chezdick's Profile
Any Recommendations for a Pizza Stone Brand?
There is a commercial pizza supply distributor based out of the Chicago area called American Metalcraft. We sell there stuff in our store and I can highly recommend their pizza stones. The quality of their products are quite good and they have a ton of pizza supply products. Just go to your local restaurant equipment and supply dealer and ask if they sell American Metalcraft products.
Vollrath
The Vollrath Tribute line of cookware is a superior brand except for the covers. I believe that the source metals are just like All Clad and they came out with a new design on the cool handles that are both comfortable and stylish.Now if they could only re-design the covers they would have one of the best lines of cookwear on the market.
North End/Little Italy Must Eats
Thanks for all the tips. I'm sure my friend's recommendation was for Mike's Pastry because of the cannoli. I think we will try Massimino's and Neptune Oyster and will report back around July 1st. Thanks for the posts.
North End/Little Italy Must Eats
This is our third trip to Boston and we are going to explore The North End. A friend has recommended Michael's and Daily Catch. I know this area is teeming with great spots but what are a few "don't miss this" places.
New Bedford Food
We are taking the family over to check out Sid Wainers in New Bedford and am wondering if there are any must stop places to eat .
Egg poacher - old fashioned kind
Lincoln Wearever makes a killer little egg poacher. They take their 8" fry pan and modify it with an adapter ring and four non-stick egg cups and a cover. It's their item #56507 and it's slick. Not only do you get an egg poacher but you also get one of the best 8" fry pans on the market. It's available from your local restaurant supply dealer.
Washing cast iron vs. not washing
I feel compelled to add my two cents. Lodge makes the best cast iron in the marketplace. All of their new product comes pre-seasoned. There is virtually no maintenance. Use the pan, wash the pan. Any mild dish detergent is OK. When I'm finished washing my Lodge pans I put them on my cooktop, turn the burner to medium and let the heat evaporate and dry the pan. I have 3 Lodge pans I use regularly, a 12" round, a 12"square with a ribbed bottom and a 12" X 20" double burner, flat on one side and ribbed on the flip side. All of them are very nice and I'm not anal about the upkeep because there isn't any.
Lunch between Miami and Key West
Morada Bay is a much better choice than the Islamorada Fish Co. In Key West, it doesn't get much better than lunch on Louie's Backyard Afterdeck. Get a shady table, hope that it's breezy and enjoy. Unfortunately, Alice's has closed but all the other above listed places are going strong and there is not a bad choice in the bunch. The Robert is Here fruit stand is a great idea but check the hours of operation, I think they close for about 6 weeks in Sept. and Oct.
Key West Recommendations for a quick stop
It all depends on how much time you have. See if there is a Soundcheck at The Green Parrot. They start at 5:30 and last til 7:00. No cover, cold brews, bad art, great music. Good music can be had at the Hog's Breath Saloon. Happy hour oysters at the Half Shell Raw Bar from 5:00 to 6:30, 50 cent oysters and such. BO's is a good choice for a grouper sandwich and so is a Bloody Mary or a $1.00 draft at Pepe's. Cole's Peace Artisan Bread at 1111 Eaton St. will be making terrific sandwichs by then. They are starting to bake real Key West Cuban bread and the gourmet sandwichs are unbeleivable. Key West on an afternoon cruise stop is just not enough time. Enjoy your time but come back and stay for 3 or 4 days. It is a true original.
Best Coffee in the Keys
Baby's at M.M. 15 is the best coffee in the Keys. They moved the roasting plant to Layfayette,La for business reasons but Gary gets back to the local store to stay on top of quality control. He wants all his loyal customers to bring in there own coffee mugs so he can do the Green Thing, believing that paper or styro are equally unsavory. It's a great community minded business that serves a great product and he would still be roasting in the Keys if it wasn't for the incestuious politics. I've been a fan since he converted the best B-B-Que shack, Baby's Bar-B-Que on Duval St. into the original Baby's Coffee. It's still the real deal.
New BBQ this year!!! Need advice...
Big Green Egg is the bomb. We are dealers in Key West and sell it complete for 895.00 including delivery for the large with nest and mates plus charcoal. You really should purchase your Egg from your local distributor. Money spent locally stays in your community and that's important. We also distribute a high end s/s high BTU gas number but The Egg is a superior performer. Plus its cool.
Martha's Vineyard suggestions
I agree with you about The Seafood Shanty. Forget the food and enjoy a cocktail and the view. We tried the new Sharkey's location in Edgartown and the place was hopping, lots of families. Nice friendly service but the food was so pedestrian it was a yawn. Sort of like the Oak Bluffs location. There is still an opportunity for good Mexican food on the island.
walking distance in Edgartown Martha's vineyard
If you're here for 3 weeks check out the VTA. That's an excellant suggestion, get on over to Vineyard Haven and do breakfast/lunch at The Artcliff Diner; closed Weds. Then check out Offshore Ale Co. in Oak Bluffs for a pizza or the burger plus some good beer. Also in Oak Bluffs is the Sweet Life Cafe.. A little pricey but very good for dinner on a clear, balmy evening. Enjoy.
All-Clad versus Lincoln Wear-Ever
One caveat about Wearever products. Many years ago the Wearever brand was sold off into the consumer market. What is available today under that brand is Wal-Mart crap. Lincoln Wearever is a commercial product line that is a serious performer in the kitchen. It's just like the Faberwear stuff your grandma had. That stuff was good ( just like Julia Childs Wearever) but todays product is just an inferior shadow of it's former self.
Is an omelet pan really necessary...
Calphalon is a terrible choice unless it's non-stick. Their non-stick 10" would be OK. A better choice would be the Z4010 Ceramiguard non-stick from Lincoln Wearever or the Vollrath # 67810 Powercoat 2. Both are commercial pans, 10" and have cool handles that can be finished under a broiler or in the oven. Get a high heat rubber spatula 9" from either Rubbermaid or Vollrath. It's a must have tool for any non-stick cooking. Omelets should be cooked on high and if you want them fluffy, whip up the eggs with a balloon whisk.
walking distance in Edgartown Martha's vineyard
Detente is nice, also check Atria, I think there is a wine dinner this week. Alchemy for lunch, they also have a bar menu and their burger is good. I like David Ryan's, OK food with a good price point. Lattanzis for pizza, The Newes of America at the Kelly House for good beer and pub food. Expresso Love for coffee and such, Among the Flowers for breakfast, ( on paper plates ) or Edgartown Inn for breakfast. These are all in Edgartown and easy walking. Enjoy your stay.
All-Clad versus Lincoln Wear-Ever
I'm curious to what Lincoln Wear-Ever Set you are refering to. I'm not familiar with their sets, per se. They do have a number of individual pieces available in various levels of quality. They have the low end Optio line and the much higher end Centurion line. Vollrath has a line that competes with All Clad called Tribute. The Tribute line is very nice and broad but covers are seperate and are way expensive. Just curious. chezdick
Need Recs Lunch and Dinner between Portsmouth, NH and Boothbay, ME.
We are taking a family roadtrip and are looking for lunch and dinner options between Portsmouth and Boothbay. Casual,local color type places that have a talent with seasonal and regional ingredients.
ISO best of the keys
At the risk of blowing it for the locals, here is a list (partial and far from definitive) of wonderful dining options while visiting Key West. For breakfast check out Camilles on Simonton St. Great pancakes, Godiva Chocalate french toast, omelette specials and other morning goodies. Pepe's on Caroline St. serves a great breakfast. They make a homemade bread of the day and have a daily omelette special that sometimes sounds a little over the top but it's good and filling. If you're hungover order the Dutch omellette; 2 eggs scrambled and a Heinekin. Another breakfast spot is The Banana Cafe on upper Duval St. It's run by a French lady named Dani and they have the best crepes around; homemade sauces etc. It's small but well worth the wait. Finally Blue Heaven serves a killer breakfast. Great pancakes and homemade banana nut bread are just a couple of items. There are alot more good breakfast places. I'll have to get back with you about lunch and dinner in the near future.
Farewell, Norman van Aken
I'm going to be sending Norman's memoir for Christmas gifts. I heard it's going to cost $50.00 but the publisher has to spend $100.00 to produce it.
