gardengirl

Restaurnat near Bourbon and Branch

Thank you all for your suggestions. I am putting many on my list for a visit during our trip. The group that I am going with settled on Salt House for that evening. Looking forward to it!

on Jan 13, 2010

gardengirl in San Francisco Bay Area

Restaurnat near Bourbon and Branch

Hi,

My husband and I used to live in San Francisco. We are returning to visit some friends. Both couples now have kids. But we are lucky enough to have a sitter for one night.

So, we are going out for a big night out, sans kids. We already have reservations at Bourbon and Branch at 6:30 and I'm looking for a great dinner nearby for four people who don't get out very often. We lived in San Francisco until 2002, so we have done most of the nicer restaurants that were on the scene prior to that.

Expensive is ok, but mostly looking for a great meal, something you might not be able to get in New York. Quieter vs. Noisy.

Thanks in advance for your help!

gardengirl

on Jan 11, 2010

gardengirl in San Francisco Bay Area

meat on counter question

Thanks everyone. Very helpfu! I think I decided to skip it because it I'm not going to be home for a little while anyway. I have a small baby at home and the idea of potentially being sick and trying to take care of her scares the bejeesus out of me. So, I will instead reprimand the husband and start thinking about when I can look back on this and laugh at the time we threw away a whole pot of short ribs.

on Mar 24, 2009

meat on counter question

I filled my slowcooker with short ribs this morning before I left for work. I asked my husband to set it to cook before he left about 1 hour later.

Guess what, he forgot.

So, the meat has been sitting on the counter in the slowcooker for 5 hours now.

I think I know the answer to this.

But, is there any saving this meal?

Do I need to toss the whole thing???

on Mar 24, 2009

Blaue Gans, Peasant, others - Birthday dinner

Thanks! I was thinking of the smaller more romantic feel, so I will look into Apizz and Orchard.

on Sep 16, 2007

Blaue Gans, Peasant, others - Birthday dinner

I am having the hardest time choosing a birthday dinner location for my husband and I.

I had narrowed it to Little Owl, but couldn't get a reservation before 10pm.

We are looking for a wednesday night, someplace that takes reservation, no sushi any other cuisine ok, not too trendy. Not on the upper west side but anywhere else in manhattan is fine.

I had Fleur de Sel and Annisa on my list - but they both were more then what I wanted to spend. So maybe that is a help with the price range. Little Owl had everything we were thinking.

I am more interested in great quality food then I am about the "buzz" about a place.

So, right now Blaue Gans and Peasant are on the list - any other recommendations or suggestions about these two?

on Sep 15, 2007

Dinner Post Bowery Ballroom

Sorry, Friday night.

I didn't realize Schillers was open that late. That's a good call.

Thanks!

on Jun 08, 2007

Dinner Post Bowery Ballroom

I've read all the posts about dinner before a show at Bowery. Any suggestions for late-night dining after a show? Probably around 1am. Any cuisine. Not too pricey, i.e entrees in the $15 - $25 at the most. Although less expensive is always good. Willing to travel a bit, but would want to stay on the east side. Maybe something that is a hassle during "normal" eating hours...not sure what is open late near there.

Thanks!

www.kitchencocktail.blogspot.com

on Jun 08, 2007

Best Chicago Steakhouses?

I posted a review a few days about Gibson's. You can check out pictures at www.kitchencocktail.blogspot.com. I had a great time at Gibson's and thought the food was really good - I don't think you would be dissappointed there. So much of what is writted is subjective, what is considered a scene, what is romantic, etc. For what it is worth, I wouldn't say it was romantic per se, but for me it was a great night out, something special that I don't normally do when I'm not on vacation, and had a great old school feel which I prefer over trendy.

on May 30, 2007

2 Foodies need recs for Chicago visit

I just got back from Chicago and had a great meal at MK. Our criteria matched yours almost exactly. We did a bunch of research beforehand and it came down to MK and Blackbird. While Blackbird sounded amazing, I was worried about how trendy it seemed.

We had a lovely meal at MK. http://www.mkchicago.com/ One of the reasons we chose it was because on Sunday and Monday nights they have a market menu. It is a $50 price fix 3-course menu that includes wine pairings with each course. The market referring to fresh farmer's market ingredients.

I started with grilled flatbread, roasted zucchini, caramelized onion, white anchovy, piquillo pepper, arugula, and manchego

Then had pan roasted alaskan king salmon, steamed baby beets, nichols farm creamed spinach, with horseradish emulsion.

And for desert a warm rhubard crumble, tangerine ice cream, with pistacio shortbread, and citrus salad.

Everything was stellar and the wines were amazing. Also, the cocktails were great as was the service. Not too trendy but a pleasant space. It was a little removed from other spots, sort of on its own, but we actually walked from downtown. We are from NYC though, so walking is in our blood. It was probably a 30-40 minute walk. The cab would definitely have been under $20.

I will be posting pictures soon on my blog. www.kitchencocktail.blogspot.com

on May 26, 2007

Review: Bongo Room

Bongo Room was just around the corner from the Hilton Chicago, which is where I was staying for a conference a week ago. This was dangerous!

I'm not a huge breakfast person, but I went back here twice on my 5 day visit. It is a total splurge (not financially, but calorically).

On the first visit, we had the eggs benedict with spinach, one banana and oreo pancake and one blueberry and almond creme aglaise pancake. Thank you to whoever tipped us off to ordering just one pancake since that wasn't listed on the menu.

Both were completely decedant, but the banana and oreo pancake definitely won out. The eggs benedict, while really delicious and a total standout at any other restaurant, never had a chance here.

I would highly recommend. Oh and the coffee was great.

For more info and pictures, www.kitchencocktail.blogspot.com

on May 25, 2007

Review: Gibson's

Just got back to Chicago. I am a big fan of your city!

So after much searching and googling and chowhounding, we decided on Gibson's for our "Chicago Steakhouse" experience. I wasn't disappointed and in fact was more then pleasantly surprised.

The best part was the steak (which is always a good thing). I had the Chicago cut, which is a bone in rib eye. What I loved most, besides how flavorful and juicy the meat was, was the delicious crust on the outside - I didn't touch the salt shaker once, which is rare for me.

The creamed spinich was as good as I have had at any steakhouse, no better - no worse.We were talked into the stuffed potato which was HUGE and was very good - and I'm not really a big potato fan.

The crab and avacado salad was fine but completely unmemorable. It was also totally unnecessary because the meal comes with a salad. I wouldn't recommend it.

Couldn't fit desert.

The total meal (two of us) with two cocktails, an inexpensive bottle of wine, and tip hovered around $200-220 (sorry, I can't remember exactly).

As for the ambience, I found the service to be very friendly. We were seated quickly (a surprise given some of the other comments). It was a lively crowd. Great old school feel.

Based on this experience I would definitely recommend. For pictures and more info, www.kitchencocktail.blogspot.com

on May 25, 2007

Arthur Avenue Review

Sal is always so busy! I'm a third generation shopper there also and my dad will wait for however long it takes for Sal to help him!!

I'm definitely trying the manicotti and the stuffed pork chops next time. Thanks for the tips. And the dried hot sausage with fennel sounds amazing. I've always gotten the regular dried sausage.

Have you gotten the whole prosciutto there - the ones you special order? My family gets one every year....we visit it regularly before it is ready and even have a naming ceremony. Yeat, we get a little too excited about it.

on Mar 07, 2007

gardengirl in Outer Boroughs

Pizza dough dilemna

Phew. I'm a bit of a dough moron - I don't make bread dough ever and buy pizza dough at the bakery - never make my own. Hence the silly question. Good to know and note to self - learn more about yeast and making dough :)

Thanks!

on Mar 07, 2007

Pizza dough dilemna

Need help on a pizza dough crisis!

I took pizza dough out of the freezer last night at about 11pm. Husband was supposed to put it in the fridge before he went to bed. Not completely a surprise...he forgot :)

So, this morning at 8am I noticed it was on the counter. It was defrosted, not cold - pretty close to room temperature.

I put it back in the fridge and now am wondering if we can use it tonight?

I was really looking forward to using it for dinner tonight!

www.kitchencocktail.blogspot.com

on Mar 07, 2007

Employess Only or Pegu Club for a birthday cocktail?

I also would recommend Pegu Club. It has that "special" kind of feel. I second the Earl Grey martini, although all of the drinks I have gotten there were excellent. The tuna tartare was very good.

www.kitchencocktail.blogspot.com

on Mar 07, 2007

Arthur Avenue Review

I felt inclined to post about Arthur Avenue (Little Italy in the Bronx) because I went a few weeks ago - I try to make a visit every month - and I am still enjoying everything I brought back with me. I was reminded to post (meant to do so a while back) because I just defrosted the dough I bought from Madonia Bakery. Trying to decide what kind of pizza I'm going to make tonight.

Here is a list of must stops and highlights for me. I'd love to hear what you pick up when you go to Arthur Ave. I am always looking for new treats.

Biancardi's - the meat here is high quality and so much less expensive then where I live (midtown Manhattan). I load up on a month's worth and stuff it in the freezer.

Madonia - pizza dough and either olive bread or one of the rounds in the window.

Casa della Mozzarella - the mozzi is by far the best I have had, I think ever. I prefer the medium salted ball, my husband likes the knots. Also get grated parm here.

AA Market: the spicy pepper spread at the counter on the far left by Cafe Mercado and the green olives across from Mike's deli.

Borgatti's - just had their ravioli which were like little pillows, the dough was so soft and the cheese had the perfect amount of bite. Also love their cavatelli and fresh cut spaghetti

Full Moon Pizza - favorite slice in the city

Teitel Brothers - for staples like olive oil, cheapest on the strip

DeLillo - love their cappuccino and cannoli

For a full review with pictures: www.kitchencocktail.blogspot.com

on Mar 07, 2007

gardengirl in Outer Boroughs

Soup Dumplings - Where else?

Thanks for all the suggestions! I have made a list and look forward to systematically tasting the recommended soup dumplings!

on Feb 24, 2007

Soup Dumplings - Where else?

Several weeks ago I was at New Green Bo and the soup dumplings were really disappointing - not hot enough actually, still a little gelatinous inside. The dough was also a little tough.

Then about a week later I went to Shanghai Cuisine and had amazing soup dumplings. Hot enough, flavorful, tender, etc.

Where is your favorite soup dumpling? Or is there another dumpling I am missing out on?

www.kitchencocktail.blogspot.com

on Feb 22, 2007

Christmas Day Dining Recommendations

I went to Cibo with my family for Christmas Eve last year. We were a large group, about 15 people. They were able to accomodate us easily. The menu was very nice and good for the mix of adventurous and not-adventurous eaters that we had with us.

Overall the dinner was very good, nothing absolutely spectacular, but nothing was dissappointing either.

www.kitchencocktail.blogspot.com

on Nov 21, 2006

Babbo, i got in!...now what?

I loved the beef cheek ravioli and the pumpkin ravioli with sage butter. As two pastas to start they were the perfect compliment to one another.

www.kitchencocktail.blogspot.com

on Nov 21, 2006

Elephant Ears ideas

Thanks! I think I am going to try tapenade and pine nuts....but I also love the idea of curry, and the gruyere and dijon sounds really good too. Thanks!

www.kitchencocktail.blogspot.com

on Nov 21, 2006

Elephant Ears ideas

I was watching Barefoot Contessa yesterday and she was making savory elephant ears with frozen pastry dough. She used a spread of sundried tomato, basil, and garlic on the dough before rolling them into the ears for baking.

I was thinking of making these as an appetizer but am not a huge fan of sundried tomatoes. Any thoughts on other savory concoctions?

I was thinking maybe olives and garlic.

on Nov 20, 2006

Late night snacks with parents

I am looking for a good bar where we can get a few cocktails and maybe some light snacks with the parents and family. There are 8 of us.

Location is flexible other then midtown west and upper west side.

Price range is also flexible, although not looking for anything outrageous. I.e. Bemelman's or King Cole Bar would be too expensive. Pegu would be ok, but maybe there is something a little less expensive than that?

Not too loud, but also not so quiet where we will get in trouble if we get a little loud :)

Thanks for the suggestions!

www.kitchencocktail.blogspot.com

on Nov 09, 2006

Croissant and NY Times

Thanks for the quick feedback everyone!

Went to Patisserie Claude this morning and it was everything I was looking for. I got a plain croissant and a pain au chocolate. Broke both in half to take home and ate the rest. I am still congratulating myself for my restraint!

The coffee was so so as mentioned above, but everthing else was absolutely perfect!

on Oct 03, 2006

Croissant and NY Times

I'm taking a "sick day" tomorrow since it is my birthday. I am looking for a place that I can treat myself to a delicious croissant, espresso, and linger over the NY Times before heading out for a walk - so an interesting neighborhood is a criteria.

I am thinking maybe Patisserie Claude. J'Adore? Ceci Cela? Any other suggestions?

www.kitchencocktail.blogspot.com

on Oct 02, 2006

Kip's Bay.....help!

Ali Baba's is very good, I would second...or triple...that recommendation. Waterfront Ale House is better then average bar food and they have a very good beer selection. If you are up for a 5-10 block walk south Turkish Kitchen (27th and 3rd), Bamiyan (Afghani), and Bao Noodles (22nd and 2nd) are all very good.

Penelope's on 30th and Lex is a cozy comfort food type place. I really like their chicken meatball sandwich and their mac and cheese is great.

www.kitchencocktail.blogspot.com

on Sep 14, 2006

Truffle Oil

I also like to rub some truffle oil on steaks before I broil them.

www.kitchencocktail.blogspot.com

on Sep 11, 2006