Foodie Visit to Rome

We are headed to Rome in a few months, and I want to thank you for this report. Two years ago, we had a few disappointing meals, and I hope to do better this time.

thank you

debkurt in Italy

Feeding my pregnant daughter in NY next month.

Oh, I did look at GB&G; it looks nice, and expensive, but after all it is my birthday.

We will only be feeding the family one night, so I'm not worried about what daughter will eat any place but the dessert. She is totally committed to her Spice dinner, and I think i have her convinced that Dessert Truck Works will be just right.

I told her about the affigato at Grom, and we both think it sounds heavenly, but she says that she needs cake. It is a need that I can understand.

The other choice would be cake at Amy's.

I couldn't find much about Blue Ribbon for dessert at night.

debkurt in Manhattan

Feeding my pregnant daughter in NY next month.

Dessert Truck Works looks perfect. Daughter has already said that she likes the 2nd Ave Spice, and we have had family dinners there before.

I will investigate Gotham Bar and Grill.

What do people think of Via Emilia?

debkurt in Manhattan

Feeding my pregnant daughter in NY next month.

I wish I could talk her into a restaurant with great dessert; that would be my preference. But my daughter is very pregnant and she wants what she wants. Im willing to go to Spice if that's what she wants, but the challenge is getting her dessert after!

debkurt in Manhattan

Feeding my pregnant daughter in NY next month.

These are all good suggestions but I should have mentioned that I spent hours combing opening and closing times for dessert, and it seemed that nearly every place mentioned will be closed by the time we leave dinner.

The Chocobolo branches are all closed early except the one in Soho.

Any other dessert places open AFTER dinner?

I am pretty sure she wants some kind of a cake or dessert rather than gelato or ice cream. That is making it more complicated.

We have often gone to Veniero's for dessert, just because it is open. I don't really like it that much but if someone can suggest anything there that is really good, I will pass it on to my daughter.

I will check out Good Enough to Eat's hours; it's on their way home.

Our trip is in 4 weeks. I'm getting ready to do reservations.

debkurt in Manhattan

Feeding my pregnant daughter in NY next month.

I think I could use a little help with my plans.

We are arriving on Wednesday and staying in the city for three nights. Daughter, SIL and grandson will join us one of those, and we will have a celebratory birthday meal, just husband and myself, for our final meal.

We are doing some eating to please our daughter who lives in the boondocks and has cravings.

We arrive on Wednesday, and may try to visit an exhibit late in the day. I want to see the Renoirs at The Frick. A late snack will be in order, but I don't know where to go in that part of town.

For dinner, just the two of us, and fairly casual, I was thinking Via Emilia.

The next day, before the family comes into the city, I would like to get to Russ and Daughters. I'm wanting a lox on poppy with a bit of cream cheese, capers and onions. And maybe a whitefish salad if I can talk my husband into splitting the sandwiches.

That night, the family wants to eat at Spice (haven't picked a location yet; this is all for daughter who had a branch of Spice near her FIT dorm back in the day, and is seriously craving it. If anyone can suggest a branch where 5 or 6 can be comfortably seated, that would be good. Grandson is young, but a seasoned restaurant diner. We will have dinner at 6.

After dinner, the only dessert place we could find is something called ChocoBolo that my daughter saw on television. It is in Soho. She is desperately craving a rich chocolate dessert.

The next day we are on our own. I am at a loss here. We may go to the Brooklyn Museum, but we would want to be back in Manhattan for dinner. I am thinking Craft, Maiolino, Locanda Verde. I just dont know....Looking for really good food, but I don't want to dress up. We loved Hearth last time in the city.... any similar suggestions?

I also want to visit the High Line if there are any food suggestions that could tie in with that.

Thanks for any and all help.

debkurt in Manhattan

Why are my diced tomatoes not cooking down?

That is my experience, too. I'd use an immersion blender or put the sauce in a food processor for a quick whirl.

debkurt in Home Cooking

Please help with Paris dining choices.

Thank you, Parigi, for doing that for me. I appreciate it very much.

debkurt in France

How to ask to have two of my threads merged?

I inadvertently started two threads on the same topic, and it was suggested that I ask the moderators to merge them. How do I do that, please?

debkurt in Site Talk

Please help with Paris dining choices.

Yes, Parigi, I will ask the mods to merge the threads. I guess I did that in a stupid fog, because I don't even remember. Sigh...

debkurt in France

Please help with Paris dining choices.

Thanks all so much. I wasn't aware of no choice at Spring so I will knock it off the list.

Does anyone how approximately how much a dinner for two at Violon d'Ingres, without wine, might be?

All the help is much appreciated. I know the people here do good deeds all the time, and please count this as another.

debkurt in France

Please help with Paris dining choices.

Hi

I had posted earlier that I would put my list of needs and wants for Paris together and get your help. It was suggested that I try to stay positive, and I didn’t want to whine about being ill, but I am. I’m not on the mend, but determined to go and have fun.

We will arrive in Paris on November 23 and depart on November 29, having 6 full days and nights in the city.

We are staying in a small apartment on rue de Grenelle, near Blvd. St Germain. We don’t usually mind going out of our way for dinner, but for this trip, keeping closer to home might be easier for me.

The purpose of the trip is to escape, to see a lot of art, and to eat good food.

I had mentioned earlier that I didn‘t want to deal with reservations that are hard to get. I’m sticking with that. I’m ready to reserve all our meals, with the help of our rental agency, but I don’t want to stress over any of it.

There are some dishes that I would love to have while in Paris. I will list some of my favorites and Paris “best dishes” to help give an idea of what I’m looking for.

Things that I love are chocolate mousse, profiteroles, and most things that are made from darkly rich chocolate. A great chocolate dessert that I enjoyed in Paris was a chocolate slice at Maitre Albert. This was fantastic, but a skimpy serving.

We like potatoes and one of the best dishes I had on our visit two years ago was a small jar of whipped sweet potatoes at Chez L’ami Jean. Sadly the rest of the meal was not memorable, and we were seated with two men who really wanted to make friends. I did not enjoy sharing my dinner with them, thus CLAJ is not on my list.

Also missing is Les Papilles, because I don’t like not have any choice in what to eat.

Love cheese. Best cheese plate I’ve had was at Le Grand Vefour. A nice cheese plate or cheese service is always a favorite of mine.

We also really foie gras, including as an ingredient. We’ve had a soup with a foie gras hunk served in it, and it was delicious.

I like steak. My husband likes fish. We both like lamb and pork. We both like oysters and would love some garlicky escargot. We love good bread.

Wine is not an issue; I don’t drink and my husband will order a glass or two.

I am dreaming of rich comforting food. I don’t mind small spaces, but I would rather not be too cramped. Pleasant service would be a comfort, too.

We have been to Bistrot Paul Bert and thought it was nothing special.

Been twice to Fish – La Boissonnerie, and won’t go back.

I didn’t love Le Gaigne.

I did like Christophe quite a bit.

We are going to several art exhibits, and because of that, we want to leave our days free and spend our evenings at dinner.

Our budget is about 100 euro per dinner, but that can be averaged. As I said, my husband will be drinking a glass or two of wine.

So, of course we are looking for fresh food, well prepared. Innovative is nice, but for this trip, not the most important thing.

Here are the names I’ve culled from a few months of reading and note taking. For anyone still reading, I would love feedback, keeping my criteria in mind.

Le Florimond
Le Tastevin
Le Reminet

Restaurant L’Ardoise
Spring Restaurant

Le Tir Bouchon
Le Chardenoux des Près

Le Cristal de Sel

Le Petit Verdot

Les Fines Gueules
Vivant
Café des Musees

Regelade St Honore
Violon d’Ingres (I presume this is above 100 euro )
Le Bistro des Gastronomes
Lilane
Casse Noix

I realize this is a lot to read. Anyone that has made it thus far, I hope I’ve been clear and I hope you will help me find 6 nice dinners.

Thanks
Debbie

debkurt in France

Dish South Side PGH-- Italian

About six weeks ago I had an outstanding pasta at Dish. It was Spaghetti with Bottarga, and it was very very good.

Our waiter was hideous, though.

debkurt in Pennsylvania

Need help using Michelin Guide online for Paris restaurants

Thank you, Parnassien. I will try your suggestions. I can do ten key words even French, even more if I put my mind to it.

Parigi, I didn't mean to sound so cranky, but sadly, I am. I am loaded with steroids and... well, that's enough of that.

I really never complain once I'm where I'm going. I love to eat and food is a real weakness for me. I think I'm focusing on what I'm going to eat in Paris a bit too much! I can't wait to try the Gillerdeau oysters you talked about. I love butter and cheese and want to eat a lot of both. I also love chocolate and bread and profiteroles, and foie gras and rich and creamy things.

debkurt in France

Need help using Michelin Guide online for Paris restaurants

Oh dear, I think I made it sound more dire than it is. I'm happy to make reservations, and the apartment service we are using is, too. Which I must say is a pleasant change from the service we have used in the past. In any case, we always go with a list of reserved places.

I just didn't want to take the time to sort through a list of tough-to-get reservations. As mentioned, I've been ill, and I'm sort of dreaming of an easy but utterly delicious week of dining.

I think that I really ought to make up the list, along with a list of some of things that I'l like to eat, and post it here. All that held me back was feeling that my tastes at this current moment, weren't up for challenging foods and challenging dining. Life has been sort of challenging enough, if you know what I mean.

I was going to use the Michelin online site to help me narrow my list, but I'll probably just buy the book. And perhaps use Souphie, too.

Thanks

Thanks.

debkurt in France

Need help using Michelin Guide online for Paris restaurants

Thanks Ptipois. It's a bit of a relief to know I'm not too stupid to use the website.

I have been reading just about every word of Paris by Mouth. I'm probably looking for less cutting edge, more traditional and accessible food than some of what is discussed on PbM.

Do you think I ought to post my list here and ask for feedback? Most of the names I'm collecting, and the dishes I want to eat, aren't really the innovative and progressive or expensive places that get discussed here somewhat frequently.

I guess you'll answer yes, of course I should. I'm really really looking for comfort food with very little hassle in terms of making reservations. I've been quite ill and can't cope with the thought of difficult reservations. I just want very good food and not too many challenges. I've been quite challenged enough lately.

debkurt in France

Need help using Michelin Guide online for Paris restaurants

Hi

I've seen Souphie suggest using the online Michelin guide to check restaurant prices in Paris. i've been trying to do this, and it is probably my own density that's making it difficult, but I can't find a way to look up the information for a specific restaurant.

I keep coming up with long lists of restaurants in various arrondissements. It is making it very hard to use the guide's information to help me narrow my list for late November.

I've put a copy of the Michelin Red Guide Paris, 2011, in French, in an online shopping cart, but before I make the purchase, I would like to know if there is a more efficient way to use the website. I would rather not spend the money on the book.

I appreciate any help.

debkurt in France

Blintzes in Manhattan?

I had a delicious cheese blintz at Veselka. In fact, when I am in town next week, I am going back.

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Veselka
144 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003

debkurt in Manhattan

Cleveland hound heading to Falling Water

I'm afraid that I totally disagree about Nemacolin Woodlands being beautiful. I tend to think of the entire place as a pox on the Earth; I guess it is a matter of taste. Remember that this place was built by a man who had a larger than life, wind blown, oil portrait of his who-knows-which wife as a mural in his bathroom.

Prepare yourself for lovely scenery and not great food in this area. The Caddy Shack at Nemacolin Woodlands serves food that is hearty and seems fresh enough. There are higher end restaurants in the complex, if you are looking for a higher end experience. I've read good reviews.

Glisan's isn't worth a stop IMO. Diner-ish without anything really tasty to draw one in. We've eaten at The Stone House many times; it is OK. The Stone House is upscale compared to Glisan's, but Glisan's is very... casual, shall we say.

This is church lady country. You won't find a Greek diner. If I had to eat in this area, and I sometimes do, I would choose The Caddy Shack or The Stone House. Expect plain American food and you probably won't be disappointed.

Once, on the way home from FW, we stopped at a nearby BBQ stand. I remember that they had pulled pork sandwiches.

I think stopping in Uniontown for food or drink detracts from the rural and mountain view experience one gets on the way to, and at, FW.

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Glisan's Restaurant
223 Tall Oaks Rd, Farmington, PA 15437

debkurt in Pennsylvania

UWS Reasonable and Delicious Italian

All good information. I eliminated Gennaro and Celeste because I am not taking Granny anywhere without a reservation. Also not looking for crowded table areas. I will check out Bettola and Lisca. Isn't 'Cesca on the pricey side?

debkurt in Manhattan

UWS Reasonable and Delicious Italian

Brian, that is somewhat comforting, because we are actually holding a reservation on Christmas Eve.

Any dishes you would advise against?

debkurt in Manhattan

UWS Reasonable and Delicious Italian

Hi

We have a couple of criteria to meet: my elderly mother will be with us, and prefers more traditional foods, but is demanding about quality.

We need to be in easy reach of the West Side Highway so that a member of our party can dash to work after a dinner at around 6 or 6:30.

My kids asked for Copolla's, and although I've not eaten there, I read a review/reference here that mentioned "bad food."

We definitely don't want bad food, and would prefer really good food. We don't want to spend more than 50pp without drinks.

I'm kind of looking for the Lavagna or Supper of the UWS, if there is such a thing.

I would appreciate your suggestions, and comments on Copolla's, too, if you have them.

debkurt in Manhattan

Where We Ate In London

Thanks to the great tips garnered from the London folks on Chowhound, we had great dining experiences in London during our 5 night stay in August, 2009.

On our first evening, we went to Bocca di Lupo in Soho. I had asked here for a tip on someplace in a fun neighborhood where we could feel that we were in London. This is a great place to eat. We had 2 fried artichokes that were honestly as good as any that I've had in Rome, and I've had plenty as they are one of my favorite things to eat. I had Poppa al Pomodoro and it was also very good, even if it was the best ever. We ordered several small dishes so that we could taste a lot of things, and we liked everything we had. We had two different granitas (graniti?) for dessert and they were both outrageously delicious; one was a blackberry granita with thick fresh whipped cream, and the other was coffee granita with a chocolate sorbet. Our waiter was charming and even though we had to sit at the counter, everyone in the restaurant tried to make us feel comfortable. The two of us ordered a surfeit of dishes, and my husband had two glass of white wine. The bill was 80£.

On the next evening, Sunday, we went to Tayyabs. It was before 7 pm when we arrived and we were seated immediately. This place was as good as everyone said it would be. We had the lamb chops which were delectable, spicy, a little heat, chewy but not tough... just really good. My husband ordered fish done the same way, that I didn't like at all, but he claimed that he loved it. I thought it tasted like curry flavored fish jerky, but like I said, he loved it. The baby pumpkin and the garlic nan were excellent. We over ordered, and the bill was 30£ for two of us.

The following night we ate at St. John. It was good but not up to our expectations, especially after the previous two meals.

Next night, Master's Super Fish, before a play at the National Theatre. This was just as good as the recommendations I've read. My husband loves fried fish, and even I, not a fan of breaded and fried foods, liked it and cleaned my plate.

On our final night, we were exhausted and the concierge at our hotel recommended the Dickens Inn at St Katherine's Dock, which was a short walk from our hotel. It was fine for what it was. A pleasant evening, and we sat on the top deck and enjoyed the view.

During the week we had a wonderful lunch at the Royal Academy, where we went to see the JW Waterhouse show. Our final lunch was at Borough Market, where we had the grilled cheese that was as good as reported.

This report is probably a little sketchy because we came home to a sick family member, but I wanted to write something since I received so much help here while planning our trip. We ate very well in London, thanks to the Chowhound London posters.

debkurt in U.K./Ireland

[London] Pearl Liang Offer

I am uninformed about Dim Sum. Is Dim Sum available at the time of the discount offer (after 5 PM) or is it only available in the daytime?

debkurt in U.K./Ireland

Yo Rita - Taco Heaven

I couldn't wait to go to Yo Rita after reading Panini Guy's post. We went Friday night and it is so worth visiting. Not only is it a nice room, but the food was outstanding and the prices were so incredibly low. We saw KS there.

We all had the jicama slaw and three tacos. I had the duck and sweet potato, shrimp, and avacado tacos. Everyone loved the slaw and the tacos. We would all go back in a minute. I would like to thank Panini Guy for posting on this; I wouldn't have known about it. Thanks!

debkurt in Pennsylvania

First Meal in London; Saturday night in August

Thanks!

How much are we looking to spend? Well, probably around 60£ for two of us, no or very little alcohol. At the most, my husband might have a glass of wine or two. No coffee after dinner, but I like cheese or dessert.

How snazzy? Well, not very. We will have been traveling from deep in France, starting very early in the morning, and just want to see people and a bit of the town on a Saturday night. I don't dress up on the biggest occasions, so no high fashion. But we aren't bummy, either. A nice skirt and top for me, with flat shoes, and jeans and collared shirt for my husband. But pleasant and comfortable. No formica table tops or ordering at a counter. But no crowds of suits and ties... somewhere in the middle.

Cuisine: we like most everything but once had a Shanghai menu in London that was expensive, gross, and included parts of animals that I don't like to think about. No knuckles, intestines, or heads.

Spicy is good. We have one Indian meal planned and one fancy set menu lunch. I think Italian or some sort of Asian would be good. We also like Greek and Lebanese here at home in the US, and I would try Turkish, Iranian or something along those lines that I don't get at home.

We are at the Apex City of London Hotel. I know nothing about the area, always having stayed in more touristy locations in the past. But the deal we got on this hotel is too good to pass up and it gets great reviews for the price range. 69£ per night!

debkurt in U.K./Ireland

First Meal in London; Saturday night in August

Hello everyone

I am slowly gathering information for our upcoming trip to London, the first in over 7 years.

We arrive in the late afternoon, Saturday, August 15, at St Pancras, and will go straight to our hotel in the City to check in.

That night, if the weather is good, we would like to be out amongst people in a livelier part of town to get a "we're in London" feel. I'm not sure where I should look.

For the kind of thing I'm looking for, if we had just arrived in New York, let us say, I would probably head to the East or West Village or another lively area on a Saturday night. I would not want to be in midtown or the financial district, but wouldn't hate a theater street with great food. We would eat at 8 or later, after the pre theater rush was over.

The last place I was in London that fit this description was Spiga in Soho, but I don't even know if that exists anymore. The food was nice, not too expensive, the place was pleasant, and strolling was good.

I hope I've given enough information. If not, just ask and I'll supply more.

debkurt in U.K./Ireland

Tayyabs ?

I so appreciate everyone's help. We will try Tayyab's, booking or showing up early, not on Saturday night. We will only be in London for 5 nights beginning on Saturday.

I may also try the Apex restaurant, but figure I'll be spending enough time in the area and want to get out and about. I haven't been to London in 7 or 8 years. But the meal deal information is good to have and I will keep check.

Thank you all and I will report back. Right now I'm going to ask a Saturday night question of the board.

debkurt in U.K./Ireland

Tayyabs ?

Hi

I am making my first post under this name (I think). I used to post a bit before becoming a lurker, and now I hope to participate more.

About Tayyabs: I have recently read some reviews around the internet, which make dining there sound like a sort of unpleasant experience: crowds, long waits, jostling, and general discomfort.

I am a food lover, but have health problems, and I'm always looking to maximize my comfort when on the road. So, can I eat at Tayyab's without being jostled or standing in line for a long time? If so, what would be a good time to do that? We will be in London from Saturday night through early lunch on Thursday.

I assume one cannot reserve there; is that correct? Is there a good time to get there for dinner to avoid the lines?

If not, can you make another suggestion for tasty Indian that is not high end?

We are staying at the Apex City of London Hotel. I chose this location for comfort and budget, not eating. We plan to travel to eat, but want to mostly stay near the center of London.

I was loving the idea of the lamb chops at Tayyab's.

debkurt in U.K./Ireland