I remember shopping once at Aldis in Dayton. They are now moving moving into the South Florida market where I live. I look forward to checking them out.

Having The Fresh Market as an option in your town would be a good thing. I enjoy browsing their aisles, sipping today's coffee sample (or hot apple cider sample during the holidays). When I had an income, I actually shopped there for special items and when they'd have sales on organic produce.

I still pop in for the occasional splurges on dessert (you MUST try their Tuxedo Truffle Napoleon, Raspberry Almond Cake, and Strawberry Rhubarb Pie), and their antipasto bar--they have a great variety of stuffed olives, peppers (including the most beautiful peppadews). Sometimes I go just to soak of the atmosphere of this gem of a market. There are several The Fresh Markets across South Florida.

sk,
have you ever had dinner at the Shinju Japanese buffet ? It's in the Publix shopping center at Ramblewood and University. It is so close to me, I thought I'd check it out, but I'd be interested in knowing if it is any good . Thanks!

Gotta be Gourmet. I just got a stack of back issues through Freecycle. Really, really nice publication. I like their website too.

I love the plaza where Peppers is located. It has Greek, Haitian, Japanese, Jewish deli, restaurants; an Italian bakery/grocery, Colombian bakery and a Hooters-like "Daisy Duke" restaurant.Great spot!

BTW, Bamboo Gardens across Pines from Peppers has decent food, and is very hot/spicy by request.

Wasabi has fresh and shiny sushi and sashimi. :-)

The restaurant has 2 locations in Pembroke Pines (Southern Broward County). One is SE corner of Pines Blvd.and Palm Ave; the other in the Westfork Plaza just west of I-75 on Pines Blvd. (north side). Both locations have very delightful atmosphere and the sushi is excellent. Very fresh and lovingly handled.

#2: Tee-jays Sushi-Thai in Coral Springs

If I were a meat eater I think I would purchase all my meat at Doris Italian Bakery. The closest one to Miami is in downtown Hollywood, and def worth the drive. The meats look fresh and the butchers seem very knowledgable. I've hear them advise customers on cuts of meat and how to prepare meats. They also make their own sausages . I do buy fish, and Doris's always have beautifully fresh seafood--especially local fish.

They have good buys on veggies, fruits and fresh herbs too. Their tomatoes are always priced lower than Publix, and they have a very nice bakery and ready to eat hot deli.

And if that IS the show's demographic? Those folks deserve TV shows they too can enjoy.

I second that! Las Olas Cafe is a beautiful restaurant--small, intimate, lots of old world charm. It's like an oasis of real in the midst of shops that try a bit to hard. The menu is very nice. I had the spinach and pine nut ravioli, husband had the mahi mahi. Both--especially my sauce-- were perfectly cooked and tasty. Excellent, friendly service too.

For breakfast, you gotta experience the Floridian, also on Las Olas at 13th.

As a Peace Corps volunteer in Accra in the late 70s I ate a LOT of fufu. I grew to love it and had it at least 3 times a week. I worked hard and walked everywhere, so I, like my Ghanaian co-workers did not gain weight from eating it as we probably would here.

For some reason, I have been craving fufu like crazy for the past year or so. I've tried the faux version (potato flakes and bisquick) many times, but it just is not close enough. I don't know why some enterprising people (Ghanaians maybe?) don't just import the mortars and pestles needed to make proper fufu. With the possible exception of good palmnuts, ALL the ingredients for fufu and the accompanying soups are readily available---at least they are in South Florida. All we are missing is the hardware. I got really good at turning the fufu as others pounded, and I think pounding out some balls after all these years would be like riding a bicycle once I get the hardware.

I wonder about the description of the texture of fufu as " very gelatinous and gooey... dried mucilage..." That is way off the mark, and it sounds very unappetizing. Fufu is not sticky nor glue like; it is more akin to risen bread dough.

Anyway, I miss it, and all the wonderful sounds, aromas and expectations that accompany the preparation of fufu. It is good eats and an indelible experience that I would love to have again.

I won't say I would not eat them for, say $5,000, but I greatly dislike uncooked spinach, uncooked mushrooms, buttermilk (as a beverage), borscht, tempeh, and papaya.

A relatively new Asian buffet that does not seen to leave its food sweating on the steam table is East Fusion Buffet on the east side of University Dr. just south of Royal Palm Blvd. (Copans Rd.) in Coral Springs.

The dinner buffet has an abundance of fresh, delectable seafood--both prepared and raw bar, the buffet entrees are prepared in a number of cuisines. Service is excellent, and the atmosphere is very nice. Our family has had dinner there twice,and I went for lunch with a friend once. We look forward to getting back there.

The lunch buffet has fewer seafood treats, but it is very good and fresh as well.

(BTW, in that same plaza is another Asian restaurant (non-buffet) that is my absolute favorite in the area. Teejay's Thai Sushi.)

2101 N. University Dr.
Coral Springs, FL 33071
www.eastfusionbuffets.com

Cool. But I was wondering if this restaurant prepares them in a particularly special, or even careful, way to warrant the rec. We're visiting friends in Merritt Island in a couple of weeks. I'll be sure to check it out.

Jamika, Jamika, Jamika. Tonight, she inherits Debbie's crybaby crown.

So tell us about the rock shrimp. What makes it special?

When I purchase ginger root from Publix it is always imported from Central America. One night my daughter remembered--at 10 pm--that she needed ginger for her high school culinary class the next morning. I had no choice but to go to the 24-hr Super Walmart--a store I was morally opposed to patronizing.

Well, that store has the BEST ginger I've ever bought ANYWHERE. It's from China,and the roots are large, juicy and potent.

An excellent and well-stated point, smtucker.

At most a teaspoon--slightly crushed. For me it adds a nice subtle back note to my stock that I really like.

Hi,
I was referring to the little anise seeds--they somewhat resemble fennel seed in appearance, aroma, and taste.

Star anise--now that is an interesting path for chicken soup.

I include a few anise seeds when making the stock.

Rather than a point of pretentiousness, this is probably a criticism of the opposite: I HATE the way Guy Fieri puts that extra syllable in "paprika," pronouncing it "pappa-RE-kuh." Talk about nails on the chalkboard. Shouldn't a chef and restaurateur know better?

I love that, meg944. You're funny! :)

That makes sense. So do you think the entire show is orchestrated? Or did Debbie just hand them an opportunity?

Welcome to South Florida! May you soon get sand in your shoes.

For fresh fish from the docks, try the marina at Haulover Park on Collins Ave. (North end of Miami Beach, just north of Bal Harbour). Be there at dusk. Might be fun to go early take your kite--there is a nice park there where people fly kites. Be sure the fisherman you buy from is operating with a license. (Take mosquito repellent).

I live near Ft. Lauderdale and enjoy shopping for fish at a market called The Fish Peddler on 44th Street, just west of University Drive. They carry a great variety of fresh delicious fish and seafood.

This inquiry has come up before. If you search the chowhound.com boards, you'll find other suggestions.

I'm in SE Florida and have shopped at Publix all my grocery-buying life. I prefer it because of the wonderful customer service, cleanliness, and wide selection/good quality of store brands. I'm surprised to read folks think Albertson's prices are better---I find them the most expensive of all the major grocery stores, although they had the best variety of produce.

I also like Publix's live demos of the Apron recipes and the wine samplings.

Their seafood prices ARE high, and I was surprised to discover their seafood selection varies greatly by ZIP Code. That revelation reminded me of Publix's reputation during my childhood of clearing out when a neighborhood transitioned to Black or Hispanic.

Aww, really? That's too bad.

What about Renaissance Baking Company in the San Souci area of North Miami? I know they supply restaurants and shops, but I purchased artisan breads there years ago. Not sure if they still sell to the public, but their bread is worth an inquiry.

I am not happy Debbie got to stay. Her shadiness has been obvious from the first challenge. She is a selfish, dishonest crybaby. If the judges are silly enough to choose her, I won't be tuning in to her show.

I suppose the judges had no choice but to let Michael go this week since he himself gave words to what they most feared about him--he is very uncomfortable in front of the camera. There is no way he could be a star on a cooking show with that hang up. Too bad. He was so likable. I love the way he grabbed the food on his way out.

Gotcha. But... Grazie is nowhere near stuffy---though it is not a frenetic place either. But that is all moot since you are not looking for Italian.

I know a couple of cool 20-somethings . I'll ask them. :)

Give Grazie a look.7th and Washington.
They're open for dinner at 6 and your clients are sure to be impressed.
http://www.grazieitaliancuisine.com/