VealParmGuy's Profile
Ideas for this weekend?
Fringale and Yank Sing were both fantastic, and the surprise of the trip was actually dinner on Friday night. We got take out from China Village in Albany, and it was great. Here I was thinking i'd found some new gem, but then saw that there are many threads on the subject. I was a big fan.
For Saturday lunch, we had a delicious waffle from Blue Bottle at the Ferry Building and then I got porchetta from a vendor at the farmer's market. My girlfriend really wanted a "mission burrito" so we stopped by Taqueria Cancun (Market St location) to satisfy that craving.
One of my girlfriend's friends from college was having a 30th birthday party, so we ended up going to Bocce Cafe on Saturday night. It was fine for a big group dinner and got us to a different part of the city.
However, the big headline is that Brenda's, which had been a true favorite from a previous trip, was an out and out DISASTER. We went prepared for a wait, but what we experienced was a debacle.
Originally quoted "about an hour", after about 30-45 mins I checked in again and was told it would be about 30 mins more. I'll just jump ahead, we ended up waiting someone between an hour and a half and 2 hours. We would have gone somewhere else, but were sort of committed at that point. Then once we sat down, somehow everyone in the restaurant (those who sat at the same time or after us) seemed to get their food quicker than us. Lastly, the food ranged from good/fine to disappointing, and in no universe was it worth the wait. What really bothered us was the seemingly blase attitude the staff had. The place somehow had a different feel from when we went about a year ago? Has something changed?
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Fringale Restaurant
570 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
Yank Sing
49 Stevenson St Ste Stlv, San Francisco, CA 94105
Blue Bottle Cafe
66 Mint St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Taqueria Cancun
1003 Market St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Ideas for this weekend?
I've been to the Ferry Bldg, though not for the market, and intend to go back, maybe on Saturday then.
Is Farmer Brown too similar to Brenda's? We may go to Wilson & Wilson for a pre-dinner drink, and still need somewhere for dinner nearby (theoretically, though a cab ride isn't a problem).
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Farmer Brown
25 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Ideas for this weekend?
I am coming to town from LA this weekend with my girlfriend and my parents.
Here's our itinerary so far and would love some thoughts. Mainly need suggestions for Saturday lunch and evening.
Thursday evening - Fringale (an old favorite of my parents)
Friday lunch - Yank Sing (have been before and like)
Friday dinner - plans with cousins in berkeley at their house.
Saturday lunch - Mission Chinese food? Really want to try but not sure where to fit it in, is it a good idea for lunch? Papalote?
Saturday evening - Open for suggestions (Bar Agricole? Would go to Cotogna if we could get in)
Sunday brunch - Brenda's French Soul Food. (Have been here before and it's a favorite)
Other places we've been in the past and liked include Canteen (have only been for brunch and would go again but like Brenda's better) and Range
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Fringale Restaurant
570 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
Yank Sing
49 Stevenson St Ste Stlv, San Francisco, CA 94105
Brenda's French Soul Food
652 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94102
Cotogna
490 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
Ten Ten Seafood in Anaheim?
Has anyone been here of late? Still any good? I can't find any posts about it from the last five years.
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Ten Ten Seafood
671 N Euclid St, Anaheim, CA 92801
Where can I obtain a pullman loaf of white bread for an upcoming event?
Not positive, but I believe Breadbar on 3rd does.
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BreadBar
8718 W 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Crab Fest #7 at Hungry Cat
I've gone in the past and always had a great time, but as they've gone from AYCE crabs to a limited amount, along with a price creep each year I think it may finally be time to sit this one out.
Along with your drinks etc, you are looking at a $100+ afternoon per person. It's fun, but bit on the pricey side.
Favorite Food Vendor at the Hollywood Farmers Market
I love the jambalaya from Flava Lady. The beef patties are pretty good too.
Oahu/Waikiki 30th Birthday
First of all thanks to Russkar, Hunt and everyone who gave feedback. Russkar and Hunt, I've read you both widely through the years.
Here's where we went:
Alan Wong's - Simply fantastic. One of the best meals I have had in a while, even better than the tasting menu at Hatfield's in LA last November. We didn't get the tasting menu, but everything was spot on. I started with the lobster dumplings, which tasted exactly as one would picture them. I still crave them weeks later. Followed that with the ginger crusted Onaga, which was also great. These were paired with a white wine flight that matched well. Dessert was good, if not quite memorable, but they did give us a menu signed by AW and the staff as a momento for the occasion.
Azure - Went here at the rec of Russkar and the concierge at our hotel. Excellently cooked fresh Opah, and decent sides. When they learned it was a trip for my birthday, they presented us with a gratis banana split that was phenomenal. All of this at a table next to the sand overlooking Waikiki Beach. All very good, but you certainly pay for the view. The prices here make AW seem downright reasonable.
Dukes - Went here twice for lunch. Food was fine, but a good spot for an afternoon drink, and a better option than the lunch offerings by the pool at Surfrider.
Little Village Noodle House - We got the infamous black bean clams and some shanghai noodles. Enjoyed it, and it was a nice change of pace from the other butter heavy dinners we had. That being said, a bit of a trek from Waikiki. I would recommend to those who have a car, but probably not those like us who took a cab.
Rainbow Drive in - Got plate lunch here before headed to the airport. Really enjoyed and a nice excursion for getting off the Waikiki beaten path.
Beachfront at the Surfrider - We didn't eat dinner here, but breakfast was included so we ate here every morning. Above average hotel breakfast buffet, and a great view. But the real treat were the waffles, which were amazing. Not quite in league with the lobster dumplings at AW, but memorable none the less.
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Little Village Noodle House
1113 Smith St, Honolulu, HI 96817
Alan Wong's Restaurant
1857 S King St Fl 3, Honolulu, HI 96826
Oahu/Waikiki 30th Birthday
I'm going to Waikiki for my 30th birthday, and have done my research on this board and other places, but would like suggestions/recs/other ideas based on the following.
In order of priority: fresh fish is best, view is great, and while I realize both of those come at a premium, we don't necessarily need places that are fancy. (I realize prices are high in HI, but both Azure and Hoku seemed pricey. Alan Wong will be our splurge.)
We have reservations at Alan Wong for dinner one night for my birthday, and are staying at the Moana Surfrider. All other plans are flexible.
Other places of interest
Nico's - Worth going even if we are not going to Pearl Harbor?
Little Village Noodle House
Green Door
Hau Tree Lanai
Duke's
Of the various restaurants at the Surfrider, which are best?
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Little Village Noodle House
1113 Smith St, Honolulu, HI 96817
Alan Wong's Restaurant
1857 S King St Fl 3, Honolulu, HI 96826
Hau Tree Lanai Restaurant
2863 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
Hoku's
5000 Kahala Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816
Thai Town lunch today
Love the morning glory at Jitlada, though when I went a few weeks ago they were out. I think it's not in season at the moment.
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Jitlada
5233 1/2 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Thai Town lunch today
A fried came along for the ride, so Sanamluang it was. I've been to Al Wazir and that was my backup choice. Will have to give your other suggestions a try.
What specifically do you get at Pa-Ord and Ruen Pair? I pretty much specifically go to Sanamluang for the Pad Kee Mao and when in season, morning glory.
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Ruen Pair Restaurant
5257 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Al Wazir
1219 S Glendale Ave, Glendale, CA 91205
Thai Town lunch today
I need to run an errand today near Hollywood and Gower at lunch time. My normal Thai Town lunch spot is Sanamluang for a plate of Pad Kee Mao.
However, I will be walking today, and Sanamluang looks to be a bit of a (though manageable) walk.
Should I make the trek or is there somewhere else on my journey more worthwhile?
Thanks.
Skirt Steak for Lunch?
Porta Via does a nice Steak Frites w/ Skirt Steak on their lunch menu.
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Porta Via
424 N. Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Bread Pudding question
I've been searching through past posts and trying to discern which is the best method for make ahead of time Bread Pudding.
Option 1) Make and bake the bread pudding a day ahead of time and re-heat for the party.
Option 2) Make the custard and let the bread soak overnight (using hot dog buns) and then bake before serving.
Option 3) Make the custard a day ahead, but but don't mix in bread or bake until ready to serve.
Any thoughts or consensus?
Thanks.
Places to eat by yourself
The bar menu at Lucques is always good for weeknight solo dining if you are looking to eat after 9pm.
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Lucques
8474 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90069
best pasta carbonara on the westside???
I concur with J. Gold about Enoteca Drago. Always satisfies the craving.
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Enoteca Drago
410 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210
WINE SHOP not too far from Hollywood
Second both Greenblatt's and Venokado, however Greenblatt's doesn't do gift cards/certificates.
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Venokado
7714 Fountain Ave West, Hollywood, CA
New & improved (Los) Balcones del Peru?
Change is not so good in this case. Balcones was long a favorite that has now turned itself into an also-ran. Here's the headline: smaller portions, favorites gone from the menu, flavors muted and prices the same or increased.
Here's what we had last night:
Ceviche Mixto - Still pretty good
Lomo Saltado - Good, but not as quite as soul satisfying as before. It's missing some sort of ineffable quality that used to make me crave it for hours after I'd finished eating. Also, the portion is smaller than before, which in and of itself is not a bad thing.
Chicken Saltado - Didn't eat this personally but the consensus is same as the above.
What asked for, but they didn't have/no longer on the menu.
Fried Rice - This is one of the reasons I came here, the crave factor of that rice. They said they will supposedly make it if they are not busy, but last night they said they were. It was a Sunday night and 1/2-2/3 full so fair enough.
Plantains - One guy said they would make them, the next said they wouldn't. End result no plantains.
The service at this place is still meandering, which was fine before but a little dubious now.
The place was full on a Sunday night, so maybe the owners know something I don't. However, it seems questionable to change something that people loved into something more upscale that now has to try to compete with Bowery, Magnolia, Hungry Cat etc. Maybe they were having problems, I don't know.
Balcones is still good, but has gone down a notch and in the future, I will probably be going to Mario's for my Peruvian fix.
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The Hungry Cat
1535 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Weho Whole Foods - Fish Counter
I'm reviving this thread as I'm in the mood for fish tonight. Since the original post I nearly exclusively get my fish/seafood from the Sunday Hollywood or Monday WeHo Farmer's Markets, and is really is vastly superior.
However, tonight my choices are between BH Whole Foods, Bristol Farms on Beverly/Doheny or the WeHo WF. Anyone have recent experiences? Or another option?
Which foundational cookbook would you give a beginning 23 YO cook?
I also endorse "How to Cook Everything", but to echo ipsedixit, Tom Colicchio's "Think Like a Chef" is one of the most influential cookbooks I've ever read/learned from. It me the "how" of cooking as much as any of the recipes in Bittman's book.
What happened to the Kassava truck?
Is it still around? They haven't posted on twitter in about 6 weeks.
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Kassava
8600 W 3rd St Ste 2, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Between Boston and the Cape?
Wood's is a great suggestion, but sadly I called and they close at 9pm.
Top two favorite BBQ pork rib joints in L.A.?
JnJ Burger Shack & BBQ on Adams.
I agree with your rule about seeing the smoke, it's what turned me off of JR's BBQ on La Cienega a while back and helped me find JnJ.
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Burger Shack
9868 Garvey Ave, El Monte, CA 91733
Between Boston and the Cape?
Less about the type of food and more what's available given the time range on a Thursday night. I'm driving up to the Cape that night.
Between Boston and the Cape?
I'm flying into BOS around 9pm on Thursday night before driving up to the Cape (Wellfleet to be specific).
Is there anywhere inspired to stop on the way to eat other than the highway choices?
Strange Sediment Question
I was recently out to dinner where we had a bottle of Wild Boar Viognier (I believe this was the name but i could be mistaken). After the wine was poured for the table, two of my friends noticed strange objects in their glasses. When they first pulled them out, in the dark at the table, it looked like insects, and not wholly unlike what popped out of John Hurt's stomach in the film ALIEN.
The waitress took it on a napkin and looked at it in the light, at which point it turned out to be sedimented sugar that had crystallized in the bottom of the bottle. The sommelier came over and pronounced this normal. Because the wine was so cold when opened, I detected nothing with it, but at this point when i re-tasted it, it did taste slightly over sugary, like a bottle that has been opened and left in the fridge for too long.
Was the sommelier right and this was "normal" sediment or are my suspicions correct that something was off with the bottle?
Escarole: Ok to freeze?
Thanks. I have some leftover sausage in the freezer as well. Hoping at some point to turn it all into sausage, white bean and escarole stew.
Escarole: Ok to freeze?
I bought some escarole for a BBQ on Friday but ended up not using it. I may not have a chance to cook with it before i go out of town on Wednesday.
Can i wash it, dry it and freeze it like I would chard?
Searching online has proved inconclusive, as has whether it lasts one week or two in the fridge. (I'm back next Sunday.)
Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice?
I have a bunch of juice oranges and a hand-press juicer.
Can I make a pitcher of OJ ahead of time for the week or do I need to squeeze each AM to have with breakfast?
Tapas menu suggestions for tonight?
It's nearly a hundred degrees in Los Angeles and I'm having a few friends over for dinner.
I picked up the following at the farmer's market this morning and would love some suggestions of what to put together this evening. Would like to keep the oven/range use to a minimum to keep the apartment as cool as possible.
Oysters (planning to serve these on the half-shell)
Heirloom tomatoes
Oyster mushrooms
Yu Choy aka Morning Glory
Cubanelle Peppers
Cucumbers (I have brine I was planning to pickle them in)
Baguette
Garlic
Strawberries
Peaches
Mint
Grapefuit
Also have on hand in the house
White Beans
Fresh Basil
Onions
Faro
Milk
I can pick up a few other items but would prefer to use what I have on hand.
