brendastarlet's Profile
Pittsburgh and Fallingwater
There isn't anything right near Fallingwater itself. It's in the middle of the woods near a recreation area, and the only business I can remember being nearby is the canoe rental shop. Also, it's not a short drive from Pittsburgh. It's at least a couple of hours, because you have to work your way into Fallingwater from the freeway. Are you going I-79 or the Turnpike down? If you have a route in mind it's easier to give recommendations.
TNFNS #8 (spoiler)
Thanks -- I'm sure Jeffrey thought risotto would be a good choice but forgot the actual timing of the cooking.
TNFNS #8 (spoiler)
To bring up her mom's suicide seemed inappropriate at such an otherwise festive moment. She (or the producers) gave us a lot of information last night that might have shaped peoples' impressions of her throughout the season. We were led to think she was a stay at home mom, and all of a sudden there is complexity and an actual business background. As Bobby Flay said, "You're scaring me -- in a good way." This isn't a stay at home mom, it's a woman who took a break from her career to have kids, and that flips her story.
It reminded me of Season 3 of Project Runway in which we saw Jeffrey's baby son in the next to last episode, after an entire season in which he had been painted as a punk, and then all of a sudden the tide of sympathy turned for him and he won.
TNFNS #8 (spoiler)
On both the finale of TC, and last night, we've seen contestants make decisions under pressure that turned out to be a disaster. Carla decided to make her tenderloin sous vide, which she'd never done before, and Jeffrey made risotto which is not something that holds well. Given that these folks are food professionals, why does this happen? Producers, or just that thinking goes astray?
TNFNS #8 (spoiler)
It's "borders," not "boarders" who are people that pay rent to live in your home. And Rachael, Ina and Sandra do not fit the "every day cooking mom" description by any stretch. Rachael grew up in restaurants; Ina owned a gourmet store and neither have kids.
We only heard the concept of "Soul to Seoul" in the last couple of episodes, so I don't think Debbie got her act together early enough. And the edits clearly set her up to be the villain this year, by questioning her integrity.
I'm sorry FN won't pick an Asian host. But Jeffrey comes from an Arab-American background, not that we've seen it in his cooking, and you have to admire Melissa for really raising her game in the past few weeks. Of course, it could have been the edits that set her up to be the every day cooking mom, too. She lived in Paris, after all.
The first tomato of the season
I'm in Michigan and I've picked two sets of romas from my patio roma bush, and now the third set is ripening. I'm shocked that they have ripened so quickly. Of course, the next set might be all I get since I don't see any more blossoms. I am not feeding them anything except coffee grounds, but they're happy.
What is happening to my cucumbers?
I bought bush cucumber plants a month ago that my provider assured me would do fine in pots. They had a growth spurt, set blossoms but now the leaves are turning yellow. Not enough sun? Too much sun? Too much water? I'm afraid I'm going to lose them if I don't do something quickly.
TNFNS - was it a toss-up as to who went home? (Spoiler)
There's nothing else to watch (unless you count Top Chef Masters, which just kind of lays there). I don't think Debbie needed to be admonished because she mentioned she was Korean. People don't automatically know that she is -- she could be Chinese or Japanese to viewers who can't tell their ethnic groups apart. It's fine with me if she tells a new audience what her background is.
It's pretty clear that Jamika is on the chopping block and possibly Jeffrey, although he seemed to do much better last night. But what would his show be, if he won? Laid Back with Jeffrey? I Occasionally Make Food For My Kids with Jeffrey? At least with Melissa, you know she'll be Mom on the Air. With Debbie, it will be Spunky Korean Girl. The others, I'm not so sure about.
Next Food Network Star..ep 4 "spoilers"
If you listen closely, the judges are signaling who goes the following week by their comments. Based on that, I think Healthy Chef is next.
SE Michigan - The Current State of Pizza
If you want Chicago-style pizza, I second Pizza House. There is better pizza in Ann Arbor, though -- Silvio's Organic Pizza. It's a thin crust, wood oven pizza with numerous imaginative choices. They also make calzones and even a Nutella banana calzone. Everything is homemade, even the pastas.
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Silvio's Organic Pizza
715 N University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Driving from NJ to Cleveland
Certainly, I make the trip all the time. In Stroudsburg, PA, I highly recommend Siamsa, an Irish pub with wonderful draft beers and delicious food (the fish and chips are outstanding, and there are good salads and many other entrees). It's a notch well above bar food. They are right downtown on the main drag. Plenty of street parking.
In Bloomsburg, there's a lovely little cafe called Restaurant 112. Try the pecan chicken or any of the pasta dishes. If you'd rather have pizza, there's Original Italian Pizza which is dirt cheap and delicious. This is a college town so prices are not high.
State College PA is loaded with restaurants, and you can have your pick of cuisine. The Waffle Shop is wonderful for plain old waffles and other breakfast and lunch specialties.
Throughout PA, there is my favorite diner-style chain: Eat n' Park. It has burgers, fish, a huge salad bar, and Smiley cookies. I never make the trip without eating there once.
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Restaurant 112
112 E Main St, Bloomsburg, PA 17815
Siamsa
636 Main St, Stroudsburg, PA 18360
Eat 'N Park Restaurant
35 Perkins Rd, Clarion, PA
Detroit Area Knife Sharpening
Downtown Home and Garden in Ann Arbor sharpens knives. I paid $2 per knife last year. There also is a man at the Ann Arbor Farmer's Market who sharpens knives, but I believe he is only there on Wednesdays.
APDC Au Pied Du Cochon, my review
were we all there last week? I agree with the originator of this post: I went to APDC with an open mind, but I was just not comfortable with the menu. I am only an occasional meat eater, rarely have foie gras (it's just too rich for me) and am not a pork lover. However, we picked our way around the menu and managed to find plenty to order.
Among all our choices, the best, by far, was the oysters. We had a dozen and were tempted to get a second. They were top notch. We sampled the scallops, the tempura zucchini blossoms, the beet and chevre salad, and the cromesquis. We also had the churros, and skipped the booze. (Our waiter looked very disappointed that we didn't knock back coffee with the Baileys and brandy, and we offered it to him.) With two glasses of wine each, the bill was about $160.
I would go back and have oysters and steak frites. That's about it. I do praise the service, however, the restaurant is just shy of becoming a total tourist destination. Many flashes were going off around us as people took pictures, and that distracts from the meal.
Montreal Jazz Festival eats?
You are withiin walking distance of Olive and Gourmando and that's fabulous for breakfast. They make wonderful pastries, their own granola, fresh juice, terrific coffee. I ate there twice in two days.
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Olive et Gourmando
351 Rue Saint-Paul Ouest, Montreal, QC , CA
August visit, two dinner recs
I had dinner at Au Cinquieme Peche last week. It's adorable. Make a reservation because every table was full. I had a beautiful salad, and the sweet potato gnocchi. My companion had the halibut which looked beautiful. There is also dessert but we opted to walk up the street for gelato afterwards. There are a number of wines available by the glass and Benjamin, the maitre d', will recommend some if you're not sure what to get.
Next Food Network Star..ep 4 "spoilers"
I like Jamika very much. Aside from half of the Neelys, I don't believe there is another female African American host on FN, so that works in her favor. But FN also could use an Asian host, and I think Debbie has a decent shot. She's lively and fun.
Melissa is growing on me, and as long as I had confidence that her cooking was as professional as the others, I might watch. I liked Jeffrey initially but agree that his Zen persona is getting a little stale. I wouldn't watch a show by any of the others.
Next Food Network Star..ep 4 "spoilers"
It looked like they were still live. They had the rubber bands on the claws and they definitely were not cooked (lobster shell turns red after cooking). I was surprised that he'd do that, and that they'd show it. But he must have been in a big rush.
Joe Beef/Liverpool House Vs Le P'tit Plateau
No. P'tit Plateau is much more subtle. Au Pied is about enormous portions of very rich food. One is charming, the other is a place to be and be seen and spend a lot of money.
Next FN Star - Episode 3 - since no one's started one yet... [spoilers]
I've never taken Bobby's behavior as anything more than his style. They're just as critical of him as he is rude to them.
What's happening on NFNS is different: this is a chef who is stabbing others in the back, and then shirking from responsibility. I could have predicted he wouldn't be the one they'd let go, however. Every reality show has to have its villain. They'll keep him around for another few weeks until everyone refuses to work with him and the show gets enough negative emails.
Le Florimond or La Fontaine de Mars
You will have a variety of options at your finger tips, since the Rue Cler is a market street. Second, do not eat at La Fontaine de Mars for your only Paris dinner. I lived in that neighborhood, and it was our fallback restaurant when we couldn't get into someplace else. It's fine, but no better than fine, and I can't help but wonder how the Obamas ended up there with all of Paris to choose from.
Even in the 7th, there are better restaurants. I would recommend Au Bon Accueil above it. Le Florimond is pretty, and you will get traditional food there, and it has a bargain lunch menu. Perhaps there for lunch and Au Bon Accueil for dinner? Or just as good, stroll down the Rue Cler and see what strikes your fancy.
Montreal neighborhoods for foodie
My company is requiring us to take two weeks unpaid leave this summer, which conveniently bumps up against a business trip that I already have planned to Montreal. If I were to stay on a week to explore, what would be good neighborhoods to seek out for foodie purposes? Any thoughts on markets, restaurants, food shops welcome, and also any thoughts on where to stay.
Upper West Side, cool spots and tasty food on a low budget
Nice Matin at W. 79th and Amsterdam serves all day long and if you choose carefully, it will fit into your budget. I like their omelets, which are real French omelets. They have outdoor seating in nice weather. I'm also a fan of Popover's at 86th and Amsterdam -- again, great for breakfast and lunch.
Nice problem, but still
Here's what my nephews (13/17) have enjoyed in NYC.
Junior's on W. 45th between Broadway and 8th Avenue. The burgers, shakes and cheesecake are just as they are in Brooklyn, but much closer to you. Kids like that (and I admit, as an ex-Brooklyn resident, so do I).
The View restaurant/lounge on top of the Marriott Marquis. It's fascinating for kids and the food is fine, if pricey. Since it revolves, it's endlessly entertaining, and you can take them there to see Times Square at night.
For your food shopping, there's a Food Emporium at 49th and 8th for basics. There's a Whole Foods in the Time Warner Center about 10 blocks north, right across from Central Park.
Restaurants for elderly NYC visitors
I'm taking my elderly mom and aunt to NYC in May. I am racking my brain for restaurants they would enjoy. They do not like ethnic food beyond French and Italian. They cannot handle too much noise, and it needs to be easy to get them in and out (so tables not too close together, not a lot of walking, stairs, etc.) Pretty is a bonus.
I was thinking about Le Bernadin for one meal, since my aunt requested seafood, and she loved the Inn at Little Washington when I took her there a few years back, so she'd appreciate it. But we can't spend that much for every meal. Can you offer some other suggestions?
Easter dinner in Paris. What restos would be best for this?
I would imagine hotel restaurants will all be open. Daniel in the Hotel Daniel is a lovely place and you could stroll to the Tuilleries afterwards and see everyone in their Easter finest.
Staying at Hotel Blake for HIMSS conference, suggestions on eats
Sorry, I'm a vote against Custom House. The food is trendy but only okay, and the service is forgetful. Don't spend that kind of money when there are better places in Chicago.
Chicago solo dinner
Headed for a conference in Chicago, and staying over one extra day for business; in between, time for one great dinner, but I will be solo. Are either Alinea or Aigredoux amenable to solo diners? I know lots of other places where I would be fine by myself, but they are atop my "haven't been there yet" list.
What is your favorite hard to find candy?
Marks & Spencer Wine Gums. No other brand will do (I've tried them all). I stagger through the "Simply Food" aisles with 10 bags in a basket and get the strangest looks from the clerks. I also love Smarties, but have been able to find them recently where I live.
Did you catch Alice Waters on 60 Minutes?
I don't associate Alice Waters with the Slow Food movement, per se. I associate her with the "buy local" movement. They're different things. Given that Slow Food grew up separately from Alice, it seemed a stretch for 60 Minutes to link her with it. I didn't think she came off all that well in the story, because 60 Minutes has always got to have a "gotcha" moment and it's hard to "gotcha" Alice Waters.
Throwdown with Bobby Flay staged?
I'm willing to believe there are some contestants that aren't aware it's Bobby Flay. After all, why would you admit you didn't know who he was? But I am certain that the FN blocks out every shot, and that after the "throwdown" is made known, that the contestant gets ample time to prepare themselves.
Despite his protestations, the grumpy donut guy somehow managed to come up with boxes and boxes of gorgeous looking donuts, and you can't just pull those out of inventory.
