christy319's Profile
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay Thread - 2nd quarter 2012
It's really uncanny how good these croissants are.
Your tried and true Cook's illustrated Best recipes.
Oh, forgot about this one. The CI pancakes are the best I've had.
Vancouver, Whistler, Salt Spring, Sechelt?
I give a big thumbs down to Pasta Lupino. The only positive is the price (actually, my ceaser salad was fine). The pasta and sauce are not good--the tomato sauce tastes like it's from a jar, with way too much dried oregano on top. The raves baffle me.
Rimrock is an odd place. Reading the menu reminds me of flipping through a Bon Appetit from 1995--the menu is dated, and it's all over the place. The execution is generally good, though I've had some pretty boring dishes there too (like the lobster--how does someone make lobster bland?).
There's a great post about the Whistler dining scene in a thread that's a few months old now--search Whistler on this site and you'll find it.
Recipe for Yeasted Potato Pancakes?
I'm having a hard time imagining what these are like. I love regular potato pancakes/latkes but what is a yeasted one like?
are great Oven Baked Fries a possibility?
And, don't flip them before they're nicely browned. They could stick if you try to flip too soon (kind of like when you brown chicken).
Falafel?
I've never seen that salad bar type thing anywhere but Amsterdam in DC--nowhere in NYC or LA, and not even really at the famous places in Paris (though they do generally offer a good variety of toppings). I'd love it if we had a place like that here minus the awful attitude and ridiculous no plate rules.
The new Lebanese place, Cafe Munir, is supposed to have good falafel, though the time I went for dinner it wasn't on the menu that day. They have a lot of interesting dishes you don't see in Seattle so I bet they do authenitc falafel (not sure if that means tons of toppings, though).
"Easy" Restaurants in the 7th
I love Cafe Constant but it is always mobbed and even has a line before it opens. Getting in now takes real effort, so I don't think it's "easy" anymore.
There is a cafe on Rue Cler called Cafe du Marche that is popular with locals and tourists alike--I don't recall if it has english menus but so many American tourists go there and seem to do just fine. It is solid cafe food in a great people watching spot. I imagine your guests won't be the type to call ahead for reservations so maybe cafes are your best bet.
Best Oysters at Best Price in Seattle?
I haven't been to Elliott's in 6+ months....shoot, it would be a shame if the oyster quality isn't what it was. As for crowds, well, going to any good downtown happy hour is about beating crowds, that just comes with the territory unfortunately.
Best Oysters at Best Price in Seattle?
I feel like we just had this thread so you may want to search. But my vote is Taylor Shellfish in the Melrose Market, esp during 2-4 when they wave the shucking fee. Then Elliott's during happy hour.
What Food Trend are You So Sick Of?
A lot of phxjcc's hated "trends" aren't trends at all. Heirloom tomatoes were around before modern hybrids; aoli was around before American mayo; creme brulee is another very old classic dish, whether or not you like your own custard better.
I will also take well done mac and cheese or meatloaf, made using quality ingredients, over the cheap stuff we used to have to eat when I was a kid.
What do you expect to come with an entree?
Actually you could just ask if the entree is meant to be enough for one person's dinner, or if sides are needed. I almost always end up asking something like this at new places, especially if the items look like "small plates" or if they are meant for sharing.
We just tried a new Lebenese place and had no idea about portion sizes, and the menu was divided into many different sections. We just asked how many dishes from each section a hungry couple might order, and the waitress steered us correctly.
There's a restaurant that I like that serves a scallop dish just like the one you describe. But, the menu is divided into appetizers, small plates, and large plates, and the scallops are considered a small plate. So, we would order other items as well. If your menu was typical American (so, not small plates or tapas or anything like that) that I too probably would have expected more from an entree.
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay Thread - 2nd quarter 2012
Meh on the TJ's veggie burgers. They aren't awful but the taste and texture is like mediocre falafel. Cumin is not a flavor I want in my veggie burger. I suppose they might be okay with appropriate toppings but not with the gruyere and sourdough I used.
Teaching chow pups moderation
Make only enough of the dishes (particularly the richer ones) so that everyone gets an age appropriate portion. Plate the food at the stove--don't let people help themselves to huge helpings out of a giant serving bowl at the table. I don't have issues with portion control generally but when at someone's house where there's a giant pan of potato gratin right in front of me, yeah I'll have 3 helpings! But no one can keep eating anything that's gone.
This is what I do for my husband (who has always eaten until he's stuffed) and I. I make just enough meat or anything rich so that we get modest portions. Sometimes I'll make larger servings of veggies, but even then, if someone is just going to pour dressing all over a second helping of salad, or butter over their green beans, this might not work for you. My husband just uses vinegar on his salad so I make big bowls of it. If I'm just roasting veggies in a bit of olive oil in the oven, same thing--there will be lots of that.
What 20 dishes should I know how to make without a recipe?
I love sueatmo's post. Do that!!
No Reservations: Croatia
I found the show to be interesting because it was a VERY different experience than what I've experienced in Croatia. Now, I've only been once, and we hit the tourist highlights, which has to be part of the problem. Plitvice National Park, Zagreb, a drive down the coast from Split to Dubrovnik, and 5 days in Dubrovnik. And it was hands down the worst food I've ever had in Europe (maybe anywhere). We stayed in an apartment in someone's home in Dubrovnik, and we asked our host about restaurants, groceries, markets, etc. He told us no locals eat out in Dubrovnik--he basically told us the restaurants are all bad tourist traps. We pried from him a few places he might recommend, with very uneven results. We found a few edible things, but a lot of bad, incredibly overpriced food too. This is a place that gets so many tourists, and has figured out that it doesn't matter what kind of swill you serve--people gotta eat, and they aren't going to come back anyway. As for groceries, our host told us all the locals drive way out of town to the big mega groceries. The little groceries in town were awful, with sad produce and scary meat.
We went at the end of September and found the crowds unbearable--the cruise ship numbers are shocking. Those posters above who said they visited decades ago are fortunate. I didn't really realize it's the Mexico of Europe--it's where people come for cheap package vacations when they want sun. The food reflects this, I think.
Outside Dubrovnik food was better, but never great. With the seafood, the only way I ever saw it served was plain and grilled, and it was expensive. If you were lucky you might get a lemon wedge. There's a ton of bad pizza and pasta.
Tony stayed north, where we didn't go, so maybe it's a different food culture up there. Those towns certainly get fewer tourists than Dubrovnik, which has to help. But he also had chefs cook for him privately. I do wonder if that's really representitive of the experience a tourist could have, or if he was very lucky.
My point is not to slam a whole country, but for those who are planning a trip and expecting good food, choose your destinations wisely, do your research and hope for the best. I am an obsessive researcher before trips and now I know why I couldn't find many recommendations for the places we went!
We also went to Slovenia and Bosnia that trip, and in both places found the food to be much better quality and prepared with real care--heads and tails better than Croatia.
Le Cinq Revisited
You three just made my day. I do wear flats with dresses typically but was worried that they wouldn't be nice enough for this lunch. But now I know it will be fine. Thank you!
Le Cinq Revisited
Thanks to you both. There's no danger in me going overboard on jewelry and such (quite the opposite), but I did want to know the norm. I also don't really want to bring heels, as this is the only place (most of our trip is in Provence this time) that I'd wear them. But, I have a phobia of being underdressed, so I'll find room in the suitcase if I have to.
Le Cinq Revisited
Can anyone comment on what most women wear for lunch? I've dined at Michelin 2 stars in the past but I'm second guessing myself this time. I'll wear a dress of course, but...black? Color? Were women in heels and jewelry, or is that too much for lunch?
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay Thread - 2nd quarter 2012
I agree, nay on the Lemongrass Stix and also on TJs regular eggrolls.
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay Thread - 2nd quarter 2012
My Kao Soi always spilled/leaked too. So I nuke it for a couple minutes, until it's partway thawed, then dump it in a bowl and finish nuking it.
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay Thread - 2nd quarter 2012
I don't mean to say it's great. It's good for a work lunch, and those three things I listed are my favorite TJ's items for work lunches. But none are so good I'd eat them at home.
Chez Shea closing
The time to edit my post is long past unfortunately.
Bummer it is so soon--I don't think I'll be able to squeeze in another happy hour. They had one of the best happy hours around.
Staff Appreciatioin Lunch--Maximilien's or Pink Door or?
Me too. I'm really surprised at all the love for Maximilien. I'd be interested to know when the above posters actually last ate the food there. It was downright BAD the last couple times I went and I've given up on it. The mussels were horrible--the broth was like dishwater. Great ambiance, though.
I also agree that Steelhead Diner would be a better choice.
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay Thread - 2nd quarter 2012
The TJ's " A Dozen Sweet Bites" are back! Staff told me they'd been discontinued. I am normally VERY picky about my sweets and these are shockingly good for what they are (frozen small pieces of opera cake, raspberry macaron cake, and a chocolate caramel cake with a crispy layer).
My work lunch staples right now are the Kao Soy Noodles, the Butter Chicken, and the Chicken Wonton soup. The Kao Soy in particular is really tasty, though I wish it had tofu or some kind of protein in it.
Recent nays are the frozen spinach artichoke dip (I know it's been around forever but I only just tried it--tasty cheap and cheesy, like something you'd get at a bad chain restaurant) and the Tom Yam Soup.
Just Moved to Redmond from Boston -- Food Shopping Help Please!
Characterizing Central Market as "ungodly expensive" is a gross exaggeration. Their sales, the "Big Board Buys" in particular, are great.
Just Moved to Redmond from Boston -- Food Shopping Help Please!
Check out the Puget Sound Fresh website. They have a list of every farmer's market in the county (it seems like most Eastside towns have one, though I don't know how good they are), as well as lists of U pick farms and farmstands (many of which will be on the Eastside, esp in the Snoqualmie Valley area, and there are some in Redmond).
http://www.pugetsoundfresh.org/
Besides the other stores mentioned, there is chain of co-ops called PCC Natural Markets, and they have stores in Redmond and Kirkland. I don't love PCC anymore, but since there's one in Redmond, you should probably check it out at some point. You've already visited the chains so you've probably already decided what you like and what you don't, but I'll throw out the fact that I think Safeway and Albertson's are nasty. I do not think you find quality products there.
All of my favorite markets, cheese shops, etc etc, are in Seattle, so I'm not sure that helps you. Do try to get in to town sometimes, and visit the Ballard Farmer's Market (Sundays), Melrose Market, Pike Place of course (it's almost cruise ship season so expect horrid crowds there through the end of summer). The Uwajimaya in Seattle's International District is much larger than the one in Bellevue. There are quite a few great pastry shops and bakeries in Seattle--try to check out Bakery Nouveau in West Seattle, Cafe Besalu and Honore in Ballard and Dahlia Bakery in Belltown.
Chez Shea closing
What terrible news!
http://seattle.eater.com/archives/2012/04/17/chez-shea-pike-place-market-fixture-will-close-after-30-years.php
Wanted: Banana Cream Pie!
I second the rec for A la Mode. I generally think it's impossible to get a good piece of pie at a cafe or restaurant anywhere (not just Seattle), but I do think A la Mode is pretty good. They have a different selection every day so call first (or have a second choice).
There are quite a few pie places around these days--High Five, Shoofly Pie, Pie (in Fremont), so maybe you'll have to make a mission of trying the various places. :)
Sunday lunch in the Vaucluse
Thanks for the suggestions. I think we'll hit Chez Serge on Friday during market day.
