g_camper

That is certainly the case, and as such, I'll make my first post to the Pennsylvania board (hello, people!) and share my experience. ← Welcome, and your review has tempted me. I look forward to enjoying Meritage's pork, but as you do, I prefer it a little less well done.

We are doing two - Waldy Malouf - used to go to Hudson River Cafe in NY years ago - at Smoked Joint Gaia's - at Angelina. Look forward to seeing the gulleteers at TSJ.

We are currently going from: Linoleum floors in small squares in light brown which have been in place for 20 years - You cannot find dirt or anything on them anytime. They are virtually perfect for hiding dirt; however, perhaps too good. White formica counters - clean easily, don't stain, and are perfectly functional; however, you can't put hot pans on them. We are expanding our kitchen and getting rid of our den which sat two (and we want more friends and one another. We are installing: Wood floors in maple stained cinnamon (Bruce Hardwood Floor) - hopefully it will clean up great as it will also be in our mud room, but without kids, we should be able to control it. Granite countertops - we really like it, and think it will probably hide too much dirt too.

IMOH - They had rules you did not follow. 1) You reserved for two, brought three - not part of their deal, you changed the rules. 2) They asked for non-refundable advanced deposit (not certain if it was stated that way, but appears to be so), You were opting not to attend and you asked for a refund - you changed the rules. I would consider myself lucky to get anything back.

Another choice - Mattyson - good BYOB serving good food in a very nice atmosphere - also open for lunch. 19th St near Market.

Chopping, Chopping, Chopping - I even enjoy unloading the dishwasher if I have done enough chopping.

Had dinner at Django tonight - I cannot get over the service, food, and atmosphere that they bring together so smoothly and seemingly effortlessly. Everything was supperb (except, I could have brought a better wine). I had venison carpaccio, veal (melt in your mouth) and the wonderful cheese plate. Nothing could have been done better. SWAMBO had some of the most delectible gnocchi, followed by scallops and almond, almond, and almond dessert. The pacing was perfect, the waitstaff was perfect, and mon dieu - I LOVE THIS PLACE. Great value - great food - great people - even the music is great. Can't wait to go back. Too bad it takes so long to get a reservation.

I have heard of the Century Club, but this is the first time I have seen their web site. Thanks to some very active traveling over the years due to business, here is my list (per TCC's qualifications). Asterisks indicate countries where I have not had meals. Australia Guam Hawaiian Islands Alaska Canada Mexico US Costa Rica Guatemala Argentina Brazil Chile Colombia Peru Venezuela Antigua Dominican Republic Jamaica St. Martin St. Maarten Puerto Rico Bermuda Andorra Austria Mallorca Belgium Bulgaria Czech Republic Denmark England Finland France Germany Gibraltar Greece Hungary Ireland Italy Monaco Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Romania Scotland Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey (Istanbul) Vatican City* Wales Botswana Guinea* Ivory Coast Kenya Morocco Senegal South Africa Zambia Zimbabwe Abu Dhabi Bahrain Dubai Fujeirah* Kuwait Lebanon Ras Al Khaimah* Saudi Arabia Sharjah* China (PRC) China (Taiwan) Hong Kong Japan Malaysia Philippines Singapore Thailand Turkey (in Asia) I think it totals 78 or so. I don't consider myself a "tourist" and see little sense in the Century Club and even if I had 200, would not consider joining such a club. I hadn't really thought about it until I read this posting. Would not consider a cruise except one or two (I did one to Alaska and would consider one in Norway). Interesting to think of the best and worst meals - had some very bad ones and some absolutely wonderful ones as well. Worst - Senegal - some form of rodent stewed with a very strong taste and many small bones. Too many to mention wonderful ones.

It was a week or so after Thanksgiving. I was making risotto for some friends and having heated the brodo for the risotto and having added it, I found that I needed a little more chicken broth (1/2 cup or so) to finish the risotto. Upon opening the refrigerator, I saw a tupperware with about 1/2 cup of coagulated chicken broth (or so I thought). I added it to the risotto and upon contact, it coagulated even more and turned white - it was egg whites (I guess it is a type of chicken anyway). Served the risotto anyway. Only one person thought that there might have been something wrong. Upon being questioned, I gave myself up. No pain, just bad risotto.

I must commend this blog - Kitchen redo and dining out in Atlanta - great stuff!! I am getting ready to do a remodel of my kitchen and would be willing to set up a blog if there is interest. We too are moving out for the time, but into our neighbor's house while they are in France. The work will be done in May/June. Our's is a smaller scale, but with a difference. We will be combining our kitchen with our den which is very small. We are currently at the stage where we have decided on: 1) Our contractor 2) Our design (more or less) 3) Our cabinet wood (natural maple) 4) Our range (Wolf 36" 6 burner) 5) Our Refrigerator (Sub-Zero 36") Cabinet Front 6) Our Dishwasher (Asko) Cabinet Front Still undecided are: 1) SWAMBO (She Who Absolutely Must Be Obeyed) and I have not reached an agreement regarding Granite 2) Have to decide on the windows this week. Along with that is the hardware. Do we match the door hardware with the faucets and knobs? If so, we have to decide on that now too. 3) Traveling to Spain the end of March to determine backsplash tiles(not really, but it sounds good - we are going on vacation and will be looking, but will have a choice here - just in case). 4) Everything else If interested, let me know, and I will try to document the process, what goes wrong, and what can help others.

I am going to be staying in some paradors during my trip to Spain in early April. We will be staying one night in each of the following paradors and I am wondering about the food and the quality of the rooms (recognizing that rooms are not covered in egullet, but if you have comments I would appreciate them). If you think the food is not particularly authentic for the area, or if it is just not inspiring, I would appreciate your candor and any recommendations for alternative dining. We are interested in both fine dining and economical local fare as well as tapa bars. Here are the paradors - Chinchon Jaen Cadiz Carmona Trujillo Toledo (I have noted the Toledo dining thread, but there is no reference to the parador). Any general comments on the paradors are also appreciated - I have had both good and mediocre meals in the past at paradors in Arcos, Granada, and Guadalupe (one of the better ones at that time with fine migas y huevos). Thanks, Glenn

Let me know where to go - I love cassoulet!!! His sounds wonderful. I miss good bistro food. When I lived in NYC, I enjoyed Le Zinc (now in a reincarnation) and Les Halles for cassoulet. Here the only cassoulet that I found was at Ange Bleu (sadly gone now). Still looking so don't hesitate to write. Glenn

Rose Tattoo does some pretty good Gumbo, and other things as well. A little further away, in Media, the New Orleans Cafe usually does something up for Mardi Gras. There is also a New Orleans based restaurant in West Chester (even further out). Good luck.

I also make paella, but only 3 or 4 times a year. My thoughts are its all about the rice. Using short grain rice (I generally use arborio), and, when I am on my game, it is jus a little bit al dente. My problems come after the rice is cooked as I finish the paella reheating some of the precooked ingredients, I often overcook the rice. I have made it outdoors, and the smoke definitely adds character to the paella; however, I like stovetop as well.

I don't think anybody said this yet, but Tony Luke's is CLOSED on Sunday. (If you're going on Superbowl Sunday they /might/ be open with a very limited menu.) I'm not a big Jim's fan; I would recommend Pat's or Geno's (I prefer Geno's). You shouldn't miss Tony Luke's though. ← The new Tony Luke's Beer & Sports Bar (across Oregon from the original) I believe will be open; however, expect it to be overrun with Eagles fans after about 3 PM.

Great list - do you have any ideas for finding great olive oils and tuna in Andalucia - Particularly Sevilla or Costa del Sol. Thanks,

I am pretty happy with my Chef's Choice, which is what I currently use, but feel a professional could do them better. I know the Twinsharp and used to have one, but part of it broke and I never replaced it. I think I will head down to Fantes. Thanks for all the help. Glenn

I have an excellent set of knives that I have sharpened at home for many years on my electric sharpener. I would like to have these professionally sharpened about once a year or so. I haven't found a place here to do it. Of course, I could continue in the manner I have, but thought that there might be some place that does this. I could also invest in a stone too - I know. I live in DelCo, but come into the city and would consider anyplace nearby. Thanks, Glenn

I have had it once, and thought it to be rather insipid. Little spice, and very little avocado. It was some time ago, so perhaps I should give it another try. Catrines still seems to me to be a US interpretation of what mexican food is.

Wow, a comprehensive list to say the least - I would also add El Vez to the otherwise comprehensive listing.

Wow! Jerez to Teruel is a long, long 500-mile drive, just for a one-day stay! Guadalupe seems more feasible. ← I corrected my original post - Trujillo (not Teruel) Brain Burp. Thanks for the other suggestions. We will use them and I will report back.

Thanks for your comments. I knew Gallo Azul when I lived in Spain, and it was a great Tapas bar - glad to hear it is still there. I will take you up on Hacienda Del Rosalejo - it is either new(er) or I missed it entirely when I lived there.

I have yet to find a Spanish restaurant that brings me back to the authentic dishes of Spain. Real paella, made like they do in Valencia, is the one meal I crave most. I have eaten at Bollo in NY, It was great don't get me wrong, just not authentic. Any reccomendations? I am a hard critic of Spanish food since I lived in Valencia, Spain for a year. But I am open to the search! ← I concur - I lived for several years in Andalucia and enjoyed great Paellas in Sevilla and other great Andalucian towns. I also miss good tapas. I can't even find good spanish chorizo anywhere (even in markets). There is also a very small number of good Mexican restaurants - Zocolo is very good, but not convenient, most authentic are small places in Kennett Square, but not very refined. Catrines is fine too, but I haven't found dishes such as Chiles al Nogadas, good sopa de tortilla, crepas de huitlacoche, nor Posole. Find me any or all of those served well, and I will be there weekly.

Okay, Katie, Congrats - I am someone who works nearby, and have been to SSOH only three times in 7 years of working in the city. Why? No good reason. None at all. But since reading about the things you have planned, I am coming in for lunch - as soon as I can walk there without having loss of ears. I am going to try a selection of your oysters at the bar, and investigate your wine list. I am a very recent convert to eGullet, and as such, by definition, a s.l.o.w l.e.a.r.n.e.r . I will be there and ask for Katie - I do like the place, and have no good reason for not being there more. Glenn

In early April, my wife and I will be driving from Madrid's Airport to Aranjuez to Jaen, then Malaga & Costa del Sol for golf and on to the Costa de la Luz and Jerez then a brief tour through Extremadura and finishing in Toledo. We have traveled on several occasions in Spain and I lived there years ago in Chipiona, but as things change, we are always looking to find new places. We are going armed with a recent Red Michelin, but would appreciate any guidance that this fine board might offer. We will spend a night each in Aranjuez and Jaen on the trip south. We will be on the Costa del Sol for a week at the Marriott Marbella Beach Club, and generally have found the food around there to be either lacking or too expensive to really enjoy, so we are planning some trips for dinner and would welcome suggestions. We will be in Jerez or Sanlucar de Barrameda for a couple of nights. Does anyone know if Tendido Seis (I believe it was called) is still in Jerez and good? Then to Teruel (correction - Trujillo not Teruel) or Guadalupe in Extremadura for one night. Finishing in Toledo for two nights. Please give me any thoughts you might have. We are looking for good quality spanish cuisine, that will not break the bank. Thanks,