ceekskat's Profile
3 days in SF, non-fine dining experiences needed for this weekend
"Not fine dining" - is casual upscale okay? If so, SF has very good Italian in Perbacco, Barbacco & Cotogna. First two have bar seating & last one I think saves half restaurant for walk-ins. Given the quality of food & service, Perbacco, is one of the best value restaurants in SF.
Also, keep seeing recs for Z&Y...
http://www.zandyrestaurant.com/en/
BTW, what did you like on your previous visits?
Southwest Staple if green chili-medium heat? Where?
http://www.thefind.com/search?query=hatch+green+chile
Looks like you can try Amazon or Wal*Mart.
Pardon if this is played out here: Spring 2012 update on French Laundry?
I noticed same week reservations were easier to come by in January & February on Opentable.
wedding gift for vegetarians?
Slanted Door at the Ferry Building
DOSA on Fillmore - Hip upscale South Indian with great drinks.
Gitane, located in Union Square, would be great for honeymooners (sexy atmosphere, awesome drinks) but you would definitely have to be interested in seafood since menu is very limiting for vegetarians.
http://gitanerestaurant.com/
But you'll love it the way I cook it!
I had the best brussel sprouts a few years ago at Osteria Mozza in L.A. It too was served as individual leaves (roasted or fried? Nicely crisp around edges). It came as a side but whole family including two kids would gladly have eaten more.
But you'll love it the way I cook it!
I was thinking similarly after reading that post..."but have you had it in Indian cuisine?" Thanks for starting this thread.
Following are vegetables I prefer with Indian cooking
Spinach - with dhal, Saag paneer (sans paneer for me :)
Okra - never slimy: sliced small & stir fried with onions & spices, sliced small & deep fried/chips -
Chayote squash - raita but with just enough yogurt to coat the cubed, cooked, salted chayote & seasoned with standard S.Indian spices. Even some Indians are unfamiliar with this prep.
Beets- http://www.spicytasty.com/veggie-entrees-sides/beetroot-poriyalcurry/ - I prefer to more than soft, almost roasted.
eggplant - http://www.tarladalal.com/Bagara-Baingan-13142r
Banana flower (someone had mentioned this) -
Vadai (similar to falafel) http://spicy-curry.blogspot.com/2007/11/valai-poo-vadai.html
http://priyaeasyntastyrecipes.blogspot.com/2009/09/vazhaipoobanana-blossom-kootu.html
Bitter melon - http://indian.food.com/recipe/karela-bitter-melon-or-gourd-55817 - but without the potatoes
Mint coming out my ears!!!!
You can make chutney & use it as a spread for sandwiches (grind mint, bit of water, garlic, green chili, salt & lemon juice to taste- sometimes use few walnuts or peanuts to give consistency)
Also, my family loves this salad...
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/jicama-and-watermelon-salad-recipe/index.html
Ideas for kid-friendly Monday lunch options in South Bay?
"(they love Korean, Afghan, Japanese, and Indian food, but I'd prefer something different since we get those all the time close to home)"...
Ideas for kid-friendly Monday lunch options in South Bay?
Just 10 min south on 880, you can go to Santana Row which has a variety of eats. Your kids will probably enjoy Pizza Antica which has sidewalk seating (great for people watching). Also just off 880 but on other side is Falafel Drive In, a very casual place with covered, outdoor seating (some seats indoors). Great falafel & banana milkshakes. Line can get long at peak time around 12:15/12:30 but Mondays may not be as bad.
Great places to eat in Campbell/Los Gatos
Friend of mine recently went to Nick's on Main in Los Gatos for lunch & was pleasantly surprised by the good food. I haven't been but menu looks good & seems to be reasonably priced. Knowing my friend, she probably had seafood.
I call it a graduation garden party, kids call it a kegger...
Good idea. Chips, guac & salsa are always a hit around here!
Which Two Cuisines for the Rest of your Life?
Indian & Italian. Since I'm allergic to shellfish, it makes it a *little* easier to discard the Asian cuisines. Would really miss the hamburger but will be happy with a lamb burger :)
best taquerias in Sunnyvale/ Mountain View area
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/838384
How awful/decent is John's Grill in Union Square?
Wow. Just looked at the website, looks like they close May 28th.
How awful/decent is John's Grill in Union Square?
Are you thinking of John's Grill for a work lunch?
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/847549
If so, may be E&O, Grand Cafe or Amber (upscale Indian buffet).
Okay to leave quiche out tonight?
I did, I did! Quiche seemed to be crisp/crusty the next day...hope the faculty enjoyed it! I appreciated that the mom who was helping at the luncheon put mine out first vs. the store bought ones :)
Best child friendly dinner?
Perbacco has great food in a lively atmosphere and you can take children there on the early side. Slanted door has good food, bustling atmosphere & could be fun for kids as it is located in the Ferry Bldg...can see boats, bridge, etc.
Fresh local (maybe organic?) restaurants in Sunnyvale/ Mountain View area
Just saw this...no haven't tried them. However, I did walk into Asian Box recently fully intending to get lunch, but became apprehensive when I saw the small kitchen, limited menu & use of shrimp. I am highly allergic to shellfish and don't recall seeing anyone use gloves. Perhaps I was being paranoid as I have eaten from Baja Fresh (small kitchen, etc.) and various Asian restaurants but actually seeing the kitchen just kind of shook me. I'll probably come around...
Okay to leave quiche out tonight?
Thanks for the quick responses! I will definitely refrigerate & reheat as jeanmarie suggested. Researching here, read that I can brush some egg on crust when pre-baking so that it won't get soggy later??
Okay to leave quiche out tonight?
Time for another school luncheon tomorrow. Making a mushroom quiche this evening; needs to be at school by 10:15/10:30 a.m. Have not reheated a whole quiche before; therefore, unsure if crust will be soggy. Also concerned how long it will take to reheat & whether edges will burn (put foil?).
My guess is to refrigerate.
Authentic SF Group Dinner - Financial Dist or North Beach?
Second the rec for Gitane & also try Slanted Door. Haven't been, but read here Z&Y (sichuan) is good.
http://www.zandyrestaurant.com/en/
Mother's Day Brunch?
I had already checked Cotogna for myself; unfortunately, they don't serve brunch on Sundays :(
Mother's Day Brunch?
Don't know how many are in your group but take a look at Opentable. SPQR, Serpentine come to mind. For something different, there's DOSA.
Chennai, India - Chettinad Lunch at the Raintree, Taj Connemara
What is that refreshing looking drink? My favorite has always been a sweet lime soda. BTW, I keep hearing the pizza at Park Hotel is great. Supposedly thin crust & guessing not as cheesy as here in the States. Just an fyi in case you get a craving for something totally different.
Four dinners in Carmel/Monterey area
We had a great dinner at charming La Bicyclette a few months ago. We enjoyed the lamb & the filet prix fixe & felt it was a good value. Also loved the lentil curry soup presented in a copper sauce pan (?).
Best Vegetarian products:
Were you only looking for meat substitute product recs? I am not a vegetarian so am not familiar with those products. Other than that...
Trader Joe's mushroom ravioli (in refrigerated section, not frozen w/ truffle sauce which I haven't tried). My girls love it when I saute in brown butter w/ sage. Also, TJ's potato masala burger & mac & cheese.
Costco's frozen spinach and cheese raviolis work great for busy moms.
Also, I do enjoy certain frozen foods from Deep brands available at the Indian grocer. My favorite are the cocktail size potato samosas.
Vegetarian Comfort Foods
My family loves this enchilada casserole. You can easily make it vegetarian as I have with poblano (lots), mushrooms, zucchini, etc. BTW, I use spicy pepper jack instead of the cheeses listed. I've used fresh salsa verde from latino market as well as doctored canned ones and dish is equally good.
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Stacked-Chicken-Enchiladas-with-Salsa-Verde-and-Cheese-238505
I also cook a lot of Indian food & there are many varieties of rice dishes one could try. One of the best known Indian comfort foods is Pongal/Kichidi. Here's one recipe if you want to try...of course, the more ghee (clarified butter) you use, the tastier :)
http://cooks-hideout.blogspot.com/2011/11/ven-pongal-gosthu.html
Last but not least, Madhur Jaffrey's vegetarian cook books are great to have around.
Need to find a decent buffet for large gathering
If you are open to other cuisines, upscale Amber India SF has a weekend buffet for $20.
Lafitte Question
No longer in business...
http://sf.eater.com/archives/2012/04/17/lafitte_shutter.php
Itinerary for our honeymoon in SF/Napa. Thoughts?
Wineries you have listed are good but some of them charge hefty tasting fees. For a cab/red lover, I highly recommend Neal Family Vineyards on Howell Mountain (free tasting unless last minute appointment change). Nice setting & beautiful, well priced wines.
We also really enjoyed Keenan Winery on our last visit to Napa. Located in Spring Mountain, they offer a variety of reds in a laid back, rustic setting. Tasting fee refunded with purchase of bottle or two (quite a bit of variety in tasting too).
Perhaps pick a few wineries for nice tour/setting & throw in some with just great tastings? You can also share tastings at the latter ones.
Also, not far from your hotel is Elyse Winery. Small & unpretentious, this would make for a nice stop on your bike ride.
Lastly, we also enjoy Darioush wines but the visit does feel commercial.
