LJBTampa's Profile
Good vs. Evil - Tony Bourdain and Eric Ripert in Santa Rosa, CA
Thanks for the recap. We're going to see them next month in Tampa. Can't wait!
Top Chef Texas - Ep. #1 - 11/02/11 (Spoilers)
In describing himself he said he was a vegan chef.
Top Chef Texas - Ep. #1 - 11/02/11 (Spoilers)
In the preview of next week's episode, it looked like just the 4 current bubble cheftestants standing before judge's table.
Fall Dinner Party Menu
Your menu sounds delicious. I wouldn't add a pasta course as you already have two starches. A salad course sounds nice -- maybe add toasted walnuts and goat cheese? Also, instead of two starches with your entree perhaps switch out a vegetable for the potatoes or the risotto.
Don't worry about your menu being too simple. Simple can be quite elegant.
Seeking a restaurant in the Delray Beach/Boynton Beach area...
You might want to check out Prime Catch in Boynton Beach. They should be able to accommodate a prix fixe meal for you.
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Prime Catch
700 E Woolbright Rd, Boynton Beach, FL 33435
Do You Live In A Place Where It's Legal To Make And Sell Food From Your Home?
Florida recently passed a new "cottage" law allowing people to sell some types of food made at home. Sales up to $15,000 on things like baked goods, jams, and candies are allowed. Foods like salsas and barbecue sauces are not allowed.
Palm Harbor Recommendations
high end seafood: Mystic Fish on Tampa Rd.
high end Italian: Casa Ludovico on Alt. 19
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Mystic Fish
3253 Tampa Rd, Palm Harbor, FL 34684
New Trend in Tipping?
There was a restaurant in our area (Tampa Bay area) that used to add 18% on all-size parties. It said it in fine print at the bottom of the menu, but we hadn't noticed. When our party of 2 had 18% added on rather poor service, we were surprised. And then irritated when the server grabbed the check after we signed our credit card slip and opened it right in front of us to see if we had added additional.
We stopped going for many years until they stopped the practice.
Top Chef All-Stars - Ep. #13 (Finale Pt. 1) - 03/09/11 (Spoilers)
Colicchio was on the Today show this morning demonstrating how to cook a pork porterhouse. It was undercooked! He said it should've rested longer, but it was one that had been cooked previously for the beauty shot so had been resting quite some time. Wonder if Carla was watching...
Oldsmar: Latin American Grill
My favorite in Oldsmar is Flamestone Grill. Great food (from sandwiches to steak). Don't miss the specials.
new restaurant Carmel Cafe & Wine Bar, Clearwater
It's next door to where Ponte's Tuscan Grill was.
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Ponte's Tuscan Grill
2544 McMullen Booth RD, Clearwater, FL 33761
new restaurant Carmel Cafe & Wine Bar, Clearwater
Carmel Cafe is a new restaurant on McMullen Booth Rd in Clearwater. We've been there twice so far and really love it. Lots of small plates to choose from. Hummus, flatbreads, meatballs, lamb chops, seafood. A real variety. We've tried the Muhamarra (roasted red pepper hummus), Caesar salad w/ black olive dressing, meatball lollipops, margarita flatbread and spinach dip. All very good.
They have an extensive wine list. Most wines offered by the glass with a choice of a 3, 6 or 9 ounce pour. A really nice selection of wines, too. The reds are chilled, which I can't believe more restaurants don't do these days. A modest selection of beers by the bottle. No liquor.
Great service. Water is served in smallish glasses but you're left with a wine bottle full of water to refill your glasses. The water bottle was replenished without asking. The food comes out super quick. Apparently, they have state-of-the-art equipment that cooks the food faster than you might expect. We just ordered one or two things at a time.
The environment is kind of cozy. A not-large-enough bar, a few high-top community tables, a few couches, lots of tables and booths.
Chris Sullivan of OSI fame is an owner.
www.carmelcafe.com
Tampa or Clearwater for Thanksgiving Dinner
Catch 23 is having a special on Thanksgiving with turkey and trimmings. I think it's $18. I also believe that is in addition to their regular menu.
Anyone else miss Gourmet Magazine?
I've subscribed to Cooking Light for many years. It seems to have recently dumbed down to 20-minute meals. All right already! I think we all know that a piece of fish with fruit salsa is quick and healthy.
"Generics taste just as good as national brands" ... Really?
Many store-brand items are made by name-brand companies. Ex.: Keebler may make the store-brand cookies. It varies wildly by store and particular items within a store.
Best of Sarasota's hidden gems
When Cork was closing, they said they were going to reopen as an island barbecue place. We were surprised to see that it will now be a Japanese steakhouse and sushi place. Tango recently opened as an Argentinean steakhouse and sushi place. Odd that Cork would choose something so similar. I liked what they were before (foodwise).
Wedding RSVP Card - Entree Selections - list full description or just general category?
I am not vegetarian. I love meat. But, that Portobello Mushroom Wellington sounds awesome! I'll have that. :-)
Top Chef - D.C. - Ep. #2 - 06/23/10 (Spoilers)
If you scroll down a bit further in this link http://ny.eater.com/tags/padma-lakshmi there are pix of Padma, Katie Lee Joel and Kelly Choi. WTH is Kelly carrying over her shoulder?
Top Chef - D.C. - Ep. #2 - 06/23/10 (Spoilers)
Bravo has unaired video from JT on their website. Too funny.
http://www.bravotv.com/top-chef/videos/extended-judges-table-chicken-vs-dessert?__source=hp_topfivelist_2&cid=tab2
Square Hot Dogs?
They've actually invented a hotdog that breaks apart when cooked to reduce the risk of choking. Seriously. http://www.kansascity.com/2010/06/06/1997402/hot-dog-its-safety-first-for-american.html
Good eats around St. Armands, Sarasota?
Derek's is excellent, but likely exceeds OP's stated budget.
Good eats around St. Armands, Sarasota?
Update on Cork. Just heard this morning that it is closing at the end of the month. Not sure yet if ownership is changing. It is going to become some sort of Island BBQ place. Just what we need -- more island-style food.
FYI, the realtors (Howard Rooks and his daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Bob Morris) were the owners when Jeff Trefry was there, too.
When Jeff left, they hired a new GM and a new chef who did not fill Jeff's capable shoes IMHO.
Good eats around St. Armands, Sarasota?
I would recommend Cork also. Hemingway's is over-rated in my opinion. Not worth the prices. If you want to drive away from the circle -- not too far -- try Libby's on Osprey. Mattison's Grill on Main is nice for lunch.
The bar at Lido Beach Resort is a great place for a sunset drink.
Clearwater and vicinity recs
The nice thing about being at the beach is that even the fine dining restaurants are pretty casual.
Mambo Italiano Visa Commercial
Regardless of your thoughts on the look of the pizza, do you not walk away with that song stuck in your head for hours? Gets me every time. LOL
Cooking Channel
I just saw a commercial for a new Cooking Channel that is to debut on May 31. Looks like a diverse slate of shows. Anyone know anything about it? I'm not sure if our local cable company will carry it or not.
Bartender Etiquette - Dining Solo at the Bar
I think the fact that you were dining solo is irrelevant. My husband and I eat at the bar quite often. We are happy to slide down to make room for others before our food is served. But, once your food (entree or appetizer) is served it is NOT ok. Your meal should not be interrupted. Period.
Top Chef Masters 2 Ep. #2 - 04/14/10 (Spoilers)
It is wrong. TCM has jumped the shark.
