Fine's Recent Activity
Chowhound Post
Bay Area Korean recap
After we couldn't get seated at an event at Saul's, we headed for Sahn Maru, but it was its closed night. Had never heard of Casserole House but--after asking to see the Health Dept. report (I thought those were supposed to be posted) and, the boss's eventually digging up the excellent rating--we sat down.
I wanted it to be wonderful because the (apparent) owner/chef was so friendly and kind, but nothing was quite right by the standards I've developed over 40 years of loving this cuisine.
Black goat stew was, well, blah. Sauces on kim chees were a tad muddy. Nothing was as hot as one would expect. The complimentary pancake was a tad too oily.
The chef brought us with obvious pride a serving of the radish (with greens attached) described in yesterday's Chron Food Section--a fresh kim cheelike prep.
My better half did like the mackerel a lot.
We probably won't return--perhaps just a different vision or a regional approach..
Chowhound Post
Mandela Foods, W Oakland Opening June 6
Do you happen to know the hours?
Thanks!
Chowhound Post
Fiddlehead Ferns
I have to share this funny story: Many years ago we were driving to dinner in Manhattan with three New Yorkers, one of whom was a sometimes cookbook writer. I asked whether or not it was worth going all the way to--I forget whether it was Dean and Deluca or Balducci's; the writer said it was a place to find such delicacies as fiddlehead ferns. In all innocence and candor I responded, "Oh, I can get those at my neighborhood Safeway (Marina, which was at the time the only place I'd ever seen them). To this day--if she's still alive--she thinks I'm a pathological liar: I never saw such a look on anyone's face!
Chowhound Post
The Rainbow Grocery thread - what to buy?
I think responses should be grouped separately for those who buy exclusively--or as close as possible--organic and those who don't.
Here are this organic-shopper's random thoughts:
I gave up on BB ages ago because I found their organic produce worse than an after-thought, never mind having to stand in two separate lines if one made bulk purchases--one for weighing, another for check-out.
Rainbow's prices are much better on most produce than either WF's or Real Food's, plus one does not have to squint at each label to see if the item's organic.
The only place I know that sells both fluid and powdered organic buttermilk.
Though not organic, Bellwether's fromage blanc is always available and at least a buck less than elsewhere.
Organic kalamatas available in bulk for less than conventional elsewhere.
Hard-to-find organic sultanas (yellow raisins).
Where else can one find anywhere near the choice in bulk organic beans, flours, grains, nuts, etc.?
Organic milk runs 50 cents to a dollar less than at Real Food.
Where else can one find organic Brussels sprouts? Or org. habaneros, in season?
I don't know if anyone mentioned that every single bag (small ones--plastic or cloth or paper) for individual items earns a nickel credit. And the "tare weight" of containers is calculated on the scales by the customer--not at the front desk.
The wonderful Vital Vittles Sourdough Rye is hard to find anywhere else.
I don't think anyone mentioned either that strawberries are available in bulk (one may pick and choose berries and bag them) throughout the season.
Much of the year I can find org yellow, purple, and sometimes green cauliflower, often romanesco broc, and even org versions of the thorny, velvety variety of artichokes, fast disappearing from the planet.
Larger variety of org fingerlings than anywhere else I know. Good (well-priced) org red onions.
Equal Exchange Fair Trade Organic French Roast finally went up from 8.50 to about 8.70; it sometimes goes on sale and is always 10% off if one purchases a 5 lb bag--never mind the coupon days.
I do probably 85% of our food-shopping there and have rarely had a clerk make an error (standard practice at WF) and never seen one on a cell phone!
What store compares??
Chowhound Post
Oops--Yehuda Organic Matzos Rancid [Moved from San Francisco]
I've recommended these for several years and am chagrined to report that the two of the five boxes we purchased we have opened (all have identical numbers below bar code: 0 73490 13013 7 ) contain what both my spouse and I find to be rancid matzos.
I have reported this to Whole Foods, Kedem, which seems to be the American distributor for Yehuda, and Yehuda's rather daunting web site (lets you send messages but keeps suggesting you use Hebrew).
I apologize to anyone who bought these on my recommendation and encountered the same problem. (I've read that some people do not have the ability to detect rancidity, but I do believe, aside from its asethetic negatives, it's a known carcinogen .)
Unlike US matzos, these do not have a year printed on the box. Furthermore, neither Kedem's nor Yehuda's web site lists the organic matzos.
I opened my sole box of "Light" whole wheat bran matzos, and, though they smell strong, they taste great.
Will keep you posted on any responses.
Chowhound Post
Shopping for passover?
I never seem to take care of all Passover shopping with one store. Mollie Stone's on California/Fillmore has a large selection of packaged stuff, but the only place I've found my preferred organic wholewheat matzos has been at Whole Foods.
This year I happened to be in LA close enough to Passover to shop for matzos there and bought the Yehuda organic ones, since I didn't want to take a chance on WF up here having them.
I remember once seeing kosher-organic chickens at TJ's, but only once and later wondered if my eyes had played a trick on me.
Last year Mollie's had more than previous years, including some new-to-me refrigerated items. I plan to check it out tomorrow. BTW, like WF, it stays open till 10. But also like WF, it's off the boards expensive.
Last year, Safeway (Marina) had a larger selection of packaged stuff than usual also; no idea why!
Happy Passover to all who observe/participate!
Chowhound Post
Heads Up--Pain Poilane at Gourmet Corner San Mateo
I dont know what kinds of bags Poilane uses; in good US bread bakeries, bread has always been put into paper bags.
In modern times, some bakeries switched to plastic, probably because in their ignoreance customers requested it and it was also probably a lot cheaper.
As a longtime home-baker (including having made several variations of Poilane's levain, which is what I'm guessing this conversation is about), I always store bread that I'm not freezing in brown paper bags in a bread drawer (which is like a bread box). I also wrap bread tight when freezing--used to use heavy-duty plastic wrap, but for ecological reasons switched to heavy duty foil, which I tape closed.
Chowhound Post
Betelnut SF (Cow Hollow)
I had only what I mentioned.
I believe its web site menu is pretty up to date (though I didn't see a couple of items that were on both the daily additions sheet and the printed menu), so you might want to check it out as well. I did notice the green beans were still there.
Chowhound Post
SF: Eden's Restaurant - Chef Vahit Besir found ... heavenly Halal lamb and beef gyros
I just phoned at 9:45 on Sat. and got no answer plus the two listings I saw both say open till 9 pm.
Was about to run down there, but ....
Where did your impression come from it stays open late? I was sooo pleased!
Chowhound Post
Betelnut SF (Cow Hollow)
Since it's close to home and stays open a bit later than many in the nabe, we've dropped in here off and on since it opened, finding it from fair to tasty.
The other night, we went for the first time in a while and were pleasantly surprised at the positive changes: daily specials (albeit some matching reg menu), even a named source!
I had only a couple of quibbles--other than the extreme drunken noisiness, always a problem here for those who don't find that appealing--a heavy hand with oil and the too-cool flesh mentioned below; otherwise, all four items were way above average: Strangest and least fave was in-the-pod tempura "baby" favas--I didn't know one could eat the pods and, to my taste, I'd rather have the beans, though I realize they're labor-intensive. Szechuan-style "Zuckerman's Farm" asparagus was both generous and appealing in the same way as the green bean version of this dish. Braised "tumeric" (sic--a pretty good unconscious pun!) goat belly with jalapneo vinegar was delicious, although served room temp (the waiter comped when we pointed this out, even though we "ate the whole thing"). Unbelievably tasty and satisfying Happy Buddha's dumplings were filled with tofu, "vegetables," and fried shallots --not especially "authentic"-seeming but WOW!
It's worth pointing out, especially in the current economy, that it's pricey: The bill for those 4 dishes, 2 (also comped) bowls of Jasmine rice, 2 Singhas, and one rum drink came to $66 before tax and tip.
I hope others cheer for these improved flavors, daily speicals, and named sources, so that the decision-makers will continue in this positive direction.
Chowhound Post
SF Visitor's Brief Report on Portland
Absolutely--my mistake!
Thank you.
Chowhound Post
Cow Hollow area restaurants
Chestnut Street, one block north, has a plethora of places, though I confess I don't eat at many of them. Mezes is not bad for Greek (near Divisadero--about 5 blocks west from your motel); same block is A16, a chef-operated, highly regarded southern Italian place we've eaten at many times, often finding the descriptions a bit better than the actual dishes but nonetheless a major addition to the SFBA dining scene and, IMO, a great move in the right direction--that is, regional cooking. Reservations advised.
I'm also partial to the Spanish tapas and paella restaurant, Alegrias, less than a block east on the north side of Lombard; it's the place we frequent most in the nabe. (It's about to get some publicity so may need res there too)
Another possibility is Betelnut, an oddly appealing if not totally authentic pan-Asian hot spot on Union, less than 5 blocks from you: south 3, east 1 1/2. Reservations often needed here too.
Others will have to help with breakfast or lunch choices.
Chowhound Post
SF Visitor's Brief Report on Portland
Sorry I didn't do this as soon as I returned, but life intervened.
In brief, I ate extremely well, thanks to various posters on this board.
Really enjoyed the house-made pastrami at Kenny & Zuke's. It would be nice if the house decided to be a bit more consistent in its policies: local grass-fed beef and non-wild smoked salmon not making a whole lot of sense.
The menu seemed a tad sparse, but I'd definitely return for the pastrami! Good selection of sodas and brews. Friendly, accommodating service.
Least good but far from really bad was Karam: I commented to my companions that the food tasted as if it was being prepared by non-Middle Easterners from recipes rather than memories of grandma's kitchen, which the server confirmed. Food lacked the strong flavors that make this cuisine so addictive--e.g., not enough garlic in the various dips. Timing was off on some of the frying, leaving the eggplant in vegetarian Fattee soaked with oil.
Mostly, descriptions were more mouth-watering than results, including the goat dish we chose.
My host said it was the best of the Mid-East places she's tried, and I think my friends enjoyed it more than I.
There wasn't enough business for such am ambitious menu, at least on the Tuesday evening we visited. I think it's trying too hard to be all things to all people and would be wise to consider concentrating on doing a great job with its regional specialties. Like lots of ethnic restaurants that don't have enough of their own countrymen to support them, Karam seems to be watering down its food to appeal to what it thinks "Americans" like instead of educating diners' palates to the wonderful flavors of its native cuisine.
Good, homemade baklava, which we'd have enjoyed even more if the proprietor hadn't been visibly tapping his foot waiting for us to finish (we'd arrived at 7:30 and spent over well $100 for three with tip, but did take our time).
We shared an Arak (traditional pernodlike aperitif) and a bottle of Cave Koroum
Lebanese red wine.
Wednesday night we ate in Eugene at Adam's Sustainable Table, which I can't comment on because I know the owner. I can, however, permit myself to cheer for the restaurant's philosophy.
Far and away my favorite--would we had it in the SFBA--was Front Porch. I liked everything about it--the fried chicken with incredible mashed potatoes and great collards, the separate little sustainable/organic menu, the generous servings/fair prices, the extraordinary service, my friend's incredible dinner serving of a plate of "sides," which included perfectly fried catfish and super hoppin' john among other dishes. The only slight disappointment was the style of cornbread--a tad dry for my taste. The joint was jumping on a mid-March Thursday evening, as indeed it should have been.
Agonized a lot before choosing Paley's for our last dinner--definitely in contention was Clyde Commons (which we discovered and enjoyed a drink at after the Jewish deli in the same block). Paley's policy of organic/sustainable as well as its appealing menu won us over. (When I phoned CC, I asked whether or not it too followed such practices and the woman I spoke with said absolutely. I don't understand its decision to keep that a secret.)
We took advantage of Paley's menu's offering two different-sized portions on many items to taste several. Standouts in my memory are the side of roasted beets with horseradish cream and the fried razor clams, though we enjoyed our other dishes as well. (My companion is traveling in Central America so I can't pick her brain to refresh mine on all we tried: house-cured pastrami and spaghetti alla chitarra are two others we enjoyed.) If I had a quibble, it would be that some of the preparations seemed a bit richer than necessary to showcase the high-quality ingredients, a common practice I always disagree with. I liked the look of the place--small rooms with a kind of intimacy I find appealing, albeit a bit darker than my preference.
I did make a note of what we drank: Medici '01 East Block Pinot Noir, Willamatte Valley! I really can't comment on it since my experience with this grape is almost entirely in old French Burgundies (and Joe Swan's PNs from the '80's).
I apologize for not having taken notes but this was a get-away-from-it-all vacation!
Chowhound Post
Near Traveling Jewish Theatre, SF?
Anything nearby for an early or post theatre supper other than Slow Club (which doesn't open till 6:30)? It's on Florida between 17th and Mariposa.
Many thanks.
Chowhound Post
Nettie's Crab SF
It's close to our Cow Hollow home, but we never seemed to get to Nettie's till now.
Best by far were the steamers--generous and delicious.
I don't begrudge anyone's take on a classic, but it would be nice if it turned out to be an improvement--not so the cioppino: flavorless mussels, broth rather than the wonderful tomato-y garlicky traditional sauce; curious decision to include house-salted cod, which was both chewy and outlandishly salty; and some shredded crab on toast.
Crab cakes failed in both texture--mushy, and flavor--lacking.
Crab roll, although it looked like the same crab served with the cioppino, "featured" realy salty crabmeat. Whoever decided marinated and slightly pickled cukes, carrots, etc. would be preferable to something traditional like, say cole slaw , was smoking the wrong herb! Never mind the effect on white wine.
Chips (American!) were addictive and I rarely touch them; collards-sweet potatoes-sunchokes was both tasty and price-worthy ($6).
Although this was touted as and the waiter confirmed "all organic and sustainable," the menu was curiously silent on anything about sourcing of either seafood or produce.
I wanted to love this place but it was both disappointing and pricey.
Chowhound Post
Recommend a drink spot in North Oakland?
Just came across this old post. Do you happen to know if Dan Sung Sa is related to the same-named spot in LA?
If so, I sure hope it doesn't also "permit" smoking!
Though we enjoyed the food at the LA place, it was the first time I'd encountered any place openly flouting the work place ban on smoking and was, well, shocked!
Chowhound Post
Lunch break between SF and San Diego plus 2 nights in LA
My better half needs as decent a spot as possible that won't delay the drive too much, probably on the outskirts of LA.
We will be driving back together and spending a couple of nights in LA (after a 5-year hiatus, this will 3rd time in LA in six months!). Don't have any time to study board in depth--the Korean gastropub and the Mexican seafood place both sound terrific, but is there anything else "can't miss" that's come along recently? We'll be there only Sunday and Monday, so some spots will be closed.
BTW, no one mentioned any cilantro at Mariscos Chente--was that an oversight or is it really not featured in every dish? Also, dare I ask, are the "shrimp"--prawns in our area--frozen?
As always, THANKS!
Chowhound Post
Just Spent Four Nights in LA (long)
Rereading this, I wanted to respond, albeit a bit late: " ... the ultimate responsibility for making sure you get what you want lies with you." I agree if you're both brave and local, but when one is trying to choose restaurants several hundred miles away for reserving in advance, it gets a bit more complicated than it would be if one could just drop by and pose some questions. True, one can phone, but how can you tell if it's the busser or the janitor picking up?!
Chowhound Post
Windows on the Water, Morro Bay
Just a couple of comments, since so many of your were so helpful: Morro Bay in January's "false spring" was a Chamber of Commerce postcard--just gorgeous!
My BH enjoyed a frist-ever taste of red abalone as an (expensive) app and, aside from puzzlement over what the menu had labeled simply crab legs turning out to be Alaskan on the Central Coast in the heart of Dungeness season, also enjoyed the (price-y) cioppino. True, the menu didn't say "crab cioppino," but being a San Franciscan, I always read it that way!
I am of the long-standing opinion that if one cannot be certain of improving on a classic, one should try to replicate it as closely as possible, so the "bacon dressing" and odd croutons in the take-off on the great French frisee aux lardons did little to challenge my taste memories of the original, though as its own dish was OK, if not memorable.
The rib-eye differed from the one on the menu posted online, replaced instead by one the server assured us was organic, though it was clear from the flavor and texture, it was not grass fed. (I don't mean to imply it had been advertised as such; it had not.) The steak was quite good and very generous, as were the excellent garnishes of greens (red chard, if blurring memory serves) and fingerlings. Best of all were the charred sections of torpedo onion atop the beef. (When I was in my late teens, my sister-in-law made porterhouse with NJ beefsteak tomatoes and raw sweet Bermuda onion slices, which established a standard for perfection that remains in my taste memory of iconic meals.)
As is too often the case at most places, there was far too little "provenance" on the menu for an establishment that claims to pursue local and organic. Slogans are nice, but they're lip service. Only statements in writing on a menu mean anything binding.
I am perhaps "living in the past," but there was also an odd sort of disconnect between the upstairs-with-a-view atmosphere and a serious commitment to current high principles of food-sourcing. If in fact the kitchen does put its money where its claims are, more credit to it: a welcome wave (pun intended) of the future. The notion of a sort-of wharf restaurant in a tourist mecca promoting sustainability warms my heart, if, in fact, that is the case.
This is a very expensive restaurant--with only the $10 corkage a pleasant surprise. We spent over-$100 before tip for two apps, two mains, one beer, and corkage. I hope it will correct those lapses mentioned above, include more sources on its menu, and become a mecca for those who seek both delicious and ethical dining in a lovely location.
Chowhound Post
Best food of the best in Portland
Also tryng my best to do "due diligence" and not be a pest, but can anyone point me to an updated versipon of this whole string?
Many thanks!
Chowhound Post
Canter's Redux
Oops--my better half reminded me that the pickled herring in sour cream was extraoridnary and deserving of special mention.
Chowhound Post
Just Spent Four Nights in LA (long)
As I've mentioned before, that's great for those who live there, make it to the same FM's at the same time as chefs, and recognize the chefs. Not much value to everyone else.
In the SFBA--which surely is one of the leading organic/sustainable-concerned parts of the culinary landscape--I find this a growing problem: Quotes in newspapers and on web sites but not on menus, where they'd become more of a real compact between kitchen and diner.
How many servers are going to say, "Well, when we first opened, everything was fill-in-the-blank, but, with the economy the way it is, we've pretty much switched,"?
I just prefer "the paper it's printed on." That holds the chefs' feet to the fire (sorry).
Chowhound Post
Just Spent Four Nights in LA (long)
I have relied heavily on C-hound since its birth but have a far longer restaurant-going memory and set of experiences I consult as well. This particular choice, as I hoped I made clear, was my better half's wish for a big, decade-changing birthday celebration.
I think one of the things to keep in mind is that the longer someone has lived, the larger the number of influences on restaurant choice, with nostalgia or, as it's dubbed these days, "comfort," playing its part!
Chowhound Post
Canter's Redux
Won't beat this dead horse but felt compelled to post as follows:
To hostess--Gee, may we please be seated in main dining room; it's kind of out of the way in here? Certainly!
At deli counter--May I please get a taste of turkey pastrami; I've never had it. Sure! (Followed by a huge sample)
To waiter--Do you think I could get a Reuben made with turkey pastrami even though it's not on the menu? Yes, of course!
I usually drink Dr. Brown's Cherry but after so many hours in car, decide to order a martini and ask for an extra olive. Forgot to say extra dry, but a perfect martini soon arrives with three giant olives; waiter smiles and say he thought two wouldn't really be enough.
Is there any sweet-hot mustard? Absolutely.
Pickles--perfect in texture and doneness, for our taste--down to two; waiter drops off another plate, without being asked.
Both pastrami sand and Reuben more than adequate, as were potato salad and cole slaw; experience--sooo warm and welcoming.
BTW: There's been such a dramatic change in ethnic representation--from mostly older, often-Russian women to a UN's selection of race and nationality (as well as many more males)--I couldn't help wondering if there'd been a lawsuit. Amazingly, all the new servers and counter folks we dealt with had the same friendly, "of course" approach, never mind flawless pronunication of Hebrew and Yiddish items!
Chowhound Post
Just Spent Four Nights in LA (long)
Will post separately on Canter's, where we collapsed into a booth after our longish drive.
Next night was at Sa Rit Gol, which, I confess, was one of the least appetizing environments I've encountered, kind of like surprising a really lousy housekeeper who wasn't expecting company. Pan Chan were in the middle range so far as numbers and delectability. Pancake fair; pork belly dish described in large reprint on wall not available, but we enjoyed the fried rendition that was. Tried to order a "barley rice" dish but server insisted it was unnecessary and we'd get it among the pan chan, but it seemed to me that she gave us a larger portion than usual pan chan servings: Barley, rather chewy, cooked greens, and a medium hot sauce (nothing was as hot as we're accustomed to). We also had a cold noodle dish that was pleasant and a bowl of milky liquid that I think had black bean in its name and the server said was a mildly alcoholic drink. It kind of grew on us. All in all, more in the interesting than delicious category.
Pacific Dining Car was nothing if not bizarre (I can't help it--BH wanted an old-fashioned steak house experience for birthday!): Amtrak would be bankrupt if it had as few passengers as the Car did--barely any, truth be told. When I mentioned that a Caesar Salad (13.95) without anchovies was like a day without sunshine, I was assured we could have them (they were not among the menu's listed ingredients). We each got three and were charged 2.95 extra--what's next, a special romanine-age charge? Anchovies are a central ingredient in that dish. Furthermore, I reject the concept (for lack of a better term) of "caesar dressing"--but in a steak house? Outrageous! (I do realize younger hounds have probably grown up with that term and probably don't know what I'm complaining about, but great steak houses--and especially hyper expensive ones--should make proper Caesars tableside, to the customer's taste. Everything I mentioned got the same, sad response: "Oh, we used to do that.") And the pre-prandial martini with call gin? $8.00 for the gin, $4.50 to convert it into a martini. I always distrust retailers that charge prices ending in 99 or 95; the only items on the entire bill that didn't end in 95 were the $40 corkage (!) and the aforementioned drink. A "baseball" steak (top sirloin) was 43.95, onion rings 6.95, wild salmon 38.95, broccoli 6.95. The last two items were far and away the best in the meal. I was surprised to see wild king on the menu but our nice and seemingly frank waiter assured me it was (he also said fresh, which I'm not sure about this time of year). In order to confirm, I asked the maitre d' what he knew about the salmon. He replied, "Its very nice farm-raised salmon," a bizarre statement indeed to this environmentalist. When I pointed out the discrepancy, he simply said they must have switched. How does it stay in business... and should it?
I'm less and less sanguine about places that tout their chefs frequenting farmers' markets or their commitment to one or another sustainable, organic, local value when nothing is specifically labeled on the menu. Good intentions are nice but they won't save the planet; waiters may not deliberately deceive but may really not be sure and want to say what the customer seems to want to hear. As a result, despite many, many hours of perusing menus online and in situ, I was unpersuaded and unwilling to drop another couple of C notes on vague allusions, so, instead of a high-end Cal-Med type place, we ended up near closing time at Noodle House in Monterey Park. Pickled Cabbage was enjoyable enough and (at .99--!--for what we were assured was organic cabbage) worthy of a second order. Pork with Cabbage steamed bun (8 pieces) was too heavy on the ground meat and light on the veg, and the bun itself nothing special, though there was also nothing wrong with it. Just what one might get in a good dim sum place. Green Onion Pancake was far too flour tortilla-like for my taste. Pumpkin and Shrimp Dumplings (8) (full of pieces of pork too) were drop-dead wonderful. Stewed Beef Tendon Noodles Soup was a hit with the tendon maven. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. I was heartened to learn the proprietors hope to open branches in Northern California and elsewhere as well (though we all know too well the risks of expansion to a manageable, hole-in-the-wall business). I was told they were awaiting the arrival of more family from overseas. I also got a rather convoluted explanation of why they didn't have an "A" rating--something to do with frequency of inspections, etc.
Breakfast/lunch at the always reliable Swinger's, Bagel Broker--the only source of corn rye bagels I know of--and Canter's. Iced latte at Urth, where, don't ask me why, I didn't expect to see the usual accenting errors on both caffe (there's no French "accent aigu" in Italian) and latte, which doesn't have any accents. Also, I was somehow led to believe from the signs my coffee would be organic but realized too late that applied to only the "regular" coffee not the espressi. Nonetheless, delicious coffee and great after-work crowd to eyeball while enjoying it. Nice staff too.
Chowhound Post
Canter's - what happened?
I'm a food-first person (I hate reviews, like those in the SF Chronicle, where the first several paragraphs are dedicated to decor) and have been a devotee of Canter's for years.
When we visit LA, we stay nearby. (BTW, it's less than a five minute-walk from Swingers to Canter's--not a drive!), often have breakfast/lunch there, as well as a pastrami sandwich on arrival.
Last time, instead of one of the post-retirement-age, ball-of-energy wonders who've usually waited on us, we had some middle-aged fellow who held up our entire meal because I'd moved my borscht to the side to enjoy with my (presumed) forthcoming sandwich. He never asked, just assumed. My BH's Reuben was much the worse for having been kept waiting. A nice guy, but a waiter not.That experience notwithstanding, I've marveled often at the contrast between the accommodating servers at Canter's who seem to know only "yes" and the jerks at most NYC delis.
I agree that the late-night factor is important.
Last time--9/08--I have to say it was close to lousy. We will check it out again in hope someone there reads Chowhound or is simply paying more attention.
We do like the old-time ambiance, the ghosts of Old Hollywood.
BTW, there's a bagel place on Beverly, just beyond (before?!) Fairfax that I like. Can't think of the name of it.
As for Swingers, it seemed markedly improved last summer as well as far "greener" than in the past.
Chowhound Post
O!Burger
Thanks, all.
I've had grass-fed burgers at Nopa in San Francisco and they're spectacularly good, but that is a dinner house, not a burger joint.
I would have gone just to support the effort, but not after the majority opinion here.
Chowhound Post
Eating in the Central Coast
I spent several hours looking at menus on two different sites and was a bit disheartened by the lack of the words "fresh" and "local" on seafood and produce. I did find Windows and the Hearst Ranch beef; tried to phone but they're closed today and tomorrow.
I susbscribe to Calvin Trillin's reminder about never eating above the ground floor or any place with a view (!) and I also understand that a lot of non-food-lovers visit the Central Coast year round, to say nothing of the many "starving students."
I don't honestly know what, if any, seafood might be available this time of year. We (in SFBA) get crab. But even Dungeness crab references didn't emphasize local or fresh and the squid descriptions definitely put me in mind of those imported from China.
I don't know about, say, clams or sand dabs, but again, one would think if the restaurants offered fresh, they'd want to tout that.
One place had so many misspellings on the menu, I wouldn't trust its competence.
Appreciate your efforts to help and don't mean to sound hypercritical (even though I guess I am).
Chowhound Post
Hungarian Food In Los Angeles?
Just came across this post.
I watched my Hungarian grandmother make strudel many times, not grokking I was watching a miracle in motion and not yet interested in cooking and baking.
She would take a piece of dough the size of a greeting card envelope and turn it into a "tablecloth" for a rectangular table that seated eight comfortably.
Her fillings included apple, cherry, cabbage, and my favorite, poppy seed.
We're heading south in a few days (from SFBA) and I may try to find my way to San Pedro, but I have to say that the strudel in the picture looks wrong. It looks glazed and crusty, whereas Grandma's looked and felt more like a slightly less crisp version of baklava dough. The only version I've ever found that approached it was Mrs. Herbst's in the Yorkville section of Manhattan, which closed many years ago.
Has anyone familiar with the real McCoy (wish I knew enough Hungarian to make that a better epithet!) actually tasted this?
Also, the poppy seed has apple in it; Grandma's was dense with poppy seeds, punctuated only by a few plump raisins.
Chowhound Post
O!Burger
The search engine gives me every single "o" from o'clock to words ending in that vowel.
Help, please!
