gypsy's Profile
Best affordable food in D.C.?
ah, i love chowhound for tips like THIS, thanks Steve!!
Bangane on Northern and 165th
i ate here tonight and loved the place! i wanted something light and ordered the dumpling soup and it was perfect - 4 delcious handmade dumplings (could not identify the filling, i thought it might be marinated goat and veggies), and those flat rice discs in a light milk-colored broth. it was very subtle and tasty. what i ordered and what i saw on other tables was healthy hearty simple food, prepared with care.
i can't wait to go back and try the goat!
i love kimchee, crave it often, and theirs was outstanding.
i stopped because i liked the look of the place, it was filled with koreans who all seemed to be enjoying themselves. the interior is very cozy, with lots of wood and plants, hefty tables spaced well apart and more low wooden tables on platforms where you sit on cushions. i really liked the atmosphere, and the short, inexpensive menu with english descriptions!
be prepared for limited english if any, just point to the menu and enjoy!
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Bangane
165-19 Northern Blvd, Queens, NY 11358
Incredible Cookies from Lousy Ingredients and Pedestrian Recipe
this thread also makes me think about how my italian grandmother cooked, everything seemed so effortless and casual when she worked her magic, and the results were always pure joy!
Incredible Cookies from Lousy Ingredients and Pedestrian Recipe
don't dismiss repetition so quickly, i agree it's not the whole story but i do think it's a BIG part of that rare juju you seek out.
i worked in a kitchen for a brief moment... there were a few recipes that i had a knack with from the start, and so those were the things I was asked to make most frequently. of course i got better and faster and more confident with those those recipes, until they seemed to take the least effort.
and those were also the dishes that gained the most compliments, and i would happily hear raves like 'my (---) always came out the best'.
practice is part of any art.
Incredible Cookies from Lousy Ingredients and Pedestrian Recipe
cooking is an art, as well as a science
Project: Long Island Coffeehouse map
This is really great, but the link does not work for me, it opens as a download.
Any one else have this problem??
jelly roll, jelly roll....
i love the classic, sponge cake and jelly
looking for some creative twists
chocolate sponge and whipped cream?
nutella and vanilla sponge??
here's a good basic recipe to start with:
http://www.asimplehomecook.com/moms-jelly-roll/#comment-978
Not using tin foil and plastic wrap
My mother would clean & fold tinfoil and put it in a drawer to reuse, along with the folded plastic bags. I do the same but not as neatly! She would also take the cotton from new vitamin bottles (remember when they did that?) and add them to her cotton jar in the bathroom. Her cotton jar smelled like vitamins.
It drives me nuts how so many people throw away plastic shopping bags then buy boxes of new trash bags. I use canvas grocery bags as often as I can but still end up with enough plastic ones to use for trash.
Looking for a good date spot in Albany area
Cool, I didn't know Ric opened an Albany location! That's been one of my favorite woodstock-area restaurants for many many years.
a tiny new authentic Moroccan in Albany - YUM!!!!
Arriving in Albany hungry tonight I came upon this 6-month-young restaurant on Central Avenue just west of Lark Street. Everything I ordered was right on the money, and I must add here that I have visited Morocco twice and remain haunted by the unique flavors of that country.
To start they offer you a few pieces of that ubiquitous disc-shaped rustic Moroccan bread, I don't remember what it's called but I love its simplicity. They offer the bread with a tiny bowl of soup that reminded me of the wonderful butterbean soup of Fes (but this one was blander but lovely).
I ordered the yummy and complexly spiced carrot salad "Charmola" in spite of the owners' recommendation of the Cherifiya salad (next time!), and a bowl of Harria soup. The Harria is described as "tomato based" but don't expect tomato soup - this is a satisfying lentil/chickpea/tomato/pasta soup spiced with those indescribable moroccan spices.
I took a leap of faith and ordered the chicken bastilla ($8) and am SO glad I did. This adorable appetizer-sized bastilla was delicious and right on the money - I cannot describe adequately this piece of Moroccan culinary genius - but if the sound of a sweet chicken-pot-pie loaded with unique spices and topped with sugar and cinnamon sounds strange - trust me it not only works but is the kind of thing that haunts you years after tasting it!!
This tiny hole-in-the wall space is run by a brother and sister (sorry I forgot their names!). They give the room some character with Moroccan knick-knacks and some hot Gnawan music (sounded like Hassan Hakmoun for the most part when I was there). Top quality chow in a very low budget but friendly and spirited setting, My kind of joint!!
Everything on the menu is so inexpensive and the portions are not huge so I recommend ordering a few appetizers and salads and try lots of things that appeal to you. I did not try the tagines or couscous but what I saw on other tables looked yummy. The lamb was served as a huge drumstick which looked delish to me but might be intimidating to others.
If I lived near Albany I would be dining here a few times a week to try everything on the menu!
But I don't so I can't so all I can do is hope that this little gem will still be here next time I pass through. And towards that end I post this rave on Chowhound so those of you that do live in the Albany area can keep these people cooking.
Casablanca Moroccan Restaurant
14 Central Avenue Albany
518-463-1111
11 am - 9 pm
Closed on Sundays and Mondays
Oh, and they have a "breakfast" section on the menu that I would love to try with some Moroccan coffee!!
Best Butcher in NYC?
I love the calling ahead idea tip because I am usually in my car too.
I've learned so much on this site from you guys I'm so happy to finally return the favor!
Shake Shack Fries Suck Horribly
Me 3. Love 'em!! Crispy outside, melt in your mouth inside, never greasy.
Best Butcher in NYC?
There is a fantastic butcher in East Harlem that would be convenient for you. I don't know the name but they are on 110th street between Park and Lexington, a half block west of the 110th Street #6 subway stop.
There is always a line, it smells fresh and wonderful in there and it's a bargain. I go there for their house made chorizo, fresh chickens, fresh ground beef ($2/lb) and frozen lamb for stew. Spanish is helpful but not necessary. It's the sort of place that makes me wish I knew more about meat!
I have no idea if they slaughter, but the chickens probably yes.
My Amsterdam Recs
If you are searching for "Von Dobbin" and cannot find any reference to it, the correct name is "Eetsalon Van Dobben" and the address is Korte Reguliersdwarsstraat 5-9.
New World Home Cooking, Woodstock, NY
New World was a gem 10 years ago when they were in that little stone building in Zena. Now it's tired. But a good spot to sit at the bar and have a drink and a bite on when I'm in the area on a weeknight. I don't go near there on weekends any more. Better chow happening in Saugerties these days.
moving to the ues
Welcome to the 'hood! It's pretty barren chow-wise here, I'm on 88/3rd.
I really like Michelle's Kitchen for quality take out (3rd Ave around 90-91?).
Schaller and Weber (2nd Ave 85/86th) for sausage.
Wu Liang Ye (86th 2nd/3rd) is fancy above average Sichuan.
Of course, there's always Papaya King for down and dirty dogs!
I agree that Agata and Citarella are the best markets, Vinegar Factory is good for amusement. I like to go in there and laugh loudly at the prices on their precious produce..
I'm hoping the food gods will shine on us and bring Whole Foods or Garden of Eden to one of the new buildings on 86th. Pray with me!!
Cod casserole, kinda Catalán
This reminds me of one of my favorite comfort meals that involves just cod and potatoes - it's a Mark Bittman recipe.
Following are his quantities, I think I use fewer potatoes but this is NOT a recipe that needs exact measurements:
Peel 4-5 potatoes and slice them 1/8" thin on a mandoline.
Toss in a baking pan with olive oil or melted butter (4 T ), salt and pepper.
Spread potatoes evenly in the baking pan, bake at 400 degrees for about 40 minutes.
When the potatoes are tender and just starting to brown, remove from oven.
Place 1 1/2 pounds of cod fillets on top of the potatoes, drizzle a bit more oil on top and a bit more salt/pepper.
Broil 6-10 minutes until the fish is cooked, keeping a close eye on it so the potatoes don't burn.
It's so simple but yummy, the creaminess of the potatoes and cod, slight black pepper bite, plus the crunchiness of the browned parts of the potatoes (which I like to let almost burn).
Paprika is a really good addition, next time I will try some of your other ingredients to give it a bit of a Catalan vibe.
Best cubano Manhattan
Is La Flor really back??
You made my day!
Their cubano was the real deal, with pickles and garlic, grilled flat and concentrated, almost crunchy on the outside, meaty and gooey on the inside.
I loved standing at the counter with a cup of their killer coffee!
Food directed trip in Morocco
I loved Fes! Granted I'm a New Yorker who can have some fun in the hustle of the medina, but it is an ancient amazing place, almost it's own microcosm. Beautiful handicrafts. I can understand how many people can be turned off by the hard sell pressure (use a guide), but I wandered the medina by myelf many times and had a blast.
Woman traveling alone in Morocco
Essaouria is the easiest, there are plenty of cafes and small restaurants in the medina where you can have a comfortable meal by yourself. I'm trying to remember a homey little place my guide took me to for tagine, there was a moroccan woman dining by herself - the only time I ever saw that on my 2 trips to the country! But in essaouria you can comfortably sit in any of the cafes, it's mostly tourists, in other cities in morocco the cafes are the domain of men (but if that's the case look for a cafe with an upstairs - you will sometimes find women hanging out there).
You will also be comfortable by yourself in many places in Casablanca - it's not very touristy but more because it's a big city. I spent a few evenings soaking up the scenes in outdoor cafes and was quite comfortable.
Street food is always an excellent option. Look for the amazing garlic/butterbean soup (2nd photo) and grilled meats in fes, homemade doughnuts, amazing cheap bread everywhere. The stalls in the main square in Marrakech is famous (1st photo), and you can have some wonderful food here (look for stalls filled with locals, not where they are pressuring you to sit down) but I was not comfortable hanging around there by myself as it got late.
Dress conservatively. My first trip was in the summer and I wore what I thought were very conservative, loose fitting t-shirts, but my bare arms attracted a bizarre amount of attention in Fes (the most conservative city on you list). I bought some shawls and covered my arms, it made a huge difference. The only place you will feel comfortable with some skin showing in public is essaouria. DO go to the hammans - especially the ones where the locals go - you can really bond with the women here they will be fascinated with you.
Have a great trip, I love morocco, need to get back soon!
Road to Marakesh (Morocco) in March
In Fes check out Riad Ghita for both a beautiful, intimate place to stay within the medina and amazing food - my best moroccan meals were here.
As others have mentioned, moroccans don't go out for moroccan food but the riads offer a good second best to being invited to someone's home for a meal.
Unfortunately I stayed at soulless hotels on both my trips to Marrakech, but there is excellent street food to be had in the main square especially as the sun goes down. I found myself not wanting to eat anything all day, just waiting for the action to begin in the square!
Try to get into the High Atlas mountains, an easy day trip from Marrakech or stay over night. Also I would suggest skipping Rabat and seeing Essouria instead, or spend more time in amazing Fes! I know a good moroccan guide if you need one.
Naruto Ramen?
Naruto reminds me of the basic ramen "joints" that sustained me when I visited Japan, in taste, smell and atmosphere (or lack of). I agree with the other posters that the toppings could be better. The corn was my surprise favorite - its' sweetness is a nice foil to the curry soup. The roast pork is uneven, sometimes it's on and sometimes it's tough.
This is definitely UES side prices for a bowl of noodles in broth - expect to put down 10 bucks after tax and tip.
I hope they do well, it's a welcome addition to the 'hood. The number of Japanese customers I see in there whenever I pass by is a good sign.
Travel-Culinary publisher leaving for Morocco
I was in Fes in June and the Riad I stayed in served really exceptional food (it is also a lovely riad) - Riad Ghita in R'cif. They are in the medina but easy to find. It felt like home cooking. Their b'stilla was the one of the best meals I have ever experienced. I believe it's a Fes specialty (sort of a chicken pie in a flaky dough with wonderful spicing). I'm not sure if they serve non-guests, but I highly recommend trying. Ask for Samira.
http://www.riadghita.com/eng/index.htm
I had a fun experience eating home made doughnuts from a stall in Rabat, tied together with a strip of palm leaf. Greasy but definately a better quality grease than we are accustomed to! Worth the wait if you stumble across them. Ditto to the other breakfast choices mentioned above, those fluffy crepes with fresh wild honey and juice and coffee is a great way to start the day, yum! Riad Ghita served 2 different honeys with breakfast, several breads, juice, yogurt, olives and an egg. I love they way they eat in Morocco.
I found that wine and beer was available in all the restaurants and riads where I had meals. The local red wine is inexpensive and very enjoyable, the local beers are very light and just OK.
I am going to Marrakech in a month so I hope you get some more recommendations for that great city!
Coffee places with free wireless internet access?
The name of this place escapes me at this moment, on the UES on First Ave between 87th and 88th there's a little japanese place that brews excellent coffee, makes those yummy japanese cream puff pastry thingies AND offers free wi-fi.
Definitely makes the 'hood alot less awful.
E-mo: Kimbap made to order -- A review
I love the mushroom, the ham and cheese (wierd but good) and the beef kimbaps but was disappointed in the kimchee. It doesn't seem to hit my kimchee craving buttons, it tastes like a bland veggie roll (KoFoo makes a killer kimchee kimbap!). But the others are great - especially the mushroom. They use a meaty tasting mushroom that is marinated in something yummy.
When did you discover you were a Chowhound?
From traveling -- when I plan a trip I spend just as much time researching the places I want to eat in as what I want to see. I think I had an 'aha' moment in Japan when I realised that going far out of my way for great food is so worth it! Now I accept it and admit that I want to go to Thailand just for the food and Queens is the best borough in NYC because of the great chow.
SNAP in the Wantagh area -- anyone have info?
see previous post:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/show/324644?user_name=&query=snaps#
