SLOLindsay

Wino in St. Joseph/Benton Harbor

We're going to be in SW Michigan for a good friend's wedding this weekend, and I'd love to score a decent glass of wine after the rehearsal dinner on Friday night.

Any suggestions? The dinner starts at 6. Bistro looks too fancy and the Livery seems super beer-focused. We had a New Year's dinner at Tosi's years back -- not sure how they are for a post-dinner bar scene -- so I was considering the Pumphouse, which at least has a couple of basic options. We'd like to stay in the Benton Harbor/Stevensville/St. Jo area.

Thoughts? I'm considering stopping by Tabor Hill if they're open on Sunday as well.

on May 19, 2011

What's good near Hyatt Regency?

I have nothing to add except a) I love chowhound for this exact reason and b) nxstasy, you're my hero. :-)

Staying at the Hyatt Regency in a few weeks for a work trip. Have a rezzie at Quartino -- can't stop going back! -- but I'm looking for other options. Thank you! Chowhounds FTW.

-----
Quartino
626 N. State Street, Chicago, IL 60654

on Jan 13, 2011

SLOLindsay in Chicago Area

Rose Bowl watching in Lansing -- help me bridge the gap?

We live in Madison, so my husband really really (REALLY) wants to watch the Rose Bowl while we're visiting friends in Lansing.

He wants to watch sports. I want to have a decent glass of wine and/or a good Bloody Mary somewhere we can order something other than fried things and popcorn. (I sorta hate the divey/sports bar vibe.)

Is there anywhere we will both be happy (that is open on New Year's Day) or should we plan to stay in?

on Dec 09, 2010

Current recos for Madison needed

I wholeheartedly agree on the best pub food -- all great options.

I would add Roman Candle for pizza (my fave, though my husband prefers Glass Nickel East) and our favorite restaurant in the city: Sardine.

Sardine does approachable, slightly upscale French-inspired cuisine in a beautiful dining room with high ceilings and a view of the lake. I just tried a new cocktail there called the basil smash that is made like a mojito -- delicious. I'm a huge fan of their brunches (try the frisee salad with wedges of St. Andre and grapefruit) and their Bloody Marys might be the best in town.

http://www.sardinemadison.com/

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Roman Candle
1054 Williamson St Ste A, Madison, WI 53703

on Sep 04, 2010

August 2010 Cookbook of the Month VOTING (Through Weds., 7/21)

KITCHEN DIARIES, Nigel Slater

on Jul 20, 2010

Jfood hits Craftsman (MSP) - Fantastic

Thank you for this wonderful review! You just saved me from a long search (and one of those repetitive tourist posts -- "I'm going to (blank), where should I eat?!"). I read this review and picked up the phone to make a reservation for Friday.

This will be my very first Minneapolis meal, and I'm really hopeful it's going to be great. If you're in Madison, I hope I can return the favor someday with a rec. of my own!

on Jan 06, 2010

SLOLindsay in Minneapolis-St. Paul

Herb dilemma

I need some help with this too! Except my herbs are already in boxes, and I have no garage or indoor window to use (tiny apartment). This is what I have.

Box one: Thyme, Rosemary, Chives and Tarragon.
Box two: Basil (Genovese), Basil (Thai), Parsley and Sorrel. (Do I have to let this one go?)

Also we have a pot with spearmint and pineapple mint.

Does anyone know if we can keep any of this going with grow lights in our basement? What lights do I need to buy -- will just regular fluorescent lights work?

Something like this? http://homeharvest.com/fluorescenttubes.htm

on Oct 12, 2009

SLOLindsay in Gardening

Anniversary dinner in MKE -- narrowing it down

In two weeks my husband and I are celebrating our anniversary with "Spring Awakening" at the Marcus Center, and we'd love to have a great meal before the show. Depending on what we find, we might do an anniversary dinner on Sunday in Madison and a smaller dinner the Saturday before.

We've been to Bartolotta's Lake Park Bistro (very good, but more expensive than I'm looking for this time) and Coquette (excellent). We also loved Three Brothers.

I'm considering Sanford, Sala da Pranzo or Crazy Water. We recently had a great meal at the Hinterland in Green Bay, so that's definitely on the list too.

We'll probably bring a bottle of good wine and pay corkage (buying a couple of glasses after the show, maybe). We're young and on a budget, but we want to celebrate. Rec's?

on Oct 01, 2009

Food on Christmas Day - Madison

I think Flavor of India is open. You might try Himal Chuli or Dobhan or Chautara. Or even Takari? I know that Edo was open on Christmas Eve last year, because I nearly lost control of my car on Monona Drive going to the east side one.

on Dec 18, 2008

Dinner options near the Lyric Opera

These are all great suggestions. THANK YOU, Chicago hounds!

on Nov 13, 2008

SLOLindsay in Chicago Area

Dinner options near the Lyric Opera

My editor and I are coming down from Madison to catch "Porgy and Bess" at the Lyric Opera. I'm thinking we probably won't be on much of an expense account, since they're already paying for hotel and mileage, so I'm looking for something lower priced (than, say, Custom House or Tru).

My fantasy was Aigre Doux, but it may be too pricey. I thought about Dine but I'm not sure I want to spend my one Chicago dinner in a hotel. I loved Frontera Grill and Bin 36 (for cheese/wine only) but want to try something new. I'm looking for something in that price range (which maybe Aigre Doux fits? no prices on the menu), relatively near the opera house at Wacker and Madison.

Ideally, I'm looking for French or Asian food, or something else ethnic (Indian? Thai?). I am enchanted by the Green Zebra's menu but worried it's too far away. I was considering Blue 13 and Marche, or possibly Ben Pao.

Thoughts? Thank you!

PS While I'm asking, anyone know a good wine bar to hit up afterwards? I was thinking about heading to Swirl Wine Bar in River North.

on Nov 05, 2008

SLOLindsay in Chicago Area

Prepping artichokes for lemon braise

Hi! I'm participating in a very amateur iron chef-style challenge tomorrow night with a friend, and I've decided to make a variation on this recipe:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/michael-chiarello/lemon-braised-artichokes-over-pasta-recipe/index.html

I'm having trouble with the artichoke instructions though. I have pared them down a lot and quartered them (I'm thinking now I need to pare them down even more -- how do I know when to stop?!).

Problem is, even with lemon juice, they've already started to discolor and I don't know if I should remove the purple leaves on the inside as well as the furry choke.

Can someone help?

on Jul 27, 2008

Toledo hounds -- Shawn's Back Door?

Ever been there? Food worthy of a trip for dinner?

I am in town visiting my parents, who live over by Levis Commons. Recommendations for a drink in that plaza? I'm a wine geek.

on Feb 22, 2008

Chicken past the sell-by date: OK?

Thank you everyone. I am so averse to wasting food but it has to go. Stupid me.

(I am writing a thesis right now, so my cooking levels are WAY down.)

Sending DH into the snow out for a replacement bird. Thanks all!

on Feb 17, 2008

Where do you eat in Madison, WI?

The food at Essenhaus is abominable, atmosphere or no. Just saying.

on Feb 16, 2008

Chicken past the sell-by date: OK?

I have what appears to be a perfectly fine free range Bell and Evans whole chicken in my fridge (wrapped in plastic) that has a sell-by date of Feb. 10. I meant to salt it but forgot.

Am I going to kill us if I roast it up tomorrow for dinner?

on Feb 16, 2008

Valentine's dessert in Madison

Thank you for the tip! I have yet to try Lombardino's but I PROMISE I will soon.

We live on the east side and sample Gail's on a weekly basis. Last night after trudging through the inches and inches and inches of insane snow (miss Madison? yeah) my darling husband brought me some of her dark cocoa. Perfect.

on Feb 07, 2008

Valentine's dessert in Madison

Looking for chocolate/dessert on Valentine's Day (we're going to do our own seafood dinner at home this year).

Options so far:
Cocoliquot (not closed yet!)
Fresco -- Gail Ambrosius chocolate tasting for $22

Other ideas of good dessert places we should consider, perhaps for less than Fresco?

on Feb 06, 2008

Milwaukee Downtown

Just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who posted here. I ended up eating at Zarletti's, where I had a very good osso buco and spent $50 on myself (which I have never done before at a meal). The server was helpful and courteous and nobody gave me a second look as a solo diner. That was nice.

I also had the Mediterranean flatbread at Yaffa (I could not afford the entrees after my splurge) and a bowl of the butternut squash soup, which was wonderful. I mean, I can make it myself, but it was still just what I wanted at the time, AND the restaurant was only a block away from the theatre. Very convenient.

Cardinal Stritch was a bit of a dining wasteland, but I had a decent latte at Stone Creek Coffee just down the street and I loved the cappuccino I had at Alterra. (Side note: nobody had free wi-fi! Weird.)

Cubanitas is on the top of my list for our next trip to Milwaukee. Thanks again, everyone!

on Jan 18, 2008

Milwaukee Downtown

Going to a theatre conference in Milwaukee this weekend. I am staying downtown on "old world third street" and would like something within walking distance for dinner. Most of the events are going to be at Cardinal Stritch, so recommendations close to there would be helpful too.

I am on a grad-school budget but it's just me, and I loooove good food, so all recs are helpful. Thanks!

Lindsay

on Jan 08, 2008

Help ... Madison dining scene

Just had the Sunday brunch at El Dorado on Willy Street and it was really, really good. Also they had music, which was a nice touch -- DH kept remarking at all the different kinds of sounds one guy got out of a washboard. I had the Eldorado Eggs. Fantastic. A menu is...um...here: http://www.foodfightinc.com/pdf/Eldo_Brunch.pdf.

I like the Old Fashioned, food's pretty solid. For "nice" though, I'd totally go Magnus. Amazing steak, and I could eat their chimichurri all day, on everything. Great wine list, excellent cocktails -- I wouldn't necessarily save room for dessert, though; walk down the street one block and go to Cocoliquot for after-dinner chocolate. Disclaimer: I work at a wine shop that is co-owned by an owner of Magnus.

I am also a big fan of Osteria Papavero, next to Magnus, for the best upscale Italian in Madison. (Madisonians: I have not yet been to Lombardino's)

Ethnic? Try Restaurant Muramoto off the square for Japanese fusion or Jolly Bob's, a Carribbean place on Willy that's doing half-price appetizers from 4-6 p.m. all winter. I also love the Weary Traveler -- inexpensive, lots of local flavor, and try the West of the Andes sandwich or their awesome chili. Lots of vegetarian options there too.

I love Sardine. Excellent food, pretty pricey.

on Jan 08, 2008

Madison Food and Wine Show?

Ever been there? Worth the $30 admission fee?

www.madisonfoodandwineshow.com

I'm tempted but I don't want to go if it's going to be -- well, lame, for lack of a better word at the moment. Anyone been?

on Oct 17, 2007

Anniversary Dinner in Madison

Hello all. We've been in Madison for about a year now and have found some great special occasional restaurants -- Restaurant Magnus, Sardine, Osteria Papavero, Eno Vino, Cocoliquot (for desserts) -- but I'm looking to try something new for our anniversary next week.

Fresco is right near where we'll be, but are the prices worth it?
I have heard good things about Lombardino's. I have been dying to dry the new Sushi Muramoto in Hilldale (if I can convince DH to get Asian). I haven't been to Blue Marlin yet, and tonight some customers recommended the veal at Peppino's downtown.

Ideas, 'hounds? We've been to Harvest and L'Etoile is out until I finish my thesis and have a really good reason to reward myself. :-)

on Oct 05, 2007

Wine tasting tapas/apple dessert?

I am hosting a wine tasting party tomorrow. Everyone is bringing a random bottle of wine, red or white.

My menu (for 3 p.m., so not a full meal) is:

Bruschetta (pesto with tomato/mushroom/onion/garlic and eggplant)
Grilled chicken skewers with curried yogurt and peanut dipping sauces
Garlic shrimp with dried chili (from Jose Andres' Tapas cookbok)
Marinated Idiazábal cheese with rosermary (from same)
Prosciutto-wrapped melon
Cheese plate with a triple creme brie, manchego or mahon, fresh goat cheese and an aged Cheddar or Jack, also mixed olives, dried apricots, dried figs, sliced apple, mixed nuts and locally made crackers)
Pita crisps with spinach, walnut and garlic puree

To start, I'm serving a vinho verde for an apertif. I'd like to finish with an apple dessert, because I just brought home a ton of them from the farmer's market. I was thinking about a Brown Betty but it has to be something I can prep today and cook tomorrow.

Red flags? More ideas? Things you would add or cut? Thank you, 'hounds!

on Sep 29, 2007