Franken's Profile
Merced rec's update
Thanks for your post and info. A while back I lived in Sonora and used to pass through Merced on my way to visit family- only made a couple of stops for coffee. I always wondered what would be going on down some of those streets. I would always drive by a bbq joint with a giant pig statue out front painted up in a farmers outfit. Hows that place?
Anyway Iam moving back up to Columbia next year and will once again be making trips through Merced. This time I will be able to please my curiosity by discovering the town thanks to your advice.
Cracked Pepper Bistro report [Fresno]
Sounds great. Have not eaten at the CPB yet, but it sounds like a must. I am new to Chow and am very happy to be able to get so much info. I have known that the CPB was open but the only reports I have encountered have been on this site. Thanks.
I looked up escargot on the internet and many sites report that there are 116 edible varieties. Glad it wasn't a Texas size portion of 116 snails served with a lobster bibb.
Does the customer call the shots? You decide
Well put. I would like to add that I would much rather experience the "vision" of the restaurant than to feel that the kitchen was ill equipped to accomodate or care about a special request (outside of illnesses or allergies which are abused). I believe "vision" is what drives entrepreneurs to take the risks to open unique businesses and gives us the oportunity to experience variety and something called CHOICES. If you want to feel unique and special and complain about how mistreated you are find communism and subject yourself. If you want an experience, get out of your own world and try a taste of someone elses.
Do Newspaper Food Critics Matter Anymore?
I love to read food reviews and restaurant critiques although the experts in the lacal paper here seem to be incapable or unwilling to state their own opinion. At least I hope that is the case.
Critics are fun. Most of the time they do report on many details that are important to a good experience. Sure sometimes it can become a power trip but from your own investigating (trial and error) you learn their taste compared to your own, what to consider and what to be entertained with.
Best Burger in Aptos, Capitola, or Soquel?
I have had a few hamburgers at the Blue Spoon. But this is back in 2000 when it first opened and I was working there. I can say then they were very good at lunch (the shift I did not work) and at dinner. We had some good classic combos as well some more exotic but just the plain burger was great.
Great ingredient combos
don g, thank you for your response. I have had the same success with imported truffles. Still very interested in enjoying domestic. So its AJ's or Oregon. I'll get out a map and check the difference in distance but I might as well go to the source.
thanks again.
Great ingredient combos
Wow, truffles for a week. Would you share your source. I have gotten some in the past from Oregon but feel my product was not as good as my friends reports.
Soy Sauce and Balsamic vinegar.
Hot Pepper Etiquette
True, but Taralee did not sound as though she was familiar with the restaurant at the time.
The French Laundry
All depends on what you have been exposed to and what you're used to. The cookbook was better.
What do you put down the garbage disposal?
If it is not gonna leak through a paper bag, it doesn't need to go in there. Why would it.
Be careful about who you share your kitchen with.
Hot Pepper Etiquette
I belive somewhere it became a custom to at least sample the presented meal before you decided it needed correction. A Show of respect to the efforts and talents of those who prepared the food. This I am sure originated in a time and place where cooks/chefs had their tongue on the pulse of the publics taste (back when salt and pepper a luxury) and any flavoring was welcomed. Problem is these days every cook is a "chef" and every blue plate they send out at a greasy spoon a masterpiece all because they watch food network. Where proper etiquette begins/ends can probably be closely related to things like plastic cups and tablecloths. ?
Maybe they like your business and see it as a good thing to send your food out last."All must wait till the host/hostess."
Or maybe they took offense at how you asked/demanded?
I would be upset if I asked for "hot" sauce and I noticed they had given me the house regular with a packet of Domino's red chili flakes dumped on top.
Maybe you should feel insulted. Maybe it is time to eat somewhere else.
Fresno: Small Plates Everywhere [Moved from Site Talk]
I have never been to Senses but many of my friends have. Then again the last report is a year old now. At the time it was fair.
Fresno: Small Plates Everywhere [Moved from Site Talk]
I have been in and out of town for over a year so I might be behind on this development.
TAPA INVASION. First I noticed Flamenco opening and then another tapa joint out by Yosemite ranch. Ofcourse the trump is in Fig Garden Village, Pangea which now seems would have the most to prove by opening so late in the Fresno tapa season and the most to lose due to what I expect to be an expensive rent.
What I am curious about is the trend. What does another Fresnan think about this?
There are many ingredients to keep fresh and a large menu to execute quickly.
