FrancisdeR's Profile
Oh No - Majolica is closing on Sat!
My heart stopped when I saw this thread, but restarted when I saw it was being revived from 2009. My wife and I have been going at least monthly for many years and we have always loved the food. Funny, I don't remember ever seeing young children. But well-behaved children are seldom noticed, and they are welcome everywhere.
If, on the other hand, the parents let the kids treat the place like their family room, it can ruin the evening for everyone (so can drunk adults, BTW). I have never seen that at Majolica (the parents who let the kids get obnoxious, not the drunk adults, which I have seen). I hope it stays that way.
Advice for Raleigh pls.
Thanks to all who provided advice. The ladies (and a handful of men) enjoyed your suggestions, which were provided as part of their trip package. Bu Ku, Sitti, and Caffe Luna were very popular. I know one group went to the Bistro. Others enjoyed the BBQ and the chicken place. People went in separate groups of 3-6, so I am probably missing many places. In any event, thanks again.
Tempura, Chester county or main line?
I am already familiar with Morimoto, though I don't get there anywhere near enough.
In Chester County, I love Masamoto, but they just don't do tempura. So now, I ask: Are there other Japanese places that pay attention to the quality of their tempura, preferably in Chester County, but any main line location considered.
Thanks in advance.
F
Advice for Raleigh pls.
Thanks. I had done a search on "Raleigh" to see if I could find that, but no success. Now, is there anything new in the area? The general Raleigh search seemed to show a lot of new openings.
Advice for Raleigh pls.
My wife is running a group trip (about 30 people) to visit gardens in Raleigh, NC. They are staying at the Sheraton at 421 Salisbury. We would very much appreciate your recommendations for restaurants within walking distance of that hotel.
We don't need restaurants that can accommodate all 30. Usually, the members go in separate groups of 2, 3, or up to 6.
Any advice would be welcome. Thanks.
Francis
Vietnam Palace tonight, any suggestions?
Thanks to all for your advice. We did try, among other things, the stuffed crepe and the stuffed grape leaves, both of which were much appreciated by the group (we shared everything). Overall, an enjoyable meal.
Francis
Vietnam Palace tonight, any suggestions?
We are working our way through the better Chinatown restaurants, and VP is on the docket tonight.
When we went to Rangoon a few months ago, we did very well with a suggestion (from this board) of the thousand layer bread. Thanks to whoever made that suggestion.
So, we are trying again. Are there any standouts at VP that anyone would like to share. TIA
F
Please critique my itinerary
Sylvia, I'm with you on Amis. Love the food, but you do feel rushed. We often go pre-theatre. We get there relatively early, and tell the waitperson when we need to leave. But we always get the food all at once. We have taken to ordering one thing at a time, but they still rush you, even when the place is less than half full.
Cheese Shop in Phoenixville
I was a regular at Michael Ramondo's shop in Pville, and I really miss that shop. For a while, a guy called Gerry tried to sell bread (which he baked ) and cheese and some high end food products in the shop where Soltrane (sp?) now sits, but that did not last long.
Simply put, there was not enough business. Michael would tell me he was busy on Saturdays, but would spend hours staring at the clock when he was open mid-week.
I now go to The Grand Fromage, which is a lot further for me (I live west of Pville). Prices are admittedly "city" but you get the benefit of someone who is making sure they are not selling you garbage (eg Brie or Camembert that has been wrapped in Saran wrap and has gone "ammonia") that you occasionally get even at Wegman's or at Clyde Weaver (cheesemonger at the Lancaster Co farmer's market in Wayne). To me, it's worth it.
And if we don't support the serious independents, our only choice will be the refrigerator island at Giant or Wegman's. Not to knock Wegman's too hard (I am really happy they are around), but it's just not the same thing.
Rte 30 between Paoli and Wayne
Somehow I'm not surprised by any of your responses. Any place worth going to shows up on these boards pretty fast. I am a big fan of both Alba and Nectar, and have only just heard of Silverspoon. We'll find it. Thanks, all, for your help.
Rte 30 between Paoli and Wayne
Thanks, cook. That story sure doesn't put Aneu in a good light. But then, so does the fact that no one has commented after a few days. The other two have the excuse of being very new.
Rte 30 between Paoli and Wayne
We drive by a number of places that look interesting, but have not seen much about them on this board. Here are a few where I would be delighted to hear what others have to say.
Tiramisu in Berwyn
Alfredo (located where the old Trattoria San Nicola was)
Aneu
Any comments welcome (or referrals to old posts if I missed them).
Thanks.
Francis
A belated Valentine's day celebration, outside of the city
Here is a vote for Majolica. The chef is absolutely dedicated to high quality food and the price point is probably a lot less than it was five years ago. Alba (suggested by someone else below) is also excellent, and is likely to cost you a lot more.
fish restaurant
Has anyone been recently? It seems to have moved to the Independent Hotel. I don't know how recent that is, but Zagat's still has it near 17th St.
Here in Philly one night - (staying in Glen Mills) where should we go?
Masamoto on Rte 202 just south of Rte 1, if you are in any way sushi / shashimi-oriented.
Where can I buy a whole duck in Chester County?
Inter alia = among other things. Maybe I read too many British publications.
great lunch at Garces Trading Company
Neat. I have an uncle in Amiens (or just outside in Bertangles). What is the name of the shop?
Where can I buy a whole duck in Chester County?
I sometimes see them at the Lancaster Farmers Market in Wayne, although they are often frozen. You might be able to call them and ask for one that is not frozen. Only open Wed, Fri, Sat. Rittenhouse Farms 610-687-3156. They say they accept orders for [inter alia] ducks.
West Chester -- Olive Branch and Sarcone's Deli
Thanks, Sidney. Ho early would you suggest? We are familiar with Carlino's and get in there every now and again.
West Chester -- Olive Branch and Sarcone's Deli
We were able to drive through WC with virtually no traffic today, so we took the opportunity to look closely at the food places. Two questions for those on this board.
Olive Branch -- tapas place on W Gay St. 2-3 doors east of Mediterranean. Anyone been? Any opinions?
Sarcone's Deli -- south side of Market St. west of the transportation center. They say it's all about the bread, so I'm guessing they have a connection to Sarcone rolls. First, can you buy the rolls on a retail basis there? Second, is the deli anything out of the ordinary?
Thanks for any comments you may have.
Masamoto! Very impressive!
Thanks, rmoore. I had been disappointed by the lack of response, but I realized that I did not mention the neighborhood in the title. Fact is, most of us in Delaware and Chester County are starved for any good addition to the sparse local choices, so I expected that anyone living out here would have been very curious.
As suggested in the first post, I went back the next night with another group. The experience was just as good. Tried a few more things, the tempura banana among them. It was good, but not as good as the banana roll (suggested by the waitress, did not seem to be on the menu).
Sushi / sashimi is clearly the house forte, but even if you're not into those two, this is a great addition to the Asian offerings in the nabe.
Fried Shrimp Po'Boys
It's been years since I went, but I have a nice memory of one of these at High Street Caffe in West Chester.
Masamoto! Very impressive!
Went last night to Masamoto in Glen Mills, in a strip mall on the dreaded Rte. 202 kitty-corner from Harvest and a little north of Big Fork.
Wow!
It bills itself as an Asian bistro, and we had a few of the Chinese things, but this is clearly a sushi-focused place. My friend and I took the omakase for two and got:
a perfect scallop, sliced very thin, with lime
a superb tuna tartare with crispy bits of (what I think is) fried rice noodles
one piece each of five excellent fish sushi
two rolls, one Godzilla, one other, excellent tuna
We added a hot & sour soup and a chicked with black beans.
We're not dessert people, but the banana tempura sure looked interesting.
All this for less than $100 for two, tax and tip included. I am so surprised not to have heard about them on this board. I stumbled across their name in Zagat's. The 26 food rating caught my eye, especially as I realized it was in Chester County.
I'm going back tonight (bit of a coincidence) with a bigger group, where we can try more things.
In the meantime, I can only report a truly impressive first experience.
Vinny's at Chester Springs, bbq?
I have the same interest. I live very nearby. Vinny's has not been an attraction to us, except to buy beer when we have beer drinkers coming. Still, if anyone has anything to say about that BBQ, we are interested.
Do I dare order a roasted turkey?
If it's only the turkey you are worried about, Julia Child has a very simple formula I have been following for years. Butterfly the turkey. 90 minutes at 450 degrees. We tend to have smaller turkeys (8-12 pounds) and it has always worked out well for us. Nicely browned skin, moist white meat. If you really want, cut off the legs and thighs and give them an extra 10-15 minutes. The actual turkey is now what we sweat the least.
Dinner at Mercat a la Planxa - 9/24/2011
Similar experience. Very good food. Cruddy service, mainly for the server's convenience, not yours. Food came out far too fast. It is very good, give us time to enjoy it. BTW, it was a Sunday night, the place was not full.
I asked the server's advice for a Spanish beer. He suggested a double fermented beer, which was quite good. Except he didn't tell me it was a 26 oz bottle. I had just meant one beer, which I would later follow with wine. Opened in a jiffy. Too late. Gotcha.
The guy was nice but rushed, came by when he had time (which was not often) and then only to push more stuff on us.
First tapas before drinks, same deal.
I have had much better experiences with the Garces places in Phila. I suspect he is not in Chicago in person much.
Too bad service is so poor, the food was really good.
Spice Kitchen, new Indian restaurant in Trooper, PA
Spike Kitchen. Sorry, I should have specified.
Spice Kitchen, new Indian restaurant in Trooper, PA
My wife and I went a few Fridays ago, after a review from The Artful Diner. We enjoyed it very much. One of the few places you can get fish at an Indian restaurants. Out here (West Chester / Exton) the best you'll do is shrimps. Nothing remarkable, just tasty Indian food, reasonably competent service, and a pleasant enough atmosphere.
Cons Servent?
Have to agree with estilker. Went last night (we're from Phila but my mom lives outside of Montreal. Liked the grilled quail, but was a little underwhelmed. Great cellar. Did not seem excessive in price but I am not up on Montreal prices.
Have to agree on slowness, although we were in no hurry. One irritating thing: They send people outside to smoke. The people go outside, and stay right in front of the door, so even those of us at the very back of the restaurant smelled the smoke. You'd think they would figure this one out.
Overall, not bad. Glad we went. Montreal has so many other choices, though.
