Chowhound Post
Thanks all! I ended up getting frozen baby octopus from Coastal and it was soooo delicious. Roasted it nice and slow in the oven for an hour and a half and it was very tender.
Chowhound Post
I'm trying to figure out what to make for a Mediterranean Island themed gourmet club with my friends, and I keep coming across grilled octopus recipes. We are the first course, and I'm thinking we'll do some sort of grilled octopus salad.
The problem is, I have no idea where I can buy octopus here. Anyone know if I can get some fresh and not frozen? Is the frozen octopus any good?
Thanks in advance!
Chowhound Post
Oops. I am apparently not that good at math. It looks like our budget is actually $250. Any specific brand recommendations would be great. Thanks!
Chowhound Post
Can someone recommend a good wine fridge/cooler? I'm planning on purchasing this as a gift with some other friends for a 30th birthday. Our budget is around $600, and of the posts I found already, it looks like conversations revolve around fridges under $200.
I don't know what to look for in a wine fridge, but obviously consistent temperature is a plus. I'm not too concerned about the fridge holding a ton of bottles, but about 30-50 would be ideal since it seems that most fridges don't actually hold what they claim (due to varying bottle sizes).
I'm also interested in a company that has good customer service in case something were to happen to the fridge once purchased. There are a lot of comments about Haier, Vinotemp and Danby having either poor quality (freezing the wine or breaking down) or horrible customer service.
Any help is appreciated - thanks.
Chowhound Post
I'm having problems loading recipe detail pages on both firefox and IE (on a PC). I was able to get to the recipe of the day from the home page, but from anywhere else, i can't load any recipes. it just loads a blank white page.
any help?
Chowhound Post
thanks so much! I just called Kowalski's in Uptown and talked to the butcher. he knows what i'm doing with it, for how many people, and i asked him specifically to cut it between each bone so there's one bone per serving.
everything is easier when you go to the people who know. thanks, hounds!
Chowhound Post
I'm making Braised Short Ribs with Horseradish Gremolata (Brasato al Barolo). It's a Mario Batali recipe found here: http://www.leitesculinaria.com/recipe...
the recipe calls for four 16-ounce beef short ribs (it serves 4 people). the author's note on the blog says:
"We use beef short ribs for this dish and it works out great. You could just as easily use brisket or blade, but I prefer the richness of the ribs. Have your butcher cut between and along the length of the bone. The most important step here is the initial browning; do not shorten it or the final braise will not be as intensely flavored or colored."
any suggestions on what cut to ask for? i can certainly call kowalski's and ask the butcher there for that cut, right?
Chowhound Post
Hey hounds - I'm cooking for 10 people this Saturday and have never bought short ribs before but also can't remember seeing them anywhere. Does anyone have a recommendation on where to buy them in Minneapolis? I know I could just call my local coop and ask them, but this is my first stop.
Chowhound Post
thanks!
i always try googling these types of questions, but i know in the back of my mind i will always end up coming to chowhounds for the answer cause they know!
Chowhound Post
I'm making a salad on Saturday that includes quail eggs and I can't remember where I've seen them. Does anyone know?
Also, does anyone have a fool-proof technique for soft boiling them?
Chowhound Post
actually, figlio changed their sunday happy hour to end at 7 now. no longer all day on sunday (they changed that a couple months ago). but really their happy hour is pretty much all the time.
their happy hour food is decent, the wine is subpar but drinkable, but their tap beer selections are pretty good. i only go there during happy hour because i can't stand the rest of their menu.
Rossi's downtown has a pretty good 2-4-1 happy hour and apparently their $3 cheeseburger is out of this world (have yet to try it).
i was going to recommend looking on thriftyhipster.com or mplshappyhour.com but someone already mentioned it :)
Sushi Tango in uptown has some pretty good food and drink specials (http://www.sushitango.com) and of course my favorite place Cafe Barbette (http://www.barbette.com) has HH 3-6 M-F with wine and beer specials and some really great food specials (the enormous plate of half-order fries are to die for).
Chowhound Post
Ginelli's is right between the TCF Tower and Baker Center (8th St between 2nd Ave and Marquette). It's right next to a Subway, Falafel King, etc.
If you tell me where you're coming from, I could give you better directions.
Also, as a little tidbit, my favorite pizza in town is from Broders Deli (not the pasta bar across the street) in south Mpls on 50th & Penn. http://broders.com/
Chowhound Post
thanks, misterpatrick. the soup you mention sounds very good, too - i may just have to try that out today.
Chowhound Post
I have a recipe for mole sauce that I'm dieing to make, but it calls for both guajillo and pasilla chiles which I haven't been able to find at several grocery stores (only ancho).
Does anyone know where I can go to buy some? Addresses (or cross streets) in addition to names would be helpful. Thanks!
Chowhound Post
my first time at Chambers was back in November. we also were not given the tasting menu, but our server said: "let me check with the kitchen to see if they can handle it." and he came back with the tasting menu. pretty weird all in all.
Chowhound Post
well, i went last night anyway. it was pretty good. we had a great syrah that i'll have to look for the next time I'm at the liquor store - Duxoup from Dry Creek Valley.
the food was good, but not outstanding. we had a series of small plates so we could try several different dishes. the anchoy starter was excellent, as were the golden beets served w/truffle oil, fried basil and herbed goat cheese.
although the scallops were cooked well, the flavor of the dish was underwhelming. the pizza didn't have enough salt, and the proscuitto starter was WAY too salty.
overall, it was pretty expensive for 2 of us, considering the food. the wine list was very overpriced - almost to the point of insulting.
i'd recommend it, but i wouldn't go back any time soon.
Chowhound Post
I'm trying to get out to some new places this year, and willie's Wine Bar has been at the top of my list for awhile (for one because I'm afraid it might close before I get there). I might even try it tonight.
Please let me know about the food, specifically the hamachi tartare, and their wines. It looks like they have suggested wine pairings on their menu - are they good pairings?
Should I keep it on the list? What do you know about it?
Thanks!
pip
Chowhound Post
Can someone please enlighten me about Vera's? Everytime I've been to Vera's, it's 95-100% filled with men.
Did I not see a sign on the door? Or does this not seem weird to anyone else?
The one think I love about Vera's is that they sell Mrs. Kelley's teas which are so yummy! (and local)
Chowhound Post
I just have to say this thread is one of the more interesting I've read on chowhound!
I love the idea of problem solving with a restaurant as the end goal! We should have more of these.
I love this one mostly because I'm very inspired by all of your recommendations that now I have to make the jump over to St. Paul more often. Thanks everyone!
Chowhound Post
Speaking of sea bass, Lurcat has a miso sea bass on their menu right now (possibly for awhile, I'm not sure). The server said it's their most popular dish. I thought, "Of course it is. Miso and sea bass - how original."
A friend ordered this dish and I have to say it was outstanding. It was so delicate, sweet, and salty. I'd highly recommend that to anyone iffy on sea bass. Forgot to mention that in my other post.
Chowhound Post
Alice - Chatterbox is quite overrated. The service we had last night was horrendous. I've rarely been treated so rudely by an entire staff.
I was also annoyed that their Ginger Ale "From Scratch" was nothing more than the worst mixture of Sprite & Coke I've had.
Won't be back there.
Chowhound Post
Let's see, I've been to quite a few new places in 2007 (one of my goals for the year).
Town Talk Diner - FINALLY made it and it's fantastic. One of my favorite places now and high up on the list of places to take out of towners.
Morelos @ The Hub - pretty darn good Mexican. Went there for a friend's birthday last night. The pork tamales are really good as are the enchiladas. I also enjoyed the wide variety of delicious non-alcoholic drinks. The Hibiscus Flower was great.
Chambers - had a board dinner there and had the same tasting menu as I did at the beginning of November. Still think the carrot lime puree served with the steak is out of this world, but overall a little disappointed by the same menu.
Broders - pizza is still good there
Caffrey's Deli - have you had their Hot Shot Italian sandwich? To die for - mostly at 2am. :)
Lucia's - darn good - if they ever close I might kill myself.
Colossal Cafe - excellent breakfast. Good omelettes, frittatas, etc.
Cafe Lurcat - weird service, but great food. The pork tenderloin was very delicious. The ahi was fresh and delicious, but somewhat uninspired (lemon and soy).
Chowhound Post
Thank you, g rote for recognizing that - I think "no where else" is the answer. :)
Chowhound Post
Awesome! I'm happy to see Broders on your list. Their pizza is so incredible and fresh. The pasta bar is always a winner. And I must also say that the deli is one of my favorite places to be in MPLS. The energy and specialized food selection is right up my alley.
Chowhound Post
The cauliflower is amazing. Did you ever try the creamed corn? They had it on their menu probably a year and a half ago, maybe 2 years I can't remember. It was the most delicious version of corn I've had. It was cooked like risotto and it was dairy free - made with fresh sweet corn.
I wish they would bring that back.
Chowhound Post
I'd say you could do a white fish like halibut or even salmon with a stew that includes some fresh herbs like mint. I think the sweet potato stew idea could work with that.
I made mahi mahi awhile back with a pineapple-mint salsa and a couscous (isreali style) made with curry, raisins (you could sub currants), carrots and some other delicious veggies and spices.
It was fantastic. Unfortunately I can't remember where I found the recipe.
Chowhound Post
The pizza at Psycho Suzi's is actually quite good. Although I'd say Broder's is my favorite and Punch is a close second.
Chowhound Post
I'd say interesting you pick Manny's and Oceanaire since my opinion is that they're only a couple notches above TGIF chain restaurants. I don't care for any of the Parasole restaurants other than Muffaletta to begin with.
If you're looking for great fish, go to JP American Bistro. If you're looking for a great steak, have you tried the one at Zelo? It's not only all natural and raised in southern MN but it's phenomenal.
Chowhound Post
TDQ - I love 112 Eatery - I recommend it all the time to people who want a new place to go. My only complaint (and this is why it is no longer in my top 5) is that their menu is so small but it doesn't change frequently enough for me. I get bored with it too easily. However, their burger is the best I've ever had and if that's all I could eat for the rest of my life, so be it.
my top 5:
JP American Bistro
Auriga
Town Talk Diner
Sushi Tango
Lucia's
Chowhound Post
On Eat Street? North of Kmart?
Profile
Best meal I ever ate:
Braised Short Ribs w/Pumpkin Orzo & Horseradish Gremolata
My current drink of choice:
any wines from Preston in Dry Creek Valley, CA
I really wish I could:
Go on an "Around the World in 80 Restaurants" trip.
My favorite comfort food:
curries, pho, or roast chicken
My top 5 favorite restaurants:
in MSP (not in order): Barbette, Quang, 112 Eatery, Sushi Tango, Spoon River
My most tattered cookbooks:
Joy of Cooking, Jimtown Store Cookbook, The Curry Book, Cook Right 4 Your Type (the Caesar salad is out of this world)
