Sarah McC's Profile
Downtown Louisville Ky
In town for a conference and staying at the Hampton Inn on E. Jefferson. Had dinner at the Mayan Cafe, based on recs from this site and hotbytes. Truly delicious dinner.
I was dining alone and wanted to try a few different things, so I stuck to smaller plates. The seasonal salad with pears, bacon, local goat cheese and blood orange vinaigrette. Bright dressing, creamy cheese, sweet fruit and BACON.
Had the Charro soup with white beans, chicken, chorizo and jalapenos. It lacked much spice and had a lot of chicken. But clean flavors and warm, stomach-pleasing broth.
Tamale with shredded beef topped with a luscious mole.
A side of the lima beans- I don't have a clue what was in them, but they were addictive.
Finished with a simple bread pudding swimming in a Mexican chocolate sauce.
Really, just a beautiful meal. Wish I could come back with friends and order some larger dishes to share. The ribeye and scallop dishes (at the next table) looked amazing.
I'm a Brooklynite, used to a foodie community obsessed with local produce and seasonality. Mayan Cafe hit it, spot on!
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Mayan Cafe
813 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40206
Dinner in North Slope tomorrow night
We're having our second date night in the five months since our daughter was born. Thought we would meet at Bergen St. 2/3 and head down Fifth Avenue.
Alchemy? Moutarde? Flatbush Farm? Other suggestions? Not too fancy/ not to $$$
Bistro Les Amis
Good suggestion. The menu looks delicious. I'm a Brooklynite almost five years now, and I couldn't think of a downtown Manhattan restaurant to save my life anymore!
Bistro Les Amis
Any thoughts on this place? We're headed to dinner before a gig at the Jazz Gallery on Hudson. Trying to find someplace close, since I'm 9 months pregnant! My foodie days are a haze, but I hate a mediocre dinner.
Cafe Ortine on Washington Avenue
My hubby and I finally had a chance to try Ortine on Washington and Dean. We live right around the corner and were excited about the possibility of a great, neighborhood spot.
It was delicious. He had a salad with homemade sprouts and lemony dressing. For entrees, he had the beef stew and I had a curry chicken pot pie. The portions were smallish, but it was just so fresh and homey and tasty. We shared dessert (I'm still mad he wouldn't order the chocolate pot de creme)- a fesh apple crumble with homemade vanilla ice cream. Fabulous.They have a small beer and wine list with good stuff on it. I had a Syrah for $6 and he had a Blue Point Toasted Lager for $6.
The theme is seasonal, local and organic when possible.
Even though the menu is smallish, I can't wait to come back on a weekday morning for breakfast. The space is adorable, and the staff was very friendly.
Anyhow, I'm so pleased. We've got pretty good food options in Prospect Heights these days (I've been here nearly five years), but this is far better than the rooster place on Vanderbilt (what's the name?).
The restaurant was pretty empty, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they can keep going. It's a weird location, and I am sure they are betting on filling up the fancy condos being built on Washington and Pacific.
Recipe for a simple pot roast?
Thanks for the suggestions. This was my intuitive thinking. I want to sear first of all, then add stock and tomatoes (I have to have the tomatoes because that's the way my mom did it!), then braise in the oven for a few hours.
I have a crock pot, but I always find that the result is very liquidy and steamy tasting.
Thanks again!
Recipe for a simple pot roast?
I have 3lb. of chuck roast, yukons, carrots and canned tomatoes, and I want to make a simple pot roast tomorrow.
What's the best way? I have lots of time; I'm mostly worried about overcooking the potatoes and carrots.
New restaurant Taqueria de los Muertos
My husband has had a couple of burritos there (turkey mole) and was very happy. It ain't Chavellas, but it's not meant to be. Sometimes you just want a big, sloppy burrito and some nachos! Can't wait to get there myself.
Recommendation for best pizza in the village?
Isn't there a decent spot for a slice on Seventh Avenue, south of Christopher? I know that's vague, but I'm staying in Manhattan for a few days (from Brooklyn!) and want to order a pie for delivery.
I'm at 12th between Fifth and Sixth. I hope no one recommends Fat Sals. Gross.
anything new and noteworthy in BKLYN??
My husband and I had dinner at Abigail's a few weeks ago. We shared the cold gazpacho with avocado and crab meat. Very good. And we both had the short ribs. I think they had to find the cow, butcher it, then cook it, but the wait was worth it. Delicious.
For those who work in UnionSq/WVil- where do you grab a quick lunch?
Ok, now I am NEVER going to bring my lunch again. Fabulous suggestions!
I'll add one more- the tiny little French-Japanese bakery on 13th b/t Fifth and University. For $10 you can get a baguette sandwich with soup or salad, and you can sit in their lovely little upstairs dining room.
For those who work in UnionSq/WVil- where do you grab a quick lunch?
I am terrible about bringing my lunch to work, and I am just as terrible about thinking creatively at lunchtime.
Stand-bys include Whole Foods, Chipotle, the falafel place on 12th and Univ, 'witchcraft.
What are your thoughts?
Prospect Heights Restaurants
I'd love to check this out, but we haven't made an effort to schedule special occasion meals.
Prospect Heights Restaurants
Oh, I love the neighborhood. I can pretty much eat out every night of the week and have good food at a reasonable price. Can't wait for Zaytoons.
My faves-
Amorina
Chavella's
Gen
Geido
Beast
Noona
Islands
Christie's
Haven't tried-
Teddy's
Cheryl's
Don't love-
Gamin
Shane
Aliseo
Want to give another try-
Sorrel
Cherry Clafouti, how much can I mess with the recipe?
Yes! This is exactly what I'm looking for to use with my fruit.
And the above suggestions for savory clafouti also sound great. It's a change-up from my summer frittatas. And everything is good with cheese added!
Pleasant meal at Hyatt Harborside
This is nice to hear. My brother is getting married there next month, and my husband and I will be coming up from NYC. Thanks for the review. I'm looking forward to sipping cocktails on the terrace and not feeling compelled to go run into the city.
Cherry Clafouti, how much can I mess with the recipe?
I found a recipe for Julia Child's Cherry Clafouti on the board a couple of weeks ago, when I had lots of cherries from my CSA but not enough time to eat them.
The recipe is the easiest thing in the entire world. Put all ingredients but cherries in a blender. Put batter and cherries in pan of any sort and cook for an hour in a 350 degree oven.
Here's the thing, the batter is super thin, making the cooked thing almost custard-y. I don't love custard. Can I double or even triple the flour and still use the blender? Can I eliminate the sugar and make a savory clafouti? I have so much summer squash and zucchini. I might try the batter without sugar and vanilla, and bake with sauteed veggies and maybe some cheese?
I hate to waste food, so please tell if there is a flaw in my plan!!
Anyone know where OKO is?
I was there this morning, right as they opened. It is amazing. I don't think I can ever do Tastee Delite again. I just hope the succeed wildly and open another spot a bit closer to me.
I had key lime yogurt with crushed graham crackers. Frozen key lime pie, extraordinary.
Couscous
Oh, I am so excited. Perfect kitchen sink staple. And I can make it in the morning for work! Thanks for the ideas.
Couscous
What is the proportion of water to couscous? I bought some whole wheat couscous in bulk, so I don't have cooking instructions!
Po is open for business
Had dinner tonight with a couple of friends. I was a little nervous about being in a restaurant on its first day of business, but things went very smoothly. The place was crowded, but not loud.
The food was good- fresh and tasty. Not mind blowing, but filling and homey. We had the meatball starter (good enough for a main course, almost), portabello salad, shaved fennel salad, and beet salad. ALso had the linguini with clams; orichiette with sausage and b.rabe, spaghetti carbonara and salmon. I took almost half of mine home, the plate was so big.
Like I said above, none of us had anything we didn't already know and love, but that's a nice thing.
Service was wonderful. Very friendly and sincere. .The music was weird! At one point, at the very end of dinner, they played M.J. 'Beat It', perhaps a sign that it was time to let the table turn over!
Would love to hear other reports. We won't be frequent visitors because we live in Crown Heights, but would definitely go back again.
LOTS happenin' on Cortelyou
I felt similarly about the mushrooms. And the horseradish dipping sauce had NO flavor.
Restaurants near the Jazz Gallery in Soho
Heading to the Jazz Gallery tonight and am stumped about restaurants west of Sixth Avenue, below Houston and above Canal. I thought there was a tapas place, but maybe I'm imagining things. Or a nice veggie restaurant- Urban Kitchen or something?
Chavella's on Classon Avenue
So nice to finally get a response about this place. I can't believe no one else is posting?! We've almost worked our way through the whole menu, sometimes ordering three times in a week.
I wish the tacos had a little more filling, and that they served a little more fresh cilantro on the side. But I'm just picky...
Quick and cheap near IFC
Going to a movie tonight at IFC. Looking for something more substantial than Mahmoun's, but sturdy, tasy and cheap!
Monday nights in Park Slope/Pros Hts. are rough!
Great suggestions. We haven't been to Henry's End in years. I've been hesitant to go to Flatbush Farms because the reviews have been mixed. And their chef has left, correct? That said, I have tasted some of their bar food, and it's tasty.
3Ds has a better veggie patty than Christie
Had a veggie patty last weekend from 3D's on Washington Avenue (near Sterling?) They had run out of everything else, but it was much better than the weak veggie patties at Christie's. They also seemed to have some killer stews and curries, but I was broke and in a hurry. The veggie patty at 3D's had a flakier wheat pastry and a spicy, veggie curry on the inside, with discernible spinach and onion. Christie's is a bit dry, filled with cabbage and not much else.
Anybody ready to weigh in? Not trying to start a fight- I love Christie's! But mabe 3D's is a great alternative to Christie's for patties, and even the Islands for hot meals without a long wait...
Monday nights in Park Slope/Pros Hts. are rough!
My father is in town this Monday, which means free food for me! But soooo many restaurants are closed on Monday nights.
What's open, besides Al di la? Applewood? Beast? Convivium? Franny's? Tempo? Not Geido, not Amorina. We've hit all these places before and are ready for seconds. I'm calling around, but this could take days...
Crown/Prospect Heights suggestions
I agree with all the other recs, especially Chavella's and Sushi Gen. There is also Deacon Blue, on the corner of Prospect Place and Grand. They have a couple of great veggie pasta specials.
Chavella's on Classon Avenue
Just had take out from this newish spot on Classon Avenue between Prospect Place and Park Place. I'm surprised it hasn't shown up on this board yet.
I'm not great with reviews, but we were really pleased with our order of tacos and a tostada. The ingredients were very fresh, and there was some wonderful fresh flavor that is usually lacking from Mexican food. Smokiness, tanginess, creaminess of crema fesca and queso fresco.
Anyhow, it's a lovely little spot, cozy decor. There are these little pots on the table filled with pieces of gum, in flavors like eucalyptus.
I'm so bummed that I had already eaten dinner. We'll be back ASAP for a full meal.
