rtmonty's Profile
Duke's Mayonnaise - where to find it in the Bay Area?
We moved from Alameda to Amelia Island Florida. Duke's is on the shelf at Publix and having used both Hellman's and Duke's, we are solidly in the Duke's corner today. The "sandwich spread" is new around here and I assume it's much like Miracle Whip. No big deal, not going to buy it, sticking with the mayo. Think it is truly southern.
rm
Napa Recommendations
Sinskey is wonderful, beautiful wines, great tasting. Head just a little bit further north on the Silverado Trail and hit Cliff Lede, it's at the Trail an the Yountville crossroad. A stunning winery with outstanding wines, great people and a beautiful patio to relax on while tasting their wines. They do mostly reds that are outstanding but also have one of the best sauv. blancs in the valley. It's been one of out favorites for many years.
rtm
Ed Hardy wines? Christian Audigier's branding machine grinds on
I work at a small boutique wine shop on Amelia Island in Florida. We carry the Ed Hardy Rose'. Actually, it's not a bad rose' at all, crisp, dry, drinkable. However, I would say 80% of all bottles we sell are simply because it's "Ed Hardy" and has that label. I'm guessing most of that wine will never be opened. I've had people who've never even drank wine buy a bottle. A guy the other day was wearing Ed Hardy sneakers and just HAD to have a bottle of it.
Gas Cooktops: Suggestions?
When building our new home, I decided on the Kitchenaid 5 burner cooktop and have not regretted the choice. The large burner puts out plenty of BTU's to do just about anything you want. As you mentioned, the scratch resistant coating DOES work. The cooktop has been in operation for almost 2 years now with zero problems. BTW, we don't have natural gas on the island we live on but propane works just fine and was an easy conversion.
We purchased all of our appliances from US Appliance on line and got great deals. No sales tax and free shipping at the time we bought.
conversion of gas to LP
Don't know what you mean by "reducing BTU efficiency." Actually propane burns somewhat hotter than NG. I converted my cooktop to propane and it's done just outstanding. Had to replace the jets in the burners and the regulator, very easy conversion.
Seared Scallops in New Lodge Cast Iron Skillet
When we got ours I used it to cook bacon, fry chicken and fish, make some burgers. All were fairly greasy and the skillet has been perfect ever since. They may be "pre-seasoned" but they can use just a little bit of help to become perfect.
Slow Cooker - Consumer Reports Ratings
I recently purchased the Rival SCVI600B VersaWare 6 qt. Crock Pot and it's been a dandy. Do carnitas, pulled pork plus the usual stews, pot roast, etc. The liner is removable and can be used to brown the meat on the stove top. Automatically goes to warm once the cooking time is done. It was highly recommended by Bon Apetite. The link below should show you the picture plus the price at Amazon is very good.
http://www.amazon.com/Rival-SCVI600B-SS-Crock-Pot-6-Quart-VersaWare/dp/B000MSUP7I/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1231165034&sr=1-3
What do you make for breakfast on Christmas morning?
Always eggs benedict, has been a tradition for years. There's always plenty of hot coffee to go with although sometime mimosas aren't bad.
My proposed list of dining spots
Both Luella and 1550 Hyde were a couple of our most favorite places when we lived there. The ricotta fritters with honey dipping sauce for dessert at Luella were to die for, I hope they haven't taken them off the menu. I would say of the two, Luella tends to be the more quiet of the two, very understated, great food, good but small wine list.
The Slanted Door in the Ferry Building is fine, good views, fine food. However, it's almost always a zoo, certainly has a fairly high noise level.
Have a great stay.
Redd or Martini House? Or other places for December?
We were in the valley last week and had a wonderful dinner at Ad Hoc. It was "the" Monday night so fried chicken was being served and it was outstanding. In fact, Thomas Keller was there that night. Dinner is served family style, bowl of salad, platter of chicken, a great cheese plate and then dessert, all for $45/person, a real bargain we felt. Ad Hoc, in case you don't know, is in Yountville.
Napa-Moderate & Casual
We had dinner at Ad Hoc last Monday night. Thomas was there and it was "fried chicken" night. I couldn't have ask for a better dinner, was wonderful. If you happen to hit it on fried chicken night take a bottle of bubbly, it worked great with the chicken.
rm
Fish & Farm
Coming to the city next week and have reservations a the above spot. Moved away a year ago ago and this is something new that we thought we'd try. Question??? Should we go there or head to someplace else??? Lived there for 8 years and just love new places but not BAD new places.
Thanks for the help. A previous Bay Area Chowhound.
Raw Oysters
Where would be the best restaurant in the city to have some oysters on the half shell? Need a place with a really good raw bar.
Thanks for the help.
Willamette Valley Wineries
I would certainly second Four Graces. I buy wine for a small speciality shop in NE Florida and this is one of our top sellers, both the Pinot Noir and their Pinot Gris. Very high quality, consistent and affordable. Family owned and run, biodynamicly farmed and the Four Graces are their 4 daughters. Great story, very good wine.
Please help me narrow down my Napa wine tasting options
Some of our favorites are Cliff Lede, a beautiful tasting room with outstanding wines, both still and bubbly. Miner Family has a great view, sits high on a hill, and has a very tasty portfolio of wines to taste plus are very friendly. You have Frogs Leap on you list and thats a great place, believe you need an appointment but good wines and a very interesting winery. Another great winery in the same area is Robert Sinskey. Outstanding pinots all geared towards being enjoyed with food. Very pretty tasting room with again, a very friendly staff.
I'd stay away from Mondovi, Beringer, both are always crowded. Both Domaines you listed have sparkling wines for the most part as is Mumm. Del Dotto is a half day experience almost, interesting but it's long and you get to taste a ton of wine, so much so you can get a little buzz on.
If you want to go north, Frank Family is lovely, a very old winery but with excellent wines. In the same area is August Briggs, super wines, friendly staff.
Have a great time.
Starting Early
We moved from SF last July after living there for 8 1/2 years. Coming back for 3 days in Sept so thought I'd get an early start. I know there are two new Kuelto places on the Embarkadaro, Waterbar I believe and Epic Steakhouse. Any comments on those. I know before we left they were suppose to be the new up and coming places. The steak place I saw had about 4 stars while the fish place only 2.
OK, noticed that Myth was purchased by Ron Siegle or thought I read that. I then have noticed on this board that it's closed. Any news in that area? We follow Siegle from Charles Nob Hill to Mesa's and then the Dining Room and love his creations.
Just looking for the new spots that are really good, don't need any Mina's or Danko's or the like. Have eaten at Ame and loved that. Will for sure have lunch at the Tadich one day if not two.
So, let me know folks. Really miss the dining scene since where we are isn't anything like it. Still, we'll be having dinner at the Ritz-Carlton tonight overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, wife's birthday.
Plan on eating at Ad Hoc in Yountville a bit later in the trip. Have read pretty much outstanding reviews. We'll be there on Monday night and will be keeping our fingers crossed that's it's a fried chicken Monday.
Thanks in advance for all the help.
what roses are you drinking?
Find some Avondale Rose of Cabernet from S. Africa. It's lovely and very affordable.
Amelia Island: 29 South, Beech St, Bonito, Moon River, Kofe Hous
Salt is outstanding, had my birthday dinner there in Feb and we will be returning in two weeks for my wife's birthday dinner. We live on Amelia Island and are therefore very familiar with most of the restaurants. We moved here from San Francisco so are use to great food and Salt really didn't disappoint.
Moon River has really good pizza but the best of the island is at Arte Pizza on 3rd St in downtown Fernandina Beach. They have a wood fired oven and do outstanding thin crust pizza.
Other good places to dine are La Bodega, Espana and Brett's. A new place, Thyme, is very good, neat bar, piano player Tuesday-Saturday and pretty views of the intercoastal and the marsh. It's upscale Italian.
Amelia is a lovely place, come and have a great time.
Asko Dishwashers
When we remodeled our kitchen in Alameda we chose an Asko dishwasher. When we moved it had been there 8 1/2 years and had never been touched by a repairman. It was very quiet, cleaned extremely well and, as stated, was totally problem free. When we built our new home here that was the first appliance I ordered.
One Market
When we lived there this place was kind of up and down. But, our last couple of visits before we moved it was very much on the up side. It's a great venue, lovely views, a good wait staff for the most part and a good wine list. Looking forward to our next visit to SF as One Market will certainly be on the list of places to revisit.
Chilled cabernet??
If your reds are sitting out at your inside room temp (probably around 75 in most homes) a good rule of thumb is to put it into the fridge for 20 prior to serving. That will bring it to the more "true" room temp that is mentioned in other posts. I also like to use the same rule with whites that you keep in the fridge, remove them 20 minutes prior to serving them.
New Kitchen: KitchenAid vs. Jennair
We just recently finished our new home on Amelia Island in Florida. It was a builders home that we bought about half complete so I was able to do the entire kitchen including cabinets and appliances.
I chose the KitchenAid 36" 5 burner gas cooktop and have been very happy with it. No problems, works great. Since it sits on a island I went with the KitchAid 36" downdraft vent. It goes up and down at the push of a button and works very well, probably not as efficient as an overhead hood but it's fine.
As far as double ovens, I went with the top of the line Fridgedare ovens. Both are convection and self cleaning. Again, zero problems. They look great and work great. Also went went with the top of the line Fridgedare dishwasher. Looks great and works super.
As far as a fridge, we bought the Kenmore Elite side by side 27 cu. ft. Has a great icemaker
All appliances except the fridge were purchased from USApplicance. They shipped for free and charged no sales tax plus were the least expensive I could find. The fridge was purchased from our local Sears guy who delivered and installed it.
So, hope that helps out. Any questions, let me know.
Gas Grill Recommendations?
I purchased the Weber Genesis at Home Depot last year and around $599 and couldn't be happier with it. Didn't get the SS model as I didn't feel that it added all that much for the additional dollars. BTW, it was fully assembled, be sure to let them do that.
Cabernet Franc, old world and new world
Lange and Reed cab franc from Napa is outstanding. The cab franc from Page is also wonderful.
Whether/why use electric skillet
Like many who were married years ago, we got one as a wedding present. It's still with us and still gets used. While we have several very nice cast iron skillets, when it comes to frying chicken my wife always gets out the electric skillet. And believe me, her fried chicken is famous. That's actually about all it every gets used for. It's old, looks old, missing the knob of the lid, but it still works great.
Food Processor - what size, what brand?
I've had two Cuisinart processors in the past 20+ years. I actually got a new one several years ago simply because I wanted a larger processor. I have never had a problem with either one. Don't know what would make the bowl lid difficult to remove, that's never happened. The stopper (if you're talking about the small tube that comes out) doesn't have to be in the feed tube to use it. No comment on customer service as like I said, there's never been a problem.
Mine is white, it works fine, didn't need anything fancier. I don't know what I would do for pie dough without it, there's no easier way to make a great crust for pies or tarts. Also makes great cheesecake batter.
Good luck.
Cutting board clean up, again
BTW, for those interested in a Boos cutting board, give http://www.cutleryandmore.com/ a try, a lot cheaper than the Boos web site. Just got a great Boos board there, 24 x 18 x 1 1/2 and saved dollars plus they shipped for FREE!!
Sonoma and Napa Winery Clubs
The Sinskey suggestion is outstanding. We were members for 8 years and were never disappointed. Still a member of Artesa, the summer BBQ is the best in the valley. Cliff Lede is another we are still a member of and just think it's outstanding. Miner Family is great, you can't miss with a membership there.
I must confess, we recently moved from the bay area to northern Florida, Amelia Island to be exact. Before moving we were in 11 wine clubs. It was fine since for the most part we were able to pick up our shipments at the wineries. However, since we moved shipping is involved so we dropped all but two, Artesa and Lede.
The member events at both of these are outstanding. Sinskey has food pairings at the tasting room every Saturday plus recipes with their shipments. We loved this membership, just had to make a decision on what to keep. If we were still there, Sinskey would be a no brainer.
Good luck.
