zinfanatic's Profile
Lunch in Austin
We are in Austin currently. we have had some really good fresh seasonal food. Trip report when we return. can you all recommend a lunch place either in Soco or downtown near 2nd or 3rd and Congress for Friday. Food trucks are a possibility, but. Prefer indoors with air. Ethinic ok, seasonal always!
Austin Trip report(tried to be short)
Want to go to Barley and Swine also . Any tips on when to dine day of the week and time as they do not take reservations?
Kome?
My hubby and I will be visiting Austin for six days very soon. I suggested eating at Uchi or Uchiko sp? , but my nephew overruled and suggested Kome when the four of us dine together. What do you all think? We are also planning on Barley and Swine, La Condesa, Foreign and Domestic, and maybe Lenoir. Two nights are taken up by wedding obligations!
Foodie trip continues - short mention of Launceston and then to Melbourne- the food mecca!
Launceston- We did not make reservations ahead and that may have been a mistake. Stillwater was booked and the restaurants at wineries in the Tamar Valley we're too far away for dinner. We ate at an Italian place that could take us on short notice. It was called Novaros on Brisbane Street. It was mediocre and expensive.
Pinot Shop a great wine shop and owner was very helpful about what wineries to visit. More on that if requested.
Several foodie shops on Charles Street and we bought all nearby to eat in the second night of our stay
Melbourne- note we tried to keep the food bill at about $50 per person which was hard. We didi not splurge at high end places.
Anada- We ventured here on our first night. We took the tram. It was delicious, authentic Spanish food in a great neighborhood Gertrude Street. The head waiter here was great. He was so taken that we had come all the way from SF and he loved SF that he took the time to make a list of other great places in Melbourne for us to try. We had doe lots of research , but some places were new to us. We had Syrian lentils, fried cauliflower organic lamb, beef cheeks, some sherry, wine and sorbets for dessert. Great food and wonderful service. Reserve well ahead for the late seating.
PM24- the big disappointment in Melbourne I booked here because they had a special dinner before 6:30. I had told them in the email that we wanted this early dinner for the good price. We
arrived and they did not have that dinner because it was Labor day. We spoke to the head woman and she did accommodate us. The food was very staid French food- not at all imaginative and the main was very salty. Not recommended
Chin Chin- Our best meal probably- We went for lunch and dinner. We were lucky not to have to wait at either time. We sat at the kitchen "table" and watched the chefs prepare the entrees on the menu! It is what I would call an Asian fusion place but they bill themselves as Thai. We had caramelized pork, avery good pumpkin curry, morning-glory with yellow beans, kingfish sashimi, pork rollups, soft shell crab. The service was great and fun to watch all being cooked.
Cutler- more expensive than most but good also Smoked duck with beetroot, chickpea crumbled eggplant, lane shanklish,
Huxtable again back in the Fitzroy neighborhood! pimentos del pardon, xo bun with crab,( menu divided into land sea and earth! )blue cod, korean pork ribs, salad of quinoa, beetroot. A recommendation of our "friend" from Anada- very good
Cumulus- no reservations went early and sat at the bar- open kitchen we would have gone for breakfast too if it had not been so far away from our hotel -whole baked trout,spiced cauliflower with goat curd roast pumpkin with carrots, white peaches with champagne ice cream. This place was probably tied for he best meal with Chin Chin. Everything was great, the service very friendly, and the wine by the glass the best of our trip. The nectarines were a bit underripe.
Red Spice Road- the decor and drinks are amazing and the food good. Cocktails are very expensive in Ausiie- not $10 as her but $16-18 AUD We did not imbibe very often but these were good! Corn cakes with Ginger Sweet Chile, Blue eye steamed in Banana leaf, Burmese Split pea fritters, Goat Jungle curry. Good food hip young crowd and good service- not our favorite place
Proud Mary- in Collingswood right off Smith Street- another recommendation from our friend at Anada- an amazing espresso machine, a siphon bar, special origin coffees excellent breakfast and they serve lunch all locals not to be missed go during the week
In conclusion, Thank you all for all your help. We thought the food in Melbourne was amazing and it truly deserves the reputation as the foodie city and that was why we went! If anyone wants info on the wineries we went to in Tasmania or the Mornington, let me know.
My foodie experience in Australia- 1st installment Hobart
I am reporting back on my trip to Australia. I got so much help from all her on this forum and I wanted to pass on my opinions about the restaurants we went to. I am from SF and was formerly a pastry chef. As a consequence, my husband and I do lot of research and try to go to places that have fresh seasonal food and good wine lists.
Hobart-
Garagistas- We went here on our first night after traveling straight from SF. We arrived at 6:30 and the restaurant was packed and we were told it would be a wait of 30 minutes for a communal table. We eventually were seated at the bar in five minutes and ended up eating there. The bartender waiter could not have been more accommodating and kind. We had the lamb ribs, wood roasted lettuce, spanner crab. Everything was amazing. Our only disappointment was that they only had a few local wines as they serve organic wines.
Smolt- Had a reservation at 7:00 and it was not full. The food was very good not great. It was not as innovative as Garagistas. We had fresh mushroom gnocchi, veal and pork meatballs, a beet salad and local wine. The service was friendly.and professional.
Ethos- although we originally we thought this small place was only open for lunch, we passed one day and discovered it was open for dinner so we made a reservation as the menu looked intriguing. They serve small plates which seems to common in Australia. We had grilled poblanos, roasted cauliflower, pulled pork with tapioca pancakes, and their daily lamb special. The cauliflower (not a big fan) was great, the pork was a bit dry and the pancakes were not substantial enough to wrap the pork. I ordered dessert because it sounded very intriguing. It was probably the WORST dessert I have ever had. It was a steamed olive oil pudding with lemon curd and gooseberries. It was $16 for served in a jar which is fine- but the pudding itself about 1 1/2 inches in diameter and at the most 2 inches high in the jar. It tasted terrible. It was served with about 2T of lemon curd and about 1 T of gooseberries. When the waiter asks me how I enjoyed it, I told him I did not. He replied "Is that because it was swerved in a jar?" I said no because of course anything steamed has to have a container. I went on the tell him about the taste and the small portion and he walked away as I was talking. Launceston, Melbourne next!
Melbourne trip report, Jan-Feb 2012
Hate typing on this iPad! should read with that caveat. Caps are disappearing also! Will report more on all meals in Tassie and wine trip too soon.
Melbourne trip report, Jan-Feb 2012
Thanks chloehk, We are in Melbourne now. had a good meal at Anada and had nice sever who gave us a list of places to try. The dinner places he recommended are also too high priced for us.We had a fabulous lunch today at Chin Chin. We also able to sit watching over part of the kitchen!
tonight I had made reservations at PM24 as they had advertised on their website a two course dinner before 6:30 for $37. When we arrived they said they did not have it because of the holiday- Labor Day! however I spoke to them and said I had reserved on best restaurant switch that caver. they obliged. The food was just good- not great. ore to come and more details on the meals if needed.
Restaurants that take reservations in Melbourne
Any other good food pleas in St. Kilda that you would recommend? Streets that have food shops?
Restaurants that take reservations in Melbourne
Thank you Mr. Gimlet. I think we may go to St. Kilda for lunch at di Stasio on Tuesday. Do you think it is worth the trip to explore St. Kilda and have late lunch there? We will not plan out lunches otherwise, but wanted to make dinner reservations. Thanks for the info on Anada.
Restaurants that take reservations in Melbourne
We will be in Melbourne from March 11-16. Part of that time there will be the annual car races. I need to choose restaurants that take reservations especially for Wednesday and Thursday March 14 and 15. The restaurants I am considering are Coda (reservations only by phone- I am in US until March 1), Comme Kitchen,PM24, Red Spice Road, Chin Chin, Bar Lourniha, Cafe Di Stasia, Cumulus. I list these so you will know what type of places I am choosing to eat. Some of these places do not take reservations. Any other places to recommend in the CBD or one tram away that takes reservations?
Yarra Valley or Mornington Pennisula?
I asked the original question on this link. This might be of interest to all that love wine and might be traveling to Australia or native Aussies! There is an article in the Feb 17 edition of Financial Times about Tasmanian wines. I think this link to Janis Robinson website might be the same article. We are getting off base with Tasmania, but we are going there too nest week!
http://www.jancisrobinson.com/articles/a201202163.html
Yarra Valley or Mornington Pennisula?
Thanks for your knowledgable comments. I look forward to some Chards that are NOT over oaked! I dislike those so much that I have veered away from Chard in general. I did not expect to find many SB or Shiraz in the cool climate. Can you recommend any particular Pinots to look for either in Tasmania or the Mornington Pennisula?
Provisions for self-catering in Port Douglas
We are staying in a small self-catering unit for one week. We want to buy fresh fish and seafood, produce, and fresh baked bread and pastries. Please recommend individual places for the above-especially seafood!
Melbourne pizza -- strong opinion
Mikey8811
Thank you, Those on on my long list! Zin
Melbourne pizza -- strong opinion
Mr. Gimlet
I did not take it that way at all. I just wanted you to expound on your sentence with concrete suggestions. Thank you so much, Zin
Hobart choices and Tasmania help Please add too
DebbieAnn
We will have not car, but are willing to take public transport for sweets! Is this possible? Former pastry chef- Zin
Yarra Valley or Mornington Pennisula?
We are going to Mornington. We are going on a small tour since we do not want to drive and drink. Because of that we most likely will not be able to choose where we want to go- too bad. I will keep your recommendation in mind. We have the tour on March 14. My favorite grapes are also Pinot and Syrah. We live in California. Thanks
Hobart choices and Tasmania help Please add too
We will be arriving into Hobart late afternoon on March 1 after an arduous trip from SF. We need a quick bite to eat that night close to Henry Jones, and then two more dinners and maybe lunches too. Here is my tentative list: I have been doing some research!
Garagisitas
Smolt
Lebrina
Monty's
Ethos- lunch
We also need help in the Cole Bay and Launceston areas
Thanks, Zin
Melbourne pizza -- strong opinion
Mr. G, "Get out of the high rental CBD and trendy suburbs to where people actually live"- and Where might that be for "tourists "that are willing to take public transport from CBD? Love all ethnic, but want good fresh seasonal food. Please give recs with in one tram or bus ride, if possible
Melbourne pizza -- strong opinion
We haven't really honed in on any "fancy" restaurants.Although we love to eat out and love food (I use to be a pastry chef long ago), I don't think we will hit Attica, or Cutler, or their kind- too $$$$$. We will be there (unfortunately) during the Big Car race. I am trying to get my head around the prices. Please tell us where else you have enjoyed. I intend to make a few reservations because of the expected crowds during the races.
Melbourne pizza -- strong opinion
Keep us up to date on your food journey in Melbourne. We are headed there (fromSF) in early March to eat!
Restaurants in SF with view and GOOD FOOD
I ( a local chowhounder) have been tasked with recommending a SF restaurant with a view and good food for a person visiting from Melbourne. They are staying near Union Square, but can travel within SF by taxi or bus. Any help appreciated.
Kirkland Brand Blue cheese- source?
Most of the remaining cheese that was branded now is KIrkland brand. As an Example today I saw the Kirkland Brand blue cheese that came in similar package as Point Reyes cheese . This cheese was branded Kirkland and said on the label "made in an Artisan style" in America. The point Reyes sold for $9.99 and this cheese sold for $4.49. Does anyone know the source of this cheese?
Costco food finds - 1st quarter 2012 [old]
Costco Richmond California- seems like they have replaced what remained of branded cheeses to "KIrkland" brand. It is impossible to know if it is the same manufacturer. Example- local Point Reyes Blue cheese at $9.99 # (still cheaper than regular retail) is now replaced by a Kirkland brand labeled as "artisan made" for $3.99 # Is this the same- I doubt it. Anyone know?
"Sustainability" in restaurants
We recently dined at a California restaurant that claimed to be "sustainable and touted its "local" ingredients on the menu. How can a restaurant advertise this message and still import about 80% of it wine on the wine list when we were there?
Think of the carbon footprint that is used to fly all that foreign wine to the California shores when in fact this restaurant is in one of best wine regions in California!
NYE Santa Barbara Solo
We just ate at Julienne on Friday night- recommended to us by local chow hounders. They have five or six seats at a bar overlooking the kitchen. Call and ask about NYE! I believe they are closed until Wednesday, December 28 now. We had a delicious meal although the portions are quite small- about four oz for fish and not much else on the main plate. My hubby's halibut looked to be about 5 oz and had more veggies. No pastry chef so desserts are simple- chocolate moose, creme brûlée and ice cream- thought a bit too sweet, the texture was great and the serving ample. From a SF chowhounder and former pastry chef.
Availability of Fresh Crab in Santa Barbara
Thanks all! This is why I love Chowhound. It is my go to site whenI travel.
Availability of Fresh Crab in Santa Barbara
We have rented a small cottage and would like to cook fresh crab- purchased live preferable- Can I find some for Christmas Eve dinner in a local fish place?
Park City, Utah
We were in PC about one year ago. We ate at a nice fusion type restaurant on Main Street upstairs on a patio overlooking the street. We went early to take advantage of good prices. I cannot remember the name of the place and want to recommend it to someone else. Please help!
