hshiau

If we go up in BTU's (how much is enough?), don't we start getting into some of the higher end models? Oddly enough, my parents use a low end GE at home.

Thanks a lot for your input! I wouldn't think we'd take the cabinets with us. We just want something that looks good and is flexible. We're probably looking to get ceiling height top cabinets We like the bottom freezer (as recommended by many) and are looking at a Kitchen Aid counter depth model right now. I noticed the GE Monogram is over $3K. Would this be on the high side considering our cooking requirements? There doesn't seem to be much of a price difference between the Bosch, Asko and Miele dishwashers. The funny thing here is that my wife thinks that halogens are too bright and she doesn't want to mess with changing our light switches.

Thanks. That's exactly what we're looking at. Right now, one potential is the KitchenAid KBRP20EMSS. Any idea how much more are the built in models?

Thanks. My friend's mom actually owns Krupps so I'd be hoping to get a good deal there. Which model of the Bosch do you have? I've heard of some difficulties with loading.

We live in NYC and are looking to completely renovate the kitchen (approx 8ft x 10ft) in our 2 bedroom apartment. This means destroying everything and starting all over. I've read through some of the previous threads on kitchen renovation but I hadn't seen any for NYC apartments. My wife and I don't cook that much but my mom does come over and cook chinese food sometimes (lots of grease). I think I read something on NYC apartments and the rules against venting? Not sure if I read this right. Anyway, we've just started seeing contractors and would look for any recommendations on how to proceed. Do we need a designer? Since we don't cook that much, I'd think that we wouldn't need any super high end appliances but wouldn't want to go cheap either (resale value). Also, everyone seems to say that it will take twice as long and cost twice as much. Where have the additional costs been in your experience? So: 1. Designer? Do I need one? 2. Contractor recommendations 3. Cabinet recommendations 4. Counter (I think we've decided on granite) 5. Refrigerator recommendations 6. Range recommendations (we like gas) 7. Hood/vent/fan? 8. Dishwasher recommendations 9. Hidden costs 10. Where to shop! Thanks for any help you can give me! Howard

That's what it's called! I love this stuff!

My friends and I go to Han Bat somewhat regularly. The food is good and inexpensive. When I do go, I usually put myself in the hands of my Korean friends and pay no attention to what is ordered and just eat. Unfortunately, that means that if I go back myself, I wouldn't know what to order except Bibimbab .

Living in NYC, neither my wife nor I cook unless we absolutely have to. My parents are both amazing cooks, my father being a head chef in a Chinese restaurant for years but their knack for cooking did not pass down to me. This is not to say I'm not interested and would do so if I had more time but right now, we both suck. Now don't kill me but my parents still cook for us sometimes since my mom picks up my daughter from school. I think she wants to make sure my daughter gets home cooking. We both work a lot of hours and would eat out 7 days a week before my daughter was born. As she gets older and can stay up later, I'm sure we'll start cooking as a family more but we'll see when the time comes.

My wife and I went to PF&W on Monday for dinner. The outside area was packed so we ate indoors. That was just fine by us...air conditioning is always welcome on a muggy day. We both had the lemonade with mint (?) which was very nice. For appetizer, we shared the Thai lettuce wraps and for our entrees, we also shared the lasagne and the squash pasta. The lasagne was amazing! I still can't believe there's no cheese in this dish. The squash pasta, while flavorful, did not do as much for me. I think it was just too much squash. Gets to be like eating a salad with just one type of lettuce and some dressing. The dessert was a dark chocolate something and was completely decadent. I should have gotten a tall glass of milk with it. I fully enjoyed my meal there and will be returning with friends. However, it turns out it wasn't my wife's cup of tea. She liked the lettuce wrap and the lasagne just fine but I don't think any of it thrilled her. The only item she really liked was the dessert. Different strokes. As for the upset stomach, I did have some issues later that night. Oddly enough, my wife didn't. Could be because I ate the bulk of the food. Is this something that will continue to happen or does the body get used to it?

Yes but in the US, the meat eaters will most likely sue.

Given all the positive feedback here, my wife and I are going to grab dinner at Pure Food & Wine tomorrow night. Although I'm an avowed meateater, an alternative dining experience is always welcome. Many of the descriptions in this forum has really given me a desire to go try out the various dishes. We're looking forward to it.

I have several vegetarian friends and they are perfectly nice and sociable, but not any more or less sociable than other friends I have. It's pretty hard to categorize people based on what they eat. None of my them have EVER said anything about what I eat or don't eat. It's just their choice. I have had people that drink say that I SHOULD drink. I don't know that this is any different. There are jerks in every category. I must say it's more of a pain when we go out because we need to find places that will serve vegan food. Reduces the choices drastically.

To wit. There you go. So my memory's a sieve. But I don't remember that view from the dining room. Guess I wasn't paying attention. I know that everyone does rave about the food but it just hasn't done anything for me. Your mileage may vary.

Since you're already hitting Gary Danko, you may or may not want to go to another french place. I've always liked Masas, La Folie, or the Dining Room at the Ritz Carlton. I also like Hawthorne Lane but the Gold Club across the street might dampen the romantic atmosphere.

A couple of things: Boulevard has never done all that much for me with either their food or their service. Also, it does not have a water view and is not particularly romantic. If you're looking for just romantic without a view, there are many other restaurants to choose from.

How about Greens over at Fort Mason? It's an excellent vegetarian restaurant with great view of the bay.

Congratulations. I'm sorry I missed you at Amma and will start planning my schedule.

I do love the stuff...and you can get it hot or cold. In the summer, I like plain cold black tea with pearls. In the winter, hot almond black tea with pearl. I try to avoid these places because this stuff can be pretty fattening. This coming from the guy that had 2 venti caramel macchiato's (what did I just say?) today.

Also Swanson's Chicken Pot Pies, Domino's Pizza, and Campbell's Soup over pasta. All lazy single man food....which I don't eat anymore of course.

Not this Chinese family. It's only recently that my parents started cooking their steaks medium well. Before it was always medium rare....the way I like it. My wife is Puerto Rican and all the meet her family cooks is thin and well done and has the consistency of shoe leather. I don't know if this is a latin thing or just her family.

Is the dining room still half empty? A friend went 2 weeks ago and commented that there were more wait staff than customers. We are having dinner there with another couple this Saturday evening. Interestingly enough, Per Se called to confirm just now. I thought I was supposed to call 2 days in advance?!?!

I heard of this before on the HBO show The Mind of the Married Man. The character Doug gets back at his coffee loving wife by buying her some of this to drink. She loves it and he gets a kick out of the fact that it came out of a cat's butt.

Upon further review, I've decided I'm an idiot and should never say anything definitely about a place until I've been there a couple of times. Maybe it was a bad night...maybe not. I can't judge until I do it again. Apologies.

Exactly the same stuff my mom gave me....except for the boiled beef soup. She would do vegetable soup instead (no oil). I still love jook (congee) with thousand year eggs and pork. Funny thing about the chinese herb (black and bitter) was that regardless whether they fixed other problems, they always gave me nose bleeds.

Pan, I'm in New York, and while I do make sure I'm reasonably generous on my tipping, I wouldn't think it appropriate for the delivery guy to complain about a $2 for a $5 item. Should you have to tip an illegal alien more than someone making minimum wage?