josephsm's Profile
Where to buy a brined fresh turkey in Manhattan?
I am making turkey in a few weeks for a Sunday evening party. Ideally, I would love to pick up a pre-brined turkey Sunday morning, doctor it up, and put it in the oven. No room to brine it myself ahead of time. Anybody know where I can order a brined turkey for a Sunday morning pick up? Walking distance of Union Square would be ideal. Thanks.
New Mexican Green Chile Cheeseburgers
I have frozen Hatch chiles to use...any tips on how to make an authentic New Mexican green chile cheeseburger? In particular, what kind of cheese should I use? Thanks.
Pre-Theater Brunch in West 50's
We ended up at Giorgio's and it could not have been a better choice for this group. There was a large number of entrees and everybody raved about his dishes. The oreo milkshake and the cranberry yogurt shake were both great. I had a sausage/egg/jalepeno wrap which was very good. Grilled cheese and tomato, French toast, and eggs benedict were also well received. I'd definitely go back and I only wish the restaurant was closer to other theaters.
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Georgio's Country Grill
801 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019
Pre-Theater Brunch in West 50's
Hey thanks for the responses. After looking at the menus, I think the best choices for this crowd will be Georgio's. I hope it works out.
Pre-Theater Brunch in West 50's
Georgio's Country Grill on 9th Ave and 53rd St looks like a decent menu. Anybody have an opinion on it? I don't know it. Thanks.
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Georgio's Country Grill
801 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019
Pre-Theater Brunch in West 50's
Need a place about midway between LIncoln Center and Book of Mormon, so mid-50's or so would be best. 6 people, including a few picky and a few Kosher people, so need a place with a large brunch menu, Think egg and French toast type dishes. Kosher people will eat out, but will not eat meat or shellfish. I came across Eatery on 9th Ave, but the reviews said it's very loud and doesn't take reservations so not sure that's going to work. Thanks!
Clever Coffee Dripper
Per the box instructions, I measured out 22 grams of coffee and 360 grams of water and I made a cup with my old Melitta cone and a cup with the new Clever cone. I didn't wash out the paper filters in either. There is a subtle but definite difference in the results. The Clever cone brew is smoother. Now the question will be whether I will get out the scale and measure coffee and water for every cup.
Clever Coffee Dripper
Thanks. I found it at Gimme Coffee on Lorimer Street in Williamsburg. Only $13.50. Can't wait to try it.
Clever Coffee Dripper
After reading the positive Cooks Illustrated review of this device (basically a cone with a lid and a stopper mechanism to keep the coffee in the cone until it's brewed to taste) I want to buy one. I know I can get it online, but does anyone know of a shop in Manhattan that sells them? Thanks.
Looking for a frozen bag of New Mexican green chiles
I lugged a frozen bag of New Mexican green chiles back from Albuquerque and just used it up. It seemed pretty easy to find there in the frozen vegetable section of the supermarkets.
Any idea where I can find that in NYC? I know I can get small cans of the stuff at, e.g., Whole Foods for around $2.50 but I am looking for quantity at a reasonable price and I think that the frozen chiles taste better than the canned stuff.
80th Birthday Lunch for 25 people in Center City
Thanks everybody. Just wanted to report back that we went to Lacroix for the Sunday brunch. We had the back room to ourselves (we ended up with 19 people) and it was absolutely perfect. The food, service and ambiance were exactly what we wanted and Mom was thrilled.
Anyone know anything about Balkanika coming soon on 9th Ave in HK?
I stumbled in here accidentally for take out lunch today and I am very impressed. They had about 15 vegetable dips or so in the display case. I got a big dollop of the beet, the celery root, the leek and the paprika/walnut, together with a few pitas and it was less than $6. The dips were fresh and absolutely bursting with flavor. I didn't pay too much attention, but there were many other interesting things in the display case and on the menu, meats too, and the back of the place had a lot of wood panelling and wines to taste. I am definitely going back.
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Balkanika
691 9th Ave, New York, NY 10036
80th Birthday Lunch for 25 people in Center City
I'm looking for a private room at a nice restaurant in or around Center City Philadelphia that would hold 25 people to celebrate my mother's 80th birthday. This would be for brunch/lunch on a Sunday afternoon in July. Looking for American/French/Italian/Continental type of food -- not Asian. Looking for nice ambience and great food.
Any recommendations appreciated. Thanks in advance.
What Foods/Liquors to Bring Home from Rome?
Thanks everybody. I've been bringing back cheese and liquors (including Alchermes and limoncello) from Europe for years and never had an issue with it. I also tried a search for this topic and couldn't find anything on it so sorry if this is a repeat. And I've brought back spice blends from Campo di Fiore several times that I've not been able to find in NYC (e.g., blends specially marked for meat, or for fish, etc). I go to Chelsea Market all the time (Buona Italia) but I don't know what Coluccios is in NYC.
Porcini are delcious but I can find that in NYC.
I've never heard of corbezzolo honey before, so I'm definitely going to look for that. Also Sardinian torrone. And I don't know what cedro is, so I will give that a try too.
What Foods/Liquors to Bring Home from Rome?
Going to Rome next week. What can I bring back home to New York City for the foodies in my life that they are unlikely to find in NYC?
I will bring home some of the various spice blends sold at Campo di Fiore. Cheeses found only in Italy would be a good idea too.
Spirits (digestifs, aperitifs, e.g.. - not really wines) would be a terrific idea too, if there are things you could recommend that are sold only in Italy.
Thanks in advance -- Chowhound is great!
Long Pepper
I bought a bag of long pepper and don't know what to do with them. I read on the internet that they are like a hotter black pepper, but how do I grind them? Mortar and pestle? Any interesting culinary uses? Thanks.
best RICE PUDDING in NYC??
I've tried many rice puddings around town and my favorite is from the nondescript large Korean deli on the south side of 41st street between Madison and Park. They get the sweetness level and rice graininess just right. Actually i haven't been there in a year since my job moved, so I hope they are still there and still serving the good stuff.
Rice to Riches I think is a must-see just because where else can you find a place specializing in nothing more than many flavors of rice pudding, but for me that's the charm, not necessarily the finished product.
Poaching Salmon
I volunteered to bring poached salmon to a potluck buffet before realizing I've never made it before. Is there a foolproof way to do this? I saw some reference to an Alton Brown show and using an electric skillet, which I have, but I did not see instructions on temperature/timing. Poached salmon usually tastes overcooked to me and I want to avoid that.
I am going to buy a large piece of fish so I'd have to do it in pieces in the electric skillet, or I'd try to fit it in my largest roasting pan if I poach it on the stove top. I want to make enough to feed 10- 15 or so.
Also, suggestions on a good sauce to make on the side are appreciated. I was thinking a yogurt/cucumber/garlic sauce, but maybe a mustard sauce is tastier?
Thanks.
Whiskey Barrel-Aged Bitters
So I have a bottle of Fee Brothers Limited Edition 2008 Whiskey Barrel-Aged Bitters. What do I do with it? Even the company's own website does not have any recipes.
I'm not really a cocktail guy -- I usually take my liquor neat -- but I am willing to experiment.
Does anyone ever cook with bitters? Use as a condiment somehow?
Thanks.
Rockaways
I was thinking about taking the commuter ferry from Wall Street to the Rockaways (Riis Landing at Breezy Point) to check out the view. It lands at Breezy Point at 6:30pm. It looks like a 3 mile walk from the ferry dock to the A Train to get back home to Manhattan. So my question is: Where should we eat dinner or get drinks in the Rockaways before boarding the A Train. I've never been there before so any advice appreciated.
Thanks.
Top Chef restaurants
Wasn't Cliff linked to NYC somehow or am I misremembering? You know, the guy thrown off for roughhousing Marcel.
Got Any Bar Cookie Recipes?
This recipe (and the one above) are similar to the butterscotch cashew bars recipe that I am looking for. I saw it originally in the New York Times a few years ago, and it was attributed to Amy's Bread (a local NYC bakery). I have been making these bars and giving as a present to someone every year since but I lost that recipe, so if anyone has it and could post it or email me I'd be grateful. It's basically a shortbread with a butterscotch caramel topping and then topped with salted cashews. I'm pretty sure it calls for 10oz of butterscotch chips, because there was always a little bit left over from the 11oz bag.
Thanks! josephsm on yahoo.com
Best Croquettes?
The ham croquettes at Sophie's are good and only a buck (IIRC). I don't think the yucca croquettes there are special.
Dominican Food?
It's a Dominican Thing is much smaller than El Castillo, with fancier dishes and a more upscale atmosphere, though hardly stuffy. El Castillo is more like a blue-collar diner and seems more "authentic" somehow. I liked the food at both places. Personally, I would take a group to It's a Dominican Thing.
Need good BBQ near Radio City
Coincidentally, I ate at Daisy May's on Saturday too (dinner) and it was by far the best bbq I have had in NYC. The pulled pork sandwich was great (roll was not cold), but it was the memphis pork ribs that really blew me away. And the sides were the best I have had at a bbq joint (beans and potatoes especially, though the creamed spinach was not good). Loved the sweet tea in the mason jar.
I am not a brisket fan, so Hill Country may indeed be better for that. In fact I don't even remember if Daisy's offered brisket.
For me (and I think also for the rest of my party of 6) Daisy's was noticeably better for ribs and side dishes than Dinosaur, Hill Country, Virgil's, Blue Smoke and Bone Lick.
best pork chops for a group of 6-8?
Not sure if bbq fits the bill, but you could go to Hill Country and get a heaping plate of pork chops along with other meats.
What to Order at Pipa?
I second those dates.
Also, their sangria is made with top-shelf ingredients and quite good. Try the white.
Overwhelmed by Union Sq greenmarket. Recommendations?
I know the bread stand that poster is referring to. They are interesting for having a lot of different flavored breads, but unfortunately the quality is far below Sullivan Street and other breads that I can easily pick up at the nearby Garden of Eden. I'd stick to Bread Alone if buying bread at Union Square.
There's an apple/pear/plum stand on the North side of the park, on the interior near the NW corner, that does from time to time sell some very good ginger spice cookies.
Overwhelmed by Union Sq greenmarket. Recommendations?
My two cents:
The fresh fruits and vegetables are the primary reason to come to this market. I can't pick any one stand over another as virtually everything I have bought has been great. I appreciate the variety of offerings -- one estoteric item may be available at only one stand so that pretty much answers where to buy it. Special kudos to Migliorelli Farms (I think it's the largest stand, along the north side) for their varied greens. Love the broccoli rabe and various chards.
I buy a lot of plants and herbs at the market, especially in the spring, and love the selection.
One thing not to miss is the pourable yogurt drinks ($2) at Ronnybrook.
For some reason I rarely buy meat or fish at the market.
I think my primary disappointment is the baked goods. I've seldom bought any baked good at the market that was noteworthy. Bread Alone used to have good breads and scones but I think they have slipped.
Portland Oregonians visiting next month.
As far as takeout food and food stores in/near the West Village you may want to check out these:
1. Pizza either from the place on the corner of Christopher/Hudson (also garlic knots) or Bleecker/6th Ave.
2. Jefferson Market (6th Ave and 10th St). Their half a roasted chicken with two heaping sides for around $8 is a great deal.
3. Balducci's (8th Ave and 14 St). Fancy and expensive.
4. Citarella's (6th Ave and 9th St). Fancy and expensive.
5. Rocco's (Bleecker west of 6th Ave). Old fashioned Italian bakery.
6. Murray's (Bleecker west of 6th Ave). THE cheese store.
7. Murray's (6th Ave. and 13th St). Bagels/cream cheese. Not the same Murray.
8. Chelsea Market (9th Ave. and 15th St). Converted factory full of food stores.
9. Faicco's (Bleecker west of 6th Ave). Italian take out.
10. Blind Tiger (Bleecker west of 6th Ave). Large selection of microbrews.
You'll see plenty more places that will catch your eye as you walk around.
I just came back from PDX last week (loved it) and one main difference in NYC is that we don't really have the Happy Hour concept here (i.e., inexpensive and special menus at certain hours). At least, not as prevalent as you have it with large selections of $1.95 appetizers.
