little ms foodie

black bean mango salsa with queso fresco is a staple around our place in the summer. we eat it with chips but as mentioned above it would be great with grilled meat/fish too. What about thai black sticky rice with mangos? mmmmm!

We have a few picnics coming up and I'd love some ideas on things that can be made the day before, kept and eaten cool. Of course pasta salads, cold chicken and cookies are standbys but what about some new fun ideas??

We are making our own ricotta this week so these ideas are great! Anyone else with favorites for using ricotta??

Dayne and I went today and got the pleasure of running into Vengroff picking up his proscuitto! very fun. Also had the pleasure of having a vegetarian in line behind us ask for a 'non meat sandwich' LOL!! good times, good times! Reese thanks for the tip on ordering the meat plate, I normally go with a sandwich but today got meat and cheese and was very happy!

Yep, that's it!!! 7 Star Pepper is on 12th and Jackson in a small strip mall on the 2nd floor.

Brooks, thank you!!! I had forgotten the name of that place and have read great things! We just booked our flights today so now all we have to do is plan plan plan!! haha!

My friend made note of a few interesting wines: 1987 Jordan Cab Sav $90 1975 Grand Vin Chateau De la Tour Magnum $599 1983 Sterling Magnum $129 1986 Shafer Cab Sav $120 1984 Shafer Cab Sav $99 1982 Freemark Abbey Cab Sav Bosche $50 1990 Clos Du Val Reserve Cab Sav $79 1997 Clos Du Val Reserve Cab Sav $79 1978 Brunello Fattoria dei Barbi (sp?) $94 1971 Chateau La Mission Haut Brion (sp?) $199 1971 Biondi-Santi $199

elemental is closed until July 19th fyi

A friend and I stopped in today but Richard wasn't there. There are some fun bottles in here as well as some incredible buys. Lot's of older vintages so if you are looking for something interesting or special..... Dave- do you know the best days/times to catch Richard in the shop?

I have that same 'tea' spoon and love mine too- they are so handy!! I haven't tried Hibiscus tea.....should I look for that at the grocery with the Earl Greys,ect or is it more of a specialty?

Reese, where did you find the wild prawns? heads on??

we had some leftover spinach ravioli that we made from Marios book as well as some red sauce and sausage...viola! paired with a green salad, cheese bread and Dolcetto in the glass

Kevin do you make your own ricotta?? Forgive if it is earlier in this thread I am just starting to read your adventures. Also I wonder if you used leftover risotto for the balls if the breadcrumbs would stick better (taking the leftover out of the fridge??)

You can also make pomegranate molasses by reducing POM Wonderful juice

Pan, this will be a fun week indeed! I love to see what people cook but spying on them eating out is even more fun! Can't wait...........

what carswell said

Paradigm is just right up the street and is a small and very boutique-ish. We loved their wines and the uncrowded tasting room, call and let them know you are coming: http://www.paradigmwinery.com/ Also Goosecross is very close too: http://www.goosecross.com/

I pan roast and also make a nice sauce out of white wine, stock and green grapes with tarragon. YUM!!!

5 of us had dinner at mesa on Friday, food was good but not great. Some meats were a bit overcooked. Service was fine. All in all there just wasn't anything that made me crave to go back with so many great places still to check out in LV. The bbq duck crepe was very tastey though- but not worth $15!

Just back from LV and had dinner at Fix on Saturday night. This is my 2nd time eating there and I have to say I remain a fan. Went with 4 girlfriends and everyone loved it. Cocktails tried were the cucumber martini and pomegrante martini. We shared the salmon forks and also the crab cake appetizer. Both are awesome. For entrees we hit just about everything! haha! in house ravioli with tomatoes and ricotta; scallops benendit; surf and turf (absolute winner!); sea bass with lobster risotto. Everything was wonderful. No dessert as service was SLOW (it's definately hot and cold) so we needed to get back out gambling. I do feel the food is consistantly good. The place is loud and hip, very fun atmosphere. Dress is upscale casual. Wear your designer jeans

Just back from LV and although we didn't eat at MIX we did go up for a drink before our show at Mandalay Bay. It is spectacular. The views and the layout of the bar are awesome, the dining room is just gorgeous, there is a beautiful private dining room as well as a terrace for al fresco dining 64 floors up, eek!!!

Yes - expensive, but worth every penny. Be advised, these are hard reservations to snag. ← We have reservations for the Saturday night we are in town at the wine table at Commander's Palace- they told us it's about $120 per person. That sounds pretty darn good for food and wine!

I use port for dried figs

I buy mine at Whole Paycheck and TJ's

We were saving Beppo for your surprise party, now you've gone and ruined it!!