sockster's Profile
Wine paring at e by Jose Andres? Are they flexible???
More than....sorry for the typo!!
Agape Substance- One of the best!!!
We went into Agape really not knowing what to expect. We were seated at one of their two tops (of which there are three and a communal table), and greeted by Laurent (who we later found out was the owner).
The parade of dishes started including one of the best baskets ever. We found out the bread selections are custom made for Agape! What followed was a parade of highest quality ingredients, prepared perfectly and elegantly plated. Each plate was a symphony of ingredients that as the meal proceeded, built to a crescendo pitch. As we tried each plate, we were blown away. Simple dishes (which were not so simple) such as peas on a plate with foam, were incredible!! This simple looking dish was anything but...as was everything we were served. The plates were all painstaking prepared by the chef owner David Toutain. David actually personally handles every plate that leaves the kitchen for the tables.this is quite a feat considering the huge number of plates.
Contrary to many web sites our there, and their own web site, there is only one menu. It is 99 Euro for however many courses they serve you. For an additional (I think it was 49 or 59 euro), Laurent pairs incredible wines with many of the courses.
Like I said at the beginning of this review, I had no idea what to expect when we got there. I'm not a lover of vegetables per say, but Agape Substance blew us away. This was easily our top restaurant experience of the year, and we look forward to our next trip to Paris to come back and see what Chef David is up to. We understand dinner is the same price, only more courses. Whatever they charge is fair for the quality and presentation.
Agape Substance is up there with the best of the best when it comes to food and food innovation!!
A wonderful, incredible experience!!
Gourmet Farm to Table find in Barceloneta: Somorrostro
As soon as you walk into this place, you know it's special. The chef is cooking in his open kitchen right to the right of the entrance. Smiles abound and the greeting is warm. You hope the food is good as you've found a cute little gem.
This restaurant offers two course, three course and chef's tasting menus. Ther concept is simple- the menu changes basically every day with farm fresh ingredients. Starters included the tiniest clams we've ever seen, (and you get about 60 to an order), foie gras with apple, and a wonderful kangaroo....yes it was rare kangaroo, and it was sublime!!
Mains included fresh local fish, and of course the requisite suckling pig. All dishes were surrounded with wonderful fresh veggies.
If you're into a very casual dinner with great food, give Somorrostro a try. It's worth it!!
BCN: Outstanding local tapas Bar: Canete
They owners are probably going to kill me for writing about this place, but it's a secret place worth sharing.
Canete is a gourmet tapas bar located about a block off Las Ramblas. They feature fresh daily fish choices, around five dishes with foie, and other assorted goodies I'd never tried before until we went there for lunch this week.
There is a very long bar where you watch the chefs prepare all of the food you're about to eat. One dish that stood out (actually they all did), was ultra thinly sliced eggplant, which they lightly fry and serve with honey....it's not on the menu, but the chef's made it for themselves, and of course we had to try some.
If you love tapas, are a little adventurous in your eating, then Canete is for you!!
BCN: Paco Meralgo
Our go to Sunday night place, Paco Merlargo are what they are. Standard delicious tapas, served in a place with a great local vibe.
Standouts included our favorite potatas bravas, grilled razor clams, and an incredible veal sandwich!!
An excellently priced wine list and great service. Still great.
Barcelona: Gelonch: Getter better and better!!
Went back to Gelonch for the first time in a year. It's incredible to see the how much the menu has evolved from when I first went here three years ago. Roberto Gelonch's new menu is nothing short of wonderful and inventive and delicious!!
The service as always in professional and delightful, with perfect descriptions of each incredible course.
If you haven't eaten at Gelonch, and want to try one of the seriously best, innovative chefs on the Barcelona restaurant scene, don't miss this place. A great meal!!
Wine paring at e by Jose Andres? Are they flexible???
We've bee to e three times now. Tey will absolutly work with you on your pairings until you're happy. As well, they are now stingy on the pours. Gourmet Wednesday is correct---go with the flow...and if you prefer something else, just ask. They're move than accomodating!!
Casual Dinner tomorrow
Do not miss Gelonch! Was just there, (review in the works), It is BETTER THAN EVER!!
Best BYO in Northern NJ
If Caldwell is North enough for you, look into ROSE. Fairly priced, wonderful food, BYOB!!
Raku grill vs. Sushi Raku at Caesars
They are not even in the same world. RAKU is AMAZING!!
Upcoming Paris trip- after a lot of research, here's what we've booked- COMMENTS PLEASE
I've tweeked the "final" selections once again. So many great places.....so little time.
Tues Dinner: Le Dauphin
Wed Lunch: Septime
Wed Dinner: Le tete dans olives
Thurs Lunch: Agape Substance
Thurs Dinner Chez Ami Jean
Fri Lunch: Spring
Fri Dinner: Le Galopin
I took out: Les Jalles, Saturn and L'Ange 20.
Do you have any comments other than...it's a lot of food, I know..Would love to know what you think.. THANKS!!
Itinerary for Barcelona - Please Critique!!
In fairness, we were there about three weeks after the format change. Having had the honor to dine at El Bulli, I thought this would be similar. The only thing that was close was the Adria name. We thought the dinner had two many sweet dishes (especially to start). We sent one dish back which was vile, and they never even apoligised (sp), just brought out a substitiute dish. IMHO, and I write a lot here on CH, this dinner was not worth the money, and the place wouldn't make it on it's own, again, this is my opinion, if the name Adria wasn't connected. On the other hand, Tickets, (tapas) was wonderful.
If you click on my name, just go back in my posts and look for my review on 41 degrees. It will give you a little more insight, from my perspective.
Itinerary for Barcelona - Please Critique!!
One persons opinion- Forget 41 degrees, we were there and imho was terribly overpriced, and the food was fair at best. Alikima is wonderful, in fact I'll be back there on my trip in two weeks as well as my sixth time at the master, Gelonch...that would be my night 3 choice of you...BTW, Tickets is fine.....
Upcoming Paris trip- after a lot of research, here's what we've booked- COMMENTS PLEASE
Here is where we've whittled it down to...so many choices, so few days:
Tues Dinner: Le Dauphin
Wed Lunch: Septime Wed Dinner: La Tete les Olives
Thurs Lunch: Agape Thurs Dinner: Les Jalles
Friday Lunch: L'Ange 20 Friday Dinner: Le Galopin (thanks mangeur), or Saturne
COMMENTS PLEASE?? I know we're kind of overdoing it, but like I said, so many choices....so little time!! THANKS!!
Barcelona Restaurant Suggestions
Hi Maureen, just do a search on Barcelona, you'll find a plethora of information of fantastic places to eat.
In Caldwell, have you tried ROSE? If you haven't, you SHOULD!!
We happened in for dinner this past weekend. You know sometimes when food comes out of a kitchen that's so good, you know it's special; that's what happened to us at Rose.
The food, (especially the spicy shrimp and their version of boulliabase), are outstanding, (with a gigantic portion of boulliabase). The chef came around to each table for reactions, and needless to say they were nothing short of fantastic. If you're anywhere in the area and need a go to place for excellent Italian/Fusion food, this is a place for you!! They will customize tasting menu's for you. (they'll probably make you anything you want as well). The server we had was unreal! They've trained their staff well. Many times during our dinner, our water glasses were refilled with out asking and dishes removed promptly. They'll have music on Thursday night along with a tapas menu. After dinner, they showed us their new outdoor garden that will open when the weather warms.
This restaurant was an incredibly pleasant surprise, and we're looking forward to coming back again and again. In a sea of just the same ol same ol, Rose stands up heads and shoulders above the competition.
Raku Grill- $100-10 course Kaiseki vs $125 Omakase
We did the 10 course in February along with the unreal sake tasting. We too ordered other things...which they happily obliged. They seated us in a private room with our own waitress and it was one of the most incredible meals of my entire life. I can't wait to go back in a couple of months and try it again. WONDERFUL!
Upcoming Paris trip- after a lot of research, here's what we've booked- COMMENTS PLEASE
We're in Paris from the 15-19 of May. The La Tete dinner is Wed 16. They charge 150 euro for the table, whether we're 2, or 5. We've invited a friend from Paris, thus our two open seats. You can contact me directly at sockster@gmail.com. As for Mangeur's suggestions, where do you suggest I fit them in? Incidently, we moved Agape to Tuesday night now, so the only lunch we're booked for is Friday at L'Ange 20.
Upcoming Paris trip- after a lot of research, here's what we've booked- COMMENTS PLEASE
Hi Parigi- I was hoping you'd reply! Really wanted to get into L'Astrance or Frenchie...didn't get into either. Can you help?
I think I'll move Agape to dinner on either Tuesday or Friday. Funny, I orignally booked Saturne for Friday night, and read a lot of very mixed reviews....what do you think? Are there any other places we should try that I haven't mentioned? Are you in Paris? We have two spots available (out of five) at la Tete...would love to do a C H private dinner. Let me know what you think.
Thanks
Upcoming Paris trip- after a lot of research, here's what we've booked- COMMENTS PLEASE
We are staying in a flat in the 6th and have no problem getting anywhere in town:
Tuesday: lunch- need suggestion in the 6th. dinner: Les Saisons
Wednesday: lunch- need suggestion. dinner: la tete dans les olives (yes we got in)!!
Thursday lunch: Agape Substance. dinner: Les Jalles
Friday lunch: L'Ange 20 dinner: Le Reminet
Please let me know what you think and if there's someplace I should take out and replace with ...(your suggestion).
Thanks so much fellow CH'S!!!!
Any place for good soup dumplings (Xiaolongbao) in Las Vegas?
I actually asked this question a while ago. China Mama is fine for Las Vegas. The soup dumplings at Bejing Noodle #9 in Caesars are really good but very expensive for what they are. 6 for $12.99. About double what they normally are. Here's a link: http://www.caesarspalace.com/casinos/caesars-palace/restaurants-dining/beijing-noodle-no-9-detail.html
Montclair recommendations please
You might want to check other reviews on this site before venturing to Adara. Fin is fantastic though!!
St Martin- Restaurant Itinerary help please!!
I've only been once...off a Windstar Cruise....had a fantastic lunch at Il de France...wonderful EXPENSIVE food, but a gorgeous beach!!
St Martin- Restaurant Itinerary help please!!
Terres Basses is only about a 20 minute drive to Grand Case...and it's an easy drive at that.
St Martin- Restaurant Itinerary help please!!
Actually, if you skip Marigot, you won't miss too much. The culinary capital of SM is Grand Case for sure. As for L' Estaminet, I've always had good meals there before this last one...and their food is very creative....probably worth a try. Search this board for recent recommendations...there are a lot and you can cull from there.
St Martin- Restaurant Itinerary help please!!
Here's a thread that should help you: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/831527 Make sure you go to see Momo (call in advance for a reservation and tell him ur on your honeymoon), at Le Ti Bouchon, in Cul de Sac (right outside of Grand Case)....it will be a meal you'll never forget- fabulous, casual and fun!! Great luck!!
Four Idiots Going to Paris
Chef June: Who is Souphie: I'll be there in a few weeks and could use some help as well. How do we get in touch?
