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Chowhound Post
Katz's--A Disaster
To me, the most important element in any sandwich is the bread, and the flaccid, flavorless, packaged rye--albeit Pechter's--failed badly. I actually made a pilgrimmage to Orwasher's to reassure myself it still existed and get some of its great corn rye (and walnut-raisin pumpernickel) before we flew home the next day. I asked whether it supplied any delis and the friendly clerk mentioned Pastrami King.
The pastrami was so lean that its nomal saltiness was over-prominent. I realize I could have requested end or extra-fatty cuts, but to my mind no self-respecting deli would offer pastrami so lean that it lost all its succulence and darn-near choked the person trying to swallow it.
A first in my long deli-eating life: The cole slaw and potato salad appeared to be sauced with the identical, soupy mixture. I'd happened to have had cole slaw at a coffee shop earlier that day and K's tasted and appeared identical, down to three (3) shreds of carrot in the slaw!
Interesting and generous mix of over- and under-done pickles.
I realize this is a personal prejudice, but I am accusotmed to being able to request Russian style sweet-hot mustard to go with my pastrami sand.
The broccoli knish was mostly potato but not unpalatable; my BH's Reuben was tastier than the pastrami simply because the ingredients were moister.
Far and away the most shocking and depressing was what we got when we ordered Katz's lemonade, expecting what we've gotten every other place on Earth we've ordered such an item, a house-made mixture of lemon juice, sugar, and water:, we got instead bottled stuff with high fructose corn syrup as the first listed ingredient and lemon flavor instead of juice.
Chowhound Post
Skate Wing
I first ate skate at Korea House in San Francisco's Japantown about 40+ years ago.
I have not ordered it since I became aware of its endangered status (I've carried all of the regional seafood cards with me since they became available a number of years ago and get updates whenever they're printed) and have been depressed by how many restaurants in our relatively aware region still offer it.
Chowhound Post
Arriving Late Wednesday Night
Though it will be just approaching dinner time in our systems, we expect to arrive at the place we're staying on E. 60th near 2nd--assuming our flight from San Francisco is uneventful--close to midnight EDT.
In years past, we would have just headed for the Stage Deli then called it a night.
It's been quite a while and we're out of touch. Any thoughts on where we might get a satisfying, aha we're in New York, not too huge meal without having to travel as far as, say, Chinatown?.
Since Katz's closes so early (I've always liked my deli late at night), it's out of the running, though we will probably try to get there before we continue on to Europe Saturday.
Thanks for any suggestions.
Chowhound Post
Venice and Milan: Local, authentic, but not super high end?
We plan to be in Milan Saturday and Sunday mid-October; Monday in Varenna; Wed-Fri. in Venice.
Budget is hard to say, since it's been twenty years and everything is, of course, immensely more expensive due primarily to exchange rate. We're trying to keep hotel expense down as much as feasible to have more dining-out money, but I'm hoping we can economize some days, be more profligate others.
Since I'm more interested in authentic/local than high-end show-off, that should be possible, I believe/hope.
Would $50 (sorry--haven't begun to think in Euros yet) for lunch and $150-175 for dinner, both for two, be unrealistically low?
I'm so grateful for each and every response.
Chowhound Post
High and low Chow in Paris in October
I clicked on the blog address and got a "couldn't find" message.
How far ahead should one try to book bistrots and do most have web sites/email or ....?
(It's been 21 years since our last trip to Paris so there's a lot I don't know.)
Merci mille fois!
Chowhound Post
Venice and Milan: Local, authentic, but not super high end?
I've done some major dining-out trips in my life, but this one will be geared more to local, fresh, authentic and to the reality of the exchange rate, vastly different from previous trips in the 60s, 70s, and 80s.
Any tips on finding menus to read or making reservations from here also greatly appreciated.
Chowhound Post
Bellagio and Lake Como...where to dine???
Do you know if this restaurant (Bar Mella) is open Mondays for dinner? If not, any others in the area? We're staying in Varenna.
Many thanks
Chowhound Post
Post-Opera, (Sat) and Sunday, Milan
I'm having no luck tracking down information on menu, hours, res policy.
Can you help, please?
Chowhound Post
Post-Opera, (Sat) and Sunday, Milan
Thanks very much.
I sent an email but got no reply. though, alas, it was in English.
I wanted both to find out if I could see a menu and make a reservation for after the opera.
Chowhound Post
Can we talk about Lyon?
Do you--or others--happen to know where I may be sure to find poulet de Bresse in Lyon?
Thanks.
Chowhound Post
Villa d'Este, Como?
Are you suggesting they'll refuse to feed us if they don't approve of us sartorially?
I mean really--an off-season Tuesday night!
Thanks for the encouraging words about the food. I hate going anywhere without having had a chance to check out the menu first.
Chowhound Post
Organic supermarkets in Paris?
"if a high quality Bresse chicken cost €30 to 40 retail" WOW!
Are there actually "low-quality" Bresse chickens as well?
I had a terrible time finding them on menus on previous visits to France. Can you recommend a restaurant that serves them regularly?
Thanks.
Chowhound Post
Organic supermarkets in Paris?
How wonderful!
Alas, our stay will in hotel rooms with no cooking facilities, but it's heartening to learn just the same.
I'm so accustomed to ordering fat-free cappuccinos and lattes (often organic too) here in the San Franciso Bay Area, I was hoping I could do the same overseas: I prefer them and they are a way to keep the daily fat intake lower, especially when eating out.
Chowhound Post
Bang San Thai--Halal--SF Tenderloin
You're right to some extent about squid--though imported items are not, by definition, sustainable--I mixed up my personal unwillingness, environmental concerns aside, to risk eating Asian seafood because of several scandals over the past year or two with adulterants, etc.
Chowhound Post
Post-Opera, (Sat) and Sunday, Milan
Are there any good, authetic spots we might be able to dine around midnight on a Saturday and any place really good open for the evening meal on Sunday?
Thanks.
Chowhound Post
Villa d'Este, Como?
Does anyone know how I might see menus for its restaurants online?
Anyone eaten at any of them?
Thanks.
Chowhound Post
Can we talk about Lyon?
I'm not having much luck finding menus and the one I found excldued prices.
Are there web sites for menus in Paris, Lyon, and elsewhere or must I keep trying web sites in hope of lucking out?
Also, how far ahead may one book the more casual establishments, in Paris or Lyon?
I won't have a computer with me, so it is easier to do before I leave.
Merci!
Chowhound Post
Organic supermarkets in Paris?
Am putting together (online) my first trip back to La Belle France in 2 decades: I've changed, the culinary world has changed, the Earth has changed!
I simply don't have the time and energy to spend too many hours on this board, so I thought I'd take advantage of the opening provided by this post to ask for some suggestions: Are there restaurants in Paris (we also plan to visit Normandy and Brittany and end up in Lyon, where we'll train to Milan) that emphasize organic, sustainable practices?
Also, though I once spoke very fluent French, it's been decades since I've had much opportunity to converse in French and would appreciate knowing how to say low (or non) fat, whole grain, and sustainable in colloquial French.
While I'm posting, my preference in restaurants runs to regionally authentic, non-experimental cooking (no fusion, thanks--I live in San Francisco!) although I have no objections to the lightening of traditional dishes as practiced by followers of nouvelle cuisine.
I eat a diet quite low in saturated fat and plan to do my damndest to continue to follow that regime on the trip (I'm aware of the irony more than anyone else--I was such a snob about croissants made only with butter in my previous sojourns in France)..
Merci mille fois for any and all suggestions (please don't tell me not to bother to visit France if I don't want to risk a coronary; I've been dreaming of this trip for years).
Chowhound Post
Californians: How often do you check hygiene score before eating out?
Or perhaps the places you've frequented played by the rules!
As for a "mere slice in time," safe food practices aren't supposed to be occasional, haphazard events.
My point is that diners can see exactly what the violations, if any, were and decide for themselves whether or not they find them alarming, if they're willing to take a moment to check the Health Dept site.
I once sat at a counter and watched a cook cut up raw poultry and ready-to-serve foods on the same board without even giving it a swipe with a rag--in a very famous and popular place. If this went on where the diner could watch ....
(Yes, of course I reported it.)
I knew this would hit a nerve with a lot of folks, but I don't see why: At least in San
Francisco we can look up any violations (and the restaurant's longterm history of any) on the SFHD's web site and decide for ourselves whether it sounds a bit too risky for our personal health profiles or those of folks we may be taking out to eat..
Please remember that what may not cause much if any problem to a healthy young or middle-aged person can wreak havoc with kids, the immune-impaired, and older folks.
Chowhound Post
Bang San Thai--Halal--SF Tenderloin
Ensconced in planning a trip to Europe--sorry I didn't get back to boards sooner.
Sea bass - Chili (fresh daily)
Calamari - Thailand
Smelt - Thailand
Tilapia - US (frsh daily)
Prawns - Vietnam
I pasted that from the email reply to my query.
I always assume squid is imported unless it actually says "Monterey" on the menu and, because of one of the many Chinese adulteration scandals, generally shy away from it (to say nothing of its having a "red light" status!)
BTW--to my delight I found fish cards for France and Italy (and the WWF site had versions for several other countries as well).
Chowhound Post
the best hamburger...where is it?
I got to this thread because of Murray Circle, since I practically never order burgers in a restaurant (back in the "day" I used to love typical SF burgers, such as served at New Joe's and Vanessi's and, at least a version, still at Balboa--on part of a sourdough loaf, ground to order, onions in, Jack on top); however, my BH 's burgers at Nopa have been so good, the last time I was there I actually ordered one of the grass-fed delights for myself. I heartily (!) recommend it.
Chowhound Post
Bang San Thai--Halal--SF Tenderloin
Friends wanted a Thai meal. I checked out Lers Ros; no one present when I stopped by during an afternoon off-hour spoke enough English to help and wouldn't let me speak to the chef. With some effort, after several days, finally managed to get a list of the sources for its seafood, all of which fell in the Monterey Bay Aquarium's "Avoid" zone. .
Chose Bang San instead, partly because I felt a little more confident in the quality of ingredients since all the meat is halal and the chicken is at least Fulton and not out-of-state, and partly because--at the same time of day--the chef/owner came out from the ktichen and introduced herself. (791 O'Farrell location; the Jones St one is pretty tiny--mostly counter seating).
Four of us had 6 dishes plus desserts. Highlights: a wonderful pumpkin-coconut-tofu curry; good bbq lamb on noodles; a great special of (perfectly) deep-fried trout garnished with mango; and a--for once--hot enough for us green papaya salad (we begged!); both desserts were also terrific--coconut-sauced sticky rice with mango and the flaky pastry called roti.
The service was efficient and friendly. The setting pleasant. The food well above average. We will return.
One fascinating to me aspect of this place: Virtually every other customer while we were there was either East Indian or Middle Eastern wearing traditional Islamic garb.
I'd be interested to hear what regular patrons of SFBA Thai establishments think of this one.
Chowhound Post
Californians: How often do you check hygiene score before eating out?
For many years I ate primarily at hole-in-the-wall ethnic joints--that was my passion. Two changes occurred: I got older (and therefore my system inevitably became less able to deal with "assaults" it could have laughed off when I was younger), and bugs that used to cause no more than a day's upset evloved into far more dangerous critters.
I suppose I could add that a lot more info became available on how cavalierly foods are handled--from our own meat processing to various Chinese adulterations +.
Chowhound Post
Californians: How often do you check hygiene score before eating out?
I know of no health dept that grades on either ambiance or appearance, but rather on whether or not foods are kept at safe temps or soap, water, and towels are provided for employees to wash their hands.
Chowhound Post
Californians: How often do you check hygiene score before eating out?
I read the actual reports, which are often accessible online, and find what was tagged and determine for myself how serious a concern I think it is. The numerical grades, not just alphabetical ones, are included.
Chowhound Post
Californians: How often do you check hygiene score before eating out?
But that wokrs only for those places that post their grades in a prominent place! I know all LA restaurants seem to, but not necessarily so elsewere.
Chowhound Post
Where we ate summer '09 at North Shore (Tahoe)
Spindleshanks (Tahoe Vista) seems to go up and down; alas this appeared to be a down year. Business on a Sunday mid-evening was slow; welcome not warm; service snippy.
Waiter was unable to answer any queries about the source of foods on the evening's specials or obtain such info in kitchen. I see this as a very big warning sign. The place seemed to be just going through the motions.
With all due sympathy and empathy toward the problems of poor economic conditions, that's when a business's true mettle shows.
Nonetheless, the Jambalaya was very flavorful with the exception of cubes of chicken breast: They had that telltale, oxidized, obviously reheated flavor and were so perfectly shaped, I couldn't help wondering if they came precooked in a package or something.
Spouse's hamburger was just edible, far from first-rate. Accompanying fries were so oversalted as to be borderline inedible--I even thought I detected a taste of (ugh) celery salt.
Moody's (Truckee) needs to make more changes to its menu to keep return customers' interest piqued and kitchen on its toes (as, of course, would also help at the above-mentioned), but I'd re-order the pricy but spectacular elk anytime. Its pork chop was also excellent.
I think after so many years we've gotten a bit blase about Le Bistro (Incline Village): Good to great inrgredients, chef/owner-prepared with care and precision, individually sauced and garnished, in a parade of dishes for--by SF Bay Area standards--an exceptionally low price. This year's highlights, aside from the always delightful extras such as complimentary hors d'oeuvre and pommes soufflees (puffed fries), included a spectacular pair of soups, one cold potato-based, the other a wonderfully tart, pastry-topped tomato. Salads and appetizers offer an array of French and California flavors and ingredients, including leeks and fresh hearts of palm.
If I have a quibble, it's with the difficulty for those of us who support sustainability, organics, and similar principles in finding a main course: I'd be happy to pay a premium for local (Calif or Nev) lamb, grass-fed and/or organic beef, organic poultry I mention this even though the menu pledges adherence to such ideals and boasts about its organic Acme bread.
Le Bistro remains on my small "worth a detour" list of special places.
After a lengthy phone conversation with one of the proprietors of Soule Domain (border of Kings Beach/Crystal Bay)--a spot the menu of which had never tempted me over the years but which placed one ad promising "local, sustainable" among several that were silent on those issues--we decided to give it a go. Alas, the menu was also silent on those descriptives and the specials included more than one major no-no (seafood from Monterey Bay Aquarium's "Avoid" column); just the same, we managed to enjoy some of the items. It was obvious the chef partner was a serious cook and doing his utmost to offer well-prepared dishes for fair prices. The particular style of some of the preparations--a bit too bell-pepper/tomato saucy for my taste--might well be just the ticket for others. Alas, I couldn't help flashing on a local shopkeeper who chirped to me last year at a neighborhood street fair, "Yesterday I was green and didn't do too well, so today I'm not!"
The place itself has a certain quaint, rustic charm, and many diners were heard expressing satisfaction as they departed.
I hope those who share my enthusiasm for environmental concerns will make an effort to support Soule Domain's attempts to emphasize them and make that known when they reserve and dine.
Our FIND was Bite, in a mini-mall on the main highway (Incline). Delicious, mostly planet-conscious small and medium-sized plates with tastes, glasses, and carafes of wine. Here are some highlights: a garlicky white bean version of huumus, served with grilled bread and organic (but, alas, unpeeled) baby carrots; a generous gumbo; great sweet potato fries with a maple-mustard dipping sauce.
Folks come from all over to visit the Lake: Wouldn't it be great if most were exposed to not only the excellent cuisine many of us from the Bay Area who vacation there regularly take for granted but also the value of using as many local, carefully produced basic materials as humanly possible?
Chowhound Post
Californians: How often do you check hygiene score before eating out?
I make it a practice to take advantage of the fact that most California counties fulfill their obligations to post restaurant inspection results by doing so online. This may be true in many other states--don't mean to slight anyone, just don't know.
I realize for many food nuts this is not a topic they wish to include in their selection process; however, for those of us with compromised and/or aging (or already aged) digestive systems, it can be an illness-preventer or even a life-saver.
Chowhound Post
Been to Tommaso's lately?
I'm on my way out of town so don't have time to hunt up when and where I read they'd sold to the staff, but I'd guess it was between 1 and 2 years ago.
Perhaps the writer was mistaken; perhaps the deal didn't work out. Either way, it's good news!
I always found the textures of the broc and the squid in the two pasta dishes featuring them were remarkably like the pasta itself, which never failed and always delighted me. The last time we were there, as I've said, the squid was inedible ... a first.
Chowhound Post
lake tahoe
We always stop at Log Cabin as we're leaving to return home--both breakfast and lunch can be anywhere from pretty to very good (I noticed a slight decline in attentiveness to detail the past 2 years; hope it's back on track)
Staff very nice; menu very appealing.
