Curlz

Unless, of course, you have a cute kitchen helper to (ahem) lend a hand. Hmmm--wonder why there's no "dirty birdy" smilie...I could use one right about now. heehee

First of all, a big shout-out and THANK YOU to Bob for his gracious offer to give me a guided tour of the RTM yesterday, including door-to-door service! I couldn't have asked for a better guide--he really does know the place and the vendors, as you can see from his posts. We started out at DiNic's since there were stools open that were calling our names...the roast pork w/cheese and greens is everything you've heard, and definitely a don't-miss item if you're in town. Better (GASP) than a cheesesteak, imho! (Btw, it was smart to eat the sandwich first, b/c then I was able to really look at everything else with my eyes instead of my stomach! ) We then walked around and I got the low-down on who's good, who's not, and whose lease is being renewed and whose isn't. I picked up a couple of pears at Iovine's as well as some freshly roasted and ground mocha java from Old City Coffee Roasters, and enjoyed the smell in my hotel room AND in my car today. We ended our visit with some Bassett's, which is also a wonderful thing. All of this and I still had a visit to StudioKitchen ahead of me...but that's for another thread. This morning, I loaded up a bag of ice for my cooler, checked out of the hotel and went right back to the Market, where I had breakfast at the Down Home Diner (another Bob rec that was right on the money). I had the eggs, cheese and (YUM) scrapple sandwich on excellent whole grain wheat toast, and then I was ready to power-shop. Apple dumplings (these things weight a TON!) for dessert tonight at my bro's, a fresh-from-the-oven pretzel from Foster's (?), and about a pound of assorted chicken sausages from Martin's. Finally, a cup of really good coffee from Old City, and I was ready to hit the road. All in all, a great framework for my <24-hour visit to Philadelphia, wouldn't you say?

I'd hardly call what I do "management," but after years of having cooking mags piling up around the house, I decided I had to try the electronic route. I now fold down page corners that have recipes of interest as I read the magazine. I've been trying to then get on line every month to pull those recipes from the respective magazines' web sites, and then I can at least toss the issues. Of course, there are also at least a few folders' worth of pages that have been torn out over the years, but I agree--there's nothing like "Sure--I'll print/email it" when someone asks for a recipe! I can't imagine taking the time to (literally) cut and paste, plus I love knowing that if I spill something on a recipe, I can just toss that copy and print it again another time. The other advantage to keeping them on the hard drive is that I can go in and make notes easily. My two cents...

Disagree away, Jon...it's not all that surprising, considering the completely mixed reviews I've read/heard! Just note that I didn't go--my folks did, and it was on Saturday night. Perhaps weeknights are better, perhaps not. But the service issues they mentioned seemed pretty major, and they went without any prior info other than the name of the place and my saying that the owners' other place gets raves. My dad did say that the food that was good was very tasty (i.e. the black bean sauce that was substituted on the mussels), but the overall experience didn't sit well with any of them. Knowing that you had a good experience makes me more inclined to give it a try, but with so many options in Montclair, I can't say it's too high on my list at the moment.

Keep meaning to say thanks again for the recs...the place on Eagle Rock and Pleasant Valley was perfectly situated for us, and Dad made the run on Sunday morning. Picture two nieces and a nephew on a major sugar buzz (this following the gift buzz, of course)...!

That certainly makes more sense--thanks for the clarification. And I never said that South Jersey wasn't a nice place to live--we in northern NJ tend to think of it as the open space/GARDEN part of the Garden State down there--not crazily overpopulated like it is up here! That's all I meant by it.

WHY MUST YOU TORTURE ME?!?

They may still own it, but last we heard, it wasn't happening. At least, not there. And I'm sorry to sound like a north Jersey snob, but COME ON, PEOPLE! Mt. Laurel is getting a Wegman's?!? Time for someone in corporate to get a clue about the ZILLIONS of $$$ to be had here in eastern/northern NJ. YEESH.

I'm definitely not a baker, but for the holidays, I always feel like I should, so I do, and then I'm wishing I had made containers of soup or whole chickens for everyone instead. I'm in awe of what you all do! My worst/best was telling my family about the 'eh' cookies that I had made (and brought) and having my bro bite in to one and saying "Um, Ev? I think you undersold these! They're delicious!" THAT put a smile on my face! But don't get me started on having to shop for and drag the contents of dinner for 9 to their place and having to do all of the work in their cramped, hot, under- NO, make that p*ss-POORLY stocked kitchen (that includes utensils and ingredients). GRRR.

Since my bro and family live in Montclair, I was excited to read about this place on Baristanet, especially the part about their having the noodle-making in full view--knew that would be great fun for my niece. But when I called to ask if there were specific times for the noodle making, the man who answered the phone said "Oh no...we're not doing that now." Reported to Barista, who changed the info in her article. Even so, it was one of the recs I gave to my folks when they were in town this weekend with my other niece and nephew. I went to friends for Christmas Eve, and they took the kids. Let's just say it wasn't a great report. Here is part of what I put on the Baristanet thread... I heard a report that included comments such as "the waitress was too busy trying to be a supermodel" and "we ordered trout but got salmon." They wanted food that the kids would eat, so on one dish, they asked for a non-spicy sauce and were accommodated (and I'm told the black bean sauce was great), but the pad thai (PAD THAI!) was so spicy that even my dad thought it was hot. Who serves spicy pad thai?!? More especially, after a discussion about having a couple of bland dishes for the kids, couldn't the waitress have mentioned that the pad thai was hot? Again, this was just some of what they told me about the place. Between that and rhubarbd's post, I'm not in a rush. Anyone else been?

Last night, as part of the traditional Jewish Christmas festivities, my brother picked up dinner from Sesame while I cooked the latkes. We had: Beef chow fun and Chicken and Broccoli (for the kids) Shanghai Amy (a mix of sauteed string beans, baby bok choy and pea pods) Spicy Tofu Szechuan Style Moo Shu Vegetable 1/2 Roast duck Eggplant and Garlic Sauce BBQ Spareribs Jumbo Shrimp with Spicy Salt and Chili Pepper There was also soup...hot and sour, maybe...didn't have it/never saw it Needless to say, we ate very well! My folks are very selective about their Asian food, gave it high marks as well. The standouts were the ribs (we were all commenting on the spices as well as the meat vs. fat ratio), the eggplant and the duck, but everything was delicious. My bad for not thinking about the fact that the shrimp wouldn't 'travel' well (due to steam), but even those were still yummy. I agree that Sesame is a little pricy for what they're serving, but in the end, well worth it.

I'm certainly not a Thai or Indian food expert, and the distance to these places may be a bit out of your range, but Indian Chef in Lodi (in International Food Warehouse next to National Wholesale Liquidators) is great for takeout. Great food, good prices. ← EXACTLY what I would have written!!

Xmas eve was with friends who are like family after 25 years; nothing wild in the food department, but it was certainly tasty, and more importantly, FUN! Tonight will be a Channukah party with the whole fam damily, including my nieces and nephew--and that's what makes it fun even before it starts. Sfugiyanot (sp?) and latkes, for sure, but we still haven't decided on what dinner will be--possibly Indigo Smoke or Los Tapatios, depending on who is open! Happy Holidays to everyone! Ev

Ladies (and Fresser), First of all, a request. If we're going to be inviting guys named Tyler to the sleepover, can we please add this one to the list for moi? And now...drumroll, please...I couldn't wait to present this to all of you after seeing it yesterday. I wish you all a Happy Channukah, Merry Christmas, and overall Happy Holidays and a healthy and happy New Year! Here's to a great (monthly) '06! Now enjoy the following, and swear to share it: Click for the love!

They're by Schott Zwiesel and I'm going to have to own a set SOON.

Phaelon, I'm still thinking about the dinner I had at Aziza last January. The food was WONDERFUL, although I'm not sure if the locals would call it extravagant, but I really do recommend it highly. I'm not sure if they're open for lunch or not, but they're in SF proper. Chez Panisse is in Berkeley, so just be prepared to go across the Bay if you make that choice. My two cents from here on the East Coast!

Thanks for the suggestions! The Eagle Rock Ave location is a lot more convenient for us, but good to know about Butterflake too.

Thanks again, Elie--this is all VERY helpful. I didn't realize that the beans remained whole until you made that clarification. Sure sounds yummy!

I'm certain that there must be a good Jewish (or Kosher) bakery in W. Orange or Livingston that will have these for sale this weekend...any specific recs are greatly appreciated, as my dad wants to have them "for the kinder" on Sunday night. Thanks!

Btw, can this be made with canned favas?

Thanks SO much, Food Man! So basically, it's hummus made with fava beans, right? Sure sounds like it... Thanks again! Evie

My dad just called to ask if I would help him find this...all of the links I'm finding just mention the dish, but I can't find a recipe. Any/all help is greatly appreciated! Thanks. Curlz

Had another wonderful dinner at Fortunato last night...Chef Anthony is cooking--that's for sure! Four of us shared three apps: -The eggplant tower, which is now officially on my not-to-be-missed list -Prosciutto and pear salad, a perfect pairing -Oven-roasted sugar beets with goat cheese, which was not a 'salad' in the normal sense of the word; this was a perfect (and tall!) stack of stunning red and yellow beet slices, and my co-workers are still talking about it this morning. For entrees, we had: -Pan seared diver Sea Scallops w/vanilla whipped sweet potatoes, celeriac, spinach, walnuts with a maple vinegar sauce -Sauteed Striped Bass w/braised fennel, whipped potatoes, tomato and black olives -Pappardelle with red wine braised beef and sausage -Veal loin over a parsnip cake with a gorgeous demi-glace (mine) Two bottles of what is now referred to as "my" wine. (La Macolina sangiovese, if anyone needs gift ideas... ) Desserts were the apple cobbler and Chef Anthony's Mt. Etna Chocolate Volcano, which the chocoholics swooned over; we were too full to finish off the cobbler, but it was wonderful, as is the apple 'tart' that accompanies it (swoon). Service, as usual, was warm and attentive. Everyone was thrilled with the food and said they'll all be back, with or without me--and there were some serious eaters in the mix, so I was happy they gave the place their stamp of approval. Dinner for four, including wine and tip: $60pp. Kudos as usual to Anthony, Jeff and Hernan. If you haven't been yet, PM me if you're interested in a group dinner. This is a restaurant you need to try in '06!!

My favorite NEW finds of '05 are definitely Blu and Fortunato. Then again, I'm going to StudioKitchen in Philly next week, so stand by!

Has anyone been there for brunch recently? I heard a less-than-stellar review on Sunday.