trolley's Profile
Any good restaurants for moms & babies in Pasadena?
while i'm not a big fan of the restaurant Il Fornaio may fit your bill. there's outdoor seating and i've seen many families with crying children there. the patio is nice bc it faces the courtyard and you can even walk in the courtyard and come back to your seat if needed. the food there has been hit or miss but i suppose you can't go wrong with some penne and sauce. if 10 people or more you can probably even get a private room so the kids can cry all they want and parents don't have to feel self conscious that they're bothering the other diners. i do think LGO especially the pizza restaurant may be your best bet. not a great patio but there is one.
RFD Pasadena
drove by today and looked like there was a wait. i used to live by the one on LaCienega so it's nice to see over on this side of town. i really don't think Pasadena needed a Big Boy anyway. feels like there's plenty of Big Boy-esque type of places already. There's Lucky Boy, Tops, Pie n' Burger, IHOP, Andy's, Denny's, Coco's, Russell's, etc. etc. but not much for vegetarian /vegan specific restaurants.
RFD Pasadena
There's always parking behind walgreen's and all the shops on Lake. You may have to walk a bit but it'll work if you're into that kind of thing. The TJ parking lot isn't monitored by a guard but there are signs with restrictions posted. the lot is also kind of a pain depending upon the time of day/wk. the one behind Macy's tends to be slightly easier.
Flavored whipped cream ideas
caramel. you can make the caramel with sugar, water and salt then pour cream in. bring the mixture to a boil then cool. once it's cool down you can whip it good!
Plate 38: First Visit, New #1 Burger!
you know i had mixed feelings when i saw the sign. oh WIll! i'm sorry. it was just so random and the least expected. i've been at that intersection a million times but just never bothered to look around. so i take it that they just swiped the logo and quoted you from this very thread? i just think quoting anyone on a banner is slightly tacky, whether it's you or Jeffrey Steingarten although i do value both of your opinions :)
Plate 38: First Visit, New #1 Burger!
OMG! i was at the intersection at the red light and saw this banner! Will Owen it's still up! with chow hound logo and all!! i'm impressed...
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay Thread - 2nd quarter 2012
agreed YAY to the Strawberry vanilla greek yogurt but certainly not a 'health' food coming in at around 380 cal per container! although my 3 yr old loves it and he can take some fat on his body. a good suggestion!
Kid-friendly thing to do with radishes?
Have you tried pickles yet? my 3 yr old is really getting into sauerkraut these days and venturing into pickles. not the kind of sauerkraut out of a can but the raw organic kind. i think pickled radishes may be next for us that is if you're into pickles. i also find that even if doesn't really like something if he had a hand in making it he's more apt to try it.
http://www.gourmet.com/recipes/2000s/2009/05/quick-radish-pickles
here's a decent recipe for pickled radishes
what to do with leftover boiled chicken thighs that i find too gamey?
i can't compare it to other meats bc i don't eat rabbit or other game. call me chicken (haha!) but i'm not a big meat eater. i've never been that into meat so i'm not adventurous. i don't even eat duck or goose so i'm just all out when it comes to giving a comparison. i also don't like the texture and the veins. oh the veins!
what to do with leftover boiled chicken thighs that i find too gamey?
'"Gaminess" is most often the result of improper handling of the meat during slaughter.'
Really? i had no idea. thanks for that piece of info. i'm always finding new stuff on here. well, to be fair, i'm very very sensitive to gamey tastes probably more so than most others. so if at all gamey then i'm out. yes, the stock is gamey too for cryin' out loud! woes me. i have bigger and better plans for the stock so i'm hoping the flavor would be masked by the other flavors with the stock...
what to do with leftover boiled chicken thighs that i find too gamey?
i'm not a big fan of thighs unless they're deep fried. in fact, i remember responding to a thread a while back and the OP had the same issue. the other day i made stock with organic thighs. now i'm stuck with a bunch of boiled thigh meat. i thought boiling them would get the gaminess out but i'm afraid it's enhanced the flavor. is there anything i can do with them before i toss a bunch of decent meat out. i wish i had a dog!
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay Thread - 2nd quarter 2012
YAY: Svelte Ice Cream Sandwiches...only good if you're into this type of stuff. if you're looking for full fat taste this isn't it. it's strictly diet stuff but tasty. exact replica of Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches.
Best gourmet ice cream and patisserie?
"I think they don't become certified organic because they choose not to follow the letter of the law or because they are thumbing their nose at the system, enjoying the halo effect, and still charging a dollar more per basket for their berries than farmer's who do comply with the law."
i never really thought about it in these terms and i have to agree with you. at $6 a basket and $17 for 3 you better be certified. the berries are delicious (as i eat a bowl of Harry's) but i'm always skeptical of people who claim 'No spray' too. what the heck does that mean anyway? another organic farmer told me if they can't drink the run off water from framing then you shouldn't be eating their crops either.
How much does it really cost to get certified anyway? Thanks for shedding light on this issue.
Eating at PF Changs with a nut/peanut allergy
i've heard PF Chang's is great for people with gluten issues. i know it's a risk, well, heck it's a risk every time we eat out, but was wondering if anyone has had experience eating at PF Chang's with a food allergy?
I'm craving Chinese food and this certainly isn't it but it's close and i would like to eat chinese food out with my child. sadly, i live in the San Gabriel Valley in the Los Angeles area which is the home to probably 10 different types of Chinese food or something crazy like that. But you have to work with the cards we are dealt with so here we are.
Cherry season again and thinking of getting a pitter...
every cherry season i always note how much i hate slicing every cherry for my child who is now 3.5yrs old. sure, eventually he's learn to eat around the pit but for now i cut to prevent tragedies.
and so every season i always note how i should purchase a pitter but then i somehow talk myself out if it and then cherry season is over. this year i'm not letting this pass. i'm going to get one. are there any notable brands like OXO?
Best gourmet ice cream and patisserie?
i think this depends on where you're visiting from...when i was an out of town visitor from SF i was surrounded by Tartine and Citizen cake but a bakery like Amandine didn't exist or at least i wasn't aware of one. i craved the light cakes and the delicate flavors that i grew up with in Japan that i found at Amandine. if you're coming from Asia or NY then Amandine may be dime a dozen...
Best gourmet ice cream and patisserie?
i imagine Bouchon's croissants to be amazing and be neck to neck with Proof. Croissants were 'ruined' for me since my last days in SF, Tartine opened up shop right across the street from my apt. since then I haven't had a worthy croissant but the one at Proof is certainly a contender.
Best gourmet ice cream and patisserie?
I stopped by Proof by chance this morning and wow! what a great place. i dropped my mom off at her dentist today right near Atwater so i stopped by for an iced coffee. i should have gotten a slice of layer cake but it just felt too decadent at 10:30am after a big breakfast. instead opted for the croissant which was perfect. flaky crunchy buttery layers and the outer crust tasted of caramel from the browning. i can say one of the best croissants i've had in a while.
Best gourmet ice cream and patisserie?
TonyC, i like how my name is in quotes "trolley" as if that's not my name! :D
mcgraths seems to only grow seascape strawberries and i find the tartness of this variety a perfect compliment to the sweetness of the cream. i know harry's also grows a seascape variety as well but their gaviotas are the reason why i rush to the market and try to make it before they sell out.
Sharing Ideas for Gluten-free Eating
my sister changed to a GF diet after life long battle with nausea, IBS, fatigue, etc. she also has thyroid issues which contributes to her health problems and turning to a GF diet has helped her tremendously.
she etas tons of japanese food and don't know where you're located but there's quite a few selections of potato starch type of noodles in the noodle section of our Japanese market.
if you ever want the best fried chicken try japanese tatsuta age. marinated chicken pieces in tamari, rice wine, sugar, garlic and ginger. dust it with corn starch and fry away.
my sister eats tons of mochi for dessert too.
bread does seem to be an issue. so far she's failed at all attempts to make it successfully at home so she's given in to Udi's for now
Fraiche in Culver City closing?
good riddance! no use thinking back to the why's on this this one anymore. several yrs ago we made reservations for six. one of the six was going to be my brother in laws 89 yr old mother. at the time of reservation i notified them that she has a walker and was wondering if she could get around easily and if we could sit inside. they say no problem to everything. we get there at opening dinner time (i think it was 5 or so) and they sit us the a table on their covered patio of the entrance. i told them this was a big problem due to our 89 yr old guest being sensitive to the cold. the snooty guy said this was the best he could do. did i mention the dining room was pretty much empty? see ya!!
Happy to See This Board
i am amazed at how much sodium is in meatless 'meat' products. my husband used to eat mostly vegetarian but with having to limit his sodium intake he realized eating meat is a better way to go.
Best gourmet ice cream and patisserie?
second Mother Moo's. their ingredients are above and beyond what i would even buy. they currently have a cafe au lait flavor ice cream and roasting their own coffee beans!
Happy to See This Board
i'm so glad they introduced this new board as well. i've only had one post here but so far no one has challenged me on my question which happened way too often on CH. i don't feel there's an eye roll on my post at all. what a relief! lets keep this board alive!
Nightshades, soy, citrus allergies that manifest as skin rash
"oh, and i'd suggest finding a dermatologist who actually knows what they're talking about, because the contention that there's no connection between skin issues and food is preposterous."
i second this 1000% as well. every time my son has an allergic reaction it's been accompanied by a rash. sometimes it's eczema and often when it's an acute allergy it's dots all over. i'm allergic to peaches and nectarines and my skin bubbles around my lips when i eat them.
i cannot think of any substitute for tomato. i just don't think there is one aside from red peppers which is obviously off the table in this instance. if i were to be asked to substitute tomato right now, i would probably boil some carrots and puree them down. i'd then sautee garlic and veggies and then add the carrot sauce and a touch of sugar.
need ideas for egg substitute
haha! potato puree! ok, i'm kidding :)
i'm not a fan of ener-g either. i find that sometimes eggs not only acts as binder but provides richness and depth to foods. foods subbed with ener-g lacks flavor and jus tastes thin if you know what i mean. there's a recipe i found for chocolate chip cookies that uses a block of cream cheese. it really provides the richness that egg provides but it's just so fattening and just not very healthy.
thank you. i love this new board! so far, no one has tried to argue why allergies are stupid blah, blah, blah ;)
need ideas for egg substitute
and again, ghg so glad you responded too :) i do like this chia seed idea over flax. i like flax too but i fins chia seeds seem to get more gloppy.
pumpkin puree is great. i made a chocolate cake with pumpkin puree and i was afraid it was going to taste too pumpkin-y but it added a great dimension to it.
i will have to try the agar as well as gelatin. not vegetarian over here so we're open to it.
need ideas for egg substitute
SO glad this board was created! now here's where i'm a bit torn. i could post this in vegetarian and vegan but since it's bc of allergies i need egg substitute.
i usually use flax egg and ener-g but feel like there's something else out there that people use.
there a recent thread about gooey butter cake and feel like one day i'd like to make it, however it seems the main component is egg. not sure if flax or ener-g can do what egg does.
also i need to substitute to not have any nuts/peanuts in it so peanut butter or almond butter is not an option.
Gale's in Pasadena- I don't get it
every time I've gone to Gale's I've had mediocre to almost bad food. The bread is pretty good but other than that we've had less than decent food. We went this past Friday for a quick early supper. Despite the rain the place was 3/4 full at 5:30pm and people just kept pouring in.
I ordered the mussels and my husband got the artichoke app and shrimp scampi linguine. My mussels were cooked well but they tasted old and need something (maybe some citrus) to bring it to life. other wise it was bland and needed salt. A lot of salt and i'm not a big salt person. The scampi was a mess. the pasta, the broccoli rabe, and the shrimp were overcooked and sat drenched in this broth which tasted like salted chicken broth. it was a giant heap of mush. The salad that's served with it was generic romaine.
are we missing something here? maybe the meats are good? we've never tried the osso bucco or any of the meat dishes so maybe they just aren't good at pasta? It's not a very great value either. 2 drinks, two appetizers and one main pasta dish came out to $65. This place packs it in like the Cheesecake Factory too. By the time we left at 6 there were people waiting for tables. any suggestions for better food there?
