jglazer75

Put me down in the evil category. They are worse than a cockroach infestation. Interviews with their CEO suggest that they want to TRIPLE the number of stores in the United States! TRIPLE! WHERE!?! There's already one at every corner here in Chicago. I do my best to avoid them and will go to Caribou if the situation requires (they at least try a LITTLE harder to fit into the neighborhood) but I'll walk the extra block or four to get to the independent if I can. I guess my biggest problem is that I, for some reason, associate Starbucks lemmings with the mind-less souls who have had their brains cannibalized by reality television; all marketing all the time and a mediocre product (if you're lucky!). When I go into a coffee shop I don't want the soothing sounds of the lastest 'adult hipster' cd playing over the cheap speakers and the cd placed in front of my eyes at every turn. I don't want to pay $10 for a pound of coffee. I don't want a new board game, or a new french press, or a new stuffed animal. I MIGHT want a new coffee mug, so I'll give them that. I certainly do NOT want to pay $1 and freaking 75 cents for a FREAKING BAGEL (without cream cheese). And more (perhaps MOST) importantly I don't want 'grande' or 'vente' I just want a freaking LARGE FREAKING COFFEE. And you know what? Perhaps I'm a cheap bastard, but I want FREE REFILLS. I'm paying $1.76 for a cup of coffee, the least you can do is give me a refill to soothe over the pains of the monetary beating I've just endured.

Don't know if this has been covered in this forum or not, a cursory search revealed nothing, but here goes... I have a friend who has lots of loose tea, but this friend often doesn't have time to make a pot of tea or fuss with tea balls. I have searched online to no avail for empty tea bags that can be filled with loose tea and haven't found anything. I've suggested cutting squares of cheesecloth and tying with twine; which is apparently too much effort. Any suggestions? What does everyone do for 'loose tea on the run'? Should my friend just buy bagged tea and save the loose tea for when there's time? Enquiring minds want to know!

As a person who avoids coffee shops that DON'T have wi-fi and often uses the coffee shop as a home-office (because I can't actually get any work DONE in my home office) I'll chime in. Obviously free is preferable, if I don't have to pay, I'm happier. But I also know that there's no such thing as a free lunch and you're probably getting my internet connection out of me via increased cost of my java. Having said that, I WOULD pay a nominal FLAT fee, say $2 to use it all day (or as long as I'm there). I WILL NOT pay usage fees or hourly fees because I don't know how much of it I'll use. As said above, whether customers will pay depends largely on geography; in Chicago I don't pay because I don't have to; in the burbs, I would pay because otherwise I can't get online.

My SO and I had a ridiculous argument over onions in mashed potatoes. I like them. I put onions and garlic in just about everything I make. She loves garlic mashed potatoes. I put onion in the mashed potatoes and she went ballistic and refused to eat them. For my part, I almost the threw the mashed potatoes but then thought the better of it as I'd have to clean it up. edited to add: salt is another big one. I use it, she doesn't. She gives me dirty looks when I put salt in the water for boiling pasta or potatoes.

I think I saw one (a Harold's) in Evanston, but I can't remember where...it was on the north side of Evanston though. Golf Road maybe? Or whatever Golf turns into in Evanston... never managed to find any good fried chicken on the north side, but whoever suggested Wishbone was right - it's certainly good enough to satisfy the craving. The other place I might think of would be Heaven on 7; but Wishbone's is better.

Since no one addressed this I'll give it a shot: I don't think "fusion" as a rule needs to be reconsidered. There are some great "fusion" places all around the city ("Spring" comes to mind!!). Like any 'newer' trend, the wheat will separate from the chaff, the cream will rise to the top, etc. Particularly because these places tend be pricier than your 'local, cheap' places, the standards they are held to are higher. I think, particularly in the case of Monsoon because that's where I've been, that they don't meet those higher standards. For the money, I can get better food and service, even better INDIAN food and service. Also, as to Monsoon, it's in a tricky area that has a rather fickle crowd - most of the people in that area have SOME disposable income and COULD support a restaurant like Monsoon, but they aren't going to throw their money away just to be seen at a trendy restaurant (if they want that seen they'll go down to the Gold Coast) if the food and service aren't up to snuff.

Odd, this is one of my pet peeves. I HATE it when restaurants bring butter that is hard as a rock and you shred your bread just trying to spread it on. I can understand not wanting the butter sitting around at room temp, but it seems that there are SO MANY other things to worry about at a restaurant than getting diseases from butter.

I'll put my money on Monsoon. Its trendiness is wearing thin and the food, service and price-point are not sufficient to sustain it.

OK, I'll be the one to breach the subject because I'm sure most of y'all are too scared to actually admit that you're suckers for gluttony. But me, I LOVE the buffets and all-you-can-eat places. Luckily I manage to exercise on occassion, so it doesn't hit me too hard, but I LOVE 'em. I know they aren't healthy, but it's not like I go every day; and I'm not talking Country Kitchen here. Anyway, when you are at one of these places (something like Fogo de Chao) what tricks to you use to cram more food in your gut? Throwing up doesn't count because, well it just ain't healthy, but all else goes. I've seen people get up and go to the bathroom (numbers 1 and 2). My favorite is jumping up and down in order compact the food. I've seen people eat quickly to get it in before they realize their too full. I've seen people mix food scientifically in a way that they think gets it all in. So, what do y'all do? and as a side question, what places are best? I rank Fogo de Chao near the top.

Can you share staffing requirements, if known? What kind of people will you be looking for? Where will you look for them? What training do you expect? What kind of training will you have to provide? Thanks for the reply, it was really more than I expected! and a very useful peek under the hood.

Moderator Note...this question has been split off from the general discussion thread so that it can be addressed specifically. I had a question that I think goes more to the practical aspects of starting ANY restaurant, but which I think may also raise interesting questions about THIS one in particular. As a disclaimer, I understand that much of the answer may be 'confidential' so don't be afraid to say "none of your beeswax." And feel free to answer as generally or specifically as you'd like. How does one go about arranging financing for such an operation? What percentage is your 'own' money and how much is outside equity and how much is financed? How did you did you decide on the needed amount of start-up capital? Did you form a close-corporation or is it a partnership? Who did you look to for financing? Is it people you know and are close to or did you go through an organization that matches investors to projects? Do they (the investors) have any input on the creative process or did they hand over money and say "go to it" no strings attached? How does this project differ from other, more "conventional," restaurant start-ups? Like I said, I know this a fairly confidential-type question, but for many of us who are outsiders to the process these are questions that you never see answered. But if I were considering opening a restaurant (which I'm not) I would definitely want to know before I ever even started. I guess I wanted to start this thread at the very beginning of the project because I know at this point the project has been on-going for a few months now, so I wanted to try to catch up to 'where we are today.' ps. good luck, this project sound phenomenal and I'm looking forward to seeing what the food lab churns out? Is there a plan for pictures of the results??

OK, apparently none of you are from Ohio. How is it possible to have large quantities of green beans and ask some 20 people what you should make, and not a SINGLE person suggests Green Bean Casserole?!? Get yourself a can of mushroom soup, and some french onion and dump it together for 30 minutes or so in a 400 degree oven. sheesh. It's not that tough. Sorry for the outburst, but I love the green bean casserole. One of these days when I have some time, I'd like to develop a recipe that doesn't involve cream of mushroom soup (it's always too watery). Anyway. Enjoy the green beans!

Hmmm That's pretty sad when you're disappointed (edit: sp) by White Castle. If White Castle can't live up to the (very) low expectations, they should just call it quits. I've never been a fan - I understand them if you're a little too drunk to know better (sort of like gin for me, if I'm drinking gin I'm probably too drunk to know I'm drinking it), but why anyone would ever consume that stuff sober is beyond me. Now, sit me down with a fat Rallyburger, or the CheddarBurger (back in the day they used to sell these bad boys for $.69 each) from Rally's and I'm set. As far as burgers in an around the city...I've really had trouble finding a 'good' one. The best I've had is probably at the Dark Horse Tavern (on Monday's they are only $3!), on Sheffield just south of Wrigley. Anyway, just my $.02.

I'll add a few caveats to my post which will generally endorse the event: 1. I'm fairly new to the city - I just moved here 3 years ago 2. I'm from Cleveland where nothing of this sort exists (well, there's the rib fest, which is really good, but not quite the same) 3. I love music So, having said those things, I like Taste for a couple of reasons. I went last year for the first time and I enjoyed myself more than I expected. First, I spent considerably less than I expected for 2 people. I was expecting to blow $50 easily; but I managed to escape with as much food as I wanted for a little over $30 or so. Second, even though some of the restaurants are pointless (McDonald's??! Come on), some I hadn't heard of (maybe it's the new-to-the-city thing). And the "you can't get this at their restaurant" thing doesn't really bother me for a few reasons: first, I probably won't go to a restaurant just because I ate their stand at Taste; second, if it's good, even if I CAN'T get it, I'll probably go to the restaurant anyway; third, it doesn't really bother me that the 'high end' restaurants have stopped going because I can't afford those places anyway. There are enough booths there that I don't have to go the McDonald's stands, the Chili's stands, the funnel cake stands - those are there for the less adventurous who want to feed their kids something they know will be eaten to stop the whining. What I LOVE about the Taste though is the bands. Last year they had Elvis Costello and Sheryl Crow for FREE. Come on! How do you beat that?? Well...this year they have the Counting Crows and the Old 97s! Two EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT bands (PLEASE, go check them out, both bands just flat out rock!) For me, $30 to eat some decent food and see a band for 'free' on a beautiful summer day - doesn't get much better than that. I could do without the crowds, but it comes with the territory, and they didn't really both me last year. The people are idiots, but that comes with the territory as well. Anyway. Give it a few more years and I'll probably develop into the jaded chicago-an y'all have become

While it's not the best market in the city I imagine, the Farmer's Market at the Post Office downtown has always been my favorite because of its convenience. I pass it almost everyday on my way to and from work and I liked stopping there on Tuesday afternoons to pick up the week's veggies. With some time to kill this summer I might head up to the Evanston and check out that market. What others are also good? Like I said, I have some time to kill this summer and new bike to pedal around.

Glad you posted this, I'm from Cleveland but haven't lived there in a while. It is all coming back to me now. My suggestions (though at the time I was there the Warehouse District was about it, Tremont and Ohio City were just getting started), sorry for the randomness: -Circo Zibibbo - the food is good but pricey, some of the food is worth it, some isn't; Blue Point is pretty good seafood; Lola's is excellent -D'Vine is a great wine bar as is The Wine Bar -I've always been partial to Johnny's (there used to be one in the Warehouse District, is this still there??) for steaks and Italian -If you go nowhere else while in Cleveland go to Panini's - there are zillions of them around the city; the best sandwich you will ever eat. Get the Corned Beef with Egg. -As for bars, I've never been a fan of Velvet Dog (crappy 70s and 80s dance music whose patrons are entirely too pretentious for their own good) or Spy Bar (see "Velvet Dog" except substitute 'pretentious faux-trance' for the music); the Funky Buddha is alright (I've been there twice and saw Drew Carey there both times); -My favorite is probably the downstairs at Blind Pig - good party music, decent DJ, strong drinks; Liquid is OK, but I think the success has gone to their head; Mercury's alright if you're not stuck standing all night; -Treehouse is a good hangout; Most everything in the Flats isn't worth going to - all the good places have been condemned - Shooters is about it and it's, well, Shooters - though they do have good live music every so often (I've seen OAR, Lisa Loeb, and the 10,000 Maniacs there for free); -oh, the Velvet Tango was surprisingly tolerable as a chill place to hang out and get some pretentious drinks -You can also check out the Coventry area, there's always places to go there; most of the restaurants are pretty decent, not crowded, and value-oriented (it's where most of the students at Case Western live) -Little Italy has lots of little restaurants, most of which are pretty decent; make sure you know which one you're going to - most require reservations and every now and then you'll hit a bad one if you're not careful.

I have made ballpark a food a bit of a passion. Except I have rules: 1. Hot dogs, beer, soda for the kiddies; nothing else is acceptable; you are allowed one pretzel for every two people, but it cannot be consumed until AFTER the 3rd inning (dessert ya know) 2. Nachos, Italian/Polish/Bratwurst Sausages are acceptable if you are in a park where it is culturally acceptable (for example, Milwaukee - must eat a brat in Milwaukee, Miami - nachos are acceptable) 3. Anyone buying from, serving at, or commenting approvingly about Sushi (unless you are watching a game in Japan, where the 'cultural' exception applies), Cappucino, Grilled Tofu Burgers, or any such similar product should be expelled from the ballpark immediately and have all baseball privileges revoked for life. As far as food in Chicago: Comiskey is definitely better than Wrigley. However, ballparks MUST upgrade their mustard options. Cheap, crappy yellow mustard is not acceptable when spicy mustard is available (Cleveland's BallPark Mustard is the best, the stuff in Milwaukee ain't bad either). The dogs at Comiskey are 10 times better than Wrigley where I don't think I've EVER had a pleasant experience.

That's why I gave up on it. I could never get it as thin as I wanted and more specifically as consistent as I wanted. With raviolis and similar types of pasta, I was never too concerned about it being ultra-thin, but the inconsistencies drove me batty. Anyway, one of these days I am going to invest in a stupid pasta rolling machine (sort of holding out for the kitchen-aid stand mixer and attachment; not exactly affordable on school loans right now).

At least you have a pasta rolling machine. I have made it by hand with a rolling pin for the last time. Must invest.

Food for one: 1. Chicken Flavored Ramen Noodles 2. Oriental Flavored Ramen Noodles 3. Beef Flavored Ramen Noodles 4. Mushroom Flavored Ramen Noodles 5. Mexican Fiesta Flavored Ramen Noodles There ya go. Food for one for a whole week.

I'll third Morton's. It is pricey, but I have never left feeling I overpaid. The service was attentive but not overbearing, my steak was one of the best I've ever had. In fact, the best steak I've ever eaten (prepared by someone other than me) was at the Morton's in New Orleans. I've eaten at Morton's in Chicago, Cleveland and New Orleans and while I'm not a fan of the 'chains' I think they do a good job of adapting to the region and becoming a 'local' restaurant to the city. I've never been a fan of Ruth's Chris; their steaks are good, but if I'm going to spend the money to go there, I'll spend the extra $5 and just go to Morton's.

I'm fairly amazed anytime ANYTHING comes out OK. I'm generally an incompetent in most areas of life, but I like to pretend that I'm a decent cook - you know capable of producing something at LEAST as good as I can get at McDonald's. When I make something better than what I can get at TGIFriday's I'm ecstatic. Most recently I made a fine Cornish Hen. I have only one comment about that experience: do not make small game fowl for someone with one broken arm.

Thanks all for your help! I've settled (I think) on a menu that includes: a potato-leek-fennel-type soup that I found on a menu online from a restaurant (can't remember which one now, I've looked at so many!) in Valence; a frisee salad with mustard-vinaigrette; roasted cornish game hen with sweet onions and a red wine sauce; and, a dessert of pears in a wine sauce. Is that close? I'm not thrilled with the dessert choice, but I think it shold be OK.

Ah. Sorry for the confusion. I intended Valence in the Rhone Valley. It truly was a random pick. I chose it though because I prefer the more Germanic/Swiss/Italian influences to the Spanish or Parisian influences. Also, it seemed as good as any. If Valence is a little too specific then food/culture of the Rhone region (including Lyons) might be helpful as well. Information such as typical pre-entree courses, entrees, desserts, other courses that are typical, wines served, etc. would be useful. I guess what I'm looking for is this: If I wanted to bring Valence, Rhone to Chicago, Illinois what would it look like?

I'm in a bit of a quandry. Rather than put up with Valentines Day crowds at fancy restaurants in the city I've decided to cook a meal. In the past I have created my own menus based on single items (for example, I had an entire meal based around Artichokes, one based entirely on daikon, etc.). For Valentines Day I wanted to do something a little different and base a supper on a place and transport my 'other' to that place for Valentines Day. What could be more romantic than France? Ok, that's a rhetorical question, you don't need to list places more romantic than France. And particularly I have chosen (rather arbitrarily) Valence, France because, well, it seemed as good as any. However, what I canNOT find is information about the food and culture of this particular region of France. The internet has proven semi-useless but I assume that's because I'm not looking in the right places. So, what can you all collectively tell me about this SouthEast Region? For those that have been/are there, what kinds of food are typical? Any suggestions for getting my 'other' to Valence, France without actually leaving Chicago?