Alex&Rufusmom

Thanks, I'll file that one away to explore one of our trips too.

raji, Had to drop you a quick note to thank you for the recommendation. We loved Tsukushi!!!! The food was like nothing I have ever had before. Adam however has had "family style" cuisine in Japan. He too was very impressed. The chef and staff were all very impressed with his language skills. We had a blast. We ate more food than we should have and had to walk it off afterwards. Again, thanks for the tip and we will definitely go there again next time we are in the city.

I have never had a problem with any of the various "fresh roasted" services: I think it's probably really not that big a deal, what with easy one- and two-day shipping available. I have not tried this one in particular, but I don't really see a reason why it wouldn't be as good as the others. If I was you I'd give it a shot - I love coffee made with freshly-roasted beans. Be sure to report back with your impressions of the service... the only differences I have seen between them is the particular coffee they are using - you just need to find one you like. ← I'll be sure to let you know Chris.. Thanks for comments about roasting coffee. That's the last time I let Adam (my boyfriend) read replies in this form!!! Now he wants to try roasting beans at home!!! NO WAY I DRAW THE LINE!!!! :-)

Of course, if you don't drink coffee fast enough to go through the five lbs pretty quickly, any benefit of getting freshly-roasted beans disappears. In my experience this amounts to about a week. Of course, YMMV. Your best bet is to find someplace local and eliminate shipping (or to roast your own, I suppose... sounds entertaining ). ← Well of course to roast my own is the best way to go but you have to be joking!!! LOL I have NO idea how to do that!!! I just want to buy freshly roasted (not burned beans)

A pop up appeared on my screen from coffeefool.com and it caught my eye. So I checked it out and read their claims to have the freshest coffee?? I'm wondering if anyone has ever tried it ?? I'm a bit leery of ordering coffee online but there really aren't any great places to buy coffee from around here (the capital district upstate NY) I'd love to hear your thoughts about the coffee from this site.

Well, we both love Asian cuisine so Tsukushi sounds like it could be a possibility?? I guess we'll make some calls and decide from the choices that have been suggested. Thanks for your reply. I just read the link to another post about Tsukushi. Sounds like speaking the language is a plus when it comes to being served?? Lucky me....Adam speaks the language. So when I tell him tonight about the place, I'm sure that is where we'll be eating. Thanks again for the tip. I'll have to let you know what we think of the meal. ← I strongly agree with the recommendation of Tsukushi. I've always been a fan of the place and the food is really good (and feels "homey" even if you're not Japanese). Not much to look at but a great experience. Nice that you have someone who speaks the language, but it's really not essential at all. They're very accommodating of their few Western customers, and the menu-less format makes lots of communication about the food unimportant. Also, most of the employees speak enough English to make anything relevant quite clear. Another option for you is Mamlouk in the East Village. I haven't been in a while, but it used to be a pre-determined meal with no menu and I had several very good meals there. It's middle eastern and they bring you about 8 rounds of food, all of which is very well made and quite authentic. The atmosphere is also transporting, and makes a nice date place. ← Well, that sounds like yet another choice. Thanks for the suggestion. We also love middle eastern food so I'm sure Adam will be into checking it out. If not this weekend, then the next time we venture into the city. But I think he's set on trying out the Japanese place. He travels to Japan quite frequently so he's interested in comparing food prepared here vs in Japan. And no he doesn't usually eat where tourists eat in Japan since he has very good friends who live there.

Well, we both love Asian cuisine so Tsukushi sounds like it could be a possibility?? I guess we'll make some calls and decide from the choices that have been suggested. Thanks for your reply. I just read the link to another post about Tsukushi. Sounds like speaking the language is a plus when it comes to being served?? Lucky me....Adam speaks the language. So when I tell him tonight about the place, I'm sure that is where we'll be eating. Thanks again for the tip. I'll have to let you know what we think of the meal.

Thanks for the reply. Is Dominic's an Italian restaurant??

Ali's Kabab Cafe in Astoria, Queens. Just went there last Saturday, and Ali is in fine form. We had braised lamb shanks, sweetbreads, baby chickens, marinated hanger steak, whole roasted tilapia, tripe in tomato sauce, and some other salads I can't recall right now. No menus. He'll just recite what he's serving for the night and you choose what you want. BYOB. He sells wine, but it's not great, so it is a better idea to bring your own. No corkage fee. It was around $40/person. Not exactly a date place, so I don't know whether it would be appropriate for a anniversary dinner, but if food is of primary importance, it's a good choice. Ali, as you'll find out if you do some research, is quite a character, and half the experience is interacting with him. 25-12 Steinway St. ← We are both very laid back people so the atmosphere isn't really the main attraction...its the food. Thanks so much for your reply.

I'm traveling to NYC next weekend with my boyfriend to celebrate our first anniversary since meeting last year. We'd love to try something a bit daring like a restaurant without a menu?? The chef prepares whatever he's in the mood to prepare that night and nothing more?? We both have very adventurous palettes so I think it would be fun to try. I've heard of them but don't recall any names?? Has anyone been to a good one?? If so, would love the name, address and phone number?? Thanks

Friends and family have been to My Linh but I haven't as of yet. But I will give it a try. Thanks for the suggestion.

Yeah It's very good. I have been there many times. Just wondering if you have been to a place that I haven't patronized.

I tried one in the Rochester area last year and was very disappointed. If there was ever a perfect example of Americanized Asian, P.F. Chang's leads the pack. Even though there are better choices, I'm willing to bet my kids insist on going while out shopping at the mall. I also live in the Capital District and noticed the recent opening on the local news last night. ← Yes that is where I saw the report, on the local news. I as all excited because I love Asian food. But... I had a feeling it was nothing more than Asian fast food and I knew I would find the answers here. Thanks again for the heads up. Oh since I have your attention... Are there any area restaurants (Asian) that you would recommend??

Agh!!! Thanks for the heads up!!!!

This week a restaurant chain called P.F. Chang's is opening in one of our local malls, Colonie Center. I have lived in cities out west were they are quite popular but have never eaten in one. I'm wondering what I can expect from the cuisine?? Is it typical fast food or the exception to the rule?? Also it sounds like a more upscale Asian restaurant ?? Am I correct?? Thanks, Stacy