hapacooking

Thanks to everyone who helped. Yes Ranch 99 had them. I showed the manager the chinese sybols and he took me right there. I said to the manager I think they are called "Szechuan Peppercorns" and he said no they are not peppercorns... ...on the outside of the package above "Hoa Tieu" its says "Dried Pepper Corn". thanks again

Just got my reservation for March 2006!!! After 3 years of being turned down, I am in!! Good luck to everyone else.

Thanks. I was pretty sure that the problem was that they didnt call them 'Szechuan peppercorns" but something else. I will head over there this morning with my printout. Thanks again. Really? Coincidentally I just shopped at 99 Ranch Market in Richmond yesterday. I saw a big pack of Sichuan peppercorns on the rack. But beware that they call it something other than "Sichuan peppercorn" in English on the package. Maybe it's a legacy reason - avoiding custom from checking during the ban? I am not sure. In Chinese it is called: 花椒 (Pronounced as "Hua Jiao" [Mandarin], or "Fa Jill" [Cantonese]) In case you don't have Chinese fonts installed on your computer, here is an image of the 2 characters: Print it and show it to the workers in 99 Ranch who know Chinese. They should be able to get it for you. ←

Does anyone know where I might find Szechuan peppercorns in the SF bay area? I tried Ranch 99 market and they didnt have any idea what I was talking about. Since the US lifted the ban of these last year, I thought they would be easy to find. Thanks for any help

I have seen people selling their reservations to the French Laundry on both eBay and Craigslist.

The english version of 94-97 will be available during the first few months of 2006 and the 2003-2004 english edition will be available in the Spring of 2006 according to Luis at El Bulli.

Wylie's technique for making the Shrimp Noodle dish can be found in the latest issue of Food Arts with Heston. BTW the enzyme he uses to bind the shrimp is called Activa and can be found at ajinomto-usa.com

paper is made from egg whites and dried in low temp oven ← How does he get it so thin?

I ate there in late August on Friday evening. Wylie was there. I thought the meal was mind-blowing however my wife wasnt as excited. It was a bit too experimental for her taste buds. The shrimp noodles were fantastic along with the chorizo smear. Yum Yum! The roasted Foie Gras was another clear winner. Outstanding texture and flavor. I was also blown away by the Duck Breast with Polenta and Huitlacoche Paper. How does he make that paper? The Crispy Peanut Butter was also very very tasty but have no idea how he made it. The Roasted Corn Sorbet with Coffee Soil did not agree with my palate neither did the Carmelized Banana dessert. Other than those two desserts, the meal was probably one of the best I have had in NYC. Service was super and very accomodating. I will be back! Wylie, when is the cookbook going to be released- I have cash in hand.

Thanks. I read your review of those restaurants and must thank you for your great reviews. I only wish I could find a foodie review of MIX. ***I've not been to Mix (or Fix) but I have been to the three restaurants you mention at Wynn and, having eaten at Daniel Boulud twice in one week I have to say it's a fantastic restaurant. I did see numerous people eating hamburgers with great enthusiasm but I stuck to a 3-course dinner menu both evenings...sublime!! Also, if you eat there be sure to get an OUTSIDE table...Yes, it's hot in July but if you eat around 8PM it cools down and the show is worth it! Cheers! ←

I am staying at Wynn in late July. I have reservations at Bartolotta and Alex at Wynn and the last evening I have a reservation at MIX but I am having second thoughts. Does anyone here on eGullet have a review to share? I have heard some very mixed messages about the food and service and can easily change my reservation to Danial Bouluds Brasserie at the Wynn if warranted. Anyone? MIX review? Thanks and I will post my thoughts on Alex and Bartolotta when I return.

I could not agree more. My wife have visited our share of Michelin 3 star restaurants in France and La Toque literally "blew us away". In addition to seeing him working away in the kitchen and taking time out to email me, a true and fine character. I must add that when we were leaving TFL on Saturday evening/Sunday morning, we peaked into the prep kitchen from the outside of the restaurant and Thomas was in there working away very dilgently and focussed at 12:45am. However, trying to email him would be next to impossible. Incredible bargain considering the hands on talent behind the dishes. ←

It was Prix Fixe of $98 + $20 corkage TFL was $175 Prix Fixe + 19% mandatory service fee + $50 corkage We also ate at Manresa that same week $68 - four course tasting menu + $25 corkage

My wife and I ate there at the end of January on a Sunday evening. We ate at French Laundry the night before. La Toque was a fantastic experince. Ken Frank's preparations were outstanding. A few dishes stood out. Chestnut and Chantrelle Bisque with Truffled Creme Fraiche- This was to die for. Monkfish Scallopine with Brussels Sprouts Petals, Butternut Squash and Brown Butter- The fish melted in your mouth with an explosion of flavor. Pan-Roasted Hawaiian Onaga with Red Wine Beet Sauce- Perfection or at least close to it.. American Kobe Beef with red onion marmelade and Cabernet Foie Gras Sauce- WOW!!! is all we could say after tasting this dish. The service was outstanding, the decor is very cozy with the fireplace. (Ask if you can reserve one of the two 2-toppers that are by the fireplace). When I got home from the weekend, I immediately ordered Ken Frank's La Toque cookbook and wrote him an email thanking him for such a great meal and asking for the recipe for the kobe beef dish. He responded with a very nice note and the recipe. I have since made the dish it turned out just as we remembered it. Very nice guy. My wife thought La Toque was a much better experience than TFL in terms of service and decor and liked her food much better than TFL. Although I am a huge TFL fan, La Toque beat TFL that weekend. Have fun!

SF Chronicle list is written by a bunch of idiots. They obviously did not visit all of these restaurants recently. So many missing and so many that should not be on the list. Have they recently tried La Toque in Rutherford? It blows Terra away by a mile. Pleeeeeze!

Yes I meant to skip "Arcadia". Havana Cuba is a fun and has a very interesting menu. I would recommend it for a large party. Another fantastic place is Consuelo Mexican Bistro at Santana Row. Small plates of alot of interesting flavors of authentic Mexican cuisine with a large variety of Tequila to taste. Have fun!!

Skip it. It is overpriced, overhyped and with terrible service. I have tried it three times with the same results. Finger snacks 3 for $11 per person, or 4 for $14 per person are very small samplers of appetizers. Rip-off. Their signiture dish, Lobster Pot Pie is very nice but not worth the $40+ price. Everything else was not very exciting with small portions. Service has been consistently amateur hour, Mina blew it on this one. Expensive as all hell!! Go to Manresa and have a real dining experince!

My wife reminds me that we have been invited over one of her coworkers house for Friday evening dinner. I plead with her that the Michigan-Minnesota football game is on but she claims she told me about this 'event' a few weeks ago. I give in since Michigan is already losing at halftime 14-0...Big Mistake.. We show up promptly at 7pm where we are bombardered with Mormon Tabernacle photos, awards, pictures and 3 screaming children all under the age of 5 snoting all over us. After a serious attempt for recuitment into the church, the husband begins to accept that maybe I am the antichrist. He gives up. The lack of any kitchen activity gets me concerned. When we asked if we could bring anything over, we were politely told no. Asked if we should bring a bottle of wine, the answer was no..this was pre-mormon knowledge. 7:30pm Another couple shows up. The husband of newly arrrived glances at me with a confused and frighten look. I ask him if he knows the score of the Michigan game..he doesnt. I ask if there is a TV where I could catch a score to the game. No TVs allowed in household. 7:45pm asked if we wanted something to drink..They are offering watered down Costco Tang substitute.... Warm. 8:00pm My stomach is growling. I whisper to my wife that I dont think they are offering dinner. She gives me the look like I am the antichrist. 8:15pm Dinner is served! I can't wait! We are still seated in the living room and the wife brings out a tray with large can of Costco :"European-Style Bonbons" and a bowl of pre-cut watermelon chunks and of course, refillls of warm Tang. 8:17pm My wife acknowledges that I am correct about dinner and we make up some lame excuse about me not 'feeling well'. 8:25pm We are at the local pizza parlor ordering a pizza, drinking beer and laughing. Michigan mounted the greatest comeback in the schools history to beat Minnesota 38-35

It all depends on how one would define "Interesting Food City". It is very subjective, however I would have to vote San Francisco. With the strong influence of the asian and spanish cultures, along with the diverse selection of fresh seafood, vegetables and fruits, and the many farmers markets, grocery stores as well as the huge variety of restaurants, San Francisco has to be one of the most interesting food city in the world. And you can't forget...they also have the French Laundry .

Send a private message to me and I will send you the tracker info I have the client, but I googled a bit and couldn't find a link to the Cook's Tour torrents. Would you care to share the link? ←

If you know how to work with BitTorents, Season 1 and Season 2 of the Cook's Tour are currently being distributed. They are huge downloads, 3GB and 1.7GB respectively, but if you missed the shows when they were televised, here is an opportunity to see them.