btgordon's Profile
Navigating the menu at B&B Ristorante [Vegas]
I have heard those same critiques leveled- the variability between different reviews of B&B has been amazing; the LA Times loved it, others hated it. I will post an extensive review!
Navigating the menu at B&B Ristorante [Vegas]
Thanks a lot. I understand it really IS a loaded question- I appreciate the great answer. I will do that and report back.
Any input on the "seasonality" of the tasting menus? We were looking to try a wider variety of things, but if we would be better served by sticking with the more seasonal specials. that is fine.
Navigating the menu at B&B Ristorante [Vegas]
Hey Hounds-
My dad and I are hitting up B&B this Saturday in Vegas. It has a pretty formidable menu. Anything that is just revelatorily good, or that we must try? We were really looking hard at the tasting menus- either the regional or pasta.
Can't get my electric smoker hot enough
Thanks guys! I will work on insulating it a bit better- maybe putting it inside another (larger) trashcan might be the solution, along with a shorter cord. I will report back!
Can't get my electric smoker hot enough
I am using a 50 foot extension cord- I had never considered that. Thanks- I will try that and get back to you!
Can't get my electric smoker hot enough
Hey Hounds-
I have a question. I recently built a aluminum trashcan electric smoker, very similar to this one:
http://bbq.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=bbq&cdn=food&tm=12&f=00&tt=14&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.cruftbox.com/cruft/docs/elecsmoker.html
And I just can't get the damn thing hot enough! It gets to around 160 internally, and just will not get warmer. I am eagerly awaiting a new hot plate, but the one I have currently seems to get pretty hot. Any advice?
Saam: worth going over the top
This looks great! I have been looking for a place like this for my birthday. How does one get reservations? Just call The Bazaar?
Getting heritage pork in LA?
That is definitely the best place to get the stuff online. I was kind of hoping for a store so that I didn't have to buy an entire quarter hog in one go =)
Getting heritage pork in LA?
Thanks BT! I will have to check out those korean markets!
Getting heritage pork in LA?
Hey Chowhounders-
I am looking to get my hands on some cuts from heritage pigs-Berkshire's or Duroc's, that kind of thing. I know I can order them online, but I was kind of hoping to be able to get smaller portions that are generally sold online, as well as just go on a whim, as opposed to planning it out and ordering online.
Any advice on finding some good heritage pork in LA?
Meals By Genet--what to get?
That comes on the veggie platter- when I went, we got a double portion of the salad. It isn't _that_ special; just romaine with an excellent, olive oil based dressing. Still, very good.
Trust the waiters; they know what is good.
Meals By Genet--what to get?
I was there 2 weeks ago, and had a fantastic experience. The waiters are incredibly knowledgeable. Basically, you get the vegetarian platter, which they then supplement with the other dishes. Probably my two favorites there are the chicken doro wat (chicken stew-excellent) and the steak tibs. We had the lamb "yebesiga alitcha" which was also good.
Bottom line: all the ethiopian stuff is great, we had an amazing time. Enjoy!
Socal Hound Going to Cedar Rapids
If you don't mind driving, Lincoln Cafe in Mount Vernon is superb. I am a SoCal transplant from LA area.
Great Restaurant in Des Moines- DJANGO [DSM]
I wanted to toot the horn of a great restaurant in Des Moines, IA. I am a college student about 50 miles away, in Grinnell, but I frequently am in the "big city" to go the airport and actually absorb some metropolitan atmosphere. I am a transplant from LA, so bear that in mind.
Django, which I have now been to 4 times, has consistently wowed me. Their long hours, good service and excellent food combine to create a very pleasant dining experience. Over my visits, I have had their short ribs, their hanger steak, their sea scallop and their wild mushroom crepes. All have been outstanding.
In addition, they have long hours- a boon to travelers flying into the airport and searching for a good place to eat on a Sunday night, when all else seems closed.
In addition, they hit a variety of price points. While you can easily order one of their (enormous) main courses, it is equally easy to split an entree between two people and leave quite content and rotund. In addition, they offer a "wine stimulus program": no corkage fee ever at lunch or on weekend dinners. I have spent $50 a head at Django, and I have spent below 20 for lunch. Really, it is a superb place.
Bottom line: If you want a nicer dining experience, in a restaurant with great atmosphere, good food and reasonable (if not rock bottom) prices, go to Django.
La Canada
There is some great stuff around La Canada, not as much in town.
Dish is a solid performer for breakfast, good for lunch, never been there for dinner.
Really, LC shines due to its location. SGV, with it's bounty of asian cuisine is right under your wing, as is Pasadena. In the other direction, Montrose has some so-so places. The advantage of being at the convergence of the 210 and the 2 cannot be overstated- you have tremendous range to the east, south and west.
Iowa City
I echo CTS- in general, I find IC's food to be lacking. Ditto with Devotay; I was less than thrilled the two times I went there. Never been to the lincoln Cafe, bit Hva eheard good things.
A great breakfast place in Ventura/Oxnard area?
Mrs Olsen's is ok- I would personally reccomend Jetty Surf Cafe, just accross the harbor from Mrs. Olsens.
If you go there, I cannot reccomend their french toast highly enough- it is made with deep fried hawaiian sweetbread. Very decadent, but very good. They also have some great teriyaki chicken- one of my fave breakfasts there is the eggs wtih toast and teriyaki chicken.
My consistent go-to sandwich is their bagel sandwich- I think it is called "The Wedge".
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Jetty Surf Cafe
2323 Roosevelt Blvd, Oxnard, CA 93035
Super Cool Eats in the Des Moines Area (30 mile radius...ish)
Let's see what I can do to help you.
Des Moines has some incredible food now- really, it has turned into a very cultured city, culinarily. In no particular order:
Pho Ha Dao (vietnamese noodle soup)
Jethro's Smokehouse for BBQ
El Chisme (mexican)
B&B Grocery (their deli serves an incredible pork tenderloin)
I hope that gets you off to a good start.