Quebec City Trip Report

That is a wonderful dining report. We were in Quebec City the week before you. The places that stood out to us were Toast - truly fantastic for a high end dinner - and Cafe Temporel, a hip little cafe in the Old Port. Our meal at Versa, in the St. Roch district, was very good as well. I agree that the Old Port Market is excellent; as is JA Moisan, a gourmet grocer just outside the Old Port walls - they have a little eatery if you want to try something out on the spot.

rekha6 in Quebec (including Montreal)

The grill is full! What else can I make for my party?

The party was a huge success, even though the weather was cool and rainy. We had about 40-50 people including kids. The menu below was not the easiest approach to a backyard party, but it was definitely achievable and the guests were very appreciative! Even though I kept telling myself not to overdo it, I worked hard in the days leading up. But once everything was out on the table, I was able to hang out and relax with everyone.

Thanks for all your ideas. Here's what I made/served -

-Roast Chicken with Olives, Garlic, and Thyme

I used boneless chicken thighs, and I always put a bit of grain mustard in the marinade. Thanks escondido123 for the idea - you're right - roasting in the oven left the grill available post-octopus for hot dogs, hamburgers, and some grilled fennel, baby bella mushrooms, and orange bell peppers.

http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/roast-chicken-olives-garlic-thyme-1

1074717/index.html

-Hummus with chickpeas and cannelini - my husband made it from a basic recipe and tweaked to taste.

-Summer Strawberry Cake by Smitten Kitchen

http://smittenkitchen.com/2011/05/strawberry-summer-cake/

-Tomato, fresh corn, and quinoa salad with lime-cilantro-mint dressing - inspired by this thread, in particular attran99 and writergeek313

-Potato Salad by La Tartine Gourmande

http://www.latartinegourmande.com/2010/04/13/potato-salad-salade-de-pommes-de-terre/

La Tartine Gourmande is written by my friend Bea, who also brought over the strawberry clafoutis mentioned in this post: http://www.latartinegourmande.com/2011/06/11/radish-salad-gluten-free/ I've asked her to post the recipe.

Other friends made -

Chickpea salad with sun dried tomatoes, and feta

Farfalle with tomatoes, corn, and scallions

Nigella Lawson chocolate cake

Berry-rhubarb crisp

The only prepared food I served were a veggie and a cooked sushi platter from Whole Foods.

If I forgot anything, hopefully a friend will see the thread and add to the list.

Now, time to relax!

rekha6 in Home Cooking

The grill is full! What else can I make for my party?

Hi everyone,

These are great ideas! They're also inspiring me - for example, someone mentioned radish, someone else mentioned cucumber, and I remembered my friend Bea's potato salad recipe - not your usual potato salad with mayo. http://www.latartinegourmande.com/2010/04/13/potato-salad-salade-de-pommes-de-terre/

I had scoured the Chow site and this message board before posting and didn't find quite the right thread. Hopefully this one will help others in their backyard parties, too. I'll post what I end up making. And please, keep the ideas coming.

rekha6 in Home Cooking

The grill is full! What else can I make for my party?

Funny you say that about the octopus - I'm not a fan, either, though the baby ones that my husband marinates in a chipotle lime seafood rub first are actually really great: http://www.crateandbarrel.com/kitchen-and-food/spices-seasonings/chipotle-lime-seafood-vegetable-rub/s485601%22%3Echipotle (should note that it wouldn't have occurred to me to buy a CB seafood rub but a friend gave to us and it's yummy. He was thinking he'll grill chicken, too, but I fear he won't have room. Oven roasting is a great idea - and we have fresh oregano in the garden.

Mint-parsley pesto sounds great... what else goes in? Pine nuts? Olive oil, lemon?

rekha6 in Home Cooking

The grill is full! What else can I make for my party?

I'm hosting a barbecue/backyard party for about 40 people next weekend. We're grilling octopus, but that will take up much of the grill for most of the time. I also want my husband, the griller, to have some time to mingle and relax.

So... what else should I be making that's interesting and easy (emphasis on INTERESTING)? I'm a little fatigued on couscous salads and potato salads. Finger foods are welcome, too.

So far, all I can come up with is a wild rice salad, and a tomato and grilled corn salad. Help!

rekha6 in Home Cooking

6 DAYS OF EATING ON THE ISLAND OF ISCHIA--BRIEF REPORT----9/09

I just returned from two nights on Ischia just following New Year's 2011. My husband and I didn't make it to Forio, so we wanted a good place to eat in Porto, where we were staying. Having had a terrible tourist lunch with completely indifferent staff, we were not feeling optimistic. We set out to see what we could find, and we hit upon a gem.

It's called Un attimo di Vino.

It's on Via Porto (#103), which runs right along the marina/water with about 10 restaurants side by side. If you're coming from the Piazza Antica Reggia, the most obvious direction to walk from, you'll pass the restaurants on your right. Don't be discouraged by their extremely tourist vibe. Keep walking. Seriously.

After the strip, you'll see a wine bar on the right. That's your place. Raimondo, the chef, is from Sicily and he runs the place with his Ischian wife. We picked the fish we wanted - dorado - and he made it into three simple, elegant, courses, served slowly over two hours, with the best bread I had had so far on our trip. There was no printed menu; we just let Raimondo lead us, and were richly rewarded. Of course, wine was in constant (but not overwhelming supply). The place was full of Italians who also seemed to appreciate avoiding the standard tourist fare.

I didn't drink but my husband did, and the meal came to 45 euros/pp. Well. worth. it.

If you go, please post here, I'd be curious to know what you think.

rekha6 in Italy

Restaurants in Ravello

I just returned from three nights in Ravello over New Year's - we ate at three places there, and were well prepared thanks to the recommendations on this list!

Some restaurants, including Don Salvatore, are closed during the winter. But we still found plenty of good options for such a small town.

Cumpo Cosimo is as described by the other posters - excellent, traditional food in a laid-back, traditional setting. It feels quite touristy, but again, the food is very good, so who cares. The owner brought us extra food and a delicious dessert without our prompting - the entire staff was warm and friendly.

La Vittoria was a bit more creative in the cuisine, but about the same level of quality, perhaps slightly nicer ambience than Cumpo Cosimo.

Our favorite meal was on New Year's Eve at Figli di Papa. This was their regular menu so you should be able to get a similar version at any time of year. The entry to the restaurant is unimpressive, but the actual dining space is lovely. The husband and wife owners are young and welcoming. The food, while traditional, was definitely more refined and creative than the other two places, and simply better. Even the way they handled a simple grilled vegetables starter was great.

I don't remember the prices for any one place, but my husband and I felt they were all good value for what we had, and all in a similar range.

rekha6 in Italy

What food from Boston area should I bring home to Florida

I know I'm going stereotypical here, but clam chowder! No specific recommendations, though maybe Legal Sea Foods as foodie1859 suggests, or maybe Union Oyster House in Quincy Market. Otherwise, a can of chowder made locally.

Otherwise, I agree Taza Chocolate is fantastic. And if they're into coffee, Barismo in East Arlington on Mass. Ave is the New Big Thing. Beans only, nothing ground there.

-----
Union Oyster House
41 Union Street, Boston, MA 02108

Taza Chocolate
561 Windsor St, Somerville, MA

Barismo
169 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA 02474

rekha6 in Greater Boston Area

Looking for Beehouse teapots in Cambridge/Arlington

All helpful suggestions in unexpected locations! Thanks. In the end, I ordered from here: http://www.indigo-tea.com They had a very good selection, colors I had never seen elsewhere. Even though it was a day or two late, the recipient said they received it and it looks great.

rekha6 in Greater Boston Area

Looking for Beehouse teapots in Cambridge/Arlington

I'm writing a thorough update so I can save someone else the same hunt. I called and Tags carries a Bee House knockoff called Hues n Brews. I was tempted to get one anyway, so I went to the store. But that cheesy name is engraved on the lid, so I left it there. Bloc 11 doesn't carry teapots. China Fair is a good lead. Thanks!

rekha6 in Greater Boston Area

Looking for Beehouse teapots in Cambridge/Arlington

Thanks - they have a taller, slimmer one, but not the round one. They do carry another brand, ForLife, but those don't seem as nice.

rekha6 in Greater Boston Area