Megiac's Profile
Looking for an off-strip Las Vegas restaurant for a bridal shower
I am trying to find an off-strip Las Vegas restaurant to hold a bridal shower. We don't need a private room, but at least a corner of the dining room where they can set us up and that will be semi-private would be good. It will be on a Saturday and we want a place that will serve either brunch or lunch.
I'm an LV native, but haven't lived there in over 10 years. As a result, I'm not very up on the restaurant scene. The guests will be about half local and half out-of-town. Most of the local people are in the southeast LV, Green Valley area, so something on the far NW side of town wouldn't work.
The food doesn't need to blow anybody's minds, but we want something tasty and fun. Any suggestions?
Can you recommend a dessert cookbook?
I am going to a girlfriend's bridal shower in a couple of weeks. For the gift, I've purchased some of the baking paraphenalia on the couple's registry and want to include a great baking or dessert coobook. I am a cook, not a baker, so I am not sure where to start. Any recommendations?
Crying Uncle at all the Potatoes in my House...
On the pasta idea, I love tossing potatoes -- and if I'm in the mood green beans -- with pesto and pasta.
Just got a Dutch Oven- Need Suggestions!
Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic is perfect in the dutch oven.
Challah in Denver?
There is a Jewish bakery on Monaco Street a few blocks south of Leetsdale. It's in the same shopping center as Hobby Lobby and Baby World (East side of the street). I've never had the challah, but have had other goodies from there that were all terrific. Also, as far as I know, it's the only place to get bialys in Denver.
Denver, CO
I'd probably pick Osteria Marco over Panzano's with kids. I don't think I've ever seen a child in Panzano's.
Lucille's would be a good brunch choice.
Help complete my cook-out menu
Thanks everyone! I ended up going with a variation of the israeli cous cous salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, basil, and a lemon vinagrette.
Everything tasted great, but I ended up running out of meat since we had a 100% attendance rate from our RSVPs, plus all of our maybes showed up too. So, the numbers were closer to 35-40. Add in the fact that I didn't realize the pork roast I had bought was bone in, so I ended up with less meat than expected. We were awfully happy to have the starchy salad option to fill people up.
(also, the baked beans suggestion was a good one, but I'm the only person in America without a slow cooker. I know that's what they're designed to do, but I just have major safety issues with leaving something cooking when I'm gone for the day.)
Help complete my cook-out menu
I am having 25-30 people over tomorrow evening for an end of summer cook-out/birthday party for the better half. Here's what I'm planning on serving:
Chips with salsa and guacamole
Oven-roasted pulled pork with coleslaw (and buns)
Chicken thighs marinated in pesto and grilled
Watermelon and feta salad
Birthday cake
Wine
Beer
Lemonade
I don't want to go crazy with the food/labor because I get overly stressed hosting this many people and want to still enjoy myself. Still, I feel like I need another dish. Maybe some other type of salad. Any suggestions?
Coming from Baltimore to Denver on 9/12? Recs. needed
You've gotten good suggestions for Friday night. I would be between Fruition and Mizuna of the choices that have been mentioned.
For Saturday, you may want to try the Wynkoop Brewery if you just want to stick to downtown. In the Cherry Creek area, there is also the the Cherry Cricket (great burgers) and the Irish Hound (good pub food).
I really like the brunch and the brunch cocktails at both Lola (Mexican) and Lucille's )Cajun).
Denver Cheap Eats for the Convention?
There are relatively very few chains in central Denver. There are a lot in the suburbs. That's not just restaurants. Our market is also dominated by a powerhouse local bookstore (Tattered Cover) and we have a couple of local coffee house chains that give Starbuck's a run for its money (Daz Bog and Peaberry).
I was actually really surprised when I moved here from NYC at how well locally-owned businesses seem to do in Denver. I think we are a lot better than many cities our size at supporting and maintaining local places.
Denver Cheap Eats for the Convention?
In addition to options already mentioned, walking distance (or a short ride on the 16th Street Mall Shuttle) for you downtown are Snooze (great breakfast and lunch), Proto's Pizza or Marco's Coal-Fired Pizza (both, obviously, pizza), Green (good to-go chopped salads), Little India, and Illegal Pete's (most people go for the burritos, but I LOVE their fish tacos).
Claire recommended Cook's Fresh Market. They have some good options at their prepared food counter, but I think that most of their salads and sandwiches are pretty mediocre (stay away from the hot sandwiches in particular, which are not made to order, and get incredibly greasy). Cook's baked goods are great and the have self-serve fro yo that is a bargain.
challenge: make dessert without equipment
How about poached pears? I'm also pretty sure that you can make the batter for a clafouti by hand mixing (it's been a while since I made one).
I have good honey; inspire me with good ideas!
Dates or dried figs stuffed with good gorgonzola and drizzled with honey.
Oven Pulled Pork- Coleslaw Help
Do you have How to Cook Everything? There's a coleslaw recipe in there with a vinagrette. I always make it to have with the Tyler Florence pulled pork. They go perfectly together.
Seriously, no squid in Denver supermarkets?
They don't have a tank, and they only carry it seasonally. They have a hard time keeping them alive when they are in stock. We bought two for New Year's Eve two years ago. Even though they were still alive, they were hanging on by threads. The ended up so mushy they were inedible. We do whole lobster almost every year (but this is the one time we bought them from Marczyk), and it's the only time they've been bad.
Denver Thursday Late Dinner/Friday lunch?
I do love Jack 'n' Grill. To bad for the OP that they don't stay open later.
I have almost always enjoyed Mezcal (except for the rare night that they are blasting death metal on the stereo), so perhaps I overstated my own opinion of their food, which is generally pretty positive.
Seriously, no squid in Denver supermarkets?
I would try Pacific Ocean Mart next to Super Star Asian. They have an amazing selection of seafood, and is also one of the only places in town that you can get live lobster anymore.
In the past, I've also seen squid at the Whole Foods in Cherry Creek. I've never seen it at Marczyk (also, as an fyi, do not buy lobster from Marczyk's the few times a year that they carry it).
Exactly how long does tahini paste last?
I'm happy to say that the tahini smelled and tasted fine, and that I seem to be alive and fully functioning today. The salad was tasty and easy too.
Denver Thursday Late Dinner/Friday lunch?
I've never been to Alto, but it's not a place I hear much buzz about. North is part of a regional restaurant conglomerate. The food is perfectly tasty, but it is pretty skipable in my opinion.
Denver is very strong on Vietnamese food, but pretty weak on Thai. That being said, my favorite Thai place is Chada Thai on 17th Avenue, but I'd be surprised if they were open as late as you need them. For sushi, I love Sushi Sasa, but they are only open until about 10:30.
There are various different Pete's restaurants on East Colfax, many of which are open very late.
My go to late night dinner is Mezcal, also on East Colfax (the kitchen is open until 1). The food is good if unspectacular, and won't be up to the Mexican food standards of your friends from Texas and California. The margaritas are excellent, however, as is the tequila selection. They will still be crowded and happening at 11-11:30.
bumper crop of cucumbers- any suggestions?
When I have an excess of cukes, I like to make a chilled cucumber and dill soup or saute them. To saute them I quarter them legthwise, remove the seeds and then cut into 1/2-1' pieces, toss them in flour, and then saute in olive oil until crisp-tender. Then, I just squeeze them with a bit of lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste.
Help with my cooking nemesis - rice!
Rice used to be my nemesis, but I've figured out basmati thanks to Indian Cooking by Madhur Jaffray. I always pre-soak the basmati in cool water for half an hour, rinse, then add to the pot I'm going to cook it in. Then, I add 1 1/4 cups of cold water (you need less water since you are pre-soaking), bring to a boil, cover, and cook on the lowest heat for 20-25 minutes until the water is absorbed. Then I let the rice sit covered for another 5 minutes before fluffing and serving. Perfect every time!
Exactly how long does tahini paste last?
I have a jar, purchased about a year ago from a local Middle Eastern market. It's been refrigerated since I opened it. Is it still safe to use? This recipe is sounding really good to me tonight: http://bitten.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/11/recipe-of-the-day-tomato-and-onion-salad-with-tahini-dressing/
potato pancakes, DEN?
I am actually known as the Potato Queen by my parents and siblings, and I must say that the potato pancakes at Zaidy's rock.
Denver- Food sourcing
Cooks is more expensive than Marczyk, however. I cannot believe some people do their regular shopping there.
Ethnic markets for the OP:
Pacific Mercantile Company (Larimer and 19th)
Rancho Liborio (Colfax & Havana)
Argonaut is a good stop for wine, and I also find that the prices at Cost Plus World Market are very low, even though their selection is limited. There's one right next to the Cherry Creek Mall.
Flank steak in beef stew?
Thanks all. The flank steak ended up marinated and grilled tonight over polenta. I am going to repurpose the veggies from the stew recipe into some other dishes this week.
St George UT: dinner & breakfast
Irmita's is gone from their shack on Bluff Street. I'm not sure if they've moved or not, as I'm not local either.
Eating the backroads of the southwest
As long as you are in St. George, head up the road towards Enterprise and stop Veyo for pies at the gas station on the left high side of the road (there is a big sign that advertises "Veyo Pies". My personal favorite is the Mountain Berry, which is just terrific.
Denver-Vita or Lola?
I've never been to Vita, but have been to Lola. They'd be a great choice. The food is really good and interesting, and they make killer cocktails.
