cinghiale

Imagine a straightforward meal: anti, primo, secondo. Now that you've finished, you're considering the following: (i) dessert, (ii) dessert wine, (iii) grappa, and (iv) espresso [also (v) cigarette(s)]. Is there a customary order here? That is, do Italians take their coffee after dessert, as is the case in the U.S.? Would grappa generally be the parting shot or consumed earlier? Is the wine usually taken together with the dessert?

Congrats to Holly and John. But John "Hot Dog John" Fox? Even "guru" understates the man's acumen. John "Font of Knowledge of All Things Dog" Fox. Minister of Dog-ma John Fox. John Fox: When He Talks Wurst, Others Listen. Also, John "Not of Ultravox" Fox.

Chocolate by Mueller

Congratulations to Rich Pawlak, named food editor of Philadelphia Style mag, according to today's Table Talk column.

Under highly fuelled conditions last week, I did a 2AM comparison of Pat's and Geno's. I kept telling myself to TRY to remember what differences, if any, could be made out through the fog. Each steak was American with. I didn't notice any discernable distinction between the preparation of the meat. That said, neither sandwich was particularly compelling. However, I found the roll at Geno's to be far superior to Pat's. I continue to believe that the best steaks are at (1) John's Roast Pork, (2) Chink's, and (3) D'Allesandro's, plus a Schmitter for best faux steak. Caveat: I've yet to try that joint in the NE that many claim as the best.

Be aware that the restaurant is closed for pretty much the latter half of July, so call now. Or, if you don't mind at 9-9:30 seating, one needn't reserve much in advance, I've found. The cheese course has become somewhat of a signature for Aimee (Olexy), co-owner with chef Bryan Sikora. She accesses first-rate cheeses that novies would certainly consider unusual. She also cultivates (um, NPI) contacts with small artisans in, e.g., New Hampshire who don't sell to wholesale. She's very knowledgeable and will spend time at the table explaining the flight and answering all questions. And she's a genuine dearie to boot. As for wine, be also aware that their stemware is pretty awful. So, if you're bringing a wine that deserves proper glasses, you should BYO them as well. In fact, a number of diners do; I've seen Riedel unpacked there on more than one occasion.

I get those "No. 1"'s confused. There was No. 1 on South St., which is (was?) pretty bad. Then, the "New No. 1" on S. 8th St., which is only OK. I'll be happy to try No. 1 China at yr recommendation. Golden Empress never looked that enticing from the outside, but I'll try it, too. Thanks, Katie. Yr QV (and not BV), right?

Ever since the demise of Noodle Heaven, I've been in search of a respectable Chinese place that delivers to my nabe -- Bella Vista. I've tried several of the south-of-Washington places, finding them at best mediocre. I've never had much use for anything in the South Street environs. When desperate, though, I've resorted to Rich City at 5/South -- until last night. I ordered "Crispy Duck" and pork-fried rice. The promised 45-min. delivery took 65 mins. The food was cold. And that was the best thing to report. The "duck" appeared to have been fried, set in the cooler for several days, then re-"crisped". Shoe leather is too kind a comparison. Virtually devoid of any duck meat, it moreover seemed to have been assembled from several different remnant ducks. I tossed it after one bite. The PFR was as bland as the duck was overcooked. I resorted to mixing in packets of the chemo-condiments, obviously to no avail. Infuriated, I called the restaurant to complain. Got the obligatory "Sorry". Big deal. I shredded the take-out menu and determined to seek the counsel of eGers before again ordering Chinese delivery. So, can anyone recommend a delivery joint with enjoyable fare, say east of Broad, south of Market?

Pickles quoted this one two pages ago... Pay attention, people! We're getting too many duplicates here. Sorry. I missed it. Mod: pls delete

Edited for inattentiveness

Thanks, all. And thanks, carswell, for the La Chronique website. At Lesley's medicore reco on Toque!, looks like it'll be dinner at La Chronique on Tuesday (nice name, reminds me of Snoop's "The Chronic", a message I could never in good conscience condone ). Mom eats meat and fish, etc. She sounded a little uncertain about APdC; but she's following this thread, so I hope she'll go for it. I'm off to Germany today to check out my old stomping grounds in Hamburg and Berlin. N. Germany has certainly improved, culinarily. Three weeks after my return, it's on to your fair city. Should make for interesting comparisons.

Misread the BYO status of Brunoise. Thanks. I don't have the url for La Chronique. I googled and couldn't find a link to the restaurant directly. Could you post it? Thanks. Thanks for the info on Les Caprices and your other suggestions. Still: anyone been to the new Toque! for dinner. Lesley...?

OK, I'm rescheduled w/Mom for 7/24-28. I was planning on re-reserving tables where I'd planned to eat in February. However, reviewing the past 4 months of postings, I've found there have been some developments: (1) Toque! OK, so it's moved. But what's the verdict? Lesley said on 2/9, re: toque moving Everything in the 4/9 thread re: Toque... was pre-move, other than Lesley, who said However, the link is dead. So, is it still "world-class, very much in the spirit of French Laundry or Gordon Ramsay or Vancouver's Lumiere. Great food, attentive service, absolutely nothing out of place"? (Anise or Toque? 12/2003)(2) Hadn't noticed anything about La Chronique or La Bastide in February, so I read with interest this post. Is La Bastide BYO? I'm not interested in BYO'ing, so Brunoise is out. I was already planning on doing Anise on Saturday, 7/24. Anyone with more info on Chronique? (3) Out stay includes a Sunday and a Monday, both tough resto days in Montreal, I understand. APdC is open Sundays, right? If Mom objects to the meat-centric direction of the restaurant, any other suggestions for Sunday? How about Les Caprices? I can't find anything on their website listing any hours. (4) I'm not anti-veggie, just omnivorous. Am I doing myself a disservice by not considering Les Chevres? As I said, other than Anise, I'm wide open to your excellent recommendations -- in the category I've loosely defined above. Thanks, cinghiale w/passport edited for misspelling of Lesley's name

Not directly OT, but: Should you find yourself in the West Village sometime, stop by the Blind Tiger Ale House (Hudson @ W. 10th) to sample the Dogfish Head 90-min. IPA. BTAH is one of only (currently) three taverns in the country, I believe, featuring Randall the Enamel Animal, a filter (or an "organoleptic hop transducer module") packed with fresh hops, through which the ale is tapped. The result is a truly delicious, creamy yet bitter ale.

Went last week on a late afternoon (I think they open at 4:00). Pleasant decor, warm and knowledgable service. They get their cheese from Murray's (NYC), so they're able to offer items that, presumably, one can't find here at, say, DiBruno's. The cheese selection is quite diverse and intriguing. Prices per wedge are in the $5-6 range, and of respectable portionage. I tried a self-constructed flight of Spanish cheeses -- one goat, one sheep and one cow (sorry; neglected to jot down the names), all very tasty. The cheese is served with a terrific honey; upon inquiry, it's local, from a purveyor named (and I'm not kidding) Buzzas. Also had an order of Niman Ranch speck (Germany's version of proscuitto). I always thought DiBruno's speck was great, but the Niman Ranch version is superb. Drank Vin Santo by the glass ($6). All in all, a pleasant way to while away a late afternoon. The owner is very nice and engaging. I hope they do well.

I believe it's a cinghiale (Sus scrofa), and not a javelina (Pecari tajacu), but I could be wrong. From the Sons of Norway link:

I believe I read that the name is pronounced like heritage, instead of like mirage.

And in the making of some bagels. Most used for balancing pH in products like ketchup. And not to forget lutefisk.

The "lemonade"-beer drink is called a "Radler" (in central and southern Germany) or an "Alsterwasser" (in northern Germany). Basically, they take half a glass of a Seven-Up type of soda, beat the carbonation out of it, and top it off with pils. Very refreshing on a hot summer day. But as winemike recommends, be sure not to forego a Bembel (pitcher) or two of Apfelwein, or Äppelwoi in the Hessian dialect. It goes delightfully with a Frankfurter specialty called "Handkäse mit Musik", a fresh cheese served with oil, vinegar and onions, the latter supplying the "music".

Info you requested is in the body of the post.

Please! Those joints are really more for tourists than anything else. I strongly suggest you try, among many worthy shops: John's Roast Pork (Snyder, near Delaware Ave.). Also good RP sandwiches. Open weekdays only until about 2:00 PM. Tony Luke's (Front/Oregon): RP w/broccoli rabe also rocks. Philly institution. Chink's Steaks (Torresdale Ave., just north of Cheltenham): Great sandwich. Great malteds. This really belongs on the PA board. There are many threads on this topic. For a wealth of cheesesteak info, also try the Philly page on Holly Moore's website

I ate solo last month at the bar at Gary Danko. I had no reservation, so I showed up just shy of opening (5:30, I think). Picked out my seat at the bar and ate like God in France for the next 2-1/2 hours. It ain't cheap, but it was a truly memorable meal. I also had lunch at Piperade. If you ask to be seated outside, you also have the streetscape to keep you occupied.

I'm sure Howard can be more specific, but I've been researching the restaurant a bit myself. It's actually in Grevenbroich, about 17 miles outside Düsseldorf. The Michelin directions are here.

Sounds great. Looking for a website for Zur Traube, I checked Gault-Millau, who give them a 19 (Michelin **). As to the wine, the G-M review notes (translating here): "Kaufmann's cellar is legendary: noble 'Kreszenz' wines [comparable, I believe, to 'grand cru'], but also affordable bottles. If you hunt a bit, you can even find real bargains. His selection of Eisweins and Beerenauslesen from choice vineyards in the Mosel, Saar and Ruwer is truly one of a kind. You can find Sassicaia in every vintage from 1976 to 1995, and Vega Sicilia Unico from 1922 to 1990. Kaufmann's champagne list is also breathtaking: for example, Krug complete from 1937 to the present." Unfortunately, the restaurant doesn't have a website. I'd sure like to take a peek at what else is on their menu, given the stellar review of your meal.

At last spring's Restaurant Row food fair along Walnut Street, I tried a cheesesteak springroll from Davio's. It was quite good.