long as it is accessible by taxi, subway and/or has valet or nearby parking). Half of the group is coming from SF, the other half lives in the NY surrounds.
NO dietary or cuisine restrictions. The group likes pretty much all cuisines and is international themselves.
Not that it should matter for the restaurant but the little ones: 5yr, 4yr, 10 months and 4 months.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
Getting Rid of ANTS!!!
terro is the best. Living in California the ants always come into the house in the winter. Have tried cinnamon, cayenne powder, cleaning their path with dish detergent, water & vinegar, ant baits (those little brownish plastic boxes) etc. I finally resorted to Terro about 6 months ago after several years of seasonal visits from the little beasts. At first it seems to do the opposite because the ants flock to the liquid, but after several days to a week never saw another...that was 4-6 months ago. I have little children and kept them away from the ants that we saw staggering around after they ate the Terro - the shop that sold it to me said it was safe for kids, but I just didn't want them messing with it.
Napa Valley wineries with picnic areas
Great smallish winery in Dry Creek Valley, not too far from Napa...
Lambert Bridge Winery. Take Dry Creek Road to Lambert Bridge Road,then take a left and the winery is on your right possibly -- 1/2 mil. 4085 W. Dry Creek Road, Healdsburg, CA. They have picnic tables with sun umbrellas. They don't offer food, but might require you buy some wine. Many maps that you could pick up in any visitors center should offer details on wineries (open hours and picnic site etc).
-----
Lambert Bridge
4085 W Dry Creek Rd, Healdsburg, CA
Restaurant recommendation for smallish group
Seems I left out a few details. Date for the dinner: Thursday August 25th.
Little ones: 5yr, 4yr, 10 months and 4 months.
Area of city...doesn't matter...midtown, East or West Village. (venue is more important than neighborhood - as long as it is accessible by taxi, subway or has valet or nearby parking)
Cost: mid range ? $75 / pp (dinner) of course drinks will run us more. It's a 40th birthday party. Coming from SF we can get a good meal without having to spend lots...its more abt a good meal and being together, than impressing someone. Most of the crowd is Indian, so we'd probably stay away from an Indian (or Pakistani rest for that matter! :) restaurant.
Restaurant recommendation for smallish group
I am looking for a place to host a group of 10 adults (with 3 -4 small tots), and am looking for some suggestions for restaurants that 1) be able to accommodate such a group at such short notice 2) could put us in our own room (not mandatory) and will be very good 3) needn't be expensive, just very good.
Half of our group is coming from San Francisco, the rest live on the East Coast.
Thanks for any suggestions!
No dietary or cuisine restrictions. The group likes pretty much all cuisines and is international themselves.
Thanks!
Denise
Gastronomic tour/gastronomic tour guide for Buenos Aires
Does anyone have any suggestions for a gastronomic tour of Buenos Aires or would you recommend someone who could take us around BA on a gastronomic tour? Including (particularly) street food
thanks.
Weezy
Galicia and Northern Portugal
Volcanic ash cloud permitting, we'll be in Galicia and northern Portugal for 5 nights beginning next week. with my husband's parents. We love tapas and seafood and are eagerly looking forward to our trip
Does anyone have any suggestions for places or markets not to miss in the following areas, we'll be staying at Paradores/Pousadas but we're looking for other meal options to have in hand...
Orense/SANTO ESTEVO (LUINTRA) Mon- Tues evening - we thought while here we'd take a tour along the Ribeira Sacra
Braga and the Gerês Wed-Thurs evening
Santiago de Compestela - Fri evening - of course a tour of the cathedral
Any suggestions would be most appreciated!
Thank you!
Absolute Best Risotto You Will EVER Eat: Toasted Pistachio Gorgonzola Dolce
I know this recipe is a really old post...but here goes... Joe H. gave me some great recommendations for a trip to Venice this fall (Il Ridotto!) and I've been thinking about making this risotto since I read this recipe. I have to say, I was slightly intimidated and frightened that if I made it incorrectly I'd be haunted for the next 10 years by the ghost of gorganzola risotto. Nonetheless, I defiantly decided to throw caution to the wind and use what was in the pantry. Don't call me a non believer, I know and appreciate really good food and ingredients. I was inspired to see how good this would be w/ what I had on hand, I did make some shortcuts and in fact made 1/4 portion of the recipe, but it was still really good. Next time I'll make it for guests and will make fewer (or none of) shortcuts. My point is...don't be daunted by it...I was quite happy w/ my versions made with red onions, some other creamy blue (cringe but I think it was a danish blue. I know, I know), and boullion - I know, I know, I was just really desperate for this dish and that is all I had access to. I was quite happy with it...I did have a cold though! Let's just say I can't wait to give the proper recipe a go...
I ponder - have you made it with Roaring 40s Blue?...a gorgeously sweet and creamy blue from some Australian island. It is very dear...and gorgeous to eat off the knife, or with chocolate, or pretty much anything you can possibly think of.
Sydney & Melbourne suggestions
Well spotted, the noodle place in Sydney was Menya Noodle Bar! A lovely gem we stumbled upon.
Er, sorry, Little Creatures in Fitzroy not Little Critters. What a great concept of a restaurant.
Thanks for the feedback, we presumed it was the exchange rate and that we were largely in/around CBD. I'm sorry to hear that Australian food has become v.expensive recently, but I'm glad to see it wasn't just our observation. Certainly we weren't expecting prices to super cheap, but didn't expect them to be so much more than we experience here. I can see why cheap and cheerful is popular, as it should be.
Sydney & Melbourne suggestions
First, thanks to everyone who posted comments to my inquiry!
We had a lovely trip to Australia and have returned home to realize that our fine city (SF) is lacking in really good Asian restaurants, but that being the case, we are really spoiled with great food and dining here is generally great value. Quick note before I describe our dining adventures: our daughter who is 2 years and 2 months, a typical active toddler. I'm including her in my comments where appropriate for any others who are traveling with little tots. Most places we visited were very accommodating, a few were less so, and one tried to gauge us. Favorite places hands down, Mamek, Chat Thai and Spice I am.
I discovered Max Brenner's on my first day. I love chocolate and the warm pot of chocolate was a lovely welcome to Sydney! From there we ventured to Mamak. The wait wasn't too long, perhaps 15 minutes, the line moved quickly. We started with the roti with egg and onions and teh tarik (l'd liken it to an indian chai) and a teh hala (same but with ginger added). We ordered a mee goreng - wok tossed noodles (good) but the chicken (ayam goreng) was absolutely gorgeous! Fried chicken malaysian style with a variety of spices that may have included 5 spice, cinnamon, cardamon, clove and perhaps tamarind. It was a lovely sweet and spicy blend. Nasi lemak- very unusual but very tasty and a wonderful blend of textures in this rice, sambal, peanut, hard boiled egg dish. If anyone can direct me to a recipe that would be similar to Mamek's Ayem Goreng I would be forever indebted to you! (we came full circle and went to Mamak on our last night in Sydney too)
Next, strolling through Kings Cross we had a bite at Wagamama which we thought was pretty good for a relatively large chain style restaurant. Great for kids and great value too,the kids meal (incl drink) was free with an adult (this we later found to be somewhat of an anomaly). They even brought crayons for our daughter.
Chat Thai - Haymarket - started with lamb with sticky rice and sausage and garlic (I reeked the next day but it was worth every moment of it!). Quite tasty. This was the first time I ate a Massaman Curry - this pork curry nearly brought tears of joy to my eyes. It was sweet and spicy, cinnamon-y,coconut-ty and simply sublime. Basil chicken - also very good, not very spicy - once I had the Massaman curry though I was done for and I tried to convince my husband to trade dishes with me. Upon our return to SF I found a close approximation of this dish in the Spirit House cookbook. What luck!
Manly - the rain sent us into the Bower Cafe - where we just had coffee and dessert. Just being an understatement, the dark sticky date pudding was as large as my head and it was everything it should be, sticky and gooey. Yum! The restaurant was appealing, but here is where we began to realize that dining in Australia can be quite expensive, more on that below.
Spice I Am - This was fantastic! Sadly I can't recall what we had, some sort of spicy starter, and something even hotter for dinner. I've never had food that made my entire scalp tingle and perspire. This was amazing and I wish I could remember what I ate.
Zaafron - good Indian food, overpriced (we assumed this would be the case, given it's location). We had 2 delightful entrees, wilted spinach battered with chickpea flower and corn fritters which were perfectly spicy. Mains- reef fish curry and an eggplant with okra and chickpeas. Also very good. The waiter asked if we'd like some chicken kabob for our daughter - perfect!. It was lovely but they charged us $15 for 3 small pieces of chicken on 1 skewer. After we received the check I told the waiter it was very unfair to ask if we'd like something for our daughter and to charge so much for it. He removed the charge but I was (and still am) amazed that they get away with this. I expect to pay for my daughter's meal, but $15 for a tiny side of chicken?
Zilver- Amazing yum cha. We have dim sum here, but it just isn't as good. I can't recall what I ate, that morning was a bit of a blur, many people passing steamed baskets around, lots of good dumplings, mini steamed pork buns. There was a very short wait to get in. We ate so much our bellies hurt but it was all worth it, afterall it was our last full day in Sydney.
1 Alfred - we had a good meal here, can't recall much about it...it was good but not extraordinary. I think we both had fish, salmon and spatchcock.
Icebergs- what a lovely setting! We sat in the bar, had cocktails, oysters and fried polenta, and found it very tasty!
We also discovered a little japanese noodle shop near the pedestrian bridge from Darling Harbour. According to the newspaper clippings in the restaurant it was one of the top 3 noodle restaurants in Sydney. Can't for the life of me remember what it was called it was really tasty - great bowls of noodles. (almost too big but aren't noodle shops supposed to be like that?!)
Blackheath - In the end we opted out of Ashcroft's b/c of the expense and instead ate at The Rooster, in Leura (I think). We were very disappointed. It seemed to cater to tourists, capitalizing on their view. French dining (of sorts) it was overpriced and not very good, they also charged us $12 for a bowl of pasta for our daughter. We'd have been better off to have grabbed a picnic and watched the sunset at an overlook.
Melbourne-
Disappointed in the Victoria Market. It's a huge sprawling market that didn't appear to be much more than a flea market. The food stalls were ok - perhaps we just went to the wrong part of the market.
Movida - delicious and compact tapas. Very well done. This is not tapas in Seville, and it's much more expensive too. We had an exquisite manchego custard in an egg cup with black truffle. Exquisite! I just wish there would have been a little more. Their croquetta (leek and ?cheese) was lovely. We had to have another order! Had another tapa - shrimp pincho with a romanesco salsa. Quite good, again v. small.
Looking for al fresco dining we ended up at Pop. Looked quite touristy but we were pretty happy with our dinner. Entrees: Parsnip soup with bacon and a hazlenut sour cream. Scallops and blood sausage over some kind of green sauce. Yummmy! Kangaroo with a beer berry sauce and a very tasty butternut squash gnocchi with spinach and pesto.
Sichuan House - I'd not rush back here, glad we tried it. Had something with chicken parts with loads of red chilis. I wish I'd read the menu more closely to see that it was chicken parts, the bones were a drag, we should have gotten the "premium chicken". Don't get me wrong, I liked it, and it was hot - but not as hot/flavorful as Spice I am.
Marios for lunch then a late lunch at Little Critters in Fitzroy. Wish we had a place like Little Critters in SF. Gorgeous casual dining. Pizza with feta, chorizo and rocket. The lamb parcels were very very tasty, essentially lamb and a filling wrapped in a spring roll wrapper. mmmmm!
I wish we'd have been able to make it to Coda. Sorry we didn't.
Perhaps it's due in part because the exchange rate (to the US$) is so bad (for US) but we found dining in Australia to be very expensive. For this reason we decided not to have a fine dining experience. Its not that we don't eat out much, because we do. It's just not as dear to eat out, even when we dine at places that source locally, seasonally, etc. For instance, if we ate at Babbo (NYC), prix fix is $70. We found the "fine dining" to be too dear. Rockpool's prix fix was $200. Again, perhaps it's largely due to the weak US $. But I do wonder if Australian's find it expensive to eat out.
Sydney & Melbourne suggestions
Thanks for the thoughtful feedback and all of the additional restaurant suggestions! I'll check out Vulcan's in Blackheath - although I was told they were closed until March for Summer. (?)
Melbourne Dec 19 - 22. Sounds like we're gonna see plenty of drunk suits.
I'm very much looking forward to the Sichuan house (dainty) in Melbourne. As much as we love the upscale restaurants, we're equally big fans of the cheap and cheerful restaurants to, so I'm sure we'll be grand and love it. We'll feed our daughter before we go so as not to blow her away w/ the chili.
By the sounds of it Icebergs is a drink/snack spot and either/or Sean's and Rockpool should be added to the "not to be missed!" list.
We'll also definitely check out the dumplings at Din Tai Fun and we'll add Coda to the list. Yum!
Of course we'll "happen" into places, but it's good to have something to start with!
Feedback after we return home... in late Dec!
Sydney & Melbourne suggestions
My husband and I are going to be in Australia from Dec12-Dec28 with our 2 year old. We'll be in Sydney for close to a week (7 nights) , Melbourne for 3 nights, and the Blue Mountains (staying in Blackheath) 2 nights. Should bother going to the places I have picked (largely based on previous chowhound postings - some outdated?). We would like to have one or two stunner places - excellent food with views and excellent service that won't be put off by our daughter (who is well behaved and has been to many top restaurants). It seems we can also find great food that isn't over the top expensive - holes in the wall are fine, as long as they are good! Do most places not take reservations? It seems as if many of the "ordinary" places don't. We love Asian fusion, Indian cuisine, spicy food and fish - we love food and are always eager to have new dining experiences.
Any places we should go for the views and drinks/snacks rather than dinner (ie Seans, Rockpool or Icebergs) Any places recommended for breakfast? Thanks!
Please let me know if we should avoid any of the places we've selected and if we should add any others.
When in Sydney we'll be staying largely near Darling Harbor and in Melbourne near Flinders Lane - (for what it's worth)
-Sydney-
Chat Thai
Spice I am
Mamak
Zilver
Bodega (this is just if we are dying for tapas - I recognize that Australia on the whole isn't known for it's Spanish influence)
Kushiyaki Azuma
Mongers
Icebergs
Sean's Panorama
Rockpool (I thought we should go to the one in Sydney since we have so few nights in Melbourne)
drinks: Gin Club
-Blackheath-
Ashcroft's
-Melbourne-
Sichuan House
drinks at Rooftop Cinema bar
Half Moon
Rumi
Honeymoon in Italy in Sept: need recs & feedback, please!
In Lucca you must rent bicycles and ride along the wall and visit Restaurant Gigli! Sit outside if its warm enough!
"Food guide" in Bologna?
Thanks for the offer and the tip on the festival with local street food. We might check it out!
Budapest recommendation authentic hungarian food
Thanks for your detailed explanations. I understand I might have asked for the impossible. I've heard about Csalagany 26 and will definitely check it out. All of your information will help us decide where to dine. No doubt we'll be well informed and well fed.
Budapest recommendation authentic hungarian food
Thank you for your recommendations and descriptions. We'll check them out.
Budapest - anyone recommend a "food guide" to show us the sights of the city
Any special food markets, great places (restaurants, holes in the wall or otherwise, etc) that aren't to be missed. Any recommendations would be most appreciated. We'll be there at the end of September/First of October.
Budapest recommendation authentic hungarian food
We'll be in Budapest for 3 nights.
I'm looking for recommendations for authentic hungarian food --I don't mind if it's a hole in the wall or quite the opposite - I want to stay away from 1) places that are full of tourists and tourist fare food 2)overpriced and catering just for the western tourists.
Trip planning: Bologna and Venice in late September
thank you for your suggestions. I know I'll not want to leave Bologna!
Trip planning: Bologna and Venice in late September
Many thanks though I am there for only 2 days I will try to get into both restaurants you write about! (and will also give your risotto a try when I return home!)
"Food guide" in Bologna?
Has anyone hired a person to take you around and show you the "food sights" of Bologna? It needn't be gourmet, we're looking for good food while in Bologna in September.
