slofood's Profile
Indian cuisine near Whittier?
I'm going to be in Whittier next week and I have been jonesing for Indian food. Any recs for dinner in the area?
Also, where's a good place to take about 20 people for lunch? We're having a funeral at Rose Hills and we need a place to convene for a bite before everyone makes the long drive home.
Thanks in advance.
lunch between Los Angeles & Big Sur
Take the 101 straight up. There is nothing on the 46 until you get to Paso Robles, and the road from LA to Bakersfield is borrrrring. You won't save any time by doing it that way anyway.
Skip the pea soup. I second the rec for Los Olivos Cafe. If you want something beachy you could stop for lunch in Shell Beach at Spyglass--it's just off the highway (Spyglass Rd exit, easy on/off), beautiful ocean view. Food is good but nothing special. It's all about the view.
Gems for a California roadtrip?? Any Advice?
If you are in the Santa Barbara area on a Saturday or Sunday, you MUST stop at the Cold Springs Tavern. It's north of Santa Barbara on hwy 154 (State Street). What a treat! Don't miss it.
A fun experience would be to rent ATVs and drive on the giant sand dunes at Oceano. You can actually drive your car on the beach, but be careful to go when the tide is low and the sand is damp (not soft). If you do get stuck in the sand, someone will pull you out.
You can rent kayaks in Shell Beach and Morro Bay.
While in SLO county, be sure and have Santa Maria Style Barbecue, it's a regional specialty you will get nowhere else. (You can find it many places--street corners, car washes.)
Another thing is to have clam chowder in Pismo Beach. Splash Cafe on the main drag in Pismo on the way to the pier is a funky locals favorite. Walk to the end of the pier.
Go inland at Pismo Beach (Price St. exit) to 227 and visit some of the wineries of the Edna Valley.
Have a wonderful time.
Brunch/Breakfast Cookbook?
Williams Sonoma has a book--it's kind of small, though. Pretty pictures and basic recipes.
HELP Can you make a cake without eggs? If so,
There is a cake recipe out there from the 50s or 60s called Crazy Cake or Wacky Cake. It uses vinegar and baking soda to rise. No eggs. It's a very good cake, although I've only seen it done in chocolate. I'm sure if you Googled it you'd find many recipes.
puff pastry quiche...Blind bake first?
I made a quiche with puff pastry a couple weeks ago and the recipe said NOT to blind bake it. I did not. It was wonderful. Usually when we have overnight guests I make the quiche ahead of time (blind baked one) but this one is so easy you could assemble and bake the morning of.
new 'cue on the central coast
Thank you so much, toodie jane, I was just up there (from AG) Thursday, saw the place and wondered about it.
Paso Robles - Good food at a moderate price?
Bubba's Big Bad BBQ is pretty good, it's on the west side of 101 at HWY 46 East.
Interesting Scotch Recommendations
The Macallan,12 year (but 18 is better). I agree, Laphroaig sucks. But my friend loves it, so it's a matter of taste. Definitely give him The Macallan.
BBQ Grills
We live in California and use our grill several times a week year round. We currently have a Magic Chef (love it). Previously we have had Bull, and Firemagic (17 years). All fine. The only reason we changed brands was because we moved, not because we had to replace the bbq (they were built in). Ours have always been natural gas, but propane would have been an option had we wanted to go that way.
What do you have for lunch at home? (moved from Outer Boroughs board)
Good question and I can't wait to read the responses. I'm all about tuna or grilled cheese.
SD Hounds need a post Laker game meal
You could try Ocean on Hill Street, near the theaters.
http://www.oceansf.com/
I think you'll like Phillippe's, it's fun, funky.
Recommendations for route from SF to Tucson?
I agree, no good chow on I-5. We used to travel it when our daughter was at Chico State...we packed a lunch.
What’s your favorite menu to serve a party of 6??
My winter favorite is braised short ribs of beef. They take hours to cook and there is no last minute fussing in the kitchen. Everybody loves them and they are a good comfort food. And you don't get them every day.
Breakfast in Pismo
On Shell Beach Road north of Pismo is Spyglass, which is at the Spyglass exit off 101. A half mile north of that is Marisol at The Cliffs Resort. Spyglass is a little more funky and you can sit outside and order off the menu. Marisol is more upscale and there is a buffet brunch on weekends. I like Spyglass better, my husband prefers Marisol. On Sundays at Marisol they have live music, and there are a few tables outside.
There is also a new restaurant, Lido, at Dolphin Bay. It's between Spyglass and Marisol. Very nice, but I don't know if they do a brunch.
All three have gorgeous views. Lido is a little far back from the water.
http://www.cliffsresort.com/dining/
http://www.thedolphinbay.com/lido_restaurant/
http://www.spyglassinn.com/
How Long to Roast a Pork Loin?
I made that dish for Oktoberfest for our gourmet group--it was fabulous, btw.
I made it twice--once the week before, to test-drive it. I'm not disputing the need for a thermometer, but I wanted to report that I cooked it for about an hour both times.
NY Chowhounds have one night in Palm Springs!
I second Roy's, but add Riccio's for Italian/seafood.
Need Chow help in Rancho Mirage.
Wally's is a dining extravaganza. Big wallet, very shi-shi. Las Casuela's is formualic Mexican. Don't know about the others. If you like Thai, try Bangkok 5 on 111 at Country Club Drive in RM. The Ritz Carlton would be a good choice too. Lovely views.
Lunch Between LA and Monterey?
You could try Spyglass in Pismo Beach, that would be about 4 hours north of LA. Take the Spyglass exit off 101, turn left. You'll see it straight ahead. The food is not stellar, but the burgers are decent enough, and the views are to die for. Easy on and off the fwy, too. Sit outside if it's a nice day.
If you want to go upscale a notch (if there is such a thing in that neck of the woods), go north a few hundred feet to Marisol at the Cliffs Hotel.
Your Favorite Hand Blender??
I have the Braun. I have never used any of the attachments. Ever.
Food Saver vs. Seal-A-Meal? [Moved from Home Cooking]
Looks like you already have all the answers you need, but I have the Food Saver and it's a wonderful thing. But I'll admit it's a drag to come home from Costco and spend a couple hours on my feet portioning out the meats and re-packaging them.
Dinner Party Menu Help
My taste buds want to add a piece of breaded, fried goat cheese to that salad.
Need EASY Rib Cooking Tips
I make the best baby back ribs. I remove the membrane, brine them for two hours, then rinse well and pat dry. I put on a rub, wrap them in HD foil, put a little water in the foil packet before sealing (ala Alton Brown), then I put this on a cookie sheet and bake them for an hour and a half at 300°F. Then I put them on the barbie for about a half hour, with wet smoke chips and the lid down, over low indirect heat. I only put sauce on them the last ten minutes. Killer.
Is Trader Joe really that amazing??
As jfood said, if you have choices, you aren't being deprived to begin with, so what's to miss. Where I live (small town of 45K on Calif central coast), we have precious few specialty items, e.g., trying to buy Boursin cheese for a New Year's Eve party proved to be futile, and evidently there's no such thing as ladyfingers in these parts. So for us, TJ's is a godsend. What I'd do a Whole Foods...
Oktoberfest/German party ideas
My turn is coming up to host the bimonthly Gourmet Club at my house. Given that it will be in October, I am leaning toward an Oktoberfest theme. As host I decide the menu and make the main course, and everyone else brings the go-withs, from appetizers to dessert. I can provide specific recipes if I choose to.
Please chime in. I appreciate your ideas. Thank you.
