Tobias's Profile
Rome -- in search of informal, rustic, carefully prepared, beautifully fresh cooking that doesn't break the bank
Thanks for all the responses to date, and I particularly appreciate the wisdom about long meals and finding some alternatives. I assume we'll do more than a few lunches of bread, cheese, salumi, etc. and that we'll go for proper sit down dinners. Our trip is about five weeks, with the first ten days in Tunisia.
As for our lodging in Rome, we'll be staying in an apartment near the Campo de Fiori, so recs for restaurants in that 'hood are particularly welcome, and I'm also curious to know if there's a good place for a morning coffee and pastry and an afternoon gelato.
My kids are very adventurous eaters and can handle longish meals, I'm glad to report.
Finally, do we need to reserve at spots like the ones mentioned thus far -- Armando al Pantheon, Settimio al Pellegrino, Hostaria Nerone, Colline Emiliane, Perilli and Urbana 47? And do Hounds concur that this is a good list given what we're after?
Thanks!
Rome -- in search of informal, rustic, carefully prepared, beautifully fresh cooking that doesn't break the bank
Greetings Hounds,
I see a ton of posts about restaurants in Rome but none that quite answers my particular question (at least not one I could easily find). I will be heading there for four days and nights in late June with two very adventurous kid eaters (11 and 13). We are looking for places that:
1) serve home style cooking and nothing too precious, dainty or haute -- simple food prepared well;
2) use impeccably fresh, seasonal ingredients (like our favorite haunts in San Francisco -- NOPA and Cotogna, for example);
3) do not break the bank! This will be part of a long trip, and we need to pace ourselves. I hope we'll be able to dine for under 40 Euros per person
Are Perilli, Urbana 47 and Settimio al Pellegrino places we should consider? And what others for lunch and dinner?
Thanks all,
Tobias
Paris this summer
Hi all,
I'm writing again so as to raise the profile of my earlier post. Perhaps I've asked a bad question and one that's been broached previously on this board (though I think mine is somewhat different). I would appreciate advice if anybody's got any!
Thanks,
Tobias
Paris this summer
Greetings Hounds,
I am coming to Paris this summer with my kids (11 and 13), and all three of us are committed epicures from San Francisco, a city where one can eat quite well. I am looking for a selection of bistros (as we will try to eat well on a healthy but not extraordinary budget) and am particularly interested in places like the ones Mark Bittman chronicled in his June 2009 article, "Alive and Evolving: The Paris Bistro." He gives favorable reviews to Le Gaigne, L’Epigramme, Itinéraires, and Les Papilles, all of them small, innovative and, he says, delicious. Are there others of this ilk I should consider? We are staying near the Sorbonne so are particularly interested in places near there, but we can also take the metro far and wide. I would also be curious to find a good brasserie or two in that 'hood.
Many thanks in advance to all who reply,
Tobias
Agriturismo in Tuscany
OK, I found Da Toto, and the hotel isn't what we're after, but the restaurant does look great. I'm hoping to find more of a classic agriturismo with the typical olive grove, grape vines, old stone buildings, etc.
Il Melograno also looks great but I don't know that area. Does it have the kind of Tuscan countryside I'm after? I don't care about seeing Siena, Greve, Florence -- or other jam packed cities and towns -- but do want to be in a spot where I can get to amazing hill towns.
Agriturismo in Tuscany
To clarify:
I actually made a mistake in replying to this thread rather than the one I started, so I understand the confusion that led to a snarky remark.
I have not entirely decided on the region of Tuscany I desire but am thinking about the Montalcino/Montepulciano/Pienza area and am considering Podere Spedalone. I don't mind something a little rustic and am looking for a place that is well located, has a nice pool, and has an excellent restaurant. We're more interested in quaint towns than Etruscan ruins. I'll be with my two kids, and our four days will likely be as follows: breakfast where we're staying; outing/hike/wandering about and visiting a town or two; lunch at said town; late afternoon return to our lodging followed by swim and dinner. I am from San Francisco where the food is outstanding and have pretty high standards for food so want to find a place that will keep us coming back for four nights.
I'm not entirely sure where Il Melograno is, as there are a few different places by that name that come up in a web search. Please do clarify. And does Da Toto have a pool? The pool is a must.
Thanks for all the help, folks.
Agriturismo in Tuscany
The agenda includes seeing some beautiful hill towns, so it seems Il Melograno and Da Toto are not quite right. So my revised wish list includes: a nice agriturismo with pool and excellent restaurant and well located to visit hill towns (though we will probably skip Florence and Siena). Suggestions would be very much appreciated!
Agriturismo in Tuscany
Yes, copious and detailed but also overwhelming. I want to be well located to see some beautiful hill towns, have a place with a pool and excellent restaurant and not spend a fortune -- something in the neighborhood of 200 Euros at most. I'll do some more searching of this board but would appreciate any more leads and specific recommendations.
Agriturismo with great restaurant
Hounds,
I'm planning a trip to Italy and will have four days or so in Tuscany. I would like to stay at a nice agriturismo that has an excellent restaurant. It need not be fancy, as I'm looking for superb, local, rustic fare. Any thoughts?
Rancho Gordo New World Specialty Foods store?
Are these nice folks ever going to bring back those amazing tortilla chips they used to make? For years they said they were waiting for a new machine of some sort, but I've stopped asking. I love their beans and popcorn, but the chips were incredible.
Cole Valley -- anything worth eating?
I understand EOS is closing after many, many years and that there is a Mexican place going into that space and the wine bar. Anybody know the details?
Cole Valley -- anything worth eating?
Is there anything worth eating in Cole Valley? I like the almond croissants at the Boulange and the burgers at Kezar (Cole and Carl) but haven't been to Eos in at least a decade, don't like the looks of that Bambino place and am not excited by these crepe chains. I guess there's an old fashioned ice cream place opening soon. Anything I'm overlooking? How's that no name sushi spot or the other one next to Bambino?
Mumbai recs in and around Khar
I'll be in Mumbai for four days next week and am staying the Khar neighborhood. My group is willing to travel around the city for food so would love some recs both in that neighborhood and beyond.
Gujarati thali places are of interest, as are northern/tandoori and Mangalorean. Frankly, we're open to all sorts of food, as long as it's Indian of one sort or another. We are looking for meals around 600 rupees or less per person. Thanks in advance.
Nopa Menu
The menu does change a bit, but I do find myself wishing they would expand the limited offerings. They don't change quite enough for my liking, and they would be wise to add a dish or two in addition to switching things up more regularly.
That said, I think NOPA is a gem of a restaurant. I disagree with the comments that it's comfort food, as some of their preparations are pretty complex and delicate. The cocktails are first rate, the service attentive, and the food impeccably fresh.
What's the Vietnamese equivalent of Thai House Express?
I love Thai House Express and pick up from there all too often. What's the equivalent (spicy, authentic and delicious) Vietnamese place in SF?
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Thai House Express
901 Larkin St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Jackson -- I need help in a hurry!
I'm heading to Jackson tomorrow for a handful of days, coming from San Francisco. I've got dinners figured out but could us some advice about where to find a good cup of coffee and where to get a solid breakfast. Lunch advice (salads, sandwiches, and more) would be welcome, too.
There isn't much about Jackson on these boards, and precious little about breakfast and lunch spots. Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
tortilla chips
Similar, yes, but too expensive (five bucks for a small bag!) and a little too greasy. Needed a tad more salt, as well. Good chips but not as good as Rancho Gordo.
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Rancho Gordo
1924 Yajome St, Napa, CA 94559
Element by Fuego
I'm considering getting one of these: http://www.elementbyfuego.com/
Anybody had any experience with it?
tortilla chips
They're thick. This photo will give you a sense: http://ranchogordo.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/rgchips.jpg
tortilla chips
I miss -- really, really miss -- the tortilla chips from Rancho Gordo and continue to look for a reasonable substitute. (I'm told the Rancho Gordo chips will return, but it's taking a long while.) The nice woman at the Rancho Gordo stand at the Ferry Bldg mentioned a brand from Marin that might do in the meantime, but I've forgotten the name. I'll find out again next Sat., but thought I would put this to you Chowhounders: What's your favorite chip?
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Rancho Gordo
1924 Yajome St, Napa, CA 94559
My Barcelona Plans
Any thoughts about an alternative for Sunday night? (I understand many places are closed then.) Given the rest of my list, what should I add?
My Barcelona Plans
Thanks, PBSF. Many of these selections come from your posts. You're doing us all a great service by sharing so much about Barcelona's dining scene. I'll watch for your name to appear on the San Francisco Bay Area board, and should you ever come this way will return the favor.
One more thing: Is it necessary to reserve at all these places? Or can I just drop in at the less fancy spots?
My Barcelona Plans
I've done a fair bit of research -- read these boards extensively -- and am about to make reservations for my March visit. (Hope I'm not too late to do so.)
Any and all feedback would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance:
Day 1:
Late arrival. Dinner at Can Lluis near where I'm staying (Market Hotel)
Day 2: (Sunday)
Lunch near Picasso Museum -- Xampanyet or La Vinya Del Senyor
Dinner: Open to suggestions. Maybe Paco Meralgo?
Day 3:
Lunch: Catalina
Dinner: Can Josep
Day 4:
Lunch: Embat
Dinner: El Vell Sarria
Day 5:
Lunch: Hisop
Dinner: Taktiki Berri
Day 6:
Lunch: Coure
Dinner: Can Mano
Day 7:
Lunch: Sauc
Dinner: Fonda Gaig
Does any one know if all these places take reservations? And is the traditional lunch hour at about 1:00? Dinner at 9:00 or 9:30?
Any changes you would counsel?
Thanks!
Good eats near Sant Antoni Market
I'm heading to Barcelona for a week in early March, staying near the Sant Antoni Market. Am curious if there are good breakfast (light -- coffee, croissant, etc.) and dinner options in the vicinity. It's hard for me to get a sense of the scale of Barcelona, having never been before, and I wouldn't mind finding a few restaurants within a shortish (15-20 minute max) walk from the Hotel Market. Many thanks in advance for the guidance.
Bistronomia article in New York Times
A recent New York Times piece mentioned a number of newish restaurants. Many I see reviewed on this board, but I can't find reviews for some.
Here's a link to the article, should you be interested: http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/07/06/travel/06journeys.html
Anybody been to:
Apat
La Mifanera
Toc
Article suggests that these are well worth trying, along with Gresca, Embat, Catalina and Hisop. Any and all guidance is appreciated as I'll be in Barcelona for a week, don't want to spend a fortune, but am up for some inventive, high quality cooking.
Curry Village
I was at Tasty Curry once about three or four years ago. Wasn't crazy about it so have never returned.
Curry Village
My son and I had dinner last night at Curry Village, the new Indian place on 9th Ave. between Irving and Judah. Decor is a step up from the curry dives of the Tenderloin, but it's the food that will, I hope, draw big crowds. (I was surprised to see it relatively empty.)
We had samosas (served with two sauces -- tamarind and mint -- as well as chana masala), chicken tikka masala, bhindi masala, rice and naan. Samosas were fine but are rarely a favorite of mine (the nine year old held sway), and the CTM was excellent. Not as creamy and heavy as Pakwan's, it had a good hint of tamarind and was fairly spicy. Okra was superb.
Service was extraordinary. The owners are trying hard to make a go of it. They were pleased to see a nine year old chowing down and asked him about his tolerance for hot food. They later brought him a mango lassi (on the house). Food was served piping hot, and water glasses were refilled promptly. I was also pleased to see the staff deal patiently and gently with a drunk patron. Had he been loud and difficult, they might have ushered him out, but he was sleepy and quiet, and they treated him with respect and, in the end, just a bit of firmness.
It's no match for the likes of Amber, but of the inexpensive Indian places in town, this is the best I've encountered.
Heading to Chicago from San Francisco
We'll have a car so can get to various parts of the city. I'll check out Sayat Nova. Any other thoughts? Any of you Hounds know the San Francisco restaurants I mentioned? Are there comparable spots in Chicago?
Thanks again.
