SobaAddict70

Thanks, Mark. I knew I could count on you. Soba

My pop culture sensibilities aren't quite what they used to be. I've seen J-Lo's pic a few times (usually on tabloid covers) but have no idea (really) who she is. So, a clue please? Soba

Nice article there. Will you be interviewing more of the staff from Rocco's? Maybe an interview with Rocco himself? (half-joking, btw) Soba

Some people would claim that the Midwest begins the moment you set foot in New Jersey. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Soba

Oh yeah, who could forget roasted pineapple, with mint? Maybe a pineapple-mint smoothie, made with half ripe pineapple and half roasted? (But not sure if pineapple lends itself to a smoothie...) Soba

True, but I believe Matthew was looking for an alternate term that might have less of a pejorative connotation than say "tourist" or what's been discussed before, to define the sort of person who patronizes a restaurant long after the intensely food-devoted crowd has moved on (not that people who love Babbo intensely have left for greener pastures, but you get the idea, I think). As to whether Babbo has truly been mainstreamed, well that's another story for another evening. Soba

Ok, it's been a while since you've posted, chief. I can think of some ideas, but some help would be appreciated: a) how much sugar must be left out? All? b) If no sugar, is honey acceptable? Date sugar? Carob? Sucanat? Aspartame? Splenda? Fructose? c) Is alcohol acceptable? If yes, in what kind of amounts? As for ideas involving mint and/or vanilla, how about the following: Apple slices, soaked in either orange blossom water or rosewater, and then dipped in fritter batter, and fried Mint granita -- mint, sweetener, water, creme de menthe Prunes, soaked in mulled white wine, lightly steeped Earl Grey tea, sweetener, vanilla and lemon juice. Serve warm or chilled. Cranshaw (or other type of melon) and white peach fruit soup (melon, peaches, vanilla, lemon, lavender (or other type of honey) and mint) Is it possible to make a simple syrup by using an alternate sweetener instead of sugar? That'd go a long way to working around the sugar problem. Summer fruit and ginger soup (lemons, oranges, peaches, nectarines, ginger, sweetener, salt, mulled red wine. Maybe add mint-infused simple syrup made with an alternate sweetener as above) Try making a pear and plum smoothie, using cinnamon and/or vanilla in the mix. Do you like star anise or aniseed? Soba

You might consider checking out places in Jackson Heights, Queens. And there's also Diwan (the 48th St. location) and Chola (on 57th St.). Soba

Perhaps "mainstream" would work? Think of it as in, cutting edge/avant-garde which tops off and stablizes once the rest of the crowd catches up? Not as pejorative and can be extended into many, many fora, not just foodism. Soba

No, don't be. You raise a couple of valid questions that other posters have responded to, with more finesse than I could express. (Also because I was actually doing work today. ) I'm sorry to hear that you had such a negative experience at Babbo, one which hopefully the passage of time will alleviate, and which might, hopefully allow a second chance. Soba

Madziast, I was being facetious. Unfortunately, there isn't an emoticon for that. Lupa seems to be "the go-to" place for people who dislike Babbo (and vice versa). Me, I like almost anything. The two have certain similarities, and yet are different enough such that people who dislike Babbo have ethereal experiences at Lupa. Can't recommend Esca because I've never been there. Yours, Soba

Ouch. (I'm coming to this thread from the Midwestern mess up from page 3, not directed at you, T.) Have to catch up on my reading I see. All day in a conference room and no eGlutton makes Soba...well let's not go there. In my experience, the upstairs tables are preferable to the downstairs seating -- the room's more sedate, the music isn't loud (not that it's loud to begin with) -- although its a bit curious to hear Pink Floyd from the speakers at 10:30 pm in what is supposed to be an enoteca/Italian-focused restaurant (j/k btw) -- and the atmosphere isn't as cramped (but that's my perception, other views may certainly vary. Haven't been back to Babbo since earlier this year with the Perlows and Suzanne/HWOE, so I can't really comment on the quality or lack thereof of service. As noted in our posts, we found the service to be pretty good, but as people have also posted, there seems to be a certain level of service that's lacking in some respects. Now, as to the cause of this, who can say? Time will tell as to whether things rise to the occasion, if enough people complain, will management take steps to address the issue? One certainly hopes so. Babbo remains on my list of places to go (and there's so much to have there!!! besides the pasta tasting menu). I suppose if worse comes to worse, you could always try Lupa, or failing that, Otto. Good luck, Soba

How much does one usually pay for meals at sporting events? Whenever I go to the U.S. Open, I've learned to bring my own munchies and eats. The vendors at Flushing Meadows know they've got a good thing and often charge an arm and a leg for items that wouldn't cost nearly as much elsewhere....I have memories of $5 hot dogs and $6 trays of nachos. Soba

Does anyone find that picky people are more numerous than non-picky people, or vice versa? Reading this thread makes me cringe, not for the subjects of the stories, but for those of you who got inflicted with these folks. I'm not picky, but then again, my food tastes could sometimes be best described as "Mikey". (As in the Life commercial "Mikey".) So, I don't count. If there's a heaven, then in your next life, you won't be saddled with picky guests. (By "your", I mean anyone who's posted thus far.) Soba

A variant question is how many of each genre do you own? I'd say I have more Asian cuisine books and vegetarian or vegetable-focused books than anything else. By Asian, I mean anything from Russian to Indian to the traditional Eastern stuff, to Southeast Asian cooking. Soba

hm, vanilla. Are you working with fresh vanilla beans or vanilla extract? does it have to be a smoothie, or can other preparations work (i.e., granita, sorbet, pudding, flan, souffle, panna cotta)? are you looking for depth of flavor or something that lies on the surface? help me out here. Soba ps. good to see you again nyFPC.

The Restaurant: The Movie can't be far behind. Remember, you heard it first on eGullet. Soba

hm, so on a scale of one to ten, how would most people who have read the book rate the book? may get it next, or as an Xmas gift to myself. Soba

I think The Union Square Greenmarket would make a fine reality show. Imagine all of the following: the political drama that gets thrown about as each vendor jockeys for space each market day the clueless customers who persistently yell, scream and badger overworked, harried and underpaid staff for their undivided attention people who have no sense of social mores and yet insist on being served among other such scenarios.... not to mention a cast of thousands! For free! And cameos by famous chefs for the taking! I don't think it'll fly though. heh Soba

That's good because there's no way in hell that I'm going to stuff 20 lbs. of prunes/dates with all that foie gras mousse (not to mention my pocketbook would yell at me). Soba

"Bound", with Jennifer Tilly, was notable for being a bit, er... kinky. Weren't both straight to video?

Either hers or NeroW's, as well. Or someone outside of the U.S. -- for example, I'm sure people would be interested in hearing how people in the UK eat, for example. Marmite on toast, anyone? A couple of suggestions, if I may: 1. The current blogger has the right to suggest a pool group of people from whom the next poster shall spring forth. (hm, must be a poetry bug. heheh.) 2. The pool group can theoretically consist of any member, but is preferable if someone or a group of someones from posters to the current blog thread are chosen. Anyone can volunteer, just as anyone is free to decline. Comments, please. Soba

Only 104 more pages to go before this thread catches up to the Dinner! thread. No word on the page count on the Balic thread. LOL Soba

NYTimes DIGEST Supplement Monday, 11 August 2003 Food Gift Packages -- When Sparing No Expense Is The Solution To Homesickness (Andrea Elliott) Just a little something I noticed. Soba

Yowza. I'm wondering if she got hired based on her "special skills". Cuz I'm not sure why she was hired. Maybe I should watch a show. How many episodes are left, assuming it doesn't get rerun? Soba