dahlsk's Profile
What to order at Saffron?
Glad I found this post, as I decided Saffron is my choice for a (last minute) b-day dinner this Saturday. Last minute means we have to eat really early, but I'm glad to be able to get there!
Travail
Got there at 4:55 on Tuesday, line was long but we were at the end of those who were seated when the doors opened. Certainly a sacrifice in terms of planning your night around an early dinner but the vibe and the food was great. Shared the tasting for 2 and still had time for a movie afterwards. For people with a babysitter, it was great. Still, I like the idea of seatings as it took a number of months to arrange this dinner and I would definitely like to eat at Travail more often!
Kid Friendly Non-Chains: Santa Monica/Westside?
Great responses! Very good to know that as long as we're there before 6 (as we certainly would be), we should have lots of options. Agreed that we won't wait a long time w/o a res, but the early time should help with that. And breakfast! Thanks PeterCC for including those recs. We love a good breakfast out :)
Kid Friendly Non-Chains: Santa Monica/Westside?
Hi, my husband and I and our 4 year old son will be staying in Santa Monica in June for 4 days. Don't want to be relegated to only "family restaurants" or chains or only food trucks (though they are really good I know!). Would love some decent places good for a nice dinner without pushing things too much, i.e. we know we'll be there early, will eat pretty quickly, etc. We have a car, but probably don't want to drive more than 20 minutes. Any type of food is welcome. Thanks for your ideas!
Travail
I like that idea too, only because I have a hard time paying a babysitter while I wait in line to eat...that said I got my dad to babysit for us next week on my spring break so we can get there early and hopefully not have to wait. First time (finally!) and looking forward to it!
Orlando: Family friendly non-chains?
"No Green Stuff". Ha, boy you've got my son pegged! We are going to do a late dinner one night at La Luce, and I had looked at Tu Tu Tango, agreeing that the visual stimulation would help make the dinner go by successfully. Thanks everyone for the ideas, we'll have to see how each day goes in terms of what kind of dining challenge we'll take on with the boy ;)
Orlando: Family friendly non-chains?
No car but would take a taxi 20-30 minutes since it will just be for a night or two.
Orlando: Family friendly non-chains?
Hi, I am taking husband and 3.5 year old with me to a work conference as we'll have evenings free and 1 day to hit Disney. Would love to have 1 dinner that's more authentically Orlando, i.e. not fast food, not in a resort/park and not a big chain restaurant. I'm realistic with family dining, in that we'll eat early and relatively quickly. We are also staying at the Hilton Bonnet Creek if that helps with locations. Type of restaurant can be just about anything! Thanks!
Roasted Brussels Sprouts - question
I would roast them and then saute some bacon/pancetta with shallots and then just toss the cooked sprouts in the bacon/bacon fat/shallot mix and then deglaze with the balsamic in the pan if you want that too.
I've also just done the whole thing on the stovetop in a cast iron pan...
The old Vintage/Il Vesco Vino in St. Paul
I live in the neighborhood and the owners of Allee (next to the chocolate/wine space) know a fair amount about the chocolate place, but that is separate from the Vintage/IVV location. BTW, Allee has really cute stuff and antiques downstairs too :) Still unsure about the Vintage location's concept/timeline though. Anyone??
October 2011 COTM Companion Thread: The Italian Country Table: Home Cooking from Italy's Farmhouse Kitchens by Lynne Rossetto Kasper
This book has my go to version of bucatini all'amatriciana (p 144). I really like how she suggests cooking half the whole tomatoes on high so they brown and concentrate a bit and then adding the rest of the whole tomatoes for a fresher tomato taste. You can find the recipe on google books. Heck most of the book is there! http://books.google.com/books?id=Z5MccGez0RYC&lpg=PA121&ots=gYropYdAkK&dq=bucatini%20all'amatriciana%20lynne%20rossetto%20kasper&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false
The old Vintage/Il Vesco Vino in St. Paul
I just saw the same sign and am very curious, though hope its not there to tease us for months and months.
Schweddy Balls Ice Cream: Anyone seen it?
Loved the SNL skit, think the ice cream idea is hilarious, now I just have to find it! Has anyone come across the Ben and Jerry's limited flavor Schweddy Balls? Thanks :)
p.s. Tried the Red Velvet flavor recently and it really tastes like RVC! Crazy...
Travail: Still Crazy Busy??
Not to get too off tangent, but had a fantastic experience at the new Heidi's in May, service was spot on. Just looking for a more casual experience this time out...
Travail: Still Crazy Busy??
This is a big factor in my asking the question, as I don't want to have an anniversary/babysitter night drag because of too long a wait.
Travail: Still Crazy Busy??
Hi, been meaning to check out some of the new places that are enjoyable for foodies but more casual, like Travail and Tilia. Tilia is crazy busy and feels like Travail when it was new last year. Has Travail calmed down at all? Is it still worth checking out or would you recommend Tilia (or something else)?
Thanks :)
A local sighting of Graeter's ice cream! (Lunds in Minnetonka)
Send out my dh to pick up some last night. 4 kinds at the Bylery's on the E side of St. Paul! On sale too. Raspberry choc chip, choc chip cookie dough, coconut, and coffee. Yum!
drinks/small plates Scottsdale?
Hi, looking for some ideas for places that do drinks and small plates/tapas well in Scottsdale. Places that offer a happy hour and/or are open on the early side are a plus, as we have limited free time in town on our trip away from our 3 yr old. We're staying at the Montelucia so you have a sense of location. Thanks!
Good road food: Witchita to ALB to PHX?
Thanks for the clarifying questions. Google maps is recommending the 54 from Wichita and then to the 40 through ALQ so unless there's a reason not to go that way, we'll plan on it that way. Thanks
Good road food: Witchita to ALB to PHX?
Hi, we are doing a road trip from the Midwest to Phoenix in March. Looking for local non-chain places to eat at not too far from the interstate. We'll be coming into NM from Wichita and will be going through (and staying a night) in ALB before moving on to Phoenix. Any food types are good, and things more family friendly would be great too! Thanks :)
Thai food in S. suburbs?
Hi, I'm meeting friends who are craving Thai food but who are driving in from south of MSP. Any decent Thai places in the S. suburbs, like Burnsville, IGH, Apple Valley, etc? Thanks!
Place for a baby shower?
I had a baby shower at Muffaletta in St. Paul. They have a little private room and were very accomodating for a brunchy/lunchy event. This was 3 years ago, so I can't comment on anything more recent there though.
Want to use up some fresh oregano, ideas?
Duh, of course! All of these things sound so obvious once I read them, so thanks for getting my mind out of its rut :)
Want to use up some fresh oregano, ideas?
I have a bunch of fresh oregano and am looking for ideas as to how to use it up. Italian seems kind of obvious, but what other things going well with oregano? Thanks!
Scusi St Paul
Website now has a menu and Scusi was absolutely packed on Tuesday, partially because of an election discount run by the Blue Plate people. Liked the quartino/mezzo wine service, like the layout of the charcuterie and cheese section, reasonable "pick 3" offering for $9. Salad we shared had pear, balsamic, and crispy proscuitto, which was like way amped up bacon bits. Pretty great! Pappardelle with lamb ragu had a good amount of very tender lamb but I would have liked a little more sauce with the lamb. It was a bit dry to me but the noodles were good. We also got the braised short ribs which were brought separately. Good to clarify that you need to pick a side or veg with this one, but the $9 price would be a pretty good hint its meat/sauce only. Orchiette were subbed in place of angel hair with a tomato sauce for the little one (easier to eat) and tasted good, sauce fresh with chiffonaded basil visible. Finally, the apple cake was pretty good, very moist with tons of apple and vanilla ice cream.
All in all, a great addition to the neighborhood but I doubt you would want to drive from across town to go there. Place is suitably "Italian" but I could do without the tv mounted in the corner. Lastly, the crowds were too think in the entry way when we left so I couldn't see the old wine bar.
Stops between Florence and Siena?
Oh yeah, it was a time issue. He got too wiggily for an additional course. Next time hopefully!
Stops between Florence and Siena?
Success! One of our good finds on this trip was when we randomly exited the raccordo near the San Gimignano exits but went a different way and pulled in to a country osteria with lots of cars parked just before 1pm. The place was just full of guys eating huge Tuscan lunches together, I think I was one of 2 women in the place. No tourists that I could see. Beautiful charcuterie plate, homemade pasta with squash and mushrooms, another with a hunter's ragu. The tables surrounding us were being brought out huge bistecca style steaks for approval before cooking. I really wanted one but the 2 year old with us wasn't having it. It was near Barbarino Val d'Elsa http://www.osterialasostadipiovii.it/
Stops between Florence and Siena?
I will be driving between Florence and Siena next week, to go between our city hotel and an agriturismo south of Siena. I know its not a long drive but am looking if there are any noteworthy places to stop along the way. Also, I know we could just stop and have lunch in Siena but won't we have to leave our car outside the city center? I'm a little nervous to do that because it will be packed full with all our luggage. Am I right to be concerned there? Anyway, any suggestions would be appreciated!
birthday dinner in st. paul?
Another vote for Meritage.
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Meritage
410 Saint Peter St, Saint Paul, MN 55102
00 Flour
Interesting that you mention Buon Giorno. I went there about a week ago, after not being there for 6 months or so. They used to sell OO flour in packages, but no longer. I asked at the deli counter and went in the back and scooped up some from a big bag used in the kitchen and put it in a deli container and sold it by weight, but I was a little disappointed. It looked like their whole grocery selection was smaller than I remembered.
