LJC

I just had the same experience on Friday night. I wanted to try Kangsuh but when I learned that they don't use live coals I went back to Won Jo, my old standby. Does anybody know if anyone other than Won Jo uses live coals?

Another question? does this same method apply to vegetables, ie poblano peppers a la plancha?

Thanks for the advice I will have to wait until my wife goes out of town and then give it an other shot.

What do you do about the smoke that comes from cooking in cast Iron pans? My wife has banned the use of my skillet and grill pan due to the fact that last night I set off the smoke detectors (not just in my apt.) in our buildings hallways and every time I cook with them the apt smells for days. Will I have to wait until we build a kitchen with a real kitchen ventilation system (who knows when that will happen)? Now that I think about it with some foods the smoke is so thick that even a really strong system might not handle it.

I would say that the "No Substitution" policy is terribly inhospitable. I have a friend with very specific (admittedly annoying) tastes and she has a laundry list of things she won't eat. She has requested some sort of substitutions at just about every meal I have had with her (it is now a running joke) and has even done so at Jean Georges, and ADNY. Both of these proud establishments gracefully executed her requests and only on a rare occasion have I witnessed any proprietor refuse her. Landmarc would have nothing to lose by accommodating a guest’s request. I feel this policy is evidence of their bad will and poor judgment.

Malta is a very popular soft drink among children in Latin America. The one found in Venezuela is my preference an other favorite for kids is frescolita sort of like a bubble gum flavor (way too sweet). One that I like is Postobon's Manzana an apple-flavored soda from Colombia. Postobon also makes a bubble gum flavored soda (also too sweet for adults).

I just got back from a great weekend in Miami. I was there for a party, which was unreal, but what really impressed me was Joe's. It has been about three years since I bought stone crabs from them (I always buy a key lime pie from the "to go") for reasons covered in my other posts on this subject. On this trip I was being taken out for lunch and the host chose Joe's and although I made some other suggestions he insisted. I have always complained that whenever I visit Joe's (to get my key lime fix) I find that they don't offer really large claws and they overcharge. Now I still stand by the overcharge point but I must say that on this visit I had the largest claws I have ever eaten. They were two to a pound and each claw was about the size of my head. They were fantastic and thankfully I didn't have to pay the $66. So, my opinion has changed a bit, I now believe that on occasion you can find something special (aside from the key lime pie) at Joe's. Edit to add: I should note that I didn't venture to my usual stone crab favorite so I can not say if the super large claws were unique to Joe's or if there are just some huge crabs running around right now.

La Isla it was and crowded it was. Do you know if they serve diner or is it lunch only?

I had a fantastic Cuban sandwich for lunch yesterday in a tiny Cuban joint on Washington St. and 2nd. Does anyone know the name of the place?

Just got rescheduled; had Fri night in March 10:30pm got Fri night in June 9pm, not bad. Only thing is that by this point in June I am usually heading to the beach on Fri nights. I guess I'll just have to suffer

Went for brunch on Sunday and found the food to be just ok but the Bloody Mary was awesome. In terms of the food the only item that shined was the fried chicken, which was crispy and juicy. The Bloody was thick and spicy with a slight sweetness and was garnished with a "salad". It had pickled hot chili, pickled okra, pickled green bean, celery and a shrimp (I also found some crawfish legs); served in a pint glass for $9 and well worth it.

does anyone have experience with villa amor? near puerto vallarta

For a basic "home bar" you should have: Vodka Gin Scotch Bourbon Rum Tequilla Rye Cognac Triple Sec Dry Vermouth Sweet Vermouth Beyond these the possibilities are endless, so this would be a good starting point. I did not post any brand names b/c it is a matter of personal taste and budget. I think you might want to follow drcocktail's advice and see what your friends like and then check out some liquor stores and price it out. Have Fun!

By far the best rum in Colombia is Havana Club. That said, there are a few decent Colombian rums such as Ron Viejo; but really when you can get Havana Club for about $8 a bottle why drink anything else? Bogotá is a great city, have you been there before? Will you visit anywhere else in Colombia?

Stamatis has become my favorite but I know a few people who prefer S'Agapo especially for meats. Although it fell out of favor with my family a while ago, I am surprised not to see a single comment on Elias's Corner. I guess they really have fallen from graces. Oh yeah, while you are out there stop at the Athens Cafe on 30th Ave for a frappe or greek coffee and some melomakarana (type of cookie) not to mention a bit of local culture.

does anyone know if Jing Fong has reopened yet?

I am really unfamiliar with Conn. and a friend of my wife invited us to stay at their country house in Fairfield. What should I expect? Is there a decent place to take our hosts out or should I bring stuff up from the city and cook? Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

Tues. June 1st (day after Memorial Day)

the oyster bar in the waiting/bar area of Pascale Manales is great. While you wait to try their bbq shimp you can easily eat a dz or so.

I have eaten at Spice Market on 3 occasions and although it is a great place to meet people (business for me) and a great place to see and be seen (if that's your thing) it is far from 3 star dining. The food, which by the way, has not gotten raves from any of the people I went with, is good but not outstanding nor particularly inventive nor executed on a level so much higher than other, far less expensive ethnic places. Spice Market will thrive, and should, but should not be touted as one of the top dining destination in the city. Come on, how can you compare Spice market to our other 3 stars?

Mohammed Rahman's Cart in the low 40's (43 I think) for Lamb and rice 50th and 6th, the guy on the 6th Ave. side of the corner for chicken sandwich Rafiq's on 3rd Ave in the lower 50's for a chicken plater Daisy May - on 50th and 6th for chili Does anyone know what happened to the sandwich guy who used to have a cart on 54th St. and 5th Ave.? I tried to find him about 6 months ago but couldn't.

Three stars is a bit crazy. For what it is, I enjoyed Spice Market very much but how can three stars be justified?

Altough I have not been pre-theatre I do like Marseille on 44th St.; and it's french to boot.

Although not French, I have had two good pre-theatre dinners at Hells Kitchen on 9th Ave and I think 44th St.

Grilled Sweet Breads are an Argentine favorite.