My point was more in reference to the article itself...that an article in a newspaper can never provide enough information to pass judgment. You know, don't believe everything you read and read between the lines stuff.

pika

No one here can truly judge whether Daniel Bouloud is a racist or not (especially based on a newspaper article), that's why there's a court case, but I agree with the OP, about thinking more about what is transpiring in restaurants.
Another good quote from the article:

“Sometimes the Europeans have been given a free pass,” Mr. Fernandez said. “They’re in this high-end restaurant doing very sophisticated food, and they’ve kind of been under the covers on these issues. People haven’t held them to the same standard like a T.G.I. Friday’s or some other national chain that has had to take a hard look at this stuff.”

ah, yes, where do the neighborhoods meet?

Vernors!! best ginger ale ever

Yes! I loved this show. I always wanted to try to do that at home. Have some friends come over with random ingredients, but realized that the pantry on the show, although not as big as Iron Chef, still puts mine to shame.

Minor correction, it's not in Carroll Gardens, rather Cobble Hill

I swing by there on occasion to get a tex-mex fix, considering the options are so limited in the area. Good to know they lowered their margarita prices. And the last time I was there only one person was working the floor (upstairs/downstairs/bar) which meant for a looong wait.

I've heard the following is a good guide:

http://www.amazon.com/Tourists-2007-G...

The Spanish spot on Atlantic is not very good. Super salty, super greasy, at least the last time I tried it (it's been a while, maybe two years), and I felt over priced for what you get.

I've been to Super Fine in Dumbo for big events and I think they do an excellent job, and the space is fun.

I know Pacifico is not a great place (to eat) and is pretty much despised here, but I have to report that after a couple of years (and some arm twisting) I went back Friday night. Much to my surprise, they have Pozole on the menu again! Having grown up eating this delicious stew, I'm always thrilled to find it on any menu. They used to have it and replaced it with a worse than mediocre black bean soup. I complained to the owners, but to no avail. So of course I immediately ordered it and was thrilled with the results. Despite the fact they don't serve it traditionally (with diced onion, lime, oregano and crushed chile peppers), it was delicious. The broth was rich and the pork was succulent. The pozole was prepared correctly (not the canned goya stuff). The sides were avocado, lime and strips of multi-colored corn chips, which were nice, but not traditional. Needless to say I will be back for more, and a margarita or two, but nothing else.

This topic was recently discussed in another post and I was surprised at the number of items that DON'T need to be refrigerated, even if the bottle says it should be.

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/34866...

You can't tell them if you can't find them.

Layla is too small for that size of a group.

Thanks for taking the plunge! I've walked by the place numerous times since it opened and have never seen more than a couple tables occupied.

Thank you. All searches I did just came up with the general parts, not the specific piece I need.

I lost one of the rubber feet on the bottom of my food processor during a move. I've used it since and it works fine, but it's a real pain. Any ideas where I can get a replacement foot?

TIA

I thought it was a riot when the judges were asking about the chicken wing...Marcel trying to take credit, Cliff getting pissed that Marcel was trying to take credit, then both of them hemming and hawing 'cause they couldn't figure out if the judges were going to give a positive or negative review of it.

My mother swears its brandy added at the end.

Tons of options. For easy access I would suggest Williamsburg (just over the Manhattan bridge) or the Brooklyn Heights/Cobble Hill/Boerum Hill/Carroll Gardens/DUMBO areas (just over the Brooklyn Bridge), Park Slope (easy access off the Manhattan Bridge). I don't know about parking in Williamsburg, but should be pretty easy in the other neighhborhoods considering your early evening timing.

There are so many options, do you have any cuisines in mind?

Last season had a restaurant concept challenge as well.

Rack of lamb is PERFECT!!

Can't watch it. I live in Brooklyn and know the guy, also considered a restaurant czar in the neighborhood. He's such and a$#$%

Article in the NYT today about silicone cookware, including a bit on Silpat versus other silicone mats. Says DO NOT cut the Silpat.

No good chinese in your neck of the woods, and really none to speak of in the general vicinity. When I really have the urge I'll order from Andy's in Brooklyn Heights, which I prefer over Lichee Nut, which is another 'decent' place in the Heights. There's also Chance, which isn't really 'American' chinese, but it's decent enough.

Sahadi's is closed on Sunday, not sure about Damascus. There are other middle eastern shops on Atlantic that are open, but Sahadi's really is the best. There's also Court St. and Smith St. off Atlantic that have a bunch of shops and restaurants.

Tomatoes (tried to pretend I was allergic as a kid, mom never fell for that), onions, brussel sprouts, okra (with stewed tomatoes, yum!!)...used to hate all of them, now love all of them (except raw onions unless their itsy bitsy or in salsa/guac).

It's just like Iron Chef and the ingredient challenge. There's tons of ideas there.

Ghang Thai(formerly TukTuk)on Smith

Raga is the only Indian place I go to in the neighborhood. Glad to know I'm not alone!