gremlintummy's Profile
Best Bloody Mary?
do you have an address or a link? we're visiting in june. would be great to find the best bloody on a budget as well. thanks.
SACRAMENTO THIS WEEKEND -- CHEAP, GOOD EATS?
Hello,
My husband and I are going to be in Sacramento this weekend -- neither of has ever been. We love good food and trying new things, but we're on a tight budget. I did a quick search for good cheap eats on this board, and while there are tons of suggestions, it's hard to tell what's affordable without looking up every restaurant's menu on the web. Any suggestions for lunch (no more than $25 for two) and dinner (no more than $50 for two)? We'll be near the Convention Center, but we will have a car. Thanks!!
Szechuan hot pot
does anybody know what time MONLAND usually closes on a weekday?? we'd love to try it out today (PRESIDENTS DAY) and called a couple times to find out their hours, but we don't speak Mandarin or Cantonese, and they don't seem to speak any English. Sounded like the lady said "12" but it's 2p now; could she mean midnight?? gotta go soon; can't go for dinner.... thanks guys.
Help with "New" Post Label
oy, just looked at this again and the "new" label has magically appeared now, so not sure it's an issue with my view of the page? but just checked my last post from Sat. and still, no new tag. All the other posts above mine are tagged as new, though. Oh well! Thanks for the suggestion LNG212.
Help with "New" Post Label
Just posted this and noticed, this too does not have the little "new" label next to it. Sigh.
Help with "New" Post Label
How do I get the little "new" tag on my new posts? I've posted several times now, new topics, but never get the little "new" tag. Help anyone?
Where can I buy Maschiarelli pasta in LA?
My Italian in-laws use Maschiarelli brand dry pasta for quick meals and I loved it when I visited them. Anyone know if it's sold anywhere in LA? Nearer the West LA area would be great, but would be willing to drive to get it. Also would be interested in comparable Italian brands if I can't find Maschiarelli. Also, any suggestions on where I can find strangozzi dry pasta would be much appreciated too.
Thanks everyone.
Tuscany/Umbria wedding
Hi tkin, congrats on the wedding and your choice on doing it in italy. i just got married in umbria (2 weeks this thursday) and it was absolutely beautiful. we rented a house in niccone valley, just north of lake trasimeno and got married at la chiusa fattoria biologica (not the relais one) and had an amazing time. la chiusa is a small, beautiful agriturismo overlooking the valley with vineyards and trees everywhere. It's run by a family from several generations. the owner is the chef and everything is made on the property. they also have lots of dogs and cats (very well behaved) on the property, but they do a very good discreet job of keeping them away from your wedding, if you want. our wedding planner found the spot. she was wonderful, very flexible on everything. they specialize on not doing typical package style weddings and will create something to your wishes. the company is cortona events, and is run by two women: glenda furia and stefania svetti. both were born and raised in tuscany and speak english. here's the website:
www.cortonaevents.com
i'm sure they can help you find a church nearby as well. also, not sure if it's so with catholic weddings, but apparently every italian must also do a civil service at the local town hall. we had ours at castiglion fiorentino, again a suggestion from our wedding planner. it's an absolutely gorgeous undiscovered gem of a tuscan hill town, that is also cheaper than nearby cortona. they do a wonderful traditional ceremony complete with a beautiful italian certificate, a scroll and a traditional ceramic seal of the city, which they present to you as a gift.
good luck and congratulations again. you'll have a beautiful ceremony wherever you choose to have it!
RED MANGO - OPEN? NOT YET? WHAT'S UP?
Anyone know if Red Mango in Westwood is open this weekend? (i.e. tonight, Sunday July 15)?? Went by after their "grand opening" to find it closed for private events, checked out website this afternoon only to find "Westwood store opening soon" and no phone number. Any idears? Thanks a bunch.
Any recs on Spoleto?
Hi there. My fiance and I went to Spoleto last year, tale end of Sept., beginning of October. We were struck by what a hauntingly beautiful little town it was. The food was very good, the only unfortunate thing is I don't remember the names of the two great restaurants we tried. I can tell you the first one is in the main piazza (it's so tiny, piazza almost seems like an overstatement), by far the largest restaurant in town, very homey. It was on the recommendation of our hotel manager at hotel gattapone (what a crazy night that was!), and the restaurant was just down the hill. I want to say it was called something like Spoleto Ristorante -- it was a very plain, literal name. We were there about 9:30/10p, the only other table was taken by an elderly Italian couple. After having a lovely grecchetto in Orvieto the other day, we wanted to see how the white wine in Umbria would compare, so we asked for a good white wine. The friendly older woman who runs the restaurant looked at us warily to make sure we had indeed asked for white wine. We nodded, and she trundled off to the cabinet, muttering the entire time in a very good natured way. She returned with a bottle and set it down, very firmly, on our table, announcing "rosso!" Of course, the wine was great. My fiance ordered strangozzi con tartufi, and I ordered a pappardelle con tartufi. Both were absolutely delicious. So simple, just oil, garlic and a dusting of truffles. Then we had a grilla mista, probably getting the name wrong, but it was essentially a tasting of various grilled meats, since we just couldn't decide. All delicious. The other tiny restaurant we wandered into looked like an old wine cellar from the outside, and it was off a side street along the hill, behind the piazza. Again, don't remember the name. We had a typical lunch, again we were the only tourists. My fiance was so taken with the strangozzi, he ordered it here as well. What I remember about my meal was the zuppa di farro. I will never ever forget this incredibly delicious soup. You'll also find great porchetta in the middle of the piazza.
I apologize for my poor memory, but I guess the moral of this story is that Spoleto is so off the beaten path, that other than during its annual art festival, you will be the only non Italians there and will find great food if you just poke around. I hope this helps somewhat. Have a wonderful time!
BTW, don't know if you already got your hotel, but hotel gattapone was an absolute adventure. It's located across the road, just below the castle where Lucretia Borgia acted out her treachery, and overlooking the amazing aquaduct. Our window looked out on nothing but hillside, valley and that incredible aquaduct, but the howling wind and banging door/window kept us up all night. The views were unbeatable, but the comforts, decidedly lacking. I have to say, though, that some of our best stories involve this hotel and our experience in Spoleto.
Umbria - La Chiusa? Anybody Been?
That sounds absolutely lovely. I will definitely take note of the price, though -- pretty steep. Thanks so much, this really helps.
Umbria - La Chiusa? Anybody Been?
Hi all. I'm getting married in Tuscany/Umbria this Sept and my incredible Tuscan-born and raised wedding planner is recommending La Chiusa as a reception spot. Anybody been? Heard anything? Sounds great to me on the web, but not sure. Any comments on price, what to get for a group of 20, ambience, etc. Any details would be great or any other suggestions. We want something cozy and affordable but fantastic tasting (of course) near Niccone Valley (above Lake Trasimeno), or close proximity. Thanks!
