Cookingthebooks's Profile
One Week in Paris, Gluten-Free and Pregnant
Julia's recipe does actually have flour in it. At least the one from Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Maybe there are others?
Matzo Ball DISASTER! Please help!
I made my share of sinkers until I found this recipe from Bon Appétit. I don't make them miniature, however, and I don't add the chives. For me, the trick is whipping the egg whites. Good luck!
http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2009/04/mini_matzo_balls
One Week in Paris, Gluten-Free and Pregnant
Well, I didn't want to be too discouraging so I didn't say "all." Is it all soufflés? I can't speak for all the chefs of Paris. But yes, to my knowledge, a typical soufflé recipe has flour.
Honestly, I'd probably do some investigating on the confit de canard, too. I thought most (all?) preserved meat was off-limits for pregnant women.
One Week in Paris, Gluten-Free and Pregnant
A word of caution -- many soufflé recipes use flour in the base.
Kicked out of our table at R&D Kitchen (Montana)
Perhaps I should have titled my post differently, but I felt rushed and pressured to leave my table by the manager's visit. I do live in Paris -- where this would never happen (though many different service problems could arise) -- and I don't think it's inappropriate to hope for a relaxed meal in any restaurant anywhere in the world.
Kicked out of our table at R&D Kitchen (Montana)
Three of us ate dinner at R+D Kitchen last night. I quite liked the food, especially the spicy chicken meatballs. My complaint is with the service -- I felt rushed throughout the meal, especially at the end when the servers hovered constantly over our table swooping up every last edible crumb and water glass. Finally, the manager -- Richard -- paid our table a visit. He introduced himself and then said: "I just wanted to make sure everything was okay with your meal." We agreed that our meal had been pleasant and he left. I interpreted Richard's visit as a not-too-suble hint that he'd like us to vacate the table. My friends weren't so sure, but we did leave -- we had been at the table for about 90 minutes -- and the hostess immediately seated a party of four.
Now, I understand a restaurant's desire to cram as many customers as possible into a given night. But I found R&D's aggressive approach distasteful. They could have handled the situation in various ways, all more palatable: 1) By informing us when we sat down that they needed the table by a certain time. 2) By requesting (after our meal) that we liberate the table and offering to seat us the bar, where we could continue our conversation.
R&D may have made a few more bucks on another table last night, but they lost my repeat business.
Paris Dining Options with YOUNG children
Ah, but the cheese at Laurent Dubois is fantastic -- it's my favorite fromagerie in Paris. I make special trips over there just to buy cheese. I've actually met and chatted with M. Dubois and while I wouldn't describe him as warm and fuzzy, he is truly devoted to his métier -- he is a Meilleur Ouvrier de France! He isn't merely the proprietor of a dinky cheese shop -- he is regarded as one of the best fromagers in the entire country, as highly respected as Pierre Hermé or any 3-star Michelin chef. He doesn't cut and weigh cheese and offer samples -- he has a staff of assistants to do that for him. None of this excuses his rudeness and impatience, but perhaps it explains it a bit...?
La Cigale Recamier (dinner) to Paul's (casual lunch) - PARIS
Poilane has excellent (IMO the best) viennoiserie, tartes aux pommes and chausson aux pommes. La Cuisine de Bar is delightful but it is currently closed for congés annuels.
Hi to the forum and advice for a good vegetarian-friendly restaurant
I really love KGB (but I was really disappointed with ZKG -- go figure) and think the rapport qualité prix is fantastic, especially for the tasting menu. Also, I deeply appreciate their willingness to create a special vegan menu -- most unusual in France. That being said, it's been a long time since I've lived in another world food city besides Paris -- eight years since I lived in New York. So perhaps I don't have a good point of comparison?
Hi to the forum and advice for a good vegetarian-friendly restaurant
I'm dining with a vegan (no meat/fish/dairy) friend this weekend. I called KGB to ask if they could prepare a special menu for her and they said YES! Not sure how the food will be (though I love their regular food), but that could be an option as well?
Healthy Food in Paris?
There's always Bob's Kitchen, an almost vegan canteen (74 rue des Gravilliers in the 3e).
Lyon question
I was in Lyon two weeks ago and my favorite meal/bouchon experience was at Chez Hugon, which is open Mon-Fri. Superb lentil salad and a quenelle like a cloud.
Is it travesty to say I didn't like Les Halles? It seemed so clean and precious. Another wonderful market is the Marché Quai St-Antoine, which is open every day except Monday. Gorgeous produce.
A few photos: http://annmah.net/2011/06/07/stroll-lyonnais/
Best pizza in the 6eme? (Paris)
Controversial choice, but have you tried Pizza Chic?
Almost afraid to ask - Another "Restaurants in Paris" input post
In Montmartre we go often to a friendly, family-run cafe called Au Bon Coin at 9 rue des Cloys. It's old-fashioned and lovely.
Les Pates Vivantes, either address
About a year and a half ago, I really, really loved Pâtes Vivantes. Especially the sesame noodles with chicken. I preferred the branch on Faubourg Montmartre but then the St-Germain location opened and it was closer to my apartment. We ate there often. I still think it's a good place to meet friends for lunch on a Sunday, especially friends with kids. But on my last few visits, I've noticed a decided drop in quality at Pâtes Vivantes. Or are we just getting tired of it? Hard to say. A few years ago, I also noticed the same drop in quality at Délices de Shandong and stopped going there as well.
Lunch in Nice
I just spent a weekend in Nice - so lovely. My favorite meal was at Oliviera, which doubles as an olive oil store. Other good options might be Restaurant du Gésù, which is sort of Nicois-Italian -- lovely ravioli. Or Chez René Socca, where I tasted the best socca (though it's more of a snack food shop). I would avoid Lou Pilha Leva -- it looked so charming and I had high hopes but the food was decidedly mediocre.
Here are some photos on my blog: http://annmah.net/2011/04/19/nice/
Andouillette in Paris or Tours?
Fascinating thread. I was just in Troyes researching and tasting andouillette. I met a charcutier there who flat-out refuses to be part of AAAAA saying that it's only for industrial andouillette. I initially thought it was sour grapes -- except the walls of his shop were lined with prize cups and medals (from other concours). This is just to say that andouillettes not marked AAAAA are not necessarily bad -- they might even be made in smaller production.
I am not an andouillette fan, but I respect it. Also, I prefer it cold, the taste and smell are less pronounced, and the texture (which is my real problem) is more solid, less ropy.
Greek Yogurt in Paris?
I've been looking for the low fat for years. Have you found that there?
Greek Yogurt in Paris?
Fage/Total (isn't it the same thing?) is always at La Grande Epicerie (at least every time I go -- which is more than twice a week). If you're facing the dairy section, it's to the far left, in one of the refrigerated cases that caps the aisle. There are at least three shelves devoted to it. They have fat free, full fat, and vanilla.
Greek Yogurt in Paris?
La Grande Epicerie at le Bon Marché has Fage/Total Greek yogurt.
Lyon on a budget
I've been doing some research on Lyon myself and found this article very interesting (it includes a budget tip or two):
http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2011/feb/13/bill-buford-lyon-food-capital?CMP=twt_gu
Bread and Roses in Paris
It's good but seriously over-priced -- 16 euros for a slice of quiche + salad? The café/salon du thé caters to a very chic crowd. I believe they use only organic products.
10 Day Foodie Trip to Paris in April 2011
It's a super long train ride between Paris and Rodez. We took the train to Clermont Ferrand and drove the remaining three hours. The best way to get there is to rent a car. Our meal (in Sept 2010) was unforgettable -- the son Sebastian has taken over now, but he continues to honor the region of Aveyron with local products, including wild herbs. There are pictures of our meal on my blog... it was spectacular. http://annmah.net/2010/09/10/michel-bras-marvelous/
Marseille!
What a great post! I spent two weeks in Marseille in December -- wish I had seen this before my visit. While I was there, I liked the bright plate of salads and falafel from Au Falafel on rue Lulli. And I loved the adorable salon du thé, Café Lulli, which has delicious quiche and tarts. Another great wine bar is l'Enoteka (28 bd Notre Dame), with simple meals and a wide selection of bottles or wines by the glass. Here are some pictures on my blog: http://annmah.net/2010/12/09/adventures-in-bouillabaisse-and-more/
P.S. I'm sorry to be pedantic but it's the American Consulate, not embassy, that is near the Préfecture. My husband worked there and I've been caught too many times making that mistake!
Simple lunch at Mamie Gateaux -- more like this, please?
Down the street on rue du Cherche Midi, Chez Les Filles a North African salon du thé with great lunch options -- I love the vegetarian plate, with couscous and an assortment of hot and cold spiced veggies. A friend told me it's run by four women who are all related. Bonus-- they're open on Mondays.
Planning Vienna trip... Narrowing choices
That makes sense Sturmi! Sometimes the sound of my voice surprises even me. ;)
I wish we had tried Rudi's Beisl, but it was booked. Next time. Loved all the places you recommended that we had time to sample!
Planning Vienna trip... Narrowing choices
Thank you again for all your suggestions and help in planning our trip to Vienna! I loved discovering the city, especially the special Christkindlmarkts. I loved the Wurstlestand at the Hohermarkt, which was our first meal, and my husband's favorite. Little sandwiches + a melange at Duran were a wonderful afternoon pick-me-up. On our own, we discovered the wine bar at Zum Schwartzen Kameel, for delicious glasses of Gruner Vertliner and more finger sandwiches. And I fell in love with the old-fashioned atmosphere and apfelstrudel at Demel.
Our meal at Restaurant Sperl had highs and lows. I loved the garlic soup and goulash served with a giant dumpling. But the wiener schnitzel seemed dry and tired. We later had some very succulent, hot and fresh wiener schnitzel at an ordinary cafe near the Mariahilf -- perhaps we hit Sperl at a bad moment.
We dined at Restaurant Sperl on a Friday evening and it was bustling and crowded with regular folk. I was the recipient of several long stares in the restaurant -- from at least three different people. I'm not sure if it was because we were obviously tourists and the restaurant is off the beaten path? Or because I look different (I'm Asian American)? The staff were all very kind and patient with our lack of German, but I have to admit that after the third diner turned to regard me with an unblinking gaze, I felt quite uncomfortable.
Chez Georges or Chez Michel for dining ??
Just wanted to add that I went to Chez Georges last night and I found the meal very solid. We were three and shared the luscious rillettes d'Oie and a mustardy lentil salad to start. I then had a very respectable sole meunière. Also at the table: pavé du mail and coeur de filet, both tender and meaty (though in the past I also have made the mistake of ordering the fatty entrecôte there). For dessert, we shared profiteroles. They gave us each one, on our own individual little plate (though the standard order is usually two). I ate too much rich food, drank too much rich wine, but the meal was lovely, very classic and solid.
Planning Vienna trip... Narrowing choices
Many thanks! I think I'll try for Rudi's, and barring that go for Sperl. Will write a report upon my return!
