seagrace's Profile
Aspartame? Does anyone else enjoy it?
I grew up with my mother sharing stories about WWII and being occupied by the Germans. They had to eat saccharine and margarine because there was no sugar or oil (or much of anything by the end of the war) and they were terribly hungry. She has never understood why people would eat "ersatz" when they could choose to eat real food--good food.
Personally, I don't believe any of the fake sweeteners are "ok" for our health. They taste bad for a reason. Everything in our world is so polluted that you can't avoid being poisoned by something in the air, water or food, but I'm trying not to hasten the cancer along by eating crap.
Bring on the sugar, honey, chocolate, butter, cream and wine. (Moderately.)
Wow, peas! Now what?
My snap peas rarely make it into the house from the garden, I just munch the entire pod and peas in the garden. But I like shelling peas fresh sprinkled on a salad. More starchy ones are lovely blanched and turned into a lovely pea dip with mint or a wonderful pea and mint soup with cream. I find fresh mint an essential ingredient with peas. If I have access to a lot of them I add them to my tabbouleh or lasagna.
trip report- griffith park, laguna beach, Santa Monica, Disneyland,
Well I did appreciate the helpful advice! (-: I had a great time. I often miss So. Cal very much. snif
trip report- griffith park, laguna beach, Santa Monica, Disneyland,
Thanks for the suggestions a couple weeks ago for some helpful dining hints from one end of LA to another in Orange County. Although my dining preferences were largely hijacked by things out of my control (non-foodie hub, other people) I still had some luck.
A suggestion for Canele near Griffith Park, from two years ago, yielded a great dinner then and another last week. I'd be a regular if I lived nearby. The non-foodie non-leaf-eating partner scooped up his grapefruit and mint salad and his bistro steak. I was lucky recipient of the potatoes (divinely greasy and tasty...mmmm). My shrimp salad and burrata with cauliflower and currants were perfect. A helpful chef explained some potato food science to me with a suggested book, On Food and Cooking. I'll return next time I'm in town.
Thai Nakorn in Garden Grove was OK. The folks working there were super nice however and the lights were very bright! So at least I could see the menu! (-: A post Disneyland dinner at 9:15pm on a Monday doesn't offer a lot of dining options. It was fine.
We visited the Getty Museum above Santa Monica, and I was very pleasantly surprised at the food. There were three options of dining (cafe to full service) so we chose the mid-range cafeteria style. There were quite a few options for vegetarians and non. I had a lovely side of tasty warm beets for $1.95, a southwest tofu sandwich and a light potato leek soup. No need to fear museum food! The cost was very reasonable.
On our way to the car we blew by Pourtal (litterly, the winds were crazy). I loved this little place with their fancy wine dispensing units and ability to buy tastes of wine normally out of my price range. We enjoyed a couple drinks, more Burrata and Kobi dog apps and a nice chat with the wine buyer.
While in Laguna Beach I was able to get the hub to stop in for a snack at Cafe Zinc. What a charming little place! It must be a goldmine because it was almost full at 11:15am. On a Wednesday. We shared a highly tasty Composed Salad of egg salad, beets and fennel salad with some crostini and brie. I would have loved to have had my main lunch there as their vegetarian menu looked great, but guests we were meeting had made a res at Las Brisas where "you pay for the view." I feel, for the cost, we could have eaten far better elsewhere. I would gladly return to Laguna Beach--just not that restaurant unless I was sloshing happy hour margaritas on their deck. (-:
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Canele
3219 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039
Getty Center
1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049
Pourtal Wine Tasting Bar
104 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA
Cafe Zinc & Market
344 Ocean Ave, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Griffith Park, Laguna Beach and Disneyland area ideas? Help!
OMG. What a brilliant idea! My plan is to go directly to Griffith Park tomorrow afternoon after we arrive (staying in Anaheim) so a pit stop at Farmer's Market for a drink/snack/people watching before the Observatory is a terrific idea. Thanks!
Griffith Park, Laguna Beach and Disneyland area ideas? Help!
That's right. (-: Seattle, land of many coffees, microbrews and mountains. (I do miss my homeland of So Cal though.) The food scene here isn't so bad anymore.
Thank you for the ideas! Break of Dawn sounds fantastic, although a bit off the beaten track of Laguna Beach. But hey we have a car. The hub would love McCormick and Schmicks, but I'm sticking to more local stuff. 230 Forest sound like a total winner. I'll read up on the suggested list and go from there.
And I'll report back. Thanks!
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Break of Dawn
24351 Avenida De La Carlota Ste N6, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Griffith Park, Laguna Beach and Disneyland area ideas? Help!
Hello,
The hub and I will be arriving this Sunday evening 5/9 staying through 5/12 to visit Disneyland, Laguna Beach and Griffith Park areas. I've perused this board for a couple days for restaurant ideas, but I'm overwhelmed with ideas, geography and our acute differences in eating styles! (Makes dining out very difficult at times.)
Any referrals to *already established lists* or recommendations are very very much appreciated. Help!
I'm a wine loving vegetarian-leaning food lover. He's likes old standards such as spaghetti and meat sauce, BBQ or thai food. OK he does like beets and spinach. And sushi. But that's about it. (-: He is NOT cheap which has saved me in the past and doesn't even mind spending money on "snooty" food if he really enjoys it, which happens on occasion. I did use this board successfully two years ago when I was on my own, and loved AOC, Canele and Real Food Daily.
I'd love some ideas for good mid-range restaurants, even California small chains, that would make the non foodie and upscale eater (me) happy, but without an menu full of truffle oil or confit. Actually he loves duck.
We'll by staying right by Disneyland for a couple nights, visiting Laguna Beach for a day and going out to Griffith Park to see the observatory.
Thank you thank you.
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AOC
8022 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Canele
3219 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039
Real Food Daily
414 N La Cienega Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90048
Help! -- restaurant for wedding reception?
Cascadia,
What is your per person food and bev limit? A "really great restaurant" will certainly help make for a great party, but can be very price unless that restaurant serves BBQ or pizza (which could be great fun). What are the restrictions by catering companies that you're referring to?
Keep in mind that, unless your guest list entirely consists of chefs, restaurant critics and foodies, your guests will be there to celebrate you and your marriage--not to dine on the finest meal available. With a guest list of only 75, you should be able to have some latitude on where to have this.
All that being said, Ponti Seafood Grill by the Fremont Bridge could accommodate your 75 person sit down dinner in their restaurant. It would be expensive but probably very good. It's also not far from Gasworks Park, and it's a nice place. Let us know what you learn. Trying to create a wedding that is outside of the typical packaged deal is difficult.
Dinner in Back Bay? What is reasonably priced?
Thanks for the suggestions, especially the parking suggestion.
I heard from one of the relatives that the south end was the place to go for good food, so we'll be hitting that area at least once or twice while there. I'll start searching. (I'm ready for Ethiopian, yum.)
Coda seems like it might be a safe choice for the family dinner, although if they're willing to walk a mile we still may wander further away.
thanks!
Dinner in Back Bay? What is reasonably priced?
We're in Boston for a long weekend conference and having relatives from a nearby town join us for dinner Friday night. I've read some of the posts on restaurants, but not knowing Boston's layout in the least I'm having trouble fishing through all the great ideas and where they are.
Are there any suggestions for some good places in Back Bay that do not charge a fortune and close to our hotel? We're staying at the Westin Copley Square and hope the people driving in could park in the hotel parking (I know there's a fee) and we could walk somewhere. Items like seafood, lobster and chowder are not absolutely necessary.
I hear Boston is expensive, so "not costing a fortune" is...$40 pp? Too cheap?
On a separate note, I will be on my own for a couple weekday lunches and playing tourist in Boston. I'd love to choose my touristy locale based on someplace that serves fresh, tasty vegetarian foods. (Hint: I love anything green.)
thanks!
sg
What to do with a huge bunch of tarragon?
Perhaps you could food process it with a small amount of olive oil (as in a pesto) and freeze it, then use it later in salad dressing?
Oysters in Seattle?
(-: Thanks for the shout out for Elliott's. My visitors are looking forward to it and the chowder too. I guess can't blame them. I've already eaten my lifetime supply of the stuff.
great ideas for 50th birthday dinner?
I ended up choosing Crow for the location, the reasonable food and wine prices and the chef's very friendly attitude and efforts with me and on the phone when I called asking about the menu (which had a error loading online).
I was very interested in a few others spots including Chez Gaudy which seems to be totally fun, but four of my guests are... well...rather solidly built men who would not appreciate being stuffed into cozy intimate table as I would. (-:
But all the other ideas sound delish. Thanks for the suggestions.
Perfect Brunch Spot for 20 in Seattle
Gosh, for twenty people I'd try someplace with a buffet. That way everyone gets what they want, the wait for food isn't long and no one feels bad while a loved one has to eat their over easys cooked hard. Buffets also seem (imho) more fun for a large party because you can easily mingle instead of being stuck in your seat.
What are some of the best places to eat on Broadway (Seattle)?
Forgot to say, Queen of Sheba is Ethiopian. Very tasty. I recall slow service, but the veg platter delish.
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Bleu Bistro
202 Broadway E, Seattle, WA 98102
Queen Sheba
916 E John St, Seattle, WA 98102
What are some of the best places to eat on Broadway (Seattle)?
I've enjoyed Queen of Sheba on John, just off Broadway and Bleu Bistro (also owners of Chez Gaudy).
Oysters in Seattle?
Thanks! Maybe Elliott's will be a good happy hour spot before an 8pm dinner. I know the Brooklyn is an oyster house, but I'm afraid I'll ruin their budget.
Oysters in Seattle?
I've got four relatives coming up from Phoenix in a couple weeks for a whirlwind three day visit. I've been commanded to take us to a place with oysters, but that also doesn't break the budget--I know hard to do. Oysters are wasted on me, and the only suggestions I've received are Elliott's and Flying Fish.
Truly, there are no foodies in this group, although they range in age and tastes. Still, l want them to experience my city bring them to spots that blend local Seattle with good food and possibly a view--at least some balance in all that. So it may be Lowell's for breakfast and Etta's for brunch, Matt's and Redhook Woodinville for lunch, Space Needle for drinks/view (really can't skip the Needle but wont eat there), Pink Door for dinner, Stumptown for coffee etc. But I'm digressing.
thanks!
21st birthday party restaurant suggestions (Seattle or surrounding areas)
Crow on lower Queen Anne may work for your group and budget.
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Crow Restaurant & Bar
823 5th Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Where to go with a picky eater? (SEA)
I am also not a fan of Quinn's food and found the items to be a bit greasy and overly seasoned. It's also way too much meat with barely a vegetarian or simply healthy option. I would go there for a drink though. On the other hand I just love Restaurant Zoe.
great ideas for 50th birthday dinner?
I live here and really ought to know where would be a great spot for a 50th birthday dinner, but I'm at a loss. Obviously I need to eat out more. A lot more.
Would appreciate feedback on someplace lively but not too too loud (ala Black Bottle), good food but not $100 per person. There will only be 6-7 of us. (We went to Pink Door last year which was about right.) Good vegetarian options are important as are decent service. (I'm an ex-server and, in my case, great food doesn't make up for horrible service, especially for a special occasion.)
Thanks in advance and thank you to those who made suggestions for spots for the four out of towners from the Southwest (who are here the following week). Good dining locales for locals vs. out-of-town non-foodies can be quite different.
Some suggestions made already. I haven't been to any recently.
Thanks in advance.
Matts in the Market
Café Flora
Sitka & Spruce
The Corson Building
How To Cook a Wolf
Crush
The Harvest Vine
Lark
Spinasse
50th birthday dinner with southwesterners?
We have four women (24 to 52 yo) coming up from Phoenix last weekend of May. One night is reserved for oysters and clam chower, another for a 50th birthday celebration--plus there will be other locals joining us at some point. Last day is for brunch.
Obviously I don't get out enough lately, so I'd appreciate any suggestions outside of Elliotts for oysters and chowder and the Pink Door for dinner. (although I do like the PD). We recently went to some bowling alley in Bellevue that was kind of fun, although I probably lean more towards The Garage. (Where they live is a lot like the eastside but with tons of restaurants.)
Classic Seattle stuff is important such as views and good food. Plus we need Fun! with lots of lively people. (That means the Space Needle for the view and maybe drinks but not the food, unless anything has changed recently.) We're in Seattle, but downtown to Kirkland is all in the range of possibility. Unfortunately anything on a boat isn't possible due to seasickness. Sigh.
thanks in advance!
Where to find vinegar mother in Seattle?
this photo may be better, although it's kind of creepy looking
Where to find vinegar mother in Seattle?
I don't know where to buy locally, but my father in law gave me a bottle of "mother" some time ago. I've been adding wine to it, leaving it in my cupboard, and now it seems as if I've created some kind of a science experiment. I have layers of mothers in this bottle and I cannot possibly use that much vinegar in my life. Does one just use the liquid as the mother?
You would be welcome to have some of mine. I uploaded a photo.
Holiday Party - Want to avoid serving red wine
Gosh, it's your party, and you can do whatever you want to, however I'd be taken aback if I was invited to a large holiday party and there was no red wine. If you're inviting your employees, then they'll have to deal with it and smile I suppose. Or, if you know your guests are mostly soda or domestic beer drinkers, you could probably get past it with just punch.
But if you have any foodie friends, and I assume you do since we're meeting on this website, then you'll have wine drinkers. And they will be red wine drinkers. White wine will not do. (I agree with Carswell.) Besides, people bring wine to parties, even if they're told not to, and it's mostly red wine. If you don't have any open, they'll find your wine opener and you know where that will go.
If you're going to have sixty people at a party, you'll have end up having a few crumbs and spills here and there. Hopefully people will be careful. Perhaps if you're very concerned about stains you could lean towards more wine-proofing measures. Offer wine glasses without stems, which avoid spillage. If you have light colored furniture, find some festive throws to put on them (in red). Otherwise, just buy some Capture and enjoy your party!
Tentura?
My father in law was enamored of this Greek drink on a recent visit. He found a recipe and has made it and it's rather good! A great digestif.
I'm curious if anyone has tried this and knows if you can get it in the states, or if anyone else has a recipe (for comparison). His recipe vaguely tastes like Red Hots candy, however with less sugar, more complicated flavors and no food coloring. Hmm, I guess the only thing they have in common is the cinnamon.
His recipe uses Vodka, sugar, cinnamon, clove and vanilla. No fruit. It was excellent post-Thanksgiving dinner.
Any ideas?
Thanks
wedding cake recommendations? Seattle
Hmphr. I'm reading good and bad things about Morfey's. I may check them out though. I thought they were like Borrachini's, which I recall from years ago being pretty cheap--uninteresting flavor/too sweet frosting. I'm bummed Macrina's wedding cake baker is not available that week. Renaissance Bakery is under consideration too. I'll definitely report back on this topic. Thanks for the ideas.
wedding cake recommendations? Seattle
Thank you all! I'll look into all those suggestions.
First time in Seattle 11/20-11/23 - salumi, organic, wine, sushi, other good recs?
Welcome to Seattle. Pike Place Market will be an enjoyable visit for you and you'll be able to find a lot of little gift shops and a great wine shop there as well. Matt's in the Market gets high praise if you're dining in the market. For sushi, Maneki in the International District (ID) is very good. I'm a fan of Vietnamese food, and Greenleaf, very close to Maneki is also very good. Stop by the Wing Luke museum while you are there. The ID is not a touristy sort of place, but I love it as it feels "real," plus has great food and fun karaoke, if that is your sort of thing. You don't necessarily have to cab it to the ID if going during the daytime. The bus tunnel will drop you off at the ID bus tunnel. There are a few buses that will probably work too, although if it's raining hard or later at night, a cab is the way to go. http://transit.metrokc.gov/tops/tunnel/tunnel-stations.html
I understand it's supposed to be rainy the next few days, so bring your rain clothes and shoes. Rain isn't bad here at all as long as you're dressed right. You'll feel very native dripping wet and walking on the wet floor at PP Market. Don't forget your bumbershoot. (-:
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Matt's In the Market
94 Pike St Ste 32, Seattle, WA 98101
Green Leaf Rstrnt Vietnamese
418 8th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104
Maneki Restaurant
304 6th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98104
wedding cake recommendations? Seattle
I called them, but I don't think they make wedding cakes anymore. We probably need to go with someone who does these on a regular basis. Thanks for the idea though.
