drobbia's Profile
Does The Vessel You Drink From Matter?
Reidel Crystal has created a industry with their beautiful glasses( a special type for almost every variety known to man) They are expensive and they really DO bring the aromas out (good and bad). They are delicate and I rarely use them at large parties because inevitably one or two will break through normal use. I've found that I use these great glasses when I'm serving great wines - usually at small dinner parties. For general parties, Barbques, birthday bashes,pool parties, etc I use glass Peasant glasses. If you've been to Paris or Italy you probably have been served wine with theses style glasses at bistros or trattorias along the way . They are approx. 3 1/2 ' tall x 1 3/4 ' round with a sturdy bottom (like a extruded shot glass) - they cost about $2.25 at Ikea or cost plus(or less) - the stout bottom makes for less spillage and if one breaks, no big loss. Guests will like the feel in their hand and if any stay the night these glasses make for serving O.J. or tomato juices. I never use plastic glasses or cups for wine - i bring the sturdy peasant glasses wrapped in cloth napkins for picnicks , pool parties etc. -
Norwegian Gem cruise, restaurants on board?
Cruising in Jan NY to Caribbean. Which are the best and worst restaurants aboard the Norwegian gem?
Casual wedding party dinner for foodies in/around Campbell San Jose CA.
-having a wedding party for 20-30 people for foodies and want to spend 50.00 person plus wine/beer. Dosent have to be a private room. Possible?
Lunch near Embarcadero BART station??
I commute to work 2x per week and need some reccs for a great lunch spot where I can treat co-workers --thanks!
In praise of Thermapen
got mine at King Arthur Flour web site - 89.00 and no shipping fees - only had red (the color I Wanted anyway)- ENJOY!
In praise of Thermapen
Just used my early-opened Xmas present food thermometer and I wonder why I didnt splurge and buy one before. It made a huge diference in not having to guess or slice up a thick bone in pork chop to test for doneness - try one and you will be amazed- anyone had opposite results?
Dinner advice in Temecula- Murietta
Visiting in laws,need some great picks for dinner ?? - any type any price-- thanks!
Restaurants for out of towners near Moscone ctr. this Sunday
-friend had French at lunch so we chose another. However, we checked out the web site and spoke to other friends who liked the quality-price ratio and the prix-fixe, and will stop in next time in SF(we live near San Jose) thanks for your input.
Restaurants for out of towners near Moscone ctr. this Sunday
Tried Bongsu and gave it mixed reviews by us - appetizer plate was very good, service was excellent,wine list was well thought out, entrees were dissapointing - Blue shrimp had some kind of seasoning that we couldnt figure out that made the dish below par and they were way overdooked . The salmon was above average and the beef salad very very good.Desert was OK but the cookies were better than the whipped chocolate.Check was $180.00 with 20% tip (we had a 38.00 S.B. wine and one non alc. beer) all in all it was a nice choice and although I couldnt reccomend it for a special meal it was worth the visit - thanks for your reccomendation.
Restaurants for out of towners near Moscone ctr. this Sunday
Out of town friends want to take us out this Sun. PM at a rest. near Moscone - they will pay and we dont want them to spend big big bucks - looking for 20-25 $ entres - suggestions??
Le Creuset Skillet Burned Please HELP!!!
try mixing 2 tbs. Bar Keepers, 2 Tbs liquid soap and 1/2 tsp baking soda - mix well,add 3 Tbs hot water-make a paste, makethe paste quite wet by adding more hot water - when really wet apply to stains --- add 1/2 tsp table salt and mix with non stick spatula - the result will be super bubbly -- leave on for a couple hours uuntil fully dried and rinse with sponge -- works all the time unless the LC is damaged--repeat if nec.(I've never had to)-- good luck
Casual but chowhound good in Santa Cruz?
Going to Santa Cruz and am seeking casual,good food(type not important) spot for early dinner with my sister -- any suggestions?
Whats your favorite Tea Cafe? Why?
-have become a tea nut recently and will be spending a long weekend in Sherman Oaks and will have lots of free time to enjoy tea - any rec's- have car,will travel anyplace in greater LA - Thanks!
Peter Luger.........
Peter Luger is about New york -the patrons, the ever patient waiters(yeah,right!),the dark rye bread, the creamed spinich,german fried potatoes,tomato and onion for the table,the porterhouse is the drawing card and rightly so - but the stories you will, embelish and talk to friends about back home will be worth the effort to get there(take a cab from your hotel and let the doorman talk the cabbie into taking you - remember it's under the Williamsburg bridge) - Lugers will call a cab to get you back-I'll bet your wife will love the whole night-her steak is totally different - you cant get a gas grill hot enough to make their steak --when leaving(if you have leftovers) take the leftovers,ask the waiter to put the steak into a doggie bag for you-if you also want some of their bread,ask him to put some bread in the bag too - just tell him your dog only eats sandwiches!! -- have fun - bring cash,tip 20-30 percent if you want to walk out alive!! Enjoy -- go Rebels!
Vegas, price no object
Going to Vegas soon and will be entertaining clients and friends - Got a great expense account -- which restaurants would/have you gone to really enjoy the food with fine ambiance? Thanks -- A Lucky Lady.
Best bet Indian food in Campbell,San Jose?
Taking my so to dinner on thurs. - she wants Indian-it's her birthday - So,?
Cassanova Rest. in Carmel by the sea. Any CH reviews
Going to carmel area next week - any suggestions for a medium expensive restaurant of any ethnicity/type?? - some non-CH friends really liked Cassanova for lunch and I'm not sure -thanks
Delicious Magazine - as good as the hype?
Heard real good things about the magazine(at first glance looked like a glossy australian-nice pics-kinda' like a aussie Goumet mag) - bought a copy and after full perusal I wasnt that impressed - especially at 8.99 per copy- any body love it or hate it? why?
Agave,anybody tried it as a sugar substitute?
Got it at whole foods in Campbell,CA -It comes in a 11.75 oz plastic squeeze bottle - it's a golden color liquid - it cost 3.39 - I bought 12 for 27.00 at Amazon today -- you can look up info on line,try googling it.
Agave,anybody tried it as a sugar substitute?
Tried it as a sweetner in my yerba mate and went goo-goo on the taste -any good uses besides the obvious?
Nice fish dinner in Eureka(old town)-any suggestions?
Just tried my first taste of Agave(light) and fell in love with it immediately.Anybody have good uses,etc ----PS-great as a yerba mate sweetener!
Apple juice v. Apple cider
go to martinelli's web site - they state that there is no difference. beteen them --Love that martinelli's apple anything
OK to bring my own wine from Trader Joe's? [moved from LA board]
Getting back to the post - bring the 2BC - cognecenti will recognize your good taste if you bring the 2BC Chardonnay which just won double gold at the California State fair(beating out wines priced over $50.00) - The Restaurant makes their corkage fee if you bring Opus or 2BC - enjoy your beverage with your meal!
Going to be in Maui for 10 days...where do I HAVE to go???
Lucky You -- My SO and I just returned and we love to cook,so we ate at the house where we stayed almost every night - perhaps the following will be of assistance - Shop at Stars(for fish and maui beef) or Safeway(for staples), GET THE TUNA - any cut - fish is probably the best value in Maui - check out the wine selections at Costco(very near the airport) some nice Napa and Australian choices.If you eat Organic, go to Mana in Paia(nice funky town to visit too)for example,I was able to find some choice YerbaMate which can be hard to find in some places- they have really fresh,local grown veggies,bulk grains and rice- think hippie Whole Foods.-- Maui has a good choice of restaurants,EACH one is spotty on terms of service and quality. None are consistant ,so good luck! - also, If you do get to Paia,dont miss Anthony's for great coffee,teas and usually great scones and muffins - I have a theory as to why the general spottiness abounds - it's must be difficult to concentrate on serving the public when the surfs up,or the sky is magnificent at sunset,or the tradewinds are perfect,etc.etc. - I'm sure you will enjoy your stay!
Honokowai Okazyua
Just got back yesterday(27th) and sadly you are correct - the damage is extensive - no opening time posted - went to the fish market 2 doors down - spoke with golf-pro/counter person Jim H. and he said the Okazyua will be closed for some time -- get a fish sandwich at the fish market - not a bad choice at all!
Anyone ever heard of special foods from Sanza(near Palermo)
My grandmother used to make some magical things with figs for example but all recipes are long gone - is there a cucina of Sanza (small mountain town)??
yerba mate newbe, any suggestions/advice?
THANK YOU - I will hunt down the AVIVA brand - 5.00 for 1/2 lb sounds fine if the yerba mate is super -- after trying 8 samples fom yerbamatecafe.com I am very happy with the Mananita(hot) also the Salante gold(hot) and the Mint blend(iced)
Although I will use the gourd eventually, I do use the bombilla and like the way the yerba mate tastes as it goes to the back of my throat as compared to tru my teeth - I brew the water in my coffeemate(170 degrees)-17 oz-over 2 TBS of Mate- 5 mins-I do not infuse the yerba mate a second time - so far the whole yerba mate experiance has been fun and has opened a whole new tasting treat for me -- I love wines of all types but since my SO can no longer drink alcohol I too have become a tea totaler,err,Mate totaler - I will try the traditional method soon and get back - thanks for all the posts!!
yerba mate newbe, any suggestions/advice?
THANK YOU for the info -- Very helpful especially about the argentine market - I paid a average of $2.00 at yerbamatecafe.com for 4 oz. samples - I've tried Rosamonte Deslaalada,a mint blend and a toffee house blend - they were good but "light" I brew 1 TBS mate using 180 degree water steeped for 4 minutes -- sound ok to you? - the color of the brew is i nice gold (I was told it should not be green in color as it would be bitter) perhaps I should add a tsp of green tea for more body -- anyway, thanks again for your help along the Yerba Mate Road!!
pomace olive oil??????
I would not expect you to buy anything that I have recorded without investigating -if you have the time ,expertise and where-with-all to become a player in the industry I'm sure some producer will come along and offer a different picture than one you read about in the industry Public Relations bulletin -maybe not --- Enjoy your olive oil wherever and however it's produced!! PS - the reason why I mentioned the 1993 fiasco because it has famously become the starting point for olive oil monitoring by the European ANTI FRAUD group -- many things have changed since 93 - investigate the number of agents in 93 versus now, the calamity after a olive oil producing country joins the EU - the increase in production levels versus available fruit trees -- it is
alot of fun doing so -- people have been investigating similiar problems since 93 --93BC or so. It is not my purpose to do your investigation for you-just putting it out there for Chowhounds' consideration.
