I_call_the_duck

It's really disgusting, Ling. I haven't had it since I was a kid, or maybe my college days (same thing?). I think you got the taste right without ever having tried it. The novelty of this product is that it sprays through a star tip, so you can make pretty designs on your cracker. I have to confess that I do like white chocolate. I know it isn’t really chocolate, but I like it nonetheless.

No you don't. ← How bad is it (she asks naively)?

Little ms foodie, you beat me to it! Mr. Duck and I are going down to DC at the end of May, and I was going to post a similar request within the next few days. We’re only going to stay for a weekend, so I want to make the most of our dining. (Thanks, Busboy for making this search easier for us.) A friend of ours mentioned Sequoia. A few older threads here gave it less-than stellar reviews, but that was more than a year ago. Does it still exist? Any thoughts?

I just love egg porn.

Yeah, speaking of fat free, how 'bout fat free cream cheese? Talk about revolting. It tastes like spackle. I bought it years ago, and was so put off by the taste and texture that I added scallions in hopes that it would taste better. It tasted like spackle with scallions. Not that I ever actually tried spackle...

What's it made of? ← I think it contains either corn syrup or corn startch. Or both.

It saddens me that StudioKitchen is indeed no more, and though I wish I went there more often, I am very grateful for the times that I was fortunate to go. It is an incredible experience that will be hard to replicate anywhere else. I wish Shola luck in his future ventures, and hope that this won’t be the last we hear of him. He deserves nothing but the best. And yes, part of teasing philadining is due in large part to a bit of envy. BTW, a friend suggested that you publish a book of your SK dinners. Just think how that great that would look on our coffee tables!

New York State passed such a law in 2004 with similar guidelines, but I don't know if any restaurants actually offer "doggy bags." I haven't read the entire bulletin, but the link is here. Basically the same law as Massachusetts. edited to add link

Margarine. Blech! I agree that low-fat cheese and sour cream are evil. Yet I do buy them, because I should theoretically watch my fat intake, so my reasoning goes that if I buy that stuff I can eat things like butter and foie gras with less guilt. Low-fat cookies. What’s the point?

As long as we're talking clams, how about linguine with (white) clam sauce? It's simple, but has all the right elements--noodles, clams, garlic, a bit o' wine... Thinking of dessert, what's more American than apple pie? My dad's favorite western-style dessert, especially the crust. But you can also tone down the sweetness by instead making an apple tart.

Ah the Tippler. I once had a boss who, when seeing someone who was having a bad day, would pull them aside, and whisper conspiratorily, "I have some Jack Daniel's in my desk if you need some!" Never did take him up on that offer.

Mr. Duck is too!! He once ate a chocolate bear that he GAVE ME for Valentine’s Day. One day it was in the pantry, the next day I reach for the bear, and it was GONE!! Spoilsport. Cheetos for me too. Or anything else that’s crispy, salty, and fried. I have to hide them because Mr. Duck doesn’t approve.

I agree that if you cook a Chinese meal, your grandmother will be very impressed that you made such an effort. As far as western dishes goes, I would suggest though, that you don’t do the blackened fish, only because your grandmother may think you burned it (which is what my father would have said) and also may not be able to handle the spices. She’ll probably love the crab cakes. You can also grill an entire grilled fish, or make fish and chips. How 'bout a ratatouille? Very healthful, and you can use basically whatever vegetables you find. If you can get chicken, chicken marsala worked well with my mom.

I'm with you, Ling. I LOVE baby corn.

Not so much for me anymore, but definitely for my mom. But I do need a daily fix of some starch, e.g. rice, bread, or pasta.Milk. Coffee coffee coffee. This is actually a recent addiction, and I’ve found that if I don’t have my morning fix, I'm sluggish by the afternoon.

This ABC loves cheese. My earliest exposure to cheese was more of the bright orange American or cellophane-wrapped Kraft variety (of which I still harbor a secret fondness for--mainly in grilled cheese sandwiches). I didn't get to appreciate the real stuff until my college years. I prefer the soft and semi-soft types, but am not yet fond of the real stinky kind. I will eat some, and leave the rest for my hubby. My parents, like your relatives Hest88, will eat pizza or chicken parmesan.

Amazing. Just where do you put it all?

I'd love to try Taconelli's, and I think we're free that weekend. Count Mr. Duck and me down as a definite maybe.

Thats a beautiful group of photos.. Did you get the t-bones at a local place? Here is what I have to add.. Its a 2 pound smoked beef rib.. ← If that's guy food, color me a Y chromosone.

This is a great way to use up old lettuce. I've never tried it with fermented black beans, Ben--sounds good. I usually boil it until it just wilts, and add either oyster sauce or fu yee.

Loved the story, Fresser. I'm glad Mama Fresser is branching out in her shopping. I feel more comfortable speaking Spanish or Italian in stores/restaurants than I do my parents' native Chinese. When I speak the former two, I get an appreciative nod (and even some compliments at my accent) for my efforts, but when I speak the latter, I get mocked for being an ABC (American-born Chinese).

Speaking of dark beer, I forgot...yes, Mr. Duck likes it. He likes single-malt scotch and cognac, and also drinks vodka and tequila straight up, whereas this is where I play the "girly card" and need it mixed it something non-alcoholic.

I once made a "real men don't eat quiche" joke to a cooking school classmate, who totally did not get the reference and was completely offended. (This was only about a year or two after the book came out.) Before being tagged as one of those feminist womyn who hate men, I had to explain the joke.Guy food? Doesn't really exist in our house. Mr. Duck and I both love just about everything. Strangely though, he'd be more inclined to reach for the chocolate than I woud.

Meat, yum! Something really nice and primal about meat cooking on an open flame. Everything was good, but I think my favs were the gizzards (I'm a big fan), short ribs, and pork belly. Along with a tea that smelled but did not taste like warm beer, we also got the usual condiments, a small bowl of miso soup, and an endless supply of rice. Really good deal. I didn't try the sojou since the comments from my end of the table such as "it smells like rubbing alcohol" and "tastes like it too" turned me off just a wee bit. It was nice finally putting an actual face on those eGers I haven’t met before as well as seeing familiar faces. Thanks, shacke for putting this all together.