roger desmond

I have an upcoming visit to Denton (I live in CT.) Someone recommended El Guapo. Anyone know anything? Thanks!

1. APdC is awesome, not really that expensive. You can eat there for 25-30, without drinks. 2. Make your reservation online, on their website. Or Gaelle will take them over the phone, and she speaks perfect English. Try to sit at the kitchen bar-you get a great view. 3. Inexpensive cafe: Here is a lunch time place in Old Montreal that I loved. Tomate Farcie was a complete lunch; tomatoes stuffed with a light veal, on a bed of great greens-with dessert etc. 13 bucks. In old Montreal: Marché de la Villette 324 rue Saint-Paul Ouest Montréal, QC H2Y 2A3, Canada (514) 807-

Whole Food is offering jarred summer truffles (about 3 small) for $22.00. There is some truffle juice in the jars. Are these any good? Compare to winter ones? How can I use them?

I just got some in Montreal chinatown-$4.95 per lb. Wonderful! They seem to keep for several weeks. Fresh, citrusy taste, as you describe. ←

Hello! A chef from Italy gave me a recipe for pesto, written as percentages (which don't even add up to 100!) Below his, I tried to convert to about enough pesto to cover about 1lb. of pasta or spelt. Does my conversion seem correct? From the Italian: Pesto sauce 30 to 35 percent basil three percent garlic 10 to 12 percent pine nuts 20 to 22 percent parmigiano reggiano, grated five percent pecorino cheese, grated one percent salt 24 to 26 percent extra virgin olive oil Translated into American: Pesto sauce Three bunches basil Two cloves garlic Five tablespoons pine nuts Three quarters cup parmigiano reggiano, grated One quarter cup pecorino cheese, grated One teaspoon salt One cup extra virgin olive oil

This place definitely qualifies as slow food. Portugese with a twist. Very homey; wine in tumblers, fantastic food-try the octopus, or pork with clams. It is 5 minutes off of 84, from the Flatbush Ave. exit in west Hartford. Primavera Pub, 271 Newington Ave, Hartford, CT 06106 (860) 953-7411 271 Newington Ave, Hartford, CT 06106

Anything good to eat in Newfane area? I will be there next weekend-looking for great breakfast and lunch places.

Can anyone recommend (casual to formal) restaurants on/near the New Hampshire Coast? I will be there next week; looking for what the area has to offer in summertime.

Has anyone been to Kess's Cafe in Southington (CT)? Someone told me it has a French bent, but it's hard to believe, because a) French food is nearly impossible to find in Hartford County and b) Southington is a culinary desert. If anyone has been here, please comment.

Yes-Go to Au Pied De Cochon- see website: http://www.restaurantaupieddecochon.ca/# Whether you love seafood, shellfish, or foie gras, this is one of the finest restaurants in the hemispehere!

A sort drive from where you are is Aunt Carries in Narragansett. Truly local, fresh, unembellished seafood. Bring your own wine, very casual dress, screened in windows overlooking ocean and do try the sea snail salad. Awesome! http://auntcarriesri.com/

I bought some yesterday at Whole Foods, in W. Hartford, CT. They were fresh, delicious and expensive. Try one near you.

BTW, a great fertilizer for tomatoes is fish oil. It's organic, and mimics the native American custom of placing a dead fish under each plant. I use Coast of Maine Salmon Oil, a superior product. Just don't get any on your clothes when mixing it. I spilled a few drops in a rental car, and had to spend a day scrubbing it out!

A friend from Hawaii just sent me an assortment of Noh seasonings, including Char Siu sauce. Ingredients are sugar,powdered soy sauce and spices. You add water to the envelope's powder. My question: If I use this as a marinade for pork ribs, will they burn up on a hot grill because of all the sugar? Has anyone tried these products?

I grow Black Krims every year-astounding flavor, brownish-black distinctive skin. Awesome!

I'd love to know what other ferns are tasty, besides fiddleheads.

Has anyone tried these Indian chilis? Bhut Jolokia supposedly 1,001,304 Scoville Heat Units If so, are you able to describe the experience? Can they be grown in the Northeast?

In this weather, I think everyone should learn how to braise-even vegetarians. Yesterday's NYT Magazine has 2 great vegetable braises. But the slow cooking-1/2 coverd in liquid of something like pot roast or short ribs-is to me a recipe for winter happiness.

Don't worry about that recipe, it's great, but not necessary. Just braise them at 300 degress for 3 hours in your favorite broth and vegetable combination, try to keep the liquid level about 1/2 way up the oxtail, check level at mid-cooking, and enjoy! This is peasant fiood!

Since you are near Torrington, don't miss Nodine's smokehouse-awesome meats, smoked products, amazing smoked duck breast, etc.: http://www.nodinesmokehouse.com/ West Hartford Center has a farmer''s market, starting in Spring. For a specia night out, Metro Bis in Simsbury is hard to beat: http://www.metrobis.com/ There are things near you, but you have to check them out one by one. Amd welcome to egullett!

Thank you!

I just tried freeze-dried mangosteens from Trader Joe's. They are ok, but I'd like to try the fresh ones. Is there anywhere in NYC where I could buy fresh (or even canned) these elusive fruit?

There is a (somewhat) hard to find new cookbook by the owner of Au Pied de Cochon in Montreal, Martin Picard. I have been to the restaurant, and it is first rate if you like pig, foie gras and that ilk. Book was profiled in NYT food section yesterday. Titled Au Pied de Cochon: The Album. Your friend would be the only kid on the block who got one, guaranteed.

I just received a surprise gift of 160 grams of uni (sea urchin roe) cleaned, on ice, from Calif. Is there any way I can prepare it besides just eating it as sashimi? Can it be seared,, etc. like foie gras?