Cooking For Our Four Legged Friends...

Thank God someone finally said they feed their dog a raw diet! I've been feeding my dog a strictly raw meat diet since he was 9 weeks old, and he is now almost 7 and incledibly robust. He runs as fast as he did when a youngster, and he never goes to the vet. I've also kept vaccinations to the absolute minimum---one rabies shot when young (I was forced) and nothing since. What on earth makes people think that dogs require rice or yams? Wild canids don't eat that stuff (unless starving.)

elk in Not About Food

need idea for T-giving main to transport easily

I'm responsible for the main dish at our TG dinner this year. Constraint is that we're schlepping the dinner to the nursing home where my aunt is confined. We will have a nice-ish private dining room in which to gather, with a private kitchen adjoining, but it's only feasible to reheat in microwave there, if necessary---not to do real cooking. I wish to present something that is evocative of turkey and stuffing, but easier to cook, transport, and serve. I was thinking of some sort of chicken and stuffing casserole with great ingredients, but all the recipes I see for such dishes online seem to use canned soups and so forth--not appealing. Any ideas would be much appreciated.

elk in Home Cooking

Lunch or Brunch on Sunday in Lambertville?

Several reasons. My date had never been to the area, so i thought that meeting in L-ville and walking over the bridge to NH on a nice day would be fun--and it was. I had the sense that the food and ambience at MB would be right for a first date, and they were. I considered Lily's, but the last meal I had there was disappointing--greasy eggplant fries and boring and overcooked salmon sandwich. Like the food at Marhaba but the chairs are torture to sit in. Didin't think that L-ville Station was very well-regarded. Considered Inn of the Hawke but saw some dubious online reviews and it gave me pause. Considered Stockton, but wanted to stroll around Lambertville and show it to my date. El Tule would have been a good choice, but since my last 2 first dates there were social disasters, I thought it might be bad luck. :) But I do hear you on the fact that New Hope is a sad hole compared to Lambertville. We returned to Lville after lunch and enjoyed a long perambulation.

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Inn of the Hawke
74 S Union St, Lambertville, NJ 08530

elk in New Jersey

Lunch or Brunch on Sunday in Lambertville?

I did actually phone Marsha brown a bit later in the morning, and they answered and said they could accommodate us. I asked why they thought Open Table had told me no way, and they were nebulous in their response. So we ate there, and it was excellent. I had the Eggplant Ophelia (I think it was called that), with eggplant, shrimp and crabmeat. My date had the crawfish etoufee, and it was good too. For dessert we split a piece of pecan pie, and that was quite good. With 2 iced teas, and 2 coffees, we paid $60 with tax and tip.

I am eager to return to El Tule as well. The best thing I've had there was a sort of peruvian sampler--hard to recall all that was on it, but I loved it. The folks who run the place are very warm, and they bring each customer a little sample of pisco sour at the end of your meal. (it's BYO) They have separate mexican and Peruvian menus---check out their website.

elk in New Jersey

Lunch or Brunch on Sunday in Lambertville?

Thanks for the ideas. I decided to try Marsha Brown in New Hope. But then when I tried to reserve through open table it said there were no openings at midday on a Sunday for the next 8 weeks! Is the place that good? Decided to go instead to El Tule in L-ville, and swell little Mexican/Peruvian place that I've eaten at twice and loved.

elk in New Jersey

Lunch or Brunch on Sunday in Lambertville?

I love Blue Bottle, but their website indicates they are not open at all on Sundays. Also, my friend is coming from Philly, which is why I requested ideas for Lambertville. :)

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Blue Bottle Cafe
101 E Broad St, Hopewell, NJ 08525

elk in New Jersey

Lunch or Brunch on Sunday in Lambertville?

I need a place for a relaxed lunch or brunch in Lambertville. Could also go to New Hope, though parking there is so horrendous. Thanks for any tips!

elk in New Jersey

Duck breast:: how to cook?

I know this recipe--it's originally from Gourmet Magazine. Very good!

elk in Home Cooking

Announcing "Locavore Gourmet" group for dinner parties

I'm starting a Facebook page for "Locavore Gourmet," a group for foodies in the greater Princeton/Trenton/Bucks area who might enjoy planning small dinner parties in each other's homes--featuring fabulous local delights, of course. Please visit the Facebook page if you're interested and "Like" it.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Locavore-Gourmet/134215226609161#!

elk in New Jersey

Best Sandwich in the World

My all-time favorite sandwich is one I had in an NYC restaurant a few decades ago. The place had a number for its name--like 1437 or something--probably its address. It was on pita bread and consisted of curried turkey salad with almonds, crispy bacon, and avocado slices. I have recreated this many times, but it's so rich that it can be a bit overwhelming sometimes. I think I usually use chicken salad instead of turkey, as it's not obvious how to produce perfectly tender and cartiledge-free chunks of white meat turkey in the smallish quantity that's called for. Some arugula or other greens would help to attenuate the richness of the concoction.

Some other perennial favorites:

grilled cheese with summer tomato slices--can put a little mayo next to the tomato
BLT at the height of tomato season, on brioche

Oh, and at Bayona in New Orleans, the duck, cashew butter, and pepper jelly sandwich was memorable. Recipe is online and can be found by googling.

elk in General Chowhounding Topics

Announcing locavore dining club (Princeton-Trenton-Lambertville corridor)

I've started a Facebook page for "Locavore Gourmet," a new group for foodies interested in getting together for exquisite potluck dinners based on local, organic and seasonal foods. Please visit the Facebook page for "Locavore Gourmet" and become a friend, (by clicking on "like,") or if you're not on Facebook, email me at elynnkeller@yahoo.com.

elk in New Jersey

where to dine and view fireworks in Lambertville?

We wound up eating at Manon, and it was quite decent, if not amazing. After the fireworks, we had a wonderful fruit crumble dessert at #9, a place I had not been familiar with, but will look forward to visiting for dinner sometime. The fireworks were more delightful than we'd imagined!

elk in New Jersey

where to dine and view fireworks in Lambertville?

A friend and I want to have dinner someplace in Lambertville where we can relax after dinner and view the fireworks over the river afterwards--preferably right from the restaurant, if possible. Good food is imperative. Suggestions?

elk in New Jersey

Thai lunch in East brunswick area today?

I wound up going to Far East Taste in EB. It is indeed a hole in the wall, and we were the only people there during our whole lunch. The food was quite disappointing, I am sorry to say. i asked if Richard was still associated with the place and was told he had moved out of the country--Taiwan, I think. We had Tom Ka Gai, Pad Thai, and Green Curry Chicken. The chicken was the worst dish. Would not return.

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Thai Far East Taste
98 Main St, East Brunswick, NJ 08816

elk in New Jersey

Thai lunch in East brunswick area today?

I can't seem to find confirmation that Far East Taste in EB is still open--no answer when i call. Can someone tell me where to get Thai food in EB area today for lunch?

thanks,

Betsy

elk in New Jersey

Specialty cake question (Balto)

So I wound up going with Patis. Poupon, and it was excellent. I will now attempt to attach a pic of the "bee" cake.

elk in Washington DC & Baltimore Area

Specialty cake question (Balto)

So I need a smallish (to feed 6 to 8) cake for a birthday party in late November. I would like it to be delicious and made from **high quality ingredients**--don't really care how much I have to spend. It should also be quite beautiful, as it will be presented ceremonially at a large party. I also want it to be decorated in some fashion with little BEES, to reflect the nickname of the recipient. But in an elegant and pretty way, not a cartoony way. I live out of town and so it's hard for me to just hit the bakeries and talk to folks. I called Bonaparte Bakery and began the ordering process, but the person I spoke to did not jump to assure me that they could provide exactly what I desire. Rather, she said their chef would call me to confirm--but he or she has not. The party for which I need the cake is in Timonium, and also I need to get it from a place that is open on Sunday, as the party is on a Sunday. I'm willing to travel wherever I need to for the cake, but closer to Timonium would certainly be a plus... I would be grateful for any suggestions!

p.s. I am attaching a photo of the kind of cake that I am envisioning...

Betsy

elk in Washington DC & Baltimore Area