catsrus9

crap....i made an account but i didn't get to the reservation part yet. ahhhh i have to go to class!

Hi everyone, First off, I'm sorry if I'm posting this in the wrong board....I didn't know where to put it, and since the gala occurs in NYC, I figured that was my best bet. I've always been really curious about going to the James Beard Awards Gala, simply because the menu of offered dishes always look quite incredible. However, as I've never been, I have no idea if its actually worth the hefty price tag (even as a student the price is still $200!). Is the food nearly as good as it would be in the actual restaurants, or is it dumbed down/simplified so that it can be mass produced and served to 1000s of people without getting cold? If anyone has been to the banquet in the past, I would greatly appreciate his/her input. Many thanks! My best, Charlie

im so jealous...I want to go....goddam momofuku for teasing me with their rescinded reservations....Now I don't even know when the site is going to go up for real.... Sigh Loving the report though. Keep it coming, Nathan!

When I ate at Mugaritz in October, I was served that beef dish as part of the tasting menu. It was without a doubt the most flavorful piece of beef I'd ever had. Thank you so much for sharing the secret to its preparation! (not that I would attempt this at home...but its still awesome to know!) -Charlie

Although I have only been to Mugaritz, I fullheartedly recommend it...it was undoubtedly one of (if not the) best meals I've ever had.....Every course was incredibly delicious, and a few were so good I sent the restaurant an email begging for the recipes a week later....of course they're incredibly complicated and I doubt i'll actually prepare them. As for MB's, I've heard very mixed reviews, with a lot of people saying its gone slightly down hill over the last few years. I certainly think Mugaritz is a more inventive restaurant in terms of Aduriz' use of ingredients and techniques. Go to Mugaritz! I wish i could go back with you and eat there again....sigh....maybe one day.

Thanks divina! No, Im not really on a student budget....this trip is sort of a 21st birthday present for me. Plus i saved up some extra money from my job last summer that I have to spend....so I am looking to go to one or 2 nice restaurants. I already made a reservation at le calandre, which will be my one really big meal. But i might still go to one or 2 other, upscale (but not to that degree) places. -Charlie

Hey everyone, So out of interest i emaileed gramercy tavern asking if they had any extra copies of the book the were willing to part with. Unfortunately the told me that they dont....but yesterday, nearly a month later, I randomly receieved an email from claudia fleming herself (how cool is that!?) thanking me for my interest in the book and saying that she was currently in the process of trying to get the book republished, and is hoping that it will be available again sometime next year. I thought you guys would want to know that before going out and spending $200 on it My best, -Charlie

Hi everyone, I'm going to italy for the first time from the December 20th-29th....I've been studying abroad in Barcelona for the semester and I thought this was as good a time as ever to see italy before returning to the US. Going to italy and experiencing all its wonderful culinary traditions has been a dream of mine for a really long time, so I want to make sure i do/taste/see as much as possible. I will be in Venice for the night of the 20th through the morning of the 21st, in Florence for the next 3 days, and in Rome from Christmas night through late afternoon on the 29th. I actually don't know that much about the traditional foods and popular restaurants of the different regions in italy, so I'd greatly appreciate any suggestions people have. Id love to know some must go to restaurants/food shops, traditional dishes to try in each region, possible side trips/food tours (I know its the winter, so im not sure whats going on)....any festivals, etc. I won't have a car, so all of my transport will be based on trains, buses, and taxis. One last request. My parents are really big fans of dessert wine (especially moscato d'asti) and I'd love to bring them back something that can't be found in the US...anyone have any suggestions? Thanks! -Charlie

lenski, Could you tell me the current price of the tasting menu at San Pau? I'm considering going sometime in december before I leave Barcelona. Thanks! Charlie

Taking your advice, I went to Estany Clar for lunch today. It was absolutely fantastic. Every course was delightful, and a few in particular were outstanding. Thanks for the fabulous recommendation. Im so glad I had the opportunity to go before leaving spain! -Charlie PS, if there was any confusion, they are in fact only open for lunch. And I believe they are closed on Mondays

Hi everyone, I'm going to be in Barcelona for thanksgiving this year. Normally I cook a really elaborate meal for my family and friends, but unfortunately im currently staying in a small dorm and that doesn't have the necessary kitchen supplies. I really don't want to completely ignore the holiday.....are there any restaurants that cater towards stupid americans like myself and prepare special tasting menus? If not, perhaps ill just go to one of the other upscale restaurants ive been meaning to try before leaving spain. Thanks everyone! -Charlie WHAT AM I GOING TO DO WITHOUT PUMPKIN PIE!?

haha...im already going to st john's with another friend Thanks for the suggestion though....and ill definitely look up wagamama as well...never heard of it! I think i remember reading that one of the better italian restaurants in london has an affordable set menu for dinner...but i can't remember which!

Hey everyone. I'm going to be in london this coming week, and I'm looking for an affordable restaurant to go to with a friend on saturday night....Id prefer not spend much more thatn 25-30 pounds per person. Can anyone make any recommendations? Any types of restaurants/cuisines are welcocme . Any restaurants that have excellent food and affordable menus? Thanks, -Charlie

Hey guys, I've been to the place in Fort Lee Bourdain went to several times...I have several korean friends and they all highly recommend it. Unfortunately I don't remember the name off hand so when i speak to them next ill ask and be sure to post it here. I highly recommend it...the food is great. However, be warned: if you go during prime dinner hours it will likely be incredibly crowded and you might have to wait for 30-40 minutes. -Charlie

hey everyone....ill try to write an update tonight...im actually still in san sebastian...leaving this afternoon on a horribly long 7 hour bus ride back to barcelona...ugh! anyway, the food was all incredible...and ill try to figure out how to upload photos and such tonight ! -charlie

thank you to everyone for their wonderful suggestions. As of now I'm having lunch on friday at the guggenheim, then dinner that night at mugaritz. I'll likely play saturday by ear...but ill definitely go hopping around town for the best bites! I may call arzak to see if they have any cancellations for saturday...but thats unlikely I'm so excited! Ill let everyone know how it was! -Charlie

A few follow up questions: 1) As I will be celebrating my 21st birthday at Mugaritz, I want it to be a very special dinner. I know that if requested, they will prepare popular dishes from previous seasons....does anyone know of any "must have" dishes from Mugaritz....all suggestions would be appreciated (the only dish ive heard of so far is the french toast) 2) Unfortunately I will not have a car and do not know of any other way of getting to Etxebarri. Does anyone else have any recs that can be reached by taxi or bus from either Bilbao (for lunchc) or San Sebastian (for lunch or dinner). I know the Guggenheim restaurant has been recommended for lunch, but there website says its 56E....is it worth it? Part of me thinks it would make more sense to spend a little more money and go to one of the other famous restaurants... That being said, unfortunately Arzak (do they have a waiting list?) is fully booked and Akellare is closed for the first two weeks in October. I sent an email to Berasategui but haven't heard back yet. Any thoughts on Fagollaga, Casa Nicolasa, or Elkano? Other places? Thanks again everyone! -Charlie

ok i couldn't resist. I made a reservation for 1 person at mugaritz. Even if I can't convince my friends to come with me, I can't miss the opportunity! I may never get back to the basque country!

Hi everyone, In a few weeks im going to be spending the weekend in the basque country. Ill be in bilbao for one day (not dinner though) and in san sebastian for 2. I know that there are several highly rated restaurants in these two cities (especially the later), but can someone recommend a few must go places that aren't a fortune? I'm traveling with a few friends who are not as obsessed with food as I am, and so they probably won't want to spend a fortune on food. That being said, we are considering going out to one nice place (it's my birthday weekend ). I was considering Mugaritz....does anyone know the average price ? I think i heard the tasting menu is around 110E. Do they have other smaller tasting menus that cost less? If not, does anyone know about how much it would cost to order a la carte? Thanks for the info/recs -Charlie

I had dinner last night at El Bulli! It was a dream come true, and the experience was as incredible as I could have hoped for. I got to speak to the man himself at the end (he signed my book )...I told him I'm studying food science and he told me I could visit his lab. I'm so excited! Pictures to come soon -Charlie

Hey everyone! I'm finally off to Barcelona. Ill be studying there for the fall semester. I just wanted to thank everyone for all the food suggestions I have been given over the last few months. Ill be sure to keep everyone posted on my experiences, and any great places I discover. Cheers! -Charlie

Hi everyone, I'm going to be in Barcelona for the next couple of months, and I'm trying to make some dinner reservations for around Sep 12-17, when family is visiting. Most of the restaurants I'm trying for (Abac, Hisop, Cinc Sentits) are closed for the month of August. How hard is it to get a reservation at these places? If I call them when they reopen ~ Sep 1st, do you think I'll be alright? Thanks! -Charlie

Oh man I would kill for that reservation. Thats the day after I arrive in barcelona, and Id definitely be willing to make the trip out there. Does anyone know if they seat parties of 1? I don't know if anyone would be with me .

i should add that I dont care if its a fancy expensive restaurant. I'm just looking for somewhere that has good food. A great tapas place would be perfect, but it seems that most of the good ones are closed on sunday as well

So Sunday is the last day my family will be around in Barcelona. Id like to be able to go out to dinner with them, but it seems like all tthe nice places will be closed. Does anyone have any suggestions? I think Colibri might be open but I don't know much about the place. Rias de Galicia is also open on Sundays, but I'm hesitant about going to an expensive seafood restaurant on a Sunday. Thanks! -Charlie