cinghiale

Spot on, Herb. Passed by 10/Spring Garden at noon, yr post in my head. Stopped in, cops & all. Wanted tacos, got the platos, to go. Excellent! Gotta get more divining of this most excellent find. So much mining to do.

Tried Acapulco last night. Bright, cheery interior -- blue and white tile. Nice floral arrangement at the service stand (might wanna take the celo off the bouquets, though). Had the picaditas (think pizza) and a torta. Asked and received a taste of the chilaquiles (red) -- unfortunately, a cold taste. The picaditas (bean, cream, cheese, onion; 4 for $6) weren't stellar, though they reheated quite nicely this AM. On the other hand, the torta (de milaneza -- chicken, chorizo, avocado, et al.; $6) was quite good, though a tad longer on the grill would've really scored. Flan was more like a cheesecake (?). Only one salsa (green). Nice vibe -- workers, families. Nice service. No problemo w/my BYO beer, either. Major bad: They've located the dishwasher directly behind the service counter. When you look back into the kitchen, you essentially see just the designee furiously washing dishes. Further in the hinterland, you can glimpse someone rolling tortillas -- put THAT show up front, please! I nearly asked for a tour of the kitchen seeing that distant action. General nudge: It took forever to get my food here. But not just here: Why does it seem to take so bloody long to get food out of the kitchen at Mexican joints in general? I mean, I once left La Lupe when, half hour in, not one other patron in the establishment, I hadn't receive anything more than chips. Same goes for TV, Garibaldi. To me, this should be the ultimate, ne plus ultra of "fast" food -- delicious, flavorful, healthy... and simple, clear, quick. end rant. Also, coming back from an architectural installation at the corner of 6/Diamond/Germantown, I passed by Pura Vida (6/Fairmount). Wanted to stop, but gf had to get to her Spanish lesson. Looked inviting, in a pretty contemporary way. A little googling, and seems the Weekly's already been. Read it here. Mmmm, Guatemalan fusion. Anyone been?

Happened to be passing by Taco Riendo on Friday, so I popped in. TT's review of the ambience of the restaurant and the friendliness of the owner are spot on.I asked the owner about the tacos al vapor -- yeah, I know, "steamed tacos". It was the components that intrigued me -- beaf cheek, beef tongue, etc. I opted for a beef cheek, and it wasn't very good. Skimpy portion and bland. And a good deal of it was unchewable gristle. Really underwhelming. I noticed too late that they had sopes, which I would've grabbed in an instant. All the same, I'll definitely give it another try or two. And I'll try the standards to permit a comparison to Taq Veracruzana, La Lupe, et al. I also passed by El Castillo at 2nd & Thompson (I think, 1 block N of Girard). Anybody have any input on that place? And I also picked up a menu from Restaurante Acapulco on 9th below Washington. Looks pretty good: basic tacos, picaditas, chilaquiles. Edited cuz I just found the Acapulco menu on my computer

Seems the link got screwed up. This one's working in Preview Post, so here goes again. Michelin says 50 km, 1-1/4 hours. Directions

I has planned to go while in Venice in late December, but they were closed. Below a link to Michelin, giving driving directions (I had a car). Venice to Calandre directions Perhaps others know a train route (it's near Padova).

Stopped in for dinner last night. First thing I noticed is that the menu has been refashioned. Graphically, it's one of those plasticized things you see at run-of-the-mill bars, boring font, just a front and a back. Seemed to me that, foodwise, the offerings have been reduced. Duck club's still there. Not much on the chalk board, either -- though four soups were offered, two of which were vegan. My hummus was decidedly bland. Likewise the chili, which was pretty good a month ago. Friend was satisfied with his burger. So, I asked, and, yes, there's been another change in chef. Server said the customers seem to like the new menu. Dunno -- I walked away disappointed.

Hmmm, I live around the corner and go frequently. I like it. Buckethead's comment about the service does have merit. It can be maddeningly slow -- staff standing around and chatting while you're sitting there with closed menus. The food is really good, though. Yesterday, I had the hummus w/grilled pita and veggies. Big mound of hummus surrounded by cukes, juliened roasted peppers, surprisingly (for this time of year) tasy tomatoes, plus really good pita (Kronos). $5, maybe $7, and it's a meal in itself. Also had the spicy turkey meatloaf sammich w/smoked mozz. Also very good. For breakfast, I always get a cup of that Irish oatmeal -- man, it's good. Their fare generally seems pretty consistent. Never had a drop-out.

I was looking for some Niman Ranch bacon at Whole Foods the other day and overlooked it -- I later found it buried on a shelf below the top shelf featuring the WF brand -- 365 or whatever, which is what I purchased. Man, that stuff was awful. I always cook bacon slowly to minimize shrinkage, but this junk just sweated out a boatload of water and withered to nothing. NR is really pretty good, iffin' I'm constrained to buy a commercial product.

Hard opening tomorrow & Saturday. Closed Sunday. Got a call from FOH, who described above plates. "Euro-tapas"??? Sounds check-out-worthy. I'm all there tomorrow PM. Full bar, BTW.

Oh yeah. Big time. And I'm a recent convert, too. Started in on S. Beach diet in late August, and I needed something, well, creamy and satisfying for dessert. Presto: gf brings home Fage Total yogurt. Fabulous. Tangy whipped cream cheese? I think it's got a sour cream/creme fraiche-like feel, too. Even though I made it through the no-carb part of the diet just fine and now eat fruits and a bit of sweet now and again, Total has become a staple for a treat. Boy, it's good. Plain is just fine, though I also like a bit of honey in it too, with nuts, occasionally. I did try adding cocoa powder to it to make a faux chocolate thing. Ooops.

Mmmmm, had two Bad Educations last night (couldn't stop after one); gf had the Matador. Both delicious, Katie. Then on to roast piggie w/friends in the back room. Probably too enthusiatically ordered bacalao fritters, octopus, and empandas to start for our table of ten (hey, it's not like it's all MY money), since the pig + sides prob'ly woulda been enough. It's just that I'm so fricking greedy when it comes to all those great offerings. Finished w/nice dessert flights + a cute little bday cake for the evening's guest of honor. Topped it all off w/the Oloroso, I believe -- dark, port-like? Great service. Love that joint.

If you're maybe interested in Stollen (a relative of the fruitcake genus for which I also do not care), the bakery attached to Blue Ox Brauhaus makes them at Christmastime. The baker is a young woman who apprenticed in a Konditorei in Stuttgart. My late (German) wife always bought them up by the armful and professed that they surpassed the Ur-Stollen in der Heimat.

Whaddabout Hot Bagel on S. 4th? I think they're boiled. Got bialys, too. I've always been satisfied. I'm a fan of Essa Bagel in NYC, and Hot Bagel's come pretty close. ← Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you're talking about South Street Bagels on S. 3rd which has the "Hot Bagels" sign out front. That's where I got the disappointing bagels. ← Nope, it is I who stands corrected. S. 3rd. I always thought that "Hot Bagel" was their name. Still, I've always had a pretty good bagel at that joint. Sorry to hear of the diminution in quality. Was that based on one or several visits?

Whaddabout Hot Bagel on S. 4th? I think they're boiled. Got bialys, too. I've always been satisfied. I'm a fan of Essa Bagel in NYC, and Hot Bagel's come pretty close.

Sound like, other than Venice, a very good trip. Can't wait to hear about Osteria dal Minestraio, as I plan to eat there next month.

Thanks for the tip. I just received a reply from Alberto, in response to my request for .... Room 2. They're actually closed on the day of our arrival (12/26) but will accommodate us. Room 2 is taken on 12/27, so I asked for it on arrival, then to Room 1 for the next two nights. Also booked a table for 12/28. I realize this is sorta the wrong thread, but is dinner at Osteria dal Minestraio a reasonable drive from the locanda?

Thanks for the update, Alberto. I now plan to visit Ragnatela on my way into Venice in late December. It looks quite good. Do you (or does anyone) perchance have an email address for them? I couldn't find anything on da Amerigo on Girone dei golosi. I searched under BO and also by name. I did discover that they have a *, which is where I located their fantastic website. I was really taken with their lodgings and now plan to switch my stay there from Villa Gaidello in Castelfranco.

I have a Bosch cooktop + convection oven. I'm very satisfied with both. The burners are powerful enough for me (I do a pretty fair amount of cooking), though they could be a tad more sensitive at the low-flame end (I believe the unit has Gaggenau guts). The oven is great, but it's a steady learning process with convection on time vs. temp (mine has a non-convection setting as well, which I rarely use). Roasting is terrific. Self-clean feature does a good job. Great look, too. Bosch makes a (albeit pricey) counter-flush, pop-up vent. But it wouldn't fit on my counter, and for configuration reasons, I can't go with a hood. As a result, I regularly trip my smoke alarm. Just this weekend, I purchased appliances for a unit I'm restoring. Decided on a JennAir range (2-burner + sealed burner grill + convection + down-draft) @ $2000. Modular 2-burner unit to swap out w/ grill is another $230. I asked about GE Profile, since you see 'em in so many rehabs. Salesman said he thought GE & competitors are good at the contractor level, but at step-up are overpriced for what you get. For just a few more $$, your get considerably more bang. How do Profile BTUs compare? And, e.g, does the Profile have cast-iron grates? Mine are super-durable and show no wear after five years. I also "interviewed" a customer looking to toss all the new contractor-plus-grade appliances in a condo he just bought. Said, e.g., the Profile was a PITA -- no real power. I'm a big Bosch fan. I've also got a D/W, one with the controls hidden in the door. Super-quiet. OK, the board just fried after 5 years, but it was my fault. A penny got caught in the drain, and I ran the unit a few times to figure out what was up. Mistake. I've also got a Bosch washer and dryer (electric), and I'm completely satisfied. While I don't know about Bosch ranges, that price seems fantastic if it performs like the appliances I've known. Good luck!

An acquaintance from my drinking days at the "old" Khyber Pass, Matt, now works at DiBruno Bros. in the 9th Steet store. When I was in last weekend, he was kind enough to let me know that the store had overordered Fee Brothers Orange Bitters. They're priced to sell ($3.99). Surprise: I didn't even know DB's sold bitters at all. I grabbed three, and he asked me to spread the word. If you run into him in the 9th Street store, be sure to ask him about his "spirited" book that's soon to appear...

Um, to get back to the food: Last night had the tapas chef selection or tapas tasting or whatever it's called: Complimentary, with our order: tuna-cheesey dip thing. Really good. (0) Some sorta queso fresco with strawberries (dried?) in balsamic. Terrific (Was a pre-tapas tapas cuz we were so hungry -- rest of the plates came right away anyhoo) (1) Machego w/truffled honey. I didn't care for the honey; gf thought the truffles enhanced the honey (2) Serrano. OK, it's ham. It's good. It's standard, I guess. (3) A torta-like thing (ferget the name) w/aiello. Nice and tater-y, yet light, and the garlic sauce was great. (4) Toasts w/melted goat cheese w/assorted sauteed veggies (onion, pepper, eggplant?) (5) Marinated anchovies. Tasty, but a little too pickled for my taste (6) Roasted chick peas with spinach. Wow. The crunch really hooked me. Really well seasoned. (7) Cod croquettes. Light as a feather, rocking flavor. Great (8) Chorizo. Grilled, served on skewers. Good. (9) Octopus. Thin little rounds. Incredibly tender and light. I don't give in to hyperbole easily, but, for me, Best..... Octopus..... Ever. (10) Shrimp sauteed w/garlic. Freakin' garlicky! Awesome. Had a flan (catalan?), which was more brulee-ish, in a gooey kind of way. Really good. Drank a pitcher of sangria, very good, distinct taste of cinnamon. Had an Oloroso each -- way too cold, I think, Katie. Chilled yes, icey no. Big almond cookie with the check. $140 before t/t Great room(s). Almost like a warren. Blond flooring. Dark walls mask all the mechanical stuff at the ceiling. We sat in the main bar; there are two others -- one in front of the kitchen, and one in the back. Bar, bar tables and many stools are fashioned from really old planks, pine I think. Great look. Manager kindly offered to email the designer for a project I'm working on. Very attentive staff. I kinda got a kick when I tried to order sherry from the guy behind the bar standing in front of the jamon slicer; his sole job is to slice ham (and maybe slice the displayed cheese, too). He 1/2 hour or so of music + dancers. Kitchy, but fun. Definitely worth the trip, IMO.

Gotta throw in a vote for Sonny d'Angelo's bacon. It's got a nice smokey flavor to it. I always seem to be picking it up when looking for other stuff -- like: gimme two rabbits .. oh and some bacon. Or: 2 lbs of bratwurst please ... and some bacon. Or my fav combination: hunk of lardo please ... and I'll take some bacon, too.

Meanderer: Al Fontego sounds pretty intriguing, even in spite of it being across from Vini da Gigio, which I'm strongly considering, particularly with Divina's recommendation. OMH liked it, and there was this from Food & Wine, albeit two years ago: Strange that there's very little in Italian on this place. As for Agli Alboretti, I generally avoid restaurants situated in hotels. Dunno why, just a thing, I guess. It's also gotten mixed marks. I'll keep it in mind, though. Thanks for the tips. Divina: Thank you, also. VdG is on my short list. And I believe the other restaurant to which you refer is Alle Testiere, which is, as noted, unfortunately closed. It was my first choice. Please post after your trip with any finds. Thanks.

Thanks for the good advice, Robert.

I’m in Venice for four nights, 12/29-1/2. I want to eat fish (meat will be amptly covered in Marche and ER). I’ve read all the relevant threads in this forum (i.a., Venice Guide, Brown, Cyn). Despite the cautionary posts by Cyn and Robert Brown (and in the hope that it will not be a bad apple but rather as thoroughly delectable as a Really Wonderful Honey Crisp), I’ve reserved a table for dinner on 12/30 at Trattoria Laguna, and Alvise has kindly offered to pick us up. I’ve asked that the dinner be scheduled to allow, at a minimum, for timely arrival for the last vaporetto. Here’s where I wanted to go, but they’re closed during our visit: ● Fiore ● Osteria alle Testiere ● Calandre Also closed: ● Antica Osteria da Cera ● Covo ● Omar ● Mascaron ● Osteria al Portego ● Trattoria alla Madonna Here’s what we’re definitely doing: ● Osteria Antico Giardinetto (thank you Vedat for a very intriguing write-up on Gastroville) Bars we plan to visit: ● Cantina do Mori ● Harry’s (open?) ● Centrale ● Bancogiro Restaurants under consideration (all apparently open): ● Corte Sconta ● Vini da Gigio ● Osteria dalla Marisa ● Osteria di Santa Marina ● Osteria Anice Stellato (was that once [and maybe future?] eGer Joe H posting on Fodor’s?) Not particularly interested in (mixed reviews, scene, cuisine), but could be swayed, I guess: ● Zucca ● Ai Gondolieri ● Acqua Pazza ● Fiaschetteria Toscana ● pizza (pasta’s gonna be enough of a strain on the South Beach results I’m so proud of) I would like the New Year’s Eve dinner to be cozy and very romantic. Do any of the above fit the bill? Does anyone have any more recent advice on the above or, alternatively, other suggestions? Thanks. edited to add Gastroville link

A few shots of the restaurant from my October, 2002 visit. I also have food porn, but they wouldn't be very interesting without descriptions, which are buried in my trip notes somewhere. I drove past the entrance to the grounds (on the road from Orvieto to Todi) several times. I think it's easy to miss. The gate is marked with a plain brass plaque, with a button to summon someone to the intercom to activate the gate: Entrance to the restaurant: Only interior shot I took, from the sitting room/library: We sat in the rear room, which has two windows looking in on the kitchen and the pastry kitchen, respectively. Save for a Japanese wedding party, we were the only guests for lunch. Suddenly, about 2:00 PM, a TV crew and some entourage rolled in to occupy the front room. Chef appeared for an interview or two. Weird transition from quiet lunch with over-the-top frocked service (an little upholstered footrest-thingy was even fetched on which to rest my wife's purse) to Italian TV mayhem.