ViolentScarlet's Profile
Anywhere in the DC/Bmore area that's like Amsterdam Falafelshop but with Meat?
Where I used to live, there was a pita place with a toppings bar similar to Amsterdam Falafelshop in Adams Morgan, but you could get chicken or lamb shawarma as the main ingredient instead of just falafel. Is there anywhere like this in the metro area? I love the toppings bar and the whole notion of Amsterdam, but I'm not wild about falafel - it's more about putting up with the falafel in order to get the rest of it, and if I could have meat instead I'd be thrilled.
How To Store Macarons (Macaroons) For Maximum Length Freshness?
I'm looking for tips on how to keep macarons fresh, or at least fresh enough that they're not unpalatable, for the longest possible time. I already figured that transferring them to a tupperware or pyrex right after getting home makes sense as they're more airtight. The only two things I can think of that might help are:
1) putting a piece of bread in the tupperware with them. This works pretty well with cookies to keep them soft and chewy but not sure if the same principle would apply to macarons. Anyone know?
2) putting them in tupperware wrapped in foil then freezing them. Again, I know this works ok with cupcakes and cookies, but not sure about macarons?
How to make an egg patty?
Does anyone have any tips on how to make an egg patty, like basically scrambled egg but in patty form like they put on breakfast sandwiches? I know they sell rings for this purpose, but does anyone know how to make them without a ring?
Favorite Frozen Food?
I know most chowhounders, including myself, prefer to actually cook meals with fresh ingredients, but sometimes we're too tired or busy to do anything but stick a frozen meal in the microwave or toaster oven. I was just wondering what people's favorite frozen foods are, in hopes of finding some hidden gems!
I'll start:
*Trader Joe's Mildly Spiced Vegetable Burritos
*Lean Cuisine Butternut Squash Ravioli (surprisingly tasty given it's lo-cal nature)
*Babu's Pocket Sandwiches in Palak Paneer (these are basically Indian hot pockets and can be found at most Indian grocery stores)
Secret to Peeling Roasted Beets?
I love roasted beets and I've made them several times but always have loads of trouble at the peeling process. I've tried peeling them several different times and ways: before roasting, after they're cold and refrigerated, right after they're warm enough to touch, with my bare hands, rubbing with a paper towel, rubbing them with olive oil before roasting, and so on, but I can never get them to peel easily. I always end up taking off more of the actual beet than I want or only being able to peel off a tiny bit at a time and the rubbing thing doesn't seem to work for me. And when I peel them pre-roasting they just don't taste as good.
Does anyone have any tips or tricks as to how to get beets to peel easier? I've tried eating them with the peel on and it's just not as good to me that way.
Been To Vegas Several Times - ISO New High-End But Not Crazy Pricey Dinner?
I've actually been to both Lotus of Siam and Firefly, just didn't mention them bc they're more casual places.
Clementine Reduction/Sauce?
We recently bought a huge bag of clementines and have only been able to eat about half before they started to go moldy a day or two ago. Don't want to toss out the non-moldy ones but definitely can't eat that many and don't want to make a clementine cake, so am thinking about making a simply reduction/sauce of clementine to spoon over yogurt, cheesecake, etc. Couldn't find any recipes on the net (only recipes for marmalade). Can I improvise this by basically just combining a little zest from the peels, de-seeding them, and cooking on stove with a bit of sugar and water, maybe some lemon juice? Do I need to remove the inner skin which holds the individual pieces, or only the outer peel?
Been To Vegas Several Times - ISO New High-End But Not Crazy Pricey Dinner?
We've been to Vegas many times and have visited many of the well-received fancy/expensive restaurants. This time, I'm looking for somewhere that's in the $50-100 pp range incl. tips, so unfortunately no Joel Robuchon unless we win big.
Here are the nicer places we've already been: L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, Guy Savoy, e by Jose Andres, Alize, Picasso, Nobhill, rm seafood, Raku, Bouchon, Charlie Palmer.
The places I'm thinking of that fit the bill for the upcoming trip are Sage, The Barrymore, First, Julian Serrano.
Any recommendations for the places I've mentioned, or any other ideas in the price range? Open cuisine-wise...Italian, French, small plates, steak, whatever. And with Sage's $79 prix fixe menu, do they give little extras like amuse bouches, palate cleansers, or mignardises or is it just the four courses?
No Time To Brine - Should I buy a store brined turkey, a kosher turkey, or regular and just not brine it?
I'm going to be coming in from out of town but will still have to prepare a turkey so I'm not going to have time to brine it. Whole Foods sells pre-brined turkey - should I just go with that, or should I go with a kosher turkey (probably from Whole Foods as well), which I understand has gone through something similar to a brining process? I have heard kosher turkey takes extra prep though because they're not completely plucked, etc. Or should I just forget about the brining process and just clean it and stick it in the oven?
Where to buy ready-to-cook whole turkey in Columbus OH area?
When I say seasoned I mean ones that are basically ready to stick in the oven without having to do anything, or at most a few minutes worth of extra prep. So yes, should already be brined, and the aromatics or veggies to stick under, if there are any, should already be prepped. And if there are herbs to go on the turkey, should already be on there or in a little packet so we can easily just rub it on the turkey before putting in the oven. We just don't have time to do all the prep work since we're coming in from out of town is all, but we don't want to buy a cooked turkey either.
Where to buy ready-to-cook whole turkey in Columbus OH area?
I'm driving to Columbus from DC for Thanksgiving and my DH and I are on meal-cooking duty for the holiday. I don't think we're going to have time to wash, season, and otherwise prepare the turkey but don't want to buy it pre-cooked either. Is there anywhere besides Whole Foods that sells a good, pre-seasoned but still raw turkey that we can just stick in the oven?
Where to buy ready-to-eat (canned, bottled, refrigerated, etc.) Japanese ramen-style bamboo shoots in area?
Is there anywhere in the area that sells the kind of bamboo shoots you find in a good ramen or as a good side/appetizer at a Japanese restaurant, but ready-to-eat instead of raw? The only kind I've seen in grocery stores are the typical Chinese stir-fry canned bamboo shoots that are about the size and shape of a piece of stick gum and don't taste nearly as good. I realize that the best course is to make it myself but really just want to be have it pre-cooked so I can throw it into bowls of ramen at home. I'm fine with canned, bottled, refrigerated in a plastic container, anything really. And if there really is no way to buy this kind of bamboo shoot pre-cooked, what kind of bamboo would I need to use to cook it myself for use in ramen? I suspect it may be different than the kind of bamboo you use in Chinese stir-fry cooking but am not sure.
Much appreciated!
Anywhere to get Cold Pressed Juice in the area?
Is there anywhere to buy cold pressed juice in the area? I've been reading about it and know it's becoming a trend in NY and LA. Would like to try it but not sure if there's anywhere in the area to get it. I heard Fruit Bat might have it but I was hoping for somewhere a little less bar-like.
Restaurant/Bars with Individual TVs per booth?
Does anyone know of any restaurant/bars that have individual TVs at a lot of the booths or seating areas? I know Caddie's in Bethesda and Public in DC do, but not sure of others. It has to be somewhere with food also, as we would like to have lunch and catch a certain game this weekend. Anywhere within the beltway is fine. Thanks!
Chocolate (or White Chocolate) Cherry Cheesecake recipe?
I'm looking for a recipe for a chocolate cherry cheesecake or white chocolate cherry cheesecake. All the ones I've found online unfortunately call for dried cherries, canned cherry pie filling, or no-bake. I'd like a recipe that involves baking the cheesecake and using fresh/frozen or at least really good jarred cherries (morello?). The chocolate part can be either in the crust or the cheesecake itself. Thanks!
Good Happy Hour Food Special NOT in Penn Quarter/Downtown/Georgetown?
What are the best happy hour or certain day of the week food specials not located in the aforementioned areas (Penn Quarter/downtown/Georgetown)? Particularly interested in Golden Triangle/Dupont/Adams Morgan/U St/Cleveland Park/Columbia Heights areas. I'm not talking about really crappy wings or nachos at places that are more bar than restaurant, but something more along the lines of the 1/2 price Tuesday apps at Black Squirrel or the happy hour food specials at PS7, $4 tapas at Jaleo, or even the sushi happy hour at Tono, which is not an amazing sushi spot but decent for the happy hour prices.
Thanks!
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PS7 Restaurant
777 I Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001
The Black Squirrel
2427 18th St NW, Washington, DC 20009
On the hunt for Doner Kebab (turkish/ spanish style)!
Sadly, I have to disagree. I really liked the people who work at /own Balkan Grill, and some of their dishes, like their burger and mucver, are pretty good. But I thought the doner/iskender there was rather dry and flavorless. I prefer the doner and iskender at Atillas in Arlington, though I think they might only have it on weekends. But it's still not going to be anywhere as good as the doner in Turkey (salivating just thinking about it) or even in NYC
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Atilla's
2705 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA 22204
Balkan Grill
5902 N Kings Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22303
Where to buy vegemite/marmite in DC area?
I actually have a followup question - I've had vegemite but not marmite, but have heard that they're similar. Do they taste pretty much the same? I like vegemite but it seems marmite is easier to find around here.
Where to buy vegemite/marmite in DC area?
Anyone know? I don't recall seeing it at Wegmans or World Market or anywhere like that. Thanks.
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World Market
8125 Wisconsin Ave Ste 1, Bethesda, MD 20814
Savory Flavored Ice Cream (or gelato, froyo, etc.) and other unusual "sweets"
I love savory ice cream and gelato flavors (like olive oil, gorgonzola, tomato basil) and am wondering where in Manhattan or Brooklyn is the best place to get them that isn't a restaurant. I know the laboratorio sometimes has savory flavors but they didn't when I went. I'm looking for a shop/bakery not a restaurant as I don't want to have a whole meal.
Also, any recs on other interesting/fun/unusual dessert-type foods or baked goods that aren't in restaurants? I know about Milk Bar but not really any others.
Delicious dining deals (pre-theater, weekday lunch, happy hour, etc.) at upscale places?
Am going to NYC next week sort of last minute and wondering what the best upscale dining deals in Manhattan (or Brooklyn) are. I'm talking pre-theater menus, weekday lunch specials, happy hour food specials, or anything of the sort that would be a good way to sample an upscale/expensive restaurant without having to pay the normal places. Something along the lines of the $20 lunch at Estiatorio Milos in Vegas, the lickity-split lunch menu at Restaurant Eve near DC or the great pre-theater prix fixe meals at Tosca and Marcels in DC (where I live).
Much thanks!
Eola or Marcels for a birthday dinner?
Well, we've been to most of the highly touted special occasion places in DC (CityZen, Citronelle, Komi, etc.) and we can't go somewhere in NoVa or MoCo bc we have plans in DC after dinner and don't want to drive, so it was basically narrowed down to those two places.
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Citronelle
3000 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
Komi
1509 17th St NW Ste 1, Washington, DC 20036
Eola or Marcels for a birthday dinner?
I'm taking my BF to a birthday dinner in a few weeks and have narrowed it down to Marcel's or Eola, but not sure which one to choose. The food looks great at both, and I think both have corkage fees (we'll probably bring our own wine).
If we went to Marcel's, we'd likely do the $58 pre-theatre menu, which I've read can leave one feeling less than full. Does anyone have experience with this/care to comment? Also, at Marcel's, jackets are required, right?
Does anyone know if either of these places do anything extra/special for birthdays?
Any advice on which to choose would be much appreciated - thanks!
Do you need reservations for Raku late night?
I've been to Raku before during normal business hours, and had made reservations those times. This time, we're thinking about trying to go once post-11pm - do you need a reservation for late night dining at Raku on the weekends, or can you just walk in after normal dining hours end?
Best Dishes to Order at Jaleo (non paella)
I haven't tried the sangria at the Vegas location but have been to the DC one a dozen times and the white sangria is very, very good even if you aren't normally a white wine person. As for dish recommendations, the jamon croquetas, the dates wrapped in bacon, and the wrinkled potatoes are all delicious.
Vegas with 20 yr olds
I second Burger Bar at Mandalay. Also another great idea for Mandalay is the Rick's Tasting Game ice cream platter at rm seafood. If you don't want to have a full meal at rm seafood, as it's a little fancy and expensive, you can just go to the lounge and have drinks and dessert, namely the Tasting Game which are smallish scoops of 16 flavors of ice cream/sorbet where you have to guess the flavors. It's not as cheesy as it sounds and is really fun/delicious and not too expensive.
Can you get food off the dining room menu at the lounge at Sage?
We're going to Vegas in a few weeks and already have a couple fancy dinner reservations, but want to try Sage because it's supposed to be great. So we were thinking of just eating in the lounge there for a more casual atmosphere, but wanted to know if you could order off both the lounge and dining room menus in the lounge or only the lounge menu. I know whether you can do that tends to differ from restaurant to restaurant.
Joel Robuchon or e by Jose Andres?
Going to Vegas in a few weeks and probably going to have one very expensive dinner ($200+ pp). Probably will do either Robuchon (not Atelier) or e but not sure which one is the better choice, or if there is a third choice which makes even more sense.
I've been to Atelier twice in Vegas and once in Tokyo, and I've been to minibar in DC thrice (I live there), so I'm not unfamiliar with either but not sure if that should have any bearing.
If we went to JR, we'd probably do the 6 course menu, which is comparable to the cost of e, though we might splurge on the 16 course if we do well, so I'm not sure if JR is worth it as much if we're not getting the 16 course. Also, I know there are 20 courses at e but they are tiny and I'm wondering if it will be enough food - for some reason, once at minibar I was stuffed about 3/4 the way through and another time I was still a little hungry at the end.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. We've already been to Guy Savoy, Alize, and Picasso so those would be off the table as third choices.
Thanks!
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Alize
4321 W Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89103
Korean eats in Annandale
Mandu doesn't really hold a candle to places like Vit Goel, Yechon, or Ara - definitely not worth making a trip for if you don't already live or work near there, but it will definitely do in a pinch. I live in DC and sometimes when it's just not convenient to go to Annandale and I'm craving Korean, Mandu suffices. It's also somewhat more trendy than the other places - lots of people go there for after-work sojutinis. I actually think Adam Express just about a mile away in Mt. Pleasant has the best Korean in DC proper and it's cheaper than Mandu, but Adam Express is a hole-in-the-wall, takeout kind of place, not somewhere you sit down and have a real dinner.
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Ara Restaurant
7137 Little River Tpke, Annandale, VA 22003
Anywhere within 40 min. of DC that sells Turkish Delight (lokum)?
They only had one type of Turkish Delight at the little grocery store next to Balkan Grill; I'm looking for somewhere that has a decent variety of Turkish Delight, not just pistachio or plain. I particularly enjoy rosewater, mastic, mint, and raspberry flavored lokum. Does Cenan's in Vienna have it?
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Balkan Grill
5902 N Kings Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22303
