jbanana's Profile
Major Ramen craving
i saw that on craigslist too and promptly went scouring the area for any sign of a noodle shop. alas, i could not figure out where they were opening.
Doner Kabob in The Cities?
Filfilah is the real deal, and it is amazing. The owner is a very friendly and welcoming and the food is marvelous. The doner is excellent and so is everything else. Can't say enough good things about that place. Yes, it is worth the drive.
http://filfilah.net/
In Search Of real good pickled herring in cream sauce
I am not a big fan on pickled herring, but I used to bring my grandfather the varieties from Ingebretsen's and he really loved them. I believe they make all of them in house.
Bengaluru - New Year's Eve and more...
thanks for the link. i'll post an update as we figure out our options.
Bengaluru - New Year's Eve and more...
hello all 'hounds
we are looking forward to spending our (happy) new years in bengaluru, and several days in travel around.
i think there are lots of arts-interested people in bangalore, yes?
we would much appreciate recommendations for our new years eve--
we are arts-interested people (a ceramic artist and horticulturist) looking for a more relaxed-than-fancy-club place to celebrate new years eve. where should we go?
outside of chow, but maybe not too far out of CHOW limitations:
what galleries or studios should we see in bengaluru? we like ART, FOOD and GOOD company!
lovecheersciao,
j
Parish Pierogi in Northeast Minneapolis?
Indeed they are wonderful, but they are not served on Fridays the few weeks just before Easter -the cooks are too busy preparing food for the holidays! I am pretty sure they start up again the Friday immediately following (this year, April 9), but don't go this Friday, as they'll be closed. Hours 11-1, be sure to call ahead for pick up orders, since they often run out.
Also, St. Mary's Orthodox sells them on Fridays from 11-3 (but again, not this Friday). 1701 Fifth St. NE, 612-781-7667
I pyrohy.
Street food in downtown Minneapolis
http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/news/2010/03/22/street-vendors-downtown-minneapolis
ohboyohboyohboyohboy!
makes me wish i worked downtown...
MSP- The Anchor Fish & Chips
I live nearby and am anxiously awaiting this place to open. The sign on the window says they are opening "summer 2009". Their website has a rough menu and a little bit about the folks who are opening it (Irish transplants and an American with ties). It sounds very neighborhood pub-like - I am really excited too!
http://theanchorfishandchips.com/
(MSP) Northeast Social Club
We were really excited to go last Thursday, when it was also absolutely packed, though this may have been partly due to an event at the Rogue Buddha next door. I was certainly prepared for kinks and imperfection, given the place has only been open for a couple of weeks. Inside is lots of dark woodwork, a spectacular refinished tin ceiling, and an odd choice of wicker chairs as seating.
They seem to be trying to provide a global wine and beer menu, with several affordable wines by the glass. They offer a brands of beer by the bottle and three "social" style (large bottles meant to be shared, common in other parts of the world, but not here). I would have liked to see an actual variety of beer styles, since the list seems almost exclusively pilsners.
Ok, the food. We all shared the welsh rarebit to start. Good organic bread covered with a beer cheese sauce, augmented with a sprinkle of blue cheese. It was tasty, but not really warranting the price. I had the risotto primavera special, which was not actually anything special - under al dente rice, good asparagus, button mushrooms and sliced roma tomatoes. The basil oil drizzled on top was good, though the whole dish was underwhelming in flavor. Sweethound had the potato gnocchi stroganoff, which was described by our waitstaff to include oyster, shitake and button mushrooms. We found an oyster, but it was mostly the buttons, which I feel didn't add much to the dish. I couldn't tell if the scoop of sour cream buried underneath the mushy gnocchi was not properly mixed in, or to allow the diner to adjust the level of creaminess in the dish. I hope that this dish gets better, as it has great potential. Another diner had the lamb sandwich, which looked really tasty and came with fantastic homemade potato chips. They had run out of both salads, so the last diner tried the vegetable bean soup, but didn't have much to say about it.
Service was obviously a little off, as everyone seemed to be figuring out who did what, when and where. They definitely need some time to get food and service figured out. Like MNLawGirl, I want to try it again, but in a little while.
MSP: Fasika chowdown report
And Everett's on Cedar and 38th has it too! They'll grind up the lamb or beef for kitfo right at the meat counter. Berbere and clarified butter are in the refrigerated section.
A yogurt flop...
I started to make some yogurt this morning, but I think the milk was just a bit sour. It separated as I heated it, with the solids settling to the bottom of the pot and a nice layer of yellow liquid on top. I didn't add my culture and make the yogurt, since the texture of the milk was grainy. Is there any use for this stuff now? I hate to just toss a quart of milk. Can I use it like sour milk now that it has been heated?
(MSP) Pierogies
i think they are pretty much the same, just different permutations on the same dumpling... and st. constantine makes a mean pirohy, handmade and only available from september to may. they have potato, kraut and prune versions, which you order in multiples of three. when you eat in, they are served with browned onions in butter and sour cream, if you like, as well as church coffee. the pick up orders are not served with the condiments, and you need to phone your order in (and i think that many people phone in early in the week for large orders). they are worth a trek across town, though if you eat to many, you may need a nap afterwards. chat up the volunteers and/or sit with some strangers for some local color.
MSP - Manioc Flour - need help quick!
where are you located (or where is convenient to you)?
i would imagine you can get this anywhere that sells west or central african, or carribean foodstuffs. or also try a shop specializing in south american foods, rather than mexican... there are several ecuadorian shops on central in NE and one on 26th and 1st in south mpls, and maybe they might have it? as mentioned before, many folks refer to this as yuca.
i was recently in a liberian shop at 18th and nicollet, and am pretty sure they had it. there is also a caribbean shop on lake street, east of minnehaha (but don't remember the cross street...) also try calling this place: Guy-Am Groceries and Video, 4539 Lyndale Ave. N. 612.522.9222
you will find the manioc, oh yes, you will.
Mid-month dining out highlights MSP
One of the vendors at the Minneapolis Farmers Market sells B-grade maple syryp, extremely chuggable. He's from Wisconsin, I think his name is Keith, and his tiny table is in one of the middle aisles in the northern half of the market. Look for the little maple lollipops. yum.
Markets between Charleston and Edisto
Y'all are golden! This is so helpful - I love my fresh produce and local color, and am so happy to hear that there are more options than the PW. Many many many thanks!
j
Markets between Charleston and Edisto
Hello Hounds,
A group of friends is spending next week in Edisto, South Carolina, and I am looking forward to cooking up some fantastic self-catered meals. We are all out of towners, and will be making a couple of trips to and from the airport during the week. I understand that the Piggly Wiggly is the only supermarket in Edisto, so I am wondering if there are any daily farmers markets in Charleston, or anything worth stopping along the way from there to Edisto. Mostly I am looking for local produce or other products, and would appreciate any tips on where we should buy our seafood. We will be driving the stretch from the airport to Edisto on a Monday and Thursday afternoon, if that changes anything.
Also, I am really looking forward to a meal at Poogan's Porch on our way out of town. I can still remember those biscuits from a childhood family vacation...
Any suggestions are welcome and thank you in advance for your help!
j
pizza puffs and itailan beef (St. Paul, MN)
very good to know. personal experience far outweighs random suggestions.
cheers j
pizza puffs and itailan beef (St. Paul, MN)
in minneapolis:
-the southside food and deli on chicago ave and 33rd st advertises both pizza puffs and italian beef, its a corner store with a deli inside.
-A & J's chicken and fish on lake and 7th ave (i think,,,) also has both.
-broadway ave, between lyndale and irving on the northside, has several deli-type eateries that might have them. one is called olympic cafe, but i can't remember any of the other ones.
closer to you in st. paul:
-a taste of chicago - someone posted about a serious italian beef sandwich at this place a while back and i can't find the post. it is (or was) located in the midway shopping center at university and snelling.
-also, there is an A & J's knockoff (called J &J's maybe?) on university ave between fry and aldine that might have 'em too.
apologies for such a vague post, devoid of good directions or even recommendations - i haven't eaten at any of these places, i just remember seeing the items on the menu. why is it that i can remember this kind of stuff but can never find my keys?
Hurray, Spring: Mpls Farmers market open this weekend
you are spot on - bushel boy introduced the "live lettuce" in addition to their tomatoes, and they are both grown hydroponicaly, though I think they mostly sell to groceries, rather than via farmers markets. its still awfully early for local non-greenhouse produce of any kind, even foraged, but i would think that Living Waters would have their hydroponic tomatoes, cukes and peppers. the asparagus doesn't usually show up until late april or may. meat, dairy and egg producers will likely be there, as well as bakery etc. (and of course the importers, but it is clearly not broccoli or pineapple season in minnesota).
[MSP] St. Paulite ISO great MPLS chow (Philipps/Wedge/Lyndale)
i once had an excellent ham and cheese sandwich served with a lovely green salad. also once tried a pasta dish with cream sauce, prosciutto and peas. this rivaled the ice cream in decadence. they make an effort to use locally produced meats, cheeses and vegetables when possible.
[MSP] St. Paulite ISO great MPLS chow (Philipps/Wedge/Lyndale)
there is an aspect of "build your own meal" with several choices of meat or fish, several choices of veggie sauce/stews/soups, and several choices of starch. i would guess that that veg soups are made with palm or peanut oil and not animal fat, but they may have some dried fish or shrimp in them. there are also some bean dishes available, although these take extra time to cook, and again, there is the possibility of some meat cooked with them. we'll have to find out. this place is a chowgem, in my humble opinion.
[MSP] St. Paulite ISO great MPLS chow (Philipps/Wedge/Lyndale)
this is far to late to be relevant for your trip today, but just in case you venture back again, here's a couple more places that haven't been mentioned:
just south of 28th street on lyndale is three crowns (nigerian food). if you are avoiding gluten, you could try some pounded yams or cassava to go with your meat/fish or veg stew. the woman that runs this place is really delightful.
continuing down lyndale at 34th street is crema cafe, home of sonny's ice cream. sonny recently passed, but the ice cream legacy lives on. they have fantastic sorbets as well.
My new passion: Pork pralines at Keefer Court
Keefer had the aforementioned super-delicious bites available this weekend, as well as some other special steamed taro cake and rice cake for the New Year. Apparently these little morsels don't have meat of any kind in them (although I did not specifically ask about pork fat, having just re-read the post), and are flavored with sweet bean paste and sesame. Somehow they really do have a bacon flavor to them, a really unique sweet, salty, savory combination. The younger daughter said there is no English name for them because the direct translation includes the Mandarin word for chicken, and there is no chicken in there. She said her father told her to just call them "Tasty Crackers". So ask for Tasty Crackers (at least at Keefer) and we should all be on the same page.
MSP - weekend Indian buffets
whoops! I didn't look close enough at that address - I must have been so overwhelmed with sadness the last time I was in the neighborhood and saw the whole place razed to the ground. This is great news.
MSP - weekend Indian buffets
Unfortunately, Surabhi is now a pit of construction, RIP.
Marla's (in uptown on the corner of Lake and Emerson) has a weekend buffet, which also includes some Carribean dishes. I haven't eaten the weekend buffet in years, but their weekday version and regular menus are pretty tasty.
[MSP] Twin Cities dishes featuring whole grains?
Zelo in downtown (on Nicollet between 8th and 9th, not to be confused with Zeno in uptown) has a whole section of their menu dedicated to Mediterranean-diet-inspired dishes, many of which feature whole grains. Earlier this year I had dinner with my parents there and enjoyed wild salmon, served with spinach quinoa, chickpea puree and a tomato sauce. My mom had a heirloom whole grain salad (both farro and quinoa with a variety of veggies and a great dressing) that was absolutely delicious.
MSP - Special Diwali Meal at Bombay 2
You are so welcome. My sweethound and I didn't get over to Bombay 2 until about 8pm - it was just one of those days, and I wasn't even thinking what time they might close (or that maybe she might want to celebrate...). The door was locked and the entire family was milling around, dressed to the nines. The tables were all pushed together, and obviously everyone was about to sit down for dinner. R motioned for her sister to let us in and we sheepishly obliged. Bless her heart, R offered asked if we wanted to join them. We declined, not wanting to intrude, and she packed us some food to go. I think we must have been to late for some of the specials (I am lamenting the fenugreek pea curry...) but she gave us some samples of the cream of wheat dish, whose name I forget, and a paneer and pepper dish that had a Chinese influence. Everything was a delight. Oh, I just love that place.
MSP - Special Diwali Meal at Bombay 2
Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, is fast approaching, and Bombay 2 Deli in Northeast Minneapolis is rolling out a special festival spread to celebrate. Features include an eight vegetable curry they make only once a year because it is so labor intensive. Rachema is frazzled but still smiling as usual, despite being up at 5am all week making over 20 types of sweets for the occasion. Stop by to enjoy the goodness on Saturday, November 10.
(Diwali starts on the 9th and lasts for five days, but their special meal is on Saturday.)
Maybe someone can add the places link? I don't know how to do that.
MSP - Get Thee to the Farmers' Markets!
you can blanch and freeze those greens, anything basically but lettuce. i think the leeks are over by now, but i usually sweat some of those and throw them into freezer bags as well. so much cheaper than leeks at any grocery. you can also roast and freeze peppers. onions that have been cured (look for ones with nice papery skins) keep well in a cool spot, but not near your potatoes, as they hasten sprouting in the spuds. squash too can benefit from a "cure" - keep it in a warm area for a week or two and then transfer it to a cool place. if you are feeling really ambitious, you can layer carrots with clean moist sand (in a bucket or the like) so that they are not touching, and they will last for months. i doubt there will be any good ripe tomatoes left, but if you find any, put whole, clean fruits in freezer bags an throw them in the freezer. they leak a fair amount of water when you thaw them, but the skins peel right off and the flesh can be used in any cooked preparation. good for those who don't have time/equipment to can. if you go to the big minneapolis market, dehn's still has greenhouse basil that you could use to make pesto. i absolutely relate to your hoarding instinct this time of year...
