white lotus

The Cleveland heartland gathering last July was incredible! This is last minute but I will be coming through Cleveland and Akron this week. I have never been to Akron and would love some recommendations from those of you who are knowledgeable. I hope to run into some of you Akron and Cleveland folks this week. Please PM if you remember me. Cheers, wl

Greetings HBK... There are a few of us out here who know, appreciate and regularly eat here. Yes, there are wonderful (reasonably priced) restaurants that will make the heart of a Seattle restaurant snob melt. Actually, there are so many right now that with the end of Summer, sending child off to the East Coast for college chaos, etc. that I have been way behind in my posts. I doubt that I am not the only one with the seasonal rush that has been reduced to lurking vs. posting. There are great happy hour venues and wonderful places to grab great meals joyriding in the South Sound while the weather is still good? Appologies for not responding sooner (word?). Where is Girl Chow and Really Nice? They and perhaps others are better authorities about food in the South Sound than me. Cheers, wl

Majong? If it is the Asian style majong, I'm in. If it is the other kind with the extravagant cheat sheet, I'll think about it.

Torakris, oh please don't appologize. Me too,I love hole in the wall/cheap places as well. My first couple of days will in the downtown area and then I am being hosted in Cleveland Heights. I will be renting a car which hopefully has a GPS so transportion should not be a problem. I have invitations from many kind people who are friends but I am not oriented yet as to where everything is on my AAA map. I just found out that there are a couple of Half Price Books in Cleveland. Yay...! I love visiting book stores. So what are your favorite bookstores?

Oh my, Oh my ... What wonderful information! ...and a response from ToraChris as well. I am such a fan of yours. Many thanks to you all... If any of you think of anymore ideas, I would love to hear them. It looks as though I'll need to get to a good late night book store as soon as I get there. I had a sense that there must be more to Cleveland than I originally thought. I am currently mapquesting and putting little colored dots on my AAA Cleveland map. What a great beginning to getting oriented ( such an antiquated, double entendre, possibly politically incorrect in my case but charming word to describe my current process) to Cleveland. Even though I am non-drinker of wine & coctails, I do love happy hours. I get hungry at odd hours. The better establishments here in the NW have gotten wonderfully creative but every now & then I do order Shirley Temples for nostalgia's sake. The PNW (Pacific NW) folks here gets together frequently for happy hour and I shall be missing them greatly as I explore what Cleveland has to offer. OMG Stuart_s, the frissee salad w/pork belly, the Chocolate bread pudding & the chocolate ginger, ginger dessert sounds as if it would make a great first meal there. Note to self to go to "fire" soon. Another note to self, make prefered Happy hour list of places with exceptional food. Anyone out there who is an expert? Another final question, besides the big book stores, where else can you find great food & cookbook selections? My Michael Ruhland collection not very current. What other better diversions can one have than food and cookbooks! Even though my body is en route to Cleveland, my mind is already there. Appreciation to you all (danf, gremuska, NancyH, Stuart_s) for the information. Let's please continue the conversation. Sincerely, wl

Too bad your Rocking Wok experience was such a disapointment Marky Marc. If memory serves me correctly, the last PNW eG sanctioned social event was organized by Rockdoggydog and we basicaly took over the joint. It felt like the courses would never stop and everything was tasty. I guess I am of the crowd that raved about the 1000 layer pancake. So sad indeed if it is as crashingly mediocre as described. Perhaps you need to find yourself a Rockdoggydog or equivalent to be treated as an honored guest when you go to such places but really, can there be any other equivalents running around out there? cheers, wl

Greetings, I am white lotus from the PNW (Pacific NW) forum soon to be visiting Cleveland for the next month. I am looking forward to trying a Michael Syman restaurant at least once but would be just as happy to not have lay out great sums as my budget will be covering many meals. Where does one get good bread? Any good local cheese? What is the ethnic scene like? What are the classic comfort food joints? Are there any good vegetarian places? The only food that I am not fond of is seafood and offal. I am also not much of a drinker of wine or cocktails. Good food makes me happy. Good food keeps home-sickness away. Thankyou ahead of time for sharing your knowledge with a stranger in this strange land. Sincerely, white lotus

Many thanks Moosnsqrl, Jbonne and Malarky (via PM) for your thoughts. I have cut/paste your responses and forwarded them to my friend Cheryl. Please let me know if you have any other good ideas. I will report back in a couple of weeks the menu, wine and if I am lucky to learn how to upload photos by then, a few photos. Cheers, wl

Greetings and pre-new years salutations. A dear friend of mine was gifted an evening (Jan. 9, 2007) with Chef Rautureau or Rover's in Seattle, where he will come to her house and prepare a meal with wine complements. Neither she or I have the cookbook yet as Amazon is due to deliver it anytime. I haven't had a chance to get to Rover's yet as well. She has asked me to request feedback from you all as she needs to get back to him by the begining of January. Any good recipes you have tried from the cookbook? What do you think would make a great meal? Many thanks... wl

I went to go to Green Leaf tonight, but we got there too late so we went to Hong Kong Noodle House. Even at 11:00 it was packed (we were also the only non-Asians there). The menu is very extensive - mostly noodles and congee with a few other things, but almost every possible variation of the noodles and congee. I got the sliced liver and kidney, much to the surprise of our waitress - any myself. I'd never had liver or kidney, so I was a little wary. It turned out to be pretty good, actually better than my friend's more pedestrian BBQ pork. I definitely want to go back and sample more stuff off the menu, they have a lot of good looking side dishes. Unfortunately the reason I was going to Green Leaf was to review it for the UW's paper, and it's due tomorrow... whoops Luckily I have a lot of previous experience there ← Oddly enough, I went into Hong Kong Noodle House just yesterday (after having a great meal at Greenleaf) to pick up a take-out menu. Anna, the friendly waitperson, remembered me from my late-night meals at Canton Noodle House (accross the street from Ocean Seafood). She said that the both HK & Canton Noodle House had the same owners but that the "flavors" of the dishes of the two establishments were completely different. Thanks jkonick for reminding me that this is a place to try soon. Cheers...

I had the 'bahn xeo' again (having difficulty ordering anything else) and also ordered that 'fried flour cake' last night out of curiosity. The soy dipping sauce was the perfect compliment. Another great dish! As it was a cold night, I appreciate places that serve complimentary 'bottom-less cup' generic Asian tea that actually has flavor (and not just hot colored water). Again, the service was friendly as usual. One of the two 'bahn xeo' that comes in an order was packed for take home. Here, they cut off diagonal corners of the square styro box in order for the 'bahn xeo' to remain crispy. The beautifully fresh greenery that goes with it was packed in clear plastic bag was sitting on the diagonal styro strip remaining on the box. After an hour ride home, the greenery looked fresh and unharmed by the heat escaping from the 'bahn xeo' styro. Because of the careful packing, the 'bahn xeo' reheated easily to its original delicate crispiness for my eagerly awaiting high schooler who was staying up late doing homework. Again, thanks Chuck for initiating the post. Also, appreciation to Laurie AB for reminding us about Matthew's great artical & recipe. wl

Chuck, appologies for the typo in your name in my response. Laurie AB, many thanks for Matthew's Bahn xeo recipe. This is my favorite thing to order in a Vietnamese restaurant. Now I can try to make it myself. BTW, this restaurant is very family friendly as at after 10:00 at night the owner's 3 1/2 year old was trying to clean tables with a cloth in between imaginary card games with her dad in the back of the restaurant where she was magically winning every game! Not once did they try to rush us or the other patrons in the out of the restaurant because it was past closing. I am looking forward to exploring the rest of the menu. Again, I hope this place makes it. wl

Chuch, glad that you posted about this place. Spouse and I had a late dinner there this evening. It was about closing time but they welcomed us warmly. This was our second visit and I am working my way down their salad list. The lotus root salad and their special salad with grilled fresh tofu is very good. The lotus root and green leaf in the special salad is pickled or marinated in a sweet/sour vinagrette. They have their food esthetics down as well. I ordered that omlette-like thing (bahn ceo) which was one of the most delicately thin, crispy & perfectly done bahn ceos that I've had in a while. Mr. wl ordered the soup with anchovy broth. Too bad I dislike really fishy flavors as the soup was authentically Vietnamese but too fishy for me. we had flan for dessert which was tasty. This has become one of my favorite places in the ID. The service is excellent. They offered to modify any dish for us as my husband doesn't eat meat and I don't really like seafood. Much as I like Tamarind Tree, this is the type of place I would be more apt to frequent as it is less formal for the same type of food. The prices are reasonable as well. If they can keep up the quality this place will do well. Cheers... wl

I sent my letter in as well. We can only hope this helps. wl

My seventeen year old is currently experimenting with raw foods and is about 50% raw in her diet. I have been benefiting from her non-cooking. The food, for the most, part has been delicious. PCC and Wholefoods have had classes in raw foods recently. I have taken 2 of the classes at Wholefoods taught by Ani Phylo and partner Ede of Smart Monkey http://www.smartmonkeyfoods.com/ from Portland and can highly recommend them. I don't know if or when they are coming up again but I highly recomend them as teachers. wl

Your right, no decent Chinese or Singapore noodles in Tacoma area. I have seen Singapore noodles on the menu at Malay Sate hut in ID (12th and Jackson). Good luck, wl

I had a wonderful meal there by myself 6 months ago. Food and service was impecable. If you have already gone to Wildwood, this would be my next restaurant stop. Enjoy... wl

Hey Vengroff, it was fun sitting next to you at the bar. I figured that I probably was not going to see very many I knew. So wonderful to see you and other folks from eG & "other foodie website we don't mention". As French bistro food is not my strong point I will defer descriptions to those who are more familiar with the territory. As for me, I was happy that I make it though the courses to the profiteroles and that wonderful chocolate sauce. The green soup with sorrel was heavenly. The left-over hangar steak with the mysterious compound butter, will make a fabulous breakfast tomorrow. Hey Rocky, you were missed. I would have loved to hear you thoughts about the wine and food. Ethan, Michelle and staff could not have been nicer. Mr. Keller and Bouchon chef Jeffrey C were disarmingly charming. Kim and Heyjude looked as comfortable as if they were sitting in their own living rooms. Had I not a long ride home I would have lingered much longer at the party. wl edited for typos. wl

Welcome tkenney... Nice to see another eG person posting from Pierce county. Also, thanks for qualifying yourself as connected to Galanga. My family and I have been to your lovely restaurant. It was a little more than a year ago. We were sorely missing a good green papaya salad since returning from our Christmas-New Years holiday in Chaing Mai. Although you didn't have it on the menu at the time, you made one specially for us. IMO it still is the best green papaya salad we have had here. Great to have you on board. wl

Hello all, it is 25 for 25 again... http://www.nwsource.com/contests/restaurants/25for25_0305/ I am wondering what your picks are. Some of you have definite opinions. 3rd Floor Fish Club is new. Some of you have mentioned that there are definite places to avoid. You are welcome to PM me with those recomendations if you don't feel comfortable about posting in public. Thanks in advance. wl edited to add http.

This is a fabulous site. Thanks Torachris.

Hi TamIam. I am not a fan of those heavy iron teapots. I don't think that they are practical nor do they brew a better cup of tea. IMHO I think that they were meant as decorative items for export and somehow gained popularity outside of Asia. I may be totaly wrong but I have never seen them used in Japan or anywhere else in Asia. I also don't want to be negative about something being decorative. In regards to tea paraphenalia, I certainly have teapots that don't pour right or are difficult to clean but I have them around because they make me happy. Tea like food can be an obsession. BTW, the cheap teapots I got from Viet Wah seem like they are made from the Chinese version of pyrex/corningware. No molding yet. Sincerely, wl

Perhaps it was my imagination but I thought that I had seen a topic a while back where someone was looking for reasonably priced teapots (for frequent users who abuse them) the Seattle area. Anyway, I was in both of the Viet Wah markets yesterday and saw a few in the $8 - $10 catergory. Appologies, but two or the more attractive $10 ones are now mine. The yellow ones remind me of ones you used to see in Chinese restaurants. (Perhaps I should get one of those too...) Happy Chinese New Years to you all. WL

I finally got to the shop. I have driven past it many times without ever giving it a thought. I tried the cake and the french cruller. Both had different qualities that I liked very much. The cake was not overly sweet but sweet enough. The cruller was greasy and sweet but not cloying. 20 more donuts to try. Thanks OTB for the heads up. WL

My family and I had a wonderful time. Saying thankyou to you all for such great food and company seems very small in comparison. Steve, as always, you are a brave soul for having us. Sorry about the broken wine glass. Abra, what a great event! The leftovers are all gone now. My daugher wants me to make the leek recipe again. I think that the romanesco sauce will probably be something that we will make on a regular basis. I am still in awe of how many quails legs lined that platter of Chef Wendy's. More than a dozen animals lost their lives for that one. I sampled more Spanish cheeses that night. I hope Rocky will list what all was served. The potato and the cauliflower dishes were also outstanding. I am an Asian who does not really like fish but I have to say the mackeral and asparagus dish was very tasty. Fwed outdid himself with his deconstructed custard/puff pastry dessert as well as all the homemade chocolate and fruit gel candies. Thank you Fwed for letting me bring home the leftover chocolates to my daughter. I have left out many more outstanding dishes. I can't wait for the photos. Hopefully, my fellow eG party folk will fill in the rest of the details. I hope that we can all get together again soon. Hopefully, this will not be the last of the great eG events. Take care for now. Sincerely, WL