AZGrandpa's Profile
TUCSON MUSSELS
Tried Bluefin yesterday. OK, not stelllar, but avg.
Serviced was minimal. Sat in the bar area, Minimal attention, but so it goes in Tucson
TUCSON MUSSELS
I know, Tucson is at the end of the food chain.
But where can I find fresh mussels in a resto?
Vivace had them for awhile several years ago, but they have now disappeared from the menu.
I can make a good meal myself out of store bought mussels, but prefer a resto., mainly becuz of the bread to sop up the broth.
Suggestions?
What do you do with canned salmon? Not salmon patties.
My fav cnd salmon recipe is 1 can, deboned and deskinned (Kirkland).
one half a good onion, sliced thinly,
vinegar,
a dash of pepper,
And served with toasted white bread.
Put salmon, onion, and vinegar is bowl. Refrig for at least 4 hours. S & P to taste
EAT, after preparing toast.
And add cottage cheese for a "filler", (not in the salmon bowl).
Enjoy
S & P to tast
Ideas for some economical main course at a 50th Anniversary party for at least 100.....
I live in an AZ "Retirement Community" and have attended any number of 50th Anniversary gatherings, Memorials, wakes, etc. Goes with the territory, and demographics.
I think that all suggestions are notable, but here, most are "light" lunches, us older folks don't eat much. Low Country boil stirs my taste buds, but your guests may have a different take. `Jambalaya, Ummm good! Much depends on whether you are serving buffet style, or plated.
Recognize, please, that your parents will want to have their children available to meet and greet their guests. They are undoubtedly proud of each one, and their respective families, so hiding yourselves in the kitchen is not a plus. This from someone who enjoyed two separate 50th last year in two separate cities. Hire a caterer, or, servers..
Also, I have observed that the success of most such gatherings is directly proportional to the amount of alcohol consumed.
Holiday Entertaining, TUS to Tubac
Since my initial post, I've visited with two friends who aproached the holiday meal from two perspectives. The first, a recent widower, who confesses openly that "a cook`I will never be" hosted children and grandchildren for Thanksgiving with a takeout turkey meal from our local Safeway. He was well satisfied with the quality and quantity.
Another friend and her husband have celebrated Christmas Day at the Arizona Inn for several years. Cost is relatively high, ordering off the menu vs the buffet. Cost was $65 pp, + wine, T & T. Service, ambiance and food quality were top notch. Good value, in her opinion, and she can leave the cooking and clean-up to the restaurant staff.
I'll keep checking around with friends, and suggest you do too, and add further posts as info comes in.
Meanwhile, I hope others will chime in with their or friends' experiences.
AZGrandpa
Holiday Entertaining, TUS to Tubac
What has been your experience over the Holidays (Thanksgiving - NYE) for dining or takeout.
For a number of years, we have hosted traditional holiday dinners, (Thanksgiving and Christmas) for 8 - 12 friends. But after this year, damissus and I have concluded that the pain in our backs, legs and feet just do not justify the experience (we are in our mid 70's). Two to three days of food prep, and another day or two of cleaning and scrubbing are getting to us.
So......Have you had a CH experience lately for a holiday dinner, either at a restuarant that was memorable, or a takeout dinner, generally from a grocery store in our environs. What has been your experience, good or bad, Our guests generally do not have price limitations, and we can "subsidize" those who are on limited incomes, so cost is a secondary consideration.
There has to be a relief to our pain.
AZGrandpa
who makes the best hot dogs?
Schweigerts, natural casing, coarse ground, is the best I have found. Upper Midwest - MN-IA-WS-Dakotas.
Can't be beat. Bought a 12 volt cooler to haul my annual supply back to AZ every year.
No website, but available in most good grocery stores.
Best Cruise Ship Food 2011 / 2012 - U.S. Ports / Caribbean / Mexico
OK, I'll bite on this post.
Back a month ago from two weeks on Seabourne Quest, cruising from Quebec to Ft Lauderdale. Food was very good, and a variety of entrees always available, in a number of dining facilities. Menus distributed the evening before, so pick and chooose where to go depending on your whim, except for Restaurant 2, a tapas event, which requires a rez (make them early in the cruise). Room service also available at no extra charge.
Food quality was very good, Entrees are prepared to order in the Restaurant. Servers appeared to "hurried", but this did not detract from the meals. Enuf choices among the various venues to satisfy my appetite. Only thing is that I thought the portions were "small", but I never went away hungry. Guess i can't "put it away" like I used to (at my age I can't eat the amounts I could 50 years ago), but i did add 9#'s in two weeks. But you can order a double portion of anything on the Restaurant menu if you like.
An aside, At one port of call, they were reprovisoning supplies, mainly produce, and i happened to be on deck watching, and the Head Commissary person was standing next to me, frustrated. For some unknown reason, he could not go onto the pier to inspect the provisions. "How do I know the quality if I can't inspect it before it comes on the ship, so that if it doesn't meet my standards, I can send it back." was his comment. So I think that is an indication of the quality passengers can expect on board.
Damissus and I choose Seabourn for our infrequent cruises primarily based on the quality of the food, and the service we receive. I can't compare food quality to other lines, haven't cruised with them, only talked to friends who have, and I have concluded that Seabourn is at least a head above the others you mentioned, for the cost.
i did notice on the latest cruise that the economy is catching up. Champagne flowed more freely on our previous cruise, hors de' oevs were not as plentiful in the pre dinner showroom as before, nor were there as many servers. Not to say that we could not indulge, it just required more requests, rather than a server dispensing as on our previous cruise.
Summary: Food quality very good, wide selection, a choice of venues and menus. Service, compared to previous cruises on this line was not as good, but I don't say it was bad.
need idea for T-giving main to transport easily
How many guests?
For up to 12, I'd suggest a turkey breast or two,, cooked at home,sliced and carried in an insulated bag, along with the usual Potato & gravy, a veggie (green beans) or ????, pie, etc. Turkey can be cooked and sliced at home, potato can be from a package, gravy from a can, and all can be nuked to bring up to temp. Just bring along your instant read thermometer to get to correct temps.
Not the same as around your DR table, but, can be an enjoyable meal, if accompanied by a glass of wine or two.
Bless you for caring enough to undertake this effort for a rellie in the "Home".
Good Luck!
Advice for Thanksgiving buffet set-up?
From my Navy days.
Put the most expensive foods at the end of the buffet line (if you want leftovers).
Bulkier foods (salads, potatos, etc) at the head of the line (fills up the plate).
Figure out a way to keep cold foods separate from the hot. I use separate plates.
Enjoy!
Seabourne Cruises bread sticks
Does anyone have the recipe?
I recall we received a copy on a cruise several years ago, but cannot locate it now that I want it for the Holidays.
THX.
AZGrandpa
Feeding a congregation
How about a beef stew? My Men's Bible study group serves it from time to time to 100+.
On a separate note, Pima County AZ prohibits home prepared foods from being served at such functions, so everything needs to be prepared in the church kitchen. A problem to round up enuf help to get a meal done in a few hours, peeling, dicing, etc. Need a large crew, and a patient supervisor/chef
Blessings
Tuscon 3, grape tomatos [Costco, the branch on Campbell and I-10.]
Bot some Eurofresh "Bella Bites" Grape Tomatoes 9/14 or so. @ Tucson "3".
Wonderful, Sweet , and about as good as they come. Grown and packed by EuroFresh.Wilcox,AZ.
Don't miss out on this one if it is in your store. Probably in AZ and SoCal.
dakrux
NY lunch
damissuus and I will be in NY on a cruise arriving and departing 10/15.
We plan to see the matinee' of "Follies" on Saturday, Oct 15. So.......... Any suggestions for lunch spots close to the Marquis theater.
We both are mid-westerners by birth, and Southwesterners by choice. But we would love to have the "NY experience", suggestions. Price and cuisine "NOT A BIG DEAL" for the right spot.
OK, New Yorkers, give us your best shot.
damissus
Quebec City resto recs
Damissus and i will be in Quebec City for two nights in early October waiting to catch a cruise.
Need sugestions for dinner for a Friday and Saturday evening, price point around C$50 PP, w/o alcohol.
Coming from AZ, (this is beef country) looking for seafood, either fresh or salt water. Don't know yet where we will be staying, but assume Old Town is the place to go, but we are willing to travel a bit for a super place. Cuisine is not important, but assume French is likely.
Help, PLEASE.
Will we need a rez for your suggestion, or just wander in and get a table?
Any suggestions appreciated. Thank You!
Going insane re: scratched stainless steel
I smiled as I read your post.
Keep things in perspective. Your cookware will still be around 30 - 40 yrs from now. but will likely be in one of your kids' kitchen.
It is like the 23 yr old brunett I married 50+ yrs ago. 5'10", 115#, and a figure to knock your socks off. 51 yrs later, one mastectomy, 2 knee replacements, 1??#, four kids and a wrinkled face.
Still,beautiful.
And that stunning Navy Officer she married who weighed 155#, 6', w/ brown hair is now 210#, gray hair and a paunch. Some things get better with age and wear.
Same with cookware.
Tucson breakfast
THX for all suggestions. Appreciate your guidance.
Originally posted "cuz the missus and I were expecting medical appointments at UMC in midmorning. But.....We either had mid afternoon or early morning (fasting) appointments. So getting the times coordinated was a bit of a challenge.
But all suggestions are welcome, and we will explore on our TUS visits.
Thank You for your help and suggestions.
AZGrandpa
Tucson breakfast
What are your fav TUS breakfast places? I like the Good Egg and Blue Willow , but I'm looking for something new. Billy's Grill closed, so now I am wonding where else I can go for a great Breakfast/ Brunch while in the U/AZ area.
THX
Blue Willow
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Blue Willow Restaurant
2616 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719
Good Egg
5350 E Broadway Blvd Ste 102, Tucson, AZ 85711
Heading on a cross-country road trip: What non-perishable food items should I bring back with me?
If time permits, get off the Interstate, and look for some of the smaller towns Farmers Markets. You will likely find a whole new world of food. Much will likely be fresh produce, but you can also find locally preserved, or similar preserved foods in Mason jars like your mother used years ago. Just look around, and you can talk to the folks who actually grew and preserved the food. Damissus and I bot a 12 volt cooler several years ago, and plug it into the cars electrical system when traveling through the mid west, and then take the cooler w/ a 110/12 volt converter into the motel at night. Works great, and we feast after we get back to AZ on foods we don't have readily available here.
Also, the fresh produce can have the makings of a tasty and healthful lunch.
AZGrandpa
Tucson nice restaurant to celebrate high school graduation and birthdays
In addition to Claudette's post, I've been to several restaurants, admittedly upscale, where well mannered kids are enjoyed. Vivace's, Acacia, and Anthony's. Acacia has moved since I was last there, but wonderful service and ambiance. New Locatioon will be explored later this summer.
Damisus and i are doing the same in MSP next month, and hoping to find a similar resto.
good Luck.
AZGrandpa
KS hwy 54/56. Dodge City, Hutchinsom,Great Bend,McPherson. Salinas
Following the annual spring migration from AZ to the MidWest.
What CH worthy spots to stop for lunch/dinner along the way. Lots of choices in Wichita, KC, Topeka, etc, but no recent mention of anything between Guymon,OK and on east. Gotta be a few CH worthy spots along this route. There has to be an alternative along the way.
Or do I need to drive around town looking for the pickups parked outside the local favorite? Several years ago, damissus and I drove for several hours north of Wichita, to the state line, on Mother's Day, to find a spot to have a Mother's Day lunch. Ended up in a gas station. Oh Well!
Suggestions pls!
AZ Grandpa
Graduation dinner resto RECS
It has been around 20 years since I last trod the canyons of MSP, so I have lost track of the "better" dining establishments.
But I have two grandchildren graduating this spring, and want to host a family gathering in their honor. One grandchild graduates from Law School (yes, she has a job), and the other from high school.
Problem is that, becuz of the MSHSL baseball playoffs, we can't settle on a firm date until the grandson's team either wins, or is out of the tournament. We'll know around early June.
Looking for restaurant recs for a group of around 15, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and the like, age 7 -70+, for a family gathering. Prefer a private room so we can chat and have fun with the graduates without being a bother to other diners. Price, no big deal, we get together infrequently, and the party is the the objective.
So, resto recs for preferably the NE, Western, or SW that might accomodate this diverse group.is wanted. Thought of Jax, Kincaids, or ???????????? Or, who can accomodate such a diverse group on short notice in a private room? Cuisine is not a big deal, but, at my age, old fashioned places are my personal preference.
HELP
Grandpa John
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Jax Cafe
1928 University Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55418
Countertop Question
damissus and I installed granite 7-8 yrs ago in our remdeled kitchen. Replacing corian.
So far, no problem other than a few, .very few, quartz chips. Not a big deal. Miniscule.
As I recall, the granite was Dakota Red, or something like that.
Never a problem with hot pans, roasters and the like sitting on the countertops, and we do that frequently.
After trying a number of recomended cleaners, we have used WD-40 that last few times. Cleans,polishes, and gives a "like new" finish. Probably not recomended, but works for us.
Dakrux
Roadtrip stops LA > Benson AZ > Sonora TX > Lafayette LA > New Orleans > Gainesville FL
I was with you 'til you added the dog.
In AZ, it is beef country, vegetarian is few and far, not to say that many restos don't have a vegetarian optionor two. But dog friendly is another matter.
Either stop short of Benson, in Tucson - Blue Willow, exit University east to
Campbell, and go north, always a veggie option or two (but not, I'm afraid, doggie friendly. Or try Beyond Bread - outside seating which may be OK for the pup, just block or two north of Blue '
Willow on Campbell.. Or try Kranberry's in Lordsburg, Not doggie friendly, but may have a basic salad entree. Damissus and I usually have the soup and sandwich, not remarkable, but good for another 3-4 hrs eastbound. Maynards, downtown train station, Cup Cafe, also are possible veg, but not sure about doggie friendly. Check their website. Keep in mind summer is approching, daytime temps get to 100+, tough on dogs. Plan accordingly.
AZGrandpa
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Blue Willow Restaurant
2616 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719
Beyond Bread
Tucson, AZ, Tucson, AZ
Okay, Now On To Christmas Dinner...
In the retirement community where we live, Christmas is celebrated at our house beginning early Christmas Eve. We invite close friends to our house for snacks, and ??? beginning at 3:30, ending around 6:00 for those thqt choose to go to Christmas services.
Chrismas Eve Menu is from Costco: veggie tray, quiche's, shrimp w/ cocktail sauce, Christmas cookies, and something else.
Christmas Day, we invite close family friends for Prime Rib (real Prime Rib)
Apps included shrimp cocktail, veggies,
What soup do you serve for Christmas.
We'll be serving lobster bisque before the prime rib, as a starter. This is a very leisurley dinner, may take 2+ hours for six guests, but very traditional.
Christmas dinner menu
OK, here we go with the Christmas Dinner menus.
We are expect to nbe hosting 15 -20 for Christmas Eve "Snackies". Not a problem.
But for Christmas Day, Critique our menu! Can we do better?
Apps:
Brainerd, MN, restaurants
damissus and I are planning to stay a few nights in the Brainerd, MN, -Gull Lake area later this month.
Any Chowish places we should not miss.
It's been around 12 years since our last visit, and we know a lot has changed since then.
Any recent recs?
Thx!
Help for recipe
I think it was 35 - 40 years ago I attended a convention in Charleston, SC. The highlight for this CH was an evening dinner with a pot of ???????. Included were shrimp, sweet corn,sausage, fish, potatoes, rice and ????????
Sorry, but I didn't get the name of the dish. It was prepared and served by employees of Carolina P & L.
Gee! It was good What was it called? And where can I find a recipe?
AZGrandpa
