DTHEASH1's Profile
Any Mahogany clams around town?
I brought some back from Portland and they were outstanding. They were also $1.99 a pound. Has anyone seen them around? Thanks.
Big Weekend in Portland
Ok let's add some guidelines. Pubs with good food, great breakfast places, but above all personal favorites and why.
Big Weekend in Portland
Hello Portland! We will be spending our tenth anniversary in Portland this weekend. It's also our first weekend away in three years. I know for most posts, people ask for guidelines, but we are really asking for anything that excites you within 20 miles of town. Thank you.
Pubs North of Boston
Is the Old Spot good again? It seems like every 6 months it swings between good and mediocre.
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The Old Spot
121 Essex St, Salem, MA 01970
Pubs North of Boston
Any recommendations for Pubs anywhere from just North of Boston to the North Shore?
Mamadou's Bakery Winchester - Amazing Breads
I'll second that. Mamadou's bread tastes like he is having frequent conversations with god. His raisin bread is one of the greatest things I have ever tasted and I don't even like raisin bread. The couple is very nice. I hope they make it.
Who Influenced You Most?
A waiter named Bill at the Gotham Bar and Grill in the early 90's. I took a date there when we were fresh out of college and knew nothing about food. Instead of treating us like rubes, Bill put on a 2 1/2 hour presentation of wine and food that was as fun as it was informative. He gave us multiple tastes of different wines, let us taste the same wines in different glasses, as well as info on every course. He went to the bar to open a wine and let it breathe, so we could taste it against wine that was just opened. Really went out of his way and had fun with us. I ended up marrying the girl I was with. We are both pretty competent home cooks today, and looking back, that may have been our start. Thanks again, Bill.
Where to buy good hardwood charcoal (Belmont/Arlington/Watertown vicinity)
Look more closely. Reading MB has had both for the last three months. The briquettes are displayed on the floor, but if you check the isle you will find briquettes and lump. As usual with MB, the price is reasonable.
Where to buy good hardwood charcoal (Belmont/Arlington/Watertown vicinity)
Market Basket has had Royal Oak this year.
Restaurants everyone seems to HATE but you love
In past years, I would always be surprised by Woodman's treatment on CH. In the last two years the prices, while always higher then the rest of the neighborhood, seem totally out of control. What does a large box of shrimp go for now? My memory seems to say $41.99, but I won't be surprised if someone corrects me.
Trader Joe's out of the Fresh Pond project
I have heard that as well. I know about two, Cambridge and Brookline. Where is the third?
Are we really outnumbered?
With respect to chowhounds request to stop bashing chefs on the food network, I am hoping to start a discussion on why the food network has decided to go in this direction. It seems like 3/4 of the new programs focus around the theme of improving already prepared foods. Every other host is using a can opener more than a chefs knife. Since the channel has been around for a while, it seems as though they have information that the majority of their viewers are not serious cooks. I'm not sure why there are so many people who don't cook watching the food network. Are there enough serious cooks to support a few shows? Or, am I just being naive. It really doesn't matter if serious cooks are in the majority, because you can't sell them as much. They want to make it themselves.
Seafood Festival
I took the little man up to Hampton beach in Nh to hit a few arcades the day before school starts. They were setting up for the seafood festival next weekend. Has anyone been to this? Is it worth going to?
Looking for specific chocolate
Thanks-- all went well at Trader Joes and I agree- will try the more expensive stuff once I master the ice cream making.
Relief in Wilmington and Reading
The food choices are pretty limited. I've never understood how someplace as mediocre as the Mandarin Reading could be so popular. I did like the Foccacia in Reading better than the Wilmington one, but it's been gone for about 5 years now. One recommendation I can make is Gregory's on main street in Reading for above average subs. Has anyone tried the new pizza place across from the Market Basket in Wilmington? One last thought would be Twin Seafood in Reading center.
Looking for specific chocolate
Making ice cream for the first time-- recipie specifically calls for nonalkaline chocolate and bittersweet chocolate NOT BAKING chocolate. Any thoughts on where to get these specialty items? Thanks
Hardwood charcoal in the greater Boston area
Cowboy charcoal is everywhere and the stuff at whole foods is really expensive. Anyone finding good deals out there for hardwood charcoal?
Need recipes that freeze well
New baby coming in a few days. I want to make things easy for my wife to just heat and eat. Any suggestions for dishes that freeze well. The only limitation is that no one here is a big fan of cheese. Thanks.
Calypso Sauce
As usual, chowhound comes through. I had seen posts on the Somerville Stop and Shop on chowhound, but had never been there. Not only did I find Calypso sauce, I spent about 20 minutes in the international food section alone. Thanks chow.
Calypso Sauce
Does anyone know where to get Calypso sauce within an hour of Boston? I had been getting at Christina's, but they no longer have it.
EL Faro Salad Dressing
Has anyone tried to reproduce the salad dressing at El Faro in the village? This stuff makes me actually want to eat salad. Anyone have a recipe?
trader joe's arlington
I was really hoping that the law on stores selling wine would change just for Trader Joes. Boy did I call that one wrong. I thought the liquor store negative ads were ridiculous but I guess they did work. By the way, do people buy Trader Joe's almonds? I used to but they were consistently stale.
Where to get the Dogs that Speed serves?
I have seen the regular pearl hot dogs in Market Basket, but I can't find the 1/4 pounders.
Wood Chunks
Does anyone know of a place that has a good selection of wood chunks to use for smoking. I'm willing to drive, but north of Boston would be best. Thanks.
Slow cooking
I'm interested in learning more about slow cooking. Do people have any recipes, websites or books they can recommend? Thanks.
Bostonian visiting South Florida
Salbert,
I was in the area for the Superbowl a few weeks ago, and I stayed in Sunny Isles. The first night we went to the Gourmet Diner, which was outstanding. Great French food served in a Diner atmosphere. It was also the best service we found our entire trip. Captain Jim's was great for fresh seafood, but they don't make cerviche anymore. For that, we went to a place in Coconut Grove that was outstanding. I wish I could remember the name. How did your trip go?
Russo's today
I love both Russo's and Wilson Farms. However, if possible Russo's can be too fresh, meaning their stuff seems to go bad more quickly than other places. Does anyone else find this? Because of this, you almost have to fight the weekend crowds if you want to make a nice meal Saturday night or Sunday.
Where to get an inexpensive cast iron dutch oven/casserole?
I know this has already been suggested, but there are great deals to be found at the Le Crueset outlets. I go to the one in Kittery. My dutch oven did cost twice as much as you want to spend, but it's good as new after five years and gets used every week.
What's the deal with Bali Hai?
I've always wondered about that place. Thanks folks, now I won't have to. All I needed to hear was the comparison to Aku Aku which redefined the word mediocre.
