Lieber78's Profile
Scandinavian Food
I would recommend Baltic Deli -- even though their focus is really on Eastern European food, they do carry some Baltic/Scandinavian specialties, too. In particular, it is the best source for Latvian-style rye bread that I've been able to find yet. My mother-in-law is Latvian, and she agrees that its the most authentic she's found so far in the Boston area that isn't actually imported from Latvia (and thus very $$!). I think they have become somewhat well-known for this, though so they often sell out -- it is worth calling ahead!
They also have some jarred pickled herring that is quite good. They also have lingonberry jam, but only the smooth kind (or at least that is all I've ever seen).
Sous vide equipment
Did anyone end up buying a VacMaster VP112 chamber vacuum sealer? My husband and I are thinking about splurging and buying one as a joint birthday present to each other (we have the same birthday so it works out well!) -- they are still quite expensive at around $600, so I was wondering if anyone had used them and how much they had liked them?
The other brands I have seen recommended by chefs -- Mutilvac and the Koch ultravac but those seem probably out of the price (and size) range of most home chefs.
Miso Market - Porter?
Does anyone know if Miso sells chikuwa? They are tube-shaped cakes made out of fish (you might not think that they were made of fish paste at first glance, but they generally look like this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chikuwa).
Sous Vide Supreme Mini Me - do I want one
I just wanted to revive this thread and see if anyone who went with the Demi or the Supreme last year wished they'd gone with the other? My husband's birthday is coming up and I'm thinking about getting him one. Costco is still offering the combo demi + vacuum sealer for $350, which is a great deal, but if we're investing that much money anyway, we might as well get the right one.
All Clad d5 for induction stove?
Does anyone have any experience/know if All Clad d5 works on an induction stove? It is described as "magnetic stainless steel," which generally mean it will work, but I wanted to double-check before I bought a few pieces.
I'd also be interested if anyone has used All Clad tri-ply on an induction? Anyone find one worked better than the other?
Asian grocery or supermarkets in Boston area?
Thanks guys for your quick replies. I think I will spend my first weekend as a Bostonian exploring these. I will let you know what I find.
Two Great Sichuan Meals in Greater Boston
Thanks for this great post! I just moved to Boston from California and am really homesick for good Sichuan food. Do you have a favorite place for water boiled fish (Shui Zhu Yu)? I have really been craving it.
Asian grocery or supermarkets in Boston area?
I am a recent transplant to the Boston area from the San Francisco Bay area. I just unpacked my beloved hot pot, but have no idea where to buy any of the delicious ingredients it requires. Does anyone have any recommendations for an Asian supermarket? (For any other ex-Bay Area-ers something along the lines of 99 Ranch would be a dream!). I live in Fort Point, so something actually in Chinatown would be really convenient, but I'm willing to drive and fill up the freezer if that is what it takes!
Best CHOWDER in Nova Scotia and PEI?
Just got back from the Cape North area, so can't speak for all of Nova Scotia, but we had some great chowder in Neil's Harbor Chowder House. You can eat it outside on some picnic tables with amazing views overlooking the ocean. Fried clams were good too.
Buying seafood on Cape Breton Island
Thanks for the advice -- we are departing for our trip shortly. I will let you know what we find!
Locanda Positano in San Carlos !
The crust did have a few scorch marks on the high points, but the cheese was not browned at all and was not completely melted–the mozzarella was at that point were it had started to bake but was not quite soft and oozing (no oil had separated from the cheese or the sauce). Maybe the crust is baked in part before the toppings are added?
Locanda Positano in San Carlos !
I went to Locando Positano last night and I agree that the crust was great—perfect combination of chewy and crunchy—and the service was prompt and friendly. However,when the pizza came to our table it was already luke warm and by the time we were going for our second slices they were actually cold. They were very busy, so we just boxed up the rest and took it home, where we re-heated it and it was once again delicious. I don't know what happened? Maybe they were just too busy and service was slow? I have heard this same complaint from a few others, so maybe it has to do with the way it was cooked? I'm not sure the crust is really crunchy enough to be cooked at 800 degrees, so maybe it is cooked more slowly at a lower temperature? Could be just an off night, and the pizza was good enough that I would try again, but that was a bit of a let down.
Birch Restaurant, Palo Alto? On Birich Street near California Ave.
I called on Friday night and the recording still didn't have a date for when they would start serving dinner, but I imagine it will be fairly soon after Bistro Elan closes on July 2?
-----
Bistro Elan
448 S California Ave, Palo Alto, CA 94306
Help Me Plan Eating Adventures in SF
My favorite place for dim sum is Koi Palace in Daly City. Get there early enough to get the suckling pig!
I would second the La Ciccia suggestion. La Ciccia really opened my eyes to Sardinian food and wine, and I actually think that it is one of the few great restaurants in San Francisco that is under-priced (not that its cheap, but I can't think of anywhere else with a similar quality of food and service at that price).
Pizzetta 211 is a place I always like to take out-of-town guests who are up for a good food adventure, and now they serve lunch on Monday and Tuesday.
-----
Koi Palace Restaurant
365 Gellert Blvd, Daly City, CA 94015
La Ciccia
291 30th Street, San Francisco, CA 94131
Pizzetta 211
211 23rd Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121
Healdsburg Itinerary - Thoughts/Suggestions
I would go to Preston of Dry Creek after Rafanelli's—it is right down the road and if you like Rafanelli, Siduri and Nalle (three of my favorites), I think you'll really like Preston's style (both for wine and style/atmosphere). They also have a really great picnic area.
Based on the wines you like, you might also be interested in Medlock Ames. They are a generation younger than most of those wineries so they feel a little more hipster than hippy, but the craftsmanship is similar. They have a new tasting room and bar/restaurant type place near Healdsburg that is pretty neat.
-----
Siduri
980 Airway Ct, C Santa Rosa, CA
Medlock Ames
13414 Chalk Hill Rd, Healdsburg, CA
Naschmarkt in Campbell - any advance word on this restaurant due to open in June 2011?
I just went last night (full post: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/792260). The menu was mostly upscale versions of Central European standards (goulash, schnitzel, pork belly) with some lighter seasonal California fare thrown in (wild halibut). The beer list was not super long, but it had some interesting options (it seemed like maybe they were planning to rotate interesting beers in and out because there were several that weren't on the menu that our server recommended). I can't remember everything they had, but my fiance had a Maisel's Weisse, which is one of my favorites and not one you often see in the US.
My Friday night at new "Austrian/Californian" restaurant Naschmarkt in Campbell
My fiance and I ate a great dinner Friday night Naschmarkt. It was a lovely evening and the restaurant and bar were completely packed, both inside and outside. The space is relatively small but didn't feel crowded--the large windows and open-kitchen made the space feel larger. We sat inside, but they had some nice-looking outdoor tables, too.
The restaurant has only been open for a week, so not surprisingly, it seemed they were still working out a few minor service kinks (for example, two entree plates do not fit on the two-tops). Our server was friendly, nice and accommodating, but he lacked knowledge about the wine list, which was a little disappointing because their wine list is interesting and their mark-ups not bad. (They also have an interesting list of imported beers).
The food, however, was excellent. Even the bread was really a cut above--crunchy crust and very sour. My fiance and I shared the smoked bratwurst appetizer, which was perfectly cooked and served with delicious mustard (though there could have been more mustard and sauerkraut because they were so good!).
For entrees, he had the Wiener schnitzel and I had the goulash. Both were excellent. the schnitzel was light, crunchy, and just slightly browned. The goulash was meltingly tender and the gravy was thick and aromatic. The potato salad that came with the schnitzel was also a real winner--some of the best German-style potato salad I've ever had. The cucumbers added a great crunch and extra sourness. The knockerl we had for dessert was light and airy with just enough sponginess. We didn't have it, but someone at the table next to us had the pork belly, and it looked absolutely amazing.
The prices struck me as just a little high--not for the quality of the good--but the prices seemed a little out-of-sync with the casual atmosphere and the level of service. Opentable listed their prices as being "$30 and under," which may be literally true before tax and tip, but most of entrees are in the $27-30 range. The menu on their website didn't have prices, and when I sat down in the restaurant I was a little surprised at how high they were--everything seemed maybe $5 higher than I would have guessed. In the end, the food was worth the price, and I would highly recommend going, but don't be surprised if you pay a little more than you might anticipate on first glance.
Buying seafood on Cape Breton Island
My family and I have rented a cottage with a full kitchen for a week in Ingonish later this summer. We'd love some recommendations on the best places to buy fresh seafood for us to cook at home. Even if it means driving awhile, we love seafood and exploring is what the trip is about anyway.
Thanks for the help!
Best places on PEI?
I'm also planning a trip to PEI later this summer -- we'll be renting a cottage with a kitchen and would love to know some good places to buy fresh seafood to cook at home. Any recommendations on the best places to pick up good local seafood?
Thanks!
Preston of Dry Creek Wine Dinner at Spoonbar in Healdsburg
My fiance and I went to Preston's wine dinner last night at Spoonbar. We went because we have been long-time fans of Preston, but were pleasantly surprised by how great the food was and how pleasant their private dining room was. A few of the reviews we had read had said the food was a little inconsistent, but everything we had was at least tasty, and at least one course (the halibut ravioli) was really excellent.
Especially for a large private dining party, the service was very friendly and attentive. There were a few mistakes--my waiter spilled some wine on the table and I have a goose egg where another waiter brained me with his elbow in the back of my head while clearing the table behind me. I realize, though, that serving big parties is stressful and overall the service was still very good. I was particularly impressed with the timing of the dishes, even for a group of about 50.
We had:
First Course: Cirtus-cured swordfish, cucumbers, shaved fennel, radish and lemon with beet foam
Pairing: Preston 2010 Sauvignon Blanc
This course was light and crisp and the sauvignon blanc had a salinity that was a seamless and interesting pairing.
Second Course: California halibut ravioli, fava beans, fresh English peas, and basil
Pairing: Preston 2009 Roussanne
This course was remarkable. The pasta itself was fresh and perfectly cooked--tender but not mushy. The shredded halibut filling had a meatiness to it that I wouldn't normally expect from fish, and the flavor of halibut and the fava beans was perfect with the slight petrol flavor from the roussanne. Really excellent.
Third Course: Roasted Sonoma duck breast with mustard greens, and spiced strawberry chutney
Pairings: Preston 2009 Barbera; Preston 2009 GSM
The skin on my duck breast could have been slightly crispier, but the strawberry chutney was a perfect pairing with the GSM was excellent. The mustard greens were fresh and flavorful and added a nice bitterness to the very sweet strawberry chutney. The barbera was a good wine, but did not really shine here, and seemed a little bit throw in.
Fourth Course: Slow-cooked beef shortribs with horseradish potatoes and thumbalina carrots and artichoke
Pairing: 2009 L. Preston
The shortribs were perfectly cooked but they were too lean (grass fed maybe?). The artichoke was great, but the carrots boring. The cold potato salad didn't match well with the shortribs, and something warmer would have been better. The L. Preston was great and very nice with this warming dish.
Dessert: Yogurt Berry Plate with Brown sugar meringues
The meringues were airy with chewy centers and a wonderful brown sugar sweetness. The berries were fine but not excellent, with the exception of the raspberries which were delicious. Though a tasty dessert, something a little heavier, (maybe a foam cake?) would have been more satisfying.
At a total price of $59, I thought this meal was an excellent deal. Most of the dishes were well executed, but the entire meal was a little low on carbs, so I left wanting just a little bit more. Even just some bread or rolls would have made a big difference.
Since we were there for a fixed menu wine dinner, we also didn't get to try any of the cocktails but the bar looked very happening and many people in the lounge were carrying around very intriguing looking cocktails.
-----
Spoonbar
219 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, CA 95448
Best picnic spot in Berkeley?
Anyone have any great spots they'd be willing to share?
Buttariga (Bottarga) and other Sardinian ingredients in Bay Area?
Thank you all for your help! I will try these and report back!
Buttariga (Bottarga) and other Sardinian ingredients in Bay Area?
Does anyone know a good place in the Bay Area to find Sardian speciality foods? I'm particularly looking for Buttariga (Bottarga).
Thank you!
Marcella Hazan Green Lasagne Baking Question
Hazan recommends baking the lasagne at 400F for no more than 15 minutes. This seems very short to me -- has anyone tried it? I've never made lasagne with fresh pasta before, so maybe that is the reason for the shorter cooking time?
I'm also making the lasagne for a vegetarian friend, so I've had to substitute a vegetarian sauce for the bolognese, so I'm a little concerned about having too much liquid.
Thank you!
New Chantal Cookware - Copper Fusion
I have one Chantal Copper fusion pan and I absolutely love it. (I'm a graduate student, so its about the nicest kitchen tool I have.) I had a question about care though and I was hoping that someone who had one for awhile could tell me if (as it claims on the website) metal instruments won't scratch the enamel? Sometimes I'd really like to use a metal spatula or whisk and I worry that I will scratch its beautiful surface...
Thank you!
Easy Bay BYO?
Thanks for the info -- I guess I'm particularly looking for places that have a corkage fee in the $15 or less category.
Easy Bay BYO?
Thanks for the recommendations! I will definitely look into these and let you know which one we end up trying.
Easy Bay BYO?
Anyone have any good recommendations for an East Bay restaurant that lets you bring your own wine (or has a reasonable corkage fee)? Restaurant can be in any price range as long as the food is good. Thanks!!
