elfin

Thanks for the response-looking forward to some great Halibut 'burgers' and fish n chips. Will do the four at the Alaska Hotel bar.

As long as they keep the chicken pot pie on the menu-they can do whatever they want. The chicken pot pie is fantastic!

Taking the family to Juneau, Petersburg, Ketchikan, Wrangell and Sitka. Tried to find some threads on these places and only came up with Sitka. (Sounds great BTW) Any recs for good eats-we eat everything but raw fish. I know the salmon are running so we are excited to get some king and red. Local flavor is always a plus and really high end will not be appreciated by my kids. Also going to Telegraph Creek and Queen Charolette but have heard there are only a few places to eat there. Any help would be really appreciated.

My boss says he can't find Bulleit in the Chicagoland area. Found a place that sells the stuff in Wisconsin for $25 a bottle. Is this a good price-I have nothing in the area to compare. Also he is a Basil Hayden fan and I do not like BH-I prefer Jack Daniels/Crown Royal/ Jim Beam Black (I know-I am a low rent sour mash,whisky and bourbon gal). Will I like Bulleit enough to buy two bottles?? Thanks.

Dined at Crofton's on Wells last night and I can not remember having such an all-around good experience in a long time. Early reservation at 6pm-the place was empty but the knowledgeable and friendly bartender picked up the small batch bourbon vibe of the group and tailored the drinks to everyone's individual tastes. By 7:30 nearly all of the tables were full. Our server was well informed with the wine list and the food and really lead our group through dinner. Appetizers-a lump crabmeat cake with no breading was very tasty and the fois gras with date was sublime. The venison was the best I have had-tender, juicy and not at all gamey. The bbq pork (tenderloin?) was very sophisticated- the glaze/sauce was light but yet packed the same flavors of the typical heavier bbq sauce. The beef and guinea hen entrees were very good-heirloom potatos were sliced thin and complemented the beef juice. There is a vegetarian menu which we did not partake. Desserts included a 'berry'-rich sorbet trio, a banana cake and a dense chocolate mousse with ice cream and carmelized sugar. I did not take part in the after dinner ports but my colleagues enjoyed theirs. Everything was seasoned perfectly- I did not salt or pepper anthything-a very rare occurance. Chef Suzie Crofton was not on the premises last night-one would have never known-a perfect evening.

Taxis are inexpensive in Chicago and as long as you have an address (rather than just the name of the restaurant) you will be fine. I would eat at Frontera /Topolabampo (famous chef-Rick Bayless) for high end Mexican food and great margaritas. Or if you are a bit adventurous, go to El Nuevo Leon in the Pilsen neighborhood ($10 cab fare). It is an authentic no frills Mexican diner (no liquor license) with friendly service and terrific food.

Mom refused to put any candy she did not like tin the baskets. We always had a Fannie Mae chocolate egg, malted milk balls and jelly beans. The green, purple and white jelly beans were the least favorite and always were the last eaten. On the other hand, Grandma's baskets were full of the typical candy especially those Robin malted milkball eggs that had the colored candy coating which we painted our tongues.

Thank you!

Esperanza, thank you so much for calling and reporting. I know it is going to be difficult. At least Sanbornes and VIPS should be open.

Oh no! I understand that Good Friday (3/25) is a national holiday and plenty of places will be closed. Does anyone know of a few places that will be open during this time (3/24-26) i.e Cafe Tacuba? We eat everything. We will be staying in Zona Rosa on Sat and Sunday, and considering staying in Zacatecas on Thursday and Polanco on Friday night. Any suggestions would be most appreciated. Thank you so much.

Sorry about the number I have found two numbers for Fonda el Refugio 011-52 (55) 5525-8128 andn 5525-5352. It is at 156 Liverpool in the Zona Rosa. Thanks again!!

Esperanza, thank you for replying. The phone number is 5-5258128.

Does anyone know if Fonda de Refugio will be open on Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday for dinner? It is our go to place in Mexico City-love the fresh daquiris and Salpicon. Thankyou.

In addition to the Vietnamese and Chinatown neighborhoods, Chicago has a great Mexican area caled Pilsen and Little Italy-both west of the Loop. Greektown is basically only a cluster of restaurants.

I would think it would scratch any surface it touches if it is coated on the outside for heat conductivity. If it lines the inside how would you clean it? Wouldn't it be rough like an emory board? Got any info or pics?

Sandwich loaf. I went to a sorority alumni luncheon where the median age was 70. They served what look like a beautiful frosted rectangle cake complete with piped colored flowers. It was actually a mayo-like 'frosting' and the inside was stacked white bread with ham salad, tuna salad and chicken salad for the layers. Anyone under 60 did not know what it was and thought it was a layer cake- there was plenty leftover.

Every store is so different. Bags of wooden spoons for a buck are great. Cheap plates/platters and flower vases to take to parties/picnics etc and just leave them there. The selection of candle holders for tea lights/votives is good for tablescapes. Have found a nice wine bag or two. Of course, kid stuff for parties, small cheesey toys, kid's books, bubblebath soap and sippy cups can't be beat. I found the generic foil to be really thin.

Is it possible to ask for a tour of the kitchen?

Re Auntie Mame-it was Daquiris wiith honey.

Opened the place on Saturday night-sans kids. The decor was marvelous-the subway tiles looked so old and perfectly distressed. Wasn't feeling well so we ordered the pate plate, saussion plate and the pommes frites. I had the daquiri and hubby had a beer (of course). The service was impecable-always filled the bread basket and water glasses. The pates (one country the other chicken liver) were standard and plated with plenty of cornichons (yes!) and a dapple of salad greens. The saucisson plate had a wonderful chunk of a hard cheese-romano like and a couple of slices of prosciutto, olives and peppered salami with a dapple of greens. The frites were OK-a bit thin for my liking. Want to try the cod appetizer next time. My only negative report is that the tables for two are really small and do not accomodate multiple plates, glasses etc. We were out in less than 45 minutes before the big rush. It was nice to have the place to ourselves. Want to go back ASAP.

Pecan sweet rolls, coffee cake and corn on the cob.

I would think that the coffee would be good for Puck to lend his name (?). I never thought that coffee in a can would be good but the stuff in Japan and the can Charbucks double shot are good in a pinch.

We have them in Chicago-I went there when I was pregnant and have not returned since. Femme boost and immuno boost were my selections.

I read it this summer-interesting, gossipy and quick read.

Sorry to report go a late start which resulted in room service; overcooked sirloin, and a baked potato complete with freezed dried chives- I'll spare the inedible details. Ate White Castle on the way back on Fri. night... not a good food trip.