I'm looking for a restaurant in Montreal for my daughter's 21st birthday dinner with a few friends. She wants a place that has good food but would work for a wheat-free diet, a chic atmosphere and good drinks, and prices at which she can feel she is treating herself and friends to something special without breaking the bank.

Thanks to all who replied. Sadly, I think the answer is what I'm looking for doesn't exist.

The Cicada Club has swing on Sunday nights--I'd rather do my celebration on Saturday-- we all work on Monday. Besides, the food for what it is there is overpriced and the kitchen is always utterly disorganized, and service is always poor. I also don't like that when you spend about 80 dollars or more a person, that they run a "socialist" club and let people in just to dance without even a cover-- and then there is no room to move. It's definitely a fun venue, but again the food leaves a lot to be desired.

We went to El Flordita last year, and that worked really well. The food at the price was quite good-- definitely better than the food at the Granada, so I didn't have to feel guilty for bringing some non-dancers there.

The Sky Room comes the closest.

But alas-- I think a great dinner party is the answer-- and leave the dancing for another night at an appropriate venue-- like PBDA or the Granada. Both wonderful for swing and ballroom respectively.

BTW, Barry, if you are as good a dancer as you say you are, you should go to the Granada. There are always women saying they wish there were more men. They start at 4:30 now.

Thanks for asking. And thanks to all who replied. As always, it's interesting reading the sort of related debates that inevitably arise on Chow. We went to the Globe on Sunday. They had a wonderful selection of really interesting dishes, as well as a traditional thanksgiving dinner. We got one interesting entry-- the lamb ragout with either pasta or gnocchi ( don't remember which). It was wonderful. We also got one turkey entree that came with mashed yams and collard greens. The turkey was deep fried, and all really delicious. We had the cheese plate. and then something sweet for dessert. They had some really nice wines that paired well with our meal. We shared everything.

Hello Chow people,

I am looking for a recommendation of a place to celebrate my birthday with our closest friends-- 5 other couples. But I'm looking for a place with certain requirements-- I'm not sure what i'm looking for exists, other than the Sky Room in Long Beach.

The requirements are the place has to have good food and dancing-- and I mean REAL dancing (sorry I don't mean to offend any of you who like just wriggling around to the music), but space for at least some swing and cha-cha, if not outright ballroom. While I'm not adverse to skipping good food for an evening for the dancing-- not all our friends dance- so the food quality has to be there too.

I'd like to hear opinions from folks about what I've considered-- as well as any other recommended suitable places-- Thanks ever so much!!!

Here's what I've considered:
I know that Mandaloun in Glendale closed and re-opened. I haven't been there since it closed. Before it closed, the appetizers were great, but the main courses were very dry. I didn't mind, because the appetizers were sufficiently filling. They used to have a variety of music to dance to early in the evening, and then belly dance music and not only did "professional" belly dancers perform, but after that the crowd did belly dancing-- some much better than the performers-- and the whole evening was really fun. Does any one know that status of the dancing and the food?

A couple of years ago, we stumbled into Las Hadras in Northridge. The food was okay Mexican, nothing to write home about. The dance floor was nice and there was dj'd salsa, cha-cha, etc. I read a couple of reviews that said the food was horrible. Does anyone know the current status of the food?

888 Chinese in Rosemead has a combo and a small dance floor. Not so sure about the quality of the food. Now if Newport Seafood had a dance floor, I'd be jazzed.
Does any one know how busy the dance floor is on a Saturday night? We were there early one Friday night and there were only a few people in the room with the music.

The Granada in Alhambra, has a nice live combo, and the dance floor is wonderful, but the food is mediocre at best and it's no place to take my friends who don't dance ( some do and some don't, but they all like good food!) Is there anywhere like this place that has good food?

The Sky Room in Long Beach. The food is generally excellent. The dance floor is small, so only room for slot dancing. It's better when the swing band is there because the non dancers stay off the floor, unless they play something really slow. When the latin band is there, the non dancers clog up the floor jiggling around to the music. The problem with the Sky Room is that it's very expensive to take a large party there, so better kept for my next milestone birthday.

Thoughts, helpful suggestions???

Hello,

My daughter is a McGill student living in the Ghetto. I'm going to visit her over your Thanksgiving weekend this fall. We're from the US and since she never comes home for our Thanksgiving I thought we might do something traditionally Canadian, since that is when I'll be there.

So, are there traditional foods for Thanksgiving? Are there any nice restaurants that serve whatever traditional fare might be? Is Monday the day to celebrate-- or is it traditional to do so on any day over the weekend?

I'd love recommendations in general for some interesting places to eat. We are foodies and enjoy the full range of places-- from fine dining to hole in the wall type places. We've eaten in a couple of really good places in Old Montreal and one in Little Italy on other visits, We are open to trying new places. I'd like to take her one or two places she can't afford on her student budget.

I look forward to your replies!

Merci!

Thanks to all who responded. I didn't have a chance to check back before we returned to NYC and missed the information about Suenos. Good to know the restaurant space is still being used! I don't think we would have gone anyway, owing to the plethora of fabulous Mexican places (both upscale and down-home) in Los Angeles. We did find a place that has an unusual venue, a brownstone in the West Village, with an outdoor garden/ rooftop area--good food too-- Bobo's. Nice menu and good service. Of course Serendipity is in a wonderful old brownstone, but you can no longer just stop in on a whim for dessert! The place has become a tourist trap and the food is just barely edible. So having once taken my daughter there on another trip, it is not on the return list.

Thanks-- and that is so sad about Little Italy. As for China town, we were directed to the restaurant we went to by a fine-hotel concierge where we'd stopped in for drinks. He should have known better. There was not a single Chinese patron in the place. I figured if that is where the concierge sent us, it must be representative. And we had specifically asked for a place where the locals go. sigh. no harm-- there is great Chinese food here. Glad to know all of NY's Chinatown has not disappeared. Thanks for the recommendations to other Italian places.

Hello!

I'm wondering if anyone remembers a restaurant called Chelsea Place. It was in Chelsea, and you entered through an antique store and went downstairs to get to the restaurant. They had put up some glass walls and there was lovely garden in the courtyard space that you could see while in the restaurant. I know that Chelsea Place closed quite a long time ago-- but I wonder if the antique store might still be there? I'm wondering if another restaurant might possibly be using the space? And lastly, I'm wondering if anyone who remembers the atmosphere and the food could suggest somewhere in the City that might have that same tucked away, hidden, you have to know to find it kind of place, of course with good food. Thanks!

A night out for just the adults, in a place you won't see children and that includes music-- you might try Birdland-- historical Jazz place in the theatre district-- though the food is not great--I'd go for the show and eat someplace else. Another fun option would be a drink at the Carlyle Hotel-- whimsical, historical art mural on the walls, no children, romantic ambiance, nice jazz-- but you'd need to check the schedule to see when exactly they have the music-- There is also a very romantic dinning room there, but since I've only had drinks there, I don't know what the food is like. Hope you have fun!

Dear Chow People,

This thread was last updated a little more than a year ago, but it holds the question I wanted to ask-- that is what are the best places to eat in Little Italy, and these very sad, disappointing replies. ( meaning the change in little Italy is sad) I have lived for over three decades in California. I'm a bit of a " foodie", loving good food in the continuum of restaurant ambience-- from fine dining to ethnic holes in the wall. I grew up in NYC and am half Italian-- so I know good Italian food from Southern to Northern, from home-cooking to elegant restaurant. A couple of years ago I went to NY's china town and found it disappointingly touristy-- nary anyone Chinese in sight, save the waiters. And mediocre, very overpriced food. That having been said, this summer my 20 year old daughter is living and working in NYC, and suggested on our upcoming visit to her we eat in Little Italy since she has never been there. (She has been to Little Italy in Montreal, where she goes go University and where we had a fabulous meal in a place with a great singer, but I digress.) Anyway, it really saddens me that NY's Little Italy has become a tourist trap. All that having been said, I do have a couple of new questions and hope that there will be some new posts.
First, has anything changed since this thread was last updated?
Second, If not Little Italy, then where for a meal that would feel like Little Italy did a couple decades back? Someone mentioned the East Village--but any specific recommendations? We don't want pizza, and we don't want the ambiance of fine dining, but we do want good food. And probably somewhere that has a varied menu-- from red sauce and things like lobster fra diavalo, to veal picatta.
Third, someone recommended walking around in Little Italy for the ambiance--, but where exactly is there anything remotely " real' and not going to feel like a visiting a tourist trap. Are there some streets-- maybe one's with old churches or something like that and little shops that don't have barkers touting " good deals with terrible wine?" etc. I think you get the picture. Is it just going to feel like Disney Land no matter what? Maybe is Ferarros still open? Do they still have good pastry and espresso-- or gelato-- would it be worthwhile to go there for dessert? My thanks in advance.

I hope you had fun, where ever you went. Just want to chime in that I don't think the best places in San Pedro are the "restaurants," but rather all the little seafood markets, where you pick out your fish and they cook it for you. You can walk around and see who has what and how fresh it is. There are little stands where you can get beer. The restaurants seem very touristy, overpriced, and generally empty, even when the tables on the peer are packed. I think the best thing to do there is jump in with the local Los Angelenos, and enjoy the "joints" on the pier. Happy eating!

Thanks for the suggestions. BTW, by new I didn't mean the place was recently opened, I meant new to us-- as in somewhere we hadn't tried before. If anyone has any other SG places they really like, I'd love to hear. Thanks

That's probably the one. The store front faces East and has hot chiles hanging in the windows-- there is a bakery a door or two away; facing South in the same strip mall, there is a place that serves snowies and icies.

hello chowhounds,

We (meaning three white folks and one Taiwanese) were planning to have a pre-theatre dinner in Chinatown, that is until I read the postings on Chinatown and remembered that I had stopped going to Americanized Chinese places over a decade ago. This seemed to be a natural, inevitable step, because I had moved to San Gabriel. My two favorite places are Newport Seafood on Las Tunas and a little hole in the wall (that I don't know the name of ) that serves Hunnan food, located in the little strip mall next to the Holiday Inn on Valley. So after reading two boards on Chow, I thought better of the idea of going to eat in Chinatown. There is Yang chow right here in Pasadena and I don't go there either anymore.

So, that said-- finally my question-- I'd love opinions about favorite Chinese restaurants on Valley Boulevard or elsewhere in San Gabriel ( the city, not the whole valley) because we'd like to go somewhere new before heading down to the music center.

thanks!

I'm returning to my home town for another visit. Have lived in Los Angeles area for decades now, but always love "going home". I'd like to hear from New Yorkers- what is the best sushi bar you know?

Thanks!

Adding water works great! Thanks everyone.

I don't want to add milk after it's cooked because steel cut oatmeal is so creamy and delicious, it doesn't need milk. I add a bit of real maple syrup, some flax seed, lots of blueberries and strawberries-- and it's wonderful. I have the quick cooking steel oats in the closet too-- I bought three different types-- one " quick" cooking and two that are regular cooking-- all steel oats. The quick cooking still takes a lot of time-- and I wonder how they've processed it---as for the fabulous can,I figure I can refill it with a brand that comes in a box or a bag. The imported oatmeal doesn't seem any different to me than the domestic. See interesting point someone made below about oat seeds all coming from Canada. Anyway thanks to you and everybody below.

I have just discovered the deliciousness of real oatmeal. Anyone who has ever taken the time to make steel cut oatmeal, knows this is worth the time. However, as someone who works full time, I just don't have time to do this on any work morning. I read that it was possible to make enough to last five days and reheat daily portions. I haven't figured out a way to reheat so that it comes out resembling anything close to the creamy porridge that comes out of the freshly made pot. I've so far been reheating in the microwave, and instead if comes out sort of dry, and a little sticky. I do not want to add any milk after its cooked-- and fresh out of the pot, topped with a bit of real maple syrup, strawberries, and blueberries, it's just a bit of heaven. I can't take more than ten minutes to make something for breakfast, and still have time to eat it. Can anyone help? Please do not tell me to use quick or old fashioned oats-- or eat something else for breakfast-- or to get up an hour earlier. The goal is to make real oatmeal ahead of time, enough for the five days that it keeps, and be able to successfully reheat it. Please do not discuss the merits of one type of oatmeal vs another or segue into a discussion of other breakfast cereals, foods, or what I should top the oatmeal with. Please, please, please, I just need help to know how to successfully reheat. I realize that this may require an adjustment in how its cooked in the first place. I look forward to your replies.

Thank you so much for answering my question.

I agree-- lots of tangents. I've been silently following this thread ( or should I say these threads) since the OP posted. To me good wine is wonderful; good food is fantastic; and when the two are well paired, it's pure poetry. Even more so with congenial company. ( just couldn't resist the fun of all that alliteration!) What is most frustrating to me in this thread is that it seems apparent that numerous responders confuse knowing about food with knowing about wine. Or even liking wine. There seems to be a demeaning of those who do not know about, appreciate, or particularly enjoy a varied palate of wines. There seems to be the implication that such people would have no knowledge, appreciation, or enjoyment of fine food. I humbly submit that one does not have to know anything about wine to know about and enjoy good food. One could argue that such souls are missing out on a more compete gustatory experience, but I think it is unkind to demean them, by suggesting that they don't belong in a fine restaurant and do not have a discerning palate. ( i.e. recall the woman could taste the "oil" in the riesling.) Was the wine steward rude? Hard to say without having been there. I'm hard pressed to believe that someone who laughs in the face of another person is the best arbiter of who is using a "snobbish tone". It appears that the wine steward was certainly concerned about safeguarding his career. I don't think he should be laughed at for wanting to do that. After all his function is to pair wine with food, so that each is enhanced. That's what the restaurant has hired him to do. Clearly there is a demand on the part of the restaurant's clientele for his services or they wouldn't keep him on. It seems to me, he endeavored to respond professionally to the woman, and perhaps find a wine she'd like ( albeit without running out to the local grocery for a bottle of WZ). I have to say, ( in a calm, soft tone) I wonder, really, who are the snobs here?

Thanks everyone. Given all the reports of inconsistency, I'm taking the advice to head to Nick & Stef's. It's not that far, the menu looks great-- and we have friends who'll bring something from their wine cellar, since there is no corkage. Hopefully, it'll be wonderful.

Thanks everyone. This is for a birthday party-- so I want some ambiance too-- sounds like that is not Taylors. And I agree, Smitty's while i really like it, is not a steak house.
I like ipsedixit's explanation of why RC over ACH and JJ.
Anyone else care to chime with similar specifics?
Thanks.

I'd like to take my s.o. for steak since its his favorite food for his upcoming birthday-- so I'm looking for a place that has nice ambience ( and other food as well) that specializes in steak. There is JJ's and Ruth Chris that I can think of, but having not ever been to either, I'm not sure about picking one of them, or even if there is another place steak lovers would recommend. Definitely do not want to go to Clearman's on any place like that.

Thanks

Thanks!
and whatever you are eating/drinking this evening-- bon appetite!

Thanks-- I was thinking to try the Canon since it'll be open. Only problem is I think the PF may be too cold if I don't take it out of the fridge for half hour or so before I serve it . Would it hurt it to let it warm up a bit and then put it back in the fridge if the Canon works. I have a feeling the Canon is not going to stand up well to the spice.

Thanks! I'm eager to enjoy the PF, but since it was a little bit pricey, I want it to pair well--so maybe I should save that for something else--There was a discussion of red pairing with Fra Diavolo at the beginning of this thread-- though the consensus seemed to be nothing red-- but then things change- the thread started in 2007--I have Cotes du Rhone, Pino Noir, and a decent Chianti on hand as well-- oh and also an Elyse Cousins---any better?

The Canon Du Marechal does go well with plain seafood--it's also among the ingredients I'll put in the sauce.

Raw oysters! Yum!

I love this thread and hope I can get a reply--- it's Mardi Gras! I'm making lobster fra diavalo. Decided just a moment ago to serve wine with it tonight, but no time to go back to the store--- on hand I have Pouilly-Fuisse ( Louis Latour) and (Cazes Le Canon du Marechal) blend of Muscat- Viognier.
Which of the two would be the better choice. I also have a bottle of Prosecco if neither of the other two would work well.
Thanks!

That's a really lovely suggestion, but I live in the Pasadena area of California. I don't think there are any nearby farms. (the produce people hold local farmers markets, but not meat as far as I know) I should have said that to begin with. Why wouldn't you ( or anyone else out there) not trust Whole Foods? I'm not saying we should; I'm just asking why not?

Just having caught up. I applaud Alanbarnes' post. It replies to the op in a considerate and considered way. ( I also liked all the commentary above on Mateus and Blue Nun etc. Did anyone say Boone's Farm?)
I especially like this:
" Which only goes to illustrate the importance of hospitality. It does not require that the establishment cater to the customer's every whim. It doesn't require a white-tablecloth restaurant to offer White Zin or Doritos (although they might pair well). Hospitality requires friendliness, graciousness, and reasonable accommodation. Is that so hard?"

Answer-- yes apparently graciousness has become a rarity, and it shouldn't be.

Hello,
Today I started reading a book that I thought was going to be about balanced nutrition and small portions, and exercise, and funny. It turned out to be a diatribe about being a vegan. Not gonna happen here. In my opinion, that constitutes deprivation. PLEASE DO NOT MAKE THIS THREAD INTO A DEBATE ABOUT VEGAN OR OMNIVOROUS EATING!!!! To me all food groups, good wine and good coffee, all in moderation, are among the simple pleasures of life. You are welcome to disagree, but please not here.

That said, the book did go on about the hellish nature of slaughter houses-- how animals are skinned and their brains boiled alive; how animal flesh falls to the ground, into excrement (human and animal) and roaches and gets picked up and passed on to the public, etc. The authors so much as said that neither Kosher, nor free range slaughtering can be trusted to be either humane or hygenic.

Bearing all of that in mind, here is my question. Does anyone know the truth FOR CERTAIN, because you know for SURE about slaughtering? is there some source for meat that is killed humanely? What about raised humanely? Can Whole Foods market be trusted in this regard?

Thanks!