ulterior epicure

oh right... forgot to mention, i have been to angelo's. although i didn't have their fried raisin toast (doesn't regular raisin toast come out to the table as a staple?), i did have a wonderful omelette on one trip and regular french toast on another... gee, i guess i have covered quite a bit of ann arbor brunches... yet to confirm that eve is closed for brunch... sad if it's true. u.e.

I do not wish to speak for YT, but that is the editing software. The foie at Butter perfectly seared and I have had the dish twice. We were in very dim light at the table and YT's editing touch is magnificent to get the photos to this point. I noticed that the Foie looked that way, but that seems to be the only thing that was not reproduced a la natural. ← i suspected it was the result of negotiating (and indeed, sometimes fighting) insufficient lighting... but thought it might be a glaze or some kind of other sauce. sigh, a big down-side to having dimly lit "atmospheric" lighting in restaurants. u.e. [edited to add] It's actually a black hole. ← ?

why is the foie gras black?

ditto - doolittle needs to show!! very curious, indeed! u.e.

Best Pizza: A relic from the past, I know, but I have to admit that the yeasty thin crust of Godfather's bewitched me from the age of 5. Kelso's as well does a nice yeasty thin crisp crust. Not a huge pizza eater any more, so I can't fairly comment beyond these... Best Felafel: Disappointingly, I can't think of a single one that measures up... if anyone has any suggestions, would love to hear/eat! Best Mediterranean: Ditto (see "Best Felafel"). Does anyone know of ANY Morroccan establishments? I'm dying for some besteeya and tagines!! Most romantic restaurant (Fitting for today, huh?!): My sense of romance is not like the normal crowd... can't think of one, actually. Best Onion Rings: ? Best Interior Decor at a Restaurant: Lidia's. Especially if you know what it used to look like. Pierpont's and Capital Grill aren't bad either. Best View at a Restaurant: Hmmm, I'm generally not one for looking out the window when I eat - so the only places that I can think of that actually have a view are the American, Piropos, Skies, and whatever's at the top of the Westin Crown Center. Of these, I'd give it to the Skies - American if it's Christmas-time. Best Mainstream Grocery Store: Can't say I have one... most of the decent ones are OVERPRICED, imho. Best Specialty Shop: Better Cheddar for food, Pryde's for wares (although I would have to say both can be unreasonably bit pricey). Incidentally, you can find some pretty good stuff at the World Market (Westport).

no... haven't heard - but i'm cautiously excited - kansas city needs some injection of solid japanese food, imho. robata - that's my kind of grillin'! moosnsqrl and others - please keep us informed!! what's the website so that i can keep an eye out on it? u.e.

yeah, the two times i've been to zola for lunch, it's been insanely crowded. re: zanzibar's - you're not missing much. actually, saving yourself some hard-earned money. any other brunch spots recommendations? ulterior epicure

new question: i must meet an associate in ann arbor (compromise in distance) this weekend. our schedules have (after a long negotiation) agreed on brunch on sunday... while i love the brunch at eve (and really should go back). i've also brunched at cafe zola and zanzibar's (will never go back). any other suggestions? zingerman's roadhouse? u.e.

ditto. i'm more of an emotional rather than intellectual eater - but i definitely think that attending such even could only enhance my eating experiences. u.e.

i've lauded it before, and i repeat here. although it's not 3-star (i think it should be), carre des feuillants 65 euro lunch prix-fixe is worth it. as well, i believe that the lunch at le cinq is either 75 or 80 euros... i had a horrible experience... but to each his/her own. u.e.

alas, wish i could join you! i already have plans... sigh... we expect a report! u.e.

yikes - it sounds like it'll break many a diners' heart! can't wait to try it! u.e.

...been keeping a close eye on custom house - so it's hitting all the right marks? my visit to spring a couple of years back was revelatory... unfortunately, my dinner at green zebra last summer didn't impress... how would you characterize custom house? i know it's more all-american - and seems like a heartier menu than it's sisters. u.e.

is this state-by-state, or nation-wide?

you're right, it's honest. i desist. u.e.

if that's the case, then as a diner at the casual "bar" (or out on the "terrace" as in my case), i'd rather be told (b). Not only is this an honest statement, but also a perfectly understandable explanation. if the restaurant is so concerned that their earlier casual eaters might be disappointed with limited numbers of lobster burgers (especially as early as 6:30), then perhaps they should consider upping x (the number of lobsters ordered). if that's not possible, then an explanation like (b) would be perfectly acceptable to me as an admittedly "casual" diner. i think that if it is the fit the bill as "the best restaurant in d.c.," then that sort of restaurant owes the diner nothing short of an honest explanation. if our server was honest in saying that they had run out of lobster burgers, for whatever reason, then i stand corrected. i think that my observations were clearly marked as merely speculative: having clarified the situation and my personal misgivings, i don't think that i've done a terrible disservice to the restaurant, nor to the egullters who might wander across this thread. after all, as noted, despite my disappointment, it has not only not deterred me from returning - but actually has given me an extra incentive to do so![edited for spelling errors]

zeemanb. can't wait to hear your full report! u.e.

For an upmarket Sunday brunch - go, go, GO to North Pond.. The Ulterior Epicure.

What CTA stop (I'm assuming the El, not bus) is near Avec? U.E.

here is my latest write-up of jeremy restaurant in keego harbor, michigan based on a recent visit. enjoy!! ulterior epicure.

this is the latest news that i have heard about jun's. u.e.

ditto - neither do i ("spend middling sums of money on mediocre food"). but, to comply with the "spirit" of katie's thread, can't you name some "mediocre" establishment that you would/could see yourself visiting on an anyday - if no kitchen/grocery store format were feasible for some reason or another? i don't want to force your arm, but... i NEVER eat out anymore unless it's out of necessity OR it's a planned night "dining out" - however, with some imagination (of nightmarish implication ), if i, for some reason, had to resort to an "everyday restaurant" kind of lifestyle, i would head to chipotle most often for a cheap and simple meal. u.e.

avoiding building a reputation as being vampirish, i LOVE blood products... but, i've always been uncertain as the the legalities of serving them in restaurants (u.s.). i've seen and bought pigs blood in asian markets, but to think of it... i've not seen any blood products served on any menu - not even at the most haute restaurants... perhaps i've forgotten (that very well maybe), or i've just not looked in the right places? duck's blood soup, huh? will have to look up hamtramck (not from this area - just here on a temporary assignment). 18 years ago, huh... don't remember the name? ... yes, i do mind, but for good food, why not?

looks like it... darn! i wish i were nyc right now! i have a whole list of restaurants i need to do and re-do... so i'm a'comin'! u.e.

you're no fun... seriously, if i had known that option was available, i'd have picked the same!! ← NOT AN OPTION!!! ← katie's thread, katie's rules!! ... buck up moosnsqurl - divulge where you slum for food on an average day!! the rest of us did!