jpdanart's Profile
BBQ IN NC
We will be staying in Chapel Hill and we are probably willing to drive at least 50 miles for good BBQ. I've visited that website, but I wasn't sure on the quality of the places they had listed.
BBQ IN NC
Now I realize that the question I am about to pose will be answered with some very strong opinions, but here it goes: Which NC BBQ restaurants are a must on a trip to the region? Hopefully my second question will not engender too many heated discussions, what other restaurants (besides BBQ) are worth going to in the Chapel Hill/Raleigh area? I've read about Lantern and it sounds pretty good, as does J. Betski's, but I leave it up to the Chowhound Community to guide me in the right direction.
Thanks!
Polish in Chicago
Can anyone recommend a good old school Polish restaurant in Chicago? I'd be more interested in something only locals would go to, as opposed to an institution, which I have found usually are overrun with tourists.
Heading to Houston this weekend just want some BBQ!
In this entire thread, I did not see one mention of Thelma's! Ya'll should be ashamed. I agree that Houston strangely has a dearth of good BBQ restaurants, but Thelma's is amazing. It should be noted that it is wet BBQ as opposed to the more traditional dry Texas BBQ. I also would recommend Beaver's (as they say just south of Hooter's) on Sawyer right off of Washington Ave. They smoke all their meat in house and use the best cuts. Their appetizer of Bar Bar consistently rates on my 'what do I want for my last meal' list.
Y de Galicia ¿que?
I spent three months in Galicia, mostly in the dismal city of Ferrol. That being said, I did travel quite a lot through the region. While not known for a culinary scene, I had some very good meals in Lugo (plus a great town to check out for its extant Roman walls). Santiago is probably the best for food and has numerous upscale restaurants. You'll want to go to Toni Vicente's restaurant which is right off Avenida de Xoan Carlos I. I think she may have opened another restaurant, Laurel, in the beach community of Sanxenxo near Pontevedra.
I also ate very well in La Coruna. El Rey De Jamon on Calle (Rua) de La Franja is a sight to see. Reminscent of Museo de Jamon in Madrid, but ten times smaller. Make sure you try to eat some percebes when you're there. They're a bit pricey, I think 40 or 50 euros a kilo, but honestly 100g of the stuff will be sufficient. There are some great little fishing villages nestled in the rias (mini Spanish fjords) which have Mom and Pop restaurants serving extremely fresh seafood.
Enjoy! Be careful not to overdose on Pulpo Gallego...
Great typical restaurant in San Antonio
Good catch! I meant Mi Tierra! D'oh! Any other suggestions?
Great typical restaurant in San Antonio
If you were to go to one reasonably prices restaurant in San Antonio, which one would it be? Meeting some overseas friends and I think they would like a meal in a SA institution (eating a Snickers in the Alamo doesn't count). I've already decided on Mi Corazon for lunch, but need a place for dinner.
Hobart dining
I responded to your query about Melbourne, but I saw this posting and figured I'd give you a tip for Hobart. There is a tiny little Japanese place called Orizuru that serves the freshest sushi I've ever had. The staff barely speak English. It's located next to a very popular fish and chips shop, Mures. If I remember they may also have a few cooked fish dishes. You can always run into the fish and chip shop next door. They do also cook some of their fish. You will not have fresher fish unless you catch it yourself.
Searching for good meals in Melbourne
Guiseppe Arnoldo and Sons at Crown Casino is great and very reasonable. Downside is they don't take reservations. The Napier in Fitzroy is one of the best pubs in town and their special board (which changes everyday) is probably the best quality food for the price you'll get in Melbourne. Plus it's off the beaten path. Panama Dining Room on Smith Street is always good and a good place for cocktails afterwards. Best cocktails in Melbourne will be at Black Pearl on Brunswick Street. Incredible selection of booze and consistently award winning service. Take a walk down Gertrude Street in Fitzroy and you'll have a plethora of places to try in all price ranges. Enoteca is a stand out for good food (very small menu) and excellent wine selection. Gertrude Street also has Ladro, Cutler & Co, Anada, Charcoal Lane, Southpaw, Builder's Arms, the list goes one. For seafood, Claypots in St, Kilda has a good atmosphere (incidentally there is also one on Gertrude Street). It used to be BYO, but I think that might have changed. Grossi Florentini Cellar Bar is consistently good and very low key. Bistro Vue (part of the Vue De Monde empire) is excellent and more reasonably priced than it's more famous sibling.
Best Neighborhood to stay in Melbourne
The Metropole on Brunswick Street in Fitzroy is a great location because it right around the corner from Gertrude Street (which is full of some of the best restaurants in town, Cutler and Co, Anada, Ladro, Enoteca, etc.) Plus you're on Brunswick Street in Fitzroy, the best suburb in Australia. AND the tram stops right in front of the hotel. 15 min walk into the CBD.
HELP! BOCADILLOS
I went to a little taberna in Madrid that had the most ridiculous selection of bocadillos. I can't remember the name, but I think it's well known. The bocadillos are stacked up behind glass and the place is full of knick knacks. If anyone know what I'm talking about, please give me the name, because I have friends going to Madrid and they would love this place. It was also across the street from a church in the Lavapies section (that probably doesn't narrow it down at all.)
Yum Cha in Sydney
When I used to live in Sydney, I would go to Marigold and Kam Fook for Yum Cha. Are they still good or can anyone recommend better (or newer) places? I went to an awesome place on Castlereagh Street not in Chinatown, but I can't remember the name. Is the place at the Manly Wharf still good? My thinking about the one at Manly Wharf is that I'll have guests from O/S and combining a ferry trip and the location of that Yum Cha restaurant really makes it quite a special place, but then again I'm after quality.
NZ EATS
Change in itinerary. Need restaurants in Christchurch, Queenstown, and Dunedin
NZ EATS
A friend and I are doing a whirlwind trip of the South Island during the middle of December. I need some good tips on restaurants in the following cities:
Wellington
Nelson
Hokitika (or surrounding area)
Queenstown.
Expense isn't a consideration. Just quality.
NY foodie coming to New Orleans looking for CANT miss places- Help me with my itinerary please
Just got back from New Orleans with two foodies from NYC.
Amazing meal at Jacque-Imo's. Ridiculously good and great atmosphere. I think they don't put their menu on line for the sole reason of people drooling onto their keyboards and shorting out the circuitry.
Breakfast at Elizabeth's. Make sure to order the praline bacon or the pork jowl sandwich.
Oysters are a must at Acme for quality and atmosphere. Tried to get to Drago's for chargrilled oysters, but didn't make it. But in my opinion, the oysters at Cooter Brown's are the the cheapest and the best in the city. When you add their ridiculously large beer list into the equation, there isn't a better match in town.
Nat and Maddie's at the Riverbend. Amazing (and inventive) food and a very cool little restaurant. Purely a local place.
While I agree that Mother's isn't what it used to be, they still make the best ham I've ever had and it's worthwhile just for that.
For a great burger go to Port O' Call at the end of the quarter.
Skip Galatoire's(it's stuffy, way too old fashioned, and resting on their laurels). If you do Brennan's go for dinner, not breakfast with the other tourists. Then again skip both.
People rave about the Po' Boys at Parkway Bakery, but I'm still a fan of Johnny's in the French Quarter, especially if you get a half oyster/half softshell crab po'boy.
If you like beer, make a trip up to the Abita Brewery on the North Shore. The brewery isn't much to look at, but the brewhouse restaurant down the road is fantastic.
And for a true taste of old school New Orleans, you must get gelato at Angelo Brocato's. I can't believe people left that one off the list. A true New Orleans tradition.
NOLA Restaurants
Is Mandina's still worth going to or has the quality slipped? Also, does anybody know the name of the place out by the lake which serves the stuffed seafood artichoke? And is that place still worth going to? And is Jack Dempsey's on Poland Avenue still good (or even open after Katrina)? I'm gonna be in NOLA for a few days in August with some real foodies and we're doing some research (two of us trawling Chowhound). One has suggested Drago's for chargrilled oysters. Anyone second that choice?
Steaks in NOLA
It's been a while since I've lived in New Orleans (late '90's), but when I was there Crescent City Steakhouse was a bit of an institution and made a great steak. Has anyone eaten there recently? Is it still just a steak, wedge of iceberg lettuce with the best bleu cheese dressing, onion rings, and spumoni for dessert?
Los Angeles Chowhounder visiting Sydney in March
Please don't miss Prasit Thai on Crown Street in Surry Hills (make sure you get a table upstairs) and order the Moreton Bay Bug curry. I think it's a perfect fusion of a native Australian crustacean and Asian cuisine. While I haven't been to Sydney in a while, I used to really enjoy Uchi Lounge for its fusion of Japanese, French, and hint of Italian. After eating there head down to the Hollywood Hotel for a drink (ask the waiter for directions. It's across the street from Longgrain) Another great fusion place is Rize (Japanese/French) in Darlinghurst. A bit hard to find, but worth the search. I think on Tuesday or Wednesday nights they have a seven course tasting dinner for like $50 AUD. Very small and intimate. And I've heard the chef was a protege of Tetsuya himself.
As for typical Australian fare, stay away from Doyle's at Watson's Bay. That being said, I strong;y encourage you to go to Watson's Bay for the scenery, just skip the below average fish and chips. For great seafood, head to the fish market in Pyrmont. Keep an eye out for the grilled baby octopus. Very tasty. I don't know too many places for Mod Oz (fancy Australian food), but if you want to eat kangaroo or emu in a great setting, I would suggest the Australian Hotel (really a pub) in The Rocks. Pretty good pizzas with kangaroo, emu, pepperberries and a fantastic selection of beer. Every guide book will tell you to grab a meat pie at Harry's Cafe De Wheels in Woolloomooloo. They're ok, but with the surrounding scenery included they become ten times better. After make you way over to the Tilbury for a drink (if it's a nice day, order a jug of Pimm's).
One of my favorite stand-bys and a Sydney institution is Una's on Victoria Street in Darlinghurst. It's German/Hungarian food with massive portions at cheap prices. There's a cool little bar upstairs where you are encouraged to drink while you wait for a table.
The last recommendation I'll make is Yellow on Macleay Street. The Croque Madame there is hands down the best breakfast sandwich in the known world (I will argue this with the best of them). The other food there is very good (as is the coffee), but treat yourself to one of these sandwiches and you'll be hooked for life.
Enjoy Sydney.
10 days in South Australia - seeking recommendations please!
If for some reason you find yourself in Mount Gambier (the big blue lake is really really wierd), there is a great steak restaurant called The Barn. Seriously, one of the best steaks I've ever had. Plus when you pick the wine, you are asked to pick it directly from the cellar, which is kinda cool. I don't think it's open for lunch.
Fish and Chips in Melbourne
I swear by the one across the street from the Brighton Yacht Club in Brighton obviously. It's next to a bike shop.
Barcelona/Lisbon in November
When you're in Lisbon, make sure you go to Pavilhao Chines. It's a bar more than a restaurant (they may have sandwiches). It will blow your mind. There is nothing in the world quite like it.
For food, check out Restivo. Awesome views of the city and a very interesting method of ordering (you choose colours off a menu). The food is great.
For something a bit more authentic, check out Jardim's for roast chicken. Simple and rustic. Two things that go great together.
SF Hound goes to Sydney
One of my favourite places in Sydney is Uchi Lounge in Surry Hills. It's on Brisbane Lane right off Oxford Street. Very low key place with excellent service and innovative Japanese food (i.e. baked eggplant with miso and parmesean). The bar downstairs also has great cocktails. Another interesting restaurant is Rise (right around the corner from The Kirketon). I believe the chef (at least used to be) was an apprentice at Tetsuya's. You also may want to try Poivre et Sal (sp?) again very close to the Kirketon. Not the best French in Sydney, but very good quality nonetheless. As for Thai, I agree that Sailor's is very good, but I'd go to Jimmy Lik's instead (in King's Cross/Potts Point). I think Sailor's rests on its laurels too much sometimes. My favorite Thai is Prasits on Crown Street in Surry Hill. The Moreton Bay Bugs (not really bugs, but crustaceans) in green curry could be the greatest Thai dish ever. And once you're on Crown Street, head away from south for a few blocks and you'll run into a whole slew of good restaurants.
Back in Melbourne wishlist - what do you think?
Tegan Ezard's newish place, Gingerboy is very good. The duck curry is worth the trip.
Cheap eats in Seville?
Ilustre Victima is over near the Alameda de Hercules, opposite side of town. I thought that place was pretty good.
Cheap eats in Seville?
Look for Bar Europa just down from Plaza Alfalfa. Excellent tapas, including an award winning one with Granny Smith apples and machego cheese. Also head over to the alternative part of the city, Alameda De Hercules, about a ten to fifteen minute walk from the cathedral. Some very good and funky restaurants over there.
Madrid/Granada Advice
Basically every bar in Granada will serve free tapas with each drink and the tapas get better with each drink. The first one may be some machego cheese, while the next may be some chorizo, then potatoes or anchovies, etc. In Madrid I really liked Olsen for a high end dinner, perhaps bit awkward for dining alone, but really good food. I would recommend Camarilla on Calle Cava Baja in La Latina area right off the Plaza Mayor. Eat at the bar and the bar staff are very friendly and accommodating.
RECENT TRIP THROUGH THE IBERIAN PENINSULA.
The project I am working on is based in Ferrol, which is about 30kms north of La Coruna. I'm currently staying in Ferrol, but will be staying La Coruna this weekend and for the first two weeks of February, so I'll be able to give you a better idea of what to expect.
RECENT TRIP THROUGH THE IBERIAN PENINSULA.
I've been posted temporarily to Galicia in NW Spain with the hopes of moving to La Coruna on a permanent basis. As such, I have been in Spain since the end of November and at the middle of December I started on a road trip which would take me through Portugal and a large part of Spain. My notes may be a bit rambling and lacking in exact details (except for Madrid where I took better notes) such as addresses, but for the true foodie, seeking out good food is part of the joy.
I started in Vigo, which I would skip completely the next time. The main entertainment district has a few good tapas bars, but Vigo is a miss generally.
The next stop was Porto. Besides its link to fortified wine, Porto is a very cool city with a lot going for it. I wish I had used my night in Vigo for an extra night in Porto, but nevertheless I had one day and one night in Porto. If you're into port, then Porto is an obvious stop. Every major port producer has a facility here and to see their warehouses with the names in large letters across the roof is a very impressive sight. Almost all of the Port Houses provide tours, but be warned that you must go to the reception and book for a certain time. So I suggest going early and booking the tours you wish. Some wineries provide free tastes without a tour. The wineries are located on the opposite shore from the main city. On the city side along the Douro River are a number of restaurants located in old port cellars. They cater exclusively to tourists. I had lunch at one. While the fish was fresh, the menu was rather unintersting. Note that in Portugal everytime you eat you will be provided bread, butter, and a number of other things to spread on the bread (cheese, pates, etc). These are not free. You are charged basically what equates to a cover if you eat them. It's usually not more than 3 Euros, which hopefully won't break your bank, but it is annoying. For dinner I ate in a restaurant called Guernica and I highly recommend it. I had a very nice onion soup and a beautiful cut of steak in a port reduction sauce. For dessert, I had a slice of chocolate cake which was very good as well and a glass of white port to finish it off. I think the meal was around 30 Euros.
Next stop was Lisbon.
The two big neighborhoods for food are the Barrio Alto (High Neighborhood) and Alfama. To get to the Barrio Alto, I suggest you take the cable car from Restauradores Plaza and to Alfama take the No. 28 Tram.
Meals: 1. Cafe Nicola in the center of town. Old school Lisbon and very traditional food. I had the Fejoada (sp?) which is a hearty bean stew with different various pig parts and types of sausages.
2. Bon Jardim. Known for Portuguese roasted chicken (frango in Portuguese). The chicken was nice, but honestly I'm not sure what the fuss is all about with Portuguese roasted chicken, just make sure you use the piri piri sauce on the table.
3. San Guia de Frango. Vasco da Gama shopping center in the Parque das Nacaos area. The cab driver recommended this for the roast chicken. I felt it was the same as Bon Jardim.
4. Stravaganzza. Barrio Alto. Italian food. Started with a beautiful carrot and tomato soup and then a spaghetti with chilis, anchovies, garlic and oil (I think it was called Spaghetti Mafioso). Finished with an apple baked in Bailey's Cream. Wait staff were very cool and helpful. They'll be more than happy to recommend bars to go after dinner.
5. Restivo. Alfama. Rua do Castelo. This place is a bit confusing as there seem to be three restaurants/bars located at the same place. Go to the restaurant upstairs and get ready to be blown away by the view. The menu is done by color. I had the yellow one and I'm quite remiss I don't remember what I had, but it was delicious, but the view is really what is worth the trip.
6. Pavilhao Chines. Barrio Alto. This is a bar more than a restaurant and I cannot recommend this place enough. It is seriously one of the most interesting and beautiful bars I've been to (and I've been to quite alot). This is a must see.
Seville
Unfortunately, I arrived in Seville on XMas eve and stayed until the 27th, so many places were closed. The one memorable meal I had was at Bar Europa, who has an award winning tapa on their menu, so seek it out. The other tapas were also outstanding. Stay away from La Girondella on the plaza across the Cathedral. It is overly expensive and completely boring. The view and ambience is great, but that's it. Interesting tapas places in the Alameda de Hercules area (the alternative area of Seville).
Cordoba
According to my guide book, Cordoba has the best food in Andalucia and I have to say that I ate very well there. There are many touristy restaurants in the Juderia area (the old Jewish quarter). I ate at Casa De Pepe en La Juderia only because my nickname is Pepe and I'm Jewish, so I thought what a better place to eat. I had the oxtail which was very good, but the menu is very traditional. The salmorejo (a thicker version of gazapacho) is exceptional.
Dinner was at Bodega Del Campo, a Cordoba institution. Supposedly it's the Duchess of Alba's favorite place in Cordoba. I agree with her completely. You'll need to make reservations for a table or you can eat at the bar, which is what I did. I wish I could remember what I had, but I can guarantee it was excellent. Cut through their parking lot and make an immediate right and you'll find Cordoba's trendy bar (as opposed to dinky taverns). Next day was a day trip so I ate in a small village. Nothing to write about. Dinner was at the Taverna De Los Plateros, which is a restaurant run by the local silversmith guild. I have no idea why they have a restaurant, but good on 'em. I completely misordered in that I ordered way too may fried dishes, but one I can recommend is flamenquin (pork loin stuffed with jamon serrano breaded and fried). Delicious.
Granada
A little tip about Granada: Free tapas with each drink and the tapas get better on each drink. So basically I recommend a pub crawl. The history of this tradition according to my cab driver is that Granada is a university town and therefore the students don't have alot of extra cash for food. Seems plausible, but I don't care. It's an awesome tradition. Upon your first tapa, you'll hear 'PRIMERO!(FIRST!)' shouted by the bartender, upon your second 'SEGUNDO!(SECOND!)' and so forth. My guide book recommended (very highly, even more highly than the Alhambra historical site, which is the main reason you go to Granada) Los Diamantes. Unfortunately it was closed. I wandered around until I found another restaurant near the cathedral. It's a seafood restuarant which has been there since 1955 and is an institution. It's near the Plaza Bib Rambla(ask your hotel concierge or reception clerk). I ordered percebes which are goose barnacles. Easily the ugliest thing I've ever eaten, but man, they're good. Expensive too. One kilo is usually 150 Euros, but 100grams after a few free tapas at some bars is more than enough. Ask a local on how to eat them without getting all of their juice over your shirt.
Madrid.
1. Olsen. Calle De Prado. Modern Scandanavian food. One of the hippest restaurants in Madrid. Ordered: Tartare of Tuna with Pine Nut Foam, Tomato ice cream, and fried yucca (starter) Crispy chicken with red onions and cassis sauce with warm salad of potatoes and apples. Good cocktail bar as well.
2. 19 Sushi. Called De Salud. Very good Japanese food, but even more impressive in Spain, top notch service. Very prompt.
3. La Camarilla. Calle de Cava Baja. I ate here twice, I liked it so much. Again excellent service especially if you sit at the bar. Ordered (1st time): Creamy rice with boletus (I have no idea what that is and I'm fluent in Spanish), lobster and scallop tacos, and parcels of morcilla (blood sausage) with pine nuts and raisins. Way too much food, but very very good.
Ordered (2nd time): Salad with goat cheese and vinegar, cazuela of mushrooms and prawns.
4. Casienhuertas. Calle Lope De Vega. Ordered: Pork shoulder carpaccio (I usually stay away from rare pork products, but this was seared and I also figured that they kill enough pigs in Spain that I'd give it a gamble.), scrambled eggs with prawns and pears in a sweet mustard sauce. The Spanish eat scrambled eggs for dinner quite alot, so while it might seem like strange order, it's pretty commonplace, except for the ingredients of this place. Interesting menu and worth a look.
5. El Sobrino de Botin. Calle de Cucherillos. Supposedly the oldest restaurant in the world. Ordered: Garlic Soup and Roasted Suckling pig. Very good, but overhyped. The place itself is a cool place in that it's so old (older than the US) and the service is very good. I would recommend, but only after trying some other places first.
6. El Bocaito. Calle Libertad. Excellent tapas. Not as interesting as Camarilla, but very good. I actually had the bartender order for me: Baked mussels, scrambled eggs with asparagus on toast, fried baby squids, baby lamb chops.
7. Los Gatos. Plaza de Jesus. Awesome canapes (small pieces of baguettes slices topped with all kinds of good stuff. Ordered: Ham and brie, salmon with surimi, can't remember the others, but pissed off I didn't know about the duckmeat sandwiches.
Sorry for the length, but hopefully you'll get a good meal out of it somewhere.
Keep on chowin'
