jules c's Profile
San Francisco Trip 4/22-27
Hello All,
A girlfriend and I are headed to the Bay Area from Maryland for several days later this month. While I've been to San Francisco several times, she's never been. I've enjoyed Ace Wasabi, Mama's and several other good picks, in addition to some searches on this board. We're both vegetarians, she dabbles in veganism, I dabble in seafood.
In addition to places that are uniquely "San Francisco." I'd love a few recommendations for hip places with interesting cocktail/wine/beer menus as well as excellent, creative food. We're both adventurous eaters and travelers so local joints off the beaten path would be great. We'll have a car and an open schedule.
She got some information on Millenium. How's that place?
We're also headed up to Healdsburg to stay with some friends for a night while we're there--any recommendations en route will also be investigated.
Thanks in advance for your help. I'm so looking forward to this vacation!
Peace,
jc
Post Race Chow near Potomac Park
hiya! some friends and i are running in the colon cancer 5k tomorrow AM in Potomac Park and would like to grab something delicious to eat afterwards in Alexandria (or another area close). The race starts at 8:30 so brunch would be awesome. Our team captain loves french toast, several adventurous eaters are included as well as a few with milder tastes. We'll be sweaty and in sneakers; needless to say, a casual atmosphere is essential. Thanks in advance for your help!
jules
cheap and easy....appetizer for a crowd
I recently made something similar, but with goat cheese, low fat cottage cheese and fresh herbs. I served it with crostini and veggies. I really like cottage cheese, and this is a lower fat version of the recipe above. I used chives, dill, tarragon, and parsley. Fresh herbs make for a pretty color!
Small birthday dinner in Baltimore- recs?
i would echo comments on b and chameleon. also, i had the pleasure of visiting jack's bistro in canton this week. they opened recently, but i believe you'd have a great time. the menu offers all sorts of different things, veggie entrees, short ribs, curry dishes, broiled skate... they offer a nice wine list, fun coctails and cool desserts (we tried lavender peppercorn ice cream for dessert-- awesome!) entrees won't be more than $22 bucks, you can wear jeans or dress up. the staff is really friendly and helpful. weeknights bring different specials (tuesday is homemade pretzel night--lobster is another special night)... they're very new, but really seem to have it together!
have fun and happy birthday!
Pub Crawl in the State Capital
hiya hounds,
we'll be out celebrating a friends birthday this weekend. as a tribute to her irish heritage, and in memory of her semester in dublin, she's requested a pub crawl in annapolis. we're going out for sushi at joss first, then picking up friends as we stumble along. any suggestions for good bars and pubs that will ensure a memorable evening?
also, feel free to join us, the more the merrier!
cheers,
jules
Mysterious Illness Requires Culinary Cure
Howdy Hounds!
My honey is sick. Weird GI symptoms as well as the makings of a nasty cold. I'd like to fix him some nice comfort food tonight. He often neglects fluids when ill, so there's that to consider. Otherwise, I think he'll be up for pretty much anything.
Thanks y'all. Have a great Monday!
jules
crab season
Yes, if you are speaking of local crabs. July 4-Mid October is your best bet for good, Chesapeake crabs.
jules
Had to pass this one along
Eggs in a bag is a great camping breakfast, as you can do it over the campfire. Kids love it! I work at a summer camp, and this is always a hit on our camp outs. You can hang the bags over the pot on metal skewers so they are easily retrieved from the boiling water.
Something Interesting Near Blairstown?
Hi!
My honey and I are headed up to see his folks in Blairstown NJ this weekend. We also have Giants tickets for Sunday!!! Anyway, is there anything not to be missed for lunch or a casual dinner within 45 minutes of Blairstown? We'd be willing to drive a bit.
Thanks, Hounds, have a great weekend!
Go G-Men!
jules
(I'm excited about the game, I don't mean to be offensive with my pro-Giants comments!)
Acorn Squash and Bulgur Wheat
I have my heart set on making something involving acorn squash and bulgur wheat. I found a nice honey-mustard roasted acorn squash recipe I'd like to try... What can I do with the bulgur? Other ideas? Thanks!
Jules
Lavender Powder?
I recently enjoyed a lavender scented goat cheese fondue at a restaurant.
Let us know what fun things you come up with!
Wegman's Ultimate Chocolate Cake
Perhaps the best feature of Wegman's bread is that you can sample anything in the case, at any time... Just ask. Can you sample the cakes, too?
Menu Recommendations for dinner for 17 in Winter
Moosewood Lowfat Vegetarian Cooking has a great recipe for sweet potato and black bean burritos--I've also found a similar recipe online. I make it all the time when I'm having people over for a casual dinner--but could be dressed up. Meat eaters, foodies, kids, veggies, everyone loves it. I serve mine with homemade salsa and sour cream (fat free works well, even)... One note, don't use a food processor, use a potato masher, the end product will have a more interesting texture.
Healthy Lunch Ideas?
I like to make a bean salad...
I use whatever canned beans I have, black, great northern, garbanzo, kidney, black eyed peas, whatever, and dress it with vinegar (whatever looks good), olive oil, and garlic/herbs. it can also be spiced up with artichoke hearts, beets. Just throw in what you like. Put it into gladwaresque containers and throw into your lunch bag. Keep adding leftover veggies it will keep in the fridge for a while.
I like it with cottage cheese and fruit (on the side, not mixed in!).
I concur with the chocolate comment. Treat yourself to something sweet. I know that's what i really want at lunchtime.
Baltimore Multiple Choice
i had: shellfish bisque, fried green tomatoes with crab and lobster hash, halibut w/ red wine reduction and haricots verts, and the golden beet salad!
he had: grilled cheese w/ tomato bisque, baby arugula salad, scallop w/ sweet potato purree, panceta and pine nuts, and foie gras w/ bacon hash.
we had the sommelier pair wines for each course: he really enjoyed the chianti (served with the grilled cheese) and i adored a pinot blanc (served with the tomatoes) i need to look back at my notes for vinters. the wine pairings were a real treat!
dessert was awesome as well: huckleberry and sweet ricotta trifle, pumpkin mousse, and a special birthday serving of the rum raisin ice cream.
we had so much fun!
Help give my Thanksgiving a kick in the pants
My family is super traditional when it comes to Thanksgiving we will never not have traditional, plain old sage stuffing, etc... But, over the past several years a few dishes have gotten spiced up. Two of my favorites-- Mashed potatoes and sauteed leeks (mashed all together, I did it with a blender on a stick) and twice-baked sweet potatoes: pecans, orange juice, brown sugar, butter and cream of course. You can even put marshmallows on top! Seriously, so good!
I never thought of roasted root vegetables for Thanksgiving, that's definitely going to be served at my house!
Baltimore Multiple Choice
hey all,
thanks for your replies. though, i'm sorry to say i was using all of you. my honey is also a chowhounder and i thought he was on to me for his birthday surprise, so i enlisted your help. i was always planning on taking him to Charleston. we had a wonderful time, wonderful wine, wonderful food, and will visit Saffron another night.
thanks again.
Baltimore Multiple Choice
I'm taking my honey out for dinner mid-week for his birthday. He's given me the following "suggestions" for his big night (26!), and I'm to choose where we go.
We've never visited any of the following restaurants but are huge fans of Chameleon Cafe, Petit Louis, Pazo, Peter's Inn... and pretty adventurous eaters. All opinions are welcomed.
The choices are:
Sotto Sopra
Bicycle
Saffron
Taste
I could surprise him and do something different, but I believe these are strong choices...
Thanks, all!
jules
Is it better when you haven't cooked it yourself?
I would probably never make myself a sandwich, but I sure do love sandwiches. I order them at restaurants and just love when my dad makes me one. I cannot begin to explain this.
Christmas Dinner in New Orleans
Thanks for the tips and the link! We're looking forward to our trip.
To clarify: the vegetarian (me) does eat fish and seafood, and we're adventurous people. Only two of us have been to New Orleans before, and I was staying in Baton Rouge and visited NO in the evening, during Mardi Gras, so didn't eat out. I was also in college, and wasn't as food-centric as I am today.
What I'm trying to say is, we're excited, ready to try something new, New Orleans style, and you all are very helpful!
Thanks,
jules
Paella
thanks y'all! you've given me the tips, tools and courage to try paella again! i'll let you know how it goes!
thanks,
jules
Roasted Vegetables
Bacon is something I've learned to live without... Moosewood Lowfat Vegetarian Cookbook has recipes for different Roasted Veggie Combos, too!
Thyme Square
I'm not from Montgomery County-- but went to Thyme Square with college friends this weekend. Our experience was awful! The service was terrible and the food left much to be desired. I had the Barbequed Sea Bass which was not served on a "rice cake" as the menu described rather a pile of stale basmati rice. A too-sweet BBQ sauce was pooled on the plate and there was no seasoning on the fish at all! All this was piled high with a carrot, red onion and red cabbage slaw that was completely undressed.
My friend ordered the Pan Roasted Salmon only to be told over 40 minutes later that the entree was no longer available. She ended up ordering the whole wheat pasta with goat cheese and garlic which was pretty tasty. Then we noticed a woman who had been seated after we ordered enjoying what appeared to be a lovely plate of pan roaster salmon! This is rude and unacceptable, right?
I'm not a complainer and I found it necessary to speak to the manager upon leaving. Is this par for the course at Thyme Square? Has any one had a good experience here? The restaurant seemed to have potential...
Christmas Dinner in New Orleans
My family is planning on spending the holidays in Gulfport and New Orleans. While there we will be doing some recovery work, but would like to find a nice place for us to go for Christmas dinner.
Five people will attend, all adults, and one vegetarian. Price is not important-- we just need a restaurant that is open on Christmas and will serve delicious food in a pleasant atmosphere.
Thanks for your help!
jules
Paella
So, I had my first go at Paella last night. The dish turned out edible, but I think it could have been much, much better.
I don't eat land animals, so it was prepared with a vegetable stock and lots of seafood--mussels, mahi mahi, tilapia and shrimp. I was cooking for my family, and because of some dietary requirements needed to use brown rice (which turned out to be a huge pain!).
This being said, does anyone have any homemade paella tips? Is there a trick to perfectly cooked rice? Is brown rice do-able or even appropriate?
Thanks for your help!
jules
Great Casual Eatery in Baltimore
I've had great food at Chameleon Cafe in Baltimore... It's on Harford Rd. The outdoor patio overlooks a safeway parking lot, but other than that it's really lovely.
www.thechameleoncafe.com
Pazo is fun, too!
I'm also a fan of Peter's Inn in Fells Point. They change the menu every week and do not take reservations, so get there early.
have a lovely evening out!
jules
Anniversary Meal
if you're seriously considering annapolis, think metropolitan on west street. attentive service, very good food. i've never eaten on the roof, but heard it's very very nice. it's just a short drive to the harbor in annapolis for scenic strolling and italian gelati!
happy anniversary!
jules
