TatarsHat

I'll eat and drink it all except for Lima Beans, raw Tripe, Sardines in the can, and roasted rats.

The top-rated cocoa for both hot chocolate and baking was Van Leer 120 Cocoa, available by mail from New York Cake, 1-800-942-2539

Thanks Gary.. Will do!! Pat

Thomas Jefferson... It would blow his mind. Mine too!!

I will be travelling over to Leeds - York area the 3rd of August for 3 weeks. I can see York Place will be must do... Any other suggestions and might there be an Egullet get together during that time? It would be fun to meet some limey gulleters. Cheers Pat

Yikes... Interesting. We have certainly come a long way from Horn & Hardarts!! It might be years away from reaching Sarasota, Fl. but if I make it up that way I hope they take cash!!

Ditto on all that has been said here.. Huge influence in my life. Anyone remember his brass peppermill? I bought one after seeing how impressed he was and still use it daily and think of him. RIP

Great pics.. I am a little confused though.. Egg rolls are made to the best of my knowledge with a Wonton type wrapper. They can be great if homemade, although most fall short where I live from a local Chinese restaurant. Spring Rolls are a totally different animal. Much lighter due to the wrapper and personally my fav. I make a ton of them. Vietnamese Rolls are see though. Rice paper. Very delicate and tasty. Of course the options of fillings for all of these run the gamut!!!

Fabulous pics Jason and Rachael!! I am drooling here. One of my missions in life has been finding the perfect seasoned Gyro (pronounced yee-ro) meat to make at home. If you have ever had one well made your search never ends. It's very difficult here in SW Florida to find a decent one. I found a recipe on the web and played with it this weekend. It was as good if not better than some of the best greek joints I have tried. The difference between this and Greek gyros is the absence of lamb.. It's excellent!!! Next time I will lamb also. Bought lean ground sirloin and put it in the food processor. You want it really ground, almost mushy. Used 3.5 lbs of beef and upped the other ingredients accordingly. Serve i Donar meat. (adapted from Derek's Place) 3 pounds lean hamburger (triple ground*) 3/4 cup bread crumbs 2 tsp pepper 1-2 tsp cayenne red pepper (depending on your taste) 1 1/2 tsp oregano 3 tsp paprika 2 tsp onion powder 1 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp salt *Try to get your butcher to run the meat through the grinder a few times. A food processor will do the trick also. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Knead for 20 minutes. (I used my Kitchenaid mixer with the dough hook) Shape into two tightly formed loaves. You want the meat very compact. Bake on broiler pan for 2 to 2 1/2 hours at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice thinly and serve in Pita with Onions, Tomatoes, and Taztziki.

I was just perusing my August Food & Wine and came across an article using a Mattone (Italian Brick) It's a two piece clay vessel. The top lid needs to fit inside the bottom which applies pressure to the chicken. Not sure if chicken brick on ebay does that but it looks interesting!! A Mattone can be purchased at Sur La Table, W-S etc.

I was wondering if the guests on your show are friends of yours or are they chosen in a different manner. Any chance of copping a seat for a taping? Your friend

I moved away from NY long ago so can't express any opinions here regarding dessert heaven there. My choice would be to go home, make some incredible flavoured whip cream with some fresh fruit and get into bed... The following day, go to the restaurant of your choice and time and have at it!!!

BTW Steve, Great topic!! I have so many memories of restaurants back in the late 50's growing up on LI. That puts me at age 7. Luchow's in NYC... Manero's (Steak House) between Port Blvd. and Northern Blvd. Louie's Restaurant on Manhasset Bay. ( I started working there when I was 7). Ho Jo's, of course past Douglaston. ( Fried Clams and Mocha Chip ice cream... ummm.. This topic has knocked a few cob webs out.

ummmmmmm. I don't get this? As a reviewer does it really matter if you are incognito or out there for all to see? I would think that a kitchen would strive to put out the best that they can and be consistent no matter what. Sure, they can throw perks if they know they are being reviewed but down the line what does that accomplish? An honest review, yes, but for the next diner? Just a thought....

Interesting topic... The more you read here and watch food related shows etc. the more you learn about certain products out there. I love the old staples. Give me Parmagianno-Reggiano, white truffle oil, Dried porcini's, saffron, extra vecchio Balsamic, Madagascar vanilla.. etc etc.. It is expensive but I have found a little goes a long way. I guess it is a matter of taste. Bottled dressing? no phucking way!!! Well maybe if I was in a pinch and desperate. It is so easy to make fabulous fresh dressing. I could ramble on..... ;-)

ummm Fairly palatable?? Is that like taking a swill and spitting it out, or barely consumable? I really don't get it! They are selling tons of it and they did a blind taste test..against a bottle that sold for $50. I can't understand bashing a wine for it's price.? Albeit cheap. Wine is like food.. It's all in the taste buds. Some of the best things in life are free!!

dls I have never been one to rely on anothers opinion. Especially when it comes to taste. Why not spend 2 bucks and check it out????

Hi Jim... Thanks for the tip!! Can you narrow it down a little bit as to where this market is in St. Pete? I live about 45 minutes south and it would make a lovely drive some weekend to find food that you mentioned..

Pickle.... The piece on Two Buck Chuck last evening on 20/20 was very interesting.. I don't recall the man that bought the Charles Shaw company but he is one shrewd character and obviously didn't want to answer too many questions. It appears he was grandfathered in when he bought the grape pulp and his "Napa" on the label wass still legal at that point. It's definately a "Napa" thingy. I can certainly understand why the Napa growers are upset. Charles Shaw himself admitted that he lost his vineyard in his divorce and the ex sold it for $18K. Well....That's business. Messy as it may be but legit. I am not sure now that they changed the labelling laws if this will slow him down. If he can make a wine that appeals to so many and sell it so cheaply and make 150 million, more power to him!!! I make my own wine... It costs me $2 a bottle. ;-)) It is really quite excellent and have had accolades from many. I drink a little and give away most. Time will tell...

Interesting topic..... Dogs as an edible commondity........It does happen in other countries. I have been served cat in a Chinese restaurant without my knowledge.. They were busted a month after. What was so sad was they were getting them from the human society.....Really sick people, considering it was Cape Cod. It had gone on for years from what I learned. I think we need to take a stand on this...

Jaymes.. Great advice there!! "Joy of Cooking" might be the best place to start. It's a bible for people wanting to learn to cook and a fabulous reference for those that know how to already. Instant gourmet? I doubt it, but if you read and practice the techniques and try some recipes in there you will be pleasantly surprised!! Onwards and upwards.. Awbrigs book sounds great too, although I haven't read it. Best of luck and keep me posted!!!

Hey Basildog!! ^5's on getting it up.. The website. I realize how long you have been wanting to do that. It's looking good and in time will be just the way you want it!! It fits Margot's perfectly. Straight forward and informative as others have said here. One suggestion.. New button. First stage. pics... Good stuff mate!!

Suvir you might be right.. I can only see one Cast iron skillet in the jpg and it looked pretty big to me.. but then again I wasn't in touch with FG to know what he had going on there. Anyway they looked excellent and still love the contrast of the pic.. Wonder if all that gorgeous fat around them came from Pork Fat??? It definately rules... But not if it were to be kosher. ;-((

Thanks Eddie, I wrote down the address for Tai Hung Lau on Mott St in NYC. I am hoping to fly up to stay on LI after the holidays and will definately talk some friends into going there. I can't imagine a meal for that price up there? Dim Sum also? Damn... Pissing Lobster.. ummm Interesting. I wish I could remember the city my friend had the live Lobster. Xi'an? Jinzhou? It wasn't Beijing or Shanghai. Wore westernized food there. Just want to say your forum here as been most interesting and hope you can find the time to come back again soon.. Tomorrow night. General Tso's Chicken. Another one I perfected.. Took me 6 years to find the right recipe..

ummm Suvir.... Looks like a Big giant seasoned Cast Iron Skillet to me? They can put in so many.. But wouldn't they be turned at the same time.. or close? I love the photo for it's contrast. Just like a makeover. Before and after..