algct's Profile
Rudy's in New Haven
You just can't get a good "dive" bar nowdays!
No more beer soaked real wooden tabletops, sawdust on the floor, pitchers of beer.
Great photos on the walls.
The smoke I can take or leave - they didn't smoke cee-gars in there.
New Indian restaurant "Baingan" coming to Shelton, Ct
I was there the 3rd day they opened in late March. I did post somewhere on this board.
To recap, the dosas were not available at that time (purveyor deliveries etc, or kitchen shake-downs).
The food was tasty & well prepared. I would stay away from the Asian-fusion appetizer, just didn't do it for us.
They do have a luncheon "barf-ette" & will check it out. You can see how much care the staff puts in their food even though they are just doing it in mass quantities.
Ideas for leftover fresh basil?
Pack it in sea or kosher salt. It will look ugly, but the flavor will be there if you need it in cooked dishes.
Does anyone LIKE matza?
You've never had matzoh until you've had a sardine "sandwich".
One of my lunches in public school during Passover was my mother making a sardine sandwich by emptying the contents of a can of skinless/boneless sardines onto the top of 1/2 piece of matzoh, covering it with the other half wrapping it up, putting it into a small brown bag with an apple & giving it to me for lunchtime.
Other than that, fresh matzoh (within a month or two) is just fine with mayonnaise or butter - keeps the crumbs down - at least on the buttered side.
My goyim wife likes it in pea soup.
Baigan Indian on River Road Shelton
Finally opened last Friday - hit it on Sunday.
Settling in with the usual organizational challenges. Nice view of the river (before the trees leaf out).
Food is good with a few interesting things on the menu. I like southern Indian, but they didn't have the dosas because of purveyor problems.
Standard eat-till-you-pop lunch.
Prices are reasonable.
Better than the pizza joint before & no "smoking allowed on patio" sign!
Toodles...
Corned beef in a Chinese sand pot. [moved from Southern New England boar]
Sounds good - gotta try it. My wife lives for pork!
Corned beef in a Chinese sand pot. [moved from Southern New England boar]
Came out nice & soft after 3.5 hrs of simmering. Next batch I'll try with less water.
Dumped in the veggies with less of the braising liquid & cooked them for about 1 hour. Cabbage on the bottom, then small potatoes, added in the carrots and Brussels Sprouts (I like them so there!) later to finish the dish.
I used Mosey's corned beef from Costco & wound op paying about $2/lb more than the local stuper-markets selling for the holiday - oh well.
The corned beef came out with little saltiness, perhaps it was the length of time cooking and the amount of liquid to help along the osmotic process - who knows.
Peace
Corned beef in a Chinese sand pot. [moved from Southern New England boar]
I'm going to try an experiment this year. I have a Chinese sand pot (about 12 quarts size) which I use for red-cooked beef, chicken soup, stews etc & will employ it for the 4+ hours of cooking corned beef.
It is a really gentle method of cooking. You can bearly simmer anything on it using a gas stove.
Cooks Country recommends baking the CB @275F, but boiling H2O at sea level is 212F, a much lower temperature.
I guess the worst that can happen is making a lot of corned beef hash.
Good Asian Market in Fairfield County?
In one frozen case at the far end of the dairy section - you can get natto. Not too shabby.
The butcher counter has pork belly daily.
Asian veggies are hit & miss. Last time I was there, baby bok choy was being put out along with Napa Cabbage. Sometimes lotus root shows up, sometimes a Korean tsoi-sum veggie.
Always seen Chinese radish (smaller daikon).
Fish - they have what they call pike-mackerel which the Japanese use grilled (in their bento boxes) - I think the name is samna which is dirt cheap $2-3/lb and tasty.
Squid & octopi (small) are there too fresh and larger octopi are frozen.
Lots of staples & sauces, both Korean & Japanese. Not that much Chinese though.
Recs for casual dinner for 25 between Old Saybrook and New London.
I think August & water view will be challenging.
Advanced reservations would be a must.
That said, there is a restaurant on Dock Road in Old Saybrook right on the River.
Capt Bills (I think) just off Hamilton St in New London is VERY casual and seafood-y. Picnic tables, no reservations, beer. On the water & next to the railroad tracks for additional ambiance.
There is a joint in Niantic at Mago Point park on the H2O, patio view on the harbor.
lard source in Southern Fairfield County, CT-inexpensive
Yes, I noticed it yesterday at the meat counter. Along with the chicharonnes (sic) in bulk.
Jewish deli
Rein's is fine, but "Jewish style". Once you have dairy & meat in the same establishment, it is not really Jewish due to the dietary laws paraphrased "you don't serve the offspring with the mothers milk" in respect to the animal.
Their tongue is good & you can get good smoked fish this side of Russ & Daughters.
Also, they have a reasonable Bialy. "Fug-get" the bagels.
You can also try Pastrami King in Lake Success NY. THAT is a real Jewish deli in the sense that if you ask for cheese on your corned beef sandwich they look at you if as if you had just landed from Pluto.
Lunch near Thomaston, Ct
There is Acopulco/Madrid on Rt 6 (towards Watertown near the intersection of RT 109.) in Thomaston. Not sure if it is open on Monday, however.
The bar is just fine, sangria is quite good. Unfortunately, no tap beer.
The food is OK, good portions. The Mexican food is NOT hot, more towards the bland rather than fiery. You have to ask for the hot salsa. But that's OK since my wife is allergic to capsacin.
The more limited Spanish menu is good as well. I like the grilled sardine salad.
There is also Crabby Al's on East Main St. Bar is good & laid back. Since it is winter, the Harley bikers won't be in attendance out front. It is not a biker bar however. The food is OK & varied - no bad things to say about it.
Other than that, Thomaston does not have too much to offer. I wish it did.
Is it my imagination or is the Black Rock's food is gone down a notch? I've had some dishes where the prep & execution left a little to be desired.
If you want pizza - head up to Torrington to the Berkshire Cafe on Albert St. Good thicker crust (not Chicago ) pizza & it is a real bar too.
Good hunting....
lard source in Southern Fairfield County, CT-inexpensive
#1 Market on Ella Grasso Boulevard [formerly just know as Boulevard) in New Haven has 1QT containers of lard. No other label than LARD on them.
The Food Bazaar on Sylvan Ave Bridgeport (just off Rt 8) also has lard, but they are in packages. One variety is Armour Manteca (lard), but I think I remember seeing other brands.
Duck fat? Good luck other than rendering it yourself or paying for it through the nose.
The other way to go is get fresh pork belly & render it down. The craklin's are mighty good.
Sally's Apizza is obviously better than Pepe's and Modern
Nothing new here. I've been to all 4 (The Spot) & they are just fine. I have my preferences, but it isn't worth the time.
Now, for New Haven the REAL and related question (with similar proclivities) is
Red Sox
- or -
Yankees!
Merry New Year, y'all
New Indian restaurant "Baingan" coming to Shelton, Ct
That's good. Hopefully some South-Indian dosas will be on the menu.
I got turned off to Bella-Vista when they put out the "Smoking Permitted on Patio" sign.
It would be nice to overlook the river without getting a lung full of wafted cigarette smoke. I would tolerate a good Cuban, however.
Alternate to M&M grocery in Milford CT
GODDAM!
Nice Call!
I'll leave the bakery to my wife.
Meat dept is OK - beef AND pork tonque, turkey gizzards!!, chicken feet - yes, yes. Tripe. Fresh pork shoulder (4 lb size). Makes my day.
Now, the fish department should get some sort of citation - fresh fish roe, fresh herring and sardines, conch in the shell (just like in Chinatown), fresh "bonita" which looks like a small tuna (maybe 3lbs), mackerel pike (Samna in Japanese) for $1.49 /lb????) oh Yeah!
And - frozen/defrosted small octopus - grill those suckers up a la Greque and the heavy 4lb octopii you see in sushi bars - that got my interest up.
But, you can make a great ciopino with what is there - the fennel is in the produce section.
Very nice.
I spent too much time just checking the place out. A little light on the Oriental side, but I can't complain.
Chile verde is on the menu for Monday for sure.....
Alternate to M&M grocery in Milford CT
Thanks - I know where the Home Despot is. Nasty intersection there, but if you are careful you can get there.
Can't wait to take a peek.
The Polish part is taken care of on River Road in Shelton quite nicely - Andros Deli.
I'm not too much of a standard grocery person. I've just about given up on "industrial food" except for Grandma Utz's potato chips cooked in lard.
Alternate to M&M grocery in Milford CT
M&M grocery in Milford is closing on 20-Dec.
The place never had top-of-the-line produce, but if it was fresh, it was good & inexpensive too. They treat there parsley, cilantro, basil etc as vegetables, not garnish when it comes to a bunch of them.
Plus there were ethnic food (Turkish, Indo-Pak, Oriental) enclaves & the fish counter you could have gotten a 48oz can of clam juice (from Cape May NJ or there-bouts) for a couple of bucks.
Are there any alternatives?
#1 Food on "The Boulevard" in NH is a haul away and is more Caribbean oriented.
Bridgeport I'm not familiar with.
It's getting hard to find veggies like cardoons, collards, kale, beet greens which don't get the gourmet food treatment (small bits & high prices) - or have them bundled & plasticized so you can't feel them.
Sorry, I like to touch my food with my hands first, then after preparation my mouth can do the job.
Where to buy Sushi/Sashimi Grade Fish in Farfield County, CT
Daido in White Plains - great place & would stop there anytime I pass by.
In the fish section of Shop-Rite on Cherry St in Milford, talk with the fishmonger there (the taller heavier gent with a great personality). He oversees the fish purchasing & will gladly tell you which fish is of quality to eat uncooked. The prices are reasonable. I haven't had a bad hunk of fish yet. Not available all the time, but he will let you know if something is coming in.
BTW, the Blue Point oysters are about $.50 cheaper per piece than WF & probably come out of Norwalk CT.
I gotta try WF since the cost of gas going to Daido probably makes picking up a few ounces of salmon worth while given the pricing.
-----
Blue Point Restaurant
6 Dayton St, Acushnet, MA 02743
Chef's Equipment Emporium is comin' to the Pike (Berlin, CT)!
Nice toy store.
Only been to the "Wally-world" one.
Yes, prices for the stuff can be cheaper elsewhere, but at least you can check it out in person.
You can do better on the copper by importing directly from France or Belgium - even with shipping costs.
The bargain area for me is in the commercial section - where all the doo-dads you need like skimmers, noodle baskets are heavy duty & reasonable.
Why Are There No Great Restaurants In Fairfield County?
The best time I had at the Red Barn was sipping single malt scotch after we took off from work at noon due to a raging snowfall. We stopped there before getting on the Merritt Pkwy for lunch (and the snowplows) & stayed there till dinner.
By then the roads were clear. It was a nice afternoon by the fireplace. Needless to say we were the only customers at the time & had the attention of the staff.
-----
Red Barn
292 Wilton Rd, Westport, CT 06880
Hamachikama in CT?
Yes - been to Mitsuwa didn't see it there, but can probably order it however. Unfortunately, it is a 2 hr drive (but you can buy some really nice sake on Sunday!!!).
Daido market on Mamaroneck Ave in White Plains very occasionally will have it, but you have to place your order & then pick it up. 110mile round trip x 2 is a pain.
Actually, there are quite a few places who will serve hamachikama - Jani in Milford being one where more often than not, they have it - you just have to ask.
I've asked the fishmonger at Shop-Rite in Milford about getting it & he said it may be possible in the summertime for his suppliers to have it.
Mail order might be the way to go, unfortunately.
Hamachikama in CT?
Any suggestions where hamachi-kama (yellowtail collar) is done well in Conn?
Also, does anyone know where it can be purchased fresh/frozen?. It would be great on the grill!!!
Unusual Variety of Tomato Plants to Buy in New Haven area
Glad to have helped.
Now if the weather cooperates, we might have a fair season. Much too rainy, hot too early.
Only a few tomatoes have set. Then again, the plants are 3' high now & healthy. Beats the plastic "taco" tomatoes in the supermarkets - when they come in.
To quote Bob Dylan -
Oh the fishes will laugh
As they swim out of the path
And the seagulls they'll be smiling
And the rocks on the sand
Will proudly stand
The hour that the ship comes in.
Just substitute "tomatoes" for the ship....
Unusual Variety of Tomato Plants to Buy in New Haven area
Check out River Crest Farms in Milford. They are located on Oronoque Road in Milford.
Now open Mon- Saturday 9 to 5, and Sundays 9 to 3. River Crest Farm • 534 Oronoque Rd • Milford, CT 06461 • (203) 876-9786.
They have some great varieties of tomatoes. Try the Tula Black if they are growing them this year. I'm heading there this Sunday - maybe a week too early for tomatoes, but I want to be able to get the varieties when available.
Have you ever OD'd on a food? And if you did, did you ever recover?
Southern Comfort !
Decided to get drunk with friends after freshman college year. SC was the choice. Did very well, thank you. Never again Southern Comfort or getting drunk.
North Haven-Wallingford-Meriden axis of eats
Any recommendations for a medium-priced joint for dinner?
Atmosphere is not an issue - good food is. Don't need a wine list either.
Ethnic is OK, chain/corporate feed troughs are a no-no.
Mexican is out (capsacin intolorant member of the party).
I'd love real Japanese but ...
So what's left? Italian, American, Chinese, French, German (yeah - New Britain is not too far away).
Thanks for your favorite haunt in advance.
Torrington recs
The Black Rock Tavern in Thomaston (15 min South of Torrington). Steak on a rock for the carnivores, but the specials are generally very good & the bartender now knows how to make a Szarac. Very good, moderately priced. You would need reservations on Fri & Sat nights.
D'Orio's in Waterbury - excellent Italian but a little pricey.
-----
Black Rock Tavern & Restaurant
78 Main St, Thomaston, CT 06787
