mjr_inthegardens

Ate an impromptu dinner @ BLT Fish yesterday Front tables are a little awkward... large enough but right next to their neighbors. Started with selection of west coast oysters and a cup of Soup each. Oysters were nicely presented, each priced somewhere between 1.75 and 2.10. We had hamma hammas (sp??), hood canals and another variety whose name escapes me. My clam chowder cup was wonderful -- a few large chunks of clam, contrasted to Lambretta's experience, ample bacon, and a consistency based more on clam than on heavy cream. My gf enjoyed her lobster bisque but I found it a little too "smoky" and "lobstery" for me. Each was served with oyster crackers. Fish is served with a choice of 3 sauces on the side (lemon hollandaise, spicy salsa, tartare). It didn't seem like customer's required cooking method was much discussed. My red snapper ($18) was seared very nicely though and filet generous. I had tartare, but sampled the lemon hollandaise which is a very rich sauce that complements the flavor profile of fish well, but only in moderation. GF had the salmon ($16) which was very good, a tad overcooked technically however (no preference requested), cooked light pink in the very center. Accompanying both dishes were roasted rosemary new potatoes and a fennel coleslaw (we love fennel) topped with a few slivers of parm regg. Total, tax and tip 75. Didn't try dessert. Not a bad place, but not ***. The upstairs I have heard is going to be fancier in constrast to the restaurant downstairs which is definitely casual and free-spirited "fish shack style". _mjr ps bathrooms were nice. but I question the placement of magazine racks in them. i don't want to wait for the can while a guy finishes reading the profile of Scarlett Johannson.

I am very excited to see pics of the before, demo and after!! Break a leg, -MJR

I'm quite certain that when Arthur Dent was talking about "a cup of tea" it had milk and perhaps sugar in it. -mjr

I am buying the bosch SHY66 series model for my kitchen remodel and will keep this in mind... It's funny... like Varmint I was planning onthe maytag 9750 but have decided to get the nicer and I suspect much quieter Bosch for the extra money. Will watch out for the Dwasher liquid problem! -MJR

Had dinner for 2 in a packed house at La Villa pizzeria-restaurant in Park Slope yesterday. I saw this place when it opened but for some reason never ate here. We had a small round Foccacia di Nonna ("grandma" pizza) with hand crushed tomatoes, fresh mozz, basil... $11, perfect for 2 people to share and nice even scorching on the bottom with a fluffy, airfilled, but crunchy crust.... reminded me of naples. We also shared Roasted Chicken Breast Fillets marinated in Balsamic with Sauteed Spinach... this dish was a excellent. We thought it might be too vinegary but it was ok. The sauce that accompanied the plate was a red wine based sauce and served well the accompanying spinach (garlicky olive oil sauteed goodness) and mushrooms and (SURPRISE) sweet asparagus spears. Enough to stuff 2 people for a measly $14. Total bill with a coke, $27. The house was completely full and the many waiters and bussers flitted here and there. The kitchen is huge and open to the front of the restaurant, with a bar for solo diners or those interested in watching the kitchen. Impressed, new fave. mjr

The one on 27th is on top of the building that houses the nightclub Spirit (and previously TWILO (RIP)) -mjr

I put ketchup on French toast, but call it Eggybread. Was raised in England which might explain.

Amuse, My girlfriend and I made 140 bourbon balls this past week. The best part is they get better the longer they sit around! We used Wild Turkey 101 this year -- it was a value based decision.... what brand/proof did you use? I love these things!

oops. just saw original fridge is sunken in... -MJR

would be amazing if they could get anything done in albany

My favorite peruvian rotiss is Mancora on Smith Street in Brooklyn. I don't know if it is the best but it hits the spot.

Very common among NYC italian families. Mostly sicilian backgrounds, or southern.

bacon

Interesting read and beautiful photography. Need to find better tailors, I guess though! Can't wait to read part deux -MJR

If you have a conference room to hold this in, I imagine that store bought sternos and warming trays might be a better way to go than swathes of microwaved food. -mjr

Is there a Caesarstone supplier near you? (Must be!) Have a look ... at least for me, Caesarstone prices out better than Silestone, and is the same stuff. A. ← Thanks for the idea. There seem to be plenty of dealers in Brooklyn. That Concetto stuff on that website is gorgeous. Probably costs a pound of flesh though!

There is an Op-Ed in the NYT on this issue today by Jim Clarke, wine and spirits editor of StarChefs.com. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/07/opinion/07clarke.html (Registration Required) -mjr

Re Soapstone... I had it priced out through Vermont Soapstone, and it seems like it will cost me nearly 6000, not including a soapstone sink (another 800). 1. 16.26 sq. ft. 1 ¼” Fabricated Soapstone Tops (L-Shape) $1,252.02 2. 9.00 sq. ft. 1 ¼” Fabricated Soapstone Tops (Oversize Corner Piece) $792.00 3. 18.00 sq. ft. 1 ¼” Fabricated Soapstone Tops (Island) $1,386.00 4. 5.33 sq. ft. ¾” Fabricated Soapstone Splash (4”) $386.96 5. Wagner Sink 33 x 20 x 9 ¾” OD $878.91 6. Delivery & Installation By Vermont Soapstone $1,900.00 I had priced Silestone to be approx 4000 including installation, so I think Soapstone is not looking likely. Additionally, I appreciate the texture/dark color of soapstone but like the flxeibility of color selection that sile has. -mjr

Johnder, Plans are coming along. Thanks for the tip on the Tile place... I think we will try to use them for flooring for the kitchen. I am planning on ordering the Cabinetry finally this tuesday. It is easier to go through Lowes than other places or friends of friends. I am also going to order dishwasher and range from them on Tuesday and get 10% off the whole purchase through a coupon. We revisited Lowes yesterday and the upgraded drawer systems with the buffer that shut the drawer slowly for you even if you push it in hard was only $200 more for our entire kitchen (metal ball-bearing mechanism, full extension drawers too). It's really cool. We didn't have cross-creek cabs, so I was glad we asked about it. I figure we will be doing the install in January sometime (or Feb). I bought a fridge from Kenmore last week, and it arrived with a broken Pizza Shelf and busted Tilt out Crispers. Sears is going to redeliver a replacement this sunday, giving me a week to play with the busted one to see if I like it. So far, it is a little annoying. The top freezer is quite large, so it is difficult to see down into the fridge. Also there is a door alarm that beeps when the doors to the fridge are open for long time. Stupidly there is no way to shut this off that I can see, so when I am loading groceries or just standing looking for a snack, this beeping noise sounds. I suppose this could be useful, but honestly, as a 21st Century American, I think I deserve to be able to stand with the fridge open and not have it beep at me. This may be a dealbreaker. If I decide I don't like it, I figure I can call Sears and just tell them to pick this one up and then I can pick a different fridge. I have decided to put a beer fridge in the Island -- the Avanti Tavern Master. My parents are going to make it a Christmas/Housewarming present. My next challenges will be: - Thinking about electric and fixtures - Planning to rip down the walls that need to come down - Ordering Countertop Cheers -MJR

I drank a shiatload of soda when I was a kid and I in part blame it for the degree of difficulty I have had with my teeth over the years ... I don't think I would let my kids drink as much soda. We used to have a fridge filled with cans of CC. -mjr

I thought that review was a better read than anything bruni has churned out recently. It is miraculous to me how my new neighborhood (ft greene) has more French restaurants than I can count: Chez Ozkar A Table Bistro St Marks Cafe Lafayette Ici Gia loulou to "count" those I've heard of or looked up.

Times review, courtesy of chowhound... http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html...752C1A9629C8B63 One comment from a user there was that the stewed items are better than the grilled. Good luck! -mjr edit: review was published 11/3/2004 -- not bad for relevance!!

Do you mean Thomas Biesl? If so that is right across the street from the BAM. Scopello's service was friendly, but our waitress was a little ditzy. They also had run out of lamb and a bottle of wine we requested. It was a monday night however. -mjr

Scopello on Lafayette Avenue has a 19 or 20 dollar prix fixe theater special before 7:30.... We ate there the other day and it was servicable sicilian italian with entrees in the 14-16 $ range but it didn't knock our socks off. I have suggested St Mark's Bistro in the past to people attending the BAM and they have enjoyed it. edit: have heard great things about Locanda Vini & Olii but have not had the chance to try it yet. -MJR

Maybe she'll use her prison shank? -mjr