My sister is dying for some batter dipped fish and malt vinegared chips. Any suggestions in San Diego? Thanks in advance.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Has anyone tried La Vache in Hillcrest?

I just moved to San Diego, and I'm dying for decent French food.

Help!

It seems to me that it would take more power to heat your oven with the stone in the oven.

I used my microwave almost exclusively for rice and popcorn. It took up a huge amount of space and who knows what was happening to the food. I was going to replace it with a rice-maker, but I just went back to cooking both rice and popcorn on th stovetop. Someday, should I win the lottery, I might invest in a rice-maker.

I bought the ChefMate at Target several months ago and I'm knocked out by the quality and versatility. I had the LC and it was heavier, much more expensive and the enamel eventually developed a lot of cracks.

Bourdain?

Two thumbs way up. He's the most entertaining guy in the food business ... or at least alongside it.

Through iTunes, you can get the podcast video (without TimesSelect). Everything you need to know.

It was impressive, I sent the article to two nephews -- one just graduated from college and one just became a freshman. Good info.

A few unglazed terra cotta tiles should do the trick. Baker's Catalogue sells the Cook's Illustrated highest rated baking stone, if you don't mind waiting and paying for the $$$$hipping.

I replaced mine with a whisk, a wooden spoon and a hand-mixer. And I found that I preferred the results when I hand-kneaded bread dough. The tools all fit in a drawer and I have reclaimed a valuable piece of countertop real estate in my tiny kitchen.

Find your local restaurant supply store (phone book). They probably sell to the public. There was a fabulous one in Seattle and I just discovered the one in Oakland. Bargains galore! And the stuff in meant to last. I recently got several items for about a third of what the Baker's Catalogue wanted and no shipping costs or waiting.

I always think the prices at JP are pretty high. If anyone else has any ideas for fresh fish in Alameda, I'd sure like to hear them.

You might try this conversion calculator:

http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/cookingc...

! entered .66 cups ground almonds and got 62.7 grams.

The renovations are taking forever. I've never eaten there, but all the cops in Alameda seem to (and I'd imagine donuts are not on the menu), so I have a feeling that I'll be standing in line when they reopen.

There is a not-too-bad place on Webster in Alameda. It's called Calafia and it's right next to our farmers' market.The price wasright and the enchiladas were not half-bad.

I agree with lexdevil. I just celebrated a birthday last week at Sea Salt. The food was terrific and the service impeccable. Didn't much care for the blue room decor. Do have the monkfish liver with sea urchin and sturgeon caviar. I could have skipped my main course and just had a second starter.

Thanks people! That's very helpful.

What's the cheapest place in Berkeley to get a decent meal around movie time?

Thanks in advance.