tsquare

As always, it will be helpful to read recent threads on the topic - or let us know more about type of food, environment, cost...so many options. By the way, the Sheraton is expanding, so try for a room on the North side unless you want a view of foundation work.

Akira, the little Japanese place on Greenwood (around 83rd?) closed last weekend. Wonder if that block is due for a mega-renewal.

You won't regret the trip, if you have half as good a time as I did in 2003 (spring.) My only regrets were flying in and out of Lisbon so that I was backtracking, and not eating roast pig in the town outside of Coimbra, Mealhada. I trained it all, except a very long overnight bus from Porto to Faro, in the Algarve. Trains were quite easy. But driving would give you an edge, though the story is that if you are involved in an accident, the non-Portuguese citizen is always at fault. Streets can be very narrow and winding. Go to Sintra. Spend more than a day if you can, especially if you like gardens and palaces, and walking. Go to the Bucaco forest east of Coimbra, perhaps the most special place I've ever visited. It is even good in the rain. The long and slow train ride into the far Northeast wine region was less than thrilling, though interesting. Very old world, but quiet. I didn't get to Obidos, but a friend loved it.

There is also one of these right in town - tucked onto a side street up from Main Beach. Unfortunately, I didn't try it this trip.

Gone. Replaced by an Italian like place.

The perky Rachael Ray had a $40 day in SB recently. Maybe check her choices if you don't get a better idea: episode AD1A13 Santa Barbara Shellfish Company 230 Stearns Wharf Santa Barbara, CA 93101 Tel: (805) 966-6676 Camino Real Cafe 6980 Marketplace Drive Santa Barbara, CA 93117 Tel: (805) 961-4777 (close to campus)

another Spot fan...but they are gone. Bagels...I guess you try to make your own, but of course, no NYC water and they keep saying that is the secret to a good bagel. The bagels at Greenwood Bakery might be worth a try. I found them tough and chewy, not soft bread like. But sometimes they verge on crusty.

I believe Farestart is still planning the move - they bought the building. I'm sure it will all take longer than planned. By the way, do check in on the Boomtown Cafe site too, they restarted fundraising dinners - two weeks ago was Chris Keff. They can use your help getting the place back up and running to serve their real customers. Wild Burrito opened at 4th and Wall - young crew, food smelled good when I walked by last night. The For Lease sign is gone from the deadly spot at 6th and Wall. Any bets? The new Italian restaurant on Vashon (Stray Dog space) opens for trial dinners this Thursday and Saturday, by invitation.

Oh, Boat Street! I thought about checking Saturday, but didn't. Did wander into this place, but just to look: wine bar and art

I have a three shelf bookcase in the dining room, adjacent to the kitchen passage (cased opening, no door anymore - once there was a swinging door, before my time.) Unfortunately, the books overflow to the floor space beside this...and the magazines are in holders lining one wall of the wall-in closet. Not handy. There are food related books in the bookcases in the living room. (Time to look at Billy, though what I want is a wall of custom cabinetry where the thick shelves are actually thin drawers.)

Parting shot: Had a very good dinner at Tabu Grill. 2892 South Coast Hwy. Slightly tropical in decor yet refined, dinner only, wine & beer. The food is flavored by the Pacific Rim, but solidly California cuisine...maybe. Very nice salads and starters, some solid looking meat entrees, tasty desserts. Mac and blue cheese - lighter than it sounds. Usually I like the starters as a dinner better, so I went this way, but having seen the entrees, I would go back for a steak or chop. Had an enjoyable time. It only sits about 25, with a handful of those at the counter overlooking and interacting with the kitchen.

what happened?

Cara Cara are available at Pike Place Market - Franks and Sosios to start, in season...I asked Frank about Bergamont last year - they don't sell, so they don't stock. Keep asking and it might change. I believe trillium finds them in Portland...search for the thread came up empty. "A bitter orange hybrid is the Bergamot orange, which is a cross between a bitter orange and the Palestine sweet lime, and, according to some, should have been named the bergamont lemon. "

This is a funny one - but don't laugh. Wandered around Fashion Island - the high end shopping mall up the road in Newport Beach. I've been going there since it originally opened and never knew about Mariposa at Neiman Marcus. I read about the complimentary popovers and had to check it out. Big, bright room, with beautiful people lunching (okay, tennis chicks, business men, and ladies who lunch...) They serve a complimentary demitasse of chicken broth, and then these great, big as your head popovers with strawberry butter. I'd go again just to eat those, but also had a very good lunch of sea bass served with sake carrots, fresh bok choy, and a rice cake (rice and black sesame seeds rolled into a ball and deep fried, but not greasy.) Absolutely nothing to complain about. I also saw a couple of orders of seafood salad that almost made me hungry all over again. Too full for dessert, didn't even look. The lunch was $20. Is this typical of all their stores? (And found they carry great flavors of Vosges chocolates, but they don't take VISA or Mastercharge!)

Looking around the local high end kitchen store last month...Mario Batali has a line of kitchenware including a grill pan with press. Real pretty too. panini grill and press

please explain.

That'll upset at least two egulleteers that I can think of. Oh wait, one liked to wear meat eatin' pants, the other (not a poster, actually) prefers no pants. Will you being doing a pants check on the kilt wearers?

So why are you opening on Capitol Hill (and when?) Fork it, over.

Bought Winesaps at the farmers market in Aliso Viejo, also available at Laguna Beach. Along with another that I forgot to note the name of - but something small, crisp, and tart. (Next to where I am staying, they have an abundance of orange, lemon, lime, kumquat, and pomegranates hanging in the trees!) (Oh, this is all Southern California) I'm surprised macs and honeycrisp are mentioned in the same breathe - I find macs far more tender/fragile, juicy in a refreshing style, with a hint of strawberry, eaten fresh, whereas honeycrisps are big ol' workhorses, sweet but more crunchy - I can imagine them baked. Try Pink Lady apples, especially for baking. And think about playing with baking fresh quince if you want something special.

Sorry I didn't see this before your trip to Seattle - they have it (had it?) at ChefShop (on-line retailer with store in Seattle.) I have a large supply I could have sampled off to you as my baking has dwindled off to almost nothing. I like it, but haven't really thought about how much of a difference it makes. I have liked the cocoa cakes I made this past year. ← Thanks anyway...maybe I will order some online. ← Still there - and a couple of other brands as well: cocoa & chocolate

Thai Brothers, in the main part of town of Laguna Beach, 238 Laguna Ave. has pretty good Thai food. Nice satay (very tasty side salad of shredded vegetables in a spicy dressing), very fresh shrimp and vegetables in a green curry sauce. They also have fried duck with sauteed vegetables that I would like to try, as well as some other specialties I haven't seen at home. I understand this place has a sister restaurant further south - Laguna Thai by the Sea - 31715 Coast Hwy. I looked in at Bluefin by Abe, sushi at Crystal Cove - very cool interiors and exciting menu (Franco-Japanese, ala Nobu), a bit pricey. It is new. Funny little mall off the Hwy - Pacific Whey, this place, Sage (menu looks pretty good), Z pizza, Trader Joe's, major mall shops (Gap, etc.) and some smaller shops.

Grew up buying Philly blocks, except when we did a deli run, then we got a tub of whipped - no clue whose or if the deli did it themselves. Rarely eat it these days, but did buy some Nancy's - and like the cottage cheese, it has a bit of a bite. I like 'em both. Got used to alternates back in the late 70's when I was at a hippie college and we stayed away from the big ol' conglomerates as much as possible. Little did we know it would become fashionable to do so. Nancy's link (Good reading - and yes, that Kesey family.)

Gee, I reread the thread and thought you got some decent feedback, especially if you found the blog. Anyway, congratulations on going for it and great that you are loving it. What's the goal? To learn or to change careers? And what does the school have to say about alumni experiences in the world after school?

Westlake. While Kiliki has completed her search, I guess we can keep this going? William Sonoma has some, as does Pottery Barn and Pier One. Ross and, I'd guess TJ Maxx, JC Penney's, Mervyns, Tuesday Morning Store, Fred Meyer, Sears, etc. all have stuff like this with a wide range of prices, and quality. Ross has actually had some great buys on slightly off season styles - I do believe I got a very nice cotton square in perfect fall colors a couple of years ago...just so happens my dining room is painted to match the colors of pumpkin pie (unintentionally) so it works year round. I can't stand looking at clothes in these places, but housewares? Sure. I'd bet Goodwill and the others used to be a great place for linens - now they are scoured by flea market vendors and resellers and marked as vintage, and priced accordingly.

Sorry I didn't see this before your trip to Seattle - they have it (had it?) at ChefShop (on-line retailer with store in Seattle.) I have a large supply I could have sampled off to you as my baking has dwindled off to almost nothing. I like it, but haven't really thought about how much of a difference it makes. I have liked the cocoa cakes I made this past year.