The Oracle's Profile
New Farmers' Market in Pasadena Playhouse District opened last Wednesday
Yes, please!
Favorite Paper Towel?
I used to love Viva - but Select-A-Size by Bounty won me over. I use paper towels ALL the time and prefer to use the smaller sheets vs. the bigger.
Visiting Laguna Beach for a week - need recommendations
Nope, only went once and got lucky, I suppose. We were blown away and would beeline there, when in the area again.
ISO hole in the wall gems - quick eats ('hound visiting from LA)
UPDATE: Thanks, everyone, for you helpful tips and suggestions. I knew I was in for a whirlwind trip, but I didn't know just how whirlwind it really would be. I had zero time to explore and zero time to get to the city. All food was in the Naperville/Wheaton area, and all spots predetermined. I didn't get a Chicago dog :( and am disappointed I couldn't get to Hot Doug's!
First night: Lou Malnati's Pizzeria in Naperville. The wait on a Saturday night was about an hour. I didn't quite get why they have you call your order in ahead of time - as the pizza was probably to our table 1.5 hours after we called. One cheese pizza, one cheese/sausage pizza, Malnati salad, and a house salad. I enjoyed the sausage pizza - a good cheese to sausage ratio and the crust was PERFECT. All California attempts for a cornmeal crust end up thick and hard. This was excellent - firm enough to hold together, yet light enough to be a perfect bite and consistency. Easy to chew, I could cut it with my fork - and, dare I say - it melted in my mouth with each bite. I wasn't wow'd with the cheese version. The crust was much thicker and most of the people in our party found it very difficult to cut into. The cheese just seemed like a big mass of congealed cheese. However, as I tried another bite of the piece that I left sitting on my plate, I actually liked it more as it got cold! The Malanti salad was excellent - a good balance of flavors in the salad.
In general, not as good as I remember my very first taste of deep dish (years ago at Gino's East, I believe) - but still glad I got a chance to try GOOD cornmeal crust on this visit!! and not the bastardized versions we have in Los Angeles!
Next morning: Egg'lectic Cafe (in Wheaton??) - another looong wait (about an hour). The coffee was the most disappointing... the worst I've had in a LONG time. B'fast was good - I had The Works omelet and it hit the spot. Everyone in our group seemed to like their food.
Dinner: Hugo's Frog Bar & Fish House (Naperville) - this was my least favorite meal, but we had the absolute best service here. I was still a bit full from the big bfast at Egg'lectic, or I would have had a steak. I had the Bookbinder's Soup. I'd never heard of anything like that before and it was DELICIOUS. I ordered a cup, and it was a large portion. I would have been happy with a bowl of that and a small side salad. But, I get the Crab Chopped Salad as my main (Alaskan King Crab, avocado, macarona almonds.... it was just 'meh'. For $18 I get I'm paying for the crab, but even that was completely underwhelming. I also tried frog legs for the first time - I really enjoyed the garlic butter it came with.... and we also ordered a sweet potato that had the most divine maple butter on the side. They seem to care about the quality of food, service, and overall dining experience. I'd go back here, when in the mood for a steak, if I was in the area again.
Next Morning: Butterfield Pancake House (Naperville) - food came out quick, service was not very accommodating in the sense of not being able to mix and match b'fast foods. I had another omelet which was fine... coffee was heads and tails better than Egg'lectic.
One last airport meal on the way out of town at Wolfgang Puck. I had scanned the directory for a Rick Bayless place and couldn't find it so I opted for a quick burger at WP. It was 'fine' but I was kicking myself as I rounded the corner to my gate and there was the Rick Bayless place. ARGH.
I picked up some Garrett's popcorn to take home to folks, and then sat on the plane for an hour (such is my curse at ORD).
Thanks again for all your suggestions (both in Chicago and LA!). This trip was atypical of my usual culinary adventures when I travel, but I look forward to coming back and REALLY diving in!
ISO hole in the wall gems - quick eats ('hound visiting from LA)
:) I'd love to know what they put in their baked beans! Best I've ever had!!
ISO hole in the wall gems - quick eats ('hound visiting from LA)
Thanks for all your thoughts.
It's the 'local legend' type places I'm looking for. Thanks for the tip on when to avoid Hot Dougs!
I'm a Los Angeles native... we have a lot of ethnic, particularly Asian and South East Asian options here.... so, I'm looking for something more 'regional' and 'only in Chicago' type places....
I have never, ever, had a bad meal at ____________and I have eaten there over a dozen times!
In n Out
Julienne's (San Marino, b'fast)
Fosselman's (Alhambra) - who says ice cream isn't a meal?! :)
Visiting Laguna Beach for a week - need recommendations
Fantastic to know!! Thank you!
How are meals served in your home?
Just DH and myself. Typically, we plate the entire meal in the kitchen and eat at the table. If there is salad, it typically goes on the same plate as the rest (there is rarely salad). We usually never have dessert (unless there is left over b'day cake!).
Last night was the exception to our one-plate/course meal, when I busted out a cheese course post-dinner!
ISO hole in the wall gems - quick eats ('hound visiting from LA)
Sausage superstore?! Oh my. Do they sell sausages 'to go' (uncooked?). Would love to bring some home for DH who is a sausage fiend.
ISO hole in the wall gems - quick eats ('hound visiting from LA)
Yes, I will have a car - flying in and out of ORD - so, perhaps en route?
Visiting Laguna Beach for a week - need recommendations
For BBQ - hit Bludso's (when you are en route to LA). It's in Compton. Tiny spot, no seating (there's a couple bar stools and a small counter) but SO SO good. Cash only.
In Laguna, I had a great meal at Nick's (right on the main road). It's not Mexican' or BBQ, but a solid choice if you need a dinner spot while in town.
ISO hole in the wall gems - quick eats ('hound visiting from LA)
I'll be in Chicago (Wheaton) and would love to know of any must-visit hole in the wall type places.
Some favorites from trips to other places: Pine State Biscuits in Portland (small shop, best biscuits sandwiches) or Sweet Georgia Brown for BBQ in Dallas (family run place, outstanding BBQ).
I'm looking for that place that does the best "X". That specializes in something amazing and will be a memorable food experience. I'm not looking for anything fancy that needs reservations. Just something I can stop in at, get a bite or a meal, and go on my way! :)
Open to all types of cuisines and foods.
Anything come to mind?
Edit to add: I'm in town for a couple days, so I won't have a lot of time. Just looking for that one spot that you'd tell someone to bee-line to! :)
Baked goods that ship well, especially cookies. Ideas? Recipes?
Do your bossy instructions differ from how it's written? The link you posted didn't work for me, but I found it on Saveur...
Friday night - need dinner suggestion - trying to please out of towners & locals with varying palates, etc. (Pasadena area)
UPDATE: Thanks for all the great suggestions! We ended up at abricott and it was enjoyed by all. The food was underwhelming for most of us, but the atmosphere and price point ended up being perfect. The only thing that would have made it better was if we brought some wine/beer with us... but, that was remedied after the fact.
On the whole - the food wasn't amazing, wasn't bad... just ok. Can't say I'd be back, as I have favorites 'other restaurant' for most of the dishes there. But, I did love the concept of the back, private room - and it would be a nice place if I needed a small, private, dining space (minimum of 8 required).
What do you think is the best quality organic milk in Los Angeles?
Our family favorite has been Organic Valley - UNTIL - DH brought home organic milk from Costco. He couldn't drink enough of it. I never tried it (he's the primary milk drinker). I have no idea what the official brand was - but it came in half gallon packs of three. I plan to do a blind taste test between the two (the Costco and Organic Valley, after our next Costco run). :)
Friday night - need dinner suggestion - trying to please out of towners & locals with varying palates, etc. (Pasadena area)
Exactly what I was trying to figure out.... thanks for the input!
I was thinking we could start at Abricott and then move elsewhere... for the best of both worlds, so to speak.
Friday night - need dinner suggestion - trying to please out of towners & locals with varying palates, etc. (Pasadena area)
Thanks MC Michael - the LGO/Luggage Room option has been floating through my head as well.
Friday night - need dinner suggestion - trying to please out of towners & locals with varying palates, etc. (Pasadena area)
Thanks, Jack Flash! Super helpful, as always!
Friday night - need dinner suggestion - trying to please out of towners & locals with varying palates, etc. (Pasadena area)
UPDATE:
Thank you for the suggestions!!! It's currently narrowed it down to:
AKA Bistro
Abricott
Green St Tavern
Three Drunken Goats
I haven't been to any on the list... any input or standouts from the list? Taking: Food/Noise Level/Atmosphere/Value/Group size (we are a group of six), etc into account. It's a toss up between AKA and Abricott, at the moment, in my mind.
Thanks in advance!!
Friday night - need dinner suggestion - trying to please out of towners & locals with varying palates, etc. (Pasadena area)
I really like the idea of Montrose! Hadn't thought of that before. I've walked by The Fat Dog before but haven't gone in.... what about Three Drunken Goats? Love the space - what's the food like (comparing the two (Fat Dog and Three Drunken Goats)?
Friday night - need dinner suggestion - trying to please out of towners & locals with varying palates, etc. (Pasadena area)
I wasn't impressed with Plate 38 and had an off experience that made me swear off the place. I also don't think it will give Guest #2 the 'hit the town' experience they are seeking.
Friday night - need dinner suggestion - trying to please out of towners & locals with varying palates, etc. (Pasadena area)
I've been before and I know the guys in the group would NOT be ok with the portion size. But, thank you for the suggestion!!
Friday night - need dinner suggestion - trying to please out of towners & locals with varying palates, etc. (Pasadena area)
great idea! I've been wanting to check this place out and it might be the perfect spot for ALL.
Friday night - need dinner suggestion - trying to please out of towners & locals with varying palates, etc. (Pasadena area)
oooh, Abricott might work! Haven't been by the space - do you think it feels like a night out? (Guest #2 wants that 'night out' feel). The others wouldn't care.
Friday night - need dinner suggestion - trying to please out of towners & locals with varying palates, etc. (Pasadena area)
I know Thai would work (the entire group has done Saladang before) - would prefer a new experience. I'm not sure about Korean - but, if it's meat-centric, I'm sure it would be passable.
Friday night - need dinner suggestion - trying to please out of towners & locals with varying palates, etc. (Pasadena area)
All but Guest #2 have visited the original Dog Haus and it came off with mixed reviews... not sure it will fly for this outing, but excellent suggestion. Good to know about their burger!
Friday night - need dinner suggestion - trying to please out of towners & locals with varying palates, etc. (Pasadena area)
Thanks for the Mohawk food feedback.
I think Vertical would be too formal for Guest #1 and would blow most everyone else's price point (since we'd be going on an off-happy hour time).
Friday night - need dinner suggestion - trying to please out of towners & locals with varying palates, etc. (Pasadena area)
Thanks for the feedback on Mohawk Bend. It's extremely helpful.
I've been to Congregation Ale House - not bad food - burger was very good, sausage I tried was passable, flat bread pizza was meh. Their ordering setup is a little odd (stand in line and order at the register - but they need to work on their flow of things). For this group, I need a little more range with the food menu - although, it's a great suggestion!
