redheadteacher

Things you like slightly burned or burnt?

So where do you get dark Utz?

on Aug 29, 2007

redheadteacher in General Chowhounding Topics

Things you like slightly burned or burnt?

Sign me up for this group....slightly burned meat loaf, bbq chicken, bacon, mac and cheese, hash browns, onions, pop corn, lasagna.....I love them all!

My family thinks that I'm being nice when I serve them food from a hot dish. Actually, I'm saving the burnt edges or topping for myself!

on Aug 24, 2007

redheadteacher in General Chowhounding Topics

Report on Recs Near Minnesota Fairgrounds

We just returned from our trip - glad for all of the walking around the car show to burn up some of the calories consumed. We headed straight to Maverick's for lunch from the airport. My husband decided to order the roast beef sandwich and I, always wanting to consider all options, asked the guy at the register whether I should have the same or try the brisket. Nice guy asked if it was our first visit, then he added a complimentary brisket sandwich, cut in half, as well as the roast beef sandwich I had decided on. What a start! I added barbecue sauce to the brisket and horseradish to the beef -delicious. Fries were great too.

That night we ended up meeting a former colleague of my husband's and his wife for dinner. They were driving in from Chaska and suggested choices near their highway exit. After my husband's objection to Red Lobster, they suggested Granite City Brewery. While we usually avoid chains, I must admit that the food was good. I opted for their meat loaf - the bourbon onion sauce was tasty and the garlic mashed potatoes were a good side. My husband had sausage rigatoni with sweet peppers and devoured every bit. Drinks before 6pm are a real deal too.

We checked out Porky's after dinner and found little car action there so we headed to Izzy's. In spite of the tempting aroma of the cooking waffle cones, we both ordered Izzidaes with an Irish cream ice cream, toffee bits, caramel. chocolate and whipping cream. While I was hoping to try the burnt sugar or one of the other flavors mentioned by hounds, the sundae was yummy.

Breakfast was at our B & B, then our son joined us to head to the fairgrounds - he asked me if I had scouted out food recommendations from Chowhound. I told him that we shouldn't expect much at the show. We did try some fried cheese curds from a vendor that were pretty good (first time I've had them so I really can't compare.) In our hike, we noticed Giggles Campfire Grill, checked out their menu, and decided to head back that way at lunchtime. Good choice. I had a smoked salmon wrap - oodles of salmon with a chipotle sauce, lettuce, peppers and onions. It was fabulous. My husband had the bratwurst (made from elk, buffalo and pork) and my son had the wall-eye sandwich (he and I shared tastes, it was moist with a crispy breading and no fishy taste.) We were very pleased.

Dinner took us to Chianti Grill (son again in tow with a friend.) We started with bacon wrapped scallops - large, tender, scallops with flavorful bacon. I opted for the gnocchi with chopped portabella mushrooms and asparagus in a light cream sauce. It was good, not spectacular, but satisfying. My husband had spaghetti with sausage (two links) - their red sauce had nice chunks of tomato in it and was quite flavorful. Our son had a special - a Cajun seasoned fillet with a Jack Daniels sauce. He absolutely loved it. The steak was butter-tender and the sauce had a nice kick to it. His friend had baked mostaccioli which she said was delicious. They shared a creme brulee which looked creamy - the custard was not too sweet and the sugar topping was nicely crusted.

After dropping the kids off, we headed back to Porky's and enjoyed an ice cream cone and lots of hot rods cruising by. I must admit that I was craving Izzy's again and the cone was a poor substitute.

We put in a few hours at the car show today and then headed to The Nook on our way to the airport. Great burgers, great fries, and no wait for a table at 2 on a Saturday afternoon.

I've maintained my reputation in the family as the ultimate vacation planner with Chowhounds' assistance. Thanks so much for your great help. My son is considering a return visit to his friend's at Fair time so I'll be checking your posts!

on Jul 21, 2007

Recs Near St. Paul Fairgrounds

We found Porky's when we came for the show last year - my husband is like a bloodhound when it comes to finding gearheads. We didn't eat there but had a frozen custard that I recall was delicious.

on Jul 12, 2007

Recs Near St. Paul Fairgrounds

Wow! With all these recommendations I hope that we have some time to look at the cars! One added question: I've been told that the Grand Old Creamery has the best ice cream in town. What's the chouwhound opinion?

Thanks - I'll report back after our trip next week!

on Jul 11, 2007

Recs Near St. Paul Fairgrounds

Did Bobby Flay do a throwdown with Izzy's? (I really can't stand the show but sometimes even with cable, there's nothing to watch!)

Any recs on flavors? We were in Maine last week and I tried Grapenut and Ginger for the first time.....suggestions from New England hounds. Yummy good!

on Jul 09, 2007

Recs Near St. Paul Fairgrounds

Sorry, it is the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. What a great list already - looks like I have some homework ahead of me! We did eat at Muffuletta (I couldn't recall the name) last year as well....sat on their patio and enjoyed a great meal watching some of the cars from the show cruise by.

We tried to find a Greek restaurant that came highly recommended by the guy sitting next to us at the bar at The Nook last year. It was supposed to be not far from the U of M campus. Any ideas of the name?

Also, are there any fairground stand recs that you'll admit to?

Thanks so far. I promise to report back after the trip.

on Jul 09, 2007

Recs Near St. Paul Fairgrounds

I'm attending a classic car show with my husband and we're staying near the fairgrounds. Are there any decent places within a 15 minute drive of the area? We tried a Juicy Lucy at the Nook after a show last year. My husband is not a fan of Indian food or sushi - otherwise we're pretty open.

on Jul 08, 2007

Boston to Wells to Camden to Jackson Report - long

I forgot to add that we did sample NE flavors - grapenut and ginger - at an ice cream shop in Wells. Both were outstanding (made up for the so-so dinner at Bintliff's.)

on Jul 02, 2007

Boston to Wells to Camden to Jackson Report - long

Thanks for the great recommendations - wish that we could have tried every place that was suggested......maybe next time. Anyway, here's my report:
We made it to The Clam Box for lunch - yummy, lightly breaded clams and onion rings. We got there after 1pm so the line wasn't too bad and it WAS worth the wait. My husband enjoyed a large plate and I had a small one - neither of us left a crumb.

We didn't make it to Wells in time to get to Flo's (though I did purchase a jar of Flo's special sauce so I will try to make my own at home and pretend....) Based on a recommendation from our innkeepers, we had dinner at Bintliff's, the only negative experience we had on our trip. The food was mediocre (overcooked fish with a crumb topping that was rather tasteless) and very poor service. Kind of made me wish that we had made it to Flo's.

The next morning, in spite of a fabulous breakfast of Swedish pancakes topped with a berry sauce and a side of sausage at our B&B, I made my husband stop at Congdens for doughnuts. I chose a cinnamon sugar which was so-so; he chose a chocolate cake which was so good. I admit that I could see that he had made the better choice when I pulled them out of the bag and suggested that we share....he's a good sport!

We made to to Red's in time for a late lunch. In spite of the 90 plus degree temperature, there were about 10 people in line. We ordered two lobster rolls with drawn butter, fries and mushrooms. The woman who took orders was great, asking questions and offering options to us first-timers. We were amazed at the amount of lobster and loved every bite. I have to mention that the mushrooms were great too - made me want to order something fried after finishing lunch, but at that point the line had doubled in size.

Dinner that night (and breakfast the next morning) at the Hartstone were everything we had expected. Our dinner happened to be the Salmon Nicoise pictured on Michael Salmon's latest cookbook and it was fabulous. One glitch in service - after serving our entrees, the server brought out a small dish of Kalamata olives that they had forgotten to add to the plates. As I love them and my husband picks them out of his food, we were both happy - I got them all. Breakfast the next morning was a scrambled egg dish topped with shaved ham and a tasty sauce - again, outstanding.

Sadly we passed Moody's and Red's again - too soon to eat again - on our way to New Hampshire. After passing through the gamut of chain restaurants in Augusta, we ventured into less populated towns and ended up finding Mac's Grill in Auburn. I had a salad there with a 6 oz Mac - a well seasoned, surprisingly tender steak - with lots of blue cheese and a balsamic dressing. It was much better than I expected.

Dinner that night was at the Wentworth - salmon that was even better than my entree at the Hartstone. We took dessert to go - a creamy key lime tart that still makes my mouth water. Breakfast at the Wentworth was a Boursin cheese filled omelet - so good!

We had lunch at Meistro's in North Conway - I wish they had a location here. My $6 sandwich was piled high with Boar's Head turkey, Asiago cheese, Romaine lettuce and tomato on multi-grain bread. My husband opted for an Italian sausage and pepper sandwich that he loved.

Dinner was at the Thompson House Eatery. I had their mushroom ravioli with a light tomato based sauce which was delicious and my husband tried their version of meatloaf which was covered with a mushroom sauce. While neither meal was comparable to the previous two nights, the food was good.

On our way back to Logan to fly home, we had a little time to kill so we ventured into Newburyport. On a tip from a local, we went to the Starboard Galley - we couldn't have asked for a better way to end our trip. Sitting overlooking the water, we both had lobster pie - it was outstanding. We tried the onion rings (a bad habit) and found the breading to be light and non-greasy. Other diners around us were eating fried clams that looked yummy with the same light breading.

My husband has complimented me on my great planning for this trip - thanks to all of your recommendations. We can't wait to return to the East!

on Jul 01, 2007

Greendale, WI

Their bakery breads are great. Pick up a few Kringles (a round flat fruit or nut filled pastry) while you're there too.

on Jun 25, 2007

Chicagoan needs Monday night dinner rec

I'm joining my husband on a business trip and we're staying at the Holiday Inn Express on Boston Street. We have one night, unfortunately a Monday, for dinner in Boston and I'm looking for suggestions somewhere in the vicinity of the hotel or within a $10 cab ride. Italian or seafood would be the husband's first choices. Thanks!

on Jun 20, 2007

redheadteacher in Greater Boston Area

Recommendation between Milwaukee and Sheboygan - open on Sunday, please

We found Benji's and loved it! I had a spinach Benedict with mushrooms and pine nuts - yummy. Mom, never very adventurous, had a tuna melt which she enjoyed and Dad had the corned beef sandwich. He added their brown mustard and ate every morsel repeating the words, "Just like Florida." (Mom and Dad frequent Jewish delis around Boca.)

Chowhounders come through again - thanks!

on Jun 10, 2007

Greendale, WI

If you're a fan of Taste of Home, you may want to eat at their restaurant. Their menu items are from recipes featured in their magazines. You should definitely have a reservation as it's a busy place. Be sure to look around Greendale - it's a beautiful town.

on Jun 07, 2007

Recommendation between Milwaukee and Sheboygan - open on Sunday, please

I'm heading from Chicago to Door County with my parents who are in their late 70's and need a recommendation for lunch. I figure that we will leave about 9am and guess that we will be somewhere between Milwaukee and Sheboygan come lunch time. Last trip we ate at a place in Port Washington that I would like to avoid finding again so I'd appreciate any suggestions.

on Jun 07, 2007

Boston to Wells to Camden to Jackson, NH. Help!

I'm busily checking over my maps. Flo's sounds intriguing, though I'm not sure if this Chicagoan can actually order a hot dog with mayo - blasphemy!

on May 24, 2007

Boston to Wells to Camden to Jackson, NH. Help!

My husband has a business trip in Boston - I'm joining him and then we're planning to travel into Maine and then to New Hampshire. We have reservations to stay one night in Boston, Wells, and Camden and two nights in Jackson. I'm looking for suggestions for meals along the way - we're just sightseeing and shopping so other than getting to our nightly destinations, we can plan our stops around meal destinations if you can suggest destination meals. We're pretty open for suggestions - we definitely are looking forward to seafood, but whether it's a roadside diner or fine dining is OK with us.

In Camden we are staying at the Hartstone Inn. Do we want to eat dinner there or are there better options? I have booked the bed and breakfast option at The Wentworth in Jackson for one of our nights but am open to other suggestions there as well. This is a mid-week trip the last week of June so I'm hoping that crowds won't be at their worst. We will be driving back from Jackson to fly out of Logan at 6pm on Saturday - a late lunch recommendation en route would be great.

on May 22, 2007