GordonCooks

My Saturday lunch spot has always been Pangaea when trapsing around Yorkville.

Was there Sunday night without incident - I'm far from a regular there so I assume maybe you had an off night. The times I've popped in on a Saturday, I ate at the bar without any problems.

There is a small restaurant supply store in Henrietta called Innovative Catering & Restaurant Supply that you might try. Batavia Restaurant Supply is in Batavia which is about 45 minutes west. ← That's good info!

I think Jamie is talented but I have another opinion regarding chefs whose food is "Sooooooo much better" think they are blowing away the competition.

As long as you're talking Syracuse restaurant supply, I prefer Central Restaurant Supply (642 N Salina St) to Smith's because they seem to have more of what I'm typically looking for. I did get my current supply of baking parchment from a place in Rochester whose name eludes me. They weren't set up for the general public, but they were happy to sell me a giant box of sheet-pan sized pieces of parchment, which will probably keep me baking for the rest of my life. This was a couple of years ago, but I do remember they were somewhere in the SW part of the Rochester area, not too far from RIT in kind of an industrial area. They were open on Saturday morning. Not too helpful, I know. MelissaH ← Is Central the one in the big red brick building and has the coffee shop and the big knife display? That may be who I actually mean. I think you're referring to Tadco in the Genesee Regional Market on Jefferson rd.

Thanks for the heads up in re Kebab House. A buddy of mine is throwing off the bachelor pad life and moving into a decent place, and wanted to stock his kitchen, so I was looking for some Christmas gifts for him. I bought a lot of my stuff (save my knives, I got those in school) at a supply store in Seattle -- decent pots and pans that you don't mind banging around because they're cheap, but very usable, cutting boards, etc. Also saved quite a lot of money over buying at a department store. I picked him up a couple of the Victorinox Forschner series knives with the Fibrox handles -- good price, surprisingly good quality for a stamped knife, and extremely usable, so at least I have that covered. ← The best price on Calphalon,...let me re-phrase that. THE BEST PRICE on Calphalon is at the supply store at the Waterloo Outlet (Geneva) 50-75% and about the same on BOOs as well. Knives and Tools? Cooks World on Monroe or Bed, Bath, & Beyond in Pitts Plaza.

I'm a Stefan fan as well - he talks the talk and walks the walk.

It hasn't been a restaurant for at least 10 years. Not really any places around town do retail supply- Eagle on University has shut it's doors, Main-Ford on Lyell ave is mostly equipment (new, South Bend, etc) For small wares - I usually go to Syracuse to Smith Restaurant Supply on Erie Blvd - 315-474-8731. Anything in particular?

Thanks for the prompt reply, unfortunately today was the day, and fortunately we decided to go to Chen Garden because of all the great food porn on this thread. We were very pleased with them, 10 min wait, great service even though they looked very busy with both bar, sit down, and take out. Good solid Chinese. Passed by a couple other primo spots on this tread, logged them in the mind for future forays. Thanks again. ← Sorry for the later reply - For Chinese, it would have been my best suggestion. Bon Apetit

What style? and what day?

I'm dumbfounded how Top Chef came to my town and not one person I know in the biz or media had any idea. The funny thing is that they drove by 3 Wegman's to get to the grocery store they ended up at.

Would the wine have been a particularly good match for the soup?

Your invaluable guidance will passed down from generation to generation in my family. Well done indeed.

Why not go to your favorite liquor where you live and bring it with you on the plane? Or maybe have your friend who lives in Brooklyn choose a place. Whichever is easier.

No brainer....which place has the hottest girls?

Barbacks? Fill the ice, wash glasses, cut fruit, wash my silver, get me more freaking towels, repeat.. Once again.....best of luck

I hope your crowd realizes the quality you're presenting them with. 125 peeps at an open bar celebration will be either surprisingly easy or put you in the weeds for hours.

Enjoy your retirement - you've earned it! Cheers

Noted, thanks!!

Thanks for those great leads!

A good friend is looking into a opening a small specialty grocery store with take away. The hot end of the business is handled but I would like to advise moreso on the grocery end. Do you deal direct with your suppliers? Or manufacturer's reps? What was your initial turnaround time from negotiating your price to getting the product on the shelf. Product wise - oils, vinegars, dry goods, pastas, sweets,, etc. Think along the lines of William Sonoma

Any members possessing such a business. Looking for general start-up advice - spec supply chain management. Thanks

This is cool!

Cooking for such diverse restrictions is a challenge. I would probably pick a theme like mexican or asian - have them fill their own tacos, ssams, or spring rolls as desired from a tray of ingredients

Great Hotel? The Hazelton, Four Seasons, Soho Metropolitan, etc. Have had good luck at all of them. A little cheaper and still nice - Marriott Bloor-Yorkville, Westin Harbourcastle, the Hilton, The Renaissance Restaurant wise - Perigee, Splendido, ByMark, Colebourne Lane (if they're adventurous) George, One (in the Hazelton Hotel) Rain for some Asian flair, etc. BTW, Lunch at Jamie Kennedy wine bar on saturday is a must.