gracelee

HI: I live near China Fun and yes, the crystal shrimp dumplings (har gow) are very good. I went to Jing Fong for the first time last Sunday and their range of dumplings, porky and otherwise, blew me away. And I'm a dumpling veteran.

HI Mike: You might also consider visiting the Wine Lovers page forums. It's where I do research about wine related trips: http://www.wineloverspage.com/ Grace

And how was Rocco's mom in the kitchen?

HI: My husband and I went there last Saturday. We could only get an early reservation, but it was worth it. There was no air conditioning, the windows were all open, but it was a pleasant day. There's also road construction going on in front of the restaurant. But the room is light and airy and tables are not too close together. We had the prix fixe. I started with a sauteed softshell crab, served with a crisp and tart cabbage slaw. I then had the homemade (?) spaghetti with tomato and basil, which is one of their signature dishes. A tad cooked more than al dente. Our main course was the moist roasted capretto (kid). We each had the composed cheese plate. Each comes in a little rectangular dish with their accompanying savory. Service was very professional and the waiter was very familiar with the wine list and cheeses. Mine were the parmesam (cow's milk) with 12 yr. old balsamic, pecorino pienza (sheep's milk) with green tomato and a robiola. We drank a very good Italian red. I'll write back and post which one! Wine glasses are of Riedel or Spigelau quality. Everything quite delicious. Go if you can get a table. -Grace

Dear Vivremanger: Thanks so much for doing this - esp. looking forward to your Massawippi writeups and learning what's transpired since I was there last year. Grace

HI Peter: R.W. Apple of the New York Times wrote a long article last year about Marseille bouillabaisse. He mentioned that La Miramar was sold last year. He writes in considerable detail his meal at L'Epuisette (near Vallon des Auffes). Also liked Brasserie des Catalans (Michel) and Tetou. Le Bacon (Antibes vicinity): "..All along the corniche that follows the coast south from Marseille, and tucked into the calanques or coves beyond that, you come across small, little-heralded restaurants, some of them not much more than shacks, few of them paid great heed by gastronomic guides. At such spots, like Le Rhul and Chez Aldo, Chez Fonfon and Le Lunch, they take their bouillabaisse seriously. So, too, on the Riviera, at glossy Bacon in ritzy Cap d'Antibes and fashionable Tetou, smack on the sands in Golfe-Juan. ...Tradition dictates that bouillabaisse be served as well as cooked in two stages: first the broth with croutons rubbed with garlic and topped with rouille, followed by the fish, which must be shown whole on a platter to the diner, according to regional etiquette, then filleted and returned. Tradition is honored at L'Epuisette, except that both rouille and the paler, less peppery aioli, another garlic mayonnaise, are offered with the croutons that go into the liquid. When the rouille is stirred in, it creates a seductive brick-red streak. On the day or our visit, five fish and a quantity of sliced boiled potatoes, moistened with more cooking liquid, were presented after I had polished off two bowls of bouillon. The fish were all that could be asked for -- tender, juicy and infused with the complex flavors of the broth: rascasse and chapon, monkfish tail and conger, and most delectable of all, a subtly flavored weever... ..Michelin gives a star to Le Miramar in the current guide, which will no doubt be withdrawn because of the change in ownership, and another to Michel, on the corniche. For me, Michel, also known as the Brasserie des Catalans, is more Disneyland than Marseille, with fish displayed in a beached dory and a waiter dressed up as Popeye, although the bouillabaisse is worthy enough." Please let us know where you end up going!

HI Tommy: I think 11 Madison has very good food, but found the noice level way too much. Grace

Michael Buble is a vocalist. The few cuts of his I've heard are backed by a big band, very commercial, but he has a nice smoky sound. I haven't found the food at the Jazzfest to be all that interesting. We did have a very nice dinner at the Globe last year (3455 St. Lawrence), and I think it was within walking distance. Otherwise, i would recommend La Chronique, Les Club des Pins and Laloux. (Just trying to bring up the food topic!). Best, Grace

Hello: I'm visiting from NYC this weekend and my sister has scheduled me to go to the Barbecue Battle: http://www.barbequebattle.com Any suggestions on how to work this fressing event? Thanks, Grace

Dear Jeff: The next time you go to Katz's, here's what you do when ordering sandwiches. Give the counterman a folded-up dollar bill with the ticket. It'll get you a taste and a larger portion.

Hi - Just checked Amazon.com for "A Chef's Tale: A Memoir of Food, France and America " and they have a number of used copies available. Just click on the Amazon link at the bottom of this page. From your friendly librarian!

Thanks for the storage article Mamster! I have storage attacks too. Except I use my large collection of clear plastic Chinese takeout containers. Once they're been run through the dishwasher they're perfectly good. And I use a Brother P touch to label everything. The bulk flour and sugar are in acrylic containers but I can't remember the brand. Does eBay have good prices on Tupperware? Just wondering.

Dear Tony: I recently finished reading "Kitchen Confidential", which had me laughing aloud and read sections to my husband. I'm a culinary school grad and your book made me realize why I'd never last 5 minutes in a kitchen. What do you like to cook at home? More shanks, bones, and hooves, perhaps? Or do you leave it to Nancy? Grace :wow: