pobo's Profile
Club Car in Mamaroneck - Dont Bother Making a Reservation
Hey all! Haven't been on Chowhound since they changed they way the boards are organized. However, just had to chime in re: Club Car. I have never been a huge fan of Brian MacMennimins food (Oyster House in Larchmont, MacMennamin's and Post House in New Rochelle). However, this time I think he hit it out of the park. We had a reservation for last Thursday, it was our wedding anniversary. I love the space, the crowd was friendly, the service was quite good (unlike previous experiences with his restaurants) and I thought the prices were fine. My husband had the stuffed sole with lobster/crabmeat and loved it. I had the panko/mint crusted lamb chops. We were very happy with the food and would certainly return here again.
Sherwood's In Larchmont tonight
Sorry you had such a miserable experience. I'm the one who loves their fried chicken. I'm not an expert on ribs, but have enjoyed them as well (altho they are not as good as mine, :)). The service is never terrific, I guess I like it because it's cheap (usually under $60 for my husband and I), local (usually run into people I know) and good value.
Don Coqui in New Rochelle
We went to Don Cocqui last week to celebrate my brother's birthday. Like PlasticMoonRain, I was not a big fan of Macmenamins, I love the new decor of Don Cocqui and we enjoyed the salsa dancing on a Thursday night very much. However, I have to say I thought the paella was mediocre, would have preferred a smaller, but better tasting, portion. The mixed drinks (Mojitos, Sangria) were weak, imho. All in all, it was an experience, but overpriced for a not very satisfying meal. If I was ever to return, I would just have an appetizer and salad.
Take-out fried chicken in lower westchester?
I'm with you, jhopp217 and laylag. I also love the fried chicken (and ribs) at Sherwoods in Larchmont. I believe you can order for take out. They serve it all with a very good cole slaw.
Lunch rec in Dobb's Ferry
We are having facials at Oasis Day Spa and will be finished around 12:30. It's my sister's 50 birthday, we don't want a super big deal (this is day #4 of celebration), but would love to hear some thoughts about sushi mike's, the cookery, tomatillo or anything else. Sushi Mike's and the Cookery are a little more expensive than I would like.
Best Burger Westchester County into Lower Fairfield County
Are you looking for a really excellent burger, as opposed to a greasy burger from a joint? Sometimes I'm in the mood for greasy, other times I like a good burger (sirloin meat) on a delicious bun (toasted brioche) with great french fries. My favorite place for that type of burger is Palmer Crossing in Larchmont, but I'm sure there are plenty of other places as well.
Need help to cook steak.
we cook our steaks the same way, altho last night we sauted shallots in the beef juices, added red wine, cooked off the alcohol and let it reduce a little, mounted with butter, yum!
Steak recs in Westchester
I'm not an authority, but my favorite is Frankie & Johnnies' in Rye. I've been to Willet House many times over the years, it does not compare with quality steak houses in NYC. I've also heard really great things about Flames in Briarcliff Manor, but have never been.
Sausage- Westchester?
I like their sausage a lot. You can also buy it at local Stop & Shops, maybe A&P as well.
What is one tip that you learned about cooking that was simple but made a huge difference? [old]
These are all great tips, many of which I live by (mis en place, sharp knives, salt, tasting, etc.) Another little tip is to add a dab of tomato paste to stock or a sauce, gravy, etc. Just a dab. You won't taste the tomato but you will get a richer, more complex flavor. Some chefs recommend doing the same thing with anchovy paste, but I've been too chickent to try it out.
What is one tip that you learned about cooking that was simple but made a huge difference? [old]
Got this tip from Cook's Illustrated and it really works - store your pieces of ginger in the soil of a house plant. It keeps it perfectly! For months!
What is one tip that you learned about cooking that was simple but made a huge difference? [old]
Marcuss Samuelson advocates for this method in his cookbook Aquavit (terrific restaurant in NYC). I find the half & half makes the potatoes so rich, you just need to add a little butter. It's really decadent.
Shop Rite vs Stop & Shop New Rochell
I gave the new Shop Rite on Palmer Ave a try last week and I don't think I'll be going back on a regular basis. First of all, the layout is a little convoluted, you can't do a one way walk through and hit everything in the store. I bought some fresh brocollini (the tag was labeled correctly, but the signage labeled it Brocolli Rabe) - it was the sweetest I've ever had. However, they did not have any kirby cucumbers (something we eat a lot of). Or bananas (plenty of plantains). I thought the prices were good, but they did not have a few of my regular items, like washing machine detergent for high efficiency machines. One of my beefs with S&S is the selection - but Shop Rite was even worse because they didn't even have the high-end stuff (too much of their own store brand) Also, the lighting is not good, it just doesn't appear very open and clean.
I am disappointed as I was looking forward to some real competition with S&S. I have driven to other ShopRite's for specials and will keep an eye out for them here, but won't be making this my regular grocery shopping destination.
Anyone want to share their experience?
French Restaurant for Party in New Rochelle/Larchmont Vicinity
I live in Larchmont and can vouch for Pascal's. Encore is great as well, but the owners are not as friendly. I also like Le Provencal, but my favorite would be Pascal's. There is also a new french bistro in Pelham - we have not gone yet but friends have and they give good reviews, as well as MH Reed in the NY Times - I think it's called Bistro Rollin.
Dinner rec for a large group (20) of women, including College President, walking distance from Frick
Friday, Nov 13. B. Cafe sounded great, but they won't take such a large group until 9 and I need a reservation at 8 or 8:15. Some friends have suggested Atlantic Grill, which I love, but I think it's too expensive, ideally would love to find a restaurant with a $25.00 or so prix fix.
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Atlantic Grill
1341 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10021
HELP! I"ve been asked to find restaurant recommendations for several days of meetings in Manhattan!
I think of moderately priced as around $40 - 50/pp including tip. Most cusines are fine, although I wouldn't suggest sushi. As I said, Devi was a great choice a few years ago - wonderful Indian food. We also went to Vivolo and loved it, but it was a little too expensive. The following year we went to Sel et Poivre, the price was right, the food not great.
Here are some of my thoughts:
near GC: Ali Baba
UES: B. Smith, Candle 79, Uva,
Near High Line: I have no idea!
Thanks for all your help
HELP! I"ve been asked to find restaurant recommendations for several days of meetings in Manhattan!
It is a group of around 12 women, restaurants should be moderately priced but be a good experience for these mostly out-of-towners. For example, in previous years, we've enjoyed Devi for dinner. Prix fix restaurants are the best, as it makes ordering, etc., easier.
Thursday night, up to 12 people, in mid-town (near GCT)
Friday night, UPE, following a reception/tour at the Frick Museum
Saturday lunch - near the High Line
Any Grand Central/Midtown East recs for dinner?
I have need of the same - looking for a decent restaurant, not too expensive (under $40/pp), for a large (up to 12) group on a Thursday night in mid-town. People are staying at 43rd and Vanderbilt or taking the train from Grand Central.
NYAC - Travers Island - Potential event venue how's the food?
We have held an annual brunch there for years and the food was quite good.
Pain D'Avignon is terrific!
We were trying to find out if they still had the half price tapas on Tuesdays - there was no mention of it on their web-site.
Seeking out the best lobster roll
We were in Cape Cod two weeks ago and shared a terrific lobster roll at the Raw Bar in Hyannis (next to the Hy-Line). Huge chunks of lobster, very little mayo and no filler. My only suggestion would be to toast and butter the roll.
Some on this board do not agree with me on this, so take it with a grain of salt and enjoy!
Pain D'Avignon is terrific!
We just returned from our fall visit to the Cape and had a marvelous experience with Pain D'Avignon. First, we went to the farmer's market in Hyannis and the owners were there. We bought some breakfast pastries - a cinnamon croissant and lemon brioche - both were excellent. We learned they are now open for dinner Wed thru Sat, so we went there Wed night. The space is modern and elegant, the location is fun (former airport hangar?), the bakery was working all night so the smells were wonderful.
We started with 2 each of the 2 oysters (only because that was the only "cape" food we hadn't sampled yet on this trip). They were wonderful, briny, fresh and delicous. But expensive ($3.00 per). We decided to each have two appetizers. I had the Escargots Poches, which was just the most delicous and unusual preparation of escargot I've ever had. It is rich, however, which meant I wasn't able to finish my second course, the Boeuf brasie Short Rib "Arancini". I misunderstood and thought I would be getting a small portion of braised short ribs with a risotto ball, but the short ribs were incorporated in the risotto balls. I'm sure they were good for what they are, but I wouldn't order again. I ate one of the balls, and took the other two home for lunch the next day.
My husband, at the urging of our waiter, who said it was the best item on the menu, had the Salade Nicoise. It was more of a deconstructed nicoise salad with wonderfully fresh and tender tuna carpaccio. My husband loves steak tartare and orders it whenever it is on the menu. He was disapointed with this version, it came in a block with the steak mixed with too much (in his opinion) garlic aioli. He likes his steak tartare to be really beefy.
The baguettes served with dinner were the best I've ever tasted. The food was unexpected, interesting and delicious. Plus there was live music! Two guitar players who just added to the atomsphere.
It wasn't very crowded, so I hope the dinner restaurant makes it. Unfortunatly, we don't live on the Cape, but we will definitly be back.
Moderately priced birthday dinner rec's for Sat night
We will be coming in from Westchester, but would like to stay away from mid-town - thinking lower east side, greenwich village, soho, chinatown, tribeca, etc. The birthday boy is not a fan of italian food, but any other ethnic would be good, as long as the atomsphere is okay. For example, we went to a vietnamese rest. in Chinatown a few weeks ago - food was great, but there was no bar and the atompshere was very coffee shop. Looking for great food, good atompshere at reasonable prices.
Ginban Brings Excellent Asian Fusion to Mamaroneck
I think the food and atomsphere is great for dinner, interesting and inventive menu. Go somewhere else if you want sushi - I've been disapointed (fishy). In all, a good addition to the Avenue.
Lobster prices
I'm so glad you posted this - I was about to ask the same question - I am having a birthday dinner celebration on Tuesday and want to serve lobster. I will need 8 of them. They were $6.99/lb at the Stop & Shop last week (and $8.99/lb on Cape Cod).
Best Ratatouille recipe?
Thank you for this! I just made it this evening and am basking in the afterglow of a terrific meal. A very delicious and flavorful stew. I also mounted some butter in the sauce and sprinkled a teaspoon of flour on the veggies to thicken the sauce a little. Sopped it up with crusty baguette bread - yum! Can't wait to try to the roasted veggie version next.
Recipes using candied ginger
We just did a blueberry tart with graham cracker crust - added candied ginger to the crust for a subtle taste sensation.
Italian in Westchester/Stamford/Greenwich?
I agree with laylag about Emilio's. I also enjoy La Villetta on Madison Ave in Larchmont. I find Lusardi's is good, but I like the atompshere at the other places better. They are all upscale, just friendlier.
Need help! Our turn to host a wine tasting
We started a wine group last fall. None of the five couples are very sophisticated, One couple did a fantastic job with American wine theme paired with cheeses. It was spectacular. Now it's our turn. We are avid cooks and were thinking of doing something like a recession wine party (wines under $10), with a series of small plates. We like the idea of having some variety, starting with a white and moving to heavier wines. And we will need to have a dessert plate and wine. We have a few weeks to get this together - any help would be appreciated. (we are in NY and can't buy wine at Costco, Trader Joe's, etc.)
