MetsFan5

No dinner for Anna?

I'd love to see pictures! My inlaws split their time between their home outside of Sacramento and their place on Lake Tahoe and Newark just started United non stop flights to Sacramento (thank God!) and we have first class tickets for thanksgiving week. Also--EWR 's United terminal is unique in that every bar and bar/ restaurants requires the use of iPads to order everything. All the convenience shops are also self check out.

Your commute to a major city is something in my husband's dreams! We live 22 miles outside of Manhattan but he has to take a 59 minute train ride before catching the ferry to lower Manhattan. It must be so nice to have the mix of the suburbs and city without a huge amount of traffic and or switching methods of commuting. Absolutely gorgeous pictures!

The train commute is mirroring the current commute into Manhattan thanks to closed tracks. I don't envy you or my husband! Are the trains equipped with A/C? Have a a safe flight!

It looks like there was something green in the yorkies. Was it just the photo?

Considering the tipping standard in your country? Here in the US, I feel the norm is 20%. I tend to tip, on average, 30%. I have no doubt that I tip heavily due to having been a waitres, a bartender and a manger. If the service is poor I leave 20% as not to punish the bartender and busser. I realize my mindset is unique. I also tip on take out when it's at a restaurant where take out isn't the norm and tip 20% on all food (from restaurants) delivery. I also heavily tip my grocery delivery person.

Yelp differs drastically depending on the country and region where one lives. I certainly make my own opinion and don't take Yelp reviews as gospel but when people share pictures of their meals, it certainly makes an impression. The people I follow tend to work in the restaurant industry and know their shit. As a volunteer for my town's partnership I provide information about new restaurants as well as tourism locations for visitors. Yelp likely isn't applicable for your location, however it makes a strong impact in the NYC area and the people I follow on Yelp are those who have been on egullet from the beginning.

I do that with Yelp. I "follow" people who dine out (and post pictures) a lot in my area. Makes me jealous but also helps me to decide on future places to visit.

Also I covet that Golden Girls shirt assume it was your daughter wearing.

I thought the video was well done and really interesting. Obviously in a 12 minute video the viewer won't be able to determine the level of sanitation of the prep/event but considering it's something the OP has posted about for years, I can safely assume they are adhering to food safety and sanitation laws.

I graduated high school 19 years ago but did take classes that were focused on Russian history. It's been a while so I'm likely mistaken about the pictures but I do know graduates of my prep school have rare privileges when accessing the Kremlin.

That is so fascinating to me. I have amnesty? Permission? To take photographs in the Kremlin (although they may allow anyone to do it now but they didn't in 1998) because John Reed is a graduate of the same prep school as I am. I really need to visit.

What did you think about the beer from Revolution Brewery? They recently released some of their beers in the northern Nj area and after sampling a few, I was impressed enough to buy a six pack. Awesome trip report.

@chefmd your family is in my thoughts. Safe travels.

I've never heard of that word. I'm literate.

Very weird. At least to me. Living in the NYC metro area the only okra I basically always keep on hand is specialty store bought pickled okra and I checked my new jar and it indeed is lacking fringe. Maybe your okra is making a fashion statement?

Happy belated birthday! That meal looks like a great way to celebrate!

I admire your willingness to cook for a crowd but personally i'd probably prefer to celebrate with the family and not be cooking my ass off. That said, if you can, I'd smoke a bunch of pork shoulders and pull it for easy sandwiches. That can easily be prepped in advance.

Actually I tip my hairdresser and delivery drivers, as well as any home service provider that goes above and beyond. I tip Uber drivers. I tip my mailman, my garbage collectors, etc. I tip a lot.

What does moooorish mean?

I definitely use a nonstick. I have suffered from using too much oil as well. I've found 'hash brown patties' (frozen and pre cooked) to work easier in a pinch-- I throw them in my Breville toaster oven for about 15-20 minutes at 450 and they are nice and crispy.

Simple, fattening but comforting as hell when your mind or tummy is hurting-- orzo is my comfort food. Orzo with a knob of butter and either Rao's or Victoria's vodka sauce and a nice crusty loaf of French bread.

Wow that looks amazing! Despite the title of the cookbook I can't warrant buying the book just for this recipe but will search it out. I love anything with zucchini and that picture has me drooling and wondering how well the random zucchini in my veg drawer is holding up.

I know I am very fortunate to have my parents and the means to afford meals out at fine dining restaurants. My family has always been a bit more comfortable dining out on holidays for a multitude of reasons. One, my father has a severe poultry allergy. So even if we go to extended family's homes, it's up to my mom or me to prep and bring something that can be reheated and avoid any cross contamination. Chicken stock is prevalent in so many things from soups to sauces and home cooks, as well intended as they are, don't always keep serving utensils seperate and can forget they used a boullion cube. Restaurants take allergies much more seriously and I mention my father's allergy when making reservations. When coping with the loss of an abusive addict, staying "home" is filled with extremely sad, violent and verbally abusive memories. A neutral ground is much easier for all of us, especially for my husband when the holiday proceeds a work day. And we've been going to the same restaurant for I think at least 3 holidays now. I know the waitstaff, some from having worked with them in a different restaurant. And that type of hospitality can, at times, feel more like family than actual family does. I also have to be sensitive to my parents who have a hard time being around teenaged kids, people with questions surrounding a sudden death of a 33 yr old and go with what works for them. But believe me. I thank god for them every. Single. Day. Death is a personal process for everyone; it isn't a competition where any one wins-- everyone suffering loses and there isn't a barometer for measuring who's loss is more painful. And that's the funny thing about restaurants. Sometimes the servers are a lot more genuine and kind than family would be. Which I suppose would surprise some, but not me.

Another holiday and I took the easy way out. A 3 course dinner at a local fine dining restaurant for $59++ per person. I had a Caesar salad and scallops with an artichoke purée and crispy guicncale and chocolate mousse. My husband had grilled and smoked (which suffered from too many preperations) octopus and lamb loin. My parents had tenderloin and I wasn't surprised my dad's was over cooked as he could even get it done rare. That's to be expected to me so we didn't complain. With drinks and tax and gratuity it was about $100 per person so not insane. It's about keeping calm during holidays and we did so mission accomplished. How the hell I will even begin to help my mom during Mother's Day is beyond me. I might ask her to go on a long weekend trip. These holidays are rough.