punkin712's Profile
leftover wonton skins
I just made some little wonton cups (prepared as per cheesecake17's instructions), but only partially baked them. Then I mixed up some homemade cheesy artichoke spinach filling, put it in the cups, topped them with a little seasoned panko and baked them until the filling was hot. I don't know what possessed me to try them (I never made them before) but they came out really good.
Restaurants and Bars around the world you would love to clone..
The Verrazzano wine bar in Florence. Great wine, great food and one of my favorite places in the world to spend time people-watching.
41 Degrees Website
Thanks! I'll bookmark it and check back later to see if it's working.
Heading to Spain and Canary Islands...Best Cities for Food/Wine?
Thanks for the info. Food is definitely a priority ;) If we don't go to Barcelona, then we will most likely focus on finding a city in Southern Spain or Andalucia, so maybe we'll put San Sebastian on the list for another trip (maybe in combination with a trip to France?)
I have heard similar reviews of Marbella We definitely prefer places that cater to locals rather than busloads of tourists, so maybe we'll scratch that one from the list. Our ideal is a nice little restaurant or tapas bar where we can enjoy some great food and great wine and immerse ourselves in the local culture.
Will not having a car be a challenge? I assumed there would be enough places within walking distance of any hotel in any city we pick, but maybe that's not really the case. Although, we have been known to frequent the same establishment over several days during a trip if we really like it. Maybe the question I should ask is in which city in Southern Spain is there the highest concentration of good local eateries?
41 Degrees Website
Can you share a link to the website? I'm having a hard time finding it...thanks!
Heading to Spain and Canary Islands...Best Cities for Food/Wine?
My husband and I are in the process of planning a trip for our 15th anniversary and finally nailed it down to Spain and the Canary Islands. I've been to Spain (Malaga) before, but it was in high school and I think it's safe to say my food/beverage "requirements" are vastly different now. I vaguely remember sitting on the beach eating olives, sliced cheese and popsicles (not at the same time) all day and eating pizza every night.
We haven't finalized our destinations yet and I'm hoping to get some input from fellow CH'ers. We are looking for a city where we will have access to some good local restaurants and tapas bars. We probably won't have a car, but walking is fine as long as it's safe. We'll probably spend 4-5 nights in Spain and 7 nights in the Canary Islands.
Any recommendations? Our short list in Spain includes Barcelona, Marbella or Seville and we are looking at Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands.
TIA!!
Best Coffee Houses/Bars in NJ?
There is a Clover in Princeton too. I'm not sure if it's the beans or the machine, but the coffee made in the Clover definitely tastes better than the standard Starbucks brew. Flavor seems "cleaner", if that makes any sense.
Potato Chip Afficionado
I remember my Business Logistics professor in college talking about how the fragile nature of potato chips and their packaging made it difficult or undesirable for smaller potato chip manufacturers to distribute them across large areas. That may explain why there are so many different regional chip brands. Not sure if that's still the case (that was...um...20 years ago), but it sounds reasonable.
Taco Bell taco stuffed bean burrito.
GET OUT OF MY HEAD! I just suggested this very thing to a friend of mine who is hooked on the Doritos Double Decker tacos. Wish I had the cajones to try it...
Need Help Identifying a Restaurant
Hmmm...based on the location, that could be a possibility too. I'm hoping to hear back from family member A one of these days with more info. I probably made them a little skittish when I suggested that we try to find another guest so my husband can join the party.
THAI TAMPA DALE MABRY HIGHWAY
Very timely request! I was just in Tampa the other weekend and went to Benjarong Thai on Dale Mabry (in Carrollwood). It was suggested by brother/sister-in-law who live in Tampa and go pretty frequently. Couldn't find a website for them, but I think there is a menu on Urbanspoon.
BTW - there is a great brunch place in the same shopping plaza called (aply enough) Brunchie's.
Need Help Identifying a Restaurant
Thanks Daniel76 - I feel the same way (on all fronts!)
Based on the feedback I got from the Manhattan board, the restaurant might be Momofuku Ko. They seem to only accept reservations for parties of 1, 2 and 4. I wouldn't mind going, but if I'm splurging on a $125 tasting menu, I'd at least like to have my husband there to share the experience.
I'll let you know once I get confirmation from family member A.
Need Help Identifying a Restaurant
Thanks nmprisons and kathryn! I assume you are both referring to Momofuku Ko, right?
Need Help Identifying a Restaurant
I got an email from a family member last night (family member A) asking me if I wanted to join her, another family member ((family member B) and the other family member's husband for dinner next month. Family member B apparently wants to take her husband to a restaurant for his birthday, but the restaurant only accepts reservations in multiples of 2, so my husband would have to be excluded from the dinner. I asked family member A what restaurant it is and she didn't know, but was told by family member B that the food is really good and it's hard to get a reservation.
I feel a little weird about this invite. I'd like to bring my husband, but that means finding another person to complete the set. But, if I say I can''t go - they will need to find a 4th.
Does anyone know which restaurant they might be talking about? They live in Brooklyn, but it's entirely possible the restaurant is in Manhattan. I'll repost on the Manhattan board to see if anyone has heard of this place.
TIA!
Need Help Identifying a Restaurant
I got an email from a family member last night (family member A) asking me if I wanted to join her, another family member ((family member B) and the other family member's husband for dinner next month. Family member B apparently wants to take her husband to a restaurant for his birthday, but the restaurant only accepts reservations in multiples of 2, so my husband would have to be excluded from the dinner. I asked family member A what restaurant it is and she didn't know, but was told by family member B that the food is really good and it's hard to get a reservation.
I feel a little weird about this invite. I'd like to bring my husband, but that means finding another person to complete the set. But, if I say I can''t go - they will need to find a 4th.
Does anyone know which restaurant they might be talking about? They live in Brooklyn, so it's entirely possible the restaurant is near them rather than in Manhattan. I'll repost on the Boroughs board to see if anyone has heard of this place.
TIA!
Heading to Dallas - 1st Time!
Sounds like Bambu Thai is getting a resounding thumbs-up! Thanks LH for the suggestion of calling ahead - I don't usually consider doing that.
I've never had Vietnamese (but looks like something I'd definitely enjoy) and Ethiopian is already a favorite of ours, so those are two great suggestions.
I have a feeling we'll either a.) eat nonstop for 48 hours or b.) have to schedule another trip so we can get through this list of great eats!
Heading to Dallas - 1st Time!
mmmm...I like the idea of Tex-Mex! Any suggestions on where to go?
Heading to Dallas - 1st Time!
Thanks for your suggestions! I'm going to check out First Chinese BBQ and Royal Thai.
I appreciate the Indian reco, but I think we'll have to pass on that one. We live in an area with a huge Indian population and, thus, alot of Indian restaurants so it isn't for lack of availability that I want to avoid it. I have tried to like Indian food (I swear!) but something about it just doesn't agree with me.
Heading to Dallas - 1st Time!
We are coming from central NJ, but we aren't NJ natives ;) We've both traveled extensively in the US and abroad and are always on the lookout for great local spots. We don't need anything fancy schmancy, but we do enjoy "a nice meal at Mendy's" from time to time.
We're staying at the Westin Park Central and I'm pretty sure we will have a rental car (husband will be there earlier in the week on business and I'm flying out on Friday to spend the weekend).
Hope that helps! Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
Heading to Dallas - 1st Time!
Well, it's really my 2nd time, but the 1st time was for work and I got stuck eating at focus groups the whole time. I'm sure there is more to the Dallas food scene than that! ;)
My husband and I are headed to Dallas next weekend - any suggestions? We're open to all types of ethnic cuisines (we're on a Thai kick right now), except for Indian food. I'm a strict vegetarian, but my husband is definitely an omnivore. We prefer casual, no-fuss types of places and since we'll be attending a formal dinner on Friday night, we'll want to keep things low-key for the rest of the weekend.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Charlie Brown's - Reopening?!
The Charlie Brown's in East Windsor, NJ has a "Now Hiring" sign posted out front. I thought this chain filed Chapter 11...did someone buy them out? And, if so, was the brand really worth so much that they are reopening under the same name?
The last time I ate at this location, my mother found a large staple in her beef tips. It looked like one of those industrial-sized staples from a big wooden crate. Since then, my husband and I refer to them as "Staple Brown's". Needless to say, I think I'll pass on the reopening.
New GREEK Restaurant coming to Applegarth Road, Monroe
January is a tough month in the food industry - people are trying to cut back from the gluttony of the holidays, or they have resolutions to eat healthier or go out less, etc. I haven't been yet, but I've heard good things about this restaurant so hopefully they can get through these lean times.
Walmart Cajun Trail Mix: The New Crack
I love a good snack and this one seems right up my alley! However, when I checked online, it was coming up "no longer available". Maybe it's regional or maybe it was discontinued...if it's as good as you say, either explanation would probably be fine with my thighs.
Alexandria, VA suggestions?
Thanks to everyone for their suggestions! We ended up going to the following places:
--Mai Thai (dinner): I'm new to Thai food, but my husband eats it fairly frequently. I got the vegetarian green curry (very tasty, but could have been spicier) and my husband got the crispy fried whole fish (he loved it).
--Pita House (lunch): I grew up eating Middle Eastern food, so the bar was a little high for me. Hummus tasted similar to Sabra and the pita didn't seem to be homemade. I got a falafel sandwich which was okay, but definitely improved with a heavy slathering of tzatziki. Husband got Riz Bel Djaj (stewed chicken and brown rice) and said it was good.
--Moby Dick House of Kebob (Georgetown location - lunch): Definitely preferred this to Pita House. Appetizer of Kashk-o Bademjan was very good and accompanying pita was fresh and toasty. My falafel platter was good, but I might have been better of getting it as a sandwich. The platter comes with pita triangles which made it a little more difficult to eat. Husband got something with chicken, but I honestly don't remember what it was! He said it was very good and fresh tasting.
--Misha's: great coffee and a nice low-key atmosphere
--La Tasca (Old Town location - lunch): Saved the best for last! We went here for a late lunch (around 2:30pm) and got the unlimited tapas. Each dish was better than the one before - flavorful, hot, and delicious. We shared a pitcher of peach sangria which was very good, but didn't seem to pack much of a punch. In retrospect, I think we had so much food in our bellies that the alcohol didn't stand a chance! We actually went back the next day for happy hour (more sangria and $3 tapas at the bar) and again after dinner for house wines and music at the bar. I have to say that it was the best overall experience of the weekend and we would definitely go back.
There were so many places we wanted to try, but just didn't have time (or stomach space). We'll definitely be back! Thanks again for all the suggestions!
Alexandria, VA suggestions?
Thanks for the suggestions so far. I looked at the menu for La Tasca it looked promising. Is there a Pizza Paradiso in DC? If so, I went a few years ago and really enjoyed it. I'll check out the other places that have been mentioned. We'll only be there from Saturday through Monday, but I like to have a few back-ups, just in case.
I also realized that the weekend we're thinking about going is during Restaurant Week in DC and Alexandria. Would that change anyone's recos?
Alexandria, VA suggestions?
Originally posted on the Mid-Atlantic board...
Thinking about a weekend getaway to Alexandria, VA...probably staying in Old Town. I haven't been in ages - any good recommendations? I'm a strict vegetarian but husband will eat pretty much anything (I'm not high-maintenance - a good salad and sides are fine for me so husband can enjoy a good meaty meal), we're open to all ethnic options (except Indian) and we prefer places that are casual and low-key (read: don't want to pack a dress and heels).
TIA!
Alexandria, VA suggestions?
Thinking about a weekend getaway to Alexandria, VA...probably staying in Old Town. I haven't been in ages - any good recommendations? I'm a strict vegetarian but husband will eat pretty much anything (I'm not high-maintenance - a good salad and sides are fine for me so husband can enjoy a good meaty meal), we're open to all ethnic options (except Indian) and we prefer places that are casual and low-key (read: don't want to pack a dress and heels).
TIA!
IHOP's BUTTER PECAN SYRUP -- who makes it and how can i buy some retail?
glad I could help!
Chik Fil a has discontinued their sweet potato waffle fries
Was that a regional test? I don't remember seeing them here in Central NJ. Actually, I think the Chick-Fil-A closest to me is considered part of the Southern NJ/Philly market. I guess it's a good thing I didn't know about them...I would have reacted the same way...
