Maggie19's Profile
Where can I find habernero (hot pepper) plants in the Twin Cities?
Mpls Farmers Market - Sunnyside Gardens (Linden Hills) -
All-Inclusives that don't suck...
You may want to look at Hotel Las Palmas about 7 miles south of Zihuatanejo. Small hotel with an excellent kitchen. Quiet, private, with a beautiful pool. Beach walking for miles ... La Barra de Potosi is a tiny fishing village down the beach that also offers excellent meals and ice cold beers .. just in case you want to have some options for food and drinks. The hotel has bikes so heading down to La Barra is easy. You could also taxi into Zihuat for even more adventures.
Cancun Recommendations on Blvd Kukulcan (Hotel Zone)
If you can - I'd suggest you cab it downtown and head to La Parilla. Have the pork pastor. Authentic restaurant with a great vibe. Save the hotel zone for the beach - drinks - sun. Head downtown to eat.
Favorite Thai Restaurant
City Pages is naming Krungthep Thai (2523 Nicollet) as it's choice for best Thai. Spin off from Bangkok Thai deli. Haven't been there yet but it's on the list.
Playa del Carmen-5 nights
You mentioned maybe heading to Tulum. You'll be glad you did - if you do! The beach is fabulous. Many excellent restaurants up and down the entire beach. I'd be dropped off at El Tabano (restaurant) and go from there. Spend the day in the water and beach bars. Dinner, then back to Playa. In Tulum (Pueblo) you'll need to grab a taxi to get to the beach - but it's cheap and quick. Excellent street food all over Tulum as well.
What to order at Saffron?
Stopped by just happy hour - but the Kofta meatball appetizer in spicy tomato sauce is worth checking out. Interesting spices including just the right amount of heat. Our bartender suggested 'mystery drinks' and we ended up with vodka based margaritas that were great.
Good eats in the area of Solidaridad (near Playa del Carmen)?
Head to Tulum. For the freshest seafood and a 'local flavor' head to El Camello in the pueblo (Tulum town) .. El Tabano on the beach road is outstanding. Street food in the pueblo is not to be missed. Tamales Don Taco cart for example. Food in town is cheaper than on the beach .. and more authentic. Have fun - I'd recommend checking out tulum.info/forums for more eating options as there are many.
Black Sheep Pizza lately?
Just wondering if the Mpls location is so popular that waiting for a table is still common. Heading over there early this Friday night. Thanks!
Pok Pok Wing – Delicious New Thai Chicken Wing and Other Thai Specialties in the Lower Eastside
Pok Pok is the pounding sound of the mortar and pestle... Andy's recipe for wings is available at Food and Wine. Easy to make and delish.
Downtown weekend
For Sunday brunch head to Hells Kitchen, not far from your hotel. If you like pizza (who doesn't) take a taxi over to Black Sheep on Washington. Your hubby with thank you.
Zihua/Ixtapa recs?
For a bit of an adventure: Take a taxi out along Playa Blanca to the little town of Barra De Potosi. Excellent fresh seafood cooked over wood fire stoves. Cheap beers and great swimming in the mellow waters. Many restaurants to pick from.
Authentic, fresh or innovative Mexican food?
Mercado Central - many authentic choice there.
Authentic Chinese?
Yes - it seems that I missed the word authentic.... I still like the place for a few dishes, and the bartneders know what their doing. Little Szechuan would be my choice for authentic. Rainbow needs a refresher course in Asian peppers and heat in general.
Tulum trip report
Thanks for the report - heading down in early Feb. Looking forward to El Tabano and El Camello. Have read nothing but excellent reviews of both. Did you try any street food? I hear that Tamales Don Taco (street cart) is really good and cheap. Also Pollo Bronco for take out is highly rated. Restaurant Cetli (sp) is high on my list as well.
Authentic Chinese?
Hey scoopG - never reviewed Rainbow. I've just been going there over the past decade and I can count on it's consistency, so I like it. Cool bar/drinks to boot.
Quang
Three of us went to Quang on 12/26 for lunch. Longest lines I've ever seen at Quang. We all had big smiles on our faces as we dug into our 3 outstanding noodle soups. Pho Tai (sliced beef ) Pho Bo Vien (Meatball) and Mi Hoanh thanh (pork and shrimp wonton) .... It's nice to know that business for those folks is booming. Oh, they recently started serving beer and wine. Looking forward to exploring their menu the next time we head back there.
Authentic Chinese?
Been singing the praises of Rainbow on Nicollet for years. Little Szechuan in St Paul may have returned to it's glory years of about 6 years ago...
Isla Mujeres eating - trip report
Go find Tino's the Rib Man .. on Matamoros Ave. You'll be able to see the smoke rising over a wall in that part of town. Outstanding pork ribs/chicken and sauces to go only. Open Sundays only. Make a point to get a sack of ribs and then head to the beach for the day.....You're welcome!
Rum-based drinks that don't use many ingredients?
Simple - simple - simple - In a shaker: 1 cup of ice, juice of one lime, two shots of white rum, 1/2 cup of mango nectar .... shake and pour into chilled martini glass. Can substitute peach nectar for the mango as well. The juices are Jumex products, 12 oz cans, usually found in the Hispanic food section.....Makes for quick and easy drinks. Granted they are not as fresh as freshly squeezed - but you said that you didn't want to do that. So here ya go.
Cafe 28's Friday Fish Fry
Had it a couple years ago, a few times. The beer selection was better than the walleye. It was a bit fishy and I also don't care for their fries. Soups and salads were winners however.
A Menu for a Break Up Meal
Go with Nadia G's suggestions. It was the perfect 'breakup menu' .....
WA roadtrip-worthy restaurants
Frieda's (high end Mexican) in Anacortes. A beautiful restaurant with original Mexican artwork and a sensational menu. Extremely well prepared meals. One of the best chile rellenos (placed on a guac/lime/cilantro sauce) I've ever had including those from Mexico and New Mexico. Didn't try the tamales but they looks outstanding as well. Downtown.
What would you do with 1 lb. of ground pork?
Thai lettuce wraps with a sweet, sour, hot dipping sauce. Many easy recipes out there ..
New Mexico/California Chili Powder
What you want are New Mexico red, or green peppers. Google Hatch NM and you'll be able to buy pure NM red & green powder. I love Ancho powder but NM chiles have a very different taste compared to the Ancho. I usually buy 'June's Special' from Hatch and it's outstanding.
Organic Blue Agave
Use it daily in coffee. Works well in cocktails. Have also used it in Thai and Chinese recipes. I think it's a good value. Never baked w/it.
Psycho Suzi's Brunch
PS's is what it is. Go there with having fun in mind and that's usually the outcome. About the only 'food' item I will order is the pizza. Nothing outstanding but it's not bad either. When your nearby competitors include the River Garden, the Otter, the Palace, and the Vegas Lounge, it's not hard to do well in that neighborhood. Can't help you with brunch info....
Louisiana-style Hot Sauces
Crystal in a 12 0z bottle is also very inexpensive....compared to Tabasco.
Recommendations for the Cooking Channel?
I'm new to Bitchin Kitchen, but Nadia is growing on me ......
