SeaGal

I really don't like "guac" or "guaco" for guacamole. It sounds so harsh and obnoxious. Jan

Well, that's a relief. I guess I know better than to trust Citysearch's information.....However, I dialed the phone number and it's still out of service. Maybe they've changed numbers and haven't updated the cards. Anyway, thanks Ms Ramsey, for proving my report wrong. I look forward to more good eats soon. Jan

Was craving some fried chicken, fried okra and greens the other day, so called La Louisiana to check their hours and doggone-it if they aren't closed. The number's disconnected and Citysearch has a "closed" marked across their page. Does anyone know anything about this? We really enjoyed this place Jan

I'd like to join in. I'm available either night or both (if there's room). Thanks for orgainizing this, Laurel. Jan

I second University Seafood and Poultry and go there fairly often because it's convenient. I also like the fish market next to Chinook's at Fisherman's terminal, though one of these days I'm going to have to try buying something off the boats. The prices are amazingly low.

Just read a post on "the other site" that claims Cassis will also be closing after June 20th. Anyone know if this is true?

Looking very forward to it!

I had a really good lunch buffet at the Sahib in Redmond Town Center the other day. I was far away from my stomping grounds (Seattle) and in need of major sustenance. As I wandered around checking out what was available, I noticed that a mango lassi comes with the buffet. Who could pass that up? It was early, so the lunch rush hadn't started yet and I was promptly seated and offered drinks (Mango lassi--yes, please!). I went up to get salads/appetizers (the salads were actually quite good--a marinated cucumber and a bean salad stood out) and returned to a full basket of warm, buttery naan--all for me! The hot foods were all quite nice (a variety of meats and vegetables) and there was an especially good, very hot green chile chutney (or relish) that I couldn't stop eating. This was the best Indian buffet I've been to--too bad it's all the way over there....oh, well, you Eastsiders deserve good grub too, I guess. (Oh, don't get me started on Todai (or is ToDie?) Jan *edited to correct silly, but crucial typo

Are we still doing this?

This was in Nancy Leson's column in the Wed. food section of the Times. Please sign me up for June 4th. Thanks!

I'm exited to check out the changes at Rover's. Count me in for lunch on the 28th! (I might be able to make June 4th if that's better for others, but not the 11th). Jan

There's also a Jak's down where 45th Street NE turns into Sandpoint Way NE--whatever neighborhood that is. We've enjoyed the occasional steak there and find the food good and the service excellent. It's a great place to take "meat and potatoes" relatives from out of town. They're also very accomodating with dietary preferences, such as steamed veggies w/ no butter, substituting extra veggies for the carbs etc. There can be a short wait on Friday and Saturday evenings, but week nights are never a problem. Jan *edited to make street names more precise.

So, Laurel, how was the class? There was an article in last week's Times about the popularity of cooking schools and Culinary Communion was one of the featured schools. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/food...470_chef14.html I signed up on their last-minute guest list and have had 2 emails alerting me to cancellations in booked-up classes. Unfortunately none have been on a night that I'm available. Jan

We were there at the ungodly hour of 8:00am, (big bowl latte, please) so you probably woundn't have wanted to see me then Anyway, that's funny we both chose the same breakfast. And yes, I forgot to mention dipping the frites in the foie gras/red wine sauce and the oozy, poached egg-yolk.....I walked by again the other morning in hopes of a repeat, but forgot they don't do breakfast on weekdays.....oh well.....off to Le Pichet for oeufs plat!

I had some really good frites at Cafe Campagne on Easter morning. I ordered the Oeufs en Meurette (poached, on garlic croutons, in a red wine-foie gras sauce--very good). As a side dish, I received a little, napkin-draped basket full of freshly fried pommes frites. They were perfect in my opinion--just the right mix of crispiness and pliability, pleasantly salty, and full of little "crispies" as I like to call the small pieces of over-crisped end pieces. They were served with a requested pot of aioli, which was nice, but even better were the stolen dips into the harissa rouille which came with my husband's steak and oeufs. What a great breakfast!

We were served fried shrimp heads with the fresh shrimp in the Bay Area--or I should say the South Bay (Silicon Valley). We ate our first sushi in Seattle at Toyoda out on Lake City and were surprised that we weren't served the heads. They're my favorite part. Enjoyed some good ones the other night at Kisaku.

I enjoyed last night's meal and seeing everyone again. I hadn't had hot pot in ages. I agree with Laurel on the dumplings--they were heavy and doughy for my taste. I enjoyed the broths alot, especially the spicy one. I liked the lamb, the pig intestines, tofu, and fish balls, but would have enjoyed some variety of vegetables. I thought the peanut sauce was good--never had it with hot pot before, but since my friends in the Bay Area were Taiwanese, maybe their hot pot condiments differ. I'll have to try Sichuanese Cuisine so I can compare. I'd like to go back to Seven Stars and try some of their other dishes. They had fresh crab on the special board for $13.99! Jan

I've taken several classes at Sur la Table on the Eastside. Some of them are really good, some not so great. It really depends on who the chef is. The hands-on classes are the best, but you still don't get a full sit-down meal--just a tasting of everything. They are also using the classes to boost sales in their retail store--not that there's anything wrong with that, but there is a bit of promotion of equipment etc. Culinary Communion looks interesting. It sounds like a more intimate, hands-on setting. I really like the idea that you're involved in the meal preparation from start to finish and that you get to sit down afterward and enjoy a full meal. I'm interested in some of the wine classes and the Persian, Moroccan and Indian classes. I'll be looking forward to Laurel's review of the Indian class. Jan

See ya'll tonight at 6:30 then. Jan

Mr. SeaGal can't make it after all, but I'm still planning on being there. Just need to know time and place. I think Seven Stars sounds good.

Thanks for the great write-up--sounds like we'll have to give it a try--mmmm...steak frites. As far as the beef bourguignon, in "Mastering the Art of French Cooking", by Julia Child, Louisette Bertholle and Simone Beck; bacon, cut into lardoons, is called for in the recipe. I imagine, though, that there are as many ways to make this dish as their are French cooks.

Where have I been!? I collect take-out menus all the time from lower-end places or whenever I see them. It never occured to me to ask for, or, like someone whose name shall not be mentioned, (Scorched Palate), take one from a higher-end place. Wow, what a great idea--I'll be doin that from now on too. I just love reading menus! Jan *edited to add comma and soften theivery sentence, he, he.

I know it sounds weird but someone on eG (alanz) introduced us to the pleasures of smoked canned clams on top of Socialbles crackers topped with Philly cream cheese. I think he also hit them with Tabasco. Strange to be sure but actually pretty damnned tasty. Whoops, left out some important details: From the bottom up: 1) Sociable cracker 2) Smear of cream cheese 3) Smear (or crumble) of bleu cheese 4) Smoked baby clams (in oil) And my variation on this is: Triscuit cracker (or a Wheat Thin) Schmear of Boursin or Rondele cheese Smoked oyster (oil drained and bathed in vinegar) Yummy! We used to eat tons of these in college. Haven't tried it in years, but may just have to now.....

I really enjoy Burrito Loco too--I like their beans, their chiles rellenos, coctel de camarones, tortas, tacos rancheros (fried tacos) and usually their pozole (last time I had it it wasn't good--had to send it back--they were so nice and apologized profusely). My husband really likes their burritos as well. But Taqueria El Rinconsito is way better IMHO--at least for their tacos, which is all I tried. But I'm definitely going back to try more. Go ye to Mapquest and venture forth! *edited to correct structural weirdness.

Oops! yes, you're right-- I plead guilty to the great Pac. NW lumping faux pas!!! I should have said "in the Seattle area". Please tell me where you find those lovely morsels. My brother lives in Portland and I'd love to check it out next time I'm down. I will say I've had good tacos/burritos at a little taqueria on Alberta--used to be 2 of them right next to each other, but now only one left. Take mercy on me and reveal your source *edited to correct spelling error