Daniel

Good luck Bryan Z.. I wish I was going to be around this week to follow you.. Looking forward to reading it when I return..

Spiga 200 West 84th Street (212) 362-5506 We finally had dinner here this evening and it was as good as I was hoping it to be.. The menu, although not inexpensive, is certainly solid.. The setting is dark and romantic, with rich woods and exposed brick.. We sat in our own corner and were able to enjoy ourselves. I started with the Zuchini Timbale.. I really enjoyed the dish.. It was in a cheesey san marzano tomato sauce.. The texture of the zuchini was great, making it a more sturdy version of eggplant parm.. Really smart, I cant believe this is the first time I had zuchini like this.. Really interesting. My girl had the strawberry and tomato soup with avacado ,toasted almonds and fried mussles.. This dish is a great summer offering.. The strawberry was very present while not being overly sweet.. When tasting the dish you get the strawberry, half way through you taste a rich tomato and then it finishes strawberry..The soup incredible enough, was not as sweet as one would expect.. The creamy avacado, the toasted taste of the almonds, and the perfectly fried, battered mussel worked so well.. Slurp: Next they split a pasta dish for us.. We were deciding between three pastas, but finally went with gnocci with figs and gorgonzola..This gnocci was awesome.. Light and airy.. Really this was top notch pasta, expertly done.. The sauce although had the melted cheese was not overly creamy.. Considering the dish had pasta, potato, figs, and melted cheese, it seemed fairly light.. It worked on a Summer menu.. Bite: After splitting the pasta we also split the Filet.. It was served in a black truffle sauce with fried artichokes and potatoes.. This dish was my least favorite.. I ordered the steak medium rare/rare.. And it came closer to medium.. I also did not like the way the steak was cooked.. It was not seared well.. The sauce was alright and had chunks of black truffles.. The artichokes added some texture to the non-charred steak.. I think, if you are willing to spend a couple grand for an espresso machine, spend a few grand for a good broiler too.. For dessert we had a strawberry Napolean with aged balsamic vinegar.. This was as good as it looks.. Good cream, good pastry, and the balsamic went well.. Pretty too: We also had muscat gelato on a soft almond biscotti.. The "gelato" was missing something on its own, but was very good with the cookie.. It was icey and reminded me more of an ice cream.. The cookie had a crispy thin shell which barely protected a chewy (almond paste?)cookie underneath.. It was pretty good.. We had espresso and a not so good lemoncello.. Perhaps my least favorite I have ever had.. I really like tonights dinner.. It was pricey.. Not over priced, but, by no means a bargain.. They have a romantic quiet atmosphere, interesting offerings, and a block away from my house.. I will happily go back..

Nice Penn, I am sitting here with my car keys in my hand It really is perfect spacing between the two places.. I like Lenny and Joes Fishtail into Pepe's.. Or maybe a Johnny Ad's fried clam, into a Lenny and Joe lobster roll, into the Pepe's Pizza.. And finish with a canoli from next door..

Ann, I almost made shrimp cakes for lunch.. Those guys look great.. Love the lemon and herb twist.. Looks really pretty.

While watching the World Cup I had some Serrano Ham, Black Olive Spread, Artichoke Spread, a creamy lightly salted feta I bought in water, and some pickled garlic.. Ate it with a pretty french bread and a half a bottle of Pinot Noir right in front of the TV

My impressions of Del Posto is that its an above average Italian Restaurant with an identity crisis.. I think it is trying so hard to be a four star place, when at its best it might be able to get to three.. Service was poor.. I think the only thing they got right was presenting the food in unison.. We had 14 people swarming around us, however drinks were slow, as was more butter, sides of lime, and more bread.. The room is hectic, loud, and poorly spaced.. (There was a line at the upstairs bathroom where I was directed to)..The presentation of the food was disappointing as well.. Simple white plates, with a simple almost haphazzard presentation.. Desserts were average at best. I started with the funghi misti w/ guanciali... It was well done.. Not bursting with flavor or memorable.. It was a nice collection of mushrooms on a plate. I enjoyed it, wish there was more guanciali. I tried most of the other antipasti.. My cousin had the sweetbreads.. They seemed tough and over cooked.. My girl had the Roman Bean Salad.. The beans were the best part.. They were charred and had a great smokey flavor.. The fried egg was less then impressive.. Almost done poorly. Again, white plate, nothing special with the presentation.. Next was the primi.. This was the most dissappointing.. When I think Mario, I think of his amazing pasta. And although mine was amazing, I didnt love everyones.. I got the Spaghettini with Crab.. This was just beautiful, this level of cooking was what I expected every dish to be like.. It was in a rich beautiful crab stock. The pasta was chewy and al dente.. This was a half portion.. But it came to the table looking exactly like this.. For secondi I ordered the duck breast.. I dont think I have ever had a duck breast I didnt like.. This was no exception.. It was done really well, had a great crust, almost like a hard candy shell.. It tasted a lot better then it looks.. My girl had the calves liver.. We thought it was under cooked.. There were smoked tomatoes with it that were over smoked.. The dish had a bitter taste to it.. This coming from a guy who loves parsley salad and all things bitter.. It was too much for me.. I would not eat this again.. Here is half of the 90 dollar seafood plate..Razor clam, shrimp, langoustine, scallop, a half of lobster.. Certainly pretty, nothing stellar about it.. Desserts were unmemorable and continued to be unattractive.. It was nice they made me a marzapan little note.. Overall the place was a good.. It wasnt anything earth shattering.. It was good. They should get rid of half there waitstaff, loosen up a bit, and it would be a fun place to go occasionaly.. It is my least favorite MB place, however still good. Not even considering price, I like the food better at any of his other restaurants..

I havent gone on many dates.. But when I would, I would take them to Saka Gura. It was a place I knew she most likely hadnt heard of.. I knew the staff well and they had interesting types of sake.. It was quiet, romantic, and exotic.. Place is just a homerun...

Oh my g-d.. I need to have one of those C. sapidus.. Looks and sounds awesome

Wow... I have been enjoying this thread immensely.. You guys are really so talented, creative and self sufficient.. From making your own breads and bird baths to redoing your kitchen.. So impressive.. Thanks for sharing your wonderful life and talents with us..

Blaue Gans 139 Duane St. (W. Broadway) New York, NY 10013 212-571-8880 Had an enjoyable dinner there this evening.. We arrived at 7 and were one of three tables in the restaurant.. I ordered a wheat beer and my date had a glass of Hungarian white.. Our waiter brought the bottle to the table and allowed my date to try the wine first.. He then poured a generous glass.. We sat, bread and a spread was offered.. The bread seemed like a real sour rye.. The dip was pimento I believe.. Served on a little wooden slate.. I started with the blood sausage.. Served on top of sauerkraut and potatoes most likely cooked in a fat.. The sausage was then topped with a spicy dijon mustard and fresh grated horseradish.. I liked that the blood sausage was fried loose.. Often times I find blood sausage to have a very mushy texture.. Breaking it up increased the surface area and allowed the bits to crisp up.. The fresh horseradish was really refreshing and made the dish lighter.. Really enjoyable and great with a beer. My girl got the smoked trout served in a pastry.. Served with favas, peas and a mixed bitter green salad.. The trout was excellent.. With the salad and beans it was a really refreshing and lively plate.. Next I ordered the pork schnitzel served with bacon, mushrooms in a heavy heavy cream sauce.. Served with a freshly made spaeztle.. Although the pork was thin, it didnt dry out.. Not breaded and perfectly moist.. The bacon tasted like Schaller and Webber double smoked..The really super rich sauce ran into the amazing light spaetzle and they got along really well.. I liked how the spaetzle came directly from the water and wasnt pan fried.. If it were, the dish would have been way too heavy.. My date had the beef consume with a calves liver dumpling.. We were both surprised by the dumpling.. I think we were both expecting a ravioli of some sort.. But this was a much more hardy dumpling.. It was very enjoyable from the little I had. The desserts were just awesome.. Extremely decadent.. I would recommend anyone stopping in here for dessert alone! One of the two was the Salzburger Nockerl.. This was a souffle of sorts.. Served with Huckelberries.. So good.. A category they have is called Coups.. These are pretty much grown up sundays.. I got the squirrel.. Homemade Hazelnut ice cream served with a caramel sauce, merinque cookies, and a fresh cream topping.. We ate the whole thing and wish we had more.. The place was empty, service was really great.. The food came out on time.. I loved the bistro like atmosphere.. I have never been to Austria, but I really sensed a European style.. I would happily return..

No sauce drizzled.. I made a potato salad using oil, raw egg yolk, and some vinegar and it was saucy.. The mint I added to the potatoes might be a little chickish..

I am going to throw this sangwhich into the ring... A ton of smoked brisket on a French Loaf.. This thing was massive..

I have been enjoying all your stories.. I am especially upset that I was missing from grub's infamous photo... Sounds like you turned around a boring night into one that you will remember forever.. Whenever I see the machines, I get all excited.. There are so many things going on, and of course it satiates my biological male urge to build and work with fire.. However, I think its a lot cooler looking then it is.. There is nothing more that I want, then for this machine to be awesome... I cant wait to see what you all come up with.. Please convince me to purchase this item.. I can see the crucial parts being scattered throught my kitchen in various unfindable places.. I do love a good treasure hunt..

What an interesting blog.. Those rolls look awesome.. Looking forward to hearing about the ketchup...

I found a good way to have a pork chop pink but still cooked is through sous vide.. Here is an example I had recently at the Tasting Room... The thing was absolutely awesome.. Served with potatoes and fried chopped kale..

Wow.. That thing is pretty awesome..

Luckylies, !)I dont know if you have the Inn at Little Washington Cookbook, the first one, but there is an awesome looking baked beans recipe in it.. I was going to make his version this weekend but, forgot my book at home.. I too am doing a bbq.. 2)I think coleslaw is a must.. I love all kinds.. I am going to make a horseradishey one this time.. 3)I made P-Dutch Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cheese,Bacon Cold Salad.. 4)Pickles.. I purchased spicey homemade pickles, however, I normally make Scott Peacock's Pickles.. 5)I think homemade fried p-chips sprinkled with whatever rub you are using is a good idea.. Or you can have like a southern Frito Misto.. With Chips, Okra, Green Tomatoes... Also have a ranch dipping sauce for them.. 6)Mac and Cheese: Obviously. 7)Potato Salad- Another great opportunity to throw bacon in something.. 8) Or you can screw the potato salad and the mac and cheese and make a potato au gratin.. 9)Collar Greens,kale,and dandelion greens with ham hocks and apple vinegar or the three in a gratin with bacon and blue cheese.. 10)Cornbread.. Any variation.. Tupac made one with bacon the other day that looked great.. Jalepeno also.. My favorite is served with butter and honey.. Whatever, I am up early and this was just my morning stetches.. Damn, I am excited to start cooking.. The first fire starts in 20 mins.. Have a great weekend Ms. Lucky!

I brine mine and wrap mine in bacon..

Haha.. No, no bite.. Actually, the whole dinner was only two bites..

Sorry folks but, I think this takes home the blue ribbon.. This actually caused immediate illness.. Rancid veal kidney.. Fried in butter and finished in a mustard shallot cream sauce.. A disgusting camera phone picture to boot.. I didnt look so bad in real life, but the taste of the kidney made up for it..

The worst pies in London for sure..

E.T ate Reese's Pieces...

Those are all good ideas... And the next time, when I purchase them from a butcher, I will try that.. I just soaked mine in a vinegar and water solution for a couple of hours.. But I like the flattening and cutting out in circles..

Well I guess I made the mistake of ordering Veal Kidneys from Fresh Direct.. They came completely cleaned and not uniform in color... I prepared them A la Bourdain.. In a mustard shallot cream sauce.. I sliced them and plated them over fresh rosemary baked mini potatoes.. The first bite was excellent.. The second bite tasted a little funny.. So funny in fact, it produced an immediate gag reflex.. I quickly expelled the offensive material from my body.. Oh well the potatoes were good and so was the sauce.. In the future I will get my kidneys from a reliable Butcher.. Thanks for the suggestions.

Wow Abra... Awesome!