betterbeheaven's Profile
websites/blogs for food/art/music events in Bay area
I like looking at 7x7.com, a local magazine. They do a roundup each week of food events and have many guides (10 dishes for under $10 in x neighborhood; top 100 things to eat, etc). They also have lots on music/art.
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay Thread - 2nd quarter 2012
I really wanted to buy that, but looked at the nutrition facts and got scared away! I don't remember but I seem to recall it was something like 98% of daily recommended saturated fat in one bar...
Looking for cafe near BART, Oakland, quiet for mid-afternoon meeting
Awaken Cafe just re-opened on Broadway, near 14th. It's very close to 12th St BART station, though parking is perhaps not as easy in that area. It's pretty spacious, lots of tables and chairs, so I think it'd suit your needs.
There's also Cafe Zoe near Rockridge BART that's reasonably large.
Marinade with acid -- how long?
Not do the lemon juice until 15-30mins prior, or anything at all?
Marinade with acid -- how long?
Thanks all! I think I will do the chicken in a 24hr marinade with some but not too much lemon juice, while I'll only use zest/olive oil/spices on the shrimp but squirt in a little lemon juice right before cooking it.
Marinade with acid -- how long?
Going camping and planning to make kebabs! I'm trying to decide what marinades to use on my chicken, shrimp, and veggies and from looking at recipes online, nearly all of them have lemon juice or red wine vinegar in them. I'm a little concerned that if I start marinating them tomorrow night, when we leave, and don't grill them to the night after, the acid will break down the meat and make it mushy. Is it okay to leave meat in an acidic marinade for 24 hours? In addition, should the shrimp be marinated less lengthily than the chicken?
I could put the marinade in bottles and do it the morning of to reduce the amount of time, but would rather be able to just do everything tomorrow night before leaving.
thank you!
RIP Trattoria Corso [Restaurant is not closed; this is about service issues - CH Team]
I really wish this thread title coud be changed. The first time it was posted, I thought that Corso had closed. When this thread was revived again, I had already forgotten about the last time and again thought the restaurant had closed.
Please DON’T recommend a restaurant for 35 people…
How about doing a class with Kitchen on Fire? They have great enthusiastic chefs and often do private events. It's in Berkeley, but the North Berkeley location is walkable (15 mins?) from BART. Might be expensive to do a private event, but if budget is not a primary concern...
I know you said not too task-oriented, but from what I understand, they do private and corporate events all the time so if people get distracted or don't want to cook, the staff chefs ensure things get done and a full meal is served.
Deep dish pizza for one? And a couple other questions
That is helpful! I'll try one of those places them for my pizza fix
Deep dish pizza for one? And a couple other questions
Perfect! Wicker Park was one I was thinking of.
Deep dish pizza for one? And a couple other questions
I'm coming to Chicago this weekend for a solo trip, with a few questions:
(1) I really want to try deep dish pizza while in Chicago, but I'll just be one person. Any good places that serve by the slice, by any chance?
(2) What are good food (or just walking/exploration) neighborhoods besides the ones in downtown? I'm wondering because so far, everything I've got is downtown and if someone was coming to San Francisco, I'd feel like they weren't really the city if they just stayed in our downtown.
(3) I'm planning to do the Purple Pig and Frontera Grill without reservations, on Fri/Sat nights. I'm okay with a wait, but do you think it will be too horrendous if I just need a seat for one (bar is fine)?
Savory item for a bakeoff?
Thank you everyone for the ideas! ....I ended up going the sweet route because a lot of folks actually signed up for savories, and it seemed easier to make a simple dessert (though cheese straws was a good idea too, in terms of minimal work). I made scotcheroos (http://annies-eats.com/2011/02/18/peanut-butterscotch-chocolate-crispy-bars/) which I didn't realize were a Midwestern thing until someone in my office told me. The whole pan got eaten up, but I wasn't really a big fan myself -- too heavy, too much honey.
Incidentally, the best thing IMO at the bakeoff was a savory galette with sweet potatoes and blue cheese.
Will be making the spanakopita for a friend's party this Friday night instead.
Savory item for a bakeoff?
My office is having a bakeoff next week, and I'm leaning towards bringing something savory to provide some relief from the sweets.
What are some baked goods that are savory that don't need too much reheating (we have a toaster oven)? I was thinking about doing empanadas. Someone already signed up for quiche. Maybe spanakopita? I have lots of filo dough, though I suppose that would be "cheating"...I'm not really fussed about being in the contest and trying to win, just want to bring something to contribute.
I'm especially interested in anything that can be made ahead or has some make-ahead components, as I won't be getting home until 9pm the night before the bakeoff.
thanks!
Suggestions for lunch only M-F restaurants
Nojo is now serving lunch, W-F. The menu sounds good!
http://nojosf.com/menu/lunch.php
What food magazine do you recommend?
I love Cooking Light! I'm sure it's amateur for some people on this board, but for me, it's the right level of complexity in my everyday meals. I've made some really delicious recipes out of there. It's definitely not diet food, in any sense...not quite light enough to help you lose serious weight (well, maybe if you follow their portions very strictly), but healthy.
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay Thread - 1st quarter 2012 [old]
Given the number of Speculoos lovers here, I'm surprised I haven't seen a review yet for the Belgian dark chocolate bar filled with Speculoos cookie spread. It's a small bar (1.58oz/45g) and priced at $.99. There are some other varieties, but I forget what they were.
Anyway, I like the bar quite a lot. I only get a little bit of Speculoos flavor (which is fine by me), but the chocolate is very good. Smooth, medium dark...much better than the chocolate quality in those dark choc pecan/toffee and dark choc sea salt/caramel bars, which I find kinda waxy and greasy.
La Tur is back at Costco
That is exciting re: the Hodo Soy. Are they gigantic packages?
Foreign Cinema brunch - no reservations?
It is a bummer when those deal expiration dates creep up upon you! If you can't find a buyer, according to the Google offer guidelines: "After redemption period, all vouchers may be refundable or redeemable for paid amount."
https://www.google.com/offers/home#rules
Foreign Cinema brunch - no reservations?
I had the balsamic fried eggs with potato/garlic hash, prosciutto, and chicories. Not very good at describing food, which is why I didn't include a review, but I really enjoyed the dish. My boyfriend had the huckleberry pop tart and the croque madame. Pop tart was very, very good; flaky and sweet. The croque madame was good too, but extremely heavy. The entire sandwich is literally encased in bechamel. Did not think much of the fries that came with it.
Foreign Cinema brunch - no reservations?
Well, at least for brunch, I think I worried a bit more than warranted. I called to ask how long the wait would be for walk-ins, and the reservationist said anywhere between 20 minutes and an hour. I asked if arriving right when they opened would help, and she said that they usually had a line by then. So I arrived embarrassingly early, was the first in "line" for a little while. Around 15 minutes before the opening, a few more people arrived. We were all seated instantly in our pick of seats, and the restaurant was never full, even when I left at noon.
after 11pm Fri. / Sat., Berkeley & environs
Phil's Sliders in Berkeley (near Shattuck & Center) is open until midnight Thurs-Sat
Foreign Cinema brunch - no reservations?
I did -- they gave me the same option (2:15pm)
Foreign Cinema brunch - no reservations?
I have a Google Offer deal for Foreign Cinema that I have to use in the next few days. I'd like to do brunch on Saturday (partly of 2), preferably patio seating, but they don't have a reservation available until 2:15pm. Do they take walk-ins for brunch? Would I need to arrive right when they open at 11:00am to avoid a long wait?
Trader Joe's Yea/Nay Thread - 1st quarter 2012 [old]
Previously reviewed in the 4th Q 2011 thread, but the peppermint pretzel slims are dangerously addictive. And now $0.99 a bag in Berkeley, CA!
Ikea's food market
Yes...it's pretty disappointing, especially for my boyfriend, who loved those cookies-cake things in the refrigerated case that were covered in shredded coconut, as well as the Kex chocolate.
Bay Area Food Festivals - 2011
12/16-12/17 - Kerstbier Fest at The Trappist
http://thetrappist.com/events/
http://www.7x7.com/eat-drink/holiday-brews-tap-weekend-californias-best-beer-bar
local holiday food gifts
Somewhat on topic, this Friday is La Cocina's Gift Bazaar in the Mission:
http://www.giftbazaarsf.com/home.html
"Higher-End" Takeout -- Oakland/Berkeley?
Summer Kitchen & Bake Shop was originally conceived as a mostly take out place, though people tend to eat there. Their chicken tenders are delicious.
http://summerkitchenbakeshop.com/menu
where to eat returning from Point Reyes?
We don't own a car, but we're getting a Zipcar to go to Point Reyes tomorrow. I'd like to take advantage of having a car to use and go to dinner somewhere that would be hard to reach without a car. Any ideas? We'll be going from Point Reyes back to Berkeley and would consider making small detours.
I'm open to any cuisines, but prefer to stay on the less expensive side (under $20-30 per person, inc tax + tip, no drinks). Last time we did this, we went to Sol Food, which was fun but not exceptional enough for us to want to return.
Thanksgiving 2011 Disaster Stories
Sigh. The disaster began in the morning. My friend and I were making poached eggs for Thanksgiving morning breakfast, and she was using a pressure cooker to boil the water....she had never used one before, but I think she ran out of big pots so she turned to it. When she tried to lift the lid, the boiling water burst out everywhere -- all over her stomach and leg...I got less, but it still hurts quite a bit. She went to the ER.
Then I came back to my apartment come to make food to bring over for dinner. Made cheddar biscuits while trying to keep my leg and stomach cool. Wasn't paying careful enough attention and realized after I had mixed in EVERYTHING (flour, cheddar, buttermilk, egg) that I had forgot to cut the butter into the dry flour mix. They still taste fine, but...
