SG-

adorable! but how do they taste? ← Yes tasted terrific, very sweet, highly recommended if you come across them. Bottom-drager, I have never seen this variety sold in non-asian markets though. Why is that, especially if they're so abundant?

Does anyone know what shrimp this is? Bought this at a nearby asian supermarket today.

The egg tarts were nice and flaky and the filling had a good eggy flavor. The standout was probably the "har cheong", not too dense or too thick, good sized shrimp, and the sauce was terrific with just a slight hint of sweetness. Been a while since I've this good a rendition, much better than the ones I've had HKFL or Koi. The har gow again had the right wrapper thickness and consistency. Overall thought the food was much better than the usual east bay favorite, Peony.

Had dim sum at Asian Pearl today and quite enjoyed it. So far it ranks highest on my list for the East Bay. Have not been to Saigon yet, that is next on the list places to try.

The 6 course was priced at $215 and the 16 course $350, both before wine, tax or tip. Yes I thought it was odd too that they brought the amuse so early and repeated this to the table beside us later in the night.

Went to Ciao Bella at the Ferry Building here in SF the other day and all I could think of is how much I miss Capogiro. Could this be the best gelato joint in the country or what??????!?!?!??

Depending on your budget I think they will both be very enjoyable.. the cost at the Mansion is substantially higher though, the tasting menu is $350!! vs L'Atelier's $115. Factor in tax, tip, wine... ouch...

Here's the course descriptions for the above pics at L'Atelier: 1) Crab meat on top of a spicy semolina salad with a citrus dresssing 2) Crab meat salad on top of asparagus and sea urchin vinagrette 3) Crispy langoustine fritter with basil pesto 4) Free range quail stuffed with foie gras and served with truffle mashed potatoes (Sauce was deliciously intense and that mashed potato was like eating super smooth potato cream) 5) Saint Pierre with Fava beans and chorizo, accompanied with that terrific mashed potatoes 6) Le Framboise - white chocolate filled with raspberries drizzled with a hot raspberry sauce that melted the chocolate dome. 7) Le Chocolat - Chocolate senataion <cremeux (?)>, oreo cookie crumb One other dish (picture missing) that I absolutely loved for its revealing simplicity was the "Poached baby kussi oysters with French "echire" salted butter" Pics from the next night at the Mansion, we ended up picking the 6 course menu first course: apple pearl and vodka granite asparagus topped with ossetra caviar with some intense lemon oil (?) Brittany lobster under a dissapearing saffron hostie in a seafood bouillon Pan fried sea bass with lemon grass foam and stewed baby leeks (my favorite dish of the nite, the lemon grass foam was soo intense) Sauteed veal chop with natural jus and vegetable taglierinis flavored with pesto Le Chocolat (chocolate in many wayss, very good but too much chocolate for a non chocolate holic like me) wife's birthday cake, meringue center with cream, very good my description doesn't do any justice.... petit four "TRUCK", jeez this thing was like a mobile candy store, must have been over 20 choices. a small selection we picked

SG, What do you mean by had not decided on the menu and then the Amuse came? You had not placed your order on which tasting or a la carte menu you were going to order and they brought the Amuse? Molto E ← Yes, they brought the first course over while we still had the menu in our hands trying to decide between the 6 course or tasting menu.

Pics from the first nite at L'Aterlier Kitchen

After two nights that made a dent into my house downpayment, I'm happy to say that the quality of the food at both L'Atelier and the formal dining were excellent!!!! Between the two restaurants, the experience at the less formal L'Atelier was more enjoyable, sitting at the counter watching the action in the kitchen and interacting with our waiter. Don't get me wrong I love the design of the formal dining room at the Mansion, however the pacing was just downright terrible!!!!! Before we even decided on the menu or received the wine list the first course was delivered under the guise of an amuse bouche. Very akward having to put away the menu, finish the course and then return to the menu and wine list. We ended up deciding on the 6 course menu and the pacing of the remaining courses were no better. By the end of the first hour we were finished with the mains and only the dessert remained. The meal was paced so quickly that I couldn't even order additional wines, and also the fact that I never even had a chance to finish my pre dinner cocktail. Frankly I was getting kinda intoxicated chugging a bottle of wine under an hour between my wife and I. They have really got to work on this In addition, we never received any treats/amuses between courses typical of these restaurants. Is this typical of Robuchon's days in Jamin??

Another vote for D&R Sharpening, really passionate about his work. Dave did an excellent job on one of my chipped Japanese debas a few months back. Probably one of the very few folks I would entrust with my Japanese knives. Also had him sharpen a few of my german style knives at the same time

Your hands will smell of Bbq for at least a day... and allllll that protein will take a couple of days to make its way out of your system.... Great place nonetheless!!!

Hoagies, cheesesteaks, pork sandwhiches. The ones I've had here in SF have been very good at all.

Anyplace serving sunday brunch like this around the bay area? Lacroix Sunday Brunch menu

Hi Mike: This thread has been inactive for a while, you're right! Not sure I understand your comment...it was better because you didn't decant?? ← Having moved away from the region recently, I've just come to realize what amazing deals you can get from the PLCB. Just paid $29.99 for the '03 at Costco here in the Bay area...

Much better than the omakase menu I had the fifth day he was open in Philadelphia. Like I said earlier, definitely going to be more creative in NYC.

I have to disagree, I has some sushi a month prior at Takara and was not at all impressed. Granted it wasn't at the bar but can't imagine it would be that much better sitting there.

cincaluk

Had dinner at Sushi Ino at Japantown yesterday and definitely one of the better experiences since I moved to the bay area recently. Here's what we had Toro Magurozuke Hirame Hamachi Ankimo Aji Kazanuko Hotate Awabi Grilled Seasoned Toro Anago Ikazuke Ikura The stand outs were the Aji, Ankimo, Grilled Toro, Ikura. MY only complain is that he can sometimes dab too much wasabi, other wise a very good choice for no BS traditional sushi. Bill for two came up to $79 before tips. I will definitely be returning soon. Here's my ranking of recent places I have been to in the Bay Area: Kyo-Ya Sushi Ino Sakae Kiku of Tokyo (lunch only) Uzen Kirala Miraku - Walnut Creek Hana Zen Sushi Groove - Walnut Creek Avoid, not recommended: Anglefish Sushi Miraku - San Ramon Damo Sushi - Plesant Hill

Here's a brand that's readily available in many (if not all) Asian markets around phildelphia. By the way in Java Indonesia, this is the condiment that accompanies satay instead of peanut sauce. Kecap Manis Closeup of brand but this is the salty version (Asin vs. Manis)

I really enjoyed the Ambootia Darjeeling and Ceylon teas from Heidards in Paris I purchased recently. Overall quality was much better than similar quality teas I purchased from Mariage Feres or Fauchon.

Are these the same as the shrimp "reker" sold all over in Scandinavian countries?

culinary disaster this year... nothing worth remembering...

I watched Posh Nosh for the first time today on KTEH and it's hilarious!!! Posh Nosh BBC Site