Looking for any vegetarian/vegan type restaurant in the suburbs as I cannot travel into the city right now. Any suggestions helpful. Thanks

Hi, congratulations on your upcoming wedding! My husband and I were married in October at the Woodlands Inn and Resort. We had our rehearsal dinner there and enjoyed it but since we haven't been there in recent years I can't vouch for it now. I have heard good things about Cork Bar and restaurant from relatives in the area.

My husband and I went last year and we both agreed that something was off this year that we can't entirely put our finger on. I remember crowds last year and there were crowds this year but something was definitely different. I don't remember having to wait and elbow our way to the front of the food lines as much last year as we did this year and I didn't really want the food once we got up there. We circled the tents several times as I wanted to make sure that I didn't feel gyped and we decided that we would not be attending the grand tasting anymore. If we go at all to the fest it will be to one of the other events.

I agree. Went on Saturday-was looking forward to it as we had gone last year and had a great time. There should be instructions on how to behave at a food festival- not that anyone would really listen or read. The lines for the food were outrageous- there were loads of people who started at one end of the food tables and then just walked along the tables browsing. They would look and listen to what foods were being offered and then say no and stand there and wait until they could move forward to the next table and see what they had to offer. Or they would stand there and eat and discuss what they liked or didn't like with their friends. Grab a sample and get out! My husband watched a guy get a sample, eat it and then drop the sample cup on the ground and go up to the next table. He (this guy) then proceeded to step on my foot and elbow me out of the way to get at a sample. My husband and I would take turns waiting in a line- at one table he was waiting for a slider (chicken?) and a woman was at the table and grabbed a plate with the slider and started to eat it. Her friends were behind her and started saying "Hey, grab us some too" (which was fine) but then she said " Can't you wait for me to eat mine?" -so that's four people (five including my husband who was trying to get to the tray) all at the front of this line with a big crowd of people waiting behind them. There were several food tables we never got to the lines were ridiculous.

Rondo,

We're about 45 -1 hr north of Miami Beach depending on traffic so we don't go there that often- when we did it was usually to go to Le Bon. We had a pretty good experience at Bin #18- I think its at 18th and Biscayne Blvd- near the Adrienne Arscht Center. They have a nice cheese and cured meat menu in addition to the regular menu. It was packed one of the nights we were there and it took awhile to get my husband's order- raviolis- but he said it was worth it. He's from an Italian family and is fairly picky about food in general.

Actually, no I forgot about that place- its across the street-ish from the drafting room?

Looking for a store that primarily sells cheeses and cured meats-and olives?? out in Souderton/Harleysville area. Have exhausted the cheese selection at Hennings. I know Chestnut Hill isn't that far away but I hate looking for a place to park.

unfortunately, yes the chain restaurant. The independant restaurants down here have limited hours so when desperate the chains have to do. I love Monks and Eulogy and there is a place down here that we found when looking for a Floridian version of Monks, etc. called Le Bon that I just sadly heard closed down. It was a "Belgian" restaurant and had a great beer selection and mussel pots. So when I saw the mussels on the carrabbas menu I ordered them. Compared to any mussel that I've had anywhere the carrabbas were very large and the broth really good. This is the description from their website "Fresh Canadian Cove mussels from Prince Edward Island steamed in white wine, basil, lemon butter and Pernod". I would never otherwise have recommended carrabbas but I was really shocked at how good the mussels were.

I used to live in Philly and now live in south Florida but like to check in on the PA boards to see what's going on. I also agree with Monk's, love the place -especially the beer selection, and always get the mussels. Anyway the point of this post is that my husband and I were at a Carrabbas down here (we were really hungry and it was the only thing open) and I was shocked at how good their mussels were. They were huge and in this great broth that I could've eaten all night with a loaf of bread. We went back a few weeks later because I was craving the mussels and they were still good (just in case I liked them because I was so hungry). I don't know if they are only on the menu here in Florida but worth checking out if you are at Carrabbas.

My heart sank to read about LeBon. My husband and I loved it not only for the mussel pots (I hope that they are on the menu at Tiramisu!) but we also loved the beer selection- any word on if they are keeping the selection?

Did some searching and am assuming this is the article: was posted in the Miami Herald on October 7th. "The Cheese Course, a Weston favorite, has announced plans to branch out early next year with a 1,600-square-foot gourmet cheese shop and bistro at Midtown Miami, 3470 E. Coast Ave.; thecheesecourse.com. " Is that the proposed location 3470 E. Coast Ave? Where is that?

Where did you see the article? I hope it does happen but would love to see a shop open in Broward county.

I was at the Boys Farmers market once and it was close to impossible to find a place to park and just walking into the store was horrendous. It was one of the experiences that made me really miss going to a cheese only shop. I was only there to see their cheese selections so wasn't interested in the rest of the store- although since I was there I did walk around. It was just so damn crowded.

I'm in Broward County- the Coral Springs area and while my geography isn't that great I think that Sarasota may be too far of a drive. What's the name of the shop though?

Also tried the others- WF, Epicure. I am surprised that there isn't a cheese-only shop with the amount of non-floridians- either relocated/retired or the "snow-birds" - especially the New York/Phila snow-birds who had access to places like Chestnut Hill or Artisinal and Murrays. I keep hoping to see that one of those stores is opening a branch down here. They'd make a fortune off just myself and my husband. I would live on cheese (and beer and wine) if I could.

Our local cheese shop -back up north- was the Chestnut Hill cheese shop in Pennsylvania. I miss the experience of walking into a store filled to the brim with just cheese (and crackers and accompaniments). It was great being able to speak to the guys behind the counter and trying something new and getting little samples. The stores down here seem to just have a cheese department but so far I haven't found anyplace that focuses just on cheese. Anyone have any suggestions? I've been to the Cheese Course in Weston but wasn't impressed. It was way too crowded with people ordering sandwiches so we couldn't really check out the cheeses or speak to the sellers without being jostled.

I agree with japango for sushi. Been there twice and loved each time. However each time we did not have reservations- although we tend to be early eaters. Both times we arrived around 5:30 and both times were seated right away- 1st time in the main area and the 2nd time in the "lounge". Personally I liked the main area better only because the busboys were hanging out by our table- then a large party of guys (bachelor party?) were seated right behind us. Both times we had the Lobster bomb, myself the first time and my husband the second time. We also had the Crab Claw app. which I liked and my husband loved. Hmmm, now I think we'll head back tomorrow......