CaliPoutine

salad dessert was fruit and shortbread cookies( reg and pecan) and PB rice krispie treats served with choc. fondue.

Shortbread Maple Leafs in Pecan and regular. Ina Garten recipe. PB rice krispie treats. These were dipped in Chocolate fondue for an event I catered.

The meal is over and went really well. They were very happy and gave me so many compliments( and an 80.00 tip) and thanks. ( so different than cooking for the seniors). I took Robin with me and she was a treasure. She helped w/ prep and did all the cleaning up( I'm not known for cleaning as I go). I'll add some pics when I get them uploaded.

Your're Welcome. Thanks Kerry for delivering it to Marlene. I bought the brisket for Marlene @ Wegman's near Buffalo. They only had the first cut and it was 4.49lb. My mom made incredible brisket for all the Jewish holidays back when I still ate red meat. Isnt there a pretty famous recipe that contains coffee? Marlene if you want the CI recipe, let me know.

The turkey sandwich was good. I wanted cold turkey, but I forgot to ask so it was warm. Obviously, I dont keep kosher, so I added cheese. It was a huge sandwich( we shared). The matza ball was good, but I thought the soup was a bit salty. The fries were a tad greasy.

We're back. We had more than a few lunches that were casual and under 30.00 for both. The first day( Monday), we met my highschool friend at the Marriot Marquis. It was almost 1pm so she suggested we go to Junior's across the street. I was actually surprised that it was pretty good. I had half a turkey sandwich and soup( 12.25). The matza ball was really fluffy and my black and white cookie was the freshest I'd ever had. Robin had some type of grilled chicken on a challah bun. She also had cheesecake. We were treated to lunch by my friend ( but that meal would have been over 30.00) The next day we did the LES walking tour( I'll add pics later). We split a turkey sandwich, a fry and a matza ball soup from Katz's. That was around 30.00 w/tax and tip. We shared a bagel w/ lox from Russ and Daughters too. By this point, I was sooo full and soaking wet( Tuesday the weather sucked) that I couldnt eat anything else. But, I had a few bites of a Kasha Knish from Yonah Schimmels. I also had an egg cream from the Belgian fry place. I couldnt even taste the warm Matzah from Streits!! Later on I had a doughnut from Doughnut plant. Dinner that night was unremarkable. I was still full so I just agreed to a pizza place near Times Square. I think it was called John's. The restaurant was busy, but I wasnt too impressed by the pizza. The weather was so bad that I just wanted to eat and leave the city. Lunch on Wednesday was @ Grimaldi's. We shared a mushroom pizza ( it was around 20.00 w/ tax and tip). Dinner was in ChinaTown. We ate at Joe's Shanghai. We had 2 dishes, soup dumplings and Robin had 1 springroll and it was 36.00( tax and 15% tip included( they added the tip on). Thursday We moved to a b and b in Jersey City so breakfast was covered. We did the UWS walking tour and I wanted to have lunch at Bouchon. We happened across Viand so we went there as I remembered it from Sneakeaters post. Robin had a turkey burger/fries. I had a tuna sandwich on Rye. The food was really good for a diner and the service was excellent. I wasnt that hungry but it was a big sandwich. I took a rice pudding to go which I ate today in the car on my way back to Ontario from Buffalo. That meal was 26 and change w/ tax and tip. I had an amazing gelato/sorbet from GROM and a horrible cupcake from Magnolia. I took a cupcake home from Crumbs. We also shared a cookie from Jacque Torres and a cookie from Levain. I had 1 bite of a really HORRIBLE pretzel in central park. The birds/squirrels got the rest. I also bought 5 H and H bagels. I had one this morning for breakfast. No biggie, I've had much better bagels in Florida. Dinner was at JFK as we got there at 6pm. Make sure you eat before you go to the airport. The food sucked. Thanks for all the help/advice.

Robin has been begging me to make a PB pie all week. She loves them. I make the crust with nutterbutter cookies( that I bring back from MI because you can't buy them in Canada).

Chicken salad? ← Actually Steven, This applies to Chicken salad too. I took a hint from Ina Garden ( Barefoot Contessa) who said she's tested every single way to make chicken for chicken salad and roasting bone-in breasts was the best. Its super easy too and the meat is very flavorful( I use a no-salt chicken blend on the breasts before roasting). Bonus is the already roasted bones for stock.

Chima( Brazillion steak house) is really close to where Dave is staying. He wont be dissapointed there. My friend and his family( very much foodies) love it!!

Peter, What are butterflied Digby Chicks? Do they mean cheeks? Are the lobsters you get in NS, the same lobster they get in Maine?

All my friends and family think Le Tub is totally overrated!!

Chima( Brazillion with an amazing salad bar) on Las Olas. Times Square Pizza Parlor, 2304 East Oakland Park Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33306 (954) 566-7772. Pomperdale New York Style Deli, 3055 East Commercial Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33308, (954) 771-9830. ( We used to eat here when I was a kid, its been in business over 50yrs) The Pastrami Club 5240 North University Drive Lauderhill, Florida 33351 (954) 748-0001 Pizza Rustica( this is a chain, there is one in Ft. Lauderdale). This didnt impress me, I ate at one in MI( the only one outside of FL) and I thought it was just so/so. Google it cause there is a website. Pa’ DeGennaro’s, 4331 North Ocean Drive (A-1-A), Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida 33308 (954) 351-0310 ( this is close to where you're staying, but I've never eaten there. I've heard good things) There are not really good true outlet malls in S. Fl. I always find great bargains at Ross stores. There are a few in the area. I believe there are Tuesday Morning's too and they sometimes have good deals. Of course, you're not too far from The Galleria Mall. It has some high ends shops and there are lots of funky shops on Las Olas Blvd( no bargains there) Check out Jeffeats.com. His reviews are pretty spot on.

I'd stay away from ebay as the shipping prices for these heavy pots are really expensive. Stick with Amazon. They often have amazing specials. I got a 7.5 quart round that came with a skinny grill for 125.00. It was a Friday special. Staub often has specials too and I know a lot of ppl like that better than the LC.

Canadian Thanksgiving has something to do with the Fall harvest, its meanings are not as significant as US Thanksgiving. I get to celebrate both!!

LOL, My MIL can complain, but she NEVER complains about my food. I think you're all right. Its these 2 particular ladies that complain every week. These are the two that complained that I didnt cook the frozen green beans long enough.

So what did you end up doing with it?

I wanted to make a smashed potato, but it didnt work out that well. I boiled them( too long) and then tried to oven fry them in some olive oil. Oh well. I made waldorf coleslaw. I'd already bought apples when I got an email from Cathy saying I should do something with cabbage because its cheap right now(1.29 each). I combined the two. I also bought seedless black grapes, walnuts, and raisins. This was really good. Dessert were those Chocolate Brownie cupcakes( 1 box choc. cake mix, 1 can pumpkin, a few choc. chips) with ice cream. Harley says " I'll eat your roast beef Mama".

I made the sirloin tip roast talked about upthread. Its a CI recipe, but I didnt really follow it. I cooked them yesterday with a homemade seasoning mix that I made( toasted onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, rosemary). I cooked them using a remote meat thermometer until there were 140F. CI says pull them at 120 and tent with foil until it reaches 140. We sliced them today and I put them back in the oven with broth. I cooked them another 2hrs at 300F. They were really done!! But, get this. I went to a table to clear away the plates and this one lady says " The meat isnt cooked". I said " Are you serious" and she said "Yes, another lady shook her head yes too. OMG, CAN YOU HEAR ME SCREAMING!!!!!! The freaking meat was like shoe leather. I even brought home a piece to show Robin( and my boys didnt complain, LOL) To her credit, Cathy went to speak to the lady. She told the lady that it was fully cooked and the lady comes back with " Well, then it was a terrible cut of meat". I asked Cathy to go ask her what she makes for a roast. Here is one of my volunteers, she cut up all the meat with an electric knife. Here's the lea, I mean beef. So, so overcooked.

I'll thank Mike from you? He's an eG member so maybe he'll come over and chime in. Do you like Jewish Deli food? There are a few great places you can get pastrami, corned beef, etc. Also, Coal Fired pizza seems to be all the rage now. A pretty good one is called Anthony's. There are numerous locations. All they serve is coal fired chicken wings, pizza, 2 salads and 2 different samwiches. DONT eat CHINESE in S. Florida. IT all SUCKS!! There is a good Thai place not far from where you're staying if you're interested in that. Also, I know some great high end Italian. Let me know what else you want.

From my friend who lives in Ft. Lauderdale: Tell them to check out Coconuts. It's on the water (intracoastal side) just south of Las Olas Blvd. They have great burgers, seafood, salads, ribs, etc. Good service too. I like it a lot. Here is their website. http://www.coconutsbahamagrill.com/ The best wine shop is 'Total Wine' off 17th Street Causeway. They have the best prices and selection. It's a huge store and the staff are very knowledgeable. Here is the address. The Harbor Shops Plaza 1906 Cordova Road Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 There is a good mexican place on the corner of 17th Street Causeway and Cordova Road called "Carlos and Pepes". It's been there for years. Jim and I ate there a couple months ago and it was good. It's not as good as Frontera Grill or Topolobambo, but there isn't anything that good in Ft Laud that I know of. There is a hugely popular soul food barbeque place on Federal Highway called "Tom Jenkin's". It's south of 17th Street Causeway. The place is more for take out, but they do have picnic benches inside if you want to eat in. Counter service only though and there are usually long lines, especially on Saturday and in the evenings. They're closed Sunday and maybe another day during the week as well. Whole Foods is on Federal Highway between Sunrise and Oakland. My favorite cuban restaurant is Padrino's. It's on Hallandale Beach Blvd. Unfortunately, I haven't found one closer that I like. They have a great lunch buffet that is a great value. Here is the website: http://www.padrinos.com/

I saw one at a yard sale for 2.00. The original receipt and paperwork were still in the package. The person paid 169.00 for it. I should have bought it!! I saw a similar(used) one on ebay that went for 75.00.

*raising hand* Soooo Jealous!! Was that a brownie you're holding up? The sourdough bread looks amazing too!!

I'm waiting to hear back from my friend who lives in the area for more rec's for you. The Whole Foods you have marked on your map is pretty far from where you're located. There is a closer one I believe on US1(aka Federal HWY) and Sunrise Blvd. Its probably about 2-3 miles from where you're staying. I think there is also a closer Doris's market. My sister/mom love that market, but I was never that impressed. Its ok, but you'll be dissapointed if you compare it to what you can find in France. You MUST go to Jaxson's for Ice Cream. Everything is homemade and its been around for over 50yrs. But, be prepared to wait in line on a weekend. Weekdays arent too bad. Dont eat any of the food there, just the many different ice cream creations. I'll tell you where I eat when I go home to visit. Mario The Baker( homestyle Italian food) on Sunrise blvd/University dr. I've been going there since I was a kid. Its in the Zagat guide( not that that means anything) and its super cheap. They have good NY style pizza too. I dont eat Hamburgers, but there used to be a place called Cheeseburger, Cheeseburger that made good onion rings, shakes, malts and burgers. I believe its closed now, not sure what it has been replaced with. Mexican food is pretty scarce in that area. I've eaten at a place in Hollywood called Cancun(?), it was pretty basic. For Cuban, I love Las Vegas Cuban Cuisine. The lunch specials are sooo cheap, around six to 8 dollars. There are multiple locations. Do you like Deli? There are a lot of good deli's in the area, if you're interested in Pastrami, corned beef, etc, etc. I love going to The Sage in Hallandale for breakfast. They have amazing bagels. Its a kosher style restaurant, so no pork products. Your not too far from the Old Florida Seafood House in Wilton Manners. Old school seafood restaurant( lots of seniors), but the fish is great and you get tons of food. Are you interested in a Brazillion steak house? There are a few good ones in the area. I'd skip Sawgrass Mills Mall. Its not a true outlet mall, I think its way overrated. Stroll long Las Olas Blvd, there are tons of cute shops there and a few good places to eat. I'll be back later with more!!

Do you know what area of Ft. Lauderdale? Believe it or not, its quite large. I can tell you where to get great bagels and NY style Pizza. I can also give you some good shopping options. I do do much fine dining when I'm there, but can give you more casual options. Also check Chowhound, there is an active Florida board.

Wow, I'm flattered. I just made this for a casual lunch time catering job and I heard back that the brownies were amazing!! I think the Ghirardelli mix is really good. I always sub out coffee for the water as I think it deepens the choc. flavor. Regular size boxes of Ghiradelli and Symphony bars are not sold here so I try to grab a few when I'm in MI.