Blueicus - could you look at my question below this and weigh in? Thanks!

Thanks chefhound. I would love to know the mechanics of how this works. Is there anytime for research (on the web? cookbooks?) before the cooking starts? Does Nicole just know how to make a Pakora or does she have time to figure out how to do it?

Also - it seems they are cooking outside a lot in extreme heat this season (to date, and the preview of next week's show) - I'm not sure that really adds anything to figuring out who is the best chef.

Great summary - thanks!

I thought Dennis did really well with the meal progression and it really did look like a tasting menu.

Any predictions as to who will win? I'm stumped at this point but wonder if the producers aren't under a lot of pressure to have a female Top Chef?

It's a scar from a port (inserted under the skin for some patients during chemo. It provides easier access for blood draws and chemo infusions). She has spoken of it in articles about her diagnosis. She is unselfconscious about it which I think is great.

chefhound - once again thanks for doing these summaries - I really enjoy them (just watched episodes 7 & 8 back to back as I was out of town). I must say I like Shereen better this year (even learned her name) - possibly due to different editing/not just focusing on her making faces. At least she is offering opinions.

Agree -lamest product placement yet - and that's a tall order

Me too!

We enjoyed lunch at Bollito Misto as well

Thanks jslisko - we are back but I will file your suggestion for next time. In retrospect it would have been difficult to do as we had a car full of luggage and had to get the rental car back to the Milan airport by 4pm so we did a drive thru of Parma Centro and carried on to Milan

Here's a short list of places we enjoyed without addresses/etc -- but we are in the process of updating our blog with photos and locations.(in no particular order)

- All'Olivo .... up and down reviews on TA but our 2 experiences there were both excellent from a food and service standpoint
- Gigi - cute small trattoria but probably not the place I'd choose for one day in Lucca
- Buca di Sant'Antonio - we enjoyed it two years ago and again this year (remember we travel way off season so our experiences might be different as a result) .... they have a note on their menu with asterisks for certain items that says something like this "regional specialty - all you tourists might not like it" (or words to that effect) - we made a point of ordering those dishes
-l'Imbuto - in the Museum of Modern Art - have mixed feelings about this restaurant - see the blog post when it comes up in the next week
- a restaurant at 69 Via Santa Croce that we had wonderful baccala and fried zucchini flowers - have to find the name - lovely service

We had memorable meals outside the walls (but a very short, easy drive) at these two restaurants (which are on the same road - the one to Barga - less than 5 minutes apart)

- Butterfly
- Antica Locanda di Sesto

The former is a Michelin 1 star with multi course menus offering interesting and delicious variations on traditional dishes (with some untraditional touches)

The latter is all about tradition - run by a lovely family, the food is delicious and the welcome extremely warm. It was our favourite .... 2 years ago when we first visited Lucca and this time when we were there for a month.

Here's a link to this year's blog with some pix from Gigi and Antica Locanda but there is a lot more to come.

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/20...

We ate at some other small places/pizza/etc but assuming for one night you're not interested in a small pizza place?

Shall I add parking information or are you good with it?

Most definitely! I'll write a list later today and link to our blog with lots of pics. Where are you staying - in the walls? Will you have a car?

We loved Lucca!

I tried this the other night after seeing your post - I confess I was really skeptical but followed the directions to the letter....and was stunned at the outcome. I love fries and make good ones at home by double frying and these were delicious, held their crisp all through dinner and I also noticed the house had very little odour, which I attributed to the slow boiling as opposed to the initial steam blast when you drop fries into hot oil. Thanks for posting!

Thank you for your informative answer to my question. I have always bought them at Marvin's Gardens - I'll ask.

Could you give more information please - I've been buying them at SLM for over 30 years....didn't know there might be issues with their sustainability....could you elaborate. Thanks.

Great to have you here and commenting! Hope you'll stay with the season with us - thanks!

Thanks for doing this chefhound!

I just watched online (a way better way - no commercials and I can work at the same time)

Agree with you that had it been judged across the board the outcome might have been different.

Ravioli in a bar? Huh?

The judge who's name I refuse to remember is somewhat better this season - at least she is offering up comments rather than just facial expressions.

I haven't seen any yet - seems too early given how cool it is but will go to SLM this weekend and report.

Here's a link to our blog reports of meals at Glass and Metamorfosi in January -

Glass - I wouldn't describe our meal as "fusion":

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/2013returntoitaly/2013/01/the-colosseum-at-night-and-a-return-to-a-favourite-restaurant-now-even-better.html

Metamorfosi (plus pics of our apartment!):

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/20...

I appreciate your blase feelings - we confess to them as well but really enjoyed both Glass and Metamorfosi.

(Trip report under construction now - will post soon)

Jamie Oliver's Cauliflower and Broccoli stuffed cannelloni are delicious - the stuffing is also good in raviolis

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ja...

I'm just starting to experiment with liquid filled raviolis - any experiences?

The Tomahawk in North Vancouver is known for its French Dip (and was featured on an episode of DDD) but I can't attest to it as I only ever have breakfast there.

http://tomahawkrestaurant.com/menu.html

I agree.

Thanks Chefhound for the update - just watched it today online. The usual flurry of new people, half of whom I don't remember but looks like some strong skill sets this season. But oh I was so hoping for some new judges. Hopefully LA Lady (can't remember her name) will have something more than just facial expressions this season.

We're in Lucca now (have been for the last month - trip report to follow) - we could spend a day in Parma on our way to Milan. It's my husband's favourite cheese so it would be great to do a tasting somewhere. We're not terribly interested in group/free tours of factories.....but would really like to sample some cheeses we might not otherwise get in North America. Any suggestions?

Also - a suggestion for a restaurant for lunch that we would feel comfortable parking our rental car with all our luggage? Maybe an agriturismo? I've looked here at trip reports and Trattoria del Tribunale gets good reviews - do they have a parking lot?

TIA

Was it beta tested by users?

Agree with the others that the type size is way too big and the poor use of real estate.

As a reminder - here's a link to an archived page that demonstrates how many more threads were evident

http://web.archive.org/web/2011051007...

This brought back memories - I used to always order the one with sour cream and bacon (is that right?)

+2 on the cornstarch

I think Lavinia's has now opened (in the old Cafe du Lac space in Mimico).....will check it out today to see if I can grab a menu to scan and post.

I kept a constant temperature of 150F and cooked the pieces for approximately 9 minutes. The fish had a wonderful texture - like sushi grade salmon with the nuttiness of the olive oil. Not pink in the middle so I will try it again to see what that is like.

The horseradish broth and julienned vegetable base was also delicious but the entire dish wasn't to our taste - two good ideas, just not together for us.

Pic here (we didn't worry about presentation -- just a test night!)

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.ne...