lamlex's Profile
Why should I buy tilapia?
I am not sure that my tilapia experience is relevant, but... my best friend has a beach house on the Big Island of Hawaii with brackish water ponds filled with tilapia. Growing up, we fed those fish EVERYTHING and ANYTHING we could think of, which has ultimately led me to believe that they are completely dirty, disgusting fish.
Obviously, farm-raised tilapia aren't eating the creations of wily teenagers, but I have never been able to get over my experience with them. Seeing that others find the flavor muddy and dirty totally validates my disgust for this fish.
Cheese pairing ideas for wine tasting needed
I am throwing a bridal shower at which we are going to do a progressive wine tasting of the bride's favorite wines. Starting with champagne (or some other sparkling wine), then sauvignon blanc, then rose.
I am going to have various other things to nibble on throughout the afternoon, but would like to have a cheese pairing for each wine. I would like to have some cheeses in mind prior to going to my local cheese shop... Any ideas?
Thanks in advance!
Until Sushi Sho re-opens, old school options?
I agree about Yume, but know that you can't go with a group bigger than 3.
Bread Garden (Berkeley) to close by year's end?
I asked this morning about a potential close, and they told me that they extended their lease by one year, and have improved business by selling bread to the Claremont Hotel and selling at Star Market. Hopefully that will help the bottom line and they won't be looking at closing again in another year.
Best place to buy char siu in East Bay?
I went to Gum Wah and had no problem with the language barrier. There were two young people working who spoke good English, and they were both very nice. They asked me which piece I wanted, so if I didn't get good quality char siu, that's all on me.
Best place to buy char siu in East Bay?
Thoughts on the best place to buy char siu in Oakland or closeby? I have read mixed reviews of Sun Hing Meat Market, but am having trouble finding any other recommendations. Is Ranch 99 a good option?
thanks in advance!
Pizza near DUMBO tonight 2/14/10
Someone told me that Grimaldi's is great, however after researching briefly, I now know that it is NOT recommended here on Chowhound. My husband and I are first-timers to the area, so we are New York pizza virgins. We didn't manage to hit any of the must-try places in Manhattan, which leaves us with tonight...,and we do not know Brooklyn at all. Di Fara seems a bit far from DUMBO, but I am not sure. Can someone chime in? Other last minute pizza recommendations in the area (20 minute walk or short cab ride)?
Thanks in advance.
Spatchcocking 101
Martha recommends just olive oil, salt and pepper... is there any reason NOT to use a wet brine? My husband brined his turkey every year, and I have no intentions of stopping him unless there is something inherent about the faster roasting time of the spatchcocked turkey that is not conducive to brining first.
Thoughts?
Downtown Oakland, Need Lunch and Dinner Recs
If you are going to walk 15 minutes from the Marriott, I would head the other direction up Broadway and eat at Luka's Taproom or Franklin Square Wine Bar.
I have eaten at Boca Nova twice. The first time was pretty good, the second was horrible (everything was too salty, produce was limp, terrible service). Maybe they have worked out the kinks, but unless you really want to sit near the water, I don't think it's worth it, as the portions are small and to get enough food, the bill adds up quickly.
Melamine vs. Plywood construction for cabinets
Precision Cabinets and Trim
(925) 634-5552
http://www.4pct.com/
Audra-Mia Lyons is the salesperson that I dealt with, and she was fantastic. I was referred to her by a friend of mine who is a contractor. Not that it matters, but you could tell her that you got her name from Lexie Cox.
I have a small kitchen that required some strange dimensions to make the best use of space. I never would have been able to get that with semi-custom. They came to my house twice to measure (before remodel construction started), gave me a number of various design options, and did the installation.
Blue Bottle Oakland?
They are open - I stopped in this morning. They definitely are working out the kinks in terms of getting the grinders to work, figuring out how to ring people up, etc.
I had a latte, and I'm not sure if this was just how they do it (I have not been to BB in the city), but the steamed milk was luke warm, and the espresso flavor was VERY faint. Is that just the way that Blue Bottle tastes? Also, did I make a mistake by not ordering drip coffee?
They didn't have pastries this morning, so that must be still yet to come. The space is still very industrial -- concrete floors, high ceilings. I think there were a few stools at a bar.
Melamine vs. Plywood construction for cabinets
Are you definitely choosing between these two lines? I don't want to hijack your thread into a separate discussion...
I recently remodeled my kitchen (live in the Oakland) and had 100% custom cabinets made by a great place, and they were thousands cheaper than the next closest manufacturers. They are melamine boxes with wood doors. I believe that they will make the cabinets without melamine if that is your preference. It is my understanding that the melamine is very strong and not necessarily inferior to plywood.
If you want the info for the place, I will post it. I apologize if this does you no good at all.
Proposing in San Fran (flying up from L.A.)
I recently ate at Epic. I thought it was fine. Nothing special, at all. I recall it being very loud, and the food was ok, but not for the price. I would have rather spent less $ for better steakhouse food at Ruth's Chris. I definitely would not have been impressed if I had been proposed to there.
Grinders-East Bay
I am curious to know if you think Grinders makes a good version of a grinder.
I live in that neighborhood, and after eating there a few times out of convenience, have stopped b/c the ingredients aren't very good quality and the sandwich always just seems soggy to me. But, maybe that's how it is supposed to be...?
Stuffed tomatoes?
Tomatoes Provencal were my go-to tomato recipe with heirloom tomatoes this summer. I used the Barefoot Contessa recipe as a guideline, which is very similar to Julia Child's. Really refreshing!
Favorite Fall Recipes
Wow. Thanks! Your searching skills are clearly much better than mine.
Roasting potatos in the oven
Don't put it in the foil - just throw the potatoes, etc. in the roasting pan with the olive oil.
Favorite Fall Recipes
Married to a hunter, we have always have a lot of pheasant and venison too. I don't have many creative ways to do the pheasant though, so would love some new ideas. I usually end up doing a pheasant and leek stew. Good, but a bit boring.
thanks!
How long will tomato sauce keep in the fridge?
No meat in the sauce and no fermentation, so I'm good to go. Thanks!
How long will tomato sauce keep in the fridge?
I made heirloom tomato sauce a week ago. I froze most of it, but kept a bowlful thinking that my husband and I would eat it last week. With family in town, the bowl went untouched and the sauce looks fine and smells fine. Does anyone think it might be dangerous to eat it tonight?
Other uses for cocktail sauce?
Thanks for the suggestions! Just what I was looking for. I think the salmon sounds yummy.
Other uses for cocktail sauce?
I made WAY too much cocktail sauce last night and now am wondering what else I can use it for other than more shrimp cocktail (or any other seafood cocktail, for that matter). Also wondering how long it will keep before going bad.
Any ideas?
Paraphrase of Zuni broccoli & cauliflower pasta?
My aunt has asked me for the Zuni broccoli and cauliflower pasta recipe that I have made for her a few times. After following the recipe once, I now just throw it together from memory. I would like to give her a more exact recipe since she is making it for the first time.
Does anyone have the cookbook handy to paraphrase for me?
thanks in advance!
Lily's House Recommendations?
I'm almost too scared to ask for fear that it is tilapia, but I'm going tonight so I will ask and report back.
Lily's House Recommendations?
Thanks. I look forward to trying something new. Do you know what kind of fish they are cooking?
Lily's House Recommendations?
I have been to Lily’s House a few times and have ordered the following items from the Shanghainese menu, based on recommendations from earlier posts about Lily’s. I am wondering if there are other dishes that are must-try that I am missing. I have really enjoyed all of these, with the exception of the fish in wine sauce. I think the fish had a mealy texture that turned me off.
Smoked Fish, Shanghai Style
XLB
Fish Fillet in Rice Wine Sauce
Shanghai Won Ton Soup
Shanghai Rice Cake with Pork
Black Mushrooms with Bok Choy
Meatballs (I think they are called Lionshead meatballs, or something like that).
Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
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Lily's House
3555 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, CA 94549
What do you eat your chili?
Hawaiians also like a dollop of mayo on top of the chili and rice!
