CaliPoutine

I hear you!! I'll put that on my list. I love a good rice pudding too!!

Jeez, I know - I can't imagine how people even figured out where C-town was before the blackberry and i-phone. Ummm, maybe they had manners and were actually able to ask nicely for directions. Or, maybe they used, what was it called, a map? Please, give me a break. ← Ha, when I first wrote my post I had a very snarky line about a piece of primitive technology I'd heard of before called a paper map. So, fine, touche. You are of course correct and my post was meant to be taken with a grain of salt. I maintain, however, that Chinatown is much more difficult to get around than any other part of the island. And not that CaliPoutine is so easily daunted, but I have friends who live in the city who are afraid of C-town and never go that far downtown. Then again, they find the area below 14th intimidating. Naturally, they kind of suck. ← I have my own personal human GPS system called Robin( I also have a Garmin Nuvi). Robin can and has led me everywhere. I know the NYC C-Town is much bigger than say Toronto's or SF's, but we've been to those numerous times. I'm not too concerned about getting lost there.

Kim-Thanks for the suggestion. Last night was another night I felt like walking out. I was in no mood for complaints as my grandma passed away that morning( she was 92!!). I made the Shepard's pie, but didnt take any pics because I've made the same thing before. As I was looking at the seniors lined up( getting ready to pay for their meal), I heard one lady say " We're having Shepard's Pie". I HATE that. Apparently she called the office and was told they were having chicken( I was going to do chicken, but I changed my mind). I had 2 full pies leftover( I made them in square foil pans). They were sold for 8.00 each. The salad always goes over well. I served sliced tomatoes too. The dessert( I did take a pic, I'll upload later) was labor intensive. I made all the filo cups when I got to the church. The filo was in rough shape, so I basically was piecing it together. I'd made the lemon curd the day before. It was a beautiful dessert and I heard no complaints. But, then again, no one complimented me either. I seriously dont know whats wrong with these people. They gave me a sympathy card( that the coordinator brought for them to fill out) and they all signed it. Everyone signed their name in one row running down the length of the card. No one wrote any other comments beside their name. I just find that kinda weird. When I worked in an office and we filled out cards for people, everyone wrote a little tidbit in addition to their name. These are strange people!!

Nowhere better to start than here: http://streetvendor.org/vendys/finalists Find a park nearby, and you're all set with a nice view, a cheap lunch and some good people watching taboot. I'd also suggest checking out the following "NY Only" (and located in Manhattan) spots that I can think of off the top of my mind: - Katz (definitely on the high end, but super super worth it - knish for the veggie?) - H&H Bagels - three onion bagels, a tub of schmear, a couple of blocks over to the park and you're in heaven - Any pizza place really (Johns on Bleeker, Joe's on 6th/Bleeker, most corner pizza places that look good) - Shopsins (also potentially on the high end, but talk about only in NY...) - Most places in Chinatown, just walk around. Bahn Mi might be a good find. The Bakeries will also fill you up real good for very cheap, for value and flavor they can't be beat. - Craftwich (if you are into the celebrity chef thing) - Chikalicious for dessert (Thurs -> Sun I think) - Treats Truck/Dessert Truck - Mamouns Falafel - Pinkberry (well, not NY only...) - Dumplings at TKettle on 8th St. - Mandoo's from Mandoo Bar on 32th St. - Various burger places (BRGR, Stand, BLT Burger, Shake Shack - they all have veggie options) - Crif Dogs (has a veggie dog option) If you are in midtown, check out the map that is available at: http://midtownlunch.com/blog/restaurant-index/ and find something that is near you - everything listed is under $10. ← Thanks, these look good. One of the days is devoted to a LES self-led walking tour. We'll be hitting Katz, Russ and Daughters, etc. I did forget about Pinkberry, thanks for reminding me of that. I think they moved into California after I left. For the record, I'm not a vegetarian. I just dont eat BEEF.

Re: The Lupa you mention above. That might be more of a snack for you, but I just can't consume huge amounts of food( for reasons I stated upthread having to do with medication). I'm never pressured into ordering wine. I dont drink, PERIOD. We'll be buying a transit pass and I do have a GPS that I'll bring. There is no good Mexican in NYC? How about Cuban?

Further to my request. I'm sure we'll be doing all the touristy thing.... Liberty, Empire State Building, Ground Zero, etc. If I had a list of places for various neighborhoods, I'd know where to go. Now, back to dinner. Dare I tell you I'd like $50.00 places for that. ( and yes, that would be for both of us w/ no booze ). Mexican, Chinese or our number #1 choice Italian.

I love, love, love Lock and Lock containers. I stack them with the lids firmly locked into place. Check QVC, they have some really amazing sets( things you wont find in the store).

Right! I'm not disputing that there's great street food. but I can't think of any that I would travel for when there's a roughly equivalent option close by. obviously there are people (and another site dedicated to them) which believe that there are cart arepas so much better than other arepas that they're worth traveling an hour for. I just don't buy it. if you ask me where should you get a bahn mi or falafel? I'm going to ask you where you are. there are a bunch of perfectly good sandwiches available throughout this city. IMHO, which one to get is determined purely by neighborhood. ← I'm almost sorry I posted my inquiry. I dont plan on traveling to a specific neighborhood to eat at said place. But, if I'm in the general area, then at least I have an idea of where to eat. I only have 6 meals to eat in NYC and I dont want to waste one on really crappy food( or a chain).

Shake Shack is simply a facsimile of Kopp's, Leon's, Gillies and similar places in St. Louis. There is nothing whatsoever NY or original about the Shake Shack. it's simply a midwestern transplant (and Danny Meyer would tell you as much). Veselka is no different from (and worse than many of) restaurants in other Eastern European-heavy areas like parts of Chicago and Milwaukee. I like Central Grocery in New Orleans just as much as I like Di Paolo when it comes to sandwiches. there are plenty of places in CA, Vancouver and Toronto comparable to GNYN. etc. ← This argument makes no sense whatsoever. The poster is not going to New Orleans, St. Louis, Chicago, Milwaukee, Vancouver or Toronto. The poster is coming to NYC. And Shake Shake itself exists only in NYC. In Madison Square Park. As do Veselka and DiPalos (I doubt that Central Grocery makes it's own mozzarella and ricotta daily, to say nothing of its selection of Italian cheeses). So, don't go to Per Se because you can get some of the same dishes at French Laundry. And don't go to WD-50 or Tailor because Alinea in Chicago does similar or even more experimental stuff. Don't go to Patsy's in Harlem because there's Pizzeria Bianco in Arizona. Don't go to Sririphai because there's great Thai in Vegas and LA. Hogwash. A great meal can be had in New York for $30...it wont be Per Se, it won't be Yasuda or Masa (btw, I hear there's sushi in other cities as well), but by picking correctly, a wonderful NYC dining experience can be had. ← Well, since you mentioned pizza, I must ask..... I thought I read somewhere that Patsy's is a brick( coal?) oven pizza. Is that correct? I actually prefer the NY style pizza( the foldable kind).

All of those sound good but I'm worried about your $40/pp cost . . . factoring your time and the cost of the ingredients, some of these sound like you'd be losing money or working for free. (I'm sure that you've done the math, though!) ← The last time I did a personal chef meal at someone's house, I made CI pan roasted chicken breasts with a sage vermouth sauce, a spinach salad w/ warm bacon dressing, mashed red skins and fresh green beans w/ pine nuts. I did the trio of desserts and a grilled thai shrimp w/ chili mayo. The salad, entree and pot du creme were all CI recipes. I think I was only paid 30.00 per person and I hired a sous chef as well. I probably only spent around 40 on food. If these clients picked a chicken item, I'd buy that in MI. I have 4 pork tenderloins in my freezer that I only paid 2.00 for( total). I'll totally make money on this job!!

Yes, I've done these dinners before. I'm excited!! I'll also be returning from NYC on Oct 30th, so if need be, I can pick up some special ingredients in NYC or Buffalo.

The menu above was just a sample menu. I dont have to pick those, rather I need to come up with my own. Those were suggestions so I'd know what type of food they were looking for. Here is the SAMPLE Menu I sent. I'm looking for more options as I spoke to the client yesterday and I told her I'd give her a few more choices. They dont need anything vegetarian. Apps 1.Mushroom and goat cheese strudel made with shredded filo pastry, roasted garlic aioli 2.Pan seared scallops w/ wilted spinach, watercress and orange salad ( scallops can be omitted) or warm spinach salad w/ bacon dressing. 3. Butternut squash soup w/ sage, parmeasean cheese and pancetta frico. 4. Italian Caesar Salad with Polenta Croutons Entree's Parmesan crusted turkey scallopini w/ corn whipped mini red skin potatoes Lemon thyme vinaigrette w/ red onion marmalade 2.Pork tenderloin medallions with dried cherries and a rosemary port pan sauce ~ served w/ whipped sweet potatoes and seasonal vegetables. 3. Chicken Cacciatore~ served with smashed parmesan potatoes and rosemary foccacia. 1.Mini Tuille of filo pastry w/ lemon curd, berries and whipped cream. 2. trio of mini desserts~ choc. Pot du creme, lemon tart and mini vanilla cherry cheesecake. 3. Black forest waffles w/ vanilla bean ice cream 4. Banana Cream Pie with Caramel Drizzles and Chocolate Sauce 1. spinach and portabella lasagna rolls w/ bechamel and marinara sauce. 2. Fall Risotto w/ wild mushrooms and late harvest tomatoes 3. Indian-Style Curry with Sweet Potatoes, Eggplant, Green Beans, and Chickpeas served w/ basmati rice and naan 4. pasta w/ mushroom, peas and Camembert. Notice I stole the menu the chef served us at the cook's meeting. I thought it would work well here. The Pork is a CI recipe( I've made it numerous times). The ceasar salad and chicken cacciatore is from Giada( its very good too).

Here is the sample menu I was sent. I think it needs to be along these lines. Comfort food might be a bit too casual. This menu comes from the Personal Chef alliance that hired me. Grilled Calamari- Nested on a warm Mediterranean salad 2. Baby spinach salad- Fresh blueberries, Brie w/ toasted almond slices, and a strawberry banana vinaigrette 3. Honey Roasted plum tomato soup- w/ pancetta crisps, and focaccia croutons 4. Tuscan bean salad- w/ red wine vinaigrette Entree 1.Italian influenced chicken roulade – Rolled w/ Italian proschutto, gorganzola, and roasted red peppers, and served w\ sautéed rapini and roasted potatoes. 2.Braised Lamb shank – Fall off the bone Port Braised Lamb shank w/ wild Mushroom polenta, and roasted fennel salad 3. Fortune Crusted Salmon- Fortune cookie crusted Salmon served w/ Thai spiced rice and Asian slaw 4. Sweet chilli pork tenderloin medallions – Served w/ sautéed sweet peppers in a phyllo pastry blossom Dessert 1. Freshly made Crepes- w/ fresh berries, and a Bittersweet chocolate Ganache 2. Grilled Cherry Cheese Cake- Creamy no bake cheese cake, w/ cider grilled cherry 3. Fresh Fruit bowl- Assorted fruits and berries nested on a Gran Marnier sorbet. 4. Crunchy Banana Melt- Soft banana and white chocolate wrapped in a phyllo pastry, and drizzled w/ fresh berry coulis. Optional Extras 1. Roasted beet and goat cheese ravioli (Vegetarian) – w/ a vanilla infused rose sauce 2. Ricotta Manicotti (Vegetarian) – Fresh Ricotta rolled in freshly made crepe, w/ organic tomato pesto

I didnt want to post a whole nother topic for my request. I was hired to cook a dinner for 8 coming up in November. Its 40.00 a person ( thats what I'm being paid) and I buy all the groceries. I also have to do a lot of the prep/cooking at the clients house( its part of the experience they purchased) I need some ideas for 3 course meals. No seafood!! Also, the theme is " Casual" No foi gras or sweatbreads for these folks. What do you have?

the thing about NYC is that it's so fricking expensive here that even a casual sit-down meal can be easily a $100 a pp. (when people talk about Ssam Bar being inexpensive they mean that you can eat there for $50-75 a person with care). it's not about fine dining. it's about the rents. with that said, I thought you were coming from CA. yes, we have lots of great street and ethnic food (though so do Toronto and Ottawa). ← I live 2.5 hrs from Toronto, I only get there a few times a year. But, it can be really expensive where I live. We ordered a pizza from a chain in a neigboring town. It had 3 items and cost 33.00. It sucked too.

I can't eat spicy, but my spouse loves it. Are those places that adjust the "heat level" to your preference?

Do you know where I live? I live in a Culinary Wasteland( a town of 4k with horrible food choices). Even going to London, ON is no big thrill. We're in NYC for 3 days. I'm simply not interested in fine dining on this trip. If I could eat pizza for 3 days straight I would!! ( I grew up in S. Florida and I love NY style pizza) I hesitated before posting my request, I feel like if I dont want a $250.00 tasting menu, I shouldnt be posting here.

Of course there are, but I'm probably not going to recommend that you run around NY for something like that. Where are you planning to be? If you're near Flatiron, I like Eisenbergs for old school coffee shop. If you're near Chinatown, see above (my preference for cheap eats). Wichcraft is a "chain" but nothing like ABP and Chipotle. They're owned by Tom Colicchio and are really good - and they use quality ingredients. http://www.wichcraftnyc.com/ Shake Shack is awesome. Madison Sq Park, 23rd/5th Ave. ← Shake Shack is out, unless they have veggie burgers. We dont eat BEEF. We do eat chicken, seafood and pork.

Sure. But why would you come to NY for that? ← well if you must know. I'm on a medication that prolongs gastric emptying. I dont eat big lunches. I'm not coming to NY specifically to eat at a coffee shop, I was just asking about my options.

Remember the OP said these ppl are not adventurous eaters. I think foi might be too adventurous.

Just an FYI, Loblaws has Gay Lea unsalted and salted on sale( till tomorrow) for 2.88lb

Are you telling me that chains are my only option? I'd prefer to avoid chains. Any good coffee shops to get a greek salad or club sandwich?

Do you mean $30 for 2 people? ← Yep, for lunch. I think thats doable without booze. I'm talking super casual.... a good sandwich, a nice salad, a pizza, etc. We tend to eat lighter lunches.

I went shopping for tomorrow's meal. I'm making shepard's pie. Extra lean ground beef is 3.00lb. I ordered 15lbs( I'm supposed to have 30ppl). I went into the office today and made the lemon curd. I used the recipe that the chef( who catered our lunch) gave me. It called for 1 c. of juice, zest, 1.5c of sugar 12 yolks and 1c. of butter. I kept the 12 whites. I wish I had an angel food cake pan so I could use them up. I bought strawberries(2.00lb) and raspberries(2.00 pint). I bought 2 of each which might be too much. I also bought 2 packages of filo( 2.99 each). I'll make the filo cups tomorrow. I bought 2 quarts of heavy cream last week( on sale for 2.00 each). I'll whip one and use the other for the Thanksgiving meal( Oct 9th) The grocery store had a special of 4 bacon wrapped pork medallions for .99 I bought 15 for my program. I'm not sure when I'll use them, but they're encouraging us to buy meat when its on special for the freezer.

At our program, "won't prepare at home" is sometimes anything other than grilled cheese and tomato soup. Today's menu is: Roast pork loin w/garlic and black pepper, rosemary potatoes (blanching off, then roasting), tossed salad, braised carrots with fennel, apple bread pudding. I hardly ever cook "roasts" because I'm paranoid of not being ready on time. The meat will be 50-70% of the food budget for this week ($3 per person x 100 guests). It's 11 degrees C, here today, so maybe I will serve soup (cream of broccoli, pre-made, frozen). Guests who do not eat pork will be offered veggie burgers. All the produce is coming off the farm this morning, so will need to be wash (by hand) and chopped. Bread was donated from a local bakery. One of the regular guests dropped off apples last week. I cannot serve the ham/pea soup that a volunteer came in to make on Monday, because that is too much pork for one menu. We will have 4 regular volunteers for prep, and I am training 3 new people and having 2 admin meetings this afternoon. Thank goodness for my "regulars". Then I take 2 weeks off for vacation. Yay! It was a real exercise to get subs for the two weeks. I have just planned both their menus, and done the shopping and workflow breakdowns. ← Your meal sounds great. My seniors would love it. Do you regularly stay within budget?