nomistone

I can't believe there's someone else who knows Devorah's in Pardess Chana! I studied there for a year and every time I've gone back I have to pay a visit. No other falafel even comes close. And to add something of value to this thread, Chez Sima's website: http://chezsima.com/

David Drakes is fabulous. My husband and I are going on Monday for our birthdays and are really looking forward to it, even though we were just there a couple of weeks ago. The food, the atmosphere and the service have been top notch every time we have been there. They are closed on Sunday and definitely in need of a reservation for Saturday.

Gotta love Google. They are just called "milk chocolate with popping candy" and can be found here. http://www.israeliwishes.com/index.asp?Pag...ROD&ProdID=1309

I LOVED this when I was in Israel the last time a couple of years ago- I brought it back for my coworkers who thought it was the most amazing stuff. Every time anyone went over they had to bring some back or there was a near riot in the office! Of course, I hadn't been able to find it anywhere since. Now I think I'll have to start looking for it. mmmm.....popping chocolate.....

Even if they're not melted, they're weirdly gritty. I picked them up a couple of weeks ago and both Hubby and I were disconcerted by the mouthfeel. So we stuck them in the freezer to see if that would help. Not really. They're still sitting there.

The Husband and I were in Key Largo in Novemeber for our birthdays. We had a wonderful dinner at the Fish House for my birthday and for his birthday we went to Snapper's Saloon. We ate outside and were able to watch the kids feeding the fish on the dock....the fish were practically jumping out of the water! It's definitely more casual, at least sitting outside, and they have a Tiki Bar a little further down the dock so it was a little loud. I don't remember everything we ate, but they do have some extraordinary shrimp fritters and very tasty crab cakes. Snapper’s Saloon (305) 852-5956 139 Seaside Ave. Mile Marker 94.5 Key Largo, FL 33037 http://www.thefloridakeys.com/snappers/page2.htm Naomi

Can anyone recommend some places in (on?) Key Largo? My husband and I will be down in mid-November and will be celebrating both of our birthdays down there so we would love recommendations for a couple of great dinners. We'll be celebrating my birthday with a dolphin swim (which I am totally looking forward to!) but I suspect we'll work up quite an appetite. Cost is little of a concern as we are quite happy and willing to pay for quality of food and service. The Fish House looks very good....is the service there also good? Thanks in advance! Naomi

This is my first post to eGullet, though I have been lurking and reading for quite some time. My husband and I took friends of ours to Table 8 for dinner Saturday night. It was our fourth time there (two other dinners plus the Katrina benefit). We've known Chef Michael Clampffer since the Stage House where my Husband had been a regular since the David Drake days. (We actually got married at the Stage House earlier this year.) The soup of the moment was a split pea with either ham or bacon (I forget) and herbed croutons. Husband loved it, but I found the soup a little too thin for my taste in pea soup. The foie gras was served with fig compote and was absolutely delicious. We got an order of the bacon wrapped dates stuffed with almonds and gorgonzola which are highly addictive. I don't really like bacon (or gorgonzola for that matter) and I think they are wonderful. Demetri insisted we try them on our first visit and we have had them every time since. I had the crab cake which was quite tasty and something I would certainly order again. Our guest also ordered the shrimp beggars purse which I had on our last visit and it was very well received by our picky friend. For main courses, filet mignon was a special, served with mashed potatoes and some veggies, which is what both the gentlemen ordered and devoured. I had the Yellow fin Tuna with adobo and sesame crust, wasabi risotto, soy peanut sauce, and coconut vinaigrette. Though I couldn't really taste the coconut in the vinaigrette, the tuna, served rare, was spicy and delicious. Definitely something I would order again. (I have also had the pan seared scallops which I adore.) Our ladyfriend had the monkfish special which was server with Israeli couscous. It was also rather tasty. For dessert we had the butterscotch creme brulee served with an oatmeal cookie, the chocolate hazelnut cake served with hazelnut ice cream and chocolate sorbet, panna cotta served with figs and the passion fruit tart. All desserts were excellent and eagerly shared and devoured. I also had a scoop of the yummy cinnamon ice cream. It was another delicious meal for us at Table 8. It is still a touch too noisy when crowded, which seems to be all evening. Service is getting better, though they do seem to be a little short staffed at peak times. They are looking to boost the FOH staff which should help things. Table 8 is now open for lunch and Sunday brunch, which we are dying to try. Reservations are recommended for dinner. Naomi edited for spelling....