BigBrother's Profile
Best Sichuan in the Valley?
Ugh, that kills me. Reminds me of a place near Boston called Grand Chinatown that serves the best Cantonese seafood I've ever had. Reviews on yelp would complain that the General Gau's chicken wasn't up to snuff.
How do you cure ignorance? :)
Best Sichuan in the Valley?
Sorry, Tampa. (Corrected). Yeah, I know they're famous for the Bao, but a good half or more of the non-orange chicken menu was sichuan (including the specials of the day). And it was good!
Best Cantonese/seafood in the SF Valley?
Well, gotta say, I had a pretty resounding success last night finding a Sichuan place thanks to my thread here:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/824435
So, owing to the fact that I love Cantonese as well, I thought I'd give this a shot again.
Have been eating real cantonese recently on the east coast (various forms of steamed fish, whole shrimp, ginger scallion crab and lobster, etc.) and wanted to know what is, in your guys' opinion, the best and most authentic representative here in the SF Valley.
Thoughts?
Thanks all!
Best Sichuan in the Valley?
Well, tried Tampa Garden last night off of will's thread suggestion. Gotta say, damn impressed. Can't say every dish was spot on (dan dan and hot oil dumplings for example were in more of a peanut-based sauce than I'm used to), but overall I'd give it an 8.5. Better and more authentic than most Sichuan places I've been to in New York. Fish filet and tofu was spot freaking on, beef and spicy peppers was great, chicken legs and hot peppers was great. And it's so funny because the place is the picture of unassuming cheap chinese. They have a very general-gao oriented menu, and then a separate "real" section. The decor is nonexistant as you'd expect from a take out joint, but man was it good. Also, as we specifically requested a "non-gwailo" level of heat, the entire place filled up with vaporized pepper particles and all the patrons around us were coughing up a storm. Was hilarious :)
Best Sichuan in the Valley?
Hey all, after traveling far and wide (ok, living on the East Coast :)), I've developed quite a taste for real sichuan food. But all I ever knew in the Valley growing up was Americanized Chinese. Good stuff, but not dan dan, mala, red glistening-deliciousness good.
Any suggestions? I have no idea what the authentic Chinese (Cantonese, Sichuan, etc.) scene is like out here.
Please keep suggestions to the Valley- am sure there are plenty in LA, Downtown, and the inland provinces :)
Thanks!
LA-style chili (Tommy's, Cupid's), in NY??
Well, figured I'd resuscitate this thread- any new comers? Anyone know of where to get Tommy's-style SoCal chili in NY?
Thanks!
Looking for sour sop, tamarind ice creams (tropical ice cream place?)
This looks great!! Thanks!
Where to get "Samson's Pita Pockets"?
Not quite. There's no way they could get them here quickly enough for anything resembling a reasonable price :). That said, we *did* manage to track them down!! They can be purchased at Holy Land Market in the LES.
Thanks all!
Looking for sour sop, tamarind ice creams (tropical ice cream place?)
Thanks! Anyone else, any others?
Best Prosciutto sandwich in Hoboken?
Hey all. We just moved here, and one of the big requirements we're looking to fill is a great Italian deli. But not just any great Italian deli, one which can scratch our itch for a prosciutto, buffalo mozzarella, and tomato sandwich, preferably on some amazing bread.
We used to have a great place back where we were from, but now we need to find something new!
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Looking for sour sop, tamarind ice creams (tropical ice cream place?)
Hey all. A good friend of mine who grew up in Puerto Rico introduced me to a local place there called King's Cream (in Ponce) that makes amazing tropical fruit ice creams- passion fruit, coconut, and, most notably, sour sop (guanabana) and tamarind.
He and I are trying to find something similar in NY. I figured with all the immigrant enclaves from tropical climes, maybe there's something similar around here.
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Looking for sour sop, tamarind ice creams (tropical ice cream place?)
Hey all. A good friend of mine who grew up in Puerto Rico introduced me to a local place there called King's Cream (in Ponce) that makes amazing tropical fruit ice creams- passion fruit, coconut, and, most notably, sour sop (guanabana) and tamarind.
He and I are trying to find something similar in NY. I figured with all the immigrant enclaves from tropical climes, maybe there's something similar around here.
Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Nostalgia for restaurant circa 1985
I believe this is the place you're talking about:
http://maps.google.com/maps/place?q=tout+va+bien+nyc&hl=en&cid=3897305580604564472
It's mostly downstairs- have a look at the photos, it's been around forever, and it's just where you describe!
Any shops that stock Cappy Ice Fruit (a drink)?
Hey all. There's a brand of drink called Cappy Ice Fruit, very popular all over Eastern Europe. I'm trying to find a place that carries it (specifically, the Apple Pear flavor). Maybe an importer or international food store (Czech, Polish, Hungarian?)
Anyone seen it?
Thanks!
Who in the US can deliver Cappy Ice Fruit (drink)?
Hey all. There's a brand of drink called Cappy Ice Fruit, very popular in Eastern Europe. I'm trying to find a place that will deliver it (specifically, the Apple Pear flavor) to a US address, preferably from
someplace domestic so I don't have to pay exorbitant delivery fees! Maybe an importer or international food website based in the States?
Any suggestions?
Thanks so much!
Really good Italian in the Valley?
Hey all, have a family dinner coming up and want something good, preferably between Sherman Oaks and Encino on Ventura. Something setting-wise along the lines of Marmalade Cafe, La Frite, etc. (convivial, fun, social!) If that can be found with great food, we'd have our match.
Anyone have tips?
Thanks!
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La Frite
15013 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Most opulent, lavish brunch in town?
Hah, it's funny, the Boat House was quickly becoming my top pick when I came back to read this! It's probably got *the* most parts right. Will keep looking, but this is top for now. Thanks so much RGR!
Most opulent, lavish brunch in town?
What about something elevated on a higher floor? I'm thinking Rainbow Room style. The food doesn't have to be spectacular (at the end of the day we're really just talking eggs and oj, let's be honest), so the ambiance and view should be a knockout to make it memorable...
Most opulent, lavish brunch in town?
I appreciate the suggestion, but I've been to Per Se twice- the first time and the last :). That place is never getting another penny from me again. Offensively over-priced for what you get. I'm fine with spending the coin, I just thought the food didn't live up to half my expectations for that amount. Same with Jean Georges across the street. It's a shame there's nothing else at Time Warner... although, I wonder about whatever replaced the V Steakhouse that was there a while ago (which I actually quite liked). Will look it up
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Per Se
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019
Jean Georges
1 Central Park W, New York, NY 10023
Most opulent, lavish brunch in town?
You know, the Palm Court was my first thought, but on seeing it a few months ago I felt it was like a gallery- everyone inside was cordoned off and everyone outside (there's a *lot* of foot traffic) was gawking and staring at them. Really awkward :). Plus no windows, which I thought was a shame.
Just had a look at the St. Regis- Astor Court seems to get really mixed reviews.
Peninsula was promising, but had a look and the main restaurant, Fives, didn't seem like such a nice space.
Took a look at the Pierre, as it turns out that's where the tango scene was actually filmed! Unfortunately, they've remodeled since then and the replacement, Le Caprice, is now far from elegant like it used to be :(.
Waldorf: also promising at first, then I took a closer look. It's a buffet style, which wouldn't be as desirable, but could still work. But then I had a look at the pics, and it looks like a Vegas buffet- people in t-shirts and shorts all lined up to get sliced ham from under a red lamp. Far cry from what we're after!
Is elegance dead? There's got to be some brunch around the park that has that ridiculously over the top, old world elegance. Doesn't necessarily have to be in a hotel.
Anyone?
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Palm Court
768 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019
Astor Court
2 East 55th Street, New York, NY 10022
Most opulent, lavish brunch in town?
Hey all, planning a very special event, and was looking for a very elegant brunch for a Sunday. Basically think the tango scene in Scent of a Woman :)...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in5EPHVgcXg
Preferably some place on or very near the park, I'd love it if it had actual views of it.
What would you recommend?
Thanks so much!
LA-style chili (Tommy's, Cupid's), in NY??
A death blow is dealt. I stagger off, growing weary, sight growing dim. I collapse. Nooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!
LA-style chili (Tommy's, Cupid's), in NY??
Hey brother (or sister), from your lips to God's ears!! :)
I've been craving that stuff so much. I'll say again- virtually every craving is satisfiable for me now in the city, except for that one. Man oh man I want some now!
LA-style chili (Tommy's, Cupid's), in the burroughs??
Hey all, I'm an LA transplant to the East Coast, and have done a pretty good job grafting my necessities onto East Coast establishments, while of course expanding with all the wonderful bounty that NY and its surrounding environs have to offer :)
The one thing I'm really craving at times, and have no idea where to find, is LA-style chili. For any of those who know the greats (Tommy's, Cupid's, etc.), you know *exactly* what I mean. For those who don't, it'll probably disgust you to hear it, but here goes- it's an almost radioactive orange, meat spackle-like substance. Not quite liquid, not quite solid, and never with any traces of actual beans, onions, tomatoes, or distinguishable pieces of red meat. I'm talking about a wonderful meat/fat paste that makes every burger and hot dog a masterpiece. Shown below:
http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_kqrph0zfxg1qzxskbo1_500.jpg
So, anyone??
A real Chicago dog in the city?
Damn that looks good.
As an aside, I always love how at Midway airport, you can pretty much run the gamut from the lowest quality to the highest peaks of chicago doggery- so prevalent are the places serving them! For reference, Gold Coast does them consummately.
A real Chicago dog in the city?
Interesting. I'd certainly be willing to try them again!
A real Chicago dog in the city?
I had one one time and it was downright disgusting. They could have been using pure manna for all I know, but it was bitter, soggy, the vegetables were limp, the whole thing was tiny- a complete disaster. This person, on another thread you commented on, concurs:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/690128#5428861
As does this one:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/357290#2187092
And this guy:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/632535#4816633
Have you been to Chicago and eaten the real thing???
