violin's Profile
Seperate Checks?
Actually, I did notice more separate checks when we I lived in Boston. As poor students, we were more likely to have financial problems and couldn't manage paying for "the group's" extravagances. Also, in Europe it is very common to ask for separate checks, and Boston has a lot of Europeans/European students.
When I lived in England as a student, every time we went out to eat it was separate checks. Even for the huge parties of 20 people getting a cheap curry dinner. This was my first experience with separate checks, and I thought it was great. The servers were used to it, and managed it well. They also tended to get more reliable tips since large groups of students eating together and paying together are NOTORIOUS under-tippers. Although people tip much less in England, of course.
After Manresa and French Laundry
Canteen
oops... they are closed Mondays.
Would have been a nice, casual but wonderful contrast to your other high end meals.
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay Thread - 2nd quarter 2012
Yay: frozen Sage sweet potato gnocci (it haunted me later!), Bao (although I wish they were bigger and more per package), frozen scallops (reliable, but pricey),
so-so: frozen polenta with spinach and carrots (veggies not great), milk chocolate covered potato chips
"No mom, you don't have to cook..."
My mom worked a high-stress job full time (commuting by train to work daily) once all three kids were school aged. And yet she still managed to do all the bill paying, house cleaning, food shopping, errand running etc.. and had a hot, healthy meal on the table for the entire family every night. It was basic, American food (meat/chicken/fish with every meal, starch, vegetable... fresh or frozen... glass of skim milk). Nothing special, underseasoned as most food was, with a tendency toward overcooking the meat due to a particularly paranoid fear of food poisoning (it happened more often back then...). But it was fine, healthy, freshly cooked. And money was tight ....
I admire her.... so much. I don't know how she did it. She didn't complain.
I can barely take care of myself, and I look at what she did for us....
Eeek! Mouse-proofing my pantry?
We also had a resurgence of a mice problem in our kitchen this winter. As the temperature drops, the mice always try to get in.
First, you have to seal up any access holes. Importantly, check under your sink around the plumbing. Just stuff in towels/filler or tape up well. Also check near the floor... we had an opening underneath the cabinets along the baseboards that ran the entire length of the cabinets. You couldn't see it unless you laid down on the floor..... taped it up with duct tape.
And then after our traps failed (the mice quickly learned to outsmart them), we got the sonic devices. Worked perfectly. The trick is you have to place one in each room that is a problem, and you cannot put anything in front of them that could potentially block the sound waves.
I was skeptical of these devices since reviews on-line are spotty. So I went to our local wonderful hardware store and talked with the owners. They also recommended the Victor mini pro pestchasers, and said they work.... it's just that many people do not read the directions and plug them into outlets that are hidden behind furniture etc.. so the signal doesn't get out appropriately.
So now we have one plugged in every room of the house where food is present (eg. kitchen, dining room, and my father's bedroom..... he likes to snack....). No more mice.
We did not like the idea of using poisons around food.
2012 Confessions
I did put freshly grated Parmesan on top.
I feel a little better now.
2012 Confessions
I just ate a whole box of macaroni and cheese.
At least it was Annie's.
I feel a little funny.
When do ethics come to play in your dining decision?
Well, I know this is probably too lowbrow for chowhound, but when I was still a kid and ordering pizza on a saturday night was considered a luxury.... Domino's rubbed me the wrong way when there was a lot in the news about the owner's support of several right-wing, anti-abortion groups. That was back in the day where there were some high profile shootings of doctors.
And yes.... if I knew some wonderful restaurant was suddenly having a "special party" for an exiled war criminal/drug smuggler/fascist etc..., I would probably take my business elsewhere.
How to (and should I) raise poor chef skills to a restaurant owner?
I also make my carbonara with whole eggs, as do the Italians who taught me. Perfectly acceptable. Eggs lightly hand-beaten appropriately before adding to the dish, it mixes well with the cheese forming a nice coating to the pasta. You actually wouldn't "notice" egg white were involved.
Sounds like the cook, ?broke the egg into the pasta before mixing, leading to some separation of the eggs. Ok, not so nice. But are you saying this was inedible? Perhaps thou does protest too much.
What non-food/non-traditional food items did you eat as a kid?
Hair.
Just my own, of course.
Adults that have been "sheltered" from cooking?
This is so lovely.... I am so happy for him.
2012 Confessions
I just ate 3 cupcakes for dinner.
At least they were homemade.
Simple chocolate cupcakes, with real, thick vanilla buttercream frosting.
How to "split" a check equitably?
This is always rough. Even more problematic, most people do not carry enough cash anymore. Everyone wants to charge the whole meal on their credit card to get the miles/cash back/free back massager/blah blah blah..... No shame. So I am most annoyed by people coming to a group outing with no cash, which simply means paying is difficult.
Interestingly, as I get older with friends who have more $$$, they are stingier with paying their fair share, or treating occasionally, or wanting to put all the miles on their credit card etc...
In general, I think alcohol should be placed on a separate bill, and that those who imbibe should split that separately. Alcohol charges often surpass food in inequities, in many of our party outings. I drink, and have no problem with that.
We also have problems that often people arrive/leave at different times during an evening. Rude, yes, but it happens with busy lives. So if you are one of the unlucky ones left at the end of an evening, it's funny how suddenly you are $100 short trying to cover the check. No one calculates their portion of tax/tip correctly. Or if you are "covering the birthday girl/boy's dinner", no one remembers to include that.
So these days I try to avoid large group outings. $50-100 is too much to throw around for me. The day I am rich and famous, and can afford to treat others .... then maybe I'll go out to dinner with friends more often. My last dinner outing with such a group I paid $60 at a tapas place for one appetizer and a beer. My punishment for waiting until the end of the birthday part to leave, and having to drive myself home (so minimal drinking).
Unexpected guests at a dinner party?
Wow - I feel so sorry and frustrated for you.
One concern I have is that your other guests will not only be annoyed that they were not "allowed" to bring their kids, but will see this as a change in policy for your parties.... and so they will start bringing their kids in future years!!! So you better make it VERY VERY clear that you are not happy about this to EVERYONE. Or else your parties will be ruined in the future. If you make it too nice for her kids with their favorite mac and cheese, cookies and great videos I PROMISE YOU some of the other couples will bring their kids next year.
Never underestimate the power of precedent. A friend and I used to have elaborate New Year's Eve parties every year with a gourmet menu. Invitation only. Then one year, a clueless friend brought 6 co-workers to the party. It changed the parties forever. No one obeyed invitation only in the future, and the parties had to be canceled.
Dinner Party Etiquette: Bringing AND cooking your own food?
+2
I have been the primary caregiver of two very ill parents, and never once have the out of town family offered to cook when they arrive. Finally, I asked them to cook once, and they did, and it was great.
Of course, they continue to never offer to cook.....
Water taxi to Chinatown
Wondering if I could get a rec or two in Chinatown for a late lunch tomorrow?
I'm going to take my Dad on the water taxi down to Chinatown. He's always wanted to try it. He is pretty conservative in his food tastes and wants some simple stir fry - spicy beef and broccoli type stuff. I'd love some good dumplings.
I think the water taxi lets us off on 18th street. My dad is fairly disabled (walks with crutches). Do we need to take a taxi to get to the main strip, or can we walk from there?
And since my Dad is disabled, we'd like to avoid any restaurants in older buildings, upstairs. We need a place that's a bit newer so that we know it will be accessible (handrails, no stairs without railings, accessible restrooms etc..).
Thanks for the recs.
Help needed near Cleveland Airport
Thanks for the replies guys. I really appreciate the input. I will try one of these tonite. Will see if I hitch a ride on the hotel shuttle...
Help needed near Cleveland Airport
You guys were great with some recommendations for downtown Cleveland places that I will be visiting later this week (Chinato and Lola reservations for later this week). But first I would appreciate a little more help.
I am also going to be staying for a few days near the airport at the Crowne Plaza hotel - 7230 Engle Road in Middleburg Heights. Where can I eat dinner? I am not expecting to eat at Chinato quality here, and I honestly just want fast and cheap as I am very very busy working, but would love something tasty. This is an area where the front desk directs me to Applebee's. Any other options? Again, I love all ethnic food/American food - everything from a great hot dog, or a fresh tasty salad to pizza to a perfect taco or great french fries or Pho or a good BLT.
Would the Shinto Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar just be a disaster? You gotta love a place called the Mad Cactus, but who knows what it is.
Any input appreciated.
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Mad Cactus
9175 Pearl Rd, Cleveland, OH 44136
Chinato
E 4th St, Cleveland, OH
Mangos from Pakistan have arrived?
Wow kathryn - thank you for all of the links and info.
My friends from India have told me about these mangos for many years, and as a mango lover I have been very eager to try one. They are supposed to be so wonderful.
I was not planning to buy a case (!), but I thought some place might be selling them one at a time. That I would do!
If anyone tries one, let us know.
Mangos from Pakistan have arrived?
Does anyone know where they will be sold?
Or have you tried one yet?
Downtown Cleveland recs for a single
Many thanks!
You guys are great. I am going to make reservations at Chinato and Lola, and will think about hitting Greenhouse Tavern for a perfect french fry if my budget can manage it.
I also love the additional casual recommendations within walking distance. I will have lunch covered most days during my meeting/course (it will be crappy, but since I paid for it I will probably eat it), but will try to hit several of the local ones recommended for a cheaper dinner if they are still open. Would love a cuban sandwich, and pho and a good pizza slice.
You guys are great mind-readers.
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The Greenhouse Tavern
2038 E 4th Street, Cleveland, OH 44115
Chinato
E 4th St, Cleveland, OH
Downtown Cleveland recs for a single
Hello,
Hoping for some updated eating recs for a single woman that will be in walking distance to my hotel in downtown Cleveland.
I am from Chicago and will be in Cleveland for 1 week in September for a crash course and an exam. So I will be stressed, tired, and food will be my escape! I will be staying at a Marriott (Residence Inn Cleveland Downtown 527 Prospect Avenue East) for that time, and am looking for places in walking distance to eat while I am there. A short taxi ride for a great/special meal is a possibility.
Looking for casual places for some dinners during the week and/or take-out ethnic places. And then I would love a fabulous dinner or two to celebrate, as the exam and week winds down.
I love everything food-wise, although I have to admit a brazilian steakhouse or the popular Polish favorite in Cleveland doesn't appeal to me at the moment. New American, fusion, french, italian, tapas, absolutely any Asian or indian (but only if they are very good...). I used to live in San Francisco and my favorite restaurant was Canteen. And for a recent splurge in Chicago I ate at Alinea. But more often I am looking for the perfect french fry or a simple, tasty meal with fresh/high quality ingredients.
I am not shy about eating alone, and am happy to eat on a barstool. If there are places I should make reservations for (for my celebration dinner), let me know if that is an issue (likely Saturday night).
I may have a small kitchen in my room, so if there is a good grocery store nearby that would be helpful to know too.
It sounds like CROP will not be open when I am there, but that would have probably been high on my list.
Thanks for your time.
Old Orchard in Skokie
Thanks everyone!
I think I will suggest Frontera Fresco or Maggiano's. If we can get off-site, I'll go for Thai.
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Frontera Fresco
111 N State St, Chicago, IL
Old Orchard in Skokie
I have a lunch meeting planned on a weekday, and need to meet ..... randomly... in or near the Old Orchard shopping mall in Skokie.
Any decent places to eat? It doesn't need to be fancy/formal. The person I'm meeting could eat sawdust and not care. But I really enjoy tasty food, of all ethnic varieties. The idea of eating in a shopping mall is not my favorite, so if there is nothing there nearby recs would be appreciated.
thanks
