amccomb

We are thinking about Lark for a dinner when we travel out to Seattle on May 9th. Would you still recommend it?

Hello! So, my husband, 8 month old daughter and I will be heading to Seattle to stay with friends, and the husband and I are going to have our first night out since the baby was born - she'll be staying with said friends. We really want a memorable dinner, and so far have been waffling between Lark and Canlis. Canlis was listed in the Saveur list of top restaurants and I've read a lot of good things about Lark on here. How do the two compare? I know you can't make reservations at Lark, so we would go early in hopes of getting a seat with little waiting time (considering our friends will be watching our little one, I would like to be able to give them a ballpark time frame). Is there a dress code at Lark? Canlis recommends a jacket for men, and that's fine, but if we could get away without one at Lark, it would certainly make our luggage lighter! The charcuterie and meat dishes at Lark really appeal to me, but some of the desserts at Canlis sound more interesting (while others sound much more ho-hum). The wine list looks more robust at Canlis, as well. Which would you recommend for a fabulous night out, no holds barred? Or would you recommend something completely different?

In scrambled eggs or on pizza.

I second cocktails, and I've used it to soak cakes with good results.

Hello! My husband is going to a conference in a week, and is looking for some good restaurant suggestions near his hotel: Best Western Seven Seas 411 Hotel Circle S He likes pretty much anything. Cheap, ethnic, gourmet are all good. He can do one really expensive dinner, but would love some great local cheap eats as well. Also, any good coffee places, or night life nearby? Thanks!!

When buying meat, think about low and slow cooking. Chuck roasts and pork shoulders are cheap around here, and you can shred the meat and use it in a billion other dishes - stretching it with eggs, potatoes, grains, beans, pasta, etc. Also, stock up on the turkeys and bone-in hams while they are on sale for the same purpose, and use the bones (and veggie scraps) to make stocks.

mulled wine! mmm....

So, at 8.5 months pregnant, I am trying to fill the freezer with meals that my husband can just pop in the oven. I wanted to make and freeze some scalloped potatoes (basically just potatoes drenched in cream), but I have no experience freezing potatoes. Should I just layer the raw potatoes, cover with cream, and freeze, or should I bake it and then freeze? Will it work at all? Will the texture change dramatically?

My husband will be at a conference in Toronto starting next Tuesday and going through Friday and he would love some dining recommendations. He likes pretty much anything - loves ethnic foods, willing to spend big bucks on a really nice lunch or dinner, but also up for super cheap and yummy street food. His hotel is here: Courtyard Toronto Downtown 475 Yonge Street, Toronto, M4Y 1X7 Canada So places nearby would be great, but he is also willing to get a cab for something really good. Also, what about some fun cocktail bars in that area? Thanks!!

My favorite Thanksgiving green veggie dish - Shredded Brussel Sprouts With Maple Hickory Nuts. I always sub in pecans. I've also done peas and pearl onions with bacon in a creamy sauce and a salad with glazed walnuts, dried cranberries, pears, and brie. I'm contemplating this year's green veggie myself!

I also prefer the steel cut oats, and I like adding a little whole milk, butter, and plain sugar or honey or maple syrup or molasses. Sometimes I'll add some spices such as cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, black pepper. I love adding baked apples or peaches.

I have to make these!! Do you have a recipe you can share?

Breakfast foods!

My mom used to do peanut butter with very thinly sliced sweet onions. I was never willing to try it, though.

Well, my husband has reserved a hotel: Hilton 720 S Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60605 So, we could extend our eating area to anywhere near the hotel and Union Park, or anywhere in between. The friend has said not to worry about budget, so now our constraints are mainly location, the ability to get a seat, and for Saturday night, the possibility to go somewhere near the hotel that is open late - still serving after 11pm. Any new ideas?

I know this isn't as gorgeous as a lot of the desserts on here, but I thought I would post it anyway. Just a plain New York style cheesecake with a pecan crust, topped with Pierre Herme's lemon cream and local blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries. I brushed the berries with some melted ginger preserves to give them some shine. If I had it to do over, I would use a different jam.

These are all great suggestions!! Thank you all! I talked to my friend, and he said he may be willing to splurge a little, but no way will he do $100 per person. The husband, on the other hand, is willing to pay that and more. He is wondering how far Sweets and Savories is from the area. I guess I had better start looking for hotels in the area, too!

So, we are going to be in Chicago for July 13, 14, and 15 for the Pitchfork Music Festival which is being held here: Union Park 1501 W Randolph St Chicago, IL 60607 (Corner of Lake St. and Ashland Ave.) We'll be driving up Friday, but not going to the festival. We will be attending on Saturday and Sunday. I did a search on restaurants in Chicago, and the list is overwhelming, so I am going to add to the jumble with my own request for restaurant ideas. We like any kind of food - any ethnicity. The constraints are that a friend who is coming along is on a budget and doesn't want to spend more that $35 on a nice meal, and prefers under $20 for most meals. Also, we won't be dressed up and may be a little rumpled and sweaty after the festival on Saturday and Sunday, which gives us only one shot at a slightly nicer meal - Friday night. Any ideas for a decent Friday night dinner for around $35 in that area? What about ideas for casual places on Saturday and Sunday breakfast and/or lunch (shows start at noon) and dinner? We want good food! We wouldn't mind doing dim sum or tapas or some other meal that we could all share if anyone has any ideas.

Yum. Now I wish I had five bags of peas in my freezer. I can't decide what to try first!

That reminds me - I just made a pea and mushroom quiche this past week. I love the little burst of sweetness from the peas.

A pea salad, similar to a potato salad, with red onions, a sour cream and/or mayo base with some fresh dill and maybe some bacon.

That may kill the bacteria, but it won't kill the toxins the bacteria produce as waste, which is many times more dangerous than the bacteria themselves.

I was thinking about apples, too - I like Winter Banana or Jonathon apples with cashew butter or a sharp cheese. I definitely do more soups and stews in fall, braises in winter, and sandwiches or salads in summer. Spring is more about ingredients, and I tend to do a lot of risotto or light asian soups or stir fries.

rhubarb crisp tomato sandwiches peach pie or ice cream corn and tomato salad grilled corn

I like the idea in this thread to make mini pork tenderloin sandwiches. You could always do something with corn.