joiei

cook up those grits with some heavy cream and some mushrooms, yummm. At breakfast, straight up with bacon and a fried egg, nothing better, especially if you have some extra butter to let melt on top. And instant grits are a total abomination. Who ever thought that product up should be taken out back of the woodshed and given a talking to. Now I can think of a few northern dishes I have tried and wondered to myself, what the heck to they eat this for, yuk.

That is the way my Mom made her giblet gravy, and come to think of it. all the church ladies did the same thing. I didn't have any other kind of gravy with turkey or baked chicken until I left the south. I thought something was wrong when I couldn't get giblet gravy with my plate of turkey. And for those who haven't tried it yet issue forth with an opinion, ya gotta try it before you can say anything about it. Racheld, you rock my friend, keep the old ways alive. There is nothing wrong with them.

Oh, I think most folks 'round these parts know what a smoke ring is. I don't know anyone who really gives much of a d*mn how deep it is, though. ← And I even pass on the sliced white bread and go straight to the meat. That onion and pickle is what I consider my salad. lol.

This article in the New Times by Lee Klein lists 10 reasons why Miami hasn't lived up to the hype of previous years. One example is Is the a realistic view of dining in the South of Florida today? Or is it an oversimplification of bigger problems? I have spent time in the region and have good memories of some excellent dinners, although I have been gone for 5 years now. It sounds like the area has gone from trend setter to running in place. What is up with that?

Lanny's Alta Cucina Mexicana in Ft Worth had an excellent version of skate as part of a tasting menu a while back. You would need to call to see if they have it on the menu for when your going to be there. I recommend Lanny's to anyone as being one of the best restaurants in the DFW. I have no problem paying $60-80 per person for the food, no beverage. It is that good for me. Of course this is a personal assesment. And I have to drive 4 hours to do that also.

I tried some of those Pittsburg Hot Links once when I stopped in Hughes Springs for a meal. They must be an acquired taste. I did'nt much care for them.

I went with davebr and heard the line about the restaurant pricing policy, I feel bad for the folks who go in there and get robbed. Your better of going to Majestic, at least they don't do restaurant mark up to sell to the public. And they do not have the line of bull. Actually, when I get wine in Dallas, i ususally get it at Central Market. They special order for me if they do not have it on the shelf. The wine crew at the Lover's Lane store are very helpful.

My rosemary has been in the ground now for 4 years on the west side of the house in a sprinklered bed. Last spring we topped that bed with some compost from the mushroom farm. But it just keeps on a growing. The basil is gone now, freeze got it. the chives go into hibernation, the sage just keep on a growing, the thyme has never had to be replanted. The mint, we put in pots because it is invasive if planted in the ground. The tarragon has come back out with cooler weather. My location is Tulsa, halfway between Texas and Kansas. The only thing I really have had trouble with is cilantro and rabbits. lol.

No coffee, i brew my self a cup of tea using my nifty loose tea thingy I got off the internet and water brought just to a boil and some China Keemun Black, let it steep for 4 minutes, remove the tea leaves and enjoy my morning. I don't take sugar, or cream or lemon in my tea. I don't know where the lemon idea came from, but yuck. I like my tea too much to put that much tart acid in it, screws up the flavor I think.

To continue the discussion on the Austin Area Farmers Markets, here is a copy of the weekly email from Angel Valley Organic Farms Their web site is www.angelvalleyfarms.com Sounds like a fun day trip to me, and it isn't all that far for you city folks, think Green Acres and go for it.

Two points, first the price at Farmer's Markets. The vendors are merchants trying to make a return on their investment of the produce and other products they truck into the market to sell to buyers. THey are not in business to give it away. So while it might be a little more expensive than the local Wal-Mart or whatever. THe thing is you get to meet and know the person who grows your food. Try doing that at any large market. I speak from experience of being on the Board of Directors of my local farmers market. It is more than just a bunch of guys selling to the lowest bidder. For a lot of market vendors that I know, that is how they earn their income, it isn't done just for fun or to be cute. If you want a better selection, then get to know the growers, ask them what they can grow. The other point, Kent, you baffle me, first you post pictures encouraging people to frequent the local farmer's market, then in the same thread you dump all over it, comparing it to Baltimore, for heaven's sake. Make up your mind. I have shopped the market on Guadalupe and while it was not as big as ours here in Tulsa, it was okay. I have seen worse markets and I have seen better. It all depends on funding. New Orleans has great markets, and I think some of them are open again, but they had funding from one of the local universities. Money helps. Give your self a free education, get involved with your community beyond the ivory spires of the university. Larry in Tulsa

Kent, have you tried ordering direct from someplace like CIty Fish in Pike Place Market in Seattle? If you want someplace closer, maybe try Joe Patti for seafood from the Gulf and have it shipped in directly to you. That is one way to get fresh seafood if the local markets do not meet your needs. I do this sometimes because the local markets are pretty far from any source up here.

The next time I come up to KC, can i get in touch with you all? Part of the fun is sharing a taste of something that is really good. And I have eaten at Room 39. I found it a couple of weeks ago when i was up and loved it.

I haven't been to any of the special dinners, but a couple of weeks ago when I was in town, I showed up late. They sat me in the bar, no problem, and i had a wonderful meal. The grouper was prefect. I know there are other places in town, but 40 s seems to be my go to place because i know i can get an excellent meal late. The kitchen does not lag in the late evening, and I appreciate that. I will not be back until Jan and I will be there for dinner at least once. One of these days, maybe my trip will coincide with one of there events. I can at least hope.

Chef, I agree with your statement. If the Beard House wants to continue to represent the culinary of North America, they need to go beyond the city limits of New York City. I know they invite chefs from all over, but the only ones they reward are the high profile guys with really good pr people. Until they do, I pay them very little attention. I have had great food in Kansas City, Fayetteville, Ak, Austin, Destin and they are totally ignored. Is there something in their rules that says only chefs in areas of a certain size are allowed to receive awards?

I don't think the price of the Le Creuset is worth it when my Lodge works just as well and is a heck of a lot easier on the pocket book. I have one piece of Le Creuset, the large rectangle roaster and it makes killer lasagna. The dutch oven I have was given to me by my ex sister in law when they divided everything after the divorce.

They put those things on the sandwich because they don't know any better, poor things might never of had a real Muffaletta.

The restaurants website with info on Chef Joel

Thanks, next time I am down and have extra time, I will look into exploring a part of Texas I know nothing about. Yee Haw.

Kent, what do you think about theTexas BBQ page list?

there's an HEB in Waxahachie, that may be closer to you. ← There's one in Ennis too if you feel like making the short drive to get your Blood Orange Soda fix. My parents live there and I went to visit this past Sunday and ran in to the HEB, and low and behold, there they were! I walked out with 4 bottles and a bag of the CM Organic Popcorn ← Where is Ennis? I know very little about Texas if it is anywhere far off of I-35 between DFW and Austin. I get out west more often than I do down south. I have to make a run down to Dallas on the 19th of Nov and will be making my ususal stock up at the Lovers Lane store. .

Is having all of the crew wear chefs coats supposed to make us think we are dining at a **** restaurant, is that the uniform that Armani designed for them. Dont you wish you had the contract to supply those coats?

I went and found the 135th St bbq, it was a bit difficult with the construction and all. I thought the ends and the ribs were pretty good, the ribs were not overcooked, they had just a bit of a tug. The brisket was awful, way overcooked and dry. The beans was probably the best thing I had, flavorful and full of bits of meat. The sauce was pretty good also, it had just a bit of a zing without being too cloying and sweet. Then I had dinner at 40 Sardines and that was wonderful. Breakfast at Room 39 was also very good. I had the brioche french toast and applewood bacon. I would go back there. Small, nice neighborhood environment with pretty good coffee and adequite service. And I stopped at Dean and Deluca for my sandwiches to go for the trip home. I got the club and the Italian hero.

Thai-riffic is a good recommendation. I liked the green curry dishes.

I would highly recommend making the drive over to Ft Worth to dine at Lanny's Alta Cucina Mexicana in the Cultural district. Some of the best food in the entire DFW is coming out of Lanny's kitchen. And his new restaurant is very comfortable. Lanny Lancarte is showing Dallas how it is done in a gracious way.