lhollers's Profile
Where to buy green papaya In San Francisco??
Still out today...guys didn't know when the next shipment or whatever was coming in. Sidenote, holy smokes, what an awesome market! That seafood section is ridiculously expansive... En route to Sunset Super.
Where to buy green papaya In San Francisco??
Thanks for the recommendation, but the only Manila Market I could find through Google is at 950 King Plz #112, Daly City, CA. Is this the same one you're talking about?
Where to buy green papaya In San Francisco??
Nice - thanks for all the help! I've looked around the Asian markets here in the Tenderloin, and couldn't find anything...I'm anxious to take a look at Sunset Super. Will report back as soon as I get over there.
Where to buy green papaya In San Francisco??
Hello - I've been wanting to make Som Tum, but I can't find any markets (Asian or otherwise) that have green papayas... The only one that even had papayas (thought the orange ones) was Nijiya Market in Japantown. Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I'm at Hyde and O'Farrell, so I'd prefer staying around the area, but I'm willing to travel a bit if need be. Thanks!
Best Dish at Gary Danko?
Hello, all! I just moved down to San Francisco from Portland, OR, and am having a dinner at Gary Danko next Wednesday to celebrate both the move and my birthday. I was wondering what some of the best, can't-miss dishes are... Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated, and thanks in advance!
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Gary Danko
800 N Point St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Niche (StL) -- Tasting Menu Review
Meal sounds great! I actually tried to get in and do a tasting menu over Labor Day weekend; Niche was, unfortunately, closed, so we went with Harvest instead (also a fantastic meal). This review renews my desire to return and try Chef Craft's cooking! Glad you enjoyed it!
Harvest (St. Louis) - anyone been?
Just returned from a trip to St. Louis (first time I had been there). Had chances to eat at Mosaic, The Drunken Fish, The Boat House, and Harvest. Harvest was definitely the highlight, as I had a 9-course tasting that was one of the better tasting menus I have experienced.
Started with Hot Smoked Tomato Bisque with diced tomato and house-smoked pancetta on brioche (their version of a BLT), then a "Caprese Salad" with two types of heirloom tomatoes, basil granite (kind of like basil ice or a sorbet), olive oil and sea salt, then Pan-Seared Halibut over Udon noodles and dashi broth, then King Salmon with a Wild Mushroom crepe and puree of mushroom sauce, then a Foie Gras duo (seared and torchon) with a peach gastrique on brioche, then an intermezzo - cantaloupe sorbet with house-smoked shaved prosciutto and olive oil. The meat savories were Sous Vide Pork Tenderloin with a chanterelle rissoto, then Iron Skillet Roasted Ribeye with a blue cheese gratin and wilted greens. Dessert was a bread pudding with bourbon and currant and a cup of coffee.
Highlights (for me, at least) were the halibut, which was perfectly tender and flaky and paired well with the meaty udon noodles and dashi broth, and the sous vide pork tenderloin - the sous vide style of cooking imparted the meat with tons of flavor and juices, and it was incredibly tender; this was some of the best pork I have ever tasted.
I am usually a huge fan of foie, but this preparation didn't do it for me, and, sadly, this was my least favorite course...
The chef, Nick Miller, personally brought out a few courses and came out to introduce himself at the beginning of the meal, which I thought was a fantastic display of hospitality - very young, nice, promising chef. Our server, Renee, was top two I have had in all my years of fine dining - couldn't have been more enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and kind; she made dining there not only delicious, but an experience to be shared between diner and restaurant.
FInally, the menu (9 courses) was only $80 per person - I had been expecting far more for a meal of this depth and breadth. Portion sizes were quite generous, as even I was getting quite stuffed by the end of the meal. Pre-meal, we had a glass of champagne (Piper Sonoma Blanc de Blanc); for the beginning courses (up to the foie), we had a Qupe '07 Chardonnay Viognier; and for the final two courses, we had a meatier Chateu Felice "London Cab" '05 - all expertly paired by the server, Renee.
I was initially quite disappointed when I learned that Niche would be closed for the Labor Day holiday weekend; however, this outcome was most fortuitous, as it allowed me a chance to sample one of the most enjoyable meals I have had in quite some time. I will certainly return!
Harvest (St. Louis) - anyone been?
Also, on a separate note - any other fine dining experiences you could recommend that you enjoy in the STL area? As I said, I was dying to sample some of Gerard Craft's cooking at Niche, but that appears to be impossible this trip...I will be there Friday night (the 4th of Sept.), Sat., Sun. and will be leaving Mon. - thanks!
Harvest (St. Louis) - anyone been?
Yeah, I kind of gathered that it was well-regarded, but not among the "elite." I originally tried to go with Niche (closed over the Labor Day weekend) and Erato on Main (only serves tasting menus on Tue., Wed., Thurs.), so I decided to give Harvest a shot...
Thanks for the advice!
Harvest (St. Louis) - anyone been?
Hi all - I just set up a tasting menu at Harvest for Sept. 5th, and I was wondering if anyone has been here or can report...thanks!
Sioux Falls Overview Fall 2006 (from a local)
Thanks, shell -
I'll definitely go back...I don't think it's fair to judge a restaurant on one visit alone; it wasn't terrible, just didn't live up to the high expectations I had set based on the recommendations and reviews of others. I'll return for the ribeye and let you know how it goes this time! :-)
Good food in the Triangle!
Bonne Soiree, in Chapel Hill, is literally the best meal I have had in my life...ever...
In Raleigh, Solas is a great bar and a surprisingly good restaurant. We also went to The Mint and had a great lunch in a beautiful setting.
We also hit up Nana's in Durham and very much enjoyed our New Year's Eve meal there.
If you would like more information, or pictures, from any of these places, let me know!
Best New Restaurant in the Triangle 2009
Just to chime in regarding Solas, my significant other and I ate there over the New Year's Eve holiday. The space is beautiful, with a restaraunt/lounge on the main floor, a bar focused more on dancing and music on the second floor, and an open rooftop bar on the third floor. Solas is a very cool place, quite "trendy" and new, with awesome decorating and mood throughout.
We were initially some of the only people there, since we had a reservation for 8:30 on a Thursday night (day after New Year's Eve) - the bartender said that the place was packed the night before and didn't expect many people out that evening. We decided to sit at the bar and talk to the bartender and get a drink before the meal. The bartender was a great dude, very talkative (in a good way), and very knowledgeable about wine and spirits. As we were some of the only people there, we got to know him pretty well, and he whipped up some special concoctions on the house for us. Once the staff found out that we were from South Dakota, we were comped various drinks and a dessert, as well - I think they were just happy to have some people in the place that night! Some of the best drinks were a Strawberry and Balsamic Martini for her (that actually tasted surprisingly better that we thought it would) and, for me, a creation from the bartender that included Maker's Mark, muddled raspberries and some other ingredients.
For our meal, we decided to just get some wines by the glass. As an app, we went the Hot Rock - a tried and true presentation and just fun to eat! Tenderloin and Gulf Shrimp brought out along with a piece of rock heated to 400 degrees - cook to deisred level of doneness (medium-rare for us), remove and enjoy...nothing amazing, but high-quality product and a fun presentation. For mains, she went with the 8 oz. filet mignon with cabernet goat cheese butter and whipped potatoes. I thought that this had been cooked sous vide, as the meat was perfectly pink throughout, but the server wasn't sure of the cooking technique...either way, a perfectly cooked piece of tender beef - exactly what she was looking for. I went with the veal osso bucco, an immense piece of meat that I later devoured in its entirety (whoops). The best part of this meal, though, was that the chef had left the delicious marrow in the bone and provided some crispy baguette on which to spread it...pure decadence and absolutely delicious, as always. The osso bucco was properly cooked, with the meat falling off the bone, and was accompanied by dark, flavorful sauce that had permeated throughout the vegetables that came with. Thinking that we would want a side, I ordered some asparagus, which was a huge mistake. I should have known that ordering asparagus in early January was a dumb move, but I took a chance and was sorely disappointing - absolutely inedible. Later, when we returned to the bar, the bartender asked us how the meal was - we mentioned the asparagus, and he immediately called the manager/maitre 'd, who apologized profusely and comped us a drink. Nice touch! The significant other loves creme brulee, so we went with an espresso version that neither of us enjoyed. Our own fault for ordering a coffee-flavored dessert...well done, just not our cup of tea (or coffee). A strange addition was the house dessert, which apparently came free with every meal. I'm not sure if they do this every night, but on this particular evening, it was a pile of chocolate custard, placed on the middle of a white plate, with some sliced strawberries. At the risk of sounding crude, this presentation was terrible...when the server put it down in front of me, I literally started laughing, as the dish looked like a pile of poop in the middle of the plate. Needless to say, this made enjoying the dish a bit more difficult! Not bad, but a strange trip-up in otherwise very attractive plating.
Overall, a very enjoyable experience. I chalk up some of the minor missteps to the relatively new staff and kitchen, and remain confident that this place will quickly move up the ladder of Raleigh restaraunts. I would highly reccommend this place, not only for the solid food, but for the warm and engaging waitstaff that truly wants to provide a great dining experience. Now, if only we could have gotten into Enoteca Vin or Poole's Diner...
http://solasraleigh.com/
Solas
419 Glenwood Ave.
Raleigh, NC 27603
919 755 0755
Charlotte - Tasting Menu - One Night Only
Throughout our extensive dining experience in Charlotte, the best tasting menu we have had, hands-down, is at Zebra restaurant. Chef Jim Alexander stays local and delivers on seafood and meat, and the prices are quite reasonable for the Charlotte area. We were very impressed with the progression, as well as the well-matched wine pairings. E-mail or call before you go, and they will gladly accommodate requests. I would highly recommend this tasting menu!
Zebra Restaurant
4521 Sharon Rd # 175
Charlotte, NC 28211
(704) 442-9525
www.zebrarestaurant.net
Valentine's Day - Chapel Hill/Durham
Another one to try is Nana's in Durham - the gf and I had our New Year's Eve dinner here and were quite impressed...the fallow veal was incredible, and the sea bass was the best I have had...
Could be expensive, though...check it out
Best Dining in Chapel Hill
Bonne Soiree is the best meal I have had in a restaurant in my life; Tina is great with wines and runs the front of the house, and Chip is a genius in the kitchen. The seared foie with NC apples remains the best single piece of food I have ever tasted. Get the tasting menu with wine pairings - out of sight...Great food and atmosphere, reasonably priced, and an all-around fantastic experience!
Valentine's Day - Chapel Hill/Durham
I would contact Bonne Soiree in Chapel Hill. My gf and I ate here on Dec. 30, and it was hands-down the best meal of my life. We had an 8-course tasting with wine pairings, and each course was different for the two of us, allowing us each to try a broader spectrum of dishes. Tina, who runs the front, is very enthusiastic about wine and an excellent host, and Chip, the Exec. Chef, is fantastic in preparation and flavors! I can't reccommend this place enough, and I'm sure if you contacted them, they would be more than happy to arrange a special menu or tasting for Valentine's Day!
Restaurant recommendations in Sioux Falls, SD
My significant other and I recently ate at Wild Sage. As a dedicated foodie, we have frequented what I consider to be "all" the fine dining establishments in Sioux Falls, but had yet to try Wild Sage.
The building location is downtown, and somewhat out of the way, which I assume contributes in part to its relative unknown nature; the interior, however, is beautiful - definitely one of the nicer in Sioux Falls, in my eyes second only to Foley's.
We arrived for an early dinner, so service was a bit spotty. There were numerous times that we saw servers standing around by the pass, waiting for something to do or someone to serve. Although a minor quibble, this is not something I would expect from an upper-tier establishment. The menu is focused on regional, locally-grown game and vegetables, and is reasonably priced for the area. Appetizers are $5-10 and entrees are $20-25. Wine list is by no means expansive, but there are a fair amount (roughly 40) bottles, with the average glass being $8.
I had a superb Pinot Noir from Oregon, and my date had a light Chardonnay; although there was no somellier on staff, our waiter was knowledgeable about wines, and selected two that paired nicely with our entrees, which was appreciated.
As we had a movie we were hoping to attend that night, we opted for salads to start, bypassing the appetizers. She got a simple field salad (hard to go wrong there) with the usual accoutrements and a house-made garlic ranch that was quite good. The only flaw I could find was that the cherry tomatoes were very cold and hard, suggesting that they used frozen product - again, not what I expected from an establishment of this caliber. However, these were offset by the absolutely stunning sliced carrot that garnished the salad. I'm not sure of the preparation, but I believe that they were simply butter poached, as the flavor was the most vibrant I have ever tasted in a carrot. It sounds funny to attribute so much deliciousness to a garnish on the side salad, but these were literally the best-tasting carrots I have ever had. I, on the other hand, opted for the Caesar salad. Agian, hard to go wrong here...great lettuce and great dressing; if anything, the presence of purchased parmesan detracted from the dish - I just like it so much more when there is fresh shaved or grated...oh well.
For mains, she had the red snapper. This was a simple preparation where the fish was coated in panko and parmesan, then flash fried, resulting in a crisp exterior and flaky, moist interior. I was initially leery of her ordering the dish, as she is not a big fish or seafood fan, but my fears were unfounded. A well-done, mild whitefish that she thoroughly enjoyed. The snapper was accompanied by a sweet tomato chutney, which helped foil the bitter parmesan, and worked well overall. I ordered the duck breast, which came in a port-cranberry reduction. Traditionally, I have been served duck breast rare or, at the most, medium rare. This, however, came out just over medium, with no trace of pink in the meat at all. Although this wasn't a huge effect on the meat, I could definitely tell that there was some moisture and texture lost, as the duck was lacking the velvety, succulent quality that traditionally defines a savory duck breast. This was remedied, however, by the port-cranberry reduction, which was sensational. When combine with a few craberries and the sauce, the duck breast was transported to new heights of flavor, leaving me completely devoid of any disappointment over possible overcooking. The fat caul around the breast was left on while searing, leaving a thin layer of savory, gelatinous flavor that was greatly appreciated. All in all, a good sized portion of flavorful duck that would have benefitted from cooking less, combined with a knockout sauce that nearly salvaged the entire dish. Sides for both dishes were steamed seasonal vegetables, with roasted potatoes for her and garlic mashed for me. Very well done on the vegetables, which I believe were locally grown.
Neither of us are huge dessert fans, but as this was our first time at the establishment, we decided to go with a fruit tart/crisp that was being offered that night. I assume that there is not a permanent pastry chef on staff, but this was quite well-executed, with a flaky crust giving way to a moist interior filled with raspberries, blackberries, strawberries and apples in a dark fruit sauce. A nice way to end the meal, and certainly not too heavy or filling.
Altogether, with two salads, two mains, dessert and 4 glasses of wine, the bill was just south of $90 - certainly reasonable, considering the decor, ambience, service and food. Wild Sage is definitely on their way to becoming one of the premier dining establishments in Sioux Falls. Although I enjoy Tre Lounge and Foley's a bit more, we will definitely be returning to Wild Sage, and I can see this place most certainly becoming one of our go-to's for a nice meal. I would highly reccommend this restaurant, and cannot wait to return!
Wild Sage Grille
300 N. Cherapa Place
Sioux Falls, SD 57103
(605) 274-1667
Sioux Falls - Divey but Fantastic Latin American Restaurant?
Another great place in Sioux Falls is Mama's Ladas - it's downtown on 11th St. and serves one thing - delicious enchiladas. They don't have a menu, the space isn't very big, and it's kind of hard to find...all things that usually add up to good food! Very authentic and a great meal!
Tri Area for New Year's - Please Help!
Thanks for the advice! I had kind of focused on finding a great meal for New Year's Eve, without really paying much attention to what we were going to do after... Now, that we have the meals set, I would love to have any advice or thoughts on events in the area for New Year's Eve! Thanks!
Tri Area for New Year's - Please Help!
Yo - thanks to the 7 people that replied! Your suggestions were very helpful! I was actually quite surprised at the number of places that are closed on New Year's Day...oh well!
On Dec. 30, we will be partaking in a tasting menu with pairings at Bonne Soiree in Chapel Hill. New Year's Eve, we will be in Durham, with a tasting menu and pairings at Nana's. We'll round out the trip in Raleigh at Solas on the night of Jan. 1.
Like I said, I'm pretty psyched, and thanks again to all who helped out!
Tri Area for New Year's - Please Help!
Again, thanks for the heads-up on the namings...not sure how to edit the post heading to read "Triangle Area (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill)...", but hopefully people will get it.
I also noticed that you are from Raleigh, yet didn't leave any thoughts on the restaurants I had mentioned, nor did you posit any favorites of your own! ; ) For shame!
But seriously, as someone in the area who obviously enjoys good food, what do you think?
Tri Area for New Year's - Please Help!
Thanks! Any other good spots that I might have missed or that you enjoy?
Sioux Falls Overview Fall 2006 (from a local)
Hello all - I'm a law student at the University of South Dakota, lifelong SD resident, and Sioux Falls food scene junkie.
In the area of "higher-end" dining, I feel like I have hit up almost every establishment in Sioux Falls. I'm surprised that no one has mentioned Tre Lounge - it currently occupies the space that was formerly 601 Arota, and Chef Tyler Honke is putting out some seriously high-quality food for a more than reasonable price. My buddy's dad owned Theo's/601 Arota, and it was my favorite place in Sioux Falls, hands-down; however, when the Exec. Chef left to start his own catering business, it did go downhill.
Tre Lounge is a great replacement - Chef Honke is one of the only chefs in the area willing to do a tasting menu; the gf and I went there about a month ago and had a great 7-course with two bottles of wine for under $200 total (before tax and tip). The menu is also good for just stopping in and having a quick bite, with numerous appetizers and small plates that are quite delicious. Chef Honke and the crew are very passionate about their food, and use higher-quality ingredients like truffles, pork belly, and foie - one of the only places in SD to do so...they also have a nice little bar with some great cocktails.
Anyway, great place in Sioux Falls that hadn't been mentioned yet, but deserves some props.
There are also some great sandwich shops in town that I often frequent for lunch; the two best that come to mind are the Pickle Barrel and Camille's Cafe.
Pickle Barrel is the quintessential deli (or as close as you can get to it in the Midwest lol) - lots of great meats and cheese, locally owned and operated, and a fun atmosphere. You also get to pick your own pickle out of a huge barrel (kind of cheesy, but hence the name).
Camille's is on 41st, right beside the above-mentioned Hutterite store, and is more of the "organic, fresh" place for lunch. This is kind of a hidden gem, as whenever I go there, it is almost empty - the soups and sandwiches are knockout, and the lunch specials can't be beat.
One word of warning: Don't Go To Texas Roadhouse - I had heard so many good things about this place, and was pumped when one came to Sioux Falls (I love steak), but was supremely disappointed with the entire experience. Subpar onion bloom, overpriced cocktails, lukewarm sides and a mediocre steak that was worth half the price. I sincerely hope that we simply caught them on a bad night, but the only thing that saved the evening was our wonderful server.
Hope this has helped on some of the Sioux Falls dining scene, and let me know if there are any other genres or specific place reviews I can help out with! Good to Sioux Falls getting some cred, but we still have a long way to go!
Tri Area for New Year's - Please Help!
No one else? Just looking for advice or reviews on the above-listed places...
Tri Area for New Year's - Please Help!
Nice! Never even thought of catching a game after dinner, before the wildness begins...
In answer to your question regarding Charlotte, I have spent a significant amount of time there, and have hit up what I consider to be the "top" dining establishments in the city; also, since neither of us have ever been to Raleigh, Durham, or Chapel Hill, we were planning on heading to the Tri a day or two early just to chill and check out the cities.
Thanks for the advice on Bonne Soiree!
Tri Area for New Year's - Please Help!
Hello all!
I'm a law student at the University of South Dakota, but I have the good fortune of being able to spend some of my Christmas break in beautiful Charlotte, NC! My gf and I have never been to any of the cities in the Tri and were planning to spend New Year's there.
I was hoping that I could get some recommendations as to fine dining in the Tri area. We were looking for a 7-10 course tasting menu with wine pairings, preferably somewhere with some sort of events or nightlife to be had after.
So far, I have considered The Mint, Saint Jacques, Herons, Bonne Soiree, Frazier's, Vin Rouge, and Savoy. However, I obviously know nothing about any of these restaurants, nor the area in general. Any thoughts or advice on where to go, both for a fantastic dining experience and for a great night in general, would be very much appreciated! Thanks to everyone for the help!!
lhollers
