bocce's Profile
Lily with Nuts Italian Ice Recipe?
I'm originally from Bronx, NY and there is a pastry shop that makes an Italian ice called Lily with nuts. Its creamy, very aromatic and just the best flavor there is. I know this flavor has popped up in other cities as well.
I've been searching for a recipe to make my own, but am having no luck with a recipe. Does anyone know this flavor or more importantly a recipe for it?
You would be my hero.
Chinese Food in Saratoga Springs
Anyone have a suggestion for decent Chinese in the Saratoga area, or just decent Asian in general?
Annoying phone call with BarFry employee
I live right around the corner from there and what I find most interesting is that it hasn't really been that packed. The people there are usually quite nice to me, which is why I go to the bar with friends a lot, and the food is good, but I have never seen it anything close to being packed.
Book on Bartending
I just bought the book Imbibe, but wanted to get something more definitive on old school classics cocktails, especially flips, fizzes and other egg based drinks, as well as older drinks in general. Anyone know of anything?
Trendy drinks right now?
Does anyone know a book that encompasses many of these recipes? I'd like to make many of these at home; I'm especially interested in flips and fizzes, i.e. egg based drinks.
Pizza in NYC
John's is waaayyyyy over rated. it stands on toppings rather than an actual good pizza
Pizza in NYC
Arturo's is great, though it can be a bit greasy. If you're going to go there, you should head further down the street and pop into Joe's Pizza on Carmine btwn 6th Ave and Bleecker St. There are no tables, only stools but they make a fantastic slice.
Also check out the original Patsy's on 117th and 1st ave. Its a hike, but the pizza there is thin crust and fantastic. I can just about finish a whole pie by myself.
Thoughts on the Per Se book "Service Included"?
That is exactly the problem. It really is an example of cashing in on the Per Se name and her experience there.
Apparently the Keller camp has had nothing to say on the book, which is no surprise.
I feel particularly deceived because I went to a book signing and both the author and the panel moderator portrayed it as such.
AMA - Italian Restaurant Recommendations
I haven't been to AMA, but I have a few I'm fans of:
Semi famous: Po on Jones St. It has a $55 6 course tasting menu to boot. It's more fusion style, than straight Italian.
Piccolo Angolo: Great food, I personally liked it better than Rao's. If you can get a reservation and want straight Italian this is my suggestion. Tight quarters, but it's in the village.
Da Andrea: Another place that does straight Italian, I always have a good meal here.
Finally if you're way up on the upper east, there's a place called Luca that I enjoyed. I haven't eaten there in roughly 2 yrs, but enjoyed it when I did.
Thoughts on the Per Se book "Service Included"?
I recently picked up the book, "Service Included: Four-Star Secrets of an Eavesdropping Waiter" and am about halfway through it.
Here's the Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Service-Included-Four-Star-Secrets-Eavesdropping/dp/0061228141/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205166106&sr=1-1
Has anyone else read it? So far I'm really mixed on it. While I haven't finished yet, the author (and thus protagonist) strikes me as being the worst of what it is to be an NYC "foodie."
She's presumptuous, generally snobby, overbearing, flaky and while she hates other people taking themselves too seriously commits that crime much too often herself. While the story is engrossing, in both learning about Per Se and the gossip column style relationships, I find myself more annoyed than empathic to the author and her plights.
So far this has been more of a gussied up romance novel then anything thought provoking.
Thoughts?
Moving to Chicago, no Thai?
I'm going to be moving to Chicago from New York in the near future (two months), but have several questions I was hoping you could all answer:
A friend of mine who is currently living there says that there is no good Thai food, when compared to NYC. Is it true? Please debunk this!
Thanks!
Visiting San Fran, where should I eat?
CCWeb, apologies for the vagueness of my post; Indeed I should have been more specific in what I wanted and was looking for. I hate when others do it to me, so why should I make the same mistake?
I did the infamous In/Out Burger thing, thanks for the secret menu as I ended up with the Animal Burger with Animal Fries, which accounted for a slow shuffle for the following few hours.
I was generally unimpressed with Alito's, but absolutely adored everything else.
Went to Dottie's for breakfast, where I ordered two meals because I wanted to try everything, and was really impressed. Blueberry cormeal pancakes were awesome though I was a whale for hours.
Grabbed brunch at a small place called Nook another morning and had a great ham, Gruyere and mango chutney sandwich.
Enjoyed Chinese at Hunan Home which was amazing (though the soup dumplings were better at Joe’s Shanghai in NYC. Is there a better place out there I should have gone to?), especially their succulent bread which I had never seen anywhere else.
At the end of Haight Asbury there is a little Mexican place around the corner from a botigue called Giant Robot (maybe Shrader st?) which was hands down the best Mexican I have ever had.
I also went to Wolfgang Puck’s Postrio, a friend recommended it, for beer and their sausage entreee. 3 sausages (lamb, duck and chicken) over 3 sauces (spicy mustard, chutney and cilantro) with two warm pretzels. With the beer and a long day’s walk behind me it was awesome!
San Fran, I salute your food culture!
Visiting San Fran, where should I eat?
I'm visiting for a long weekend (I have two full days, Friday and Saturday) for pleasure, and want to know where the best noshing is.
Here are my current targets:
In & Out Burger (I've never been)
Chinatown (no specific restaurant in mind)
My girlfriend wants to go to Aliotos
Any suggestions, thoughts, etc?
RUB or Blue Smoke?
I've had both several times and RUB blows Blue Smoke away. Blue Smoke has habit of drying out some of their stuff making it tough, RUB never has this issue.
Go with the burnt brisket at RUB, you won't ever be disappointed.
Where can I get nonpasteurized (Raw) Milk
I have heard rumors that it is possible to obtain nonpasteurized (Raw) milk some where in NYC, though it is quite low key because of the regulations the city has in place.
I’ve found this link: http://www.realmilk.com/ , but again nothing about obtaining this in the city.
Additionally does anyone know if there is a significant difference in taste?
Cheers!
What do you eat when sick?
I’ve had a nice fever and nasty cold for the past few days and have been eating chicken soup with rice and steamed pork dumplings on the side.
I’m just curious to see what other people crave when they are sick.
is johns pizza on bleaker better than the one in times sq ?
I'm a huge fan of the Patsy's on 118 & 1st, it's the only one I'll go to. A pie person is my motto when I go there.
I've gone to John's on Bleecker St a few times to make sure I got a proper feel for it, but I have yet to be impressed. There is always a line and the food was not that good. The pizza toppings tasted like the cooks were using cheap ingredients. That’s a buzz kill in my book.
What book are you reading?
I was looking through Heat to grab a preparation I liked, and I noticed that there is an old Latin cookbook that is referenced; it covers the chef the "Maestro" from the Middle Ages.
Has anyone ever read that particular book? It apparently been translated into English.
By the way if you ever get a chance, read the “Scavenger’s Guide to Haute Cuisine”; I’ve begun to think about living off the land for a few months because of it...
Best Chicken Wings
I know that Dinosaur’s ribs are not BBQ, but I would still put them up there as some of the best chicken wings in the city.
I’ve grown a bit tired of the same blah wings, though I’m going to run out and try the BBQ ones at the places everyone mentioned. I just found the wings at Dinosaur to be my favorites overall.
Authentic Siclian?
I can never understand why proper Sicilian cooking has not made the same inroads as cooking from the mainland. It has a much deeper grasp to the soul of Italian cooking in my eyes....though I might be slightly biased.
One of the few I know of is Carino's on 2nd Ave btwn 88th and 89th (on the east side of the street). It's worth considering; they have the traditional double toasted breadcrumbs.
the little owl
Did you have reservations, or walk-in? Since the Times did their piece a little while ago, it has gained quite a bit of press and notoriety. I’ve been trying to go, but haven’t had a night where I could accommodate the waiting time.
Italian Suggestions in West Village
D' Andrea is a great choice, the food was good, the waiters nice and relaxed, overall a good experience.
Personally I believe Otto to be overrated in terms of food and experience. It’s jammed, though the olive oil gelato will bring me back there. I curse Mario Batali for that.
Piccolo Angolo comes recommended, on the corner of Hudson and Jane, so you might want to think about that as well.
Best Chicken Wings
I'm had some amazing chicken wings throughout the city and thought Dinosaur’s BBQ had some of the best. Any other contenders?
Shopsin's Closed for Good?
I went ahead and cried myself to sleep last night over this one. I'm trying to get my hands on the documentary, but it’s not available on DVD yet. I heard it was great!
Best Chicken Wings
I'm had some amazing chicken wings throughout the city and thought Dinosaur’s BBQ were some of the best. Any other contenders?
Best BBQ
I thought the food quite over-rated at Dinosaur BBQ, especially the ribs (but the chicken wings)
Blue Smoke is great, but I agree with ashaps, it's hit or miss. I recently went to R.U.B. and thought it the best of the bunch. I need to try Daisy May’s to solidify the opinion, but it is really pricey.
Love Magic Hat #9, Blue Moon, Hoegaarden, but need something new!
I love these three beers, and am looking for something new to try. Any suggestions?
What do you love to serve to your guests?
Crème Brulee with balsamic vinegar macerated strawberries. My guests always love it, but I have to admit I love it even more!
Anyone know where I can get fresh perogie's?
Are this places where I can buy perogies to take home?
I know there are significant Polish and Russian populations in Queens and especially in Brooklyn, are there any places in either borough worth mentioning?
