tommy

i don't break bread with people who don't share my exquisite taste. eff 'em.

regardless of ones definition of "food snobbery," i think it's safe to say that those who practice one kind, practice many kinds. and for those who don't practice snobbery, it's easy to pick out those who do...simply by having a conversation about just about anything. not that i'm advocating reverse-snobbery, which, clearly, is an entirely different thread. edit: one's, ones. hmmm.

can i get a list of locations? 9th and 24 - grand sichuan international 9th and 50 - grand sichuan international (presumably related to the first) 125 canal - grand sichuan (not related) 1 or 2 more new ones? bueller?

can we come to a consensus on where the locations are that have the "fresh chicken?" obviously not grand sichuan in chinatown on canal. obviously the one on 9th ave and 50th does (grand sichuan international?) how about the other 2 (3)??? the one on the east side? are there now 2 on the east side? i *need* to try that chicken.

well this certainly adds a twist to that age-old question. now i'm *really* confused.

nah.

Your position could lead one to the conclusion that every person should focus on every problem that affects their health, rather than dealing with what they can and when they can.

i love grilled asparagus. with a generous dose of salt and pepper. and if you don't have a grill, a cast iron pan with ridges works just as well. hell, so does the broiler. i find they go wonderful with any grilled food. i have to wonder why people think that they *need* to eat vegetables. take a multi-vitamin a day, and metamucil for fiber, and skip veggies if they don't do it for you. am i missing something? or is this simply something leftover from (ancient) upbringing. this reminds me of those who get on the soapbox about overcooking vegetables because "you cook all of the nutrients out of them!" so? skip the spinach and have 2 burgers.

most pieces had a good amount of meat, which i tore off with my teeth using chopsticks. i then just picked the rest up with my paws. no one rolled their eyes, so i guess the "how to do things properly" police weren't out that day. ooooooo, and it was worth it! bux, i definitely would have enjoyed this dish more had the noodles been less mushy. i thought maybe i was missing something. even cold noodle with seasame is a bit more enjoyable when the noodles aren't mushy.

well, with all this talk, i ended up at grand sichuan today. but it was the one on canal street. although i tried, i couldn't get the guy to understand the whole "fresh chicken" request, probably because this branch doesn't offer it. it was an interesting exchange, however. had the dan dan noodle (noodle with chili oil and bits of "stuff"). hot stuff. really good though. i thought the noodle was a bit overdone, but perhaps that's by design. the kung boa chicken was pretty good. a study in textures. the tea smoked duck was a standout dish. i just love long-time cooked duck. crispy skin. no chewy fat. served with a bowl of hoisen type sauce that went untouched out of lack of need. 4 sodas and the total was about 30 bucks. i mean, the dan dan noodle was something silly like 2.55. quite a deal. i gotta get me up to the one on 9th ave for that fresh chicken though, g-damnit.

is wilfrid right: is taste subjective. please discuss. again.

for no bad taste it's worth it. poland spring, for a case of 24 bottles, costs less than 50 cents per bottle, making it worth it even more. and i'm just not happy unless i'm drinking something i paid for. of course.

visine.

cool. i almost definitely might try this place maybe. hey 201, janice bistro over there has some decent pastas on their small but interesting specials list. you should give the place another shot. it's friendly, family run, and is more interesting than anything else in the area.

plans to go back to la carbonaia last night. however, sadly, they are closed. there's no sign, but from what i've heard it has something to do with the building being sold. i hope these guys are able to reopen in the area. ridgewood, ho-ho-kus, and their environs are just a wasteland of mediocre and crowded restaurants.

Just barely big enough. just perfect?

hehehe.

the holier-than-though philosophy of saving and reusing everything is wonderful on paper. i have to wonder how big these people's freezers are.

clearly. it's all about sensationalism. you would probably agree that anyone who is offended or surprised at these "reports" would probably not eat out at all if they knew what goes on at just about every restaurant. nor would they cook in their kitchen if they had a report of all of the nasty stuff around their sink, sponges, and in the fridge. ignorance is truly bliss, in this regard.

You've revised your views on New Jersey pancake houses and huevos rancheros, then? uhhh, no. unlike the other idiots on food boards, i know what's good. i also don't hold it against them. what's the deal? regards, smug quasi-foodie bastard.

you should probably just cook at home, where no doubt the kitchen is free of harmful bacteria.

Couldn't tell ya. I was way completely ignorant at the time, so I wasn't even sure of what I was tasting. I am glad that I waited a few years before opening the bottle I bought, since now I think I can appreciate it. did he look like santa?

hence only *one* james beard award.

with the periods? i just don't wanna sound dumb in front of all of my foodie friends.