dscott

Bux, do you use a special attachment or anything when you use your Cuisinart to grind meats? Do you freeze the meat slight to prevent liquification? I've been thinking about trying this but I'm unsure what the best method would be. I don't have a Kitchen Aid so that's not an option.

I second docsconz. Why must we eat there? I've driven past Tully a hundred times on I-81 and never thought that there was anything to eat there. (BTW, Tully is just north of Cortland, probably 20-ish miles south of Syracuse). How do I get to kettle lakes from the highway?

I know that this is a stereotype but I am English therefore I like: fried eggs fried toast fried tomatoes bacon (Irish or English, not American) bangers (chipolatas) black pudding white pudding mushrooms baked beans and to wash it all down, a nice cuppa w/ some toast and marmite. Unfortunately, in America, some people consider this gluttony so I usually only eat this around family.

I'm interested in knowing who's behind this too. I visit family in McDonough several times a year and would love a new option other than Pippins. Have to say, I'm curious to see if something with "bistro" in the name will fly in McDonough.

Don't forget a rural publican's ultimate protection against the Gardai at closing time: Having a priest in the pub. Don't think that'll work as well with the smoking ban though (unless the priest himself is smoking).

That's the great thing about passionate chefs. Y'all do amazing things for food. All in the name of research and inspiration!

The signs are still in some, but not all, Ukrop's stores.

Chef Sean, I think that it depends on what you're seeking. First, I don't dismiss Chef Bundy's choice of product or the service or, for that fact, the marvelous space that is the Jefferson Hotel. On the other hand, what am I willing to pay for it? Let's face it, once you factor in the fixed costs other than food at Lemaire (e.g., cost of the space, cost of the staff to provide you with that high level of service, cost of the chef himself) and divide them by Lemaire's relatively small clientele, you have a significant premium added to the food cost for each individual diner. What if I'm able to find similar quality food without all of those additional costs? I'm willing to trade down on service, decor and chef's name in order to keep my dining bill down. Now, when I am looking to drop some cash and I am looking to have a meal where the focus is as much on the decor and the service as it is on the food, THEN I will proceed directly to Lemaire (or perhaps take a nice weekend trip to the Hermitage )

That is correct about Ukrop's. They do not sell beer or wine. They're also closed on Sundays and sometimes have signs asking you to go to church. In other words, yes, I think they have something against alcohol. For some Richmonders, the inability to shop on Sunday combined with the inability to stock our weekly beer allowance is a significant impediment to shopping at Ukrops. On the other hand, lots of people don't seem to mind. Nonetheless, I have, on more than one occasion, found myself looking for beer and wine in Ukrops before I realize that I'm not at Kroger. One other thing about beer and Ukrop's stores: more often than not, their stores are located in a shopping center with a CVS drug store (which does sell beer and wine and is open on Sundays). I have been told that the Ukrops do this intentionally so that you don't have to leave the shopping center to get your beer.

Okay, you spend $200 an ounce on European white truffles and whatever they are charging for the North Carolina truffles and tell us! We need someone in the field to investigate. But, I'll put $100 down on the surmisability that the European truffles will be better. Perhaps, but how much ($$) better? Cost/benefit analysis. Speaking of $$, how much do these NC truffles run?

Per kendrabail's original post: Just got a copy of the March issue of Richmond mag w/ its cover story on the best new restaurants in Richmond. It lists: After 5 Cafe at Fabulous Foods Dogwood Cafe Lafayette Comfort Fleming's Julep's Kitchen Table Of these 7, embarrassingly, I've only been to Comfort, which I really enjoy. Delicious FG tomatoes, pickled watermelon, meatloaf and a bacon-wrapped trout that brought tears to my eyes (& to my heart). KT is next on my list (hopefully this weekend) and they do make Dogwood and Cafe Lafayette sound good. I'm a little puzzled by the Fleming's choice but that type of establishment is not my cup of tea anyway. And Fabulous Foods? Chesterfield County? I'm halfway to Raleigh by the time that I get there?!? That's just too far to go when there's good food in the city. I was also happy to see that they gave a brief mention to Binigi's, the Peruvian place on the Northside that is a favorite of mine (although they did misspell the name).

I love the freshly cooked versions. Anyone every tried the canned ones?

kellymonaghan, whatcha looking for? quick bites/sit down? dollar range? Ethnic/non-ethnic? etc.

Dscott, I will refer you backto this sput, Duly noted. Perhaps I will spend an entire day eating my way through Richmond calimari.

I actually sent an email to Wegman's begging them to come to Richmond. Since they're opening 2 news stores in NoVA, I figured it was worth a shot. Unfortunately, I think that they're pretty chummy w/ the U family so I doubt we'll ever get them here. I'm holding out hope that Whole Foods will bring one of its big markets here. It's not Wegmans but it would certainly be an improvement over what we have now. I heard that Trader Joe's might come to Short Pump in the next year or so. Fingers crossed. Do you know if Tom Leonard's Farmer's Mkt has opened out there yet? I feel like I have to run all over town to get average-to-good quality stuff. Plus, I still can't believe that there's not a single independent butcher's market in Richmond. I wish I could say that I'm surprised at the $29/lb but I'm not. I spent a fortune on some prime ribeye at Joe's Mkt a couple of weeks ago and it was cut like crap. I'd rather have a decently butchered Choice cut. I see better butchering at Costco than I do at any of the grocery stores. Haven't had the calamari at Sidewalk. It may be the only thing that I haven't eaten there. You should try Piccola Italy's calamari. Tasty. O.k. Very hungry now. Must go to lunch.

Thanks for the Stella's notes. That description helped it jump to the top of the list. I have to admit, however, that I _always_ feel like I get what I pay for (or more) at all the Giavos/Dikos establishments. Taramasalata...yummm. Between your S.W. review and your comments here, Kitchen Table sounds like a must on my list. I concur with you, I rarely (pun intended) see the point in steakhouse prices. Much rather have some innovative cooking. As for doonie's list, I can't bring myself to pay Lemaire prices. Granted, the Jefferson is fun to show off to out-of-towners but, to eat at Lemaire, I'd prefer to be working off someone else's expense account. That's just me. I tend to value good food over white linens. While I agree that Richmond "has a while to go," I feel like we do o.k. for a city of our size. Now, if we could just get a decent grocery store here! THAT is what we're missing.

yessir

If I may pile on, what the hell were they thinking with Dweezil and Lisa. TVFN is almost entirely a waste of time now with very few exceptions. I too have moved on to Fine Living shows and back to PBS.

kendrabail- Thanks for the 6 burner comments, I'm excited to try it. I actually thought that it was opened by one of Dale's former sous chefs but even better if Dale himself. I would've thought that he might concentrate on Acacia after Paysanne faded out. (Not that Acacia needs any work) Questions about 6 burner: Did you notice if it had a decent non-smoking section? I used to be able to handle all the smoky Fan joints but with a 2 month old kid, I'm now looking for places that won't leave us all stinking like a P. Morris factory. Even if it's not smoky, is it laid back enough to take a baby to or is it close enough to Acacia-style that I need to get a babysitter? (NOTE: before I get slammed by anti-kid folks, I wouldn't take the kid to nicer places like Acacia, etc. but I have no problem bringing a baby to more casual places Kuba Kuba, etc.). Prices at 6 burner? (apps, entrees) Comparison of 6 burner with Kitchen Table? I haven't been there yet but I'm trying to decide which to try first. Should it be KT or 6 burner? Foodie friends who've been to KT have enjoyed the food but had a little bit of sticker shock. Price of organic I guess (which I'm generally willing to pay). I won't revisit everyone else's suggestions except for two: 1. MZ and Edo's are phenomenal. I prefer MZ to Edo's but eat more frequently at Edo's b/c it's more convenient (especially for takeout). Squid, white beans and arugula (drooling...) 2. I'm thoroughly unimpressed by Bottom's Up but I'm a thinner crust guy myself. I think Piccola is far better. 3. Was your gelato place Gelati Celesti on W. Broad? DEE-licious. Places off the top of my head that others haven't mentioned: 1. Kuba Kuba - Excellent, cheap cuban food. 2. Comfort on W. Broad for good upscale southern food. 3. Franco's for expensive Italian - if I had to pick, I'd choose MZ over Franco's but if you want nice, white linen, high end Ital, try Franco's. The antipasti combo is great. 4. Binigi's - Yummy, cheap Peruvian food about 2 miles north of the city on Brook Rd. Places that I want to try that I haven't yet: 1. Zeus Gallery 2. Stella's 3. Julep's

Did they have the Beet-burger on the menu? Damn, that was tasty when we lived in CH/Carrboro back in the 90s.

A marketing buddy once told me that Wegman's invented the grocery store shopper's card. Don't know if that's true or not. Can anyone confirm?

So I had a long review planned from an awesome Friday night dinner at Firefly but I'm under water this week so I'll have to make this very brief. -Thanks to everyone for the great recs. -We loved the atmosphere. Modern yet comfortable and sophisticated. -Good drinks pre-meal. Nice bar. Can't wait to go back and sit in the comfy area. That could get dangerous however. Comfort + alcohol + frites. I might never move. -Apps: Oysters (me) and gnocchi/dumplings (Anne). Oysters were great, as advertised, but the dumplings were even better, IMO. Sietsema called the gnocchi "stodgy". I couldn't disagree more. Delicious sauce too. Don't get me wrong, the oysters rocked but I'd eat those gnocchi as much as possible if I lived in D.C.. -Dinner: Lamb(me), steak frites (her). O.k., so Anne won on the apps but I got my own back w/ the main course. That lamb was phenomenal. Cooked absolutely perfectly. Just enough fat to add great flavor. The cherry/grape tomatoes added a vibrancy. The steak was cooked perfectly but a wee bit underseasoned for me. Funny, Anne thought it was perfect (if anything, overseasoned), so it worked out perfectly. Spinach=good; Frites=great; Corn gratinee=best. -Dessert: I wish. We couldn't fit another thing in our mouths. We even had plans to hit Vidalia (or Nectar at John's suggestion) but I could barely move after that much food at Firefly. We were taken care of amazingly well and had a great experience (dining and otherwise). I'm a big fan, will recommend to others, and will go back as much as possible. Thanks again everyone.

First trip to Firefly tonight as part of our last dining trip to D.C. before the baby arrives and ruins our dining experiences (ha ha kidding...well, maybe not so much). Suggestions for Firefly? I'm sure JW has his favs but what about everyone else? The fried oysters and lamb appear to be sure things. (That picture of the lamb in a previous post had me drooling all over my keyboard). Any hidden gems on the menu previously unmentioned or undermentioned? Also, I was thinking about walking to Vidalia afterwards for dessert. Isn't it close? Close enough for a 7 mo. pregnant woman to walk to? Will it be possible to get into Vidalia on a Friday evening for dessert only w/o reservs or is that a laughable proposition? Also, anywhere good open up early on Sunday mornings for brunch? TIA

Is _that_ what that taste is? Aargh, it's been driving me nuts. I've been making these killer roast chix lately but have not been able to figure out what that weird flavor was that was detracting from the other flavors. I didn't think it was my garlic.

Mmm, I'll bite. Based on the powders available at dehymeats.ie (by the way, is that a hilarious name or what?): Kidney & salt encrusted beef tenderloin with turkey-laced pommes anna.