moosnsqrl

This is also posted on The Heartland but I thought I might reach a "transplant" here who might not check that forum. I am overwhelmed with eggplant and wanting to make the favorite salad topping of my misspent youth. Angelo's (Wichita) pickled eggplant recipe has appeared in the newspaper but I can't find it in their archives. If you have it, I would really appreciate! Thanks in advance.

my language geek side can't help saying that I love the name! I wonder how many people appreciate it?

During the "interview" the morons on talk radio started talking about "wienie water soup" (apparently a childhood game wherein a younger sibling was served a bowl of water their father had used to boil hot dogs). Devin quipped that bluestem would be serving it next week. So how about it chef? At least a shot glass for an amuse?

Read the second issue yesterday and remain hopeful; it is bigger and better in every way and some people with interesting backgrounds and credentials have climbed aboard as contributors. Devin Allen was on talk radio last evening and, although much of the time was spent suffering the buffoons who host it, he did manage to articulate his vision for the publication and raise some interest. If any of the listeners are literate, that is... I guess the others can always look at the pictures...the yahoos did comment on the fact that the first two covers have been young women with produce and it deteriorated from there. And I'm straying off-topic but not being a talk radio person, I was stunned at how stupid and immature those guys are. If they had been in my fourth grade class I would've dissed them. I gained a little insight into our societal challenges during that half-hour. I can't believe someone turns them lose with microphones and airwaves and, even more incredibly, people sponsor them and listen to them. It's sad.

I believe it's still the same folks -- they're big on displaying their history (including a courier-font, obviously typewriter-generated menu on the bar -- lobster Newburg was $2.25 at the time!) with pictures of the founders scattered about. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't *bad* or anything, just nothing I would write home about. Another table dismembered an 8-lb lobster while we were there so at least the entertainment was good.

Bubula's was as good as advertised (esp lobster roll, lobster salad roll, caribbean fish cakes) and I, too, was non-plused by Clem & Ursie's although others in our party liked it. Angel Foods is a delight, if a bit pricey. Relish came through for us in a pinch (we were at the west end so Angel was too far for last-minute, forgotten things). I would add Red Line to the list -- at least for cocktails around sunset (yes, I know it's on the wrong side for the actual sunset, but the harbor looks beautiful in that light). We didn't have a chance to eat there but the menu and dining room looked very appealing and prices a little less than Chester's.

The Frog remains a treat, and I eat there more often than many other places...but it's not for everyone, so I tend to recommend places that I think have more broad appeal. Maybe that's a mistake and maybe it's unfair. The people at the Frog are the best, as are the classical French bistro dishes. If that's what you're in the market for (e.g. cassoulet that's been cooked for days, rabbit, loup de mer) by all means, that's your best bet. Perhaps I underestimate the appreciation for that sort of cuisine. Or perhaps I have a deep-seeded desire to keep the crowds down at my favorite boite?

Zin has been good for years but I've not been since current chef took the helm and have yet to try Circe, although local reviews have been mixed. I will, however, toss-in with the above recs for bluestem and 40 Sardines. I recommend both without hesitation. And I have to add that the locals think bluestem is pricey, which some of us find dismaying/amusing. In their defense, it is at the high-end of our spectrum but, if you're used to paying Chicago/NYC/SF/LA prices, it's an absolute steal. It is small, though, so be sure to reserve -- and sooner, not later -- so you won't be disappointed. And 40 Sards is a sure thing in any season -- more approachable and straight-forward. Good fresh stuff not overly fussed with. Let us know where you end up and how you like it.

KC eGulleteer in NYC and heading in to see Andrew shortly, so I will put in a word for getting Paul online as well. This is an extremely busy time for him (and all of us), however, as the American Royal contest begins 9/30. I wouldn't be surprised if he's unable to fulfill this request until that is over, but be patient. He has participated in "The Smoke Ring" in the past (they have a forum now...not to draw away from this but rather to throw you a bone while you await Paul's participation here): http://www.thesmokering.com/

We're going Saturday, 2 by land and 2 by sea (fast ferry) in a race to Bubula's -- losers buy the lobster rolls. Glad to hear it's still up to snuff; it will be my first visit but the veterans swear by it.

I think our cultural differences are showing here...I routinely hoist, gently poke, smell and otherwise inspect produce here because service rarely includes any assistance in evaluating a piece of produce. I do abide by the 'you broke it, you buy it' rule, though, and that ensures I'm gentle with it and leave it such that someone else can still purchase it. As someone mentioned above, in most of Europe they still employee knowledgeable, helpful sales personnel who take great pride and pleasure in discussing precisely when and how the item in question will be consumed (whether it's a melon or cheese or...), suggesting recipes or preparation if it seems appropriate, perhaps dissuading you from that in favor of a variety better-suited to the circumstances once they've learned them. After all of that, they lovingly wrap your purchase as if it were a gift and only then do they ask for money. A slightly different experience than what most of us are accustomed to here -- except perhaps at farmers markets or specialty stores (gourmet garage, Balducci's, etc).

Fifi, you have given me courage. Instead of thinking about making up lurid produce stories, I'm going to do it...just as soon as gas prices go down and I can travel to a grocery a little farther away from my 'hood. Although it might be fun to see how quickly the rumors ran full circle and got back to me!

If you pick up a copy it's free; if you want to have it mailed to your house, it's $25/year as I understand it. And yes, the website is in its infancy, as is the magazine itself, but I think it has a lot of promise based on the editorial content and general vibe. Devin called-in to a local food critic show last week and, although he has not named kitchens in KC where he's worked for editorial reasons, he did mention a few of them on-air. The only one I can think of, off the top of my head, is Figlio. The show is archived at www.kcur.com, Walt Bodine, August 19 and his call came near the end as I recall, if you're curious.

There is a new publication "for people who eat" in the Kansas City area. I was impressed with the first issue and look forward to the September one. And if you're on this forum, you might also find it of interest that the publisher is looking for contributors. It's free at many locations throughout the metro (apparently); I found it at Napoleon Bakery in Westport. You can also subscribe using paypal. http://fireandknives.net/ (Z: if you read this...I snagged an extra copy for you and will bring it to b-stem on Wed)

Becca, I'm with you. It's rare (outside of the local growing season) for me to have fewer than 10 different vegetables in my cart and it's a giant PLU-fest every time I check out. And not only do they ask what it is and what I'm going to do with it, they do so with turned-up noses, an "eeewwww" tone in their voices, holding it gingerly and reluctantly as if it were something the cat coughed-up. The shrink-wrapped decaying animal flesh doesn't seem to bother them, however. I was a produce buyer for a natural food store in a previous life, and it wasn't unusual to get paged to the sales floor from my desk to identify rare and exotic things...like purple potatoes, sitting in a basket surrounded on all sides by more-common varieties. I guess it was just too big of leap for them. I had to fight the temptation to make up some outrageous, unpronounceable name and a tall-tale to back it up.

Many of hour heirloom suppliers are holding fast to $3.50-$4.00/lb this year...in years past they would have halved that by now. Good for them but painful for me! For a fabulous array of heirloom seeds, transplants and info (and to support a very important initiative!), visit Seed Savers, in Decorah IA, Madison WI or online: http://www.seedsavers.org/

MarketStEl just reminded me of one of my favorites, also courtesy of the Kansas Union in the '70s...about once a week the hot-food line would feature an entree called, unfortunately, porcupine balls. You could tell when you walked in the door -- just from the sound level and levity -- what the special was on those days. And I wish I had the picture with me to scan (yes, scan...it was decades ago): a little strip mall in Canon City CO, wherein a hair salon, a shoeshine and a taxidermist: Fluff 'em Buff 'em Stuff 'em Oh, wait, there's not really any food involved there. Good job I remembered the porcupine balls, then, eh?

Ok, you want grease? Does anyone know if Juicy Harvey's is still ladeling it out? This place is in Burbank, across from the NBC Studios, and it stands out in my memory as classic, old-time burger joint. Juicy Harvey's (818) 846-9033: 3203 W Alameda Av: Burbank, CA

I like the bar at One Market. I know it has its detractors, but I like the space, a good basic martini, professional service. It remains popular but I don't think you could call it trendy after all these years. I would say the same about Aqua as well. Not to hijack your thread here, Trillium, but on a related note, curious what anyone knows about the venerable Persian aub Zam Zam post-Bruno?

I went to great lengths to inquire about the Portuguese food in/around Newark about 8 years ago when we had a long layover at Newark. This was pre-eGullet (pre almost anything, really) and was really jazzed but weather caused a re-routing and we lost the opportunity. I'd love to see some update Portuguese info. And I still can't hate or love Bourdain. What's wrong with me?

Thanks for all previous info, posts, threads. We are heading to Ptown in mid-September when "the season" has wound-down a bit, so I would appreciate any updates (openings, closings, gone-downhill, chef changes) from those recently returned or locals. Also, we'll have a kitchen and will do some cooking...I know there's fish, seafood readily available and have read about a couple of farmer's markets...is there a good place to get good oils, condiments, spices and the like or should we stop on the mainland? Not meaning to offend locals or imply that it's uncivilized...just been caught before with spectacular seafood & produce but couldn't find good eevo, herbs, etc to optimize the experience.

I enjoyed the show way more than I expected to. I've always kind of wondered what all the fuss was about Tony Bourdain. I don't dislike him but neither do I race to see what his take is on any mildly controversial food issue that comes down the pike.

The problem I have with RR beyond finding her incredibly annoying is that she says things matter-of-factly that are just plain wrong and there are a lot of people out there with a "it must be true, it was on TV" mentality. That and just the huge disappointment at what Food TV has degenerated into. It had so much potential and it's just gone straight into "appeal to the lowest common denominator" hell. What we need is someone (HBO...are you listening?) to come up with a high-quality alternative. I wouldn't care if RR had her own 24/7 network, but wish she were taking up space on Lifetime or something instead of a channel I once had high hopes for. I would cheerfully pay a premium for a *real* food network.

I've never gotten around to cooking it. I always have good intentions but, before the pan gets hot, the kohlrabi has always disappeared. I'm a purist though. S&P, hold the acid. BTW, I knew the German/English translation but had never heard the Hebrew one before. That's what I love about eGulleteers.

sorry for the delay...yes, I was on a trip and am still trying to catch-up. I only get to SF 2 or 3 times a year so I often eat at a dizzying array of high-end places on consecutive days. It's grueling but someone has to do it. The meals I enjoyed at each were vastly different. It would have been possible to select more similar foods, but I wasn't really intending to compare. The Quince experience is just a delight. It's small, I always feel like I am a very welcome guest at someone's home -- not fussy, just sincerely good, attentive service. I've enjoyed 9 courses there personally (across 3 visits) and tasted from another's 6 courses (on 2 of those occasions) and never had a bite that wasn't really, really good. And I am someone who is given to saying "I could have done that at home" at a lot of places, so I don't think I'm that easily impressed. The housemade pastas are primo and the seafood is treated very well -- quite fresh, not fussy, served with complimentary accompaniments. But the imaginative first courses may still be my favorites. I always wish I could somehow try each of them. I really didn't have any expectations of Aqua (oddly) and chose it as it was nearby and I could dine alone at the bar without a reservation. From the moment I sat down until I happily waddled out, it was a treat. Food service at a bar is sometimes dicey -- if the server considers it a hassle your experience will reflect it. This guy was there to make everyone's day better and worked nonstop to ensure it happened. There were drinkers, diners waiting for tables and a few of us eating at the bar and everyone was treated as if they were his only interest. The 3-course tasting menu was perfect: a daily special tuna tartare (not the regular one), smoked sturgeon and a really impressive selection of cheeses which I enjoyed the next day, having sated myself on the first two. I shall return. I had stopped in Cortez but it was full of business persons thumping their chests over big deals made earlier in the day (yawn) so I moved on.