adrienne156's Profile
Easy Indian Sweets?
GTM, I've never heard of the rasmalai short cut you mention above. How different is the texture from the traditional boiled milk/steep in sugar syrup method?
Casa Jimenez (former El Taco Zamorano Taqueria) - - my beloved carnitas are back in Oakland!!
Love the restaurant, although haven't been in a couple of years. There was a discussion about whether the different locations were related a few years ago. If i remember correctly, the truck and the taqueria are connected, but the Foothill location is different ownership.
Ruchi - South Indian in SOMA [San Francisco] - Report
The dessert sounds like seeviyan (hindi)/shemai (bangla). The "little beans" christinegallary spoke of were probably pistachios. They soften up quite a bit in the milk.
Paisan Meatball Sandwich - [Berkeley]
Roxie really does make the best toasted sandwiches.
Where to buy large BBQ oysters near Berkeley?
You're welcome.
I'm not an expert but I've grilled oysters at least a dozen times and yes - the general rule is that if they don't open, toss 'em. I've never had that many oysters not open, but there are always a few. Given where you got the oysters and not knowing how long they had been sitting out, I wouldn't have tried to help pry them open. If I can see that the juices are bubbling out from under the closed shell and it's been 15 minutes or so (for the medium ones), I won't risk it.
Drakes used to have a booth every other Saturday at the farmer's market in Pinole which are more affordable than Hog Island, although the taste of Hog Island's oysters are definitely superior, imho. You could give them a call.
Where to buy large BBQ oysters near Berkeley?
I've found that the fire does need to be very hot for the larger ones and flare ups are actually helpful in getting them to open. It still does take a bit of time though and 20 minutes doesn't surprise me. I find that the 5-6 inchers are the biggest you can go without sacrificing taste.
A little less Gioia in Berkeley (regulations run amok?)
Because a non-restaurant provided benches? I'm sorry, I don't get it.
A little less Gioia in Berkeley (regulations run amok?)
Not covered, but there are a couple of nice benches on the corner across Hopkins that are provided by the real estate office.
Desperately ISO Bengali restaurant in South Bay for tonight - Please help!
I've been to the Fremont branch and Bengali Sweets is not Bengali owned nor does it have any actual Bengali dishes on the menu. The "mach jhol" (which really should be called maacher jhol, but whatevs) contained curry leaves and is completely inauthentic.
Ruby Skye food?
I went three years ago, got there at 10:45, and there was such a long line that we ended up doing the count down in line, outside. It was absolutely ridiculous. Friends who got there for the dinner, which I believe was served around 7:30 pm, took a few pics that I got to see. It didn't look like a lot of food and the friends said that while it was above average, it ran out quickly. For the champagne toast, they passed around a couple of different kinds of mini-bottles, one of which was Chandon.
On a side note - pretty neat that DJ Dan is doing the after hours.
Are Ghost Peppers Actually Used in Indian Cooking?
I've seen then used sparingly, in their green state, in curries and bhartas. More often than not, in fish preparations.
Are Ghost Peppers Actually Used in Indian Cooking?
They're commonly used in Sylhet, Bangladesh.
ETA: Sorry, which is right next to the Assamese border.
Shad fish - where can I buy?
Ssaibal Bhai, my parents used to buy it at Lucky Seafood Market in Oakland.
2011 - Let's talk turkey
Parts as in cut-up parts or the innards? Indus Foods kept asking me if I was sure I wanted a whole turkey and may have what you're looking for.
2011 - Let's talk turkey
Congrats on your project!!! I totally understand the life in the fast lane part and I'm sure your turkeys will turn out great. I didn't cook last year either and got an earful from the little sister, so am making up for it this year. I had no clue where to find a halal Mary's with Alhambra gone, but luckily this nifty link lead me right to Tayyibaat: http://www.marysturkeys.com/store.html. Exceptionally nice people and good kebabs (they are a meat market and grill). People were eating huge platters of roasted chicken and rice when I went in to place my order.
I don't think three turkeys is too much for twenty people, but then again Bengalis are notorious for making entirely too much food. My rationale is that if there's even a remote possibility my parents' friends are going to "stop by for tea," I'm cooking a twenty-pounder. That sandwich Janet describes in my main reason for cooking the darn thing!
Btw, have you tried doing the three-day salt cure a la Zuni Cafe? My SO's mother bought a nondescript halal turkey last year that she paid $1.99/lb. for that we salt cured and it was delicious. Can't hurt... I started mine last night, but have had great results with two-days. I'm sure you're familiar with it, but for anyone else... http://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fo-dry-brined-turkey-20111117,0,4942852.story
2011 - Let's talk turkey
Better late then never... Doing the halal turkey thing again and found my Mary's at Tayyibaat in Milpitas for $2.99 a lb. They used to supply turkeys to the much loved Alhambra in the City. Call ahead!
Other:
Oasis – Turkey Valley Farms – $2.59
Salama, SF – Turkey Valley Farms – $2.29 or $2.49, called before they set their price
Maiwand, Fremont – couldn't tell me what, but thought $2.99 per lb. on 11/15
Damavand Market, Fremont – got told to call three times over the past two weeks and gave up
Indus Foods – Turkey Valley Farms -- $1.79
http://www.turkeyvalleyfarms.com/index.htm
Sala Restaurant, Hercules
I no longer recommend the ribs, at all. The last visit they were dry to the point that the ends were hard and mealy, the ribs were covered in an exceptionally sweet basil sauce, and the dish no longer came with the nice basmati pilaf and vegetables. I can cut carrots and zucchini into quarters and sautee them at home. Three ribs, a pile of zucchini and carrots, and a cup on steamed rice is not worth $22.
I will, however, continue to come here as it is the best option in the area and their cocktails and papaya salad are quite good.
Chicken Andouille
Thanks everyone for the responses. Berkeley Bowl had five different kinds of chicken andouille, including the Aidell's Organic which I had forgotten about (thanks, Moto) but it was $8.99 per package which was a little bit too expensive for the quantity I needed. Ended up with Coleman Natural for $4.99 per package and I would not recommend them. I get that you probably can't get the same slightly coarse texture that I like in regular andouille from chicken, but these sausages just tasted like lightly spiced hot dogs and had no zip.
On a side note, the issue was avoiding pork and I'm pretty horrified to find out that the Coleman also had pork casings. I just didn't think about that.
-----
Berkeley Bowl
2020 Oregon St, Berkeley, CA 94703
Chicken Andouille
Hello all,
Does anyone know where I might find chicken andouille sausages? I know Amylu makes them, but I can't seem to locate where to buy them in the east bay. Berkeley Bowl? Whole Foods? Called Magnani and they said they didn't carry them...
South bay (San Jose/Campbell area) is okay, too.
Thanks!
-----
Berkeley Bowl
2020 Oregon St, Berkeley, CA 94703
Fresh & Easy stores - when will they open?
Second the diver scallops and also like their house brand whole wheat pastas. I have had mixed results with their fruit.
Family foods I thought was normal
I did that for my SO a few years back! My gift basket had those mini servings of apple jacks, Kraft man & cheese, BBQ Pringles... He thought it was hilarious.
Those Special K bars taste similar, but the chocolate crisps are buttery, chocolatey amazingness. Definitely not 90 calories a pop.
My suggestions+request for new/funky in the West Inland Empire? Covina, San Dimas, Claremont, Upland, Pomona, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Chino etc.?
Possibly in the "genuine strip-mall-run-by-a-family-who-knows-their-indigenous-food restaurants" genre, there's a newish Portuguese restaurant - Island Cafe - on Euclid just off the 60. They offer deli sandwiches, several different types of baked goods, and other Portuguese specialties (the Yelpers mentioned a bacalao dinner plate). I ran in for a latte, but managed to grab a few queijada de nata to go (they had a few different flavors). Silky, delicious custard in a very tender pastry crust.
I'm not familiar with Portuguese food, but in case other hounds might want to check it out, it's in the same shopping center as Fresh & Easy and Walgreens.
http://islandcafe.us/
Sala Restaurant, Hercules
I should have included this in my report, but they bill themselves as "Thai/Asian-fusion."
Sala Restaurant, Hercules
Redevelopment has done amazing things for Hercules and it's fun to see the new restaurants popping up. The waiter said they've been open for about 7 months in their current location in the Historic Civic Arts Building, but recently made some changes either to the menu or the location... Wasn't paying that much attention, but they have a gorgeous deck with heated tables overlooking the Bay which may be new.
Cocktails (of course): Sala has a full bar with an interesting list of speciality cocktails (ex: Siam Sunray - Hanger One kaffir lime vodka, Coruba coconut rum, lime juice, chili, kaffir) as well as a list of several different types of mojitos and martinis. Friend had a passion fruit mojito and I asked for a classic with a bit of cucumber muddled in. Mine was light and fresh and friend's was dangerously delicious. I could easily put quite a few of those away while sitting on that patio on a sunny day. They also offer a handful of beers and sakes.
Appetizers: Started with an appetizer platter of fried calamari, pot stickers, and fried tofu. It was a ton of food and the calamari was good, but the other two were not bad, but not special.
Entrees: I tried looking at their menu online to get the exact names of the dishes we ordered, but I guess they were off the specials menu. The first dish ordered was a gai yang-style chicken which was nicely grilled and juicy. The second dish ordered was my favorite - roasted baby back ribs. No point in trying to cut them, fall off the bone, porky goodness with delicious roasty, caramely bits. Really good. Both entrees were also accompanied with rice (jasmine and a basmati pilaf) and veggies.
Awesome service and is at the top of my list of new additions to the area in the past three years.
http://www.salawaterfront.com/index.html
1991 Railroad Avenue
Hercules, CA 94547
Tel. (510) 724-4044
Regional Chinese
I only went to three restaurants when I came home for the holidays after 5 months of being away and CV was at the top of my list for their water boiled beef. Is the eel soup you had the same dish, different protein?
Santa Anita Food Truck Festival -- disaster!
This was my first venture out to do something remotely houndish since I moved down here last August and agree - absolute disaster. At noon, I heard from people coming out that the trucks were almost out and the lines were an hour plus, so tried the track just to try to get *something.* The track was full of people that didn't get into the festival. After waiting 20 minutes for a beer, I gave up and left. Managed to find Lucky Baldwin's in Sierra Madre - great beer selection to drown my sorrows in.
I did a search and couldn't find any mentions of the Chunk-n-Chip truck on CH, so does anyone know if they ever venture out of the OC?
Point Reyes Oyster Co. at Pinole Farmers Market
Every other Saturday and I believe this upcoming week is an off week.
Per dozen:
Clusters $6
Small $8
Med $12
Large $14
Kumamotos $14 or $110 for 100, although they request advanced notice for large orders.
Vaguely remember mussels, but not prices.
http://www.pcfma.com/market_producers.php?market_id=11
Fernandez Ave & Pear Street
Saturdays 9:00am - 1:00pm
