luvarugula's Profile
Least appetizing food ads?
goodhealthgourmet...I agree with you about the Hershey's and the "swimming in caramel" ad. Nobody wants to see human bodies dipped in chocolate or caramel. It's pretty gross.
The worst one I've seen lately is for Snicker's, where a woman at a focus group is questioning two sharks, and discussing "which one tasted more peanutty". Are we serious? Who came up with this? What part of this commercial makes you want to buy a Snickers? Don't watch if you're scared of sharks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6e0Gsn4khss
Looking for Korean BBQ in Southern CT
Edo is the one place I know of. There used to be a place called Khan's Mongolian in Stamford on Bedford St., where they cooked everything on a humongous wok...not sure whatever became of it. Below is a previous post where Edo is mentioned.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/744218
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Edo
666 Main Ave Fl 1, Norwalk, CT 06851
Jog your memory - Pesto Change-O Pizza at Sunrise Pizza Cafe in Fairfield Cty
I loved-loved-loved Sunrise Pizza Cafe in Norwalk! I used to go at least once a week. They opened one in Stamford, too, on Long Ridge Road, about a mile north of L&T. I was working in Stamford at the time, so we used to go for lunch. I don't remember the Pesto Change-O, but your ingredients look about right. My favorite was the goat cheese pie. I even used to buy the whole wheat dough from them, so I could try my had at making pies at home.
Wow...they've been gone a long time...at least 15 years now. Pre-Chowhound, too, I guess. I was so sad when I heard they were closing. I suppose they had trouble keeping it going. Nothing has come close in terms of originality and flavor...at least not for non-tomato-cheese pie. I think the owner was from California, so maybe he went back...who knows.
Thanks for the reminiscence, prufrock. Good luck with your pizza.
Retro dessert bakery?
NYT featured an easy-to-follow whoopie pie recipe in 2009. It's the only one I use. People go crazy every time a make them. I usually fill them with a vanilla buttercream. Where in CT are you?
Trader Joe's in Darien, CT sells them, too, but I've never had them, so I don't know how they taste.
Below is the link to the NYT recipe, and I've attached a photo of my whoopie pies. (I wanted them to look like the NYT version). Honestly, the recipe is really easy. As easy as...
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/18/dining/181wrex.html?ref=dining
What is your favorite honey? And what type of honey (clover, alfafa, etc.)?
My two favorites, too. Straight from the jar or in my tea...I've found a great tasting organic lavender honey online at:
http://phlavender.stores.yahoo.net/culinary.html
My favorite brand of orange blossom comes in the little round jar from Florida (very floral tasting), but I haven't been able to find it anywhere, in the tri-sate area, without the honeycomb in the jar. I'll have to look online for that, too.
Where to eat Tuesday night in Norwalk/Stamford/Westport
Both Match and Osetra are good choices, but are pretty far off the Post Road (as is the Boathouse in Westport) For good food and convenience, I could suggest 1020 Post, in Darien. http://www.tentwentypost.com/
Service can be hit or miss, although I've not had a problem recently.
Restaurants will be busy this week, with the holiday. I would check about reservations, before going to any of these.
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Osetra Restaurant
124 South Washington St South, Norwalk, CT
Where to Buy Fresh Pasta in Stamford?
I visited Fratelli Market for the first time recently. I was disappointed to find out that most of the pasta was not made on site, nor was fresh, but frozen. (Obviously, I understand that it has to be frozen). I admit that I set the bar high, but it just didn't taste that great. I can get good, if not better, stuffed pasta at Trader Joe's, and will look forward to trying Fairway's selections. Until then, I will rely on making my own, because, nothing has ever come close.
Tea (Typhoo, etc.) in Fairfield County, CT?
Arogya in Westport has a fantastic array of loose teas. I've never heard of Typhoo, either, but if they don't have it, I'm sure they can get it for you. Arogya is located on Route 1, across from the post office. They're also have a stand at the Westport Farmer's Market on Thursdays.
http://www.arogyatea.com/
kattyeyes...love the Sundial Gardens! Haven't been up there in awhile, but another great choice.
Some other options for mail order are:
http://www.specialteas.com/
http://www.silvertipstea.com/fusionecommerce/browse/
Cooking Channel
Cablevision does not carry Fine Living Network in this neighborhood, therefore, no changeover to CC. Maybe in the future, but not as of now.
Cooking Channel
I've seen the commercials, too. Looks good. Much to my disappointment, the Cooking Channel will not be offered through Cablevision (in CT), at least not at this time. Why is that? I would much prefer it over the FN. I don't even watch the FN anymore, and was not affected during the short ban a few months back. If I want to watch challenges, I view TopChef on Bravo. I find PBS (ch. 10, 13, 21, 133, etc.) cooking shows are so much more interesting and informative. C'mon Cablevision...get with it!
Cupcakes in CT/MA?
The Cake Suite, a fairly new cake shop on Riverside Avenue in Westport, CT (just off Exit 17) is offering cupcakes that are really good. Definitely better than Crumbs. The golden butter and/or devil's food cupcakes are little bites of deliciousness.
http://www.cakesuite.com/whatsnew/index.php
Cake pans
My only suggestion would be that, whether bought at a restaurant supply or online, is go deep. A 9x3 is only a few cents more than a 9x2, and it really helps give your cake lift without overflowing. Most pans have a depth option.
New Korean BBQ in Stamford: Egane
Perhaps you might be thinking of Edo, in the strip mall past Walmart. They serve Korean, among other things.
Where are Asian grocery stores near Stamford, CT?
As quickly as that market opened, it shut down, not even a year after they opened. (see malgio post, above) Not sure what the problem was, but they never really got going. I had such high hopes, too, since it was so close to my house. Maybe the space was too big, added with a down economy. The only other Asian store is the one in Broad River, as mentioned by Syphrite. It's small, but, you can find the basics.
Helados Vazquez in Bridgeport, CT for Gelato!!!!!
This is sad news indeed. Beautiful room, great prices (cheap!), delicious gelato...
Discounted cookbooks- where do you buy or order online?
If you haven't tried Daedalus Books, you should. It's where I buy 95% of my cookbooks:
http://www.daedalusbooks.com/
Go to the "Cooking" section to view lists. Where else can you find books for 5 dollars and less? The selections are limited, but you'll be surprised at all that they have. Books are never used, not that matters to some. They have great deals on CDs and DVDs, as well. Good luck!
Eating at Tarry Lodge
Absolutely...that pizza is amazing. I've only been to TL twice...had it both times. The combination is so good together. The ever-so-slightly-sweet hint of the honey is brilliant. Just thinking about it makes me want to rush back.
Turkey....Which brands do you guys like and where can you get them?
I went to the Fresh Market website and it looks like they have Bell & Evans turkey. The B&E chickens are always very good. I also see that they have Turducken...I've only ever seen these on the Food Network, and I'm dying to try it, but I've already planned my dinner. Good luck in your search.
http://www.thefreshmarket.com/freshideas/117.htm
Who makes the best pizza in New England?
I am not disputing that New Haven pizza (aka apizza) is good, even great, and worth the trip if you live within 50 miles. I've tried Pepe's, Sally's and Modern. (I participated in a New Haven Pizza Crawl a few years back...each offer their own merits.) However, best pizza in "New England"? I might disagree. It's not for everyone. I'm glad to hear about some Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Vermont pizza places worth the trip. In case American Flatbread Company in Waitsfield, VT, and Burlington, VT, plus a few other locations, was not mentioned yet, or I missed it from 214 posts (yeeowser!), I would like to add it to the list:
http://www.americanflatbread.com/
Excellent pizza! And, if you can't get to one of George's restaurants, try his frozen pizza's...they're really good. I am NOT comparing a frozen pizza to "best pizza in New England". Not even in the same category, I know. However, I'd like to hear more about great pizza spots outside of New Haven and Connecticut altogether.
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American Flatbread
46 Lareau Rd, Waitsfield, VT 05673
The Fresh Market opens in Westport on October 14
I still have not shopped at The Fresh Market. I hope to get there this week. However, a friend e-mailed me this today:
Stopped in yesterday...parking lot packed!!!! Westport was eagerly waiting for a mid area market to cater to that area.
Nice set up, everything spotless.
Produce is wonderful.....best selection of mushrooms ever (lobster, hen of
the woods, enoki, shitake, baby bellas, fresh & dried and really good
prices), edible flowers, gorgeous poblano peppers, etc. Mentioned their
policy is only best pick so there won't be any discarded side sale items.
Lovely fresh prune plums and locally grown strawberries which you could
purchase by the single berry.(the little old ladies will love that!!!)
Checked out fish and they were doing tastings of fresh oysters, clams and
sautéed scallops (that's an impressive high end tasting for a store opening)
Quality presentation of every meat you can think of , perfectly trimmed but
pricey. Great selection of artisan breads.....the sundried tomato asiago was
to die for....nearly ate the whole loaf with homemade soup!!!
The desserts looked great.....variety of cheesecake in small sizes, every
cookie/scone/muffin you can imagine. (every kid that passed that area was
bugging their parents for one...) Heavy trafficked area.
This place has more snacks than you can imagine (chips, pretzel nuggets,
cheese section, nut section, best olives bar, chocolates....)
Lots & lots of prepared foods....hopefully they can turn that over within
the same day or it they will need to make adjustments on quantity to keep those cases fresh.
The loveliest touch.....when you check out, each register had a cashier and
bagger. And every customer was asked by the bagger if they would like
assistance to take out their packages to their car (no matter how small your
purchase was.) Now that's southern hospitality!!!
Score Card: A++ (Presentation, Selection, Freshness, Hospitality,
Tastings!!!)
Now I'm thinking...gotta go and see this for myself.
The Fresh Market opens in Westport on October 14
The picketing has nothing to do with The Fresh Market. I think it's just the local union...probably the same that picketed Whole Foods when they were opening. I don't know about pricing and how it compares to S&S, Stew's or Balduccis. I think definitely cheaper than D'Artagnan products...probably more in line with Stew's. If you go, let other CH's know how the prices compare.
Burrata cheese in Westchester: where to buy...
I have to admit I've never actually had fresh burrata. I, myself, did a search/request with CH about 6 months ago. I went to C&S deli in Broad River and asked if I could special order it...I wanted to surprise a friend for her birthday. They said they would not/could not order it due to perishability. Then, I saw it at Trader Joe's and thought "huh"...let me at least taste this. It comes two to a container. It was not bad, but, then again I had nothing to compare it to. I'm sure TJ brand can't even compare with fresh, but it wasn't awful. You could try it if other searches fail.
The Fresh Market opens in Westport on October 14
I've been to 2 Fresh Markets...one in South Carolina, the other just outside of Atlanta. The concept is that they are all the exact same layout. I think it's going to be a great addition to the area. Really good quality products. Not so big to be overwhelming. Open layout with easy to see signage, so you can find what you're looking for. Feel good atmosphere makes you want to linger and look at everything they offer. Yep, I could have spent the night when I was there. Prepared food offerings are different than most stores and they totally encourage tasting everything. One day before opening! Can't wait!
The Fresh Market opens in Westport on October 14
This could be good for the area. Can't wait to hear people reactions.
CORRECTION: Charlie Rose Julie&Julia
Actually, the retaping was on this morning at 6am (EST) on WLIWW (channel 132 on Cablevision) and, it will air again at 5pm tonight, same channel. Hope this gets out in time.
Polish food-Pirate in Norwalk
The grocery store you're looking for is called A Taste of Europe, and is located on the Post Road in Norwalk, across from the Post Office. Same side and down from Penzey's, but before Falafel. I sits back from the road (due to the parking lot). It's small, but is packed with most things Polish. Plenty of deli meats, sausages, cheese, etc. They have a freezer-full of pierogies and other homemade items...not sure about pickle soup. I don't know how the price points compare, but everything I've had so far has been very good.
weston, CT
There is plenty of good eating in Westport, and lots of choices of cuisine. I wouldn't, however, rule out heading north towards Georgetown/Route 7, as an option. The Schoolhouse, as sibeats suggests, is really the best in the area. Olives, in Georgetown (technically Redding) is fun, deli/gourmet store by day, Uruguian restaurant by night (weekends, only). BYOB. They serve this huge platter of tapas, and it's always interesting.
http://www.roadfood.com/Restaurant/Reviews/524/olive-market
Coco Bongo's in Ridgefield closed
Villa del Sol in Westport is very good, as Mexican restaurants go. Their specials are always outstanding, and we have rarely been disappointed. (we usually order from the specials menu, since the regular menu is just standard Mexican fare) I'd say it could be good news for Ridgefield. Hopefully, it will be just a good as Westport.
Need lots of egg whites for large cake; will Egg Beater's Liquid Egg Whites work?
That 's exactly what I wanted to hear. Thanks to you both! I'll be going to TJ this week and will look for their brand, and will also try and find the eggology brand. It's not so much the money, as it is the massive amounts of egg yolks I'd be left with if I went traditional. Hate to waste them, when I know I won't ever be able to use up that many yolks.
Need lots of egg whites for large cake; will Egg Beater's Liquid Egg Whites work?
I need to make a very large sheet cake for 50 people, and they have requested white cake. Normally, I would just use real egg whites, since smaller cakes don't call for that many eggs, and I can always find a use for egg yolks...also in a recent CH post. But, in this case, I'm going to need about 24 to 36 egg whites (approx 4 cups), and I don't think I can use quite that many yolks. I would freeze the yolks, but that has not proven to be very successful in the past.
Has anyone ever tried using the Egg Beater's Liquid Egg Whites in a recipe for white cake?
I know they don't work for meringue or angel food cake (things that need a bit of "lift"), but I wondered how they work when you bake them in basic cakes, that don't require that much volume.
I will probably go ahead and use real eggs, just so not to risk ruining this whole cake. It would be helpful to know for future recipes. Perhaps I'll experiment on a smaller cake, and post the results here, in case I'm the first to attempt this.
