sammy

Still don't understand why there isn't any Kansas City representation. Seems to be a real void.

How was the scenery?

That was my point above that FG disgreed with.

Are you saying that every pound of farm raised Atlantic Salmon from Norway is the same?

Overall they are getting from the same pool, without any sort of differentiation such as Prime v. Choice. As the article states, "A pound of farm-raised Atlantic salmon from Norway smoked on Gem Street and sliced to order costs $30 at Zabar's on the Upper West Side and $35 just six blocks away at Barney Greengrass — a statistic that may say more about the role of marketing in the food industry than taste." This is not analogous to Peter Luger taking the best steaks from the same supplier used by other steakhouses, nor is it analogous to Browne Trading selling better fish to better paying or longer standing clients. ← I read what you wrote and read what the article said but I don't see where it says that the fish is necessarily of the same quality. You can just as easily subsitute "a side of rib of Prime midwestern beef is butchered at Briaggia & Spittler and sold as rib steaks at The Capital Grill for $38 and The Strip House for $44" but that doesn't mean one steak isn't superior to the other. Both steaks are from the same pool, from cattle in the midwest, maybe even from the same rancher, they are graded prime, butchered at the same place but still not necessarily the same quality. And I'll add that just because there isn't a grading system for fish (at least of what I'm aware of other than grades for tuna for sushi) doesn't mean there isn't differentiation.

How can any two fish be identical? Even within Barney Greengrass or Zabar's, you can tell the difference in fat content from one fish to another.

I'm pretty sure the company was Blue Ridge Farms.

But so what? Plenty of steakhouses buy meat from the same suppliers but end up with different quality meat. Several restaurants buy fish from Browne Trading but that doesn't mean they end up with the same quality fish. Heck, I've bought fish from Browne Trading but I don't delude myself into thinking that my tuna is necessarily the same as the tuna served at Le Bernardin.

After all of the warnings to eat somewhere else?

The only downside to bringing the cannoli's is it greatly increases the chances of getting mugged on the way to the stadium.

Adding on to Jason's post: 4:30 PM: Buy a chilled six pack of beer at the supermarket on Arthur Avenue 4:35: Down a dozen littlenecks on the 1/2 shell at Randazzo's Fish Market with the beer 4:55: Sample a few cheeses at Colandro Cheese across from Randazzo's 5:00: Buy a bunch of cookies at Madonna Bakery 5:05 Buy a few sandwiches at Mike's Deli Head to the stadium

Another option is to park at the Stadium and walk over the Macombs Dam Bridge (a 10-15 minute walk) and try to get into Flash Inn for a pretty good although more expensive Italian meal. Not as good as Roberto's but geographically more desirable. As for Roberto's, I'm also a sucker for their eggplant and zuchini parmigiana. The appetizer size can be an entree.

If you are traveling by car, you will not have enough time to eat at Roberto's and make it back to the game on time. The traffic before a game, especially against the Sox will be brutal.

The food is awful and expensive. A few examples: Chicken fingers and fries: around $8.75 16 oz Heinekin Beer: $8.75 French Fries: $5.00 Cotton Candy: $4.00 Dinner for 4 at The Feeding Tree with gratuity $50.00.

I'm a big fan of Roberto's but really not that close to the Stadium as it is in the Arthur Avenue section of the Bronx. We've been going regularly to The Feeding Tree, a West Indian restaurant 1 1/2 block from the stadium on Gerard by 161st. Jamaican Patties, Jerk Chicken, Oxtails and Red Stripe beers.

Agreed on Norwalk. On the whole, it definitely provides more quality and variety than the surrounding towns. May as well go through my favorites in Norwalk in addition to the ones you already cited: We frequently go to Kazu and Mike's Ristorante. I'm also a big fan of Meigas and I need to get over to Luncheria Valencia more often. And of course, Fat Cat for a salad, a pie and an interesting beer or wine before or after a movie at the Garden Cinema.

Agreed although I think the food (not the people watching and bar scene) have fallen off a bit at Barcelona. Pasta Nostra is one of a kind. Food is still great but I think Crazy Joe has gone overboard with the pricing. I think I paid something like $22 recently for 5 or 6 ravioli.

How did it compare with Fat Cat?

Great retaliation. First you pick a Chinese Restaurant in Stamford that has turned over several times in just a few years and then you go and recommend an Italian place NOT in Stamford but in Darien.

Dans, typical responses from Greenwich folk. They refuse to step over the border into Stamford. With few exceptions, I find the places in Greenwich overpriced and overrated. The exceptions being Penang, Gaia and Elm Street Oyster House. As for restaurants: Siena-Very good to excellent Italian with a few "Babbo-ish" dishes. A noisy place on weekend nights but really terrific food and a very accomodating staff. The owner is ALWAYS there. Mona Lisa-More traditional Italian than Siena but well executed. Make sure to get the gnocchi which are of the melt in your mouth variety. Luciano cooks every meal and owns the place too. Very nice special wine dinners every couple of months. Columbus Park Trattoria-Similar to Mona Lisa. Another good Italian. Fiesta-Freindly Peruvian restaurant on Atlantic Street. Terrific ceviche's and lunch specials are a steal. Can't beat 1/2 chicken with salad and rice for $7. Also terrific soups. Ole Mole-Small, mostly take-out Mexican on High Ridge Road. Top notch Mexican, everything especially fresh. BYO Margaritas or beer if you eat in. Kit's Kitchen-Down the road from Ole Mole, very good Thai food with a nice outdoor patio. All organic meat and clearly very fresh fish. Items denoted as spicy are definitely spicy. Unfortunately, not any recommended fish stores in town so I get most of my fish at Fjord Fisheries in Greenwich. For good quality Italian stuff, A&S Fine Foods on High Ridge Road for freshly made mozzarella, home-made sausage and good quality Italian meats and cheeses. Plus a selection of olives, peppers, pastas, etc. Lots of prepared foods too and of course, Italian bread from the Bronx. For Beer and Wine, Warehouse Liquors on Main Street. No great finds but a good selection at fair prices. For a more eclectic wine shop, Fountainhead Wines in Norwalk is the place to go. Expect to taste as they almost always have a few bottles open. Norwalk has lots of good places too.

FG, I agree with you completely as to Pepe's vs Sally's but have you been to Modern recently?

After being a fan of Pepe's for many years, I am now solidly in the Modern Apizza camp. Pizzas are much more consistent and the calzone is truly incredible. Pepe's is still better than 99% of the pizzerias in America but not nearly as good as it used to be. They just seem to be inconsistent and careless with the pies.

I think The Strip House is now the best Manhattan steakhouse (disclaimer: I've never eaten at Roberts). Both the rib steak and strip are superior to the other places. Plus the sides (goose fat fried potatoes, truffled creamed spinach, creamed corn with pancetta) blow the other places away.

Sounds like the author of "The Seasoning of a Chef" is due for some re-seasoning

Dryden, when was the last time you were at The Sea Grill? Although it gets its fair share of the tourist trade because of its location, I do not consider the food served to be "tourist" quality at all. Just look at the menu and compare it to the menu at TOTG. And as for Carmines, I think the UWS location is more of a neighborhood restaurant than the one in the Theatre District. Not a "tourist" spot at all. All they did was copy vitually the entire menu from Don Peppe from Queens which serves excellent Southern Italian food family style. I also think, for good quality family style food at reasonable prices, it offers an excellent value proposition. Is it something to seek out, definitely not, but you won't go home unhappy having Baked Clams, a Caesar Salad, Rigatoni with Broccoli & Garlic and Chicken Contadina.