glepore

New to this discussion-the Breville Dual is what I've been using-it not only PID's the boiler but also the group-it's an excellent machine, we'll just have to see how durable.

I use a six pan with a rubber bar-the garden hose over a bolt would work as well-that actually sits in a cutout in the counter top next to the machine-extreme, but effective.

Yup. I'd be game, think she's likely within a couple miles of me, I'm near intersection of King's Highway (Geryville Pike) and Limeport Pike.

Chris-I used that setup for 3+yrs and it worked well, will do one lb easily-but I gotta confess that I melted 3 or 4 stir crazies during that time-there's so much some involved that you need to roast outdoors, and in the winter its too easy to go in thinking you'll come back out in 15 min to check on first crack, then get distracted... Recently changed over to a Behmor, and its worth every penny of the 300 bucks-given that you'll invest 100 in the stir crazy setup-but the big limitation is 1/2 lb roasts if you want City+ or better. But you can roast inside-there's odor but no smoke. Way off topic, just replaced my NS Oscar with a Breville Dual, and it is an incredible machine - nothing even close at its pricepoint.

Check out Flow on broadway

Red Tomato-downtown Souderton of all places- really nice Italian deli w/ eat in tables and amazing authentic gelati-not Capogiro, but close enough. Be sure to try the "family secret" iced espresso-unique granita like espresso shot. Just down the road from an excellent reasonable southern Italian joint named Caruso's-the owners are cousins.

Every restaurant I know uses five gallon pails for soups and sauces. We made our demi in 5-7 gal batches and stored them in these. Don't know about the dill thing... .

Personally, I'd try Vetri's second place, Osteria-its casual but excellent.

'07 Manga del Brujo from Catalunya-Garnacha, Tempranillo, Shiraz. Quite a wine for 13 bucks, and still youngish, probably even better in a year or 3. Quite a wine for 14 bucks. Plenty in my neck of the woods.

Yup. It was a miserable experience. Earlville is fun, on the water, kinda unique. Spring Mtn. was a bunch of obnoxious college kids on break, and the atmosphere is nothing special. Plus, it was in the smoking era, and it was the only time I've ever been smoked out of an outdoor restaraunt.

Newsgal-LCB stores have Monte Antico on sale at the moment for 10.99-its a very nice reliable Italian red that is flexible with food. Its my "house wine" at home. The Arrowood Syrah was a steal at 8.99 if you can find any left anywhere.

So long as the revamp doesn't reduce the effectiveness of consoldated buying power, great. As an example, I'm opening a gastropub. It totally galls me to pay 12.99 9or whatever it is) for Monte Antico when I can buy it for personal use at Canal's for 8 bucks, usually. I'd rather be able to sell it for 20 bucks than 30, even if it impacts my profit a bit, because its a great deal for the money and would encourage people to try new things. I know that Canal's doesn't buy in PLCB quantities, so...why am I paying 30% more in Pa? Johnstown Flood? On the other hand, I just had the last glass of a bottle of Whitehall cab that I was totally unimpressed with upon opening, but after sitting (for a WEEK) in the fridge was downright amazing for the price. So, I'd hate to lose that as part of a revamp, but on the other hand, all that needs to be done for "intellectual honesty" is not to cite the price for the non-CS Whitehall.

There are a number of choices in Skippack, about 15 min. from the farm; Parc Bistro(American/Italian), Tokyo (sushi); Brasserie 73, or Hotel Fiesole (new pricy Eurostyle hotel) are all good, even if owned by the same guy (sort of the Steven Starr of Skippack??). None are cheap. The Bell House may or may not be reopened by now, its not even 3 minutes from the farm. Ariel is north on Allentown road by 10 minutes-hear good things about that. Keep in mind that you might be too stuffed from samples to want lunch.

Quick note on the Arrowood Grand Archer Syrah-holy cow, this is a LOT of wine for $9. I really liked the Saralee's from the past couple years at 18 bucks, but this is very close at half the price. Snag some now. I'm not too sure about the trend towards "private cuvee" labels, though. I don't doubt for a second that Jon means well, and that these are probably great deals for the money, but there is that lingering moment of doubt - particularly given the comparison to national pricing on the winery's regular release-I don't doubt that the Silverado offered as a Chairman's Selection is a great deal, but its not the "same" wine being sold at the "normal retail" quoted, so why quote it. Who knows, it might even be better, but consumers are skeptics.

Sage advice, Herb. Its a very small place, so I'm not terribly worried about the timing; but your point is well taken nonetheless. Holly, I really like that idea, I'll have to network a bit to find some folks. And yes to the mousse and custards.

Revitalizing this old thread. Turns out that the problems were nothing that couldn't be solved by burying them in wheelbarrows full of money...looking more like we'll settle in mid August and open a couple months later. I hope. There are some excellent ideas upthread. Still remained stumped on desserts, as we won't have anyone thats a talented pastry person; I hate to just used purchased desserts...

Had the 2000 "Quarum" Barbera d'Asti tonight with a simple pasta. Had trouble envisioning why this wine originally retailed for $100 prior to opening it, but it is a steal at 20. Big, but very balanced. Drinking nicely now, has enough structure to age for a bit. Seems like Jon got some deals on some very "big" wines from a generally good year, refreshing bargains given the run up in prices over the last few years.

+1

FWIW, I have the '96 Mondavi in my cellar from when it was originally released, and its drinking perfectly now.

Second that. Its been a couple years for me as well, but their gnocchi had perfect texture. Totally untrendy as well.

Unfortunately, he's sort of a relative by marriage (wife's cousin) so I'll not comment. As to the comment that the "visit Delmarva" remark in my first post was the "wrong argument" I happen to know that Councilman Kelly is not a vegetarian. My point was/is that no rational political body could even begin to discuss a chicken, pork or beef ban. To suggest that foie be banned is innane given the way that modern food is produced. Something about glass houses...

Wouldn't it be ironic if they can't pass a smoking ban but protect the ducks? The folks that sponsor these bills should go down to Delmarva to a factory farm for chickens or to NC to a pork farm-that'd open their eyes.

Funny. I was one of the lemmings buying Cepparello from Moore's that year, think I have 2 or 3 in the cellar. Probably should be thinking about drinking it now as well. What a run they had in Italy, begining w/ 97....

Yeah, the Crognolo was thru my local store a month ago, managed to get just a few. I'm liking the Sanford Chard a lot lately. Pretty understated.

The Rocco Guiccciarda Chianti is spectacular as well, I'd put it on par with Monsanto and other Sangiovese stars. Had a bottle n Sunday, back for more today. The Chairman's Selection page lists the Lineage wines as "Freemark Abbey Lineage"-my local store had a giant endcap full of the cab and the merlot arrived this am.