familyguy13's Profile
Driving from Charlotte to Grover NC - need food suggestions
Thanks, I'll be there at around 7:00 tonight
Driving from Charlotte to Grover NC - need food suggestions
That's the last time that i listen to my son. He thought it was an hour and a half drive. Is there something you would recommend in the general area? I'm flying in for a weekend stay at the Inn of the Patriots and wanted to get a meal with local flavor on Friday night
pre/post theater dinner in Hell's Kitchen/Theater District
My preference in that neighborhood would be Chez Napoleon 365 W. 50th (between 8th and 9th)
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Chez Napoleon
365 W 50th St, New York, NY 10019
Driving from Charlotte to Grover NC - need food suggestions
Looking for local cuisine...BBQ, low country, etc. Willing to go a little (1/2 hr.) out of the way
Charleston Wine and Food Festival 2010
My wife and i attended this year's Charleston Wine and Food Festival and thought we would share a few notes. We went to the Thursaday Night Salute to Charleston Chefs Opening Night Party and were overwhelmed. There were approximately 20 local chefs at individual stations serving small portions of treat after treat. Some deserve a special memtion:
Carolina's
Jeremiah Bacon
Braised Pork w/bone marrow bread Pudding
Charleston Grill
Michele Weaver
Scallop Cerviche w/apple mint, yuzu (Japanese lime), thai basil
Mainate scallops in lime juice, salt, white pepper,shallots, granny smith apples-fine dice, apple mint for one hour-served with sprinkle of thai basil.
Grill 225
Demetri Castanas
Tamarind seared beef tartar served in butter lettuce leaf
Marinate beef in tamarid, with soy, honey, sesame seeds, tumeric, cumin, roe
Fat Hen
Fred Neuville
Shrimp & Crab Hoppin John
Circa 1886
Marc Collins
Black Truffle Cauliflower Panna Cotta, chervil, lemon avacado oil, almond dust.
Trattoria Lucca
Ken Vedrinski
Skatewing sotto aciti
Jasmine Porch
Ryley McGills
Caw Caw Cheek Porchetta w/pickled wild mushrooms, rice bread crustini, mustarda
I left having eaten enough to last the entire weekend, but alas I was signed up for the Saturday Culinary Village and Grand Tasting Tent. The Saturday event was well attended with a new selection of chefs and caterers offering small bites (not as fancy as Thursday) and cooking demonstartions thrown in for good measure. Endless wine offerings and a great opportunity to compare the participating vintners.
I thought this was one of the best run festivals we have ever attended and we are looking forward to next year (first weekend in March). Wondering if any chowhounds enjoyed the festival as much as we did.
Relaxing & Casual Valentine's Dinner 15 minutes from Oceanport?
Anjelica's in Sea Bright might be a good choice
Three Days in Nashville
We loved the Loveless Cafe. http://www.lovelesscafe.com/ for a big southern breakfast
We enjoyed Restaurant Zola. It's a little hard to find but worth the effort. It was somthing a little different for dinner. The starters of Lamb Sausage stuffed Quail, Summer Tomato Tart with smoked provolone and prosciutto, and Pecan Fried Beet Salad were all original and excellent. The main courses included a Rabbit special, that was special, and a Rosemary seared Lamb Loin served with fontina, pancetta, pepperoncini pesto and an eggplant grilled cheese sandwich (a mouth full). I was impressed enough to ask if the Chef had ever published a cookbook and was told that one might be in the works down the road. I hope it's a short road, the food was that memorable.
Charleston Food and Wine Festival in March
Thanks to all. Even though a Night with Daniel Boulud was out of my price range, when I checked the web site his dinner for sixty was already sold out. The Charleston Chefs sounds great..we were only coming for Friday-Sunday, but I'll try to convince my wife that we need an extra day. Follow-up question: Are there any smaller local restaurants (not too fancy or expensive) that you would recommend (can't eat three striaght days of gourmet food) for oysters or seafood in general
Charleston Food and Wine Festival in March
My wife and I are thinking of attending the Charleston Food and Wine Festival in March 2010. Anyone out there have any experiences to share that would help us select which of the events to attend?
Restaurant Nicholas Disappoints and Under-Delivers
You are a good sport. I will go back to Nicholas one more time with an open mind and report back
Restaurant Nicholas Disappoints and Under-Delivers
Thank you for the spelling lesson. Oh, by the way it is Chez Napoleon, not Chef Napoleon, and if you found the French waitresses to be "pleasant" then you were at the wrong french restaurant. We have a difference of opinion as to the appropriate rating of Nicholas, with all of its accountrements. Obviously there are fans of this restaurant, but it is also obvious that a number of the contributors to this Board have been disappointed for one reason or another. I do not presume that you have no taste, but only an investor or owner would put Nicholas on par with Daniel.
Restaurant Nicholas Disappoints and Under-Delivers
Bgut: You are correct that Copper Canyon, Bay Avenue Trattoria and Drew's Bayshore Bistro do not offer the same type of food and service as Nicholas. My comment of "superior" was intended to be limited to the preparation of specific dishes (ie, I prefer the short ribs at Copper Canyon and the pulled pork as Drew's). Your comment that comparing these restaurants to Nicholas is like comparing apples to oranges was a fair one. It is obvious that you and RGR love this restaurant as a dining experience. Of the twenty three replys to the original post of dissapointment, you and RGR account for eleven of them and are hereby declared the defenders of the flame (and the Nicholas name). Frankly, you both help keep this string interesting, and I enjoyed the feedback. Nothing wrong with supporting a place that you truely enjoy.
I have re-discovered that I am less involved with the whole dining experience and more interested in taste (to the exclusion of other factors). I will re-evaluate my earlier comments, but to you and RGR. I stand by the fact that the seared foie gras at Daniel's is superior to that served at Nicholas (and to RGR may I recommend the chocolate souffle at Chez Napolean-50 th St, NYC, at half the price served by waitresses that are truly from France, but without white gloves).
Restaurant Nicholas Disappoints and Under-Delivers
Hotfood: I have to agree with you. I'm from the Red Bank-Middletown area and I have eaten at Nicholas twice. On each occassion I found the food to be of good quality but lacking pizazz. Everything tasted "better than ok" but nothing stood out. All of the dishes seemed to be a re-hash of a meal that I've eaten somewhere else (and in some instances better at the other restaurants). I enjoyed each meal but I wanted the experience to be special, and it wasn't.
In my opinion Nicholas is four star dining at the Jersey Shore...which is very good, but this should not be confused with the star ratings applied to NYC restaurants. This place is two light years short of Daniel's or Le Bernardin. Within the general vicinity of Nicholas, superior food can be found at the "Copper Canyon" in the Atlantic Highlands, "Bay Avenue Trattoria" in the Highlands, "Drew's Bayshore Bistro" in Keyport, and "David Burke's Fromagerie" in Rumson. However, it should be noted that only Burke's offers superior food with the ambiance of fine dining.
There's certainly a place for Nicholas, as a special occassion destination at the Shore, but I'd hold back on a little of what I see as misplaced praise. I remember when Nicholas first opened to great expectations...I think the kitchen has become complacent.
Moderately priced French restaurant
Try Chez Napolean at 365 west 50th. It should run about half of what you are willing to spend. Not as fancy as Balthazar but the food is consistently good. Several years ago I found myself at this restaurant sitting across from a well known NYC chef. I asked him what he thought of the food and he replied that his wife is French, having been raised just outside of Paris, and that the onion soup at Chez Napolean was the closest he has found to his mother-in-law,s onion soup, that he enjoys whenever he is back in France. The restaurant is very small and you will need reserevations. Also, agreat location if you are hoping to catch a Broadway show, etc. in midtown.
Cochon the Suprise Winner
I read and re-read the Chowhound New Orleans Board before making my dinner reservations for a four day family vacation (Saturday thru Wednesday) in New Orleans. I elected to start with lunch a the Camellia Grill (for the entertainment value) followed by dinner at Brigsten's, The next day started with brunch at Brennen's and an evening cooking class/dinner at the New Orleans Cooking Experience with chef Gerard Maras. Monday included lunch at Johnny's Po-Boys and dinner at Cochon. Tuesday was a luncheon at Commanders Palace with dinner at Lillette. After four days of New Orleans cuisine I am amazed that any of you chowhounds can find anything bad to say about New Orleans dining.
This is my third trip to Brigsten's and it never disappoints. The waitstaff is attentive without being overbearing, the menu offers variety and twists on old favorites, and the flavors are spectacular. I was told that this is shrimp and softshell crab season and ordered accordingly. The softshell crab beyond belief delicious.
Brennen's is slowly returning to the heights of its storied past. I was there two years ago and it was obvious that the restaurant had not been able to replace its staff with competent help. This is no longer the case and I was pleased to see a return of the old charm (love the bananas foster made at the table). Staring brunch with Mimosa's didn't hurt either.
Cochon was the suprise winner of the trip...the rabbit & dumpling and the catfish courtbouillon entrees, and the German chocolate cake dessert were voted family favorites of the trip.
That's not to say that Commanders Palace is not the continuing Grand Dame of dining. One bite of any item on the menu and you know that you are eating the freshest ingrediants that the market had to offer that day. I had the (accidental) pleaseure of meeting Lally Brennan (co-author of "In The Land of Cocktails") as she toured the tables. Her southern charm and hospitality are well reflected in her restaurant.
Dinner at Lillette was my one minor dissappointment (based on the comments of other chowhounds). The service was uneven and two of the four entrees were not cooked to the requested temperature. But, these shortcoming were more than made up for by the excellent appetizers of steamed mussels, eggplant crisps, and sizzling shrimp, and the entrees of grilled hanger steak with marrowed bordelaise and paneed black drum with Israeli cous cous, leaks and ver jus mussel butter.
To you chowhounds local to New Orleans...you've got some great choices to make. It just seems natural on this board to pick a favorite...soooo, my family votes for Cochon, as best in show.
?????? About Brigstens!
Took my family there Saturday (25th) night...if the soft shell crab is available, do not miss the opportunity for something really special. The restaurabt also serves an entree Seafood Platter with small portions of Shrimp cornbread, grilled Drumfish, Baked Oysters Bienville, etc. My family enjoys sharing, so I ordered this dish as an appetizer for everyone to taste.
Any Info on Patris
Checking for new eat's in NO and was directed to Patris (near Clancy's). Anybody out there tried thihs place?
Zoe an American Bistro Little Silver NJ
The history of this restaurant location goes back twenty years. Nothing seems to last more than a year or two. The prices are average for this area, unfortunately the food is below average. Medium rare is apparently a forgotten art.
Beef Wellington needed NOW!!!
I am not certain if Le Tire Bouchon in Fairfax City holds your answer, but I would give this restaurant a call. Small restaurant...excellent French menu selections.
Ironbound Newark...
Our favorite place closed on Ferry Street and it took several months to find an acceptable replacement. I suggest you try "Tony Da Caneca" at 72 Elm Road (small free parking lot accross the street) . Excellent Suckling Pig, Grilled Prawns in Garlic Sauce, Broiled Lobster, Steaks, etc. We've been back six-seven times and always have a great meal. You will need a reservation.
Looking for restaurant suggestions in the Falls Church Area
Thanks for the info...I'm already adjusting my menu.
Looking for restaurant suggestions in the Falls Church Area
Steve: I will be an Arlington visitor next weekend. The Peking Gourmet Inn in Falls Church advertises itself as the home of Peiking Duck...any opinion? Looking for a banquet for party of 10 somewhere between Bethesda and Falls Church.
