Pan

Chinese Thais use chopsticks, but non-Chinese Thais use a fork and spoon together, in my admittedly short experience in Thailand. Malays, when eating in restaurants in Malaysia, also frequently use fork and spoon together, though eating with the right hand without using a utensil for anything but soup and other watery foods (bubur, sayur, etc.) is traditional among Malays, especially in kampungs (villages). All of these remarks are, however, based on my experiences from 1975-77. But there's no question that chopsticks aren't traditional for ethnic Thais or Malays.

Holly, you never use "chick" to mean "woman"?

For those of you who've never had the pleasure of meeting Lauren, not only does she write well and eat panna cotta and all that other stuff, but she's also beautiful and maintains her figure with seeming effortlessness. Where do you pack it in, Lauren? Nice reviews, Lauren and herbacidal.

Thanks for the review, Eatpie. Do you have any other favorite Chinese places in Manhattan (or Queens)?

Could that be East of Eighth? I've never been there, but it's close to my bank, and I often pass it on my way to or/and from Grand Sichuan's Chelsea branch. This thread has been so informative and fun to read!

Uncork

The only produce I've experienced that's on a par with Italian produce to be found in ordinary stores and supermercati was in Malaysia in the 1970s. Their produce, fruits and vegetables alike, is nothing short of spectacular, and Tuscany is a major agricultural region. Yes, you will find roadside stands, too. I had many meals of salad made from tomatoes, basil, perhaps some other leafy vegetable, and fresh mozzarella di bufala, plus bread and delicious Chianti wine, all bought inexpensively in a local store or two on Via Pantaneto in Siena, the street where I lived for 3 weeks in 1994. I also made some kick-ass bistecca alla pizzaiola from local tomatoes, carrots, onions, basil, and wine, plus excellent bay leaves and black pepper; and some delicious tomato sauces for pasta. Also, you have to get gelato in Italy. It really is a bit of Heaven. A cone of ciocolatto e nocciola (chocolate and hazelnut) is my standby, but macedonia di frutta (fruit salad) con gelato is a wonderful indulgence! You'll find that the vini di tavola you get half a bottle of with a menu' (prix fixe menu) in inexpensive trattorie in the Chianti region are better than wines that would be priced above $35/bottle in any New York restaurant. Eat, drink, look at some of the most beautiful countryside you'll ever see, look at great art, take passeggiate with the locals, speak some Italian, and be merry!! Buon viaggio!

I recently had a great meal at Cho Dang Gol, which I reviewed on these boards, but I was there for supper, not lunch. See the thread here: Cho Dang Gol

Say, how do you kill a lobster? I'll look forward to that, Louisa. She's single, isn't she. So maybe one of the flirtatious Frenchmen will be to her liking, after all?

I finally read the article. Really interesting! Also, I'm going to see if my local Barnes & Nobles carries your book, Monica. I got a gift certificate for my birthday in February which I still haven't used yet.

Tommy, in the future, I think it would be advisable for you to preface your remarks by saying that it's been 6 years since you went someplace. For the record, it was less than 6 years ago that I ate there, I think, so your credibility hasn't been entirely destroyed.

Thanks, Crystal.

Thanks, Kris.

I haven't eaten there in a while, but the first time I ate there, it was terrible, and I went back once more some time later, after people I respect recommended it, and it was barely edible. Needless to say, I've never been back for a third time. I would recommend the lunch special at Kang Suh (south side 32 St., just east of Broadway), but I don't know if you can get a vegetarian dish for the special or not. Perhaps so, though some of the panchan will include things from the Animal Kingdom.

I presume you're referring to her looks, but where's the picture?

I've avoided dishes with ginseng because I heard it raises blood pressure. Can anyone confirm or refute this?

Excellent editorial, FG. FWIW, I certainly haven't decreased my consumption of East Asian food. I had a good dinner at Han Bat Korean restaurant tonight and have had several Chinese meals in the last week. It just wouldn't occur to me to stay away. Anil, just what does "FUD" stand for? I think you must be the abbreviation and acronym champ on these boards.

Illegal chocolate pudding? Also, what's cider "consomme'"? I trust it doesn't have chicken broth in it? Pardon the ignorance.

Why did they turn you down the first time? Were they simply full up, and did they bump "ordinary" customers to give you a table the second time? Or were they behaving badly the first time? Inquiring minds want to know.

Six star? Is that a joke, or is there a Michelin star system for chefs that I've never come across before?

Thanks, Alan. Very impressive web site! The clickable online references in standard bibliographic form struck me as particularly impressive.

Anyone who doesn't like amchoor and ajwain is no friend of mine.

What's khoresh? Sounds Persian. Is that right?

what would that word be?! I have no idea. Connoisseurship. Connoiseurs have a delectation for something and develope a knowledgeable and discriminating taste in it because of that. They may be snobs, may be teachers, turning their friends on to things they've enjoyed, or may be a little of both, but the bottom line to me is that they - and most of us (certainly the regulars) are connoiseurs of food, in some way.