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hungryCAT

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Posts posted by hungryCAT

  1. I've always thought the term "foodie" referred to pretentious people who collect Michelin stars, but don't necessarily know much about food/cooking.

    Maybe it's the air-quotes thing...I dunno. I really hate the term. In my own experience--present company excluded, of course--people who refer to themselves as foodies are those who actually know the least about food. They are the kind of people who will rave about a mediocre meal at a top restaurant because the restaurant has a reputation, and is expensive. They can't see past the price tag, the ambience, and the polished service and realize that the food itself is not that great. They are ones who wrinkle their noses at things like tripe or tendon, and instead order the $70 filet mignon.

    I can't see myself having a mediocre meal and thinking it was wonderful just

    for the sake of saying so. Now, I did mention earlier that atmosphere sometimes makes a

    difference, but sometimes not. There's a restaurant that opened not far from my home a few months

    ago. Nice ambience, attentive servers and . . . average food.

    I've been there 3 times and I've tried to enjoy it, but just can't.

    I've since given up on it. I just can't imagine a foodie-type not seeing an average

    meal for what it is - average.

  2. Wow.  The various definitions and meanings to different people really run the gamut.  I never ever realized that the term had slightly negative connotations.  I think most people in this forum are foodies to some extent, but I don't think the term is all-encompassing. 

    If you "never ever realized that the term had slightly negative connotations," you're lucky. It shouldn't. It should be a fun and inclusive word describing fun and inclusive people that enjoy a fun and inclusive activity.

    But unfortunately, after you're on eG for a while you'll realize that every time this subject comes up, which it does about once a year, the same crowd of "usual suspects" arrive to tell you how much better they are than those awful, trendy, no-nothing, pretentious, chef-groupie, lemming-like foodies.

    That's okay, hungryCAT. If you're a foodie, you can hang with me. I'm one, too.

    And damn proud of it.

    I'm right there with ya, Jaymes!! :biggrin:

  3. Wow.  The various definitions and meanings to different people really run the

    gamut.  I never ever realized that the term had slightly negative connotations.

    I think most people in this forum are foodies to some extent, but I don't think the term is all-encompassing. 

    I have a definite "interest" in food.  I am interested in where it comes from, how

    it is made, how it tastes, what is the culture, etc etc.  I love trying new restaurants

    and the atmosphere does make a difference - usually.  That being said, I have

    eaten in some hole-in-the-wall places, (The Cultured Pearl, a small Mexican dive

    in Baltimore, MD, for instance)  The only thing going for it was literally paper

    table coverings with crayons.  But, the food was exceptional.  To some, considering

    atmosphere may mean that I am not a true foodie, and that atmosphere should make no difference.

    I may make the assumption that Tony B is a foodie, and some may say even more

    so than others, because to him, atmosphere is a non-issue.  Look at the places he

    has been.  He could be in a hole in the wall and have the best food experience

    imaginable.  It is all about the food.

    Actually, to add to my last paragraph, it is also about the culture and spirit.

  4. Wow. The various definitions and meanings to different people really run the

    gamut. I never ever realized that the term had slightly negative connotations.

    I think most people in this forum are foodies to some extent, but I don't think the term is all-encompassing.

    I have a definite "interest" in food. I am interested in where it comes from, how

    it is made, how it tastes, what is the culture, etc etc. I love trying new restaurants

    and the atmosphere does make a difference - usually. That being said, I have

    eaten in some hole-in-the-wall places, (The Cultured Pearl, a small Mexican dive

    in Baltimore, MD, for instance) The only thing going for it was literally paper

    table coverings with crayons. But, the food was exceptional. To some, considering

    atmosphere may mean that I am not a true foodie, and that atmosphere should make no difference.

    I may make the assumption that Tony B is a foodie, and some may say even more

    so than others, because to him, atmosphere is a non-issue. Look at the places he

    has been. He could be in a hole in the wall and have the best food experience

    imaginable. It is all about the food.

  5. My hubby and I had a "debate", shall we say, over the definitiion of a foodie.

    I say that a foodie is one who is up for trying any kind of food, loves many types

    of foods, lives for food, etc.

    He says that a foodie is one who travels all over the world trying various cuisines.

    Now I know that a lot of foodies have done extensive traveling, but because I

    have not, does that mean I am not?

    Hubby says I am a "foodie-wanna-be". :angry: I say, I am a foodie all-the-way!! :raz:

    In your opinion, what makes a foodie a foodie??

  6. The only Walden Farms product I use on a regularly basis is the chocolate

    syrup. There was a time when I used the blue cheese dressing almost

    daily, then I developed a sudden dislike for it. I don't know if they changed

    the recipe or what, but now I can't stand the sight of it.

    As far as the chocolate syrup, I put it in smoothies and on top of frozen

    yogurt. I tried the BBQ sauce once, but didn't care for it.

  7. Has anyone else used winelog.net? It is a site where you can keep track of

    your favorite wines (and not so favorite). You can view others' wine lists,

    as well. I've only logged 3 different wines so far - I am just getting started.

  8. I'm getting the feeling that this season is gonna be overly "staged".

    That silly business of the guy going up to the kitchen and demanding

    more pumpkin and a preview I've seen of Jean Pierre getting an

    entree or whatever thrown at him - give me a break. I get the feeling

    that theatrics are really getting over the top - thus making this less

    reality TV and more ridiculous nonsense.

    I'll still watch it, of course. :cool:

  9. Wow. What a bunch of losers this season. The only one I see going all the way is

    Heather. She's the only one who seems to have her head on straight. Giacomo

    might last a while, too. Although, like someone said earlier, what do you expect

    having no restaurant experience, then being thrown into the fire, so to speak.

    It was amusing at the start of the show how everyone was so cocky and sure of

    themselves, then . . . :shock: ! Too funny.

  10. I'll be watching Hell's Kitchen mostly to see if any of the apprentices has the balls to throw a plate of food back at Ramsay.  Too bad the Irish lout eliminated from Top Chef didn't make it onto Hell's Kitchen.  That would have been a show woth watching, though Ramsay would have ended up on top.

    Yes, that would be quite a showdown.

  11. I love this thread . . . :wub:

    I LOVE:

    Tony Bourdain - what a guy!! He tells it like it is, sugar-coats nothing, and, well, isn't that difficult to look at :wub:

    Rachel Ray - I know - too happy, too perky. I like her, and she just puts me in a

    good mood.

    Giada DiLaurentis - She knows her food, and acts like a pal

    Paula Deen - "Hey, y'all!!" Love her accent and her down-to-earth persona. Yeah, she uses too much butter and mayo, but that's okay.

    I LIKE:

    Andrea Immer

    Jamie Oliver

    Tyler Florence

    Julia

    Iron Chef Sakai

    Martin Yan - "Stir it up, stir it up, stir it up . . ."

    Gordon Ramsay

    I DISLIKE (hate is such a strong word):

    Bobby Flay - That Iron Chef fiasco was truly disgusting. Granted, I do watch his

    show from time to time, and he really is a good cook, but his cocky behavior is

    off-putting.

    Martha Stewart - I don't enjoy being talked down to.

    Emeril - Went to Emeril's in Orlando a year ago and was absolutely disappointed.

    The rolls were cold and hard as rocks, the broccolli rabe was so tough, even a

    steak knife wouldn't cut it, the plates were dusty, and the bananas foster tasted

    like it came from the freezer. I will not go back. And, if I hear, "Here's what we're

    gonna do . . ." one more time, here's what I'm gonna do!

    Alton Brown - seems like a doofus to me, but maybe I just haven't watched him

    enough.

    Sara Moulton - Well, she is a good cook, but she seems to talk down to her guests.

    Rocco DiSpirito - Seems like more of a pimp than a restauranteer, schmoozing and

    cozying up to the chicks. Turns me off.

    UNDECIDED:

    Michael Chiarello - He truly knows his stuff and he is starting to grow on me.

    Ina Garten - can't keep my attention.

    Mario Batali - haven't seen him enough.

    Sandra Lee - the little I've seen of her has not impressed me. And, from the posts

    on this thread, I'm not sure I'll bother.

  12. Has anyone mentioned the grande finale, the presentation of the check?

    Any interesting devices to hold the receipt when brought to the table?

    Oh, yes, the check . . . I do find it odd when the server presents the check, says,

    "No rush . . .whenever you're ready" or whatever - without asking if we'd like dessert, a cup of coffee, etc. Kicking us out, huh?

    One thing I forgot about regarding salads. Someone else mentioned having actual

    green lettuce as opposed to iceburg - I wholeheartedly agree with that. And, as

    far as tomatoes - I would like to see some effort made by the kitchen staff to cut

    off the center brown part of the tomato before it gets thrown in my salad. Please!

  13. Oh, yeah. A server that reaches directly in front of me to pass on a plate to

    another diner at my table irks me every time. Or when he/she stands at the

    opposite side of the table and hands me my entree expecting me to take it

    and put it on the table myself. Like previously stated, if it is impossible

    for the server to place the dish in front of me, I will take it from him. Otherwise,

    there's no excuse for it except laziness

  14. If I enter a restaurant and smell that "dirty dish rag" smell, I run for the hills.

    If I seem to be sitting at my table forever with menu still in hand and no beverage

    that means I have not been helped. IF, as a server, you notice this, and I am

    not technically in your section, please at least acknowledge me and let me know

    that I will be helped soon.

    Silverware should be clean. It doesn't have to be completely spotless, but dried food on a fork is a HUGE turnoff.

    Dirty/sticky menus. Yak.

    Crumbs on the chair/ booth seat really annoy me! If you're gonna wipe/clean

    off the table, why can't you brush off the seats, too?!?! Come to think of it, a

    dirty, cluttered floor doesn't impress me either.

    A dirty/messy restroom is a BIG CLUE that the kitchen is probably a mess, too.

    Some pickier issues:

    I know it's not a complete necessity, but I do like to have my salad in a chilled

    bowl and my entree on a warm plate.

    I really don't like to see smudges or food remnants on the outter rim of the dish.

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