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ophelie

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Everything posted by ophelie

  1. Thanks so much for the recommendations. I ended up staying in Dallas a bit longer than anticipated on business, but managed to squeeze in some fun as well. Thanks so much for the recommendations. I hit two of them and will post in more detail later. A special thanks for the recommendation of Bombay Chinese, which was indeed quite different. -Ophelie
  2. THAT sounds interesting. I will seek out that review. Luckily, I have an aunt who I will be visiting (I love mixing business with family/pleasure) and she lives in Richardson. I will make sure to make Bombay CHinese one of our stops since I will be there for a couple of days. I will let you know what we think. -Ophelie
  3. I wanted to add another pork tenderloin recipe (although it's hardly a real recipe) that a friend made for me recently (I was working on other parts of the dinner). She took a good sized pork tenderloin and placed it in a glass baking dish. She then filled the baking dish about halfway full with a combinating of molasses and sherry and rolled the tenderloin around in it. I was a tad wary of my assumption that it would be too sweet when she took it out of the oven. However, it was perfection...and the remaining sauce was fabulous. It was comfort food night; we served it with rosemary potatoes, lightly sauteed asparagus and good bread. -Ophelie
  4. Slkinsey, You're probably right. My introduction to Indian food was by a couple of INdian families as I was growing up. I have a feeling that theycould have made many of their dishes to taste (hot/spicier than traditional). So, maybe that is what I grew to enjoy. When I order (as opposed to buffet) chicken tikka masala, for example, i tend to ask the waiter to have it prepared very, very hot/spicy. I like the added very intense kick. On buffets though, it always seems far too mild for me. I like the heat to counteract a rich sauce. -Ophelie
  5. A question regarding Indian buffets for you, bergerka. Maybe you can tell me the case with your lunch buffet today. I used to eat at several indian buffets since it is chaep and easy. However, I always was disappointed with how mild most dishes were (since they were made for a lot of people). Was your chicken tikka masal (or any other dish) spicy at all? -Ophelie
  6. Thanks for the Indian recommendations, guys. I wouldn't mind getting some GOOD Tex-Mex as well (something I have not really found since I moved to New York a couple of years ago). Any favorites? -Ophelie
  7. I haven't been to Dallas in years. However, my work is taking me there again soon. I remember years ago eating in a fairly good Indian restaurant. I have no clue what part of town I was in. However, I haven't had Indian in a while, so can anyone recommend some good places? Non-Indian as well. I have meetings with some large department stores, so I will be all over the city. And I will have a car rented. -Ophelie
  8. Make this thread go away! I have 75 cents burning a whole in my pocket and I don't need to end up at Gray's AGAIN at lunch on the go - a mere two blocks away. -Ophelie
  9. Soba, that sounds yummy. I love buffalo sauces. I am also a big fan of a soft whole weat roll/bun, grilled chicken, pesto, mushrooms, and carmelized onions...for a hot chicken sandwich. For something cold, I am simple and can be thrilled by cold grilled chicken, romaine letuce, tomatoes, and Caesar dressing in a pita. -Ophelie
  10. Wow. At least they were nice and forthright. I find that refreshing. -Ophelie
  11. I am not sure how to use the quote function, so I am trying. I actually found Chipotle in Washington DC (I travel quite a bit for work and have over the years). At first, I attempted to dismiss it as a "Subway for burritos," but have since seen the error of my ways. I actually enjoy Chipotle quite a bit. I am partial to the Chicken Fajita Burrito, but can do barbacoa or their Niman Ranch Pork as well. I actually LOVE the rice in the burrito (and it's got a kick of cilantro and lime). I opt for the "hot" sauce. Their ingredients are pretty fresh and the quality is yummy. They are BIG. I can eat a whole one though. On the subject of burritos and Washington DC, Washington also has another chain Tex-Met/burrito place I like - Baja Fresh. Have any of you been to one. They have NO freezers and everything is very, very fresh.
  12. Well, I was short on cash today (and not in the mood to charge), so after seeing the thread, went to Gray's over here in the Garment District. I had one hot dog and a small papaya drink (They are chalky, but strangely addictive). And the hot dog was yummy, as always. -O
  13. I've never been to a Papaya King. However, when I am stressed and stuck in the Garment/Fashion District (where I work), sometimes I swing by the Gray's Papaya for a quick $0.75 lunch. I wish I was closer to a Papaya King. That spicy sausage sounds tempting. -Ophelie
  14. With regard to the pants. I am sure you have considered this, but did you dry clean/wash them or are you re-wearing (I re-wear "dry clean only" clothes a couple of times often (I know...ewww...oh well). Perhaps the pants stretched some. Or, maybe all of this Pilates and stairmaster is toning and firming. I need some inspiration to work out...in the morning, evening, or ever, really. So, you're kicking my ass into gear (or making me think at least). -Ophelie
  15. I have only had this problem once, while traveling overseas. I know that you said that fruit and water are a problem. However, perhaps the following might not be too much. Squeeze the juice of one half of a lemon into a cup of warm water and drink. It was a tribal remedy given to me and worked the one time I needed it. -Ophelie
  16. I have only had this problem once, while traveling overseas. I know that you said that fruit and water are a problem. However, perhaps the following might not be too much. Squeeze the juice of one half of a lemon into a cup of warm water and drink. It was a tribal remedy given to me and worked the one time I needed it. -Ophelie
  17. I have to disagree with Gambino's as being the best. Although I have had some amazingly good ones from there, I have also had some woefully mediocre ones from there as well. -Ophelie
  18. Wow, thanks Eric! I have been underwhelmed by much of the NYC Thai food for quite some time and have been searching for something that meets my standards. I will give this one a try the next time I am in the neighborhood. -Ophelie
  19. Kefta, kebab, shawerma, and falafel as great choices indicative of street food. I have had kushari on many occasions, but never really loved it. Perhaps it was the mixing of the rice and the noodles. I love fiteer. It has a flaky pastry base, spread thing like a pizza, but is stuffed. The savory version often contains olives, feta, and other things (sometimes meat, tomato, etc.). The sweet version has honey, white raisins, and sometimes coconut. It's delicious. Might I suggest the cookbook Egyptian Cooking: A Practical Guide published by The American University in Cairo Press? Their recipes are easy to follow. They have the best recipes for stuffed grape leaves, matlouba, hummus, and baba ghanoush that I have found. -Ophelie
  20. When I found myself in Downtown Cincinnati for meetings, I often stopped at the Servati Pastry Shoppe on Sixth Avenue fot something and coffee. I love it all except for their banana nut muffins (IF Servati was the place that I remember that unfortunately sprinkled PEANUTS on their banana nut muffins. If I am wrong, well, it was all good). The Virginia Bakery in Clifton Gaslight (one of my old neighborhoods) did indeed sadly shut down. The chain location of Big Sky Bread in Clifton (where I often went for all sorts of bread and dessert breads) also closed. However, the last time I checked, there was a location in Oakley. Nobody has mentioned the Bonbonnerie. It's in O'Bryonville and has FABULOUS everything. Their petit fours are to die for. Many restaurants in Cincinnati use them for their desserts, if I remember correctly. -Ophelie
  21. Thanks, Ophelie, for your report! It's good to know that your chicken was good, even if it wasn't spicy, because now I know what to suggest if I go with a chiliphobic friend. In my experience, not every dish at GS has been spicy, and none that I've encountered have been extremely spicy. The Kung Bao is moderately spicy, but the numbing effect of the Sichuan peppercorns makes the dish's "punch" substantial (and wonderful). The heat of the sour string beans sneaks up on you, but won't have you sweating like some Thai dishes I've tried. Even the beef tendon in chili sauce and the braised beef in red oil wasn't exceedingly spicy. But, like at Sripraphai, it's not always easy to get a dish very spicy unless you develop a relationship of trust with your server, and they know that when you say spicy, you really want spicy (presumably, the way the dish supposed to be served). Next time you go I suggest trying one of the four dishes I've mentioned, because, accordingly to many here, they are not served in the same way anywhere else. Chicken with Chinese broccoli seems to be made well in various spots around the city. Thank you for your thoughtful reply. I had guessed that such may have been the case. Often, I only get my food as spicy as I like it at restaurants that i frequent often. Otherwise, I fear that the waitstaff thinks that the white woman at the table has not a clue as to how to handle the heat. Perhaps I will return soon and try another suggested dish. -Ophelie
  22. After reading about it so many times here, I finally used this weekend to try Grand Sichuan International. I met a friend for lunch at the Midtown (50th and 9th) location. We both had the won-ton soup. I do believe that it may be the best that I have ever had. There is absolutely nothing that could have been an improvement. My friend order the cashew chicken. She is a rather "safe" eater and cannot tolerate spicy foods. I tasted and the sauce was splendid, not too heavy and not too thin. The cashews were cooked perfectly, as was the chicken. A total winner in her eyes. I have a slight aversion to peanuts so I unfortunately had to stay away from the much acclaimed freshly killed Kung Bao Chicken. However, I ordered the freshly killed version of the Chicken with (Chinese) Broccoli. The broccoli was cooked splendidly, not crisp but far from overdone. It was flavorful enough alone. The chicken was succulent beyond words. Tasting my chicken versus my friend's not freshly killed variety was an exercise in extremes. Although hers was good, mine was so much better and more tender. My only disappointment, and it's a big one, I am afraid, was how un-spicy my dish was. After all of the posts I have heard, I was gleefully looking to be blown away (I am an afficionado of most spicy foods). Normally at restaurants, I ask for things (already labeled "spicy" on the menu to be made moreso). I didn't ask at GSI since I assumed it would be violently so (It was labeled as spicy on the menu and well, after all those other posts...). It wasn't spicy at all. Not in the slightest. The dish was good, but I was looking for a packed punch. Perhaps I will give it another try eventually. -Ophelie
  23. I saw this late, but figured I could add some lesser expensive restaurants to the mix, if anyone needed them for future reference (although I do enjoy Maisonette and Jean Robert at Pigall's). A couple of other things in the Downtown area: - La Normandie - right beside Maisonette and owned by the same folks. It's more casual, but has downright good upscale pub food. - Mullane's (corner or Race and 8th/Garfield; it's next to a theater) - delightful and intimate little place. They have loads of vegetarian selections on the menu (and many non-vegetarian items as well). They have specials that change daily as well. Everything there is good and SO fresh...and very inexpensive. - Jordan Valley (around Elm and 4th; it has a big yellow awning) - Yes, it's very cheap, but fabulous Middle Eastern. They make the best falafel in Cincinnati, hands-down. In Clifton: - Myra's Dionysus (on Calhoun) - another place for astonishingly cheap vegetarian fare (and some non-vegetarian items as well). Fabulous hummus and such. - Dewey's (on Jefferson) - Local wood-fired pizza chain. My favorites are the Green Lantern and the Wild Mushroom pizzas. Their ingredients are fresh. It's rather affordable as well. - Ambar (on Ludlow) - Family-owned Indian restaurant. They also own Akash, which is downtown next to the CAC. Moderately priced, huge portions, excellent savory dishes. - Thai Express (on McMillan) - best value for Thai food anywhere. Cheap and exceptionally plentiful. In Mt. Adams: I second the suggestion of Celestial. I don't enjoy Rookwood Pottery Bistro as much as some do. - Teak (can't remember the exact street) - Good Thai and some other pan-asian style dishes. In Hyde Park: - Lemongrass (on Madison) - another VERY good and reasonably priced Thai restaurant. - Bangkok Bistro (on Erie) - yet again, more good Thai. - Cumin (on Erie) - Indian fusion-esque. - Indigo (on Erie, in Hyde Park Square) - great little bistro, HUGE menu, fabulous bargain. They have great desserts, including their opera cake which comes from The Bonbonnerie.
  24. ophelie

    Lunch! (2003-2012)

    In about 10 minutes I will be having some rather yummy leftovers... Chicken and penne with a fierce but delicious diavlo sauce (made with some of the peppers from the pepper plant I was given a few months ago). YUM! -O
  25. Hello there. I will be in DC next Tuesday and am looking for somewhere to go AFTER the opera (It's Norma and starts at 7:30, so I am thinking I should be out around 10:30 pm). I am looking for a nice (although not too expensive restaurant) at which to meet an old friend that is still open that late. The opera is at DAR Constitution Hall and my friend lives near the Cleveland Park stop on the Red Line...so maybe somewhere in between, nearby, anything... HELP, please. -O
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