mjr_inthegardens

While you guys are on the subject could you diagram drink proportions for a sidecar "liker" but novice drinksmith who wants to become a sidecar "lover"? cheers -mjr

My gf ordered some of these... they don't seem especially sturdy or to have a very tight seal. Not tested so far.

Geographically colocated egulleteers perhaps might order together and split the order if they feel it is too much butter for one. -mjr

Whatever you do, make sure you get a self-cleaning oven. The manual process really sucks. ← My kitchen dollar definitely stretches that far. :) SethG, I am in Fort Greene. -MJR

I do like the jailhouse look. The 10'/11' to the wall in the DR is free. We don't have a proper dining table even. I am not sold on cluttering that room up with a large china storage unit as the last owners' made that room seem smaller and also I do not have china (I am 26). If you go counter depth then you are almost forced to go stainless steel which I have been resisting. I will shop around... I have home depot, lowes, sears, ajmadison all in brooklyn. Maybe I will find a nice on sale banged up piece. -mjr

I tried to look at some on the web yesterday... It only comes in the couple natural stone looks right? How much is it? If the same range as Silestone, I think I might prefer the individual color variation of the engineered stone. -max

We are going from an apartment with absolutely no cabinet space at all so we may have gone a little cabinet happy... I will have to take a look at the design. One thing is I think we are going to replace a 12" wall cabinet with 2 columns of open framed wine storage. We need a place to stow the few bottles of wine we keep around at a given time and thought it would break the uniformity of cabinets in the upper line before the fridge. As far as counter height being comfortable, wouldn't that depend on the height of the chairs? i.e., If the stools/chairs selected are designed for comfort seating at a 36" counte. Also I am not sure the island is big enough that it being higher would shield the kitchen from view. It is worth thinking about though.... Kraftmaid doesn't seem to make 42" high cabs, so I presume a 6" base would need to be installed on which to sit the cabinets? I am very conflicted about our appliance budget... as much as it might be nice, I'm not sure I can double my refrigeration budget and get a counter depth fridge. Would there it be worth doing so in terms of resale or aesthetics if I will be in the apartment for less than 6 years? I was planning on a freestanding gas range in the $7-800 neighborhood. I prefer cooktop gas vs electric. -mjr

Fifi, What was the sink make and model you found that had this feature? edit: and did you ponder this type of euro-style corner sink? http://www.plumbingstore.com/images/teka-k...inks-118004.jpg I have but I figure it is too messy in terms of water and not as good as just one big friggin sink. -MJR

My math for the silestone from that internet site (ecounters.com) puts the one I selected at $85 / sf with installation and sink cutout, angle for the corner sink, waterfall edge etc. edit: we are going to ask a guy my gf's mom knows who does kitchens about granite prices.

Silestone is engineered stone made with quartz. It supposedly doesn't stain, scorch, and is solid surface so can be used for dough. http://www.silestone.com -mjr

Thanks parker! The idea of a lighting bar / config for the island or something with a single power supply sounds like a good idea. We are not lacking for power (it's a good thing!)... 60 amps to the apt. Outlets all over the place... -mjr

Unfortunately (or not), Girlfriend hates laminate and has vetoed it. It is not such huge stretches of counter that a more expensive counter top cannot be done though. I think it is something you 'feel' moreso than cabinets as well. Thanks for your input on the micro-vent... We would definitely be able to separate although it is nice to have all in one so microwave doesn't take up counterspace. Look fwd to hearing your further thoughts this eve. -mjr

Thanks fifi (I was glad when I saw you reading this topic) What is the advantage of having more drawers? We are tripling our cabinet space at least and going from 1 drawer with a ton of junk in it in a kitchen cart to 7 drawers in the kitchen (though not all together). We visited Ikea in Jersey but are not sure we like the cabinet choices... also Ikea does not do solid plywood frames which my contractor bro-in-law swears by. A sink with offset drain sounds like a good idea, especially if it is offset to the right, because existing plumbing is below the sink in the kit/lr/dr floorplan drawing. I am pretty sure neither wall is loadbearing. The ceilings were laid concrete slabs (like in some hotels). Contractor bro-in-law concurs. -mjr

My girlfriend and I just bought a condo in Brooklyn, NY. The apartment was a pit, but a pit with promise. We've laid floors in the bedrooms (floating bamboo), painted nearly every nasty wall left by the previous owners and have been furiously planning for the kitchen. It's a complete overhaul: floors, cabinets, countertop, appliances, lighting... you name it. We are cooking enthusiasts but not pro cooks. We figure to cook some bacon now and again but not likely to be canning or serious cooktop activity too often. Our current kitchen is a one sided galley about 5 x 5 so we are definitely gaining space (esp counter space). We figure to have a budget of around $15k for the renovation and already have some "grand" plans. I figured I would ask for some opinions given the wonderful ideas given in other kitchen renovation threads. I will post some current pics of the kitchen when I can (hold yer nose!). Here is a floorplan: Some fairly firm ideas we have had: - Knock down wall in middle of kitchen and wall to left of stove abutting Dining Space to make an open concept kitchen/LR/DR - Expand kitchen a foot or so into the DR, and add an extra base/wall cabinet. The dining space is large enough that losing a foot won't hurt our ability to have a table and chairs. We think that our gatherings tend to be more informal so having the kitchen island as a central gathering point would be great. We will need to figure out how to get lighting down from the ceiling for the island. We have concrete ceilings that were just professionally plastered so lighting installation is a little more complicated than if it were just drywall. The concrete is probably 1-2" thick at least but we think has airspace that was used by the developers to run the wiring for the Kitchen and Dining light fixtures. - Add an island with stool seating on the non-kitchen work area side when we buy cabinets, running electric under joint between parkay wood in LR/Foyer to electrify island (the wall to be demolished has DR/Kit lightswitches and an outlet on the far side already). A few thoughts: - We'd love to vent the oven but we cannot vent into the fresh air chase on the other side of the fridge (currently washer) space (vents from bathrooms) as I don't think that is its purpose and I doubt the blding would let us punch out through the wall in the DR to the backyard. (sucks, but such is life) - We are thinking of putting a wine/beer fridge in the island facing into the kitchen (where the 24" cab is drawn). - We were thinking silestone for counters... Dark Cabinets (chestnut), Light Counters (diana pearl). We priced counters on Ecounters.com (silestone merchant), should we buy silestone through there or Home Depot? Or should we think about Granite or another material? The online silestone quote I worked up for the counter including the new island was $4100 or so. - Probably will do a tile floor. Don't want to clash vs the wood in the rest of the place right now. - Range, refrigerator and dishwasher, I figure I can knock out for about $2200. I am not looking for top of the line, just better than you'd put in a rental. Probably a 'nicer' top freezer fridge, a gas range with power burner/programming features and a quiet dishwasher, plus an above range microwave ($300 or so). Here is a Lowe's workup of the cabinet design (walls knocked, island in place)... We found Kraftmaid cabinets (all plywood frames) we can live with for just over $6000 at Lowes (we may get them priced through brother in law's supplier too) and have a 10% off coupon we can use also. Is this a good price for the room? We liked another door front design but it takes the price up $1500!! We don't intend to be in this apartment forever, but if we are here 5 years we want to have a quality kitchen. I hope you will share any thoughts that you have on our strategy, choices, purchase ideas. If you have any questions, please fire away! Regards, -MJR

formerly was Belgo NY Mag did a review http://newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/food/revie...estaurant/6201/

"That's not a burger. THIS is a burger." http://www.snopes.com/photos/commercials/bigburger.asp

There is also a Mancora peruvian on Smith Street r. row. It's much better than the other peruvian. I've had a good meal there and their takeout rotisserie chicken is great -- some cinnamon taste in the skin and two tasty dipping sauces.

Bruni's insistence on alluding to his dining companions — "my friend," "my companions," etc., etc. is starting to get on my nerves a little. I don't think it adds value to his reviews except as a stylistic pivot that is now overused. -mjr edited for grammar

it sometimes seems to me that the NY forum might need a $25 and under subforum to keep the cheaper chow finds from getting crowded out by the ADNY / Per Se / Fancy Dinner threads.

DiFara's -mjr

actually I have a very soft spot in me heart for sporks. I am waiting until I have some extra cash and pick up the titanium camping spork.

Cube63 sushi on LES -- byob/w/s all the time -- and adorable waitstaff.

Suck to you and me is unfortunately perhaps acceptable to someone else. There are knives and knife blocks available in this price range that no doubt suck but this person is not going to spend any additional money. Given the selection on Amazon is there nothing barely acceptable, perhaps the Faberware "classic" cheap ass line? Yes, I figure she needs a chef's, bread, utility and steak knives. -MJR ps I feel like I am asking Paul Prudhomme directions to Burger King.

under $75 doesn't want to buy piece by piece wants steak knives Amazon cheaper brand name sets or overstock.com selections? This is not for me but for my girlfriend's mother? It is hell right now cooking at her house. I have never been in such a sub-par cutting implement environment. Any suggestions from your benelovences? Please help before I commit harikari with spork. sincerely -mjr_itg

Mr. Salmassi: You got served!