Vera's Profile
Good Bottle Shops for Beer in DC area
Don't forget Wegmans Grocery Store that has a whole back wall filled with many brands of beer. I heard they have about sixty brands and there are multiple locations in the area. Good luck.
edible rose petals
I have special ordered packages of ediable flowers at Wegmans. They came in about two days later for my pickup. I believe one order is six packages and I was able to buy just the two I wanted. The package came with a combination of flowers in each pack, not just one type. Check with the produce manager to see if just rose petals can be ordered.
Bad granite job?
I would never have granite installed without looking at the slabs. Yes, there are slabs that have imperfect streaks in them and some people like that. Granite is a natural stone so yes, it will have imperfections. It is just to what degree you can put up with. Some granaites are pretty consistent with their pattern. I do not have Uba Tuba but I know it is on the green side. I don't know how consistent the pattern is. I don't like the attitude of the company employees though telling you to put a flower over it.
Have you bought a new dishwasher in the last 2 years?
I paid about $2200 from an authorized dealer for the Miele La Perla. It costs an extra $200 for the stainless steel door. I had cabinet fronts from my old Bosch and my husband was able to use them on the front of my new Miele last April 2011. It also has a wifi connection option so the dishwasher can be troubleshooted. However, I think you had to buy a gadget extra and by the time I realized that, it was already installed. I also love the automatic "grab the door closed" and automatic door opening when the cycle is finished. An arm ushes the door open about 3 or 4 inches. That is when you certainly know your cycle is finished. I also wanted a door with the screen in front with the controls rather than the controls hidden on the top lid of the door. Love it, love it, love it.
Have you bought a new dishwasher in the last 2 years?
I only have experience with my Miele La Perla, which is one of their top-of-the-line dishwashers. I absolutely love the third silverware rack where I put silverware in individually. It is very easy to run your hand under the silverware when the cycle is finished to take out too. I don't find it annoying at all plus it avoids nesting silverware that will not get clean because most people overload the silveware basket where the third rack avoids that problem. I really disliked the Bosch I had because of the design of the basket dead center-front plus you had to keep clear of the center of both racks because it had a wash tower that had to go up. As the years went by, believe me, that dishwasher was no longer quiet. Poor design with my Bosch cooktop too. Tried to get fixed one burner that when the electronic ignition snapped, the burner would light but the snapping didn't stop. When the repair may came he had to take off the cooktop and every one of the screws that held it in place turned to powder - what? They didn't use screws that could tolerate heat? After all, it is a cook top. After replacing parts, the snapping burner just kept on snapping and there was nothing more the repairman could do. I was so done with that cook top. Replaced it with a Dacor and the quality went up big time.
Have you bought a new dishwasher in the last 2 years?
In November 2010 I replaced by Bosch cooktop and my Bosch dishwasher. I went with the Miele La Perla dishwasher and it is a dream machine compared to my Bosch (12 yers old - I could finally justify getting rid of my poorly designed appliances). I like that the Miele has a third top rack for your silverware and no baskets. No more nesting spoons, forks and knives. When the cycle is finished, it automatically has an arm that pushes the door open about three inches to let steam out and you can hear a fan running inside. I also like the fact that it has the control screen on the front of the door and not on the top of the door lid. I believe Miele is a price controlled brand so I don't think you will find a bargain. I think it was in the $2200 range and I have my matching cabinet panels on the front door. I believe the stainless steel door was $200 extra.
Little Red peppers at Fogo de Chao
Wegmans carries the Peppadews in both their Mediterranean Bar and in jars. I think you will find the jars in the condiments aisle. I stuff them with herbed soft cheese - delicious.
Fredericksburg Va Restaurant?
One thing I forgot to mention is that LaRosetta's seafood is excellent with their special sauces. I'm not a seafood person but my husband always gets some sort of salmon and other guests I've taken comment on how well their choice of seafood had been prepared. I believe LaRosetta makes their own pasta. If Osco Buco is on the menu, if you go - that would be a great choice too. Specials change daily plus you can always order from the regular menu. I love their warm portabello mushroom salad with balsamic dressing. The waiter sees me and already knows that will be my choice.
Fredericksburg Va Restaurant?
I have only been to Poppy Hill once for lunch. You walk downstairs from an outside stairwell. There is no ambience at all; it was kind of a converted basement. My friend and I had lunch and it wasn't memorable. I remember being so disappointed and wondered what all the hoopla was about. They use organic and locally grown produce. I can't speak for their dinners. Our service was subpar. I've been to TruLuvs many times. The restaurant, from the outside doesn't look like much. Management really should spend a few bucks for awnings and a nicer sign. I like the food better at TruLuvs. It's quite lovely inside - not what you would expect looking at the outside. The food I've had there is better than average. I'm not sure where you are coming from but there is a little, family owned restaurant on Garrisonville Road, Route 610 (Stafford) in the Bafferton Shopping Center that has excellent food and service. It is called LaRosetta. The shopping center is non-descript with a large exercise gym, a Chinese restaurant called Formosa. LaRosetta is located at the far end next to Main Street Grill (I think that is the name). I have never been disappointed when I've taken out of town company there. Dinner service is white tablecloths. Stafford doesn't have a lot of choices other than chains.
Good luck.
Hazelnut Oil
Yesterday I bought ingredients for a new salad dressing. It included champagne vinegar, hazelnut oil, honey, Dijon mustard, s&p. I had a difficult time finding the hazelnut oil at my grocer (Wegmans) but did located it at a kitchen shop. It costs an eye popping $24 for 8 oz. I thought, should I? I did buy it and I made the salad dressing. It isn't great but it isn't bad either. Would I make it again - probably not. I did add tomatoes, red onion and feta cheese to the salad but it was so-so. What great salad dressing are out there that uses hazelnut oil? Are there any other uses for it? I certainly don't want to waste this bottle.
Pork shoulders in NoVA?
Costco (Fredericksburg, VA) always carries boneless pork shoulder in a two-pack. Throw that in a smoker and you're good to go. The pork shoulders are about 6-7 pounds EACH so there is lots of meat in one package.
Food in Fredericksburg
Insidious Rex - You are absolutely correct. I misspoke. Today, Saturday, Sep 18,2010 is Octoberfest on Caroline Street, sponsored by Capital Ale House. Last year was the first year, with parts of Caroline shut off to car traffic. Apparently, it was so successful that more of Caroline will be off limits to cars and will be foot traffic only. Capital Ale expects the crowds to double. And with perfect weather today, I'm sure it will be very successful. The whole story is on Page 1, Business Section, Free Lance Star if anyone wants to read up on this event.
Cottage Cheese - Country Style
I have used small curd cottage cheese in place of ricotta in lasagna and it's very good. I was hoping to find the country style cottage cheese, which is even creamier than regular. If it's not available in Virginia, then I will have to use just regular small curd. Thank you for your reply, shanagain.
Cottage Cheese - Country Style
I was watching America's Test Kitchen and they were making Baked Ziti. In the list of ingredients they were pretty specific in using Country Style cottage cheese. The only brand seems to be Hood's cottage cheese. Does anyone know where that brand of cottage cheese is sold in Virginia? Has anyone made this creamy Baked Ziti?
Allman's BBQ in Fredericksburg - don't get it
I wholeheartedly agree that Allmans must be living with a past reputation for being good. I first tried it when I moved to Stafford in 2003. Once was enough. Are you kidding me? This is BBQ? It was just minced up, no flavor nothing. I pass Allmans on Route 1 often and there is a large smoker sitting outside. 'Sitting' is the operative word. It must be just for show because I've never smelled any smoke coming out of it. How it's still there is beyond me.
Maple Avenue Restaurant, Vienna
I used to llive in Vienna and the building that now houses Maple Avenue Restaurant is not very appealing, to say the least. Plus, the parking lot has always been horrible. I think it's the general lack of appeal from the outside. Not somewhere that a casual customer looking for a place to eat would stop, in my opinion. This was Anita's Tex-Mex Restaurant's original location way back in the day.
Any good German food?
If anyone is a fan of The Bavarian Chef in Madison, Va., they are opening up a second restaurant approvixmately the last week of April 2010 in the old Train Station in Fredericksburg off Lafayette Blvd. It is where the old Claibornes Restaurant used to be. I'm waiting for more information in my local paper. This restaurant has quite a following and many people are happy to hear about another one opening.
Increasingly frustrated with Wegman's
I was at the Fredericksburg, VA Wegmans today and I specifically looked for Breakstone Sour Cream - and it was there. Christina D - you may have been at your Wegmans and it was sold out and the space was filled with their brand until a new shipment came in.
Where to find hot cross buns?
Great Harvest Bread Company has Hot Cross Bread and Buns for Easter so you only have Friday and Saturday to get them since they are seasonal. They are closed on Sundays and Mondays. Here is their website and two locations, Herndon and Vienna.
The bread is baked in Herndon and delivered to the Vienna site on Church Street each day except Sun and Mon. They have great bread, by the way. They grind their own flour and everything is made from scratch. Be sure to get their frequent buyer card. After 12 buys, you get a loaf free. They also give you a nice size slice of bread to try. Mention that it's your first time and you also get a free cookie - at least you used to. Good luck.
www.darngoodbread.com
gnocchi
The ricotta gnocchi mentioned on the Cooks Illustrated website said it's from the September 2007 issue. I'm missing a few from 2007 and that's one of them - darn.
If you have back issues or perhaps your library has it, you can look it up. Good luck.
Gas Grill for High Temperature?
I have the Weber Summit 670 and it has a separate sear burner. This grill has ten burners in all, 6 cooking, 1 sear, 1 side for cooking sauces, 1 smoker burner and 1 rotisserie infrared burner. Believe me, it can get hot under the hood. I don't think you have to look at something this elaborate but check out other Weber grills. They do make a quality product. Good luck.
Food in Fredericksburg
I just thought of another restaurant, right on Caroline Street just before you cross over William (if your hotel is located at the end of Caroline, close to Lafayette) and it may fit the bill for where you can get your drinks and be a little loud. It's Fredericksburg Pub. They have something like 100 plus beers - about 30 or 40 on tap. Their bar is unique in that it has ice grooved right in the bar top so when you put your beer down on it, it doesn't get warm. Decent food and seems like a fun place. I've only been there for lunch and not in the evening.
Food in Fredericksburg
Tru Luvs on Sophia Street is pretty good. It doesn't look like much from the outside, thus I think tourists don't gravitate towards it. However, inside is lovely, white tablecloths and good food; although not a loud place. I'm not sure where the Hilton Garden Inn is located (is that the new one on Caroline Street?). If so, just follow Sophia and cross William Street. It's within one block of William on the right. Another one is La Petite Auberge right on William Street - probably up two or three blocks from Sophia. However, William Street in a one way going the wrong direction if you use Sophia. You will have to go around until you can enter William heading towards the Chatham Bridge. Ask at the hotel desk and they can direct you. Both restaurants are nice casual.
Christina Pirello's Cookbook
I just purchased "Cooking The Whole Foods Way" for a friend's birthday. There are many Vegan recipes and I was wondering if anyone has tried any great ones from this book. Christina Pirello has a show on National Public Television.
Where to find Vegan Ingredient?
I did forget to add that the recipe specifically said not to buy in the can but the one in a small aseptic-type box. Therefore, I concluded that it's a dry mix that perhaps you add water. I will check with Whole Foods. If they don't have it, then my friend will get flowers instead of a Vegan dessert!! Vegan ingredients are sometimes hard to find and twice the price. However, my friend has to do this not by her choice but for her health.
Where to find Vegan Ingredient?
I want to make a Vegan Cherry Torte for a friend. I have been able to buy all my ingredients but I have not been able to find Soyatoo Soy Whip. I have been to Trader Joes, Fairfax Wegmans - I actually talked to the person from the Nature Dept in case I was overlooking it; they didn't have it. I'm assuming it's a dry mixture that you add liquid to so you can whip it up like whipped cream. The original recipe supposedly said you could use Dream Whip however, Dream Whip is no longer vegan because it contains casein and whey. Does anyone know what store might have this product? Northern Virginia only please because I live one hour south in Stafford, VA. I would hope to go no further north than Tysons Corner. I haven't checked with Whole Foods yet but that could be a possibility.
Bloom Grocery store -- any knowledge to share?
Blooms is supposed to be the 'upscale' version of Food Lion. Food Lion is now three different grocery stores - Food Lion, Bottom Dollar and Blooms. The decor in Blooms is a little nicer now than Food Lion and I've only been on Bottom Dollar once. I go to Blooms only if I need two or three items and it's on my way. Blooms, in my opinion is just OK. Very limited in produce - it's nothing special. After all, a Wegmans opened in my area this past June - need I say more? I think Wegmans has become my second home or at least my husband thinks so with all the money I spend in that place!
RIo Grande/Uncle Julios Salsa
Remember that Uncle Julio/Rio Grande serves their salsa warm. I think that really brings out more flavor. I could take a straw and sip their salsa - I love it. Since I'm quite a drive to the closest Uncle Julio, when I'm in NoVa, I just stop buy and buy a quart to bring home. And their thin chips are addictive too.
Gelato at Whole Foods
Key Lime flavor might be a spring/summer flavor. I was looking for it last
September/October time frame. But since I'm so far from a store, the flavor
could have just been sold out each time I looked. However, last fall there was no
empty labeled slot for it on the shelf - thus, thinking it was seasonal.
Gelato at Whole Foods
Last year I tried to get the Key Lime Gelato with Graham Cracker Crumbs at Whole Foods.
It's a seasonal flavor and I was too late in the season. Yesterday I bought the last two
in the Vienna, Va Whole Foods. I had a 50 mile trip back home so I packed them in
ice. I took just one spoon to taste and holey moley - what a great flavor. The brand is
called Ciao Bella and I would run to your nearest Whole Foods to grab this flavor before
the season ends again. I don't think you would be disappointed. It only comes in pint
size priced just under $5.
