spork's Profile
new asian grocery store megaplex? (NC, Triangle)
is this open?!? where is this? what is it called?
hello all. SF transplant. here for gradschool at UNC. need help.
Med Deli.
That place is goodness. very high quality food at a very reasonable price. 7.50 for a 3 sample platter with generous portions.
very good call. i can see myself going back there. a lot.
ok. so which food lion around chapel hill has a inhouse butchers?
i went to the place out in carborro (cliff's) for meat but they're not open on sunday? another time then.
also went to saigon grill. sorry. that is not cutting it at all. and they gave us attitude for being a party of 6 AND they charged us 18% gratuity. com'on. its PHO. really? they gave us a bowl of pho and never came back to service our table (which i'm fine with and totally used to in the bay area) but to charge 18% on top?
my friends who've been said lime/basil is better.
keep you all posted. and if you have any more suggestions please throw them out.
hello all. SF transplant. here for gradschool at UNC. need help.
yeah, i've noticed a weird thing with my produce, like it goes wilt-y very quickly. i used to be able to leave things in the fridge for a week with no problems.
hearty things like leeks and stuff... but here? its all terrible and sad in like a couple days... what gives??
i will check out the food lion for other cuts of meat!! i went there once in the evening to check it out and wasn't impressed. i live where the 54 meets the 40.
really i just want something i can grab on short notice for that evening.
oh, allen and sons... ALLEN AND SONS.
damn....
got the large plate of whatever and finished it all off. and i don't even like eating a half pound of pulled pork like that. i mean, i should, but its a lot of meat. but i killed it. will go back.
thanks to you all again.
btw. i'm heading out to a durham bulls game with classmates on saturday. got any quick recommendations for the area? (please remember we're on a BUDGET. haha. thanks)
hello all. SF transplant. here for gradschool at UNC. need help.
thanks for the heads up on cameron village, but if i'm driving out THAT far to get produce/groceries, i'd as soon go to grand asia and come back.
the heat out here isn't even remotely entertaining for my groceries.
hello all. SF transplant. here for gradschool at UNC. need help.
Update
Gourmet kingdom is average. i'm sorry to say. if this restaurant was in SF i'd wouldn't go back. there's better options at cheaper prices. a bit of a disappointment for me. i ordered the twice cooked pork. not nearly spicy enough or flavorful enough.
also went to Penang? sorry. not good either. ordered a laksa, my friends had some other stuff.... "too salty" and some other discouraging remarks. not to mention my laksa wasn't really a laksa at all....
going to check out the pho place in durham this weekend i think, along with some other suggestions. walked by the Med Deli and that looked really good.
Also, can anybody tell me where to get produce/meats?? the harris teeter by my place doesn't have a proper butcher i think (only a seafood counter), i went to the fresh market and teh whole foods and the TJ... but i can't really afford to buy from fresh market and whole foods all the time....
TJ is great for pantry items though.
any place i'm missing? food lion looks terrible btw. although i could be mistaken.
the carbarro famers market looked pretty good. i got there late so i need to see what its about earlier in the day before some of the stalls are sold out of peaches and things.
thanks for all of you're suggestions again! and if you think of more keep them coming.
hello all. SF transplant. here for gradschool at UNC. need help.
Wow... thanks to everyone here. Seriously.
I neglected my own post for a couple days due to school, but now that the weekend is coming up and I have a bit of free time, its time to go and try some of these spots.
hello all. SF transplant. here for gradschool at UNC. need help.
chapel hill.
thank you. let the recommendations flow :)
hello all. SF transplant. here for gradschool at UNC. need help.
Hi,
As the title says, I'm from SF, and am now here.
There's a few things I'll miss, that I hope you guys can help me with.
1. Noodle soup. Ramen, Taiwan Beef Noodle, Pho, hand pulled chinese etc. anything like that around. I'll take any and all types. Heading out to gourmet kingdom in carrbarro for dinner tonight. read good things from you guys already.
2. mexican. tacos. burritos. something please. (went to chubby tacos the other day... UGH)
3. Mediterranean.
4. and anything else i should try while i'm here. i'm here for the next couple years (maybe more) and would love to get off on a good start with the food.
please remember i'm on a zero income budget, so nicer places are welcome recommendations, but that will be eaten few and far between. i'm willing to drive somewhat, and if its extra special, maybe on the weekend i'll take that 40 minute trek for THE spot.
Thanks!!
sf 'hound needs help. please.
thanks.
so, is the it just the "snoqualmie hotel"?? i hope there's not more than one hotel.
and which place should i go for breakfast around pike's market? and what would you recommend specifically.
sf 'hound needs help. please.
I'll be in your town the morning of the 9th of july through the sunday.
i'd like your recommendations. i'm coming from san francisco and would like a sampling of different things your city/area has.
the morning of the 9th, i'll need a breakfast rec. in downtown seattle or on the way there from the airport. also a lunch or dinner rec too, for near or in the city. we might be around pike's place? (i'm having a friend pick me up so we'll have a car)
friday, we're hiking at the Snoqualmie Falls. is there anything to eat there abouts? i have no idea where this is by the way. breakfast/lunch/dinner rec would be welcome. maybe just snacking? maybe something we can do after hiking?
saturday i'll be at marymore park? there's a music festival. so if there's a spot i must try around that area that's convient.
sunday i don't leave til evening. 730, its pretty much an open day. so here's where your rec that i couldn't fit, the you MUST try this, i take EVERYONE that visits here come in.
i don't need anything super fancy. just give me your favorite places in your city, places you love to show off for visitors. different stuff. i'll eat just about anything.
thanks in advance.
i heard there's salumi somewhere.... batali's parents place? any good?
Has Ebisu reopened?
they're opening tomorrow. may 12th. lunch and dinner.
they've had a soft opening for the past few days.
The Kitchen/Aisa Pearl expands to Millbare
interesting. i think the kitchen is already better than zen and hkfl.
i hope higher end doesn't just mean more money. its not like some of the dishes at the kitchen are cheap either.
anybody been to Asia Pearl?
Harmony frozen yogurt today
yeah, its as good as advertised. i've been there twice now. its so nice it doesn't even need the toppings. i mean, the 'natural' flavor, that tart/sourness from the yogurt is really nice. talking with the owner last week he said he was going to add another flavor (rasberry?) i say he should make a more tart version.
and the only reason this is on its own topic. today is the "grand opening". everything is half off.
a small frozen yogurt = 1.25
go enjoy.
i think my sister who i went with earlier in the day is going back before closing (9pm)
haha.
San Tung substitute?
like dave said. go to shanghai house on balboa. i prefer it over dumpling king.
the shanghai house dry fried chicken gets a split decision from my group of friends. not in a bad way. we split on whether its better than san tung's dry fried. i think its better, its a crispier skin and a more balanced (spicier) sauce, where as for me the san tung version is a bit overly sweet.
i can't compare the dumplings as i haven't ordered them, but shanghai house is becoming a favorite rest of mine recently. i've been there at least 4 times in the past couple months, and have brought friends and family there who all give it high regards.
try their smoked ham, tofu skin soup... its excellent and rich. you can tell its been cooked for quite a while.
san bruno thai temple lunches - still being held?
its still a go. and yes the fried chicken and som tom are still very very good.
San Carlos - Gracie's Delectables – The best turkey sandwich in the world?
so i went the other day and ordered the turkey sandwich on the homemade oatmeal roll... onions, pickles, lettuce, tomato, mustard (no mayo for me).
i don't know if its the best turkey sandwich in the world, but its pretty freakin good. i mean, when the sandwich gets brought to you its carved on the breast of a turkey, in nice normal human slices (not the deli style), and as you're biting into it... there isn't a dry part of the whole damn thing. after a while i started playing around, just eating the turkey by itself, squeezing the turkey sandwich and there were juices running out of the turkey onto the table... i'd say its as good a turkey as you'll find... i dont' know if they had a nice spicy mustard or a brown one, but that would have made the sandwich...
then there's the homemade oatmeal bread..... niiiice.... it just goes really well with the turkey. its soft and tasty... almost 'scone-ish'...
so you got two halves of a scone sandwiching a juicey, tender, white meat, turkey breast, still warm from the oven...
First trip to San Francisco, good but under $10pp lunch spots? under $20pp dinner?
thai house express (thai, best in the city and dirt cheap too)
old islamic mandarin (chinese, no beef, great lamb dishes)
la taqueria (well, basically every spot in SF for burritos is better than most places anywhere else (hence the popularity of chipotle
turtle tower (vietnames pho)
chutney (indian, although there's like 20 places to choose from in that area)
vik's chaat (its in berkely, across the bridge but great indian 'street' fare)
and if you're driving across the bridge anyways go to "Great China" for some great peking duck i think its around 20-25 for a bird.
and since you're there... there's like a dozen dessert/gelato places in berkely.. but i'll let others fill you in on that...
25th & Clement
on geary between 21-22nd ave. there's turtle tower. northern pho (peppery/ginger soup). good. very good. i recommend this place to everyone basically.
there's also PPQ on your block for southern pho (basil/sprouts) this might be the place you're refering to when you ask about the crab place. its a garlic crab. its good. order some garlic noodles too. its a good place if you know what to order for dinner. no pho for dinner though.
there's a small japanese place on 25th and clement or 26th. its pretty good. prices/slight high for the quality. but if you dont' feel like driving. its your best bet in the area.
ton kiang for chinese (mixed reviews form the site) for dim sum. or the place next door (also mixed reviews, particulary for dinner)
San Bruno Thai Temple Not Up To Berkeley's (Admittedly Not That High) Standard
eww... well i guess you're keeping the crowd levels to a minimum.
in that case i would just ask. if i'm there i'll ask and give an update.
San Bruno Thai Temple Not Up To Berkeley's (Admittedly Not That High) Standard
can't say i've seen it. where was it 'stationed'?? i'm guessing with the groceries or something? you could probably ask if you knew you were going to be in the neighborhood the following week.
i'd even assume that you could ask them right then and there as they probably have a jar of it in the back somewhere.
San Bruno Thai Temple Not Up To Berkeley's (Admittedly Not That High) Standard
i actually think the san bruno one is better than the berkely one.
i had been going to the berkely temple for about 10 years. back when it first started and all, but i don't bother making the trek out there anymore.
then i heard about the san bruno one. (thank you chowhound)
the papaya salad is really good here. very flavorful. nothing dulled down. its salty and sweet and spicy. it hits very high notes. i'm not sure you can blame them for making it too spicy for your tastes. if it was underseasoned or something, you'd have a case.
the fried chicken. its excellent. crispy on the outside. a great chicken smell. but nice and moist on the inside. its almost the perfect rendition of this dish in the bay area. especially if you get one just out the fryer. add the sticky rice.
i also find the beef noodle soup quite good too. the broth is nice and rich. although a bit oily for me (i have low tolerance for oil in soup... unless its embedded like santa's)
so three dishes. ample portion for 15 dollars. this is kinda what i continually order. oh and the beef jerky with sticky rice and the coconut dessert...
thai temple in san bruno
i'm planning on going there with my parents tomorrow. but we wanted to get there early-ish, like 930am. does anybody know if it will be open by then?
previous posts have said its open for lunch but not every weekend. there's a number that was posted, but i called the number and nobody picked up the phone after many many rings.
anybody have an idea about tomorrow. thanks.
Pho Hoa Hiep II and i-Cafe on Irving St/Sunset, also bubble tea question
um, yeah, wonderful foods it is. and you were so close too. quite unfortunate.
this is the place i remember bringing the whole boba thing to sf when it started many many moons ago. lines around the block. on a hot day, you still get lines out the door.
plus you get all the candy, jerky, and sweets you could ask for in the same spot. although i bought a red bean cake thing they have and it wasn't great. not enough red bean and cake bit was a little too cakey, if that makes sense.
Sichuan "Ma La" restaurants in bay area?
actually, i dont know. i went with some people who know the owners and they (the rest.) asked how spicy we wanted the broth. and we said very.
but i dont think its a special order or anything. you have to just ask, maybe?
Sichuan "Ma La" restaurants in bay area?
Old Mandarin Islamic... they do a mean "Ma La" hot pot if you ask them to make the hot pot soup spicy. its goes great with the lamb they have amonst other things you cook in the pot (fish, shrimp, tofu.. etc)
be careful though, if you ask for it hot and "ma la", you might end up not being able to taste anything at all. i mean, it'll numb the snot out of you.
San Tung at 10th & Irving July 2006
this place isn't korean chinese.... not that i think san tung is either, but definately not this place.
i always thought this place to be very northern/bejing style. their two signature dishes the peking duck and the cold noodles (forget the name, mixed at the table with a spicy mustard) are not korean... and i'm pretty sure there's not an abundance of korean dishes. unless there's something in there that i miss or just don't order?
Ton Kiang
this is so the dish i compare other restaurants to.
tk has a good meat to fat ratio and the mustard greens are really mustard greens. a lot of the time you get this mustard greens mix, where there's some preserved veg thrown in there (i do not like) but there, its just a crap load of mustard greens and nothing else. or there's way too much meat and no fat (what's the point?!) or too much fat and no meat (a bit overly slime/fat mouth feel)
Ton Kiang
can't really agree with you there. particularly with the food items in general (since i've never had the dim sum at golden). had a few dishes there for dinner a couple times. found them... unimpressive.
had an eggplant with garlic sauce where the eggplant was cooked to mush. also had "dao mew" (snow pea tips) and they left on the harder older stalks, which kinda ruins the whole point. (its supposed to be all nice and young tasting leaves/stems)
on the other hand they give you a larger portions for less money... so that's something i suppose
Be My Guest Thai Bistro delivery report
i found it less than stellar and definately would not recommend anyone to go there. it was quite a while ago that i went, on the recommendation of a friend of a friend.
i do remember getting this mussels in coconut dish? and recieving like 8 mussels for 12 dollars... and it wouldn't have been THAT bad, but the mussels didn't taste uber-fresh or good. and the sauce they were sitting in was this bland spiceless soupy thing. its a THAI rest. and there was zero flavor. you could have poured tabasco on the mussels for a better effect.
also had something akin to a curry sampler they had. it was three cups of varying curries that they had. normally i'm not into samplers and the such, but none of us at the table had ever gone so we just said the heck with it.... yup, 3 out of 3 did NOT taste good. overly salted, not 'curry' enough, and basically mostly 'sauce' with a giant potatoe inside to take up space. (although it was supposed to be chicken, beef, and shrimp?)
do not go to this place.
Best Restaurant near San Carlos
little sichuan isn't nearly as good as it used to be...
the last time i went, everything was overly salted and a bit greasy. and i used to enjoy the food here. i remember it being pretty busy around dinner, but now its barely half full, so i guess i'm not the only one noticing the regression in the food.
