ooroger's Profile
Around the World in 80 Plates [Split from Top Chef thread]
If I was to be sarcastic, this show offers a refreshing change from ones with chefs that respect their food and strive for "local, seasonable and sustainable". The format of this Man vs Food International show, if you will, veers towards the "local, swallowable, and...oh what the hell - just get it down as quickly as possible." What a terrible premise.
A hard luck story appears to be mandatory on Chopped
Crying. It is mandated that every contestant, when asked to share a personal story, must cry. Without tears, how can we know how much soul you've put into a dish that reminds you of a loved one?
Pool Tables and Food in Ann Arbor/Ypsi
I am looking for a place to shoot some pool (old school-style; putting quarters down and challenging the winner) and grab a good bite to eat; burgers, wings, etc. A craft beer or two wouldnt do any harm, either.
Any recommendations in the area?
Layer Cake Wine [Canton, MI]
I know that Meijer on Jackson Road in Ann Arbor has a variety of Layer Cake offerings.
Ramsay's "Hotel Hell"
Given Gordon Ramsay's obvious talent for turning things around, perhaps Fox needs to put his skills towards more impactful activities. "Ramsay Rescues the Economy"? "Ramsay's Global Warming Workshop"? Ramsay's Cure for the Common Cold"?
I could go on, but I wont.
lunch in St. Joseph
I had lunch once at Schu's Bar and Grill off Lake Blvd and Pleasant Street. Had the pulled pork sandwich, which was very good. It overlooks the lake.
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Schu's Grill & Bar
501 Pleasant St, Saint Joseph, MI 49085
Bar and Grill
24204 W Lockport St, Plainfield, IL 60544
Recommendations for Leeds
Thank you for the ideas. Here is where we went:
1. Lunch at Anthony's Piazza in the Corn Exchange. We arrived in Leeds on the train, checked in at Mint Hotel (fantastic place, by the way) and went to this place. It was pretty empty (not surprising for a Monday at 2pm) but we enjoyed it nonetheless.
My wife had the smoked salmon salad (with a generous helping of salmon) and I had a delicious blue cheese salad with large hunks of cheese). With a couple of glasses of wine thrown in, we had a delightful meal for around 20 pounds. Service was excellent as well.
2. Afternoon drinks at Carpe Diem (old hangout when I was a student here) and Mr Foley's, a real ale pub on The Headrow, before returning to the hotel.
3. Dinner at Akbars on Greek Street. Absolutely wonderful Indian food - my wife had a moderately spiced Chicken Balti (to which she added some yoghurt) and I had a fiery, red Chicken Vindaloo, which was just perfect - hot but with a delicious flavor. We also had the family naan which was table-sized! Again, service was excellent and the food very reasonably priced.
Overall - great recommendations.
Recommendations for Leeds
I've read several threads with suggestions for Leeds (including Anthony's and Red Chilli) and so would like a few other ideas on where my wife and I should eat.
We will be in Leeds for just one night, staying near the rail station - so are looking for somewhere within walking distance.
Would like to narrow down a restaurant from a couple of options:
1. A moderate/upscale curryhouse (not a hole in the wall joint)
2. A romantic restaurant (any cuisine accepted)
Price isnt a constraint.
Thanks.
United Tastes of America
Agree - these shows are all the same. The host will visit a place known for home-cooked food/big portions/generic cuisine, see the chef make the dish, and then turn to the camera to deliver the big O - "Oh wow, that sure is tasty".
There is no innovation - just a standard formula that works time and time again.
Wait....that's TV.
Fantastic Indian Food? Anywhere in MI
Being English, I love my curries, and two places stand out in my new home town of Ann Arbor. The first is Shalimar, a restaurant on Main Street. Great sit down place, with a broad menu - I love their vindaloo, naans, and butter chicken.
The other place is a hole-in-the-wall at the back of an Indian grocery store on Broadway (just north of the city, by Plymouth Road). It's basically one guy making your curry from scratch for less than $10. I think the place has 1 table.
For a quick lunch fix, I go to the place on Broadway. For a more refined meal, I go to Shalimar.
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Shalimar Restaurant
307 S. Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
What would you choose as your POV (point of view)...
The troublemaker in me would go in the opposite direction - a show about food that is neither local or seasonal or sustainable. For example, grilled mahi-mahi with caviar risotto and winter peaches. While the concept would certainly annoy a lot of people, it would certainly not lack originality!
Otherwise...something about regional cuisine served at home. Pick a different country for each episode and make a family dinner that reflects how people in that country eat. It emphasizes the importance of eating together as a family, while broadening people's horizons about what families around the world dine on.
Friendliest bar in Ann Arbor?
While it doesnt serve food (yet), Wolverine State Brewing Company on Stadium/Pauline is a great hang-out. Tends to attract a slightly older, hippier crowd (I would consider myself the former, being a few years removed from grad school, but certainly not the latter) and has a very relaxed atmosphere (couches, etc).
Likewise, Ann Arbor Brewing Company on Washington is good - sit at the bar.
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Arbor Brewing Company
114 E Washington St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Wood-Fired Pizza in Ann Arbor
Thanks. I just looked at the mani website - their homepage graphic is a picture of a wood-fired pizza! Will definitely check it out.
Wood-Fired Pizza in Ann Arbor
Thanks for the recommendation. I have had 1-2 of Jolly Pumpkin's pizzas. The crust was very nice and the toppings of high quality.
What surprised me, at least for the ones I had, was the absence of a tomato sauce on the base. As such, the pizzas were very dry. Are all their pizzas made without sauce?
NFNS 6/26/11 spoilers
While Glasses Justin is struggling with his inspiration for food, there is at least some inkling that he has the personality to lead a show.
Scary Justin hasnt offered anything in terms of star power; while his food has generally been above board, he's had several chances to shine in front of camera. Instead, yesterday, we saw exactly the same presentation he had given before. I agree with the decision.
Penny seems to think she's on Survivor - Food Island. The level of cattiness and paranoai has reached a level where it is distracting (both for her and the viewer).
Wood-Fired Pizza in Ann Arbor
Watching an episode of Man vs. Food Nation, in which the challenge was to eat a pizza topped with ghost chilis, got me hungering for traditional pizzas cooked in a wood-burning oven (ghost chilis not required).
Any recommendations for really good wood-fired pizzas here in Ann Arbor? I prefer NY-style pies, with a thin, chewy crust, and simple Neopolitan toppings.
If you were a foodie and could live anywhere in/near DC - where would it be?
If your partner is going to work in Dupont Circle, I would recommend living there. There are tons of restaurants up and down Conn Ave and you are a short walk from 17th Street, and Adams-Morgan. This would limit your need to drive, while still allowing you to drive out to Arlington on the weekends.
I lived in South Courthouse and then Ballston for 10 years. Having a toddler, we loved the parks and large, family restaurants, but the area is increasingly corporate, with family restaurants getting demolished to make way for apartments (especially in Clarendon). The natural, organic vibe is much better in Dupont.
Disturbed by "Best in Smoke"
Watched my third episode last night, in which the contestants paired up to sell BBQ through NYC vendor carts.
What disturbed me was how they select their meats - when given the "go", the contestants make a mad dash for the meat truck.
All well and good until it was made clear that Famous Dave Anderson, who is a large man anyway, has been carrying a limp all week and was unable to run. So, his partner had to run for the truck to fight for the proteins.
Why would they treat him like that? Watching him limp over to the truck was pitiful.
Why would the producers not have a "luck of the draw" pick where Team A gets first choice of meat and Team B gets the next 2 choices? Or some other selection method that doesnt involve running?
I wont watch this again.
So tired of so many food "celebrities"
Lee-Ann Wong must just travel full-time, just to make sure she has a point of view on whatever the "Best Thing" food is.
"Best Roadkill I Ever Ate? Check"
Sports Bar in Scottsdale/Phoenix?
I would like to watch the final weekend of Premier League soccer while in Scottsdale on Sunday.
Any suggestions for bars that would either show the games live (at 8am PDT, I believe) or on tape-delay?
The Next Food Network Star Begins on June 7
Personally, I cant wait. Over the course of 10 weeks (or so), contestants will be grilled mercilessly on having a "point of view", offering a "fresh take on old classics", and "letting their personality shine through".
After which, they will either get a sunday morning spot of the producers' choice or become a roving reporter on a tired concept show that highlights weird and wonderful food (re: United Tastes of America, Outrageous Foods, Kid in a Candy Store), forced to make OTT comments about that meal being "outrageous!" or "unbelievable!" without offering any culinary perspective.
What are you looking forward to on TNFNS?
Top 10 in Ann Arbor
I am putting together my top 10 list of restaurants that my wife and I would like to try before the end of 2011. Would love your recommendations.
Our #1 criterion is innovative food - dishes that you can brag to friends about!
Other than that, we are comfortable with all cuisines, at all price ranges, and with all beverages.
Please let me know where you think we should go and which specific dish stands out for you.
Ann Arbor -- looking for ethnic food
Wanted to provide an update to my last post. Had a takeout lunch from India Cafe (a small nook located at the back of the Foods of India shop at Broadway/Plymouth).
Chose the chicken vindaloo with garlic naan and a portion of vegetable samosa ($15). It was hands-down the best vindaloo I've had in years. Creamy, well-spiced, and not too full of vinegar.
All of the food was prepared right in front of me and was done in about 10 mins. This is my new favorite take-out
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Foods of India
1143 Broadway St, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Top Chef All-Stars - Ep. #8 - 02/02/11 (Spoilers)
I loved how often the guests used the phrase "Italian food is all about simple ingredients...letting the ingredients shine". You can replace the word "Italian" with virtually every other cuisine. Such a throwaway sentence.
What Recipes Are You Tired Of Seeing In Cooking Magazines?
Yes! Along the same lines...seafood paella. It's lots of rice, with a few shrimp thrown in for color. I make paella when I run out of food - it's not something that every up-and-coming chef must master, which is what today's magazines tell you.
That Tom guy got his own FN show
Watching Tom's new show ("Outrageous Food") now. It's terrible - full of Guy Fieri-style catchphrases ("That's OUTRAGEOUS!") and been there, done that concepts, such as massive burgers and really hot peppers. Of course, it can be argued that it fits his outsize personality; in that case, we need more cerebral presenters.
Wings in Ann Arbor
Went to Mr. Spots last night. For some reason, was in the mood more for boneless than traditional wings, so this review is based on taste, not on size of drumette.
They were delicious! Ordered 6 with hot sauce, 6 with suicide sauce. As I drove home, the aroma from the suicide sauce started to make my forehead sweat!
Both sets were very tasty and moderately spicy. I would rank the suicides as comparable to a "12" on the 14-point BWW sauce scale, and not as hot as the ones at The Arena.
Will definitely go back and get the traditional wings for comparison.
Wings in Ann Arbor
I love spicy buffalo wings. I normally get mine from the Buffalo Wild Wings on State St in Ann Arbor, as their Wild and Blazin' sauces are really good. However, last time out, I was really disappointed with the size of the wings - each was maybe 1-2 bites. After 12 wings, I felt pretty unfulfilled.
I've also had the spicy wings at The Arena sports bar on football Saturdays and liked both the size of the wing and its heat - comparable to the BWW Blazin sauce.
Any other recs on wings in the Ann Arbor area?
