herbacidal

To date, the best and only Cubano I recall eating in NYC was a taken away from a small dinerish Latino place on the SW corner of Houston and a cross street a few blocks east of Suffolk. No clue whether or not the owners were Cuban.

Your best bet is probably SSOH's happy hour. Then you can supplement the special with whatever other oysters you like. What kinds of seafood aren't available in Charlotte?

In the last few years, I've heard from all kinds of people that the food at St. Tropez has at the very least gone downhill, or at least is less consistently good than it was previously. As far as size, if they say they can accomodate you, I suppose that's good. Ideally, have a local ASA member check the space on your behalf so that they can be sure BST can really accomodate you. Your ideas of enough space and theirs might not be the same. Patou can definitely accomodate you. I should have thought of that. They currently have a promotion that's geared towards their bar crowd on Fridays I think; I don't know when it starts and ends, but if it's going to be on the same day, then be careful.

As far as Vietnamese hoagies (aka banh mi), my favorite (and I've only tired 3 places) has always been Ba Le the bakery at the shopping center at 6th and Washington. It is slightly less my favorite than before, because they raised prices from $2 to $2.50. On the good side, I'm reasonably certain they have the most hoagie choices, and (check to be sure) the buy 5, get 1 free deal is still intact.

Okay, that one's out. It's worth asking but my gut tells me they'll say no. It's probably popular enough a place that they think they'll do more business during that period Yea, I agree. Say hi to Janice and other PhilaCares people for me. Worth a shot, but my gut tells me no. If possible try for the Friday before a poular 3-day vacationing weekend. My suggestions were based on: restaurants not in the main parts of Center City or Old City restaurants that have been open for a few years, and who haven't recently renovated, IE those that don't have huge bills that they they've just started paying Fork's private room might work because it's been designated as such, although the price point is a problem.

Joseph Poon (before he closes it) Thai restaurant at 5th & Bainbridge (almost any Thai restaurant above 50 seats could probably do it, I just picked that one because I suspect their business isn't up to par yet, I do wonder about their food) also the new Thai restaurant on 11th just north of Arch what about Lemon Grass (Lancaster west of 36th) Sazon the new Venezuelan place at 10th and Spring Garden (not sure if they'd be willing, as you might crowd out other customers) Siam Lotus, 2 doors down from Sazon Samba the Brazilian place at 8th and Girard Ms. Tootsie's the soul food place on South between 12th and 13th Jamaican Jerk Hut between Broad and 15th (wait until beginning of April, when it's not so cold so the dining room probably expands to include the backyard, yet it's not so popular as in June) Mama Palma's at 23rd and Spruce I'm not sure if some of these places would be willing, but I suspect they'd be more willing than some other places I can think of.

They had some kind of soft launch/private party last Wednesday. Not sure about time lag between that and regular everyday opening.

This is the first media digest for Pennsylvania. Notes: Philadelphia Inquirer dining section is newest electronic version is updated and emailed on Thursday. Craig Laban’s is not made public until the Sunday print edition of the Inquirer is delivered. In the Philadelphia Inquirer , Craig Laban finds superb salads but overall inconsistency at Farmicia, the Old City restaurant that recently replaced Bruce Cooper’s Novelty. Discussion about Farmicia is here. Rick Nichols focuses on the latest sandwich entry in Philadelphia’s inventory as he talks about Grace Tavern and its importation of the New Orleans po-boy. Howard Shapiro spotlights Tracey Hopkins, the longtime chef at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and his menu items tailored to the Museum’s special exhibits, such as the just-opened Salvador Dali exhibition. A few key recipes are included. Other recent articles include the lunchroom we all wish our employer had at Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis-Cohen and a Russ Parsons (fellow Egulleteer) article on the trend towards Japanese knives. In the Philadelphia Daily News, Sono Monoyama reviews the newest Queen Village hangout, Southwark In the Philadelphia Weekly, Lauren McCutcheon discovers the overlooked sister of local cafes. Port Richmond's New Wave Café, while Kirsten Henri checks out Fork’s new little sister, Fork, etc. In the City Paper (Philadelphia), Maxine Keyser reviews the Buddakan sibling birthed last year in Berwyn, Nectar. At the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Elizabeth Downer reviews Sonoma Grille, a restaurant at the heart of the city’s new “Convention District”. Munch and Mr. Bigshot friend try out the barbecued stylings of Martini’s Woodfired. Other articles include one noting the growth of Santa Ynez Valley tourism since the debut of Sideways, the buddy film nominated for five Academy Awards.

Yea, the budget is the real stickler. The way you want to approach it is to find a restaurant whose dining area is composed of a few small rooms. That way they can give you private dining without that much hassle on their part. London Grill, Rembrandt's, White Dog Cafe, Dickens Inn would probably be a good places to start.

Looks like I'll have to stop by for a midday meal sometime. Has anyone been to the New Wave Cafe on Allegheny, as mentioned in the latest Philadelphia Weekly?

Hey, about how many people can Southwark seat?

I think Moshulu is your best choice actually if you're commited to doing it in a restaurant. The party would fit, and they can probably do a 3 course, 2 choice per course menu. Salad / soup, chicken / salmon / vegetarian, ice cream / cake. The portiion size I'd expect to be smaller than your normal order, but that's okay. It can be done for $50. Might be tough to include tax and tip in that though. I knew there was a restaurant that I might be leaving out!! I sincerely doubt Warmdaddy's or ZB could accomodate you. Never been in Davio's so I can't comment. Sara, are you referring to Las Viejos de San Juan, or something to that effect? Hmm, if my memory of the room is correct, Samba might have the space. Its menu would definitely come in under $50, including tax and tip. That said, I don't remember if they'd have enough tables, and I don't know if renting them would work for them. I don't know that I'd take tour groups there, but I suppose there's a first time for everything. Of course, these other restaurants begs the question: Would that $50pp include the price of a bus rental? In the case of Samba, I believe it can.

Really? Jamaican food and culture doesn't have a quality presence in NYC? Didn't know that. I had heard that was true of Vietnamese food. I really do have to go back to Jerk Hut a few dozen more times.

Sara, I think that's great, and as I said, I'll keep on thinking and trying to prove myself wrong, but I'm not optimistic. Glad you're enjoying Madison. Tenure-track is always nice.

I might be going out on a limb here, but I'm going to say that no non-Chinese restaurant in town can accomodate 150 for a dinner. Even those that may want to because of the slow August business just don't have the system in place. And the only Chinese restaurants that I'd think can accomodate that group would be the larger ones that are seldom talked about on Egullet (Tai Lake, Ocean Harbor, Golden Phoenix, Jade Harbor), as opposed to Vietnam, Xe Lua, LHF, etc., because they are the ones that host larger banquets for the Chinese community. But that's a moot point, because for diversity's sake the ASA is looking for something non-Asian, or at least non-Chinese. But I'd speculate that few non-Chinese restaurants anywhere in the US can accomodate 150 for a sitdown dinner for the same reasons that few non-Chinese restaurants in Philadelphia can accomodate for a sitdown dinner. Most restaurants can't support that kind of infrastructure. The above mentioned particular Chinese restaurants do because: Chinatowns are self-sustaining communities, with residents supporting the area businesses, with the additional revenue provided by non-residents just adding busineses More specifically in this case, 99% of the area's Chinese population has their weddings, christenings, New Year's parties, etc. in these restaurants, as opposed to the special events for the rest of the population spread out over the entire metro area. Chinatowns are in the oldest parts of American cities, with most buildings at minimum 30 years old, thus ensuring lower property values, property taxes, etc. for the businesses But none of that is any more than background to the discussion at hand. I think you do have to make it a catered event. I do think $50pp is an interesting figure to try and work with, but it can work depending on your expectations. First let me speak to my own self-interest: if you do make it a catered event, let me bid on it. I do think we are more likely to be able to provide good value for you on that budget than others because of our particular business situation, which I can discuss further some other time. Okay, that said, if you do a catered event, you have to choose between a hotel's special event space or a site with off-premise catering provided. A hotel is probably more likely to have carpeting. It probably will be more conveniently located to the Marriott and will provide alcohol. It will also provide anywhere from rubber chicken food to above average food. I haven't heard yet about hotels providing good vegetarian options, just like I haven't heard yet about the majority of restaurants providing good vegetarian options. And I'd guess that the per person cost at a hotel would come in above $50pp. A unique site will have more to ooh and ahh at, and the caterer will probably have more customized food available, also increasing the likelhood that the vegetarian options will be more appetizing. Most good caterers have about 50%-75% of the menus composed of standard items with the rest customized to fit the client and the event. Some caterers will have trouble with the $50pp price limit, some will not. I'll wait to address specific venues until Sara has commented further. I'm still trying to think about restaurants that would be able to accomodate. Sara, how's Madison? Have you had co-organized a large Egullet gathering with Cusina yet?

Yea, just noticed that the other day. I didn't know that other place was theirs. I guess they mean the place a few doors east of Tokyo Lunchbox.

A Chinese girl who speaks Portuguese? Cool. A Portuguese restaurant in Olney? Pretty cool too. What's Caldas' address?

Yea, but I don't think top Philly steakhouse from LaBan has as much relevance as top Philly steakhouse from the patrons via word of mouth. Even more, I don't think there is a four-bell steakhouse in town. I think Barclay Prime can get top steakhouse in town on its own. My general impression is that it already is on/near the top tier of steakjoints in town, ahead of Ruth's Chris, Morton's. Possibly also ahead of Smith & Wollensky and Prime Rib (although the valet parking line outside of Prime Rib will always win it points and the front entrance to the Rittenhouse does the same for S&W). I think Barclay is really competing with Saloon and Capital Grille.

I'm sort of on the fence about this, but I'd probably lean very slightly towards the higher drink prices being more useful than the fourth bell.

Now that I think more about it, isn't Grotto a chain pizza joint, with locations in malls? Or am I confusing it with Scotto's?

I vaguely think I've seen the name somewhere in the area, but can't recall where. Even, if I could I, I have no clue as to whether or not it's even related.

brunch there is generally a madhouse.. but the thing is, the place doesn't start to pickup until close to eleven.. i attribute this behavior to the same thing that gets me an outdoor table at coffee shop at the same time, people have realized that there's no alcohol served prior to noon and adjust their schedules accordingly.. ← Hmm, so if I wanted desperately to have brunch at Balthazar (or any similarly popular brunch location---Barney Greengrass) the best thing would be to try and walk in at 10:30 or so? The brunch places usually open at 10am, right? I don't mind the not drinking, I can't drink that early anyway. On the other hand, I'm more than likely going to be going to bed late the night before, so it might be a moot point.

I'm pretty sure Yuengling is not yet available west of the Mississippi. It only started being available outside the greater Philly area about 4 years ago, I think. Based on descriptions thus far, Pyramid Coastline sounds like the right choice. I am of course assuming it is available in keg form in the Seattle area.

I just noticed the thread title and original post. I'm leaning towards recommending the whole fish. It'll be unique enough that it's noticable, yet simple enough to both prepare quickly and be elegant. I think if you choose a fish that Westerners are somewhat familar with, like tilapia, steam it with ginger, scallion, add soy sauce and oil at end (as mentioned above), it'll be noted for how simple yet refined it is. The piece de resistance is when you carve and de-bone it in front of them. I think in most cases when it's ordered, people are overwhelmed by the sight of the whole fish. In this case, there is a much greater likelihood that people will see beyond that initial reaction.

No doubt it is safer to serve a filet or steak to a non-Asian crowd. I would daresay that it applies not to a "non-Asian" crowd but to an "Americanized crowd". But others would have to comment on how much whole fish is served in European cuisines. There have been a few times in Meditarranean cuisines where I've heard of whole fish being on menus. I remember getting it myself once. Actually suprised people because I knew how to carve it with a spoon. Anyway, I'd say whole fish is seen on non-Asian menus more often than it used to be, but still not to the extent where the overall American population would be comfortable with it.