Becca

Looking for a caterer in Tucson - we want traditional Sonoran food for a 40-person event in January. Looking for someone ... could be a personal chef/caterer/restaurant/etc....Anyone who can make the classics well and maybe present it a bit more nicely than chafing dishes full of beans and shredded meat. Thrilled to hear any and all suggestions as we are regular Tucson visitors, but not locals and not sure where to look beyond El Charro, Mi Nidito, etc. Thanks!

Hi, I'm looking for a caterer for a Berlin-area wedding (about 100 ppl). I've lived in Berlin for a while and while there are many places I like, I do have difficulties with the restaurant scene overall. I'm having trouble finding someone who isn't really German in their approach/concept. Everything seems to be overly elaborated fussy food, which isn't very good or almost too casual - mediocre potato salad, blah grilled meat, etc. We are doing a pig roast (!) so I'm looking for someone to fill in the important gaps - salads, sides, cake, etc. I want who understands California-style (for lack of a better word) -- ingredient-focused food that is good because it's made with really good ingredients (ie, someone who would never dream of Insalata Caprese outside peak tomato season). I know this is somewhat of a specific request, but would love to hear any thoughts or suggestions! vielen Dank!

Does anyone know a reliable place to have my knives sharpened in Berlin? I don't want to entrust them to just anybody.....help!

Thanks! And, definitely do say hi when you come!

Just an update -- finding a stage position in Barcelona was much easier than I'd expected (making me wonder why it took me so long to ask if I could work for free...). I inquired at 5 Sentits and Hisop and the timing worked out better at Hisop so I start there next week (but might figure something out for 5 Sentits in the spring. I'm really excited and think this will be a great complement to the somewhat traditional (?) teaching at L'Escola.

You might also try ColoImport at Rocafort 85...they have more than just Asian things, but the selection is pretty broad.

Thanks for those thoughts--very helpful. Unfortunately, I'll be away over the holidays so may miss out on some opportunities, but plan to hit the streets in January! Thanks again, becca

Hello! I'm about 2 months into the year-long culinary program at l'Escola...I meant to post sooner, but getting settled in a new country has been crazier than I'd expected! I can't say the program isn't entirely without shortcomings, but I am really enjoying it (and cooking and eating my way across Barcelona!). I do think working in Spain will be an important complement to the program and was wondering if anyone had any thoughts about how I might go about finding such a position. A main problem is that my classes are from 5-8 pm, which potentially cuts into both lunch & dinner service. Of course I'd love to be paid , but would probably be willing to stage for free if I thought I'd learn from the experience. Any and all suggestions would be welcome! gracias!

I haven't had it in about a year, but Edy's Chicken in Falls Church (on Leesburg Pike?) was always the best by far!

Thanks so much for your feedback (and advice offline). I spent a great week in Barcelona, ate lots of good things, and visited 3 schools, including Hofmann, but ultimately decided that Escola Superior d'Hosteleria de Barcelona seemed like the best fit. It's so hard to know for sure, but if nothing else is MUCH cheaper than culinary school here in NYC. Thanks again, Becca

Thanks for all these recommendations. I did eat at several of them, and had a great trip with many fabulous meals. Since I'll be moving to Barcelona in the fall, hopefully I'll be able to add suggestions for others in the future. tThanks again!

I totally agree and plan to eat the majority of my meals at more traditional (and cheaper) places. I have found a lot of great recommendations here (including yours). thanks!

Thanks for the advice -- I have made a reservation for Cinc Sentits and am quite excited about it, as well as my other culinary adventures! I do mean July, but thanks for the reminder. I wish I could take all of August off....

I'll be in Barcelona for a week next month and am trying to plot my dining strategy. As I'll be traveling alone, I'll probably eat at least some of my meals solo. If I'm willing to sit at the bar, will I need reservations for places along the lines of Alkimia/Quimet i Quimet/Cinc Sentits? thanks!

there is a hawaiian place on fulton st.: L&L Hawaiian Barbecue ... I haven't been yet, but seemed like the kind of place that might have poi.......YOu could call and ask: 577-8888

Hi Silly, I was very excited to come across your postings b/c I've been thinking about culinary school in Spain myself. I've only just begun to seriously investigate the options, but Hofmann is one of the schools I'm considering. I would love any insight/advice you (or others) have....What made you choose Hofmann over other schools in Barcelona/Spain? How would you say it compares to other Barcelona schools? Are most of your classmates Spanish? Do you feel like you'll come out of the program prepared for a culinary career (whatever that means....)? thanks! Becca

You could also try Al Tirimisu on P St. off Dupont circle -- maybe a bit pricey, but great.

Bob & Edith's on Columbia Pike in Arlington is a classic. Market Lunch/Brunch at Eastern Market is also great. (both are waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better than the diner -- sorry)

thanks for your suggestions. I'm looking forward to exploring the market! (I've actually been to mi nidito and love it -- the carne seca is great too).

Thanks for your suggestions! I'll be staying first w/ a friend in Whittier and then w/ a friend (housesitting) in Brentwood -- they both have cars. I'm not really looking to avoid anything... I live in DC and am moving to NYC so I'd like to enjoy things are are (relatively) unique or especially good in LA.

I'm going to be in LA and would like to enjoy some nice meals, but I'm on a fairly tight budget -- any suggestions?

I'm headed to Tucson in July -- any recommendations for good/interesting places to eat and/or food-related things to do while I'm there -- any good markets, food shops, etc???

I'm not usually a big fan of McDonalds, but I do like to see what interesting things they have in different countries -- when I was in Lima 2 yrs ago, they had a very yummy spicy yellow pepper sauce -- great w/ fries. Probably not what you're looking for, but...there's also great seafood, especially ceviche.

my biggest issue w/ the WP food section is that all too often it seems to be about how to avoid food & cooking. I know people are busy and I have no objection to short cuts in theory, but is it the FOOD section. Filling pages w/ suggestions for how to make meals from convenience products, like campbell's soup, etc. seem out of place to me. Maybe these articles are what the majority of readers are interested in/find helpful, but.... there's something to be said for maintaining a standard. ????

Montmartre is the best nice-ish place on the Hill in my book. I recently heard an NPR "Crummy, but Good" review of Pete's diner that highlighted the sweetpotato pancakes, but when I went to check them out they were merely average. Avoid Tortilla Coast at all costs -- they can't even make a drinkable frozen margarita....