schlimmerkerl's Profile
Restaurants in Cologne Germany
We'll be there for a few days in April. We're willing to take a cab/trolley, but we'll be staying in city center near the museums. Just looking for good meals— white tablecloth is not important, but not to be shunned either. We speak fluent German. Thanks very much.
Looking for Pimenta Moida
Apparently, a Portuguese fermented pepper paste. Plenty of references to it on the internet, but not where to get it. New York would be nice… Thanks very much.
Seeking Dublin Restaurants Parnell Square
I'm booked at Chapter One (yes, spend-y, but, unfortunately, i don't get to Dublin that often). I'll try at least one of the other places noted. Thanks all for your help.
Seeking Dublin Restaurants Parnell Square
Sorry about the lack of details. Chapter One looks promising. Basically, i'm looking for a good, solid home cookin' kind of place. We ate at a restaurant in Doolin about two years ago called Bruach Na Haille. I don't think Brunet and Oberle are there any more. Hope i'm wrong-- salmon right off the boat, simple preparation, great wine list. That's the target. Thanks very much.
Seeking Dublin Restaurants Parnell Square
I'll be in Dublin for a long weekend end of September. Anything interesting? Thanks very much.
Looking for Chicken Recipe with Sour Milk
We got some raw milk at the farmer's market, and my wife is putting some out to sour— she's from Germany and learned the technique there. Anyway, we're looking for a main dish (chicken?) featuring this ingredient. Thanks very much.
Baltimore Seafood Restaurants
Thanks again to everyone. A lot to "digest". I will definitely report back. (Next trip-- Charleston.)
Baltimore Seafood Restaurants
Thanks to all. Great suggestions. I especially appreciate the caution against expecting "fresh off the boat". Consider my expectations well managed.
Baltimore Seafood Restaurants
I'll be in town at the end of August. Looking for good seafood near the Convention Center, but non-tourist. I'll go farther afield if need be. The food is what counts, and atmosphere, cost, etc. are secondary. Thanks very much.
Co. Not So Hot (Longish)
Last week, following a recommendation in "The New Yorker" (yes, i should have known better), i stopped at Co. (pronounced "Company". Again, warning bells should have gone off).
The place is decorated well enough— lots of blond wood, but do you like very loud, insistent Euro-rock with your food? I'll pass. The pizza was strictly ordinary. Though the sausage tasted good, there was hardly any of it. the mushrooms on top were thin-sliced and just added raw (aren't you supposed to sauté them or something?) so they came out shriveled and dry. To hear the pundits at "The New Yorker" you'd think the crust was the best in NY. Meh. Good enough, but the edges were burnt black and inedible. Enough with the coal/wood-fired oven already— unless you know how to use it.
But the best part was a "discussion" over a liter bottle of their handcrafted fizzy water. I didn't finish it, so i asked if i could take the bottle— for which i would pay. This was a puzzler for the waiter, and he said he would ask. I could see the ensuing discussion with the manager(?) who, from his perch behind the bar, didn't try to hide his displeased scrutiny of such an unruly client. The answer: "No". I indicated that the waiter must do what he must do and check please. When the bill arrived, the waiter, who could probably sense his disappearing tip, said that i could, in fact, take the bottle. Too late, my boy, too late. The bus-person, also anticipating a lack of cash, urged me to take it. Friends, i wouldn't have taken that bottle if it was full of vodka.
The previous week I had a way better pizza, handmade with the freshest ingredients, with exquisite personal service by the owner and his family in, of all places, Germany (Pizzeria da Silvestro, Fargemiel (23777 Gartenstrasse 7, 04365-7160).
Pig's Feet?
Looking for fresh pig's feet anywhere 20 miles from Greenwich. Port Chester? Thanks.
Tasteless Scraper/Spatula
Those silicone scrapers always advertise that they are inert and impart no taste to the food. I have found this to be untrue-- even after a trip in our heavy-duty German dishwasher. One lick. Yuk.
I have a small plastic scraper about 2 inches square that seems to be inert, but it is quite stiff and has no handle, so it's pretty useless most of the time. Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Anyone Eaten at Blackthorne Resort E. Durham NY?
The Blackthorne may have nice rooms, but ours was a horror— and really expensive too. I would avoid. I agree about the area being a chowhound (or anyone else's, for that matter) wasteland. In fact, the whole area is kind of seedy. Next year, we will try the Basement Bistro. Thanks.
Great Pizza in North German Hinterlands
…But you'll never find it. Here goes anyway. Pizzeria da Silvestro is located in the small village of Fargemiel (23777 Gartenstrasse 7, 04365-7160). The closest town is Oldenburg. They are at the end of the street— keep your eye out for the sign right off the main drag.
It sounds ridiculous, but make a reservation. They're always packed, indoors and out, with families, locals, and tourists. They are open for dinner only from 6-10 daily.
Now, the food. The menu sounds like the most ordinary red-sauce Italian, but all the ingredients (including the salmon) are top-quality and made fresh every day. The host, Silvestro (quite a character) is also the chef. Much of his family also pitches in. We were there with a party of seven, so got to sample a variety of pizzas (about 7 euros each), pastas, and salads. All were excellent. The pies have a thin, slightly crisp crust with that slight degree of char so beloved by affectionados.
A caveat for non-German speakers: Beware of the Italian/German translations of ingredients. If you want sausage instead of ham, salami, or pepperoni, be sure to ask.
Good luck.
AMA - Italian Restaurant Recommendations
We liked it very much. Very friendly welcome, attentive service, and great food. We had grilled octopus salad—which they nicely split for us— quail with favas and leeks, and cornish hens with roasted peppers and outstanding pan-roasted potatoes. They were crowded— full, in fact— on a late Friday (we reserved), and it seemed a good mix of neighborhood, plain fancy, and out-o-town. The next table was a party of Italians (who took 15 minutes to order). Good enough for me.
Frank Pepe's Disappointing
We were in New Haven Sunday night and stopped at Pepe's for a pie. Since this was supposed to be the best pizza on the planet, we were ready. There was a line out the door and down the block. At "The Spot" also. I knew there was a branch in Fairfield, and since it was on our way home, i went in to ask directions.
I was immediately confronted, both in The Spot (an annex at back of their car park) and the Original with an almost palpable wall of what i can only call bad vibe. Everyone on staff looked like they would rather be elsewhere doing anything else but waiting on you. Nobody was much interested in directing us to the other restaurant. I got either ignored, a blank stare, or "I dunno". I finally spotted a couple walking out with a takeout box. Thereon, i'm not kidding, was the location and phone of the other branches. I copied the phone, called, got (automated) directions and we were off.
We got seated (a wordless over-the-shoulder "follow me" nod from the matré-punk.) (Why do they make you wait outside? What if it was winter?) An anomaly: our waitress was nice. The pizza was all right. Certainly nothing to get excited about. I had white clam with half bacon, no cheese. The clams were fresh. Overall, though, it was very salty. Mrs. S. had spinach. Beer and wine came in thimbles. Should have got a pitcher.
I can't understand why, with a world full of restaurants, customers keep returning to places that treat their customers like crap. It's not cute. It's not part of the funky ambiance. It stinks.
Pizza for the lactose intolerant?
Go to Pepe's in New Haven or Stamford. Get the white clam pie without cheese (though you may want to ask white the "white" is. I suspect dairy.) As a last resort, you may want to try the otc pill Lcataid
Lucien vs Casimir - ?
I had an excellent meal at Lucien last night (rabbit in mustard cream over pasta). I let slip that i needed to be somewhere soon, and the service was very friendly and brisk. It's small, and i'll bet they can get overwhelmed on a busy night. But on Monday at 6… I just got back from France, and, though it's not Paris, the "bistro experience" seemed right on.
Mid-priced dining options in Berlin?
Slight mistake. My wife (who is German) confirms that the short form of Kaufhaus Des Westens, KDW, is pronounced Kah-day-vay.
Do They Still Import China's Secret Vinegar?
I'm glad i checked back. Great info. Thanks everyone.
Mid-priced dining options in Berlin?
Try KDV (Kah-day-vay-- or something like that). It's the big department store. They have a food floor with many different options of cuisine and service, and our experience was second to none. Cheap too.
STL: Review of Trattoria Marcella [long]
First of all, that area is so safe, it's almost suburban. I lived about .25 mile away (on Eichelberger) four years ago. The Hill is also completely safe. There are certainly iffy areas in STL as in any big city-- but nowhere near there, Dogtown or Delmar. Explore, enjoy. I can almost guarantee you will not be killed.
I hope they're not slipping. I ate there about once a week, but it was four years ago and i sat at the bar and got to know everyone. Some of the best Italian food ever. Now you shouldn't have to be a regular at any restaurant to get a good meal, but i'd definitely give them another shot.
Good Thai in Branford, CT
Saturday night we had some of the nicest Thai food we've had in a long time at Thai's One, 1205 Main Street, Branford, CT 06405, (203) 488-6171.
We got there late (10.30). They're open till 11 on Saturday, and my experience has been that a restaurant is usually none too glad to see you right before they're ready to close, especially on the weekend. Nothing could have been further from the truth. They were friendly and ready to go.
Because of the late hour, we split two appetizers-- fried squid and crispy duck salad. The squid was completely fresh and crunchy, and the presentation was very artful, pied high with vegetables with a great, slightly hot, garlic/ginger/lime dressing. Excellent.
The duck salad was a perfect room temp, and again, piled with the freshest ingredients. There was so much (very) crispy duck that i suspect they put all of the last of it on top. Whatever. We both ate every bite.
I originally wanted a satay also, but they had run out. I consider this a good sign, though, as it signals freshness. Afterward, i went to speak to the owner, who was eating his dinner at a back table. Despite my protestations, he leaped up and thanked *me* for thanking him. It was very sincere, i have no doubt. As we left, the staff lined up to see us off.
We will return. Worth, as Michelin says "a journey".
Anyone Eaten at Blackthorne Resort E. Durham NY?
If so, is the food any good? We'll be staying there in July. Thanks very much.
Good Bistro in Montmartre
Le Basilic, 33 rue Lepic 75018, 014 606 7843. I had a very nice roast duck breast in demi-glacé based sauce (vinegar?), perfect potatoes a gratin, half bottle of red wine, something chocolate and creamy for dessert. 69 E total.
The staff (all mid-30s) was friendly and enthusiastic. It was empty when i arrived (7), but packed when i left. For those males who care about such things (and shame on us), the hostess is fetching.
Defrosting meat on the counter?
First, i'd toss the burgers. Meat starts to rot the minute it's ground. Therefore, you should consider grinding your own hamburger from chuck steak. The safest, tastiest way to go.
Portion Size at Finer Restaurants
Christo's "Gates" was beautiful and fun. The park was overflowing on the cold February day we went. Plus, he can draw like a master, and uses proceeds from the sale of his drawings to finance his installations. Municipal cooperation is required, but not public funds.
Let's see, food… Afterwards we ate at the Met. It was good. And the portions seemed adequate.
