Alex

That's exactly my dilemma, and why I started this thread. I know that it's an emotional attachment. Other than cookbooks and other food-related books, there are relatively few non-professional, non-reference books that I either want or feel compelled to keep forever. Ms. Alex, on the other hand, has hung on to virtually every bit of written material that has come into her possession over the past 30 or so years.

Sarah's is on Oak near State (Gold Coast area) so yes, I imagine that street parking would be difficult but not impossible. (I never drive there.) Perhaps someone else has some first-hand information.

It might be not quite north enough for you (it's just a few blocks from the Chicago stop on the Red Line), but Sarah's Pastries and Candies is worth a trip. Then there's Red Hen Bread on Milwaukee or Diversey.

Our cookbooks are having a Mr. Creosote moment -- just one more, and the bookcase might explode, or at least collapse. I had a thought that perhaps we should do something similar to what's recommended for clothing: if we haven't opened a book for two (three, five, whatever) years, get rid of it. Then, of course, I start thinking that SOMEDAY I might need it. Have you ever pruned your collection? How did you decide which ones to part with? Were there any regrets later on? Did you give them away, sell them (and if so, how), or donate them to a library or charitable cause?

Almost all of our cookbooks are in the window seat and two oak bookcases in our "dining room" (actually the eating part of the large kitchen/dining main floor). I really like having them nearby, both for easy reference and setting the mood of the room. Here's another shelf, in our "office" room, of mostly non-cookbooks. Our shelves runneth over.

Only five new ones since my last post, thank goodness. I'm finally slowing down. Courtesy of a super sale at Bargain Books: La Mia Cucina Toscana (A Tuscan Cooks in America), by Pino Luongo Saffron Sunshine (Tapas, Mezze and Antipasti), by Elisabeth Luard The new SW France, courtesy of Paula Wolfert and her publisher. Bought in the early 80s, sold in the early 90s, and now bought again: The Joy of Cheesecake, by Dana Bovebjerg & Jeremy Iggers And Ms. Alex's current fave: Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker Cookbook, by Beth Hensperger and Julie Kaufmann

Hummus is good. Or how about a white bean dip? You can flavor it with whatever your imagination says -- for example, onion, garlic, lemon juice, salt, parsley, dill, and mint. Or maybe a nice garlicky skordalia?

As long as truffles are available and he knows far enough in advance, David of Sweets & Savories said would make their truffle dinner ($150/pp for a bunch of courses including wine). I don't know what the minimum party size would be, but you can always call him.

I couldn't agree more, rhinopias. David and crew are the best. I'm trying to get to S&S most every time I'm in Chicago. Lady T and I ate there last Saturday, and imho it was the best of the four meals I've had there so far. (She took notes, so I believe there's a post forthcoming.) They told us about the truffle night, of course. I was sooo disappointed that I wasn't going to be back in town until November, but at least I can enjoy the feast vicariously through your post. (Actually, I'll be back twice -- once for a symposium, once for Ms. Alex's 50th birthday celebration. We're most definitely there for the b-day, and probably the other time as well. Maybe we'll see you there, amccomb.)

Dinner is Wednesday through Friday, 6:00 to 7:45. Here's their web site. A few ideas - Sweet Lorraine's in Berkley (I think - if not Berkley then somewhere close to that) Vining's Bistro on Woodward Hong Hua on Orchard Lake - upscale Chinese Loving Spoonful on 12 Mile in Farmington Hills If the timing is right - American Harvest at Schoolcraft Culinary Institute - best bargain in town ← ←

Like Chris, I try to buy local, but there are only two bakeries in the Grand Rapids metro area that produce artisinal bread, and they're located less than a mile from each other. If I can't make it to either one, La Brea -- sold through D & W, a local supermarket chain -- is a reasonable substitute.

I just wanted to add my input, which probably will sound like everyone else's -- I really liked this place. (Thanks, molto e.) I stopped by this past Saturday morning about 11 a.m. Business was steady but not overwhelming. Several tables were set up outside, but with the 55-degree-and-cloudy-and-windy weather they were nice enough to move a couple of tables into the shop. (That's pretty much it for indoor seating -- it's a small space.) I had coffee (Intelligensia) and a chocolate croissant, both excellent. I also took liberal advantage of the sample tray (turtles, brownies, cookies) and several additional proffered samples. I thoroughly agree with Ronnie about the Chocolate Delights. I tried to warn a couple of customers that the Delights were the chocolate version of crack, but alas, too late.... The chocolate-covered candied orange peel was mighty tasty, too. The gelato and sorbet selections are the only items not made in-house; they're from Palazzolo's, in Saugatuck, MI, which usually produces a credible product. Not having molto e's stamina, I took away a bag of Delights, a 500g bar of bittersweet chocolate, a chocolate croissant and chocolate-covered graham cracker for a couple of friends, and a thick slice of banana-chocolate bread for my next day's breakfast.

Careful -- it looks like "Build a Better Burger" is a registered trademark of Sutter Home. Clicky

It's walking distance from where you're staying (even after running 26.2 mi). Le Meridian is at Rush and Grand. Just walk north on Rush to Oak (~11 blocks) then turn left. BTW, I'm a fan of the weekend brunch at Heaven on Seven, just one block north of your hotel.

No kidding. I'm thoroughly impressed. Do you know the shop's hours? They don't appear to be listed on the web site.

Yes, once, a couple of months ago. I ordered the more lunch-y as opposed to the brunch-y menu items. It was three courses, either prix fixe or table d'hote, if I remember correctly. The entree and dessert were good, of course, but eminently forgettable. The starter, though -- a cold tomato-watermelon soup -- remains a vivid memory. I couldn't pry any seasoning information out of David, though.

I seem to remember a few reports which indicate that they do -- but that the pricing can be a bit out of line if you go that direction. I'm sorry. I wish I could remember more details about that. =R= ← Yes, I believe they do, but from what I remember I agree with Ronnie -- the tasting is a much better deal. I think the dinner entrees were about $18-28, but I only looked at the a la carte menu once. I'd give them a call.

It's in the squash family. Here's some info. I think there's an eG regular who uses a funny picture of a chayote as an avatar, but I can't remember who.

As close as your mailbox: Zingerman's

Ah, I remember those Rieslings! Ms. Alex did a multi-country (US, Australia, Germany, Austria) Riesling tasting with some friends earlier this summer, with some surprising results. Don't quote me on this, but I seem to remember reading somewhere that cheese is not recommended as an accompaniment for wine tasting because of how it coats the tongue. If you do want a cheese, though, I'm thinking an Emmenthaler would be a good match. I'd also want no more than a very light smoke on the fish. I love the melon and proscuitto idea. We had figs and proscuitto as a starter the other night, and I found myself wishing I had chilled and opened a Riesling instead of a Viognier.

We usually use a Melitta drip, but we also have a Senseo for when Ms. Alex wants just a quick cup or when she's too stupefied by awakening at 6 a.m. to do anything more than slap a pod in a machine and push a button. She's also less fussy about her coffee than I am; I've found that only the dark roast pods produce anything close to potable. Then, as Owen mentioned, there's the freshness issue. Here's a separate Senseo thread.

La Shish is always good, of course. Another time you might want to consider Steve & Rocky's, on Grand River just east of Novi Rd. Here's an excerpt from a report on gayot.com: "... a dining room with walls painted in contrasting shades of vibrant magenta, lime green and teal blue, with Japanese kites strung overhead and tables finished in high-gloss green. Typical dishes include spice-rubbed pork loin with apple cider-mustard glaze and roast duck with wild rice, lentils and bacon. Seafood selections outnumber meat choices on most evenings, however. At lunch, sandwiches and salads include such items as chicken salad on sourdough rye, and the house Caesar, a clever variation on the classic. Hearts of romaine are criss-crossed on a white plate and surrounded by little heaps of roasted garlic, pepper, tapenade and a crouton spread with cheese. Breads and desserts, all made in-house, include a wonderful made-to-order flourless chocolate ganache cake."

Welcome to eGullet, icecreamparty. Great screen name, btw, but you already knew that. I see you joined eG on July 9; too bad you couldn't make it to our Gathering in Ann Arbor the following weekend. Glad to hear that The Cook's Shop is still in business. I remember going there a good 25 years ago. Here's a nice review I just dug up: clicky

I found the magazine's layout so visually annoying that I would avert my eyes after about five seconds.

I'll be in DC next week and am eagerly anticipating my first visit to Corduroy. I'll be having dinner there on Thursday (all by my lonesome ), ordering off the bar menu. However, I can't seem to locate an online menu. I've read through this topic, though, and have deduced that the don't-miss items are the spring rolls, lamb w/goat cheese ravioli, scallops, pistachio bread pudding, and chocolate sabayon. OK, that takes care of the first hour, but I'm planning to be there for at least two. Bill and Heather, I saw that you ate at Corduroy about two weeks ago. Do you, or anyone else who has been there recently, have any highly recommended seasonal items?