Alan C's Profile
Seeking very spicy food!
Thanks QAW for the tip on Mint Bistro. I newly relocated to Henderson (6 months ago) and have been looking for ultra spicy. Their menus, regular and inferno, look awesome.
Best Chinese also dim sum in Henderson NV
Sorry. I meant "East Ocean". "Great Eastern" is on Jackson Street in Sf (where I lived until 6 months ago).
Best Chinese also dim sum in Henderson NV
Great Eastern on Eastern, just above Serene. I haven't found it noticeably different from places along Spring Mountain or Ping Pang Pong, and if there are deficiencies, the short ride for folks on our side of town certainly makes up for it.
Table 34 - Very Disappointed - Long
Thanks juno for the suggestion about Todd's Unique. Being new to the area I haven't yet tried it but have read numerous positive reviews on this Board and elsewhere. After complaining about the table and drink, I just couldn't imagine sending back an entree.
Table 34 - Very Disappointed - Long
I had read mostly very positive reviews for Table 34. I found and liked their menu on-line (although surprised to see that they don't seem to have their own web-site).
So Deb and I made a reservation and arrived about 7:45 pm on Friday evening. The place was no more than half full when we got there (and never got busier during our meal).
The hostess greeted us perfunctorily, and immediately led us through the half-empty restaurant to a table right by the kitchen where we could hear the noise, see the bright lights and stacked dishes. After some negotiation, she finally let us pick a table away from "Siberia".
Our server was very pleasant and accomodating throughout the meal.
The vodka and soda I ordered arrived with completely flat soda water, and Deb's ginger ale was also flat (but she kind of likes it that way). I asked our server to please check with the bartender, and he arrived back with another one that had at least some "fizz", but I was not going to complain further. During the process I noted that there is no bartender; the servers mixed the drinks.
I ordered the crab cake appetizer that was a nightly "special", and was told that it was 95 % fresh crab meat. It came as advertised and was very good. The accompanying dipping sauce was less than memorable; however the crab cakes were nicely crisped and really did not require any sauce.
Deb ordered the baby back rib "special" and it was decent but certainly not outstanding. The sauce was on the sweet side.
The big shock came when I ordered the meatloaf. It was described on the menu as: "All Beef Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes and Onion Gravy $21.25". Certainly very pricey for meatloaf, as I have generally seen it at mid-range restaurants in the $12-15 range. However I am a big fan, and thought that it would undoubtedly have all kinds of cool ingredients to add to the meat, and decided to go with it. Big mistake, for which I certainly have to take some ownership.
It never occurred to me that "All Beef" meatloaf meant literally that: ALL BEEF and no other discernable ingredient. It came out in the shape of 2 thick, dark slices of french toast, with gravy, mashed potatoes and mixed veggies. I really tried to like it, but the texture was soft and gelatinous -- almost like pureed beef spam. After a few bites I just had to give up and I ate the sides. Now I certainly admit that it may be my lack of appreciation for a different "take" on traditonal meatloaf, or my failure to ask our server more about it.
The potatoes were fine, but there seemed to be a minimal hint of onion in the "onion gravy". The greens in the mixed veggie side tasted as if they had spent several hours on a steam table.
Finally, and I guess by now I should have known better, I ordered a cup of black coffee. At a restaurant with this price point I expected a better taste than I would get at midnight at a Denny's just before a shift change, but was again disappointed. I don't believe that it is too much to expect fresh, good coffeee at these prices.
There was a big dude who hung out near the bar and seemed to be some kind of owner or front of the house person. He mostly hung our and chatted with regulars, but otherwise appeared disinterested in the proceedings.
I really, really wanted to like this place, and had even talked Deb out of going to another restaurant so we could try it. I certainly would never return if I had to pay the tab.
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Table 34
600 E Warm Springs Rd Ste 180, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Fresh Roasted Coffee Beans
Thanks for the quick response QAW. Are there any places that roast and sell their own beans? I assume (perhaps wrongly) that with all of the fine-fining places on the strip, there must be some local rosters to provide fresh coffee. I have tried internet searches and only seem to find on-line sites that sell and ship.
Fresh Roasted Coffee Beans
I anticipate that this may be the first of several postings connected with our move from SF to Henderson in about 10 days. I have been reading the Las Vegas CH Board almost daily for the past year.
My first question is where can I find fresh-roasted whole bean coffee? I presently buy my beans at Peets and grind them daily.
Thanks.
Brandy Ho's or Henry's Hunan?
We popped into Barndy Ho's on 18th Street (in the Castro) on an impulse a few months back, a move we subsequently sincerely regretted. I cannot recall our menu chices, but came away with the feeling that it was the worst Chinese meal we have had in 30 years in San Francisco.
Best Bay Area bagels?
What's the name of the Vegas Deli. Moving to Henderson in a few months?
Any Boston transplant? Do you know any southern italian restaurant like Giacomo's around the bay area?
Sodinis on green street in North beach. They also have another location in South SF (same family, not sure if same folks run both of them.
Has an excellent "red sauce" type meal in south city a few weeks agon, and the North Beach location is an frequent "go to" place when entertaining out-of-towners.
The South City location is much bigger, and has a great "banquette" bar area where you can also order of the main menue.
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Sodini's
510 Green St, San Francisco, CA 94133
Abundance of strawberries lately
We got a container from cotco last week (just ate the last few this morning) and they were fantastic. Sweet, red all-through, and over the course of the week only had to throw 1 away when it got some "fuzz".
Seafood market in SF for live lobsters?
Last Friday, I bought 2 excellent live lobstgers, 1 1/2 pounds each at Sun Fat seafood on Mission between 22nd and 23rd -- the shells were well-filled with meat. They also have tanks of crabs and other shellfish.
Best Bay Area bagels?
I recommend Rolands on Haight Street at Webster. As a former east-coaster, they're by far the best I've tasted in SF. Chewy inside and great crust. Sometimes they're sold out by mid-afternoon. It certainly was open a week ago when I stopped there.
Where to buy head-on shrimp and live dungeness crab?
Sun Fat seafood on Mission between 22nd and 23rd.
Live crabs, east coast lobsters, clams, oysters
Lobster Fans head to 99 Ranch - $7.99 pound
Friday I picked up 2 very lively lobsters in the City, 1 1/2 - 1 3/4 pounders each for the same price ($7.99/pound) at Sun Fat on Mission - Cross Street 23rd.
Rolands - Real Bagels - follow-up
So I went by Roland's (422 Haight Street - by Webster) to pick up bagels for the third time. First time I went in response to a Chowhound post, and added my endorsement. Then last Friday I went back to make sure that I was not hallucinating the first time. (I wasn't). This former east-coaster, 30 years in City, has not previously found anything like them in these parts.
As I was leaving, Roland introduced himself. We chatted for a few minutes and I asked him why his bagels taste so great. He told me they are made out of hand-rolled dough that has been aged, and then they are boiled in water.
Perhaps this is how everyone does it - I wouldn't know - but I am quite sure that these are as close to the "real deal" as I've found this side of the Hudson.
Roland's Bagels > Real Bagesl in SF (Finally)
I tried it out yesterday afternoon. Picked up a couple of sesame and a couple of onion bagels. To this former east-coaster they seem like the real deal as well. They are "more dense" and consequently "chewier" than the House of Bagels, which I felt were the best available until trying these.
Chewy dried raspberries?
I have found dried blueberries, chewy and sweet, at Rainbow in SF. I think I also saw blackberries there, but I'm not sure about raspberries. You could give them a call and ask
Another Dim Sum Debate
We have been very pleased with City View, and found no lack of variety. Given the price/quality equation, we much prefer it to Yank Sing, and have been going there every 2 weeks or so for about 6 months.
Bakeries with special Christmas desserts?
Patisserie (?) Delonghe at corner of Fillmore and Bush.
Help! Need Quick Rec's for North Beach Red Sauce Dining
Sodini's (sp?) on Green Street at Grant.
I was there last Monday (it was full at 9:00 PM) and had a great meal. Old-school, "red sauce" Italian, with fun atmosphere.
Local spot to find a gasket for my stovetop espresso maker?
For all sorts of repairs and parts (as well as new items for kitchen, cleaning, etc.) try Appliance Sales on Folsom, between 5th and fourth. We have taken numerous items to them for repairs, from electric dog grooming clippers to Krupp coffee pots and they are always fast and effective. Lots of cool kitchen stuff (new) for sale.
I went on at some length because I was there earlier today.
Croquembuche in SF for a wedding
Delongue (sp?) french bakery, corner of Bush and Fillmore.
Must eat pork for a fallen vegetarian
"Memphis Pork" at Big Nate's on Folsom. Smokey, charey and if you like it hot, their spicy hot sauce has a good bite.
Old Port Lobster Shack, not too good
I went a few months back, and ordered the fried clams and lobster roll. (I am a former New Englander).
My take was that the clams themselves were the real deal, but the batter was not cooked-through and they were disappointingly underdone. Perhaps if I'd asked for them to be "crispy" it might have been better (or perhaps overcooked).
The lobster roll was fine, but certainly on the expensive side.
I did get a dozen of the rolls to go, and may re-up if I can't find adequate substitutes.
I found it to be the exact result as I experienced at Yankee Pier some years ago.
I haven't been back to either nor would I. On the other hand, as an eternal optimist, I'll try my luck with the comparatively new places on Market Street and on Lobmbard that have been the subject of recent Chowhound posts.
As for lobster rolls, I can always do what I did last week, which is get a lively 2 1/2 pound lobster at Sun Fat in the Mission, steam it and make my own lobster cocktails and salads.
La Palma - Bad Burrito Report
Taqueria San Francisco - 24th and York. Great carne asada burritos. Ask for the spicy "taco sauce" if you like it that way.
Sports Bars with Decent food in downtown SF
Melanie posted my comments about Ted's from some time back, and I thought I'd add an update.
It's still great, and in fact we had dinner there last Wednesday. In addition to the dishes mentioned in my previous post, I also recommend the clam chowder (smooth and neither too watery or "doughy") and the fried calimari.
Ted also brought put some firey kim chee (spelling?) and Korean noodles -- alol delicious.
Also there is an area that can be cordoned off (to some extent) for private parties. I have seen a number of them there.
Government Grub
Check out the cafeteria on the second floor of the federal courthouse building on Golden Gate Avenue. A wide variety of choices and ethnicities for both breakfast and lunch.
