intuitive eggplant's Profile
Dayton, Ohio, Ice Pops
If you make it to Cincinnati, you might want to try out a new business called Streetpops, which offers interesting sweet-sour and herbal-spicy combinations that are coming from a similar point of view. Their website isn't up and running yet, but you can find more on their fb page. They've had their cart at Findlay Market this summer as well as special events and festivals around town. I love to see people innovating like this.
https://www.facebook.com/streetpops?sk=wall
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Findlay Market
Findlay Market Hse, Cincinnati, OH 45202
New Bravo TV Chef Competition
Just ran across another link. Sounds like the Magical Elves aren't giving away many details about this series, or prospective series, yet.
http://blogs.sfweekly.com/foodie/2011/07/reality_cooks_our_favorite_div.php
New Bravo TV Chef Competition
I'm guessing you're referring to the show mentioned below, although I'm not sure the item will tell you more than you already know. Note that it says the Magical Elves are casting for a "potential" new show for Bravo.
http://eater.com/archives/2011/07/06/magical-elves-wants-your-desire-for-adventure-on-new-show.php
Here's a mention of a casting call in San Francisco too:
http://sanfrancisco.grubstreet.com/2011/07/casting_call_tomorrow_for_some.html
Good luck! And let us know if you find out more.
Top Chef Masters Season 3, Episode 4 [Spoilers]
For those complaining about the judges/critics this Masters season (and I’m not disagreeing), here’s an interview TV Guide did with Dan Cutforth of the Magical Elves that may shed some light on “what were they thinking”: http://www.tvguide.com/News/Top-Chef-Masters-Premiere-1031506.aspx
Below are quotes from Cutforth:
“We were actually really happy with the panel of critics we had assembled, but you always want to keep evolving and keep things moving... That said, we wanted to reflect the new reality of food criticism, which is that food blogs and online criticism are a huge part of the restaurant business now. So critics panel will also include people from sites like Grub Street and RestaurantGirl.com.
“As for Ruth, she is someone we wanted to work with for a long time. She happened to be available while we were shooting — not all the episodes, but several of them. All of us are in love with her. When you talk about someone whose opinion really carries weight, I mean, there was a palpable gasp in the kitchen when the chefs found out Ruth was going to be one of the critics. And she gives it to you straight. She does not sugarcoat her criticisms, but at the same time has a charm about her and was an absolute delight to work with.
“And you're not going to miss Gael too much because she will be back for a few episodes this season. She's not gone. Gail Simmons [who hosts Top Chef Just Desserts] will also be back for a couple of episodes and Padma will be there for one.”
South Dakota recs for a visitor?
I’ll be visiting SD and its fine national parks 5/29-5/3, with lodging planned for near Wall, in Custer State Park, probably a night in Rapid City, then Mitchell on my return to OH. The restaurants that have so far hit my radar are The Corn Exchange in Rapid City and its sister business, The Potted Rabbit, plus Chef Louie's Steak House in Mitchell. I’ll be able to cook for myself, and picnic, part of the time. Looking for recommendations of restaurants, markets, even grocery stores in any of the above towns and general vicinity, including Hill City, which apparently has a shop??? that sells Hunters Reserve game sausages I was previously gifted with. Any and all thoughts and suggestions appreciated. Thanks!
Top Chef All-Stars - Ep. #13 (Finale Pt. 1) - 03/09/11 (Spoilers)
Actually, I believe Top Chef Masters premieres on April 6 at 11:00, so I'm guessing the All-Stars Reunion show will be April 6 at 10:00 p.m. (Eastern, er, daylight time).
Top Chef Masters meets Mad Men
It has been announced that Top Chef Masters 3 will premiere April 6, which would mean the second episode, on which Christina Hendricks appears, should air April 13.
Top Chef Masters meets Mad Men
D'oh. Of course you're right that Gael Greene was a judge, not a host on TCM. But with Ruth Riechl and James Oseland as the only judges mentioned in the press release (quoted here: http://www.alltopchef.com/2011/03/more-on-top-chef-masters.html), it appears Gael is out, along with Jay Rayner.
Top Chef Masters meets Mad Men
And it appears Gael Greene is out as a host for TCM too.
Top Chef Masters meets Mad Men
According to EW.com, Mad Men star Christina Hendricks and her husband recently taped the second episode of Top Chef Masters 3, a 1960s-themed challenge.
http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/03/01/top-chef-masters-christina-hendricks-mad-men/
Top Chef All-Stars - Ep. #10 - 02/16/11 (Spoilers)
Here's what Dale says on his blog: "This Quick Fire was totally 100% inspired by a great friend of mine, current pastry chef at Buddakan Vera Obias. She made a very composed dessert at dovetail which was inspired by kids getting off school hitting the bodega and grabbing potato chips, a candy bar, a soda and maybe some pretzels. I just wanted to get that all in one."
http://www.daletalde.com/blog/2011/2/18/owe-you-one-vera-tong-1.html
I find his bodega reference - again - interesting. It was his inspiration for Restaurant Wars, and he's talking about doing a bodega pop-up . . .
Curtis Stone to replace Kelly Choi as Top Chef Masters host
Linda, in this TV Guide item, Bravo's Frances Berwick says they may do something else with Kelly and that they wanted to change up the show next season. Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing some changes to the format as well.
http://www.tvguide.com/News/Bravo-Renews-Top-Chef-1027647.aspx?rss=breakingnews
Top Chef All-Stars - Ep. #6 - 01/12/11 (Spoilers)
According to Dale Talde's blog, where he has plenty more interesting things to talk about, Marcel had in fact had quite a bit to drink that night.
http://www.daletalde.com/blog/2011/1/13/thank-you-to-my-old-man-and-diesel.html
Curtis Stone to replace Kelly Choi as Top Chef Masters host
Linkage to the full press release and a couple other sources here: http://www.alltopchef.com/2011/01/tc-news-and-information-11311-tc.html
Hocking Hills fine dining [SE Ohio]
While I haven't had dinner at the Inn at Cedar Falls, I've had several lunches and really enjoyed them. If you're not staying there, you might want to verify whether they're serving to the public on your chosen day (I seem to recall that was an issue at least at one time). They also sometimes offer special events and cooking demonstrations I've always wanted to try.
For what it's worth, you can find very affordable cabins at Hocking Hills State Park and nearby Lake Hope State Park, both with kitchens and open year-round. Some of the cabins at Lake Hope are more historic and include wood-burning fireplaces, which you might enjoy for a winter getaway.
Top Chef All-Stars - Ep. #1 - 12/01/10 (Spoilers)
Here's a round-up of some of Elia's interviews and what other "official," mostly Bravo-sponsored blogs had to say about the first episode, in case you'd care to find linkage conveniently in one place.
http://www.alltopchef.com/2010/12/tc-news-and-information-120410-saturday.html
Bourdain's Medium Raw Challenge
I didn't submit an entry, but was also befuddled by the chosen essay. As loose as the stated objective was ( "why cook well"), I felt there was a switcheroo when the winning essay came from the point of view of someone who wanted to eat well rather than someone who wanted to cook well. OnBlank makes a good point, though, about Bourdain being a contrarian. And as another friend pointed out, the winner wasn't schmaltzy, which would probably NOT have been up Tony's alley.
House-cured lox and potential South Carolina fresh shrimp delivery to Cincy
Just heard about this via the Lobsta Bakes of Maine email newsletter and posted about it on my blog (details aren't posted on their website). If enough people pre-order by Sat., 10/30/10, the owner will drive to South Carolina to bring back a truck load of fresh shrimp for pick-up Fri., 11/5/10. I've seen recent chow posts asking for rec's for a good local fishmonger. This is someone I would recommend.
http://eggplanttogo.blogspot.com/2010/10/alert-house-cured-lox-and-possibly.html
Fishmonger in Greater Cincinnati?
I second Luigi's recommendation of Keegan's and also recommend Lobsta Bakes of Maine (in Newtown). The guy who owns it is originally from Maine and has lots more to offer besides lobsters, both fish and prepared foods, including fish and lobster stock. They also make their own smoked seafood sausage and smoked salmon brats. They also do lobster bakes open to the public - the last one of the season is coming up Oct. 16, 2010. Sign up for their weekly email newsletter to get a better idea of what they have to offer.
http://www.lobstabakes.com/
Rue Dumaine dinner report [Dayton/Centerville]
Thanks for sharing! I'm in Cincinnati, but have heard great things about Rue Domaine. The detail in your post is yet another reminder and encouragement this is a place I want to check out the next time I'm in the vicinity.
Best dinner in Dayton/Yellow Springs on a Sunday?
Some other places I’d recommend in Dayton are also closed Sunday evenings, so I’ll recommend Williams Eatery in Yellow Springs, which serves Peruvian food, although the current menu on their website suggests they’ve cut back on the Peruvian and are serving more American dishes. Definitely give the Chicha Morada a try – a really interesting and refreshing traditional Peruvian drink made from purple corn. The place is by no means fancy.
http://williamseatery.com/default.aspx
And if time permits, stop by Tom’s Market, the main grocery in YS, in the heart of downtown, which a friend tells me offers really interesting variety and a lot of locally sourced items.
Interesting Breakfast in Dayton area - aside from Yellow Springs?
I have been to the Meadowlark for Sunday brunch and recommend it highly. After checking out the links/offerings mentioned in the original post, I think you'll find Meadowlark "colors outside the lines" in a way you'll appreciate. First Watch, not even close.
http://www.meadowlarkrestaurant.com/
One Night in Cincy
Senate (Over the Rhine) and Mayberry (Vine between 9th & 10th) are new places getting a lot of buzz, although I haven't been to them yet. As is View (on Victory Parkway in the Edgecliff), which I have been to and really enjoyed. Nada (downtown) is excellent. I've also heard great things about Wildflower Cafe (Mason). Slim's (Northside) is now offering two different concepts, depending on which night of the week you go. Nectar (Hyde Park) and Honey (Northside) are two of my favorites that fit your "good/great but not stuffy" criteria, although they aren't as new. Happy dining!
Top Chef's 21 city tour
Here's a report from the Kansas City tour stop. If you're looking for Housewives and putt-putt, you may want to pursue. If you're looking for TC, maybe not so much.
http://thekarmickitchen.blogspot.com/2010/04/top-chef-tour.html
Top Chef Masters 2 Ep. #3 - 04/21/10 (Spoilers)
I think Bravo posted its own spoiler for this episode. They've got a photo of the winning dish that's supposed to link to a video of Kevin recreating it. The link is down, but the photo is up. Saw it there before the show too. Title is "Pub-lic Doman." OK, kind of a lame pun re: the pub food challenge this epi. Presumably the "Doman" part of the title was meant to be "Domain"? Sheesh.
Ideas for food options for a Picnic in Cincinnati
Green Dog Cafe, Salt of the Earth and A Forkable Feast are all relatively close to Ault and Alms.
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Salt of the Earth
4760 Red Bank Rd Ste 100, Cincinnati, OH 45227
A Forkable Feast
3363 Madison Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45209
Mother's Day options in Cincy?
A new place I would recommend for your brunch if the weather is nice is View, on Victory Parkway, just north of Eden Park. Their patio overlooks the Ohio River, and I think it's going to be one of the nicest outdoor tables in the city. The food and service on my one visit so far (during Restaurant Week) were a delight (my blog post: http://eggplanttogo.blogspot.com/2010/03/restaurant-week-journal-view-local-127.html). View's website (http://www.viewcincy.com/) seems to be still under development; for now, you may be able to get better info from their facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/VIEWCincy?ref=ts).
NYC girl looking for food in Columbus, Ohio.....help!!!
A couple of non-restaurant recommendations. Carfagna’s, an “Italian” meat market and grocery that is a good place to find a much wider variety of ingredients: http://www.carfagnas.com/
And Thurn’s, a meat market/sausage maker/smokehouse operation so old school it doesn’t have a website (or take credit cards – cash or check only, but you won’t believe how much you can buy there for a ridiculously low price). The blog post I found below will give you a good idea of what they have to offer (and the same blogger is well worth keeping your eye on for other Columbus rec’s).
http://www.restaurantwidow.com/2009/01/short-guide-to-thurns.html
Open only Thurs. – Sat. (and only till 1:00 on Sat.). Well worth the trip. The schinken/schenken (German smoked “prosciutto") and double-smoked bacon are must-buys whenever I make it to Columbus. Then I go crazy trying other stuff.
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Carfagna's
1405 E Dublin Granville Rd, Columbus, OH 43229
Heston’s Feasts – Enlighten Me?
Thanks to all for your info. Helpful to get more context for the youtube snippets I've seen. Sadly (but probably not surprisingly), the Ch. 4 on-demand full episodes are not available "in my area" - which I'd guess means the entire U.S. Curious to know if each of the 5 feasts within the series (Victorian, Medieval, Tudor, Roman and Christmas, if I've got this right) comprises a single (one-hour?) episode or runs longer. Thanks again - always good to get beyond one's provincialism.
