CookieMonster

Argh! It pains me that I'm only reading your post now, on Memorial Day!!!! I fear you're already back in Austin, and I hope you had a wonderful visit. There are some restaurants that I would have so recommended. We likely passed by each other at the farmers' market, and perhaps even at other times.

I actually love Le Poulet Rouge (though must admit that I have not yet savored their desserts, tempting as they look). Their soups and sandwiches at lunch have been terrific! He owns Square and Piehole.

Greetings! I've been reading the eGullet forums for quite a while and have not posted in quite some time. Just a matter of formality ... I now live in Boise, Idaho and am not sure whether Idaho is meant to be discussed in this forum? It's not specifically called out in the listing for "Western States" so I'm feeling rather like a woman on no island! As another conversation topic, I've found myself become increasingly agitated by "Best of..." issues of magazines. Most of us expect that the winners will either be clear community favorites (well-known, always lauded) or big advertisers in the publication. But has anyone else ever read such a list about restaurants, eateries and food shops and thought "Come. On. We got it. You are good friends with [Chef/Owner] (or like to think you are) and like to ballyhoo all over his/her place all the time." Or "are you nuts? They haven't done a thing to change a single problem on their menu, and frankly, they're really not good [insert type of cuisine] food at all." You want a "for instance?" There is a French establishment here that has good French food. Good. And good desserts - lovely croissants, decent tartes, but nothing that an average baker couldn't replicate at home. I don't get that "oh yeah, this is good," much less "for just a moment, I could be in that little place by the Seine" feeling. And yet, it's won "Best Dessert" for a few years in a row. I've had this dessert. It was .... ok. Snobbery by me? Maybe. But I guess I'm wondering if I'm the lone ranger or if others also get stabs of pains at some of these things. For the record, I've also felt this way when I've lived in NY, Boston, LA and SF. Unfortunately, there is no Zagat's for Boise so I can't cross-reference as I could when living in the other cities. Additional disclosure: my SO owns a couple restaurants in Boise, and one has been favorably featured in "Best of" issues. Of course I don't doubt that judgment (hee!) but I just want all my cards on the table on this ... it's not a jealousy thing, as most of the restaurants that I've raised an eyebrow at are not to be considered rivals to my SO's places, it's an honest-to-goodness feeling that some of these places rest on their laurels and their product never improves ... and perhaps even gets worse.

For just sipping any day, I much prefer green tea to black tea (some black teas end up having a tannic taste to me). There is fantastic tea house here that has introduced me to some really fun teas. A lot of people have mention Genmaicha (I call it popcorn tea), which I have fun brewing. A friend brought back one of those great personal brewers for me from China (put the tea in the top portion of the cup, put hot water in the bottom of the cup) and I've had a fun time trying new teas blends, though I haven't gotten to the more exotic teas ... a bit too expensive to justify right now. One thing I've learned I just don't like is the passion tea at Starbucks. By 1/3 of the way through it, it's way too tart for me and I stop tasting fruit and start only sensing the tart.

To add my own li'l opinion, I think Fifth Floor was ok - certainly an excellent meal, but I wasn't bowled over by it, nor was it particularly memorable (except for the check). Aqua will always have a place in my heart, and they've done well by keeping the tuna tartare on the menu, but the latest changes have made me start to look elsewhere for my #1 favorite. I had a fabulous dinner at Delfina a month or so ago, but I'm not sure if I'd say it's the best. The food was well executed, but no real "wow!" moment. A dinner I had at Bix back in April did surprise me with how wonderfully the chef has improved the quality of the ingredients, the presentation and the dishes themselves. I feel like I have to keep searching to figure out what I think is really "the best" here. I haven't been to Danko (horrors!) or Plumpjack yet, though, so perhaps this will become my new mission, and I'll give them a try. Such sacrifices I must make in the name of science! ;-)

Oh, I tried this in one of my earnest, yet failed, cooking experiments. While I like southern cornbread, northern cornbread without sweetener is just awful. You know how corn itself has some sweetness to it? Well, making it into meal takes out all that deliciousness. I think you're right that the sugar counteracts the bitterness of the baking powder, but whatever the chemical reaction is, not having some sweetener in northern cornbread makes it nearly inedible. And mamster, you forgot one of the best vegetables in Louisiana - okra! Yummmm... gumbo ;-) ~ CookieMonster

I dined at RNM on December 1, 2002. It was definitely good food, but I can't say that it was memorable enough that I would suggest it or recommend it to anyone. You'll get a good meal, but was it worth the tab (about $57/per)? I dunno - my dinner at Limon was better for the pocket book, and better in my tummy. Limon was a memorable meal of small plates. RNM just didn't leave much of an impression (and I'm someone who can remember menus from years ago if the place was excellent). It struck me as a restaurant that would be a great "neighborhood" haunt/stand by if you're making good money.

Da Flora has consistently excellent food. I haven't been to Rose Pistola in about 2 years now, but friends of mine who were there just a week and a half ago say that they've revamped the menu and it is amazing (and I trust their judgment enough). The last time I was there I was very disappointed. The cuts of fish seemed ok but not terrific, and I can't say I was impressed with any of the preparation (um, I can grill swordfish and make a homemade pesto to dress it with, too). My friends say the kitchen seems to have been revitalized there, so I may try it again. I also like Baccio (darn, I think that's the name) on Diamond, between Elizabeth and 24th St. As for great atmosphere and food, though, I agree with Stone that Boston's North End can't be beat (sigh ... I miss Pomodoro, and Dom's was always fun and had good food). ~ CookieMonster