Depending on the restaurant, I think it works sometimes and not so much others. I am a mgr. at a casual during the day, fine dining at night restaurant and even during the day it bothers me when servers don't speak at least semi properly at the table.

Now, me personally, I couldn't honestly tell you the last time I noticed the servers way of speaking - I am more into my company, food or ambiance to notice that. I do suppose if I were at an extremely fine dining establishment I may be annoyed by it.

rice porridge with fried tofu

pate chinois

cheeseburger

birthday cake and ice cream (the cheapest of both are soooo good) i know.. i know..

potstickers

french onion soup

veggie dogs with alllllll the toppings

my french toast

dunking graham crackers in soy milk

fried brie

etc, etc, etc..

Today's lunch was a flour tortilla stuffed with pinto bean spread that I whipped up this morning, then a layer of fresh roma tomatoes, sprinklings of mozzarella, then a little flurry of cumin and basil. Threw it in the oven to broil then once it was out drizzled it with sour cream and hot sauce!

Simple yet so yummy =)

Olives.. I have tried countless times to like them, I've tried them dipped, stuffed, chopped up, hidden... etc, and the moment I detect the olive-y taste I instantly want to spit it out. Of course each time I've bravely, or stupidly tried them yet again hoping I would like them I am at a party...or at someones house and of course have to choke it down.

Chili topped high with white onions, scallions, and sharp cheddar!

Mmmmm...

Laughing Seed, Tupelo Honey Cafe, The Corner Kitchen for lunch, if it's nice out, they all have outdoor seating thats wonderful.

All three of those are also good for dinner, plus the addition of Table, Fig and the Bier Garden for a wiiiide beer selection and good bar food. Enjoy!

There are plenty soda options out there now that you dont have to drink Coke or diet.
But my usual findings of anything diet, is that it is much worse. Whatever is trying to made up for that is found in the real thing is usually horrifying.

Ok...

You have your opinion.. I have mine.

Not eating leftovers? Is that not one of the MOST economical ways of creating new meals for less $$???

Hm..

Nothing better than a burnt grilled cheese dipped in steaming hot tomato soup.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....

I'd tell her exactly how I felt about the issue... if it pisses you off, then tell her. You shouldn't be made to feel bad in your home own over a lovely dinner you've taken the time to prepare, esp with a new baby in the house.

It's probably one of the top pet peeves of restaurant staff.. people who annoyingly wonder thru the door around 10 til closing. A restaurant is a business just like any other.. and after 8,10 hours plus on your feet, you would be ready to go home too.

Also, there shouldnt need to be any signs stating the exact minute of last seating. As an adult (I hope), then you've been to many restaurants and know the common procedures. To me, it's just courtesy to not walk into any business that isnt a dire need within 10-15 minutes of closing.

From being in the hospitality world for quite some time, and my DH now a chef I have formed a rather rigid opinion on this subject.

When I was a server this use to drive me nuts because for the most part all of the restaurants I worked for (3) had the rule that patrons are welcome up to the last minute, therefore, depending on the food expecting them to be there 45-1.5 hours after closing. I have always harshly disagreed with this rule. If the restaurant closes at 9..then they close at 9.. I believe the patrons that have their food and are finishing up are certainly allowed to stay until they are done.

I think it is obscene to continue to accept customers even a half hour before closing. Unless you work in a diner, there is no way to politely turn and burn a table like that. I was always concerned what sort of patron I would be dealing with as well.Their character usually carried over into the table, most individuals that came thru the door 15 min before closing and still decided to sit down were abnoxious, rude, cheap and all around a waste of time. Not ALL, but a large percentage.

I personally wont go into a restaurant an hour before closing b/c I know Im going to be there up until the last minute, and I dont find that polite on my part. If Im THAT hungry, I can make myself a sandwich at home.

I am happy to know that I am not in this alone. My DH and I are pretty much doing the same thing within the same budget you are. I have picked up a few very useful hints thus far.

Coupons! Now.. this doesnt work SO easily for me because for some crazy reason most coupons are for windex and fruit loops. I have found several sites that you can d/l and print coupons for namely organic, natural, etc.

I have also learned that generic doesnt always mean "cheap" or bad quality. My DH and I are gourmet driven but have learned that buying the store brand goat cheese works JUST as well. It has the exact ingredients in it, and is usually a bigger quanity for much less than the cute little 4oz pkg in pretty wrapping.

I now buy my chicken, and sometimes tuna from a free range, organic butcher. I have found buying it in bulk from them has saved me a ton of money. At the grocery store I'd usually pay 9.00+ for a package of two organic chicken breasts. At my butcher I usually get 6-8 lbs for 15-18 $.

The last lesson Ive learned is never buy produce from the grocery, it's horribly over priced. I only buy my produce from road side stands and mini markets. I have averaged to get 3 or 4 times as much produce for 1/10 the price.

At some point, once my DH and I have our careers at full steam ahead and have plenty of money for restauranting and gourmet food I will surely continue to implement my current way of grocery shopping, it just makes sense.

Boca and Amy's for burgers.
Garden burger riblets. (I must say, the BBQ sauce is pretty damn good)
Soya Kaas for cheese.
Quorn for chicken
Smart Dogs for hot dogs
Fantastic for taco meat
Silk for soy milk

Amen.

In your home, do you have a specific comfort dish, desert, salad, etc. that is made weekly, without fail?

In our household it is various fruit crumbles. Not a week goes by without someone requesting that one be put together. We usually make it apple or blueberry; but we have made plum, strawberry and various other fruits. It is usually accompanied by a cup of coffee and drizzled with caramel, honey or the like. Sometimes we get real fancy and pair it up with ice cream or freshly whipped cream.

It is just one of the things that you can expect, whether it is for breakfast or a midnight snack, it is there for you.

It takes my DH and I hours to shop because we meticulously read every...single..label on every product we buy. I must admit a few years back I never read anything, I just threw "healthy" things in my basket and went on my way. My DH is a stickler for reading labels and we both now are very cautious to put anything in the basket without giving it a good review. I shouldn't be but I am shocked at some of the *shit* that goes into some of these products..

Long live organic, homegrown vegetables.

Sweet cream ice cream.
hot fudge.
strawberries piled high.
toasted coconut.

Because people are veg for a lot of different reasons. As a former vegan, I still continue to eat "meat" products particularly b/c I just like the taste. Veggie dogs being one of my faves and clearly more healthy for you than the real thing.

Poutine. After nearly falling asleep at the table after finishing it I look forward to next year's plate!

My perfect dog is grilled, topped with chili,white onion,relish,ketchup,mustard & a few sprinkles of sharp cheddar.

Mmmmmm...

I pretty much consume the "healthy" version of everything at this point, but the only thing I cannot get passed is natural peanut butter. It tastes like sticky saw dust to me. I prefer no peanut butter to the natural thing.

Thanks Heather =)

Wow that cake is beautiful!! Thank you SO much for telling me about them - I am even more excited to go to them for my wedding cake!!!

Wow - sorry about the mishap with the boyfriend's cake - it's funny you mention chocolate pi - thinking about having my wedding cake done there - glad to hear a rave review! =)

Thanks!

Any bakeries that make a good ice cream cake?

Looking out of the Carvel, Cold Stone, Baskin Robbins region...

Thanks!!

Ok, sorry about that - it will be JUST a cocktail reception, no sit down dinner planned. I also would prefer for the DIY catering but since I do not have any experience with a caterer or planning a wedding I am trying to figure out which would be more cost effective for me? (The DIY catering or hiring a caterer)

Does that help a little?

Thanks!

Hey everyone -

I am planning my wedding for next year, March to be specific - I have quite a bit of time to plan but will take any and all advice.

The basis of this wedding is to maintain an elegant wedding while being cost effective - thru simple research I have already figured out a ton of ways to make this happen but there are a few general things Im not sure how to get around.

The biggie is the caterer - I really cannot decide what route I need to take, my first preference would be to prepare all of the food myself (with helpers of course) and rent all of the equipment we might need and then to have someone come in to put the finishing touches on and manage the food on site. Not even sure if that option is available or if it would be any more effective than hiring a caterer to take care of the entire thing.

There will be approx 50- 80 guests, we plan on doing a cocktail reception, the alcohol is already taken care of.

Any suggestions?

Help?