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Chantilly Bob

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Posts posted by Chantilly Bob

  1. i loved fish on right after it opened. which was summer 2005? maybe 2004.

    recent visits have been so so. they dumbed down the wine list just like striper bites did.

    it's okay, but i wouldn't go out of my way to eat there.

    Do you think they are just trying to run too many restaurants now? They also have two in Bethany, one in Fenwick, and I just read that they have a new Italian restaurant too.

  2. i've eaten at most places in lewes over the last few summers and dining quality can change from season to season with new chefs. ownership changes, etc.

    of all the places in lewes i would reccomend azafran. a decent cafe and lunch spot during the day, but a better than average tapas spot at night with a decent wine list. someone obviously has put some thought into the wine list and the food. definetly make  areservation.

    i can reccomend some other places, but frankly many are no better than average in my opinion. i have not been to the second street grill, which i have heard decent things about. this may be the most or one of the most upscale experiences in lewes.

    wkl: what is the latest word on Fish On! My wife and I have had nice meals there the past two years.

  3. Any good gelato places in the North End?

    Gelateria on Hanover Street, with a couple of dozen flavors (haven't been for a while, I presume it's still there). Some of the nearby pastry shops sell a limited selection.

    I would add Emack and Bolio's, which is a NYC import., But the ice cream is good anyway (!), and I esp. love their smoothies.

    Don't forget the local chain, Friendly's. I don't think there is one in Boston proper, but they are scattered around the nearby 'burbs. As a kid, their black raspberry and maple walnut flavors were my favorites.

    Right after Fenway Park among things I miss about living in Boston is the ice cream. I was always a big Toscanini's fan. Mandarin Chocolate smothered in hot fudge. Sob.

    One comment: Emack and Bolio's is most definitely native to Boston. Allegedly the unusual name came from two clients of one of the founders (a lawyer). NYC has enough stuff to claim, don't give it one of Boston's better ice cream parlors too!

  4. my parents, for whom this trip is really for...

    Well, I don't mean to be indelicate here, but by any chance, any stretch of the imagination, are they interested in Jewish food? Would they by any chance (not prying you realize :wink:) enjoy a meal of chopped liver, stuffed cabbage, etc. at one of the remaining Jewish places...?

    What's with all this :wink: 'ing? LoL!

    Jewish food is always of interest in my household (read as much or little into that as you will :raz:). Why? Where's good noshin' to be had in Miami?

    u.e.

    I was just to recommend that you take a drive to the Flakowitz Bakery in West Boca for outstanding babka, onion pletzel, and other gut-busting old world treats but I just googled it to get the address and I have found that it closed earlier this year. :sad:

    Fortunately, you can still get some of their baked goods -- the babka, I'm sure of -- at the Flakowitz Bagel Inn on N. Federal at 20th St in Boca, along with all your favorites, like lox, eggs, and onions. Portions are generous, prices are moderate. Plus you get a bowl of baked goods that could ruin your appetite before your meal arrives.

    I hope by using the expression "ruin your appetite" my bona fides have been confirmed. :raz:

    N.B. The bagels at Flakowitz are considered good for the area but like almost all bagels in Boca they are made for the dentally-challenged crowd. :laugh:

  5. I hope there isn't a more recent thread.  If there is, my search skills bite.

    Anyway, one night in Bethany -- best fine dining option is . . . ?

    Two names I have heard are Sedona and The Parkway.  Any thoughts on these or others?  Thanks

    Fish On! in Lewes, which we love, has two sister restaurants in Bethany, Northeast Seafood Kitchen and Bluecoast, as well as their newest sibling, Catch 54 in nearby Fenwick. Check the menus at all three and pick the one you like best. If they are as good as Fish On! you'll have a great meal.

  6. My wife and I will be staying at the Goodstone Inn for a few days and would appreciate recommendations for area dining. We will be dining out for both light lunches and dinners.

    We are very flexible on cost, ambience and cuisine; we are inflexible on the quality of the food: it must be good or better.

    We are willing to travel up to an hour from the Inn, but not into DC or its immediate suburbs. Our preference is for restaurants in the surrounding small towns.

    Has anyone had recent experience with dining at the Inn itself?

    Thanks in advance to all who make suggestions.

    Definitely have a meal at the French Hound in Middleburg. It's a cozy bistro with very good food.

    Also get some homemade marshmallows and other yummy treats at Mello Out.

    Market Salamander is great. Not cheap but the food is delicious. The barbecue sandwich is a winner. If it's not too hot eat your lunch on the patio.

    The 1763 Inn in Upperville is supposed to be very nice but we haven't made it there yet. They specialize in German food.

    A few miles further west on 50 is the Ashby Inn in the little town of Paris VA. Definitely worth looking into as well.

    One more spot that is over near the IALW is the Thornton River Grille in Sperryville. We enjoyed a very nice lunch there last summer and plan to return this summer -- with young twins we don't get out too often :laugh:

    Enjoy your stay in our beautiful area!

  7. I've seen that diner, Karen, and wondered the same thing.

    Does anyone remember the Silver Top Diner?

    Chris: I not only remember -- and actually patronized -- the Silver Top, I remember the Modern Diner at its old location in downtown Pawtucket, where it sat for many years before being rescued. the Silver Top was known for either blueberry muffins or blueberry pancakes -- or maybe both??

    Nicky Demou, the proprietor of the Modern Diner, was featured in a documentary called Classic Diners of the Blackstone Valley that the Food Network ran a few years ago. You'd probably like it; it may be possible to get a copy.

  8. Unfortunately, Bistro John Paul closed a little over a year ago.  I would recommend Hinterland Brewery for a nice dinner.  Don't let the "brewery" thing discourage you.  This restaurant is one of the nicest dining spots in Green Bay.  It's an old warehouse that has been renovated into a fine dining restaurant, and they feature fresh seafood and wild game.  They are a little pricey.  Their website is at www.hinterlandbeer.com. They are located downtown.

    For a more casual dining experience, Los Banditos on West Mason has the best Mexican food in town and is a standby with the locals.  Their margaritas, fajitas, and chile con queso are all out of this world.  Los Banditos is located on West Mason.

    Kroll's is the best greasy spoon, burger joint. They have an east and west side location, and are always packed!

    Hope this helps out.  Let me know if you need any more info.

    I was up in Green Bay this past weekend for the Patriots' beatdown. We had a pretty good meal at Titletown Brewing Company, which is right across Dousman St. from Hinterland and more casual. Can't go wrong with Fried Cheese Curds and the Sausage Trio. Very good craft beers on tap too.

    Unfortunately we didn't get a chance to try a butterburger at Krolls. Maybe when the Pats return in 2014.

    Food at Lambeau Field is good and CHEAP -- the stands are all run for the benefit of local charities, which must keep the prices down. Got a huge brat for $5.

    Finally, finding a good cup of coffee in GB is not as easy as in most cities. Starbucks has barely made inroads. We found a great local coffee house called Kavarna on Broadway, as well as Jo to Go, which has a couple of locations.

  9. We are making an unexpected road trip next week--my sister is getting married--so would love to hear from you all about fav spots to eat along the road.

    We have consulted Holly Eats with great success, also chowhound, and I have an old copy of Real Barbecue--a have a few favs of our own--but they happen to fit into a quick 2 day run--this time we'll take a little more time so we can maybe try a few different places.

    Lately we have enjoyed Moore's, Ralph's and Allman's --BBQ places--what do you love?

    On the way back we'll be camping --would like to stop in St Augustine for a few days, then to Beaufort SC, then on to Ocracoke for the previously scheduled vacation time.

    Zoe

    If you're traveling on Friday or Saturday, Sweatman's BBQ in Holly Hill SC should be a must stop -- if they're not on vacation. Otherwise, I'd hit McCabe's or D&H in Manning SC.

    In Jacksonville FL, you should hit the Blue Boy Sandwich Shop -- possibly the top combination of great food and proximity to I-95. I learned of this place from a Jax native on Chowhound and it is truly a great eatery.

  10. I was in there last week as well.  Had a good look around and happened to be there when the gelati shipment came in.  Hooo, boy what tasty stuff!  We all had a taste of fig, passionfruit, hazelnut, plum, vanillabean and something else interesting. 

    Mike and Jess are happy to be out of that mess and on their own with their new bistro.  Their sandwiches are reportedly amazing.  Mike made a perfect expresso for me.

    They also have serrano ham and good quality chorizo among other delicacies.  Drop in and spread the word!

    I will be in Portland for a couple hours in a few weeks and would like to check this place out. Those gelati sound great. One question: What is the name of it? And where is it? This post doesn't say and I couldn't figure it out from the thread.

    Also, I want to grab some Italians. A query on Chowhound turned up Amato's and Anania's. Any other suggestions?

  11. SBC cafe.  One of the best sandwiches in DC.

    In the same plaza is possibly my favorite indian resturant in the DC region, Minerva.  I think that location is a bit better than the fairfax location so I make the drive out.

    Yum.  Go for lunch.  I had this deep flied cauliflower dish that was covered in a spicy sauce last week (on the lunch buffet).  It was amazing.

    Have you compared that Minerva to the newest one at 50 and 28 in the Chantilly Park Plaza, where you can also find Thai Basil, Picante! The Real Taco, and Rawal Kabob?

  12. I was definitely considering Eden Center Plaza but was warned off.  They said there was a gang shooting there last month, something about a jewelry store robbery as well and it's constantly "watched" by "the gov't" so that is not necessarily a place I'd go for at least 1 year or until it cools off alot.  :blink:

    You'll be perfectly safe at Eden Center. You can have your throat slit in broad daylight in Georgetown you know. :sad:

    I was at Eden Center a couple days ago, to try the banh mi place Tom Sietsema wrote up last week. The name escapes me but it's stall 17. The lovely owner is quite friendly -- even after I told her I was married and had two kids, she insisted on showing me a picture of her two daughters, both of whom are in dental school. :laugh:

    I also nabbed an avocado bubble drink at Song Que (after reading someplace about how surprisingly good that flavor is). And yes indeedy, that was really good on a hot day after two tasty banh mi. I think I'm just going to work my way through their entire bubble drink menu, they all seem worth trying.

  13. Thanks for the great post.  That's a lot of food you ate!  I'm impressed.

    Thanks -- the 11 clamcakes at Iggy's were definitely over the top. :blink: Otherwise I think I paced myself reasonably well. By the time we got to the Rue I was more than happy to get the yogurt bowl with fresh fruit and granola, with a grilled muffin on the side and a glass of OJ.

    If people have questions about any particular places please ask!

  14. Here's my report on my recent visit to RI -- I'll just go in chronological order, so things will jump from the sublime to the ridiculous and back again.

    After leaving the airport in my rented white Mustang (the better to blend in with Rhode Islanders, I figured), I drove over to Oakland Beach for my first stop at Iggy's. Hunger overcame discretion and I ordered a dozen clamcakes (using the Iggy's on-line coupon). They were made to order -- hot, clammy, and big. So, I am pleased to report that I didn't eat the whole dozen -- I left one in the bag. That was way, way too much food, of course, but I sallied forth, after one stop reaching

    Sandwich Hut on North Main St, where I ordered my usual, a large Delux grinder (basically an Italian, but Sandwich Hut adds pepperoncini and coarsely chopped pickles). I've been getting the exact same sandwich there for 30 years. Ate just half, saving the rest for breakfast, because my next stop, a few hours later, was

    The Back Eddy, over in beautiful Westport, Mass. (I highly recommend taking a camera - even a klutz like me was able to take amazing sunset photos.). I got the fried scallops and my friend got the fried clams. Both very generous portions of the freshest seafood, and the fries were really good too. Somehow ordered dessert -- a big bowl of homemade mango sorbet. Very refreshing. My friend got a chocolate cake thing that looked really good.

    Next morning, after finishing my Sandwich Hut grinder, I went over to the Modern Diner in Pawtucket, where I negotiated the impressive lineup of breakfast entrees on the wall and zeroed in on the custard french toast. In a rare twist, this LOOKS even better than it sounds -- art on a plate, really -- and TASTES even better than it looks. Unfortunately, I will have to test the kitchen's ability to make crispy home fries on my next visit. Modern has very good coffee too.

    After that I killed some time before meeting my brothers for lunch at Rufful's in Wayland Sq. The place was jumping -- despite the competition from several hipper spots nearby Rufful's still packs 'em in. I could barely eat anything but forced in an egg salad sandwich. My brothers got triple decker sandwiches that came with classic krinkle kut fries. Rufful's is a place for kindler, gentler food.

    We then made a quick stop at Garrison Confections on Hope St. This is a very classy chocolate shop, but they have things like chocolate-covered Oreos for the little ones too. I got a box of 15 chocolates that I picked myself, mostly fruit fillings. So far we've tried a couple and they are VERY fruity, which I like. I may be placing some on-line orders with these guys.

    Then after a short break we made the pilgrimage to the legendary Stanley's in Central Falls. Finally got to try a Stanleyburger: a thin patty with pickles and grilled onions. Really good. Also tried the onion rings (not a huge portion, but crisp and nearly grease-free) and the Quebec-style fries (close to poutine, but with shredded mozz instead of cheese curds; bland comfort food). In what struck us as questionable move, Stanley's ,we were told, will be opening a branch in downtown Providence that will be open till the wee hours -- competing directly with Haven Brothers, in other words. In terms of quality Stanley's can certainly hold up but will enough people desert the Brothers to make the move pay off?

    A few hours after that it was time for the big splurge of the weekend: Al Forno's. No evidence of any downhill slide. Just about everything we tried -- caesar salad, bruschetta, margherita pizza, tagliatelle (outstanding), spicy clam roast, turkey sausages with spaetzle and red cabbage, rhubarb meringue tart, and ultimate cookie finale -- was great. Our only quibble was that the dishes came out too fast, even after we tried to slow things down.

    Despite that feast, the night couldn't end without a visit to Original New York Systems on Smith St for some weiners. The neighborhood is definitely sketchy at night, but my nephew who lives in NYC had to have his first weiner. Plus we had told him how they are made "up the arm," so he had to see that. As we watched the counterman do his thing I said, "See Ellis, he's an expert, he had to go to weiner school to learn that," and the guy said, "Foah yeahs!"

    They still charge just $1.16 per weiner, which is a very good price.

    Next morning after taking care of some family business we headed to Rue De L'Espoir for brunch. Very solid as usual. The baked goods, bacon, and coffee are particularly noteworthy.

    Then on the way to the airport I stopped at DeFusco's Bakery on Park Ave in Cranston for some pizza strips and spinach pies. Hard to resist eating them all on the plane, but I managed. The pizza strips are now 75 cents each or 2 for $1.29, a far cry from the 8 cents I remember paying as a kid, but they still taste just as good.

    And thus ended another successful weekend of eating in RI and nearby Mass.

  15. Extra crispy? Fuggedaboudit. Trying to get good home fries around here is like trying to get people to pronounce closing "-r"s. Not gonna happen.

    Chris: Now I really have to see what I can accomplish at the Modern Diner regarding the home fries. I go way back with Nick Demou, the proprietor, and his family.

    If I get them properly crispy I promise to divulge the magic words.

  16. Thank you for your recommendations.  Our plane arrived at 8am in Providence, and we decided it was a bit too early for dim sum.  We ended up at the Modern Diner in Pawtucket - excellent suggestion.  D had the custard french toast which was crisp and sweet and I had the grilled polenta.  Slighty cheesy and salty, my only complaint was that the homefries weren't particularly crisp.

    Gini: thanks for the quick Modern Diner post. I will be going there Saturday for breakfast and I will make sure to request the homefries extra crispy!

  17. Chris: after seeing your photo essay on Iggy's, I'm really craving some of those clamcakes, but my dance card for next weekend is already mighty full: Sandwich Hut, the Back Eddy, Modern Diner, Stanleyburgers, Original NY System, Al Forno OR Persimmon, Rue de L'Espoir. Not to to mention a stop for pizza strips to take back to Virginia. And if it's warm enough a Del's. What's a poor RI boy to do??  :angry:

    Some of the Del's shops are serving, so that's good. Be warned that Chris Schlesinger sold the Back Eddy a while back, and the reports are that things are no longer what they were. Persimmon is great; the Rue is still a solid option.

    Chris: I didn't make it to the Back Eddy until after Chris S sold it, so I don't have to deal with thoughts of "oh this is not as good as when Chris owned it." My frame of reference is post-Chris fried scallops, which were some of the sweetest "scollops" i've ever had in my life.

    I left one stop off my list: Rufful's in Wayland Sq. Mike Rufful is a family friend -- my father ate breakfast at Rufful's several times a week for decades (his other regular breakfast haunt was Skipper's on Hope St.).

    We'll go to Persimmon if George and Joanne won't be around at Al Forno. One of my brothers has known them since they first opened on Steeple St and he worked upstairs at Picture Group. He and his family even have visited G&J at their place in France, where they had lunch at the home of a neighor -- Patricia Wells!!

    Oh one more thing: Iggy's Doughboys' Web site has a page of coupons. Since a 1/2 doz clamcakes is $2.95 and a dozen is $4.95, with a coupon for a buck off a dozen, they "force" you to get the dozen. :biggrin:

  18. Missing from your list but easy to add as they are fortunately open after most if not all of the other places have closed - Haven Bros. Diner which rolls up along side Providence's City Hall at 5 pm and serves burgers, dogs, fries and shakes late into the night, as they have been doing since the 1880's.

    Thanks Holly -- I've been a Haven Bros fan for about 30 yrs! That's back when downtown Providence was NOT hip and happening.

    I will be in Providence for just two nights on this too-short visit, and Stanleyburgers and Original NY System (Smith St) will probably be my two late-night stops -- but if I'm still hungry after them Haven Bros will be the next stop!

  19. The Providence options are less than optimal, however, so if you have a car and can take a twenty minute drive, go have clam cakes and chowder at Iggy's in Warwick on Oakland Beach (click here for a post with pix at Iggy's)

    Chris: after seeing your photo essay on Iggy's, I'm really craving some of those clamcakes, but my dance card for next weekend is already mighty full: Sandwich Hut, the Back Eddy, Modern Diner, Stanleyburgers, Original NY System, Al Forno OR Persimmon, Rue de L'Espoir. Not to to mention a stop for pizza strips to take back to Virginia. And if it's warm enough a Del's. What's a poor RI boy to do?? :angry:

    Now that I think about it for a few seconds, I could grab a half-dozen clamcakes right after I get my car at the airport, then by the time I get up to Providence I'll be ready for a Sandwich Hut grinder. There, problem solved. :biggrin:

  20. Hi all:  I've scanned the other threads, but I have a couple of specific requests for info:

    I've heard Providence is the home of "grilled pizza".  What is it, where is it best?

    Where does one find good, cheap, not-fancy seafood--fried clams, lobster rolls, chowder, that kind of thing.

    Thanks!

    ---Guy

    For the cheap seafood, check out the listings and reviews on www.quahog.com. Very entertaining and informative.

  21. Heading to Pawtucket next Sunday for a game - have been urged to try Mad House Cafe - has anyone been? 

    Otherwise - can someone mention a great brunch spot in either Providence or Pawtucket that will be open on Sunday?  Thanks!

    Gini: The Modern Diner on East Ave in Pawtucket is supposed to have a great brunch. I'll actually be going next Saturday for the first time when I make a visit to RI.

    It's very close to McCoy Stadium too -- just cross the Division St. Bridge and you'll be there in a few minutes.

    But Mad House certainly looks good too -- the ProJo certainly liked it. And kudos to them for opening a restaurant in downtown Pawtucket. My family ran a very popular restaurant on Main St. in downtown Pawtucket called the Windsor Grill from the '20s through the '60s. It burned down a couple years after my uncle died in '65 and his widow sold it to someone else. And since the '60s, the ONLY decent restaurant to open downtown and stick around has been the China Inn.

  22. I've never been, so I think we'll need a full report, Bob!

    Chris: I will be pleased to take on this assignment. I hope I didn't miss out too much by not knowing about Stanleyburgers back in the days when I needed some greasy food to absorb excess amounts of very cheap alcohol.

    Not that Haven Brothers and NY System weiners didn't do the trick... :raz:

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