moosnsqrl

Thanks, Just H - the muscadet was from the Loire Valley , where I spent some of my senior year of H.S. (and developed a taste for the good life, from which I have NEVER recovered - and hope I never do). And the red that was served was also wonderful and, as I understand it, added recently to the carte du vin at The Frog, where the lovely Krista found it "quaffable.' Edited to delete repetitious redundancy.

radishes and butter, speck and prosciutto piccante, Goat's Beard Farm cheese, fervere bread poached egg w/guanciale, smoked tomato and ?? Chard/garlic "pesto" w/garlic soup (pork base, some bread to thicken) 5-minute-old salad w/raw beet julienne, pickled red onion, creme fraiche Porcine Plethora (someone help!) Gratin of chard Green beans extrordinaire (my name;-) Roasted chioggia beets Orbs of Joy (onions ala Fergus Henderson) Potatos Pear (not clafouti . . . please help my dessert-challenged self) That should be enough to awaken your salivary glands. I'm sure the others will jump in and correct/enhance my lame, laic description. But you were doing a very good thing and it will come back to you one day.

Do you really want to pose that question here? I love ya, man, but . . .

Be careful what you wish for, dude. She's harder to please than UE

Ah, so my plan worked! Actually I am really sorry to hear that. I just drove by there Friday and thought "I need to get back there."

Long overdue bump on this thread . . . A couple of us met for happy hour tonight and I personally enjoyed a couple of things from the half-price apps men: scallops . . . served atop a couple of sauces which, I later wished, I had married a bit more on the plate (I was trying for "pure" bites but ultimately discovered on the last couple of plate-cleaning swipes, was a mistake) I purloined a bite of the boudin and it was stellar. Coupled with half-price wines by the glass . . . very nice

Congratulations to Chef West and his staff. For once I am forced to agree with Ms. Chapin - all of my visits to Delaware Cafe have been solid hits. Youth Movement Thrives at the Delaware Cafe Way to go, Joe.

It amazes me how consistently good that place has been all these years. No matter who owns or operates it - they must have some poor guy shackled to the stove there so he can't ever leave.

I agree with Charles more often than not. BTW, LC reviewed this restaurant this week as well. It amuses me how often that happens. But I digress. If it was good enough that it got you to actually slow down and chew your food for a change, I'll pack up the car and head down there. Is there a hotel nearby you can recommend in case I'm too tired to make the drive home?

I stumbled on Malee's a few years ago when I had to go there for an annual meeting. It's in old downtown Scottsdale and a very friendly vibe. I liked it a lot and, the next year when I planned ahead a bit more and asked a local friend where to eat, this was on his short list.

Reassuring words. I point you to the date and first quoted line of this thread's opening post. ← Tell me about it - I had to go back 5 pages to find the thread! I was ready to give up and put in on the generic "openings" when I finally unearthed it. I wish him luck - challenging time to be opening a new restaurant as witnessed by the spate of closings.

I received this yesterday: It's Official! "EXTRA VIRGIN!" is Almost Ready! Construction is almost completed on Michael Smith's next culinary adventure, EXTRA VIRGIN!! We anticipate opening EXTRA VIRGIN!! around the second week in September! We're putting the finishing touches on the beautiful new Crossroads hotspot now! EXTRA VIRGIN!! will have a hip downtown vibe with Mediterranean small plates from Chef Michael. The space will feature a well-provisioned private dining facility for 30-35 guests with a 50 inch flat-panel display and full AV support. A private wine cellar will seat up to 8, and there will be a communal table for 12. The Sidewalk cafe will seat up to 50 for elegant in-town, outdoor dining. EXTRA VIRGIN!! is throwing a block party on October 5th Our opening party will feature 3 different bands, Street performers, street games, a pig roast, fresh Italian Ice drinks AND all you can eat and drink. You must be 21 to enter, and have a valid ID. The $40 entry fee will go to charity (Turning Point). We are accepting reservations for our private party rooms beginning October 1st, 2008. Restaurant Michael Smith is currently open to rave reviews, and serves dinner on Tuesday through Saturday from 5pm to 10pm, and lunch, Tuesday through Friday, from 11:30 am through 2pm, you can feel free to walk in, or call 816-842-2202 for reservations.

All of missed you, Rooty-Tooty Judy. But you'll have lots of mugshots of the motley crew shortly. I wore bright yellow so I'll stick out. ← As if you needed help sticking out

Well, it all looks simply awful - thank god I didn't have to be there

Wow, just heard about this and I'm stunned. Ryan Torpey

Delaware Cafe's website is now fully functional and aesthetically pleasing as well.

Of course, how could I forget that? that was one of the two I *did* remember - because I ate a lot of them - it was whatever was NOT a mini-BLT or a fried green tomato. I guess I should've capitalized my BLT - now that I look at it again, it looks more like "bit." I've been trying to remember to scan the menu in for 2 nights now and can't seem to get it done.

What is this all about? Are you going to be *evil,* or are you going to be a good little wench and tell us all about the dinner so that we can burst into tears of jealousy along with your two friends?!?! ← The 4th annual heirloom dinner was Monday night. I'm still digesting as well, but will kick it off. Watermelon martinis with passed hors d'oeuvres: mini blts, fried green tomatoes w/remoulade, bite-size crostini with assorted cherry tomatoes and ??? (I had only one of these so I can't recall what else was on them - I'm not telling how many blts I had ). Next up (after seating and a few words from our hosts). . . A tomato tasting: a skewer of cherry tomato, melon ball and goat cheese 'bocconcino'; roasted tomato cream soup, served chilled; someone help me out here with the third part of t his and carry on!

Funny - your staff says the same thing about you! I did *not* know about the new menu - obviously won't be dining from it tonight but will try to get a look at it (since it's not on the website yet )

A TV Chef accidentally said "hen bane" when he meant to name "fat hen" as a tasty wild herb to include in salads. Link to BBC online item If you know anyone who subscribes to that periodical, please take note.

Yes, I tend to stay in jobs long enough for my employers to acclimate to my idiosyncracies, unlike some people. I'm sure John and Dave are busy in the kitchen but, if either of you are reading this, please could you post the menu somewhere (here, your website, my inbox)?

I'll keep my fingers crossed but I'm not giving you my seat. I've been salivating all morning in anticipation. I'm hoping they'll think I have rabies and send me home from work.

I'll be borrowing that expression.

My s.o. at at the new Parc Restaurant the other night and enjoyed it. U.E. knows that isn't necessarily an eG-level recommendation but, hey, some of me must've rubbed off in 22 years! New Restaurant Opens - Parc in Rittenhouse Square

Three of us did the spontaneous 5-course Friday night - all received different dishes for each course, so we could trade bites and enjoy 15 items in all - and there wasn't a clunker in the lot. I did not take photos but will try to provide more detail when time allows. I very nearly returned for brunch Saturday morning but didn't want my own purchases from the market to bake while I waited for them to open - that's the rub - if you arrive early enough to get the good stuff, and avoid the heat and crowds of City Market in late summer, you have a couple of hours to kill before the brunch service starts. Apparently the young chef requires more sleep than I did at his age.