Claudia's Profile
Mexico City Trip Report
I spent a wonderful week in Mexico City during Semana Santa, and I am finally getting around to posting notes of my travels. I ate SO much good food on my trip (with one exception), and I had a lot of helpful advice and suggestions from this board. The trip was part vacation and part business (though not with an expense account!).
First of all, on this trip I ate TONS of street food -- mostly tacos, quesadillas & huaraches. It was mostly all excellent, and I didn't get sick once. Even if you don't like to eat on the street, try to at least have some juice. It is so wonderful. My favorite is a combination of naranja and toronja (orange and grapefruit) -- so sweet and tangy at the same time.
Here are my comments on some of the restaurants we visited:
Fantastic, amazing, highly recommended spots:
Flor de Lis, in Condesa: Visited on recommendation from this board and well worth the trip. We had a variety of tamales, all were excellent. Lots of great ingredients like huitlacoche and flor de calabaza. Also, killer chilaquiles verdes. We wanted to go back again but it was a long walk from our hotel, and we didn't have time.
Contramar: On our last day I had a great seafood lunch here. It doesn't open until 1:30 and it seems it is open for dinner, contrary to reports on this board. The seafood was excellent, especially a Peruvian-style ceviche, which was incredible. We had the famous tuna tostadas as well -- also very good. Our least favorite were fish tacos al pastor - but I think an unfair comparison because we already eaten so many pork tacos al pastor on this trip - the flavors were finally beginning to wear a bit thin. Still, this was in my top three for the trip. The food was excellent, and I will definitely go back.
Tacos El Tizoncito: We went on a Saturday night to the one in Coyoacan. Wow! These were incredible tacos. They might have been the best tacos I've ever had. We had tacos al pastor, veggie ones with mushrooms, poblanos & nopales, and chorizo. All were extraordinary. They come with lots of fun salsas. And also don't forget to order cibollitos -- incredible grilled little onions. Coyoacan is so festive and fun on a Saturday night.
Taqueria Tlaquepaque -- also had good tacos, al pastor were the best. Not quite as good as El Tizoncito though.
If you go to Teotihuacan, I have a fantastic lunch recommendation. Don't let them take you to the tourist trap places next to the park. Walk into the town of Teotihuacan and go to El Porton on Avenida de Septiembre. This is the only place on the main strip that seems to be open for a full comida. This is Mexican home cooking at its best, everything prepared lovingly by two hardworking senoras. We had a wonderful chicken soup to start, and lunch dishes included rabbit in chile sauce, chicken in mole rojo, chicken enchiladas verdes, nice quesadillas for the vegetarians in the group, and there were many other lovely options. Highly recommended. Might have been the best meal of our trip, and a classic Mexican small town experience.
Panaderia around the corner from La Habana: I don't remember what this place is called, but it is around the corner from La Habana, a few doors down from the HSBC, and it is quite large. This is an excellent panaderia with really good pan dulce. The conchas are my favorite. They also have a cheesecake sort of thing, which is very good.
Other spots:
Cafe Popular: Standard breakfast spot next to the Zocalo. It was adequate. I recommend the chilaquiles verdes. That was the best thing out of the four dishes we ordered.
La Habana: Nice atmosphere, and the closest breakfast spot to our hotel, so we went here quite a bit. The coffee is not good, in my opinion. The food is so-so. The yogurt fruit cup is actually pretty good; it was my favorite thing that I tried there.
Cafe Tacuba: We went here for a big group dinner; they agreed to make special meals for the vegetarians in our group. The atmosphere is fun, they can accommodate a large group. The food is so-so. It is miles better than Los Girasoles.
Los Girasoles: AVOID AT ALL COSTS. This was by far the worst meal I had in Mexico and it was also the most expensive. Tourist trap garbage, all the flavors were off. Restaurant was almost empty. Should have known by the weird feeling i got when I walked in that it was not going to be good.
Food Safety Question
I just breaded raw chicken pieces by turning them in a pan filled with a mix of bread crumbs and parmigiano.... have a lot of breadcrumbs left over and I am wondering if I have to throw them away. Can I use it in something else if it is cooked?
Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone
We've been slogging through leftover roast lamb (see post below) and we are craving vegetables! I've had this book for years but I don't use it much. I know a lot of hounds recommend this book -- what are your favorite recipes?
Holidays with Zuni Cafe
Christmas and New Years provided an excuse to try many new (wonderful) recipes from the Zuni Cafe cookbook.
For Christmas dinner (4 people) we made the Crown Roast of Pork with the suggested spice rub of coriander, fennel, and garlic. Salted three days in advance. Amazing flavor -- I loved the coriander and fennel! I accidentally left it in the oven a tad longer than I would have liked. Even so it was juicy and flavorful. Our guests (our moms) liked it - they probably like their meat a little more done anyway. As she says, don't forget to gnaw on the bones. We served this with Zuni polenta (sage and onion variation). Her recipe is a five to one ratio of water to polenta, and you don't need to do too much stirring. It cooks low and slow, and then has a resting time in a double boiler (which we manufactured from a pot, a bowl, and a ramekin). I used Bob's Red Mill organic polenta. It was the best polenta I ever made. We also tried the salad of pear, fennel, walnuts, and parmigiano reggiano. Good combination. But I think I would have liked the fennel "dressed" a little more. Also, we don't have a mandolin, so the fennel slices didn't get as thin as they should have. Paper thin slices would be better.
For New Years Eve we made (what else!) New Years Eve Gougeres -- the full recipe complete with pickled onions. I've made the gougeres before, and they always turn out wonderful. the bacon sandwiches are great with champagne, and the pickled onions were fun. We also had boneless Roast Leg of Lamb (garlic and rosemary version). Only had a chance to salt for one day but it still turned out great! Temperature and timing targets were right on. Served with Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes and Braised Fennel. The fennel recipe was excellent with the splash of pernod at the end to round out the flavors. It was a big hit with our guests and they all wanted the recipe.
This is my desert island book for sure. Thanks, Zuni!
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS::CLOSED::PALMIRA, KAPODOKYA, MICHAEL'S STEAK~OPENED::LE PETIT MARCHE, AFICIANADA, MAESTRO
I agree with other posters -- Noodle Pudding and Henry's End are definitely the best in the nabe. However, if you like burgers, you must go back to Jack the Horse. I think their burger is amazing! I order it medium rare, and the meat is always tasty and juicy. In fact, it is one of my favorite burgers in the city (I also like Burger Joint, Shake Shack, and Blue Smoke for burgers). Fries are good too. And I like the wines overall.
I also tried La Petite Marche recently, but I don't feel inclined to rush back. It was OK, but nothing seemed quite as tasty as it sounded. Also the wine list is one of the most unimaginative I've seen in ages, and they hardly had any french wine, which seems odd given the menu. Nothing but big corporate producers. The french onion soup is made with chicken stock, and that tells you something about the level of the food right there.
I used to cook a lot but these days I am too busy, that's why I have to make the rounds of all the neighborhood restaurants so often. Won't be setting foot in Food Maestro or Aficionada though. I don't even understand why they bothered. Are they fronts for some kind of money laundering/tax scam?
DeMarco's Revisited
If you are looking for a good, classic slice in Manhattan, you should go to Joe's.
I had a DeMarco's slice last week and it was the most vile thing I have had in quite some time. Sauce straight out of a jar and the cheese had a strange, gloppy consistency. Very oily, but not in a good way.
Wine fridge - Kenmore? Vinotemp?
Over a year ago we bought a 60 bottle Vinotemp through Amazon (good price and it qualified for free supersaver shipping). We have had no problems. It keeps a good steady temperature. My advice is to buy the biggest storage unit you can afford and that will fit in your space. Otherwise you will fill it up and then rue the day you chose to buy a smaller unit when you could have had something larger. Also, the manaufacturer's bottle capacity assumes that all wines come in bordeaux bottles. Burgundy and champagne bottles take up more space because the bottles are wider - if you have a lot of those, like we do, you will lose overall storage capacity.
Best Sandwich Places in Manhattan?
Here's a new one. Despana on Grand St. makes sandwiches in the back of the store. The sandwiches are made on Sullivan St. bakery mini-baguettes, and they all feature the high quality Spanish goods sold at the store. So far, my favorite is the Picante (spicy Chorizo, mahon, peppers, tomato & garlic, lightly pressed & served warm). But every sandwich I've tried has been pretty good.
Speaking of Sullivan Street Bakery, they now make sandwiches! The roasted beet, arugula, and goat cheese sandwich is absolutely delicious.
Lucien in EV?
I went to Lucien a couple of months ago when Balthazar, my usual late night standby, was unaccountably full. It was my first time there, and it was a weeknight. We had fois gras, some kind of salad, and a duck breast/confit dish ... all pretty good and not too expensive. Washed it down with an inexpensive cotes du rhone. I enjoyed it and thought I would probably go back. It was not fancy high-end food, but it was good, hearty bistro food, competently prepared. Nice East Village atmosphere too.
i need good falafel!!
Hmmm.... well, I like Chickpea a lot. Don't mind that it's green. I always order it with the spicy cauliflower salad instead of lettuce/tomato and it is much better that way. you also have to eat it with a lot of their hot sauce, which is delicious!
Hoomoos asli has good homemade pita, but the falafel is undersalted. I like the health sandwich there better than the falafel (try with cabbage instead of lettuce).
I like Alfanoose very much as well. Though somehow it tasted better to me in the old space. Getting onions, pickles, and hot sauce on your sandwich are key at Alfanoose. It's probably my favorite overall, though the price tag irks.
Mamouns is good for $2. It's the best of the $2 falafel places. You have to lower your expectations a little to meet the price point. It's also smaller & not as filling.
When I went to Miriams my falafels were soggy ... not sure if this was a onetime thing because I never went back. It is not convenient for me at all.
I went to Azuri once (also not convenient) and I liked it, but not more than the downtown places so I haven't been back.
Sounds like I need to try Taim and Pita Pocket
Whatever you do, don't go to Sam's (on Thompson just below third). That is by far the worst falafel I've ever had.
inundated by near-pornographic sized zucchini... help!
Try this for a savory summer squash treat: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/306680
It's a little like baba ghanoush - the squash gets very nutty as it reduces and is really good combined with the tahini & yogurt. Use the insides for the dip and stuff the squash shells with something interesting ... there are many recipes.
Blue Pig - Brooklyn Heights
I tried the Rocky Road (not sure why - call it a sudden craving). No marshmallows and only three walnuts in the whole scoop! Also the chocolate ice cream base was chalky. And the food coloring creeped me out a bit. The mint chocolate chip was a scary color. I am sticking with the Ice Cream Factory. And Almondine or Ciao Bella (at Rice in DUMBO), all of which are better to my taste.
Chaat
Bombay Talkie is good if you also want to experience a trendy NY scene with fancy cocktails. But, foodwise, Dimple & Sukhadia are superior. I like Dimple a little better & particularly recommend an item that looks like leaves rolled in a pinwheel shape stuffed with sesame (I can never remember what they're called - but I love them!) The samosa chaat is good there too.
Interesting use for summer squash
Tonight I tried this little dip made with summer squash. It was really good. I thought I'd share since many people are experiencing an abundance of squash right about now. Paraphrased from Paula Wolfert's Cooking of the Eastern Mediterranean:
Summer Squash, Tahini, and Yogurt Dip
1 T olive oil
1 cup chopped summer squash, thickly peeled (you want it to be mostly the inside pulp)
11/2 T tahini (well-blended)
1 small clove garlic, peeled & crushed with 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp lemon juice
2/3 c yogurt, drained to 1/3 c (I used greek yogurt, which is already drained)
S & P to taste
Ground cumin to taste
1. Cook oil & squash over med-low heat until all the water from the squash evaporates, about 10 min. Press out oil & cool to room temp.
2. Blend tahini, garlic & lemon. Add 1 T water, then stir in yogurt & squash. Season to taste with S & P and cumin. Let sit 1 hour before serving so flavors can blend.
Fresh MANGOSTEENS - Mulberry and Canal
Thanks for the tip! I LOVE mangosteens! I went by today, but sadly the vendor at the SE corner was all sold out. She told me she sold a lot of mangosteens yesterday and expects to have more this coming weekend. I had to settle for lychees. They were pretty good though.
Orange County Chow Report
No, it definitely wasn't water spinach. The leaf was broader at the base and did not have a hollow stem. The flavor was similar to lemon balm, and it was somewhat astringent.
Orange County Chow Report
As promised, here is a report from my recent trip to the LA area, in which three long days at the Anaheim Marriott (don't ask) were enlivened by great chow!
1. Pho 97 (near intersection of Bolsa and Brookhurst). Well. Sadly, I haven't had a tremendous amount of pho in my life. I ordered the pho with rare beef, well-cooked beef, and tripe. It was awesome, the best bowl of pho I've ever had. The broth was rich, full-flavored, and fantastic with just a squeeze of lime, lots of herbs, and a few fresh chiles (for a nice little kick, put your spoon directly over a slice of chile, so that the broth filters through the chile as it fills the spoon). The broth did not need to be doctored up with condiments. The beef was tasty and tender. The tripe had great chewy texture. The noodles still had a little bite. Just a great bowl of soup. Grilled pork spring rolls were also enjoyed by all.
2. Thai Nakorn (Garden Grove near Harbor Blvd. -- quite close to the hotel). We ordered nam sod with crispy rice and really enjoyed it. Very limey! I also asked for them to make it spicy and it came with lots of small, whole toasted chiles, which added a great smoky-spicy flavor. The nam sod came with greens on the side, including an unusual one I couldn't place and don't know the name of -- it had a leaf like a long isoceles triangle and a lemony flavor -- anybody know what this is called? We also had the tom kha soup (laotian chicken coconut soup). I thought it was perhaps a tad sweet and very coconutty but it had a good sourness as well and overall was very tasty. It really good with a little rice mixed in. I liked this restaurant very much and found the food quite authentic and almost as good as in Thailand. Portions were large.
3. Thanh My. Here I had broken rice, which is rice in which the grain has been split in two before cooking. My rice was topped with a lot of different things: shredded pork (too dry), grilled shrimp (tasty, tender & sweet), ground shrimp wrapped in bean curd and fried (like a dim sum dish), and that pork-and-rice-noodle omelette. I would describe the food as competently prepared but not earth-shattering.
4. The Boiling Crab (in a strip mall on Euclid). OK -- this place was a lot of fun. A tiny New Orleans-style crawfish place decorated with a nautical theme. It is entirely populated by Vietnamese kids! What a trip. When you sit down, the table is covered with butcher paper and they bring you a roll of paper towels and tie a plastic bib around your neck. The bib is definitely necessary. For four people we ordered 3 pounds of crawfish & 1 pound of shrimp with the "ragin cajun" seasoning, medium spicy (which was actually spicy enough after a while). They bring it out all mixed together in a big plastic bag, with some corn and sausage mixed in. You sit there and peel your spicy shrimp and crawfish and eat and drink beer and throw your shells in a pile on the table. You can get extra corn, sausage, and potatoes if you want a heartier meal (we had previously eaten elsewhere and were there more for a snack, albeit a hefty one). Some tables choose to pile their shells together in the middle, and some create individual piles for each diner (that way is good for those of us with a competitive spirit!). We also tried some oysters, which were unexceptional gulf style oysters, big & not too briny, though they were fresh. I thought it was actually pretty tasty, and the atmosphere definitely made this a place worth checking out. Oh - and they will also bring you little plastic containers of salt and pepper and a bunch of limes, which you mix together to create a little dipping sauce. Highly recommended with the shrimp. The only downside to this place was the liberal use of styrofoam.
5. Brodard Restaurant (also known as Nam Neung). This place is famous for its grilled pork spring rolls, which come with a little bit of cripsy wonton skin inside. We also shared a roast duck salad. I thought everything was fine. It was hard for me to judge fairly because I ordered the food to go and ate it at room temperature a few hours later.
Other old favorites visited during my LA adventures:
Sanamluang Cafe for chinese broccoli with crispy pork over rice. (this is an excellent dish, and the broccoli has great wok hay, or at least it did when I was there a week ago).
Zankou Chicken -- visited twice! Once for the half chicken with garlic sauce and once for the amazing tarna sandwich.
Hollywood Farmers Market -- I love, love, love this farmers market. I bought a ton of incredible fruit to eat throughout the week - including sweet, ripe peaches like we never see on the East Coast (not even at the Union Square Greenmarket, which I also love) and oranges and avocados fresh off the tree. Sigh. And the pupusas from the stand in the middle are so, so good. (I am partial to the squash, mushroom, & cheese variety.)
La Luz del Dia -- I couldn't leave town without stopping by this Olvera Street classic for a side of carnitas, fresh corn tortillas, and a small cactus salad. Maybe it's not the best carnitas in town, but it's the carnitas I ate about once a week for a year, the carnitas I miss the most, and you know what? It tasted pretty damn good.
