Santa Monica for the weekend

Of course. The true benefit of an LA move would be those years of weekends at new restaurants. Considering this the sneak peak weekend to see if we want more, right?

You all have me at roll the dice on restaurant choices. Often being overly analytical foodies does not play out well.

SarahN in Los Angeles Area

Santa Monica for the weekend

For what it's worth, we are in our 20s and I have a shellfish allergy. So you all win and lose by an account or two. :)

SarahN in Los Angeles Area

Santa Monica for the weekend

Hmm.
Well you are all certainly giving me much to think about!

Normally when visiting a city, I go for whatever seems like it will provide the most memorable, distinct food experience. When adding the twist of a future home, that gets a bit more complex...
Obviously, venturing out of SM is necessary to get good food in LA. Likely we will end up living & working in SM or Venice, so I want to spend as much time as possible getting to know that area. That said, on paper I'm attracted to many more restaurants outside of the area. Suppose a visit will tell the full story?

Nonetheless, love recos for sushi and more casual dining options in the SM vicinity. I've heard Sea Harbour is very good for Dim Sum, so perhaps that will be our big drive meal. And I do like West Hollywood... so maybe Animal for our splurge?

New Trial, you mention how different each splurge option is... now channel this: Food-focused (I wouldn't make it at home) more down-to-earth/casual over stuffy/pretentious, small menu, sharable, good wine... who wins?

Thanks

SarahN in Los Angeles Area

Santa Monica for the weekend

Thanks all. Yes, I am realizing my Asian loves are not on the West side. Perhaps that's for the best when you're a foodie with a soy allergy?!

In adding Animal and Picca to the mix, what splurge should we choose...
Animal
Picca
Sotto
Gjelina

I have covert reservations at all of the above at the moment (sh, don't tell!).

SarahN in Los Angeles Area

Santa Monica for the weekend

The boyfriend and I are spending a weekend in Santa Monica / Venice in early March and are looking for some dining recos. We are consider a move, and thus looking not just to wine and dine, but get a true sense of everything LA has to offer. We would like to eat a few meals in Santa Monica / Venice area, but are willing to venture out for at least one good meal.

I've seen some posts of a similar vein and have checked out a few places based off those. Red Medicine looks great, as do Fig and Gjelina. However, I have a few added "needs" (otherwise known as frivolous wants) to throw into the mix...

- So many of the restaurants I see touted here are very pricey. While we're up for one splurge night, a $15/glass of wine pains me. Of Red Medicine, Fig, Gjelina, Sotto and a few others I've seen recommended, which splurge is most worthy?
- I love Korean BBQ. Any recommendations that are nearby?
- I've seen quite a few moderate sushi places recommended. What's your fav? Irori looks like a good option for when we first get in.
- Dim Sum. My parents lived in HK for awhile, so authenticity (carts and chicken feet please) are key. Anything we don't need to trek an hour away for?

Thanks all - Sarah

SarahN in Los Angeles Area

Help me throw the ultimate latke cocktail party

Sandylc - You can make them early and reheat, but they loose some of their crispness. Making them with egg whites only helps keep them crisp, I've found. But I have it easy -- a group of eager cooking guests. What I will likely do is make a batch before guest arrival, and then let everyone have their hand at frying up a batch. We're a laid back interactive bunch!

Update for all: With further research, the menu I think I'll sleep on...
Potato latkes, gravlax, dill creme
Apple-raisin chutney on potato latkes
Traditional orange and olive salad on the side (love it, not gonna work atop a latke)
Lamb, feta, roasted red pepper on zucchini latkes

Dessert... TBD... to fry or not to fry...

Thoughts? Tried-and-true recipes?

SarahN in Home Cooking

Help me throw the ultimate latke cocktail party

All - I am love, loving these ideas. Now I'm going to face a new issue: Limiting so many great ideas to a throw-able party.

I'm with Goodhealth - I don't keep kosher, but no pork allowed when showing off my Jewish ways. It's really my grandmother talking. I suppose that's similar to guilt, right?

Potato latkes with gravlax and dill creme are definitely in - that one is easy!

I'm inclined to have some potato pancake with the basics (sugar, apple sauce, sour creme) set out throughout the night, for guests to top their own.

I'm gravitating towards a zucchini latke with lamb, mostly because I cannot come up with the appropriate latke-brisket-sauce combo that will hold together.

I'd like to do some sort of alt. root vegetable and (warm?) salad in the middle there.

Love the idea of sweet potato and apple for dessert, may have to look into that one too!

And finally, I have an amazing French-Jewish cookbook (Joan Nathan) that I love... many great tagines, smoked fishes, etc. I'm inclined to create a menu focused on the foods of this particular culture. What is better than lamb, olives, oranges and starches?! Perhaps some kind of orange-olive salad with the right latke could work?

Keep the amazing ideas coming!

SarahN in Home Cooking

Help me throw the ultimate latke cocktail party

Hey Chowhounders -- I've searched the Internets high and low to a solution to this one, but nothing suitable to be found. Perhaps we can create an answer together?

My boyfriend and I have a group of friends we do a semi-monthly dinner party with. It's our turn to host, and we're planning to throw a latke cocktail party. I'm the sole Jew in this group, and want to show my guests how it's done. I'd like to do the basics (potato latkes, sour cream, applesauce), but also want to add a few twists of my own -- this dinner club is a competitive bunch!

We are thinking a series of latke-inspired "small plates" with unique yet Jewish-appropriate toppings are the way to go. So far, my daydreaming has brought visions of...

Potato latkes with gravlax and creme fraiche
A sweet potato latke with a warm apple salad of some kind, or mushroom topping ??
A zucchini latke with a lamb, or carrot & potato with brisket

Fried donut dessert..

My questions...
- Any reputable recipes that fit these daydreams? I am not a recipe devotee, but hate to throw an entire dinner party
- Any added ideas, tweaks, flavor combos you would recommend?
- Any tried & true donut recipes? I've never made them before, but being the owner of a new frier it hardly seems a choice!

Thanks in advance all - Sarah

SarahN in Home Cooking

Montreal... one more meal, please

Thanks to everyone for the recos! We're on our first night in town and about to have dinner at Pintxo. I'll report back on what a couple basque-loving midwesterners have to say.

I think middle eastern sounds wonderful, so we'll look into that. We also heard good things about charcuterie at La Buvette Chez Simone... any thoughts there?

SarahN in Quebec (including Montreal)

Montreal... one more meal, please

Hey all - My mother and I are planning a Montreal trip for later in the week. We already have French bistro (L'Express), Basque tapas (Pintxo), Indian (Curry & Naan and Bombay Mahal seem to get good reviews), poutine and various bagels & meats (we're Jewish) in the agenda. Now, we're looking for one more food recommendation to round out the experience. We're plenty adventurous and my mom lived in HK for a time (so Asian food of all kinds is loved, but it must be authentic). How should we round out our stay?

On a side note, anything to not miss on Bastille Day? We hear it's not a huge event in Quebec, but if there is something to enjoy (day festival?), we don't want to miss it!

Thanks - S

SarahN in Quebec (including Montreal)

Jambalaya (or any stew-type dish) prep for dinner party

Hey all -
I'm making a Jambalaya that I'm quite familiar with making for a dinner party with friends tomorrow. However, I need some help making some timing decisions. The recipe includes shrimp, chicken, ham and sausage, and cooks for about 1.5 hours. We are going to a theater event at 3pm-5pm and I would like to do the cooking before so I can just reheat and focus on dessert & salad in the evening.

If I cook it beforehand, let it rest, and then reheat, do I risk the shrimp drying out?
And, would it make more sense to cook & then put in the fridge, or just let stand?

Thanks for the help folks!

Sarah

SarahN in Home Cooking

Completing my friend holiday dinner party menu

I love the bread pudding idea, especially in muffin tins. Easy & delicious. I'm going to look for one with a nice bourbon glaze...

SarahN in Home Cooking

Boston travels over New Years... two questions

My boyfriend and I are going to be in the Boston are over Christmas and New Years; my parents just moved there so we'll be visiting them. My parents are pretty big foodies, so I'm expecting them to keep us informed of good eats, but I do have two specific questions:

First, my boyfriend loves, loves to try new / novel burgers. He loves a good greasy spoon or dive burger, but also enjoys the "is that truffel oil and brie in my burger?" experience. Since I don't plan on eating multiple burgers over our time there (he would be game), what is the ONE Boston burger we cannot miss?

Second, we're going to be in town for New Years, and I want to try to be young and avoid staying in with the folks, we don't really appreciate an overzealous NYE dining out experience. Good food, slightly more relaxed / casual setting would be our thing. A decent restaurant/bar where you can sit enjoy apps and drinks without feeling the stress of NYE crowds would be perfect. Probably a lot to ask on New Years Eve, but any ideas? We do have some friends in the area, so we wouldn't spend the entire night in one place alone; just want a nice meal to start us off.

Thanks - Sarah

SarahN in Greater Boston Area

Completing my friend holiday dinner party menu

Hi everyone. I'm looking for some help rounding out the menu for an annual holiday get-together I host for a group of friends. We have a tradition of going to an afternoon theater event at a local museum, and then heading back to my place for a nice, but relaxing dinner. There are 4 couples -- 8 people total.

Last year I did roasted pork shoulder with a cranberry chutney, mashed potatoes and greens. This year I would like to do something slightly less traditional for the holidays, and also a one-pot sort of deal that can cook beforehand. I'm wavering between a cioppino with monkfish, mussels, clams and shrimp and pasta jambalaya with chicken, ham and andouilli sausage (of course). Both are tried-and-true family recipes that I'm very confident with... I'm leaning toward the jambalaya simply because it's a bit less expensive to make.

Here's where I'm struggling: What sort of appetizer, side salad, and dessert to pair with either option? I have some obvious italian ideas that would work with the cioppino, but no ideas for the jambalaya. Help!

Thanks - Sarah

SarahN in Home Cooking

Last minute anniversary idea... want to try something new - MSP

Hey Kevin - We'd like to keep it under $100, but budget isn't a big concern. We actually went to Heartland in the Spring, so that might be out.

Any experience with Corner Table's Vinyl & Vino on Sundays? I was just reading about it on their website..

SarahN in General Midwest Archive

Last minute anniversary idea... want to try something new - MSP

Hey folks -
So I have been neglecting the MSP (and St Paul) restaurant scene this summer, and my boyfriend and I need a last minute idea for our anniversary (Sunday night). I'd love to try something new (or recently improved), that has a nice wine & beer selection, and potentially lots of sharables. Anything new out there to check out?

Sarah

SarahN in General Midwest Archive

Trying something new on eat street (or nearby) (MPLS)

Thanks everyone for the ideas. I'm leaning toward trying Peninsula... or heck, perhaps drinks at Black Forest followed by Ganchen.... it didn't look like Ganchen had alcohol on their menu (not that it's needed to have a good time, but it will be Wednesday...). Am I wrong?

SarahN in General Midwest Archive

Trying something new on eat street (or nearby) (MPLS)

Hey all - It's been awhile since I posted a restaurant need to this board, but you're always so helpful... My boyfriend and I are looking to try a new place on eat street this Wednesday. Nearby would be acceptable as well, but trying to stay away from Uptown annoyances.

We'll eat just about anything as long as it's yummy, new to our palettes and accompanied by a good wine & beer selection (I'm a wino and he loves new beers).

We've been to & enjoyed Jasmine, Pancho Villa, Christo's, every hole-in-the-wall Pho place, and that Mexican place near downtown...

Have has less than great meals at Bad Waitress, Rainbow Chinese and Azia.

Any new places or hidden treasures I should be checking out? Is Black Forrest a waste of money or a cheap trip to Germany? How's Peninsula?

Thanks - Sarah

SarahN in General Midwest Archive

112 sans reservation (Minneapolis)

Thanks everyone for the solid advice. I grabbed a 9pm cancellation last night, and we're going to try for drinks at Bradstreet Crafthouse beforehand and then pop over to 112 a bit early.
I'll report back on Bradstreet.... I'm curious to see if I enjoy it or roll my eyes.

SarahN in General Midwest Archive

112 sans reservation (Minneapolis)

Hey everyone - My boyfriend and I would like to go to 112 for dinner on Saturday. Of course, the idea arose on Tuesday... a bit late to get a Saturday reservation at 112. We don't treat ourselves to nice meals out too often & I have been craving 112 for a couple of months now... basically, I have my heart set on that being our dining destination this weekend!

And so, I'm looking for any tips & words of experience you may have to share. I've only dined at 112 with a reservation, but have heard that seating in the front and/or at the bar can come to you without a reservation. How successful have others been with this approach? Any tips on when to come? I would rather dine late than early, but 10pm for dinner could be tough.

I'm also going to try to snag a cancellation. Anyone had any success on this front? Any tips on when to call?

Thanks.

And, if 112 just isn't going to happen, any other recommendations for a *new* place to try? Think fun foodie celebration. We've been to Lucia's, Cafe Maude and Red Stag recently. Never been to Heidi's, but they don't seem to have any openings on Saturday either. Boo!

SarahN in General Midwest Archive

Sonic-updates in MN?

Best news I've heard all spring! I grew up in Missouri where Sonics rule the scene. I think I know what I am doing this weekend...

SarahN in General Midwest Archive

Mother daughter weekend - in need of some adventures

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions. We're opting to do one evening at Degustation (not any of the specifications I gave, but I think the quality tapas + open kitchen will suite us well) and another at Momofuku (I want to try Ko, but perhaps that's too many nights of small plates?).

I'm not sure if I've yet to discover the French/Morrocan experience that piques our interests, so we may just end up skipping that one. Although, Epices du Traiteur sounds nice... definitely report back!

I've also read about Market Table many times before, so that just may be the breakfast spot to try.

Thanks again - Sarah

SarahN in Manhattan

Mother daughter weekend - in need of some adventures

Hey everyone, Looking for some help in choosing a few dining spots for an upcoming long weekend my mom and I will be spending together in NYC. We'll be in Manhattan, but would like to spend at least one evening in Brooklyn/Williamsburg.
First off, we're pretty darn adventurous eaters - and expect a short-lived NY weekend to match our sense for adventure. Mom lives in Hong Kong and dines out frequently, so Asian is loved but it needs to break some "rules" to be worthy of a night out in a US metro.
First great find would be:An authentic Moroccan/French Provencial hyrbid - think great tagines, lamb, wine, couscous.
Second great find: gastro wine bar with creative pairings. French, Asian, Asian hybrid... we're open to fun ideas
Third great find: Brunch that's fresh, local, fun and beyond the egg white omelete and memosa sort. I've been to a great place in Williamsburg that I'm blanking on the name of

Looking forward to what people suggest. I always find such great restaurants via chowhound... but the Manhattan posts are def. overwhelming!

- Sarah

SarahN in Manhattan