porkpa's Profile
Paris Fine-Dining Suggestions & Critique
Guy Savoy and Taillevent are both within walking distance of where you are staying. I love both of them.
Pierre Gagnaire
Is this restaurant open on Sunday? I will be in Paris on Sunday July 1. I was told that they were open on Sundays. I emailed the concierge of our hotel requesting his aid in securing a reservation for that evening. He replied that they were closed on Saturday and Sunday. I checked the website and either missed the information or it isn't there. Can you folks help?
Once Special Meal - Pierre Gagnaire or L'Ambroise
I just do not understand this self hate by Americans. Why is the phrase "too manty Americans" so often used as a negative when describing a Parisian restaurant? Do you go to a place to enjoy the food, service, general ambience or who else happens to be occupying the dining room in which you are sitting. I could understand if you were saying "too many ill mannered or raucus people". Certainly there are some(albeit few) Americans who exhibit these mannerisms, but so are there other people from all over the globe. When I go to a quality restaurant I focus on the food, service and general atmosphere, rather than the people who may be sitting at a neigboring table.
Wedding cakes.
We are having a relatively small wedding for about 50 friends and close family. We are looking to get a a high quality cake. Price is a factor, but not necessarily the most important one. It does not have to be novel or ostentatious, but it has to taste good. Any suggestions are welcome.
Langer's vs. Katz's and One Other LA vs NY Observation
Since this topic has occasionally strayed, I'll bring another factor into it. I recently had a pastrami sandwich at Zingers Deli in Boca Raton. The pastrami is fine, although not quite Katz' or Langers' quality. But the bread - It is outstanding. I've never had rye bread near as good as theirs. My understanding is that they bake it in house. The crust has a great crunch and the inside is a perfect complement to the pastrami.
Entertaining European Clients and money is no object!!! - Miami's Best Food
If a great wine list is a priority, then The Forge is a must. It has not only, the best wine list in the area but one of the best in the world. The food is very good as well.
Four days in Paris with our college bound granddaughter our reservations for dinner
I love l'ami Louis myself, but I do question whether its the right choice for for a young girl(please excuse my ageism & sexism). The food is heavy and copious.
Smoked Sturgeon?
With all this talk about the best smoked fish in New York, I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned Sables on second avenue on the upper east side. The place is owned by a Chinese man who was once the head smoked fish cutter at Zabars. Their smoked fish, whether it is nova, sturgeon, sable or anything else is as good as what can be found at Zabars, Barney Greengrass, Russ & Duaghter or Murrays. However if you want to experience some incredible seafood that I've never seen duplicated anywhere else, you must try their lobster or crab salads. They are absolutely delicious. The place is very customer friendly as weel. The staff wants you to taste everything that you buy, They offer samples to taste as they prepare your order. My mouth is salivating just thinking about the fantastic lobster salad.
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Sable's Smoked Fish
1489 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10021
Paris Brest in Paris
Is the on at Pre Catalan huyge and soaked in booze? If so, I hated it.
The Skybox at Tao
We are thinking of having a pre marriage dinner at Tao for out of town guests. We anticipate having about twenty five people including six children. This fits the parameters of the Skybox at Tao. Has anybody ever been there? What was the experience like?
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Tao
42 East 58th Street, New York, NY 10022
Thabksgiving in Montreal
My family will be in Montreal for Thanksgiving. I know that Canada celebrates Thanksgiving in October. Any suggestions for a US type Thanksgiving dinner in Montreal next Thursday?
Please help with Paris dining choices.
Unfortunately your budget restraints would not allow you to go to l'Ami Louis. Insofar as your food likes, their potatoes(potato cake & fries), escargots, foie gras, beef(cote de boeuf) and lamb are among, if not the very best to be found anywhere.
London - One Memorable Dinner for Couple in Mid 70s
Le Gavroche without a doubt. Its maybe a five minute walk from Claridge's. It has everything that you wrote that you and they are looking for. It is French, but probably more traditional than innovative. It should be your number one choice.
Joe's Stone Crab losing its edge?
I've just never seen the fascination with crab claws - Joes or anybody elses. I've had them several times. Each time I've been prepared to be impressed and have been disappointed. Basically I find them pretty tasteless.
One night in Paris...Happens to be a Sunday!
I'm not sure if it still is, but Tour d'Argent used to be open on Sunday night. Although the food isn't up to the major three stars, the experience and ambience is just fantastic. Very few places compare. If you order the dishes for which the restaurant is known, you can't go too wrong. (foie gras, duck, souffles, sorbets). The wine list is one of, if not the greatest in the world. If you go ask for a tour of the wine cellar. They will usually accommodate you.
Best of the 3 Stars...Is it still Pierre Gagnaire?
I've eaten at Pre Catalan twice - neither time my choice. Most one stars I've eaten at were better.
1st Arr Saturday 19th Feb
If memory serves me right, the last time I was there I had onion soup, rack of lamb and the souffle for dessert. My SO had escargot, a spinach cheese souffle and a spoonful of my dessert, because that's all I would let her have. You are by no means restricted to ordering souffles. Their other food is really good.
Daniel vs. Aureole & Gordon Ramsay
The new Aureole bears no resemblance to the old one. I have no idea why they made the change, but the new place is terrible compared to the old town house. They also very much miss not having the maitre D Alex in the front of the house. Does anybody know what happened to Alex? Is he working somewhere else?
1st Arr Saturday 19th Feb
I love le Souffle right on rue Mont Thabor. Its a fun place with an emphasis on souffles, although you are not restricted them. The pistachio/chocolate souffle for dessert is to die for.
Best burger AND fries in Manhattan and hipster parts of Brooklyn?
That should read "ten" bucks.
Best burger AND fries in Manhattan and hipster parts of Brooklyn?
Walkers in Tribeca has a wonderful burger with excellent fries for less than bucks. Nothing fancy, but really good.
Anyone else miss Gourmet Magazine?
The beginning of the end for Gourmet came when Ruth Reichl became the editor. She turned a magazine which was all steak with little sizzle into one which was all sizzle with no steak.
Gettysburg
Sydneys in East Berlin, The Altland House in Abbottstown and the Sheppard Mansion in Hanover are a twenty minute drive from Gettysburg. As the Michelin Guide would say for its three star restaurants "all are worth the journey". Make sure they are open. Only the Altland House is open seven days a week.
Your worst Thanksgiving meal?
This was probably about forty or more years ago. We had been married about two and a half years. The first year my wife had made a traditional Thanksgiving dinner using turkey as the showpiece. The next year a friend had been hunting and had shot a goose. He presented it to us. We decided on a Thanksgiving dinner with goose as the main course. I cooked it the same way as I had the turkey. What a disaster. It was so tough that the sharpest knife we had couldn't cut it. Our Thanksgiving dinner consisted of side dishes and grilled cheese sandwiches.
In search of a fine salt beef sandwich [London]
You can get a pretty good one in Harrods, although they do run a heavy pencil.
Sarge's beats out Katz's
The one thing that Sarge's and most other delis lack is hand carved pastrami. It really does makes a difference.
Restaurant to facilitate 20+ people in Paris- Set menu preferred
My one and only experience at Maceo. Actually we wanted to eat next door at Willy's Wine Bar, but we had too many people, so they recommended their sister restaurant Maceo. I found a piece of glass in my entree. When I pointed it out to the waiter, he reached in took it out and then said it okay to eat. No offer of a new dish or any sort of recompense. Never again!!
Luchento's in Millstone Closed?
I spoke with Tommy senior last week. He said the restaurant should be opening next week with Tom junior as the chef. I have no idea who now owns it.
