picaman

Roberto's is pretty consistently amazing. Jamie

When I taught high school English years ago, one of my favorite writing assignments was to pass out various food labels and have students quickly jot down reactions to turn into essays. The poor kid who received the Hormel potted meat label was invariably disgusted, but I always enjoyed reading the resulting papers! Some of my other favorites: The first two ingredients of cheap ice cream: "Milkfat, non-fat milk." On a burrito from the school cafeteria: "This burrito has been previously handled." There were more that I've long since forgotten. Jamie

I've not been to this one, but the Piper's Kilt in Inwood is tremendously good. Of course, I do get the "Eastchester" burger when I'm there--that's the one with the chili on the side. Jamie

Now, souse I've had! My grandparents had a meat market in a small town in Florida when I was growing up, and they used to sell it. Two kinds--regular and spicy flavored. The spicy one was a brilliant red color. I guess it's a small step from there to the fried brain sandwich. If I ever have the opportunity, I think I've been convinced to give it a try. Jamie

aka BurgerPie. P.S. -- I'm in. I forgot about that--definitely a nickname to be promoted vigorously. Jamie

Comfort Food at Comforting Prices in Paris This was in the NY Times on Sunday, I believe. The five restaurants they cover relatively extensively are Chez Michel, Au C'Amelot, La Braisiere, Le Petit Pontoise, and Le Pre Verre. The author of the piece was Jacqueline Friedrich. Anyone have comments on the restaurants on this list that haven't been covered in this thread? Jamie

Kirk and I shall plan our Saturday 1/31 around whichever time is selected. Jamie

Belated thanks to Suzanne and HWOE for the great hospitality and the tasty wines, and to everyone for their various pie contributions. I had a fabulous time and the bottomless pit known as my stomach completely enjoyed round one of savories, round two of savories, and rounds three, four and five of desserts! By way of update, I think the Giant Burger Remnants may soon become tacos or something. I think Kirk may have a thing or two to say about it, though. Jamie

AP story on fried brain sandwiches I might have wanted to try one of these, but the mad cow angle makes me a bit leery. I think that Burger Club may be the limits of my adventurousness in this area. Jamie

loufood, I've so enjoyed your posts over my past few months of eGullet-hood; I'm just going to have to trust you on this one Absolutely awesome and always a treat (that's a five A treat, right? ) Jamie

Indeed--we have the Tivo set! Jamie

Sounds great! My one always-visit restaurant in Paris is La Galoche d'Aurillac (in the original list) which also features food from Auvergne--you might want to try it sometime. I'm definitely going to put your suggestion on my list! Jamie

My partner and I are thinking about a quick trip to Strasbourg from Paris when we visit at the end of March. I'd really appreciate a follow-up post--let me know where you end up and what you thought of it! Jamie

Great list--thanks for taking the time to post it. It looks like L'Epi Dupin gets two votes, you and swedea; that gets my attention! I've read good things about Aux Charpentiers as well. tighe, I'm familiar with this restaurant but haven't been there. Glad to see you think it's worthy. Thanks to everyone for taking the time to post their comments and suggestions. Keep 'em coming--no such thing as too much information! Jamie

My partner and I are returning to Paris for a week at the end of March/beginning of April. Yesterday, with my boss gone late on a Friday afternoon, I took an hour or so and compiled info from old posts mentioning recommendations for inexpensive but good food in restaurants we had not yet visited. I thought this could serve both as a good exercise for me (a big splurge for us is a well-priced restaurant lunch and dinner on the same day!) and a resource for others who frequently ask this question. Listed below are some places I found in my search. Restaurants with asterisks got multiple recommendations, were places I was otherwise familiar with but had not yet visited, and were recommended by people whose posts I've come to trust over several months of following this forum. Completely subjective, but I have to start somewhere. The rest of the places listed just sounded good for whatever reason. *Fish - 69, rue du Seine (6th) *Aux Lyonnaise - 32, rue St. Marc (2nd) *La Régalade - 49, avenue Jean-Moulin (14th) *Au C'Amelot - 50, rue Amelot (11th) *La Chope de la Marie - 88, rue Ordener (18th) *L'Occitanie - 96, rue Oberkampf (11th) *Clown Bar - 114, rue Amelot (11th) *Jacques Melac - 42, rue Leon-Frot (11th) *L'as du Fallafel - 34, rue du Rosiers (4th) *Cafe Constant - 139, rue Saint-Dominique (7th) *Au Bon Acceuil - 14, rue Monttessuy (7th) *Violon d'Ingres - 135, rue Saint Dominique (7th) *La Fontaine de Mars - 129, rue Saint-Dominique (7th) *Au Dauphin - 167, rue Saint-Honoré (1st) *Chez Michel - 10, Rue de Belzunce (10th) *Philippe Detourbe - 8, rue Nicolas Charlet (15th) *Bistrot du Dôme - 1 rue Delambre (14th) *La Cave de l'Os a Moelle - 181, rue de Lourmel (15th); and *L'Os a Moelle - 3, rue Vasco de Gama (15th) *Le Repaire de Cartouche - 99, rue Amelot (11th) Aux Negociants - 27, rue Lambert (18th) Calixte - 64, rue Saint-Louis en L'Ile (Patissierie - 4th) Benoit - 20, rue Saint-Martin (4th) Le Pré Verre - 8, rue Thenard (5th) L'Estrapade - 15, rue de l'Estrapade (5th) Le Dome due Marais - 53, rue des Francs-Bourgeois (4th) Also, as I've learned recently, there are two L'Oulettes--the original at 38, rue des Tournelles in the 4th, and the new Bercy outpost at 15, place Lachambeaudie in the 12th. Having eaten at the original, we want to try the newer one where Marcel Baudis is now. I'd like opinions, your positive/negative input, and any additional recommendations you may have. To help give you some context, I'd say our average cost per meal at dinner for two people, with maybe a kir to start, the prix fixe meal or entree + plat with one bottle of usually a house/fairly inexpensive wine, dessert then coffee is 100 euros-ish plus or minus 25 euros or so. Very ballpark but every little bit of info helps. If you think any of the restaurants are way out of that league price-wise, I'd appreciate knowing. Also, restaurant-wise, we prefer long leisurely dinners at more moderate choices over the inexpensive lunch at the higher-end places. We definitely avoid places where the locals are outnumbered and we don't mind schlepping anywhere on the metro or fairly local RER. We prefer to try to eat in Paris more as Parisians, and less as Americans, if that makes sense. Finally, as further information, here are a few other places we've enjoyed over the years, many of which have been mentioned in this forum: Au Petit Tonneau - 20, rue Surcouf (7th) La Galoche D'Aurillac - 41, rue de Lappe (11th)--I never, ever miss going here Les Messugues - 8, rue Leon Jost (17th) Au Gamin de Paris - 51, rue du Temple (4th) Bistrot Le P'Tit Troquet - 28, rue de l'Exposition (7th) Tea Follies - 6, place Gustave Toudouze (9th) for Sunday brunch Thanks in advance for your help! Jamie

Sounds like you had a great time--we missed you at Burger Club, but with all you had going on it's more than understandable Slaw? That's a new one for me. We always had blackeye peas, which now makes a nicely schizo side dish to sauerkraut and pork. I like to cover all my bases. Jamie

It's been probably twenty years since I've had it. As I can't even remember what I had for dinner two days ago, I'm sure your vinegar pie will be a tasty, marvelous, and above all, new experience for me. Jamie

Not scientific, though! Thanks to everyone for your good wishes. elyse, have fun today! Jamie

It was brutal but relatively short-lived--went to work today and am basically back to 100% Highest overall average rating in a category: Blue Smoke, "Bun", 16.8/20 (84%) Highest average rating in "Burger" category: Le Parker Meridien, 39.5/50 (79%) Highest average rating in "Toppings" category: Le Parker Meridien, 8.0/10 (80%) Highest average rating in "Miscellaneous" category: Le Parker Meridien, 16.4/20 (82%) It is interesting to note that the Parker Meridien burger narrowly bested the Blue Smoke burger in 3 of 4 categories, but the bun differential was enough to tip the balance overall to the Blue Smoke burger. It is also worth noting that Le Parker Meridien had the smallest sample size (8 raters.) Highest overall average rating in a subcategory: Tie: Blue Smoke, "Meat Quality", Le Parker Meridien, "Value"; 4.6/5.0 (92%) Highest average rating in "Bun" subcategory: Blue Smoke, "Freshness", 4.4/5 (88%) Highest average rating in "Toppings" subcategory: Tie: Blue Smoke, "Quantity", Le Parker Meridien, "Quality" and "Quantity"; 4.0/5 (80%) It strikes me that the above stats justify the evaluative instrument to some extent. Certainly having the highest average ratings go to Blue Smoke's meat quality and Parker Meridien's value speaks well for the form's validity and usefulness. I think that the group effort that contributed to its development and refinement was time well spent. Jamie

My God. I've been flat on my back since Sunday PM with a nasty case of the flu. Such a lot of hoopla I've missed! Updated Burger Club evaluation form Suzanne, elyse, I'll work on pulling something together and post later tonight. I vote for stressing our diversity as well. Absolutely nothing scientific! The eval form is all pseudo-science and is nothing but a jumping-off point for discussion, or a reminder of what's important. Most of all, congratulations to elyse and to eGullet. You both rock! Jamie

Kirk and I will be there. I'm bringing an apple and onion tart and Kirk will bring something as well--yet to be determined and probably made on a whim as he's baking all the time anyway. Jamie

Here's the relevant bit of our custom menu, for those who haven't seen it. I thought Blue Smoke was far and away the most welcoming establishment, even considering those entertaining grillmen at Le Parker Meridien. Note that Blue Smoke got the name right and spelled correctly. Jamie

Indeed--it's a very good picture of her. Jamie

There is a picture of the Blue Smoke burger, looking quite resplendent, nicely cooked and in perfect proportion nestled in its bun. Quite juicy, and tasty looking as well. Oh yeah, just noticed that our elyse is there as well, holding the burger. Almost escaped my notice The caption reads: "Elyse [last name], the founder of the Burger Club, with what she called her favorite hamburger in New York City, at the Blue Smoke Restaurant. She is also fond of the burgers at the Parker-Meridian (sic) hotel." Nice mention of Blue Smoke there--I'd imagine they'd be happy with that. Jamie

Ahh..there was a "freebies" rumor about this at my end of the table. So I guess the milkshakes were the only freebie? Still, most unexpected and welcome. Jamie