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pastryelf

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    http://rabelaisbooks.com

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    Portland, Maine
  1. Realizing that I had not spoken directly to Kitchenaid myself but just relied on the remarks of others, I contacted the 800 number. I was told that they have a shipping option where for $32 (+tax) roundtrip, you can send your broken mixer to their repair shop in Ohio. There they check the machine out and let you know how much it will cost to fix. For what I described, which I believe to be a stripped gear (machine makes all the right noises but nothing moves) they estimated the repair to cost anywhere between $45 and $165 and then they will ship it back for that $32 I already paid. They do call to tell you what the repair estimate is, so if the repair doesn't work financially you don't have to go through with it. Although in that situation they will charge you a $25 diagnostic fee. I authorized them to charge my card if the repair was $100 or less, figuring that was what I felt like paying to fix it. That way they will just do the repair and ship it back which expedites the process. The total turn around should be between 3 and 4 weeks. They warranty the replacement parts for a year, and the labor for 90 days. This all seemed reasonable, which surprised me, considering what I had read on other posts here on eGullet and on the web. And that is why I am writing this out. Wanted others in my situation to have some current frame of reference. The thing that sold me was the $32 round trip shipping option. I was afraid I would have to pay at least $100 just to ship the damn thing, as it is rather heavy. If my experience is vastly different from this I will post again. Thank you all for all your advice. Albest
  2. I just spent a good half hour going through old threads about various issues with the Kitchenaid stand mixers and their possible replacements. Apologise if this is truly old ground for anyone, but the last post in those threads was last fall. May I ask what the current thinking is on these damn things? I have a pro 6 bought in 2004 which did what they all seem to do: die a painful death, last christmas day, due to (I assume) the stripping of the gear. Here in Maine I have been unable to find anyone who will even consider fixing the damn thing. While I feel that 6 years is a complete rip off for what I had planned to be my last mixer purchase (snort!) I am coming up on my biggest baking season and think I may have to bite the bullet and replace the bugger. So the question is what should I buy (what would you buy) today? I bake mostly cookies, some cakes, some candy, limited bread. Don't think I need a really big deal machine but don't want to buy another something that will die in 6 years. Thoughts? Thank you in advance, frustrated baker
  3. If you are talking about culinary writers you should also look at Elizabeth David (UK), Mrs. Beeton, Edna Lewis (US South), Jean Anderson, Marian Burros and Jane Brody (the NYT troika), Nancy Harmon Jenkins (Mediterranean historian), Reay Tannahill (food historian), Marion Cunningham (one of Beard's acolytes). Hope this isn't too late for you....
  4. I will second this positive review. I received an advanced review copy from the publisher and am almost finished. Cannot say that the subject matter called out to me. Don't really have any interest in traveling to China, and the Chinese culture has never beckoned to me. But Dunlop's books sell well and she is well respected in the world of home cooks of Chinese food. I loved this book. Learned a lot about the culture and history of China through the food, which is always my preferred method. The woman also writes wonderfully, her use of language is marvelous and her observations are astute and insightful. I highly recommend this book as an addition to the food memoir shelf.
  5. Two absolutely gorgeous books that we have recently gotten in the store, neither which I have yet cooked out of, but that are full of attractive recipes: Saha by Gregg & Lucy Malouf and Aromas of Aleppo by Poopa Dweck. Both make me salivate looking at the entries. Then I would second all Claudia Roden: New Book of Middle Eastern Food, Arabesque, The Book of Jewish Food And not to be overlooked are Spice by Ana Sortun and Paula Wolfert's Couscous and The Cooking of the Eastern Mediterranean. I also find interesting things in Nancy Harmon Jenkins' Mediterranean Diet Cookbook (unfortunate name for a great book). Some of my all time favorite foods, a cuisine that Portland, Maine is sorely lacking.
  6. Ooops, got distracted by looking for John Thorne info, forgot to mention the Laurie Colwin books: Home Cooking and More Home Cooking from Harper Collins. Both still in print, easy to find. Lovely reads about food and it's place in her life, scattered with recipes. I always want to cook after reading Colwin.
  7. John Thorne has a new book called Mouth Wide Open, A Cook and His Appetite, coming out in November from Farrar, Straus & Giroux. According to their website, Serious Pig is still in print, although I know it is hard to get a hold of.
  8. Krista Rocks! Portland Press Herald on Sunday Review another star in the Portland firmament..... And John is local talent too.
  9. From the books side: the CIA put out a book in 2004, in english, called Garde Manger: The Art and Craft of the Cold Kitchen. Just under 600 pages, photos, though not tons, but lots of recipes.
  10. The bottom of my posts all have a link directly to our website through the title Rabelais. Thought that was obvious, apologize for any confusion. Never sure how much self promotion is palatable on this forum. To be perfectly clear: Rabelais deals in fine new, used, out-of-print and rare books on food, wine, farming/gardening and any related arts. We are located on Middle street in Portland, Maine, directly next door to Hugo's, down the block from Duckfat, Norm's, Ribollita and The Pepper Club, around the corner from Fore Street. We are open 7 days a week from 11-7, Sun 11-5. We do searches and special orders, we ship anywhere. Please do check out our website (link above) for more about us and what we do, including press. For anyone within driving distance, our next event will be August 23rd when we host Margaret Hathaway and Karl Schatz and their new book The Year of the Goat. Margaret will be signing copies of the book, Karl's photographs will be up on the walls, there will be goat cheese to taste and we are working on having a goat or two to meet... Albest, Samantha
  11. Well, since you asked.... My husband and I opened a new book store in Portland, Maine dedicated to new, used, out of print and rare books on food, wine, farming/gardening and the arts just three months ago. I know we are not on that list... Please check out our website to learn more about us. While we only have a small selection on the web, we will be adding more, and you can always call us with any questions. We do all sorts of special orders and book searches and we can ship anywhere. Or better yet, come to Portland, have a lovely meal at any of a number of world class restaurants, and then spend some time browsing our shelves. Samantha
  12. I would like to add three names to this list, especially taking into consideration the last part of your post. Those three places are: Bresca at 11 Middle street, 772 1004. Jewel box space, seats maybe 20, menu is all the best of seasonal/local, chef Krista Kern has made a name for herself as a Pastry Goddess but is also the Queen of Savory. Say this only so you leave room for dessert, not to be missed. Lovely menu, wonderful wine list, fabulous atmoshere. Call for reservations, only because she is tiny and fills up fast. Bar Lola, 100 Congress street, 775 5652. Up Congress street on Munjoy Hill, just across the street from The Front Room. Another intimate space, though a hair larger than Bresca, maybe 30 seats (in and out seating). Guy Hernandez makes great food. Lovely menu, also lovely wine list. Another contender for a delicious quiet meal. Caiola's West End, 58 Pine street, 772 1110. Other end of town, former chef at Street & Co., Abby Harmon, opened her own place. Fresh food, fresh service (the good kind) and nice room, again intimate, a neighborhood place, but with world class food. Three of Portlands smaller, yet no less formidable, restaurants. Food in this town is good on many different levels. And if you need something to read while you're here, please stop in to Rabelais...
  13. Some of my all time favorites : The Good Cookie by Tish Boyle and Great Cookies by Carol Walter. Carol Walter is my new favorite baking author, delicious recipes, well written and fully realized. Not had one recipe that didn't act and taste as written. Also think that the Flo Braker book: Sweet Miniatures is good. I do not personally own the King Arthur Flour cookie book, but have heard rave reviews of that one as well.
  14. Ghostrider, there are meters in the immediate vicinity of the new PPM on Federal Street.
  15. Three titles come to mind... Homegrown, Pure and Simple by Michael Nischan Keep It Seasonal by Annie Wayte The Produce Bible by Leanne Kitchen And then there's always the Chez Panisse Vegetable book and the tried but true Victory Garden cookbook. And a new one I've ordered but not seen yet, and heard good buzz about, is John Peterson's Farmer John's Cookbook: The real Dirt on Vegetables...
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