dimsumfan

I fully agree that the represents an opportunity to find something different - and if Oaxaca isn't in the cards for this year, we can go another time. I'm just struggling to figure it out fast, as I had researched a great itinerary for Oaxaca and would want to do the same to maximize our time in another area. Mexico City is appealing for all its street food, but I think we want a less urban experience. I appreciate everyone's input so far. Michoacan sounds like a good alternative, perhaps using Morelia as a base. I need to figure out if it's easy to get to Zihuatanejo to satisfy the beach/seafood part of the trip. Oh, and the butterflies will be around, but I think that's added more difficult distance to the trip? Obviously, I need to map this out more, but any further suggestions on a manageable itinerary would be welcomed and appreciated!

We were scheduled to fly to Oaxaca on December 5, spending eight days there exploring markets and ruins, relaxing at the Zocalo, taking a cooking class or two, and then flying down to Puerto Escondido for a few days. Relaxing at the Zocalo seems very unlikely if the unrest there persists. We really liked the idea of Oaxaca, as it's such a great food destination, and central for all the great day trips to nearby sites. We don't really want a trip that requires us to pack bags and move to new hotels each day. We also don't want to do a resort or tourist type thing. Any suggestions on alternative destinations we can consider at this last moment? We can change our airline tickets. Ideally seeking as many of these as possible: 1. Great food markets. 2. Chocolate and chiles. 3. Great (preferably inexpensive) restaurants. 4. A cooking class or two. 5. Other sites to see, like ruins. 6. Seafood if possible (P.E. would have given us this). 7. Location that serves as a base for day trips without having to change lodging. 8. Authentic instead of fake touristy. 9. Safety. 10. Smaller scale, unless someone can really make a convincing case for Mexico City (we really prefer a slower pace). All ideas welcome and appreciated!

Oh, no! Is that the Hunan place that was on Main Street at Marine Drive? I didn't get there last trip, and was looking forward to trying it the end of this month. Any other Hunan restaurants in Vancouver? I love Golden Szechuan (Richmond), and was savoring the chance to have something even more spicy...

Oh, so sad to hear this. We're still hoping to go to Oaxaca in December, if the situation there improves. Any other updates on the food/restaurant scene there?

Double and triple up on your Shanghaiese intake while you're still in the Richmond area! Nothing special here in Seattle. As you know, we have a few good Szechuan places, but it's time for someone to open up a place to satisfy our desire for quality Shanghaiese cuisine! No Shanghainese? *sigh* I am eating at Top Shanghai up here in Richmond as many times as possible in the next week before I move. ←

You can try Shanghai Garden just to get a sense of what they are, but note they're just mediocre. For better ones, you'll want to make a trip to Richmond (Vancouver). Check the eGullet boards for Vancouver for more info. Best I've had are at Joe's Shanghai in New York - better even than I've had in Shanghai and Taipei (though they're darn good in those places!).

Thanks. I had checked that thread. Some interesting info, but no restaurants close to Ames/Ankeny.

Thanks. Will consider Aunt Maude's. Any other suggestions from anyone?

I'll be in Ames and Ankeny, IA next week and am looking for anything decent/unique to eat. In the past, I've gone into Des Moines for Big Daddy's BBQ, but I know that's closed. There's a decent Vietnamese restaurant in Des Moines also - at least an interesting option compared to anything else I've found. So... I'm open to suggestions for what/where to eat in this part of Iowa. For example, is it worth a trip to Rube's in Waukee if I can't find something special any closer? Thanks!

Ah, Lotus of Siam. For me, it's the only reason to go to Vegas. Yes, perhaps the best Thai food I've eaten outside of Thailand. Since I've taken a Thai cooking class in Oakland, I rarely go out for Thai unless it's an emergency. I've tried the favorites in town and they're okay, but nothing special. Noodle Boat in Issaquah is a notch above the rest for me, and Bai Tong was my favorite in the area (that said, I haven't been there in a long time). I also like 32 Silvers in Tacoma, by the Tacoma Dome.

I'd recommend Malay Satay Hut over Wild Ginger. Not a big fan of Rocking Wok... I'd choose Seven Stars Peppers instead, or Szechuan Chef even better if you feel like going to Bellevue.

Funny... I'm in New Jersey today and followed a lead on xiao long bao, but it was just mediocre. The ones in Richmond are much better. You are lucky to have good choices there! (Shanghai Wind for rustic ones, and Shanghai River and Top Shanghai for other delicious ones.) The only Din Tai Fung I've tried is in Taipei. Best wrappers of any xlb I've eaten. So delicate! I know people who've eaten at DTF in Taipei, Tokyo and LA, and they say Taipei is clearly the best location - and the cheapest! Still, as I've mentioned elsewhere, there's a place I like even better in Taipei, as I think the broth and overall dumpling is better. And Joe's Shanghai (Flushing or Manhattan's Chinatown, but not the Mid-town location) is the absolute best for their crab-and-pork ones (IMHO).

Wow... this is a mouth-watering question, Ling! Now you've got my hopes up! But I also heard rumor that Vij's was coming here. What's next: Din Tai Fung? Oh, I hope you're right. It will save me a few trips to Richmond/Vancouver and beyond (but not really, as I'm always happy to travel from Seattle for food we can't get here!).

Thanks for the thoughts. I'm in Budd Lake now. Went to Noodle Chu, which was just so-so. met my brother there and ate pork tripe with jalapenos, salted squid with salt and chili, and braised tofu with mushrooms and vegetables (isn't a mushroom a vegetable?). Not bad, but nothing special. Next time I'll try Amazing Hot Dog! Oh... traffic wasn't bad on 78 west out of the airport at 4:30. I imagine it got worse shortly thereafter.

Yes, driving from the Newark Airport to Budd Lake tomorrow late afternoon/early evening, and looking for a place to stop for dinner - preferably the second half of the trip. Anyone with any ideas easily accessible to the highway? Bonus points for something interesting, unique, hole-in-the-wall, and/or ethnic. Anything from a slice of NY-style pizza to good Chinese food would be welcomed!

7SP is great, no doubt. But as someone who lives in Seattle, I think it's worth the drive to SC. I find the food a little less oily/greasy, and the preparation slightly better. From pea vines to the casserole dishes with intestines or tripe, the overall presentation and taste is best at SC. Too bad, 7SP would be more convenient to me.

That could be true, LOL! Glad you enjoyed it. It's my favorite Chinese restaurant in the Seattle area. I always ask them for more spice!

Recently ate dinner including xiao long bao at Joe's Shanghai, and then we went to New Green Bo immediately afterward for more food. New Green Bo's xiao long bao are nowhere near as good as Joe's. Utterly disappointing. Broth was bad, wrapper was weak, and the service was lacking. Also note there were no Asian people in the restaurant the entire time we were there. We should have taken that as a sign...

Thanks, everyone, for all the great advice. We ended up going to Casa Mono, and it was fantastic. Standout dish: sweetbreads with fennel. I'll try to post a picture or two when I have time.

I fly regularly, and non-liquid foods are DEFINITELY allowed. Keep the ideas coming!

In light of the liquid ban and overall poor quality/cost of airport food, what are your favorite foods to bring on planes these days? I often fly a few times per week and would like to keep a good stock of items at home that I can grab and throw in my carry-on bag for outbound and returning flights. So far, I've thought of: Peanut butter Energy bars Vegetable sticks (but maybe just one-way, as they should stay cold) Tins of tuna Cheese (that doesn't need refrigeration)

Any favorite dishes to go with these Lupa recommendations?

Yes, I have time for one lunch at one Mario Batali restaurant this Friday. Don't typically do Italian restaurants, but open to something interesting like organ meats or anything else unique to experience. What would be your top recommendation for where to go for lunch - and perhaps what to order (luckily, there will be 2-3 of us, so we can sample a few things)?

Thanks, one and all, for all the great ideas and discussion! This particular trip is to NYC, so I'm thinking Salumi (as delicious as it is) would have slightly less star appeal there than, say, Maine (oh, I love Maine!). Don't want to bring liquids, as I'm hoping not to check bags, which might disqualify local jams or jellys. Maybe it will be smoked salmon this time - but I have lots of food for thought for other gifts in the future!

How is the situation in Oaxaca these days, in light of the protests? I read that the hotels, markets, vendors and restaurants are taking a HUGE hit from lack of tourism. What did you see? How safe did it feel? We are scheduled to go there in December, so I'm hoping the situation improves, though last Friday's travel warning from the U.S. State Department looks ominous.