alfairfax's Profile
what happened to unread posts?
I have checked in several times to my bookmarked link to unread posts. The list is blank indicating that I have seen all posts, but when I check into the general Chowhound site I find a number of posts that have come in since the last time I read any of the several lists I read daily. I have logged out and back on again, I have cleared the cache, but get the same blank list when I try to access unread posts. Wha's up???
PS: I am reading on Safari on an iMac if that makes a difference. Also tried accessing unread posts via Firefox with same result.
In dire need of an East Coast Jewish Deli!
Today's Marin Independent Journal had review of the San Rafael outpost of Miller's East Coast Deli. Link below. Most interesting to me was the observation that the SR version had authentic NY deli dishes not served at the SF original. I have yet to try but intend to soon.
http://www.marinij.com/lifestyles/ci_20055082
Lucky Peach #3 on Chef role
I thought I would start a separate thread from the ongoing Lucky Peach one since that is mostly about problems getting it delivered and is already 90 posts long. I have been wanting to comment on the contents of Issue #3, which I am finding not only interesting but perhaps significant as well--it deals with the glorifying of chefs in the past decade or so. Since this board will have Top Chef threads that can go several hundred postings long and nearly always has a thread relating to some Food Network issue, it seems particularly significant here.
The question of how celebritizing of chefs may affect the profession and therefore our restaurant experience is seriously dealt with by a number of practitioners, some of whom are favorites. The conversation between David Chang and other young Turks, (gonzos, whatever we call the tough guy/gal generation of tattooed kitchen adventurers) and the article by Montreal chefs about how restaurant chefing requires a lot of hard work and long hours seem to cast a shadow on what might be next in store for diners. The thoughtful piece (surprisingly long) by Mario Batali takes a more positive look, but also emphasizes the dedication to hard work.
I stopped reading at that point to write this posting. Now back to reading. I recommend this issue.
Historical/Educational tour in Wine Country
Of those you mention Mondavi has had a tour very educational for wine novices; Sterling has the aerial tram ride to the winery for those not hesitant to ride in a small enclosure at great height. Both are in Napa. In Sonoma, Benziinger has very helpful staff and a tour through the actual vineyards (none of the others do typically, and is family-owned where Mon and Ster are corporate. Reservations recommended at all, required at most.
I took some friends to two places in Napa: Cakebread and Grgich. I wanted them to see two different winemaking practices. Cakebread is modern equipment and techniques, Grgich is biodynamic growing, organic, all estate grown, solar powered. That may not be the kind of education of interest to your father-in-law but my friends liked it.
Favorite NV Champagne?
Wow. I live in CA and don't find Roederer for under $17 when on big deal sale. Often even sale price is over $20 and usually at $25 regular price. I agree though that it is best of the CA made French-owned sparklers, esp their more expensive bottlng.
Roli Roti roasted pig knuckle?
Porchetta frequently (perhaps not always) available at Sunday Marin FM; I have not noticed pig knuckle there but that does not mean it never is...
Healdsburg area local meat sources
I have visitors from out of town and we are going to taste some Dry Creek/Russian River wines and then have lunch in Healdsburg. What my friends are hoping for is local lamb and/or beef to prepare for the next home meal and enjoy with wines we may purchase. I have browsed old Chowhounds postings and seen older mentions of Big Johns but no real mention of butcher shops around Healdsburg or that might be convenient to our west side of 101 drive.
Any ideas about where to get lamb and beef, preferably local but particularly of quality in this area?
TIA
Beijing/Northern Chinese in Sunset
Hmmm. Maybe large portions became less necessary when Yao Ming retired. Just thinking...
Where to Buy Live Dungeness in Marin?
The benefit of going to Western Boat and Tackle is that you are buying the crab right off the boat and getting the least handled, shortest time stored crab. And personally, I am in favor of supporting our local fishermen and the local businesses that serve them (and us). I shop at 99 Ranch frequently and have purchased crab there in the past--but who knows how long it has been out of the ocean and how many hands it has gone through before being put into their tanks. I have thought the crab from the locals were much better in taste and texture but perhaps it is my bias affecting my taste buds. Kind of like the placebo effect only for flavor.
The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs (Episode 7: "Hamptons Beach Cookout") [Spoilers]
You will have to move quickly. As noted in another posting with link to local SF news site, Falkner is not going to reopen Orson (closed for ostensible makeover) and is going to close her new version of Citizen Cake at end of year. When I read that I supposed she was going to be next IC--then, she can open a new place if she wants that and with the IC cachet. BTW, at Orson she has been doing special events only such as Iron Chef dinners where guests dine on her IC menu while watching on the big screen.
The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs (Episode 7: "Hamptons Beach Cookout") [Spoilers]
And I wondered what Entwine wines were. Googling told me that Entwine is a partnership (cute: entwine, get it???) between Wente wines (great Cal history, not so great wines) and Food Network itself. So not just product placement, but flogging their own house brand. FN: cannot stoop low enough.
Gourmet Food Markets in Marin
Ah, well then...I will break a personal rule and suggest a place I have never been to. Friends have told me it is a must, family-owned kitchen supply store on the industrial edge of San Rafael called Cash and Carry Warehouse. The name would raise suspicion but the word of mouth is high. Perhaps you could review it here if you go. It is next to Orchard Supply Hardware...
http://www.cashandcarrywarehousesanrafael.com/
They do not serve food but if you go to that part of Marin (and as a recent arrival who may need hardware, building supplies, etc. you may need to make the trip) you can get a Cuban sandwich for lunch at otherwise out-of-the-way Mikeys...be sure to check the Cuban menu.
http://www.eatatmikeys.com/content/menu
Gourmet Food Markets in Marin
I have never been to Surfas but checked their website out of curiosity and was a bit confused. There, they seem to emphasize cooking equipment and classes with a menu for their cafe but not much about what foods they offer. Or does it not have produce or butcher departments? In Marin, the closest to what the Surfa website seems to present might be Sur la Table in Corte Madera' s Town Center mall. (Right nearby S la T is the fine Bryan's Meats and also a Ferrari Italian deli. Both have to-go if that is what you want.
For real grocery stores, I suggest you try Mill Valley Market, Paradise Foods in Corte Madera (not in a mall) or Woodlands Market in Kentfield. All have very active deli counters, good wine selections, real butchers, good seafood counters. Hope that helps. Welcome to Marin.
Mill Valley Market
http://www.millvalleymarket.com
Paradise Foods
http://www.foodsofparadise.com
Woodlands Market
http://www.woodlandsmarket.com
Dungeness crab prices for '11
I have wondered whether or not sources such as New May Way or 99 Ranch actually offer local crab during season or simply keep using their usual off-season sources of live crab. Any one know if these are local crab or not?
Fresh goose in Bay Area?
Link below to Grimaud's online web store indicates both frozen and fresh gees available but only for limited holiday period.
http://www.secure-kew.com/grimaud/main.mv
If anyone finds other sources not requiring delivery service, I hope the info gets posted here.
help me plan my tartine strategy
Even if reserved in advance the bread is not available till 4 or 5pm, not workable for OP according to her post.
Where to buy a pound of coffee?
Since you are in Marin at least some times, you might want to try Equator Coffee. They import and roast many coffees from all over including some they grow. They have a number of blends and if you check their website you may find something that sounds like what you would enjoy. (Although coffee descriptors are getting as odd and arcane as with wine.) They blend for many restaurants including Azrimendi bakeries, Jardiniere, Redd and all the Thomas Keller enterprises.
http://www.equatorcoffees.com
Red spots on anchovies
The ingredients are anchovies, salt, water. Perhaps I should have removed them from can to glass storage, but I never have in past. THey are supposed to last indefinitely.
Red spots on anchovies
I have been a happy and devoted user of salt packed anchovies for some years. Never have seen what I found today, though. I buy them in an 850g tin (Rozzoli brand this time), and after opening store it in refrig, using the plastic top that comes with and putting plastic wrap under it. Never gave a second thought to keeping them that way for many months until used. This time however, I found tiny red spots on the unused fish, not fuzzy like mold usually is, but rather shiny and rounded in shape.
I hesitate to use them in a dish--red stuff says stay away to me. Anyone else ever have this experience or an idea as to what this may be? Attempting to attach attempts at photographing anchovies and their hangers-on.
Napa - Spring Mountain Wineries - Recommendations?
Will suggest again: Terra Valentine for Cabs.
http://www.terravalentine.com
Wineries Hwy 128
Long-time Navarro lover--wines, prices, attitude all winners there. Also enjoyed Toulouse, stopped there on way to Navarro when they were tasting in garage. Have not visited since tasting room was built.
Napa - Spring Mountain Wineries - Recommendations?
We have had really nice tastings at Terra Valentine--cabs and sauv blanc. Great setting, enjoyable wines. As you may know already, Spring Mountain wineries require advance appointment for tastings. Wonderful part of Napa.
Where to buy Boxed Wine in SF or online?
Arlequin on Hayes has some box wines from France and Germany. Tasted the German riesling and was not bowled over.
Where can I buy SF Sourdough starter ?
According to some bread makers,( including--I think--Chad Robertson's Tartine Bread cookbook) the yeasts from the air are only a small part of the mix of microbes that are the life of a sourdough starter. Yeasts from the hands of the kneader are also part of the blend. Most of the yeasts, however, are thought to be on the wheat and so present in the flour itself when milled. I am not a micro-botanist and could be wrong. I live in Marin and bake a lot of sourdough, so maybe unintensionally I have a "San Francisco" starter. I enjoy my own bread whatever the origin of the yeasts.
Can I start over Unread Posts link? Please
As mentioned in Site Talk post linked below, I could not get back to SF Bay Unread Posts page using my saved bookmark. I have tried to rebook mark but only get the full SF Bay page, with its intro to new users and all current postings including those I have seen before (frequently). How can I start again, get to Unread Posts page with ability to mark all as read when I have done so, and bookmark same for easy return. I like to check in to several other pages as well, but can't get the unread page feature for them. Help would be appreciated.
Here is link to previous posting on this topic which seems to be out of reply loop now.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/810042
Thanks
Unable to get "Unread Posts" to open
AhHa. Here is bookmark from another browser which should be the original one that used to work. This one now gives me the same "Sorry, we can't find..." message as the other browser had gotten.
http://chowhound.chow.com/account/login?return_to=http%3A%2F%2Fchowhound.chow.com%2Fboards%2F1%2Fnew_posts
Unable to get "Unread Posts" to open
Pasted here is book mark, BUT before posting to this board I messed around with it so I am not sure this is the same as what I originally had. At any rate, this just gets me to the SF Board not to Unread Posts on SF Board.
http://chowhound.chow.com/boards/1
