dockhl's Profile
Cheesemaking supplies?
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I didn't know that ! Thank you so very much..............I'll look at the grocery store today.
Cheesemaking supplies?
I know I can order them online but is there any place on the Central Coast (I am in Paso) that you can think of that sells rennet and citric acid? I'd love to make some mozzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz........................
Casual/yummy SLO Thursday dinner
The 17 YO might really enjoy FM and work off some energy from being cooped up in the car all day........there are lots of downtown restaurants that you could stop into after wandering around. What might be close to your hotel ? (Are you staying downtown?)
Pacific's Edge corkage?
Accckkk.......$40 is really high, altho the wine list prices are astronomical. Am I muddle-headed in wanting to do this? (Eat there.....)
Pacific's Edge corkage?
Thanks for your input !
I've eaten at all of the restaurants mentioned and agree that they are wonderful (and that Passionfish's wine list is amazing!) BUT I really don't want to drive back to Highland's Inn after a bottle of wine ! So, chances are good that we WILL be having dinner there one night :) I am mostly looking forward to a lovely dinner, good wine and then..........back to the room for dessert ! LOL !
(Thanks for your good wishes...........)
Pacific's Edge corkage?
We'll be staying at the Highland's Inn in a few weeks and I have reservations at Pacific's Edge. It is an anniversary for us and I'd love to bring a special bottle of wine for us to enjoy (a 2007 Saxum Rocket Block ) that they do not offer. Any idea what their corkage might be?
Thanks !
Food recs for Paso Robles and Ojai
I know this is long overdue, but we went to Ojai recently and enjoyed both Suzanne's Cuisine and Azu.
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Suzanne's Cuisine
502 W Ojai Ave, Ojai, CA 93023
Azu
457 E Ojai Ave, Ojai, CA 93023
Estrella restaurant, Paso ?
Does anyone know anything about this restaurant.....supposed to be on the Park in Paso, opening soon? Maybe open already?
Phở in the central coast
We went to Lotus yesterday and had both pho and banh mi. Both were excellent.
SLO Train Depot Dining Options
Funny, I had just signed on to review Lotus Asia's Best (http://lotusasiasbest.com/menu/) ! I'd never been to that part of town (just to the train station) ....cute, with some good looking options.
San Luis Obispo Tribune has a Groupon-type deal-of-the-week called Dealsaver
( http://sanluisobispo.dealsaver.com ) that offered $10 for $20 worth at Lotus. We took ours there yesterday and were VERY pleasantly surprised.
The restaurant is two room and a patio. The 1st room has the Mongolian Barbecue bar and open kitchen, second room is all tables. Nice patio, shaded and private. You order your food at the podium in the front and they bring it to your table.
We started with the Shrimp Spring Rolls (3 medium rolls); there was also a choice of chicken, pork or veggie. Extremely fresh and plump accompanied by a sweet spicy peanut sauce .
Second was the Rare Beef Pho, a large bowl of noodles topped with paper thin onion and raw beef slices that cooked in the mild broth. I added Thai basil, cilantro and mint, bean sprouts and lime. The broth could have been a bit more intense for my liking but all in all, for SLO, it was pretty darn good.
Following the soup we split a Roasted pork Banh Mi (I don't see it on the menu here) . Chunks of well seasoned pork on a crunchy roll with herb and jalapenos....yum !
All of this food came to just under the $20 so we added a Thai iced tea. Not too sweet and quite flavorful.
The negatives (which are minor):
Service was spotty---our sandwich came first, then our soup....then our spring rolls and after another 5 minutes or so, our tea. There was loud rock music playing which disturbed the serenity of the patio. (All the staff were young adults so I imagine that dictated the choice.)
We definitely will go back. The food was terrific; it is a lovely little neighborhood find. For 3 o'clock on a Sunday afternoon, it was fairly busy ( 5 tables on the patio were taken) . The price is right and it is nice to have another Asian alternative. (BTW, Thai Elephant is opening ...may be open...next door.)
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Thai Elephant Restaurant
7320 El Camino Real, Atascadero, CA 93422
Lotus Asia's Best
1819 Osos St, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Giancarlo's in Morro Bay--any feedback?
Just saw a Travelzoo local coupon for this restaurant.............
http://www.travelzoo.com/local-deals/deal/3552
$49 - Italian 'Hot Spot': Dinner for 2 w/Wine, Reg. $109
Robert's, Paso Robles
: ) How very perceptive........
the space is lovely, cream with b/w photos, low crown moldings with charcoal above. Two small rooms and the bar, outside seating, great acoustics (very important and my biggest complaint about Artisan!) Comfortable chairs.
It was quite busy @ 6:30 on Friday night. We arrived without reservations, hoping to have apps and wine with a friend who was going to meet us there. We were seated quickly (and graciously, even thought we were two of three, and just wanting apps!). White linens and a space that is not large, but not crowded. Nice.
Our friend didn't show until after 7.....long story if miscommunication....but the staff never pressured us. We ordered a cheese/fruit/nut platter to tide us over.
"Artisan Cheese Plate Selections of Cheese, Sliced Charcuterie, Fruit and Nuts $10"
Odd. , two end clumps of cheese cubes and a center area of 4 slices. 4-5 walnuts. 2 dried apricots. A scattering of dried (?) cranberries......our server told us the cheeses were mozzarella (not fresh), machengo, and (?) Carlsberg Swiss. Upon tasting, we figured it was really JARLSBERG....OK, but all in all, pretty Trader Joe's.No Charcuterie. Some crackers. Not exactly "artisan".....
We ordered dinner (since our friend had eaten). Aruglula salad
"Arugula Salad Goat Cheese, Toasted Hazelnuts and Champagne Vinaigrette $7 "
(basic, vinaigrette, hazelnuts???
I had the Wedge salad.
"Caramelized Onions, Blue Cheese Crumbles,Crisp Bacon & Chipotle Buttermilk Dressing $7 "
tasty enough .
For dinner we split the Macadamia Nut Crusted Halibut
"Sautéed Snow Peas, Green Onion Rice and Papaya-Coconut Butter $20 "
The halibut was well cooked, not dry. The had separated the entree for us onto two plates. The rice was very crunchy (not my favorite) and bland bland bland.......where were the green onions? or salt? Halibut about the same....bland, not much in the way of crust, let alone macadamia. I was looking for the salt and pepper (I don't usually alter a chef's dish) to no avail.
Dessert was a Grand Marnier Creme Brulee.....fine, nice crust, good flavor and creaminess.
There is a $10 corkage fee, not bad.
My impression is this.....we will go back. They have only been open a month and I think they are testing the waters. Service was fine and we liked the atmosphere.
However, if we go back in a few months and all the trappings are there but none of the flavor, we'll go to one of the many restaurants in the area that we like better. Too many to support one that doesn't taste good!
OK, now that I have gotten that off my chest.....the reason I made no comments initially is that I would hate to bash a new restaurant without more than one opinion. I didn't hate it, and many things about it we really liked. I would love to hear what others think.....
Robert's, Paso Robles
We went to a new restaurant in Paso on Friday night, on Pine Street between Odyssey. and the jewelry store. It has only been open a month but was very busy.
Has anyone else been there?
Wild game buffet ?
Hmm, I don't remember that at all. This was a place where the bar was upstairs and had several backgammon boards. More a lounge than a bar. I don't think I ever ate in the restaurant except for the game buffet which had rattlesnake, elk, venison, squirrel, alligator....I don't THINK bear (but I could be wrong) ....extensive. I went to school on the north suburbs (PA College of Optometry, Oak Lane area) . I don't think it was Germantown-ish, further out, but I don't know what direction ! (I didn't have a car, paid no attention....)It was NOT in the city.
Also used to go to a place downtown where opera singers would stand up and sing during dinner. I still remember the Fettucini Del Mar.............
Wild game buffet ?
I don't think it was an Italian place. More like some woodsy place away from the city. Thanks.
Wild game buffet ?
A LONG time ago, when I was in school in Philly (1976-80) I used to go tot a restaurant that had a wild game buffet once, maybe several times per year. It was gourmet and extensive. Upstairs, they had a lounge/bar where you could play backgammon called "Above it all" or something like that.
I LOVED that place ! Does anyone remember it? Is it still there?
Nostrana/ restaurant.com certificates
Nice to hear from you all. I hadn't looked further and it appeared that you could buy a $100 certificate with a $100 minimum....??? Upon closer inspection, it was as deeseiffer has pointed out, double the amount but , heck, why not?? I have read good reviews on Nostrana here and think it'll be a good choice. I bought a $50 certificate good toward $100 minimum of food (they add an 18% tip before totaling) . I think the two of us could spend that without wine, but it'd be nice to know that wine would count. I think we'll go on Sunday, Oct. 3 when we are in town.
I HAVE used rest.com certificates at Aureole in Las Vegas. Fabulous restaurant, used a $50 cert that I got for $4 . Amazing......Mandalay Bay has MANY of their vest restaurants on rest.com. Why not take advantage? I am so excited to be going to Portland......any other recs?
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Nostrana
1401 SE Morrison St, Portland, OR 97214
Nostrana/ restaurant.com certificates
Has anyone used a certificate at Nostrana? Looks like you can buy them in $25/$50/$75/$100 but it requires a $100 minimum purchase. I don't see anything excluding wine............can you buy a $100 certificate and $100 worth of food and ....?
"Minimum purchase of $100. 18% Gratuity added prior to discount. Excludes: Other Offers/Promotions. "
It sounds too good to be true. I sent an email asking for clarification but haven't gotten a response.
Thanks !
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Nostrana
1401 SE Morrison St, Portland, OR 97214
Crispy Fried Fish sandwich, SLO area?
Looks pretty good and well worth a try.........
BTW, I asked my mother about the fish fry sandwiches and she launched into this rhapsodic description of a fish sandwich she'd had with her father as a child...my Mom is 82 ! She said she thinks it was whiting. What the heck is whiting?
Crispy Fried Fish sandwich, SLO area?
Well, we called the Quarterdeck in AG, they said their fish sandwich was fried, so we went down and tried it. Of course, it wasn't what we had in mind. It was the fish and chips fish on a bun.....duh. Still looking. I'll let you know if I find it. Thanks for all the help......
Crispy Fried Fish sandwich, SLO area?
LOL ! I like it, too !
I'll keep looking. I may need to get fish and chips and ask them to put it on a roll with tartar sauce ! BTW, who has the best fish and chips around? I think Pier 46 in Templeton does pretty well......
Crispy Fried Fish sandwich, SLO area?
Hmmm.......not EXACTLY what I had in mind. I am thinking Back East Elk's Club Friday night fish fry.........(altho I DO love McD's fish sandwiches, too !)
Crispy Fried Fish sandwich, SLO area?
I have a craving for a not-so-healthy chow-worthy fish sandwich, fried, not grilled.............we live in Paso but are willing to drive south or west in this pursuit ! Any suggestions?
Must have been a bad night..Artisan, Paso Robles 6-5-10
barely......I am short ! LOL !
Truly, though, the table was REALLY wide----we actually thought it was sideways but it was square. Just an odd detail. (And it was an anniversary dinner.....)
Must have been a bad night..Artisan, Paso Robles 6-5-10
Bruce, I have been there many times (as I mentioned) but always was lucky enough to have a spot in the side room. The noise level there is always high but that night it was intrusive to the extreme. What disappointed me most was the food......definitely not the high level that I am used to there.
Good point about graduation (I am headed down there in an hour) ; I'd head outta town, if I was planning to go out !
Must have been a bad night..Artisan, Paso Robles 6-5-10
I just returned from a disappointing dinner at Artisan. In the past,I've had a table in the small side room which is fairly quiet. Tonight there was a wedding party so we were seated in the main dining area.What a mistake! The noise level was very high,compounded by the hard surfaces of the restaurant(why they don't hang some baffling material is beyond me)and the obnoxious squeals from the wedding party. We almost left(it was THAT bad)after we were unable to hear our server give the specials of the night.
I had the black cod (meh, mushy) and the SO had veal (OK, pretty spicy but well prepared ). Service was good; the table was too wide,making holding hands difficult. Burrata w/tomato jam a tasty appetizer choice.Blueberry buckle/meyer lemon ice cream dessert was a nice combination of flavors and textures.
Certainly not the best meal I've had there. We probably won't be back soon since we have so many good options at this point.
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Artisan
1401 Park St., Paso Robles, CA 93446
