dscott

What was the recipe? What kind of roe/caviar does one use?

If you mean the place in Shockoe Slip (can't remember the name), yeah, it's still there and still good. By the way, that "bus" comment was NOT cool.

When I lived in Sandy Springs, it was Harry's in Roswell (sad to hear that WF bought it). Back in the mid-90's, Harry's couldn't be beat. When I lived in Virginia Highlands, it was DeKalb Farmer's Mkt. Do they still have the cafe there? Bean and rice. yum. In both Va Hi and Sandy Springs, Publix was the backup. When I lived in Chapel Hill, it was Weaver St. Market and Harris Teeter but, IMO, the Teeter's in NC aren't nearly as nice as the Teeter's in Atlanta (specifically the Teeter at Brookhaven). Wellspring (WF) was a decent backup. In Ithaca, NY (sorry for going outside the SE thread), it was Wegmans. Even though I think that tryska disagrees with me, I prefer Wegmans to Publix and Harry's. In Richmond, we have nothing except for one small but good organic greenmkt, Ellwood Thompson! I have to disagree with the Ukrop's posts. Since I cook, I want good produce. The produce at Ukrop's is consistently poor, even in season. It's nice and all that they load and unload your shopping carts but I'd rather bag my own groceries if I could get decent produce. Before I get flamed, this is just my opinion. By and large, native Richmonders love the place. Generally, I get better stuff at Costco these days. As for Whole Foods (and Wellspring), I'm agnostic. The produce is usually good but I get some weird vibe about the place.

Well darn if our little town of Richmond didn't get a recommendation in the Post. You've got many highlights in these prior posts but I'll try to put these places in geographic proximity to the places that the Post talks about. Acacia is in Carytown (near Lane Sanson and Owen Suter's). Lunch at Acacia is inexpensive and yummy. Dinner is more expensive but still delicious. IMO, Acacia is consistently the best restaurant in Richmond if you're looking for a nice atmosphere (see Mamma 'Zu below). Millie's is very close to La Difference and is also good but not as consistent as Acacia. The veal cheeks (described by someone else above) were excellent. Very cool atmosphere also. Mamma 'zu - In food terms, MZ is Richmond's best restaurant. The service is often indifferent, the interior is iffy and the line is usually long but the food is always great. I've never had a bad meal. You can have an awesome $11 dish of orechiette with sausage and tomatoes or you can spend $20+ on osso bucco and sweetbreads. It's all good. Bonus: It's only 2 miles from Caravati's (in the Post article) which has very cool architectural salvage. FYI: If you go to Mamma 'Zu, you're going to MZ. There's nothing else in this neighborhood. If you're needing a drink and are near Caravati's, Legend's brew pub has a deck with a great view of downtown Richmond (average beer though the brown ale is pretty decent). If you happen to find yourself at Decorators' Warehouse, you're about 6 blocks from Mamma 'Zu's sister restaurant, Edo's Squid on Harrison St. Atmosphere is a wee bit nicer than MZ and the food is _almost_ as good. Also nearby is the relatively new Comfort (upscale down-home cooking). Comfort is still working out the kinks but is generally very good. If you go to Williams and Sherrill (which you should b/c they have great fabrics), do NOT eat down there. Chesterfield Co. (So. of Richmond) is a dining wasteland (unless you like McDonald's and Applebee's). JRage, stop telling out-of-towners about Kuba Kuba. It's impossible to get a table as it is! Plenty of other good options in our fair city but that'll give you a start.

Umm, Varmint, I'm thinking that this didn't help the old diet out too much? But, damn, that all looked good. Now I'm really hungry.

What's looking good at the mkt where you are? Our peaches have been average so far. Cantaloupe, however, has been delicious (and I don't even like cantaloupe). Made this starter a couple of weeks ago: Thin slices of cantaloupe, homemade gravlax (store bought smoked salmon should work) and ripe avocado. Arranged it and drizzled with a good balsamic. Omigod it was good. Only thing I would change is to reduce the balsamic but, in the interest of time, it was fine in its natural state. Took me maybe 7 minutes to prep (minus curing the gravlax). For dessert, if your peaches aren't good: We made homemade ice cream sandwiches a couple of weeks ago for a cookout. Major hit. Tried a couple of different ice creams and cookies but had the best results with chocolate cookies with a good mint choc chip on the inside. Covered the edges with those teeny little chocolate chips and then froze for a couple of hours. Warning: Making these things is messy and will result in some broken cookies, ice cream and choc chips. Yeah, that was a really bummer having to eat the broken mess.

I'm so glad somebody else had this thought. I was rolling in laughter even as I was covering my eyes because I could watch no more. (Such a train wreck.) Even the most magnanimous chefs that I know or am familiar with would giggle (more likely f-bomb) at the idea of their FOH staff giving advice on their "vision" for the restaurant. FOH have valuable advice but this was a bit much to stomach. Here's a novel thought: If the chef has an ego large enough to open restaurant on national T.V., the chef and his advisors probably have given some thought to the restaurant's "vision". (Although, they might have given it some more thought.) I have to believe (want to believe!) that the folks at NBC goaded the staff into talking about the "vision" of Rocco's. I felt like I was watching a back-stage critique of Francis Ford Coppola by his extras and the supporting cast. (neither comparing Rocco to FFC nor FOH staff to "extras") Can we PLEASE have the BOH?

Thanks for the advice everyone. Unfortunately, most meals in Atlanta were not eaten out so I did not get to sample nearly as much as I would have liked. In fact, I only ate 3 restaurants meals. 1. Taqueria del Sol. Mid-evening, mid-drinking snack. Excellent stuff for $5+. The Sundown folks have a real winner here. 2. Flying Biscuit - Tried the new one on Piedmont/10th. Prefer the old space and the biscuits at the old space. 3. Murphys - brunch in VaHI - as spectacular as ever. Delicious. I do declare, however, that I WILL eat at Bachannalia on the next visit!

Absolutely...my very first thought.

Good quality bbq, jalepeno, Rte 55 death chips (or whatever they're called) and Terra's Balsamic chips, if they still make them. From England, salt & vinegar (rarely vinegary enough in U.S.), cheese and onion, and (slightly ashamed to say) prawn cocktail.

Is it a handle that is cranked or is it a handle that is pressed or is it just a handle to hold onto? My brother gave me a white plastic pepper mill from Bed, Bath & Beyond that is actually battery operated. It has a silver handle on the side that you press to operate. Works like a charm. You can adjust the grind, too. If that's what you're talking about, I can post the maker/brand tomorrow. I received a battery operated pepper mill as a gift once. After about 6 months it started grinding by itself (i.e., when no one was pushing the button or, for that fact, anywhere near it). That was a very scary kitchen poltergeist moment. On the other hand, at least the ghost enjoyed well-seasoned food. I stick to the manual models now.

This is where we need an egullet-specific smilie that portrays drooling. A fryup is indeed a thing of beautie. What I would do for some black pud right about now!

Uh oh. Veggie Plate or Fried Chicken? Veggie Plate or Fried Chicken? Veggie Plate or Fried Chicken? Veggie Plate or Fried Chicken? Screw it. Veggie Plate AND Fried Chicken.

I second Symeon's (Thracian Chicken, yum) and Piggy Pat's. Only had Piggy Pat's once but very good compared to good NC bbq places. Since Eric's suggestions, by and large, aren't fine dining, let me add Tom Cavallo's in New Hartford for wings. Yes, I did say wings. They rock at Cavallo's. I'm sure there are better wings somewhere but I've never eaten them.

Me likey fried chicken. Holly, I can't read the menu well-enough to see if they have collards. I might die and go to heaven if I can eat f.c., collards and some banana pudding for dessert. Scratch that, I will probably just die after eating that meal. Eric, after eating much bbq in atlanta, my general belief is to go to Allen and Son in Chapel Hill, NC. Georgia should stick to Brunswick Stew. Thanks for your thoughts on Woodfire. This might require a Bacchanalia trip. Bummer.

Eric, I used to live in Virginia Highlands so I can sympathize with the "getting to" part. Awesome neighborhood though. Luckily, I'll have wheels. I've tried most of the "institutions" on your list and definitely will hit the Varsity for a frozen orange (and several other morsels). South City Kitchen is a new one to me. Sounds good. I might check it out. Is Bacchanalia only $58? Bride won't be with me. Might have to pay cash so it doesn't show on the c.c. statement. Have you tried Woodfire Grill on Cheshire Bridge? That was another recommendation. Thanks for all of the advice. Of the places I've tried, you were spot on in your reviews.

I'm making a trip to Atlanta this weekend to catch up with some friends and need some dining recommendations. Requirements: - Not over the top $$$ - Sure I'd love to eat at Bacchanalia but my bride would kill me. - Solo diner friendly - At least for some meals. - All meals welcome - B, L and dinner - Close to Midtown - Let's say Midtown, V. Highlands/Morningside, Buckhead, Decatur, or thereabouts. For some guidance on my tastes. In Atlanta, I enjoy Watershed, Bobby & June's (mmm, ham biscuits), Fellini's and Tortillas (before and after a long night), Ru Sans, Flying Biscuit, Sundown Cafe.... You get the point? Inexpensive good food. How long a wait should I expect at Taqueria del Sol?

Does the Varsity really have a pimento cheese burger? I'm heading to hotlanta this weekend. That burger with some Varsity onion rings and a frozen orange. That would make me one very happy boy.

Could I be so bold as to suggest that British adolescent favorite: a shandy? Depending on how hot it is: pour one-half to two-thirds of a glass of good lager and top it off with 7-Up or Sprite. I like my stouts & bitters as much as the next guy but when it's 100+ degrees, you need a break. If you're looking for something a little more manly, make it ale instead of lager and make the proportions 7/8 - 1/8. (Otherwise known as a "Top", as in "Lager Top" or "Bitter Top".) Either way, it's very refreshing. No matter what you do, do NOT use Bud, Rock, Corona, or anything else that closely resembles water when unadulterated. It has to be good beer to make a good shandy or top.

Well, tjaehnigen, then you should plan a vacation in the Finger Lakes if you haven't done so before. The wine may not be at the top of your list in terms of quality but the wineries (read: tastings) are plentiful and the Lakes are beautiful.

Without an extended lecture, can you expand on your point? Perhaps a reference or two about better inexpensive American Rieslings?

Just wanted to add my compliments to FlaJoe's report on Southern CT dining. I grew up east of NH and always miss the food, especially at this time of year. Summer is meant for lobster rolls and fish and chips from Lenny and Joe's. Deciding between the two is always the hard part. I usually order one, have my wife order the other, and I eat 2/3rds of both. I highly recommend that practice. Thank god, my folks live about 2 miles from the L & J's in Westbrook and 4 miles to the Madison one. I cry every time I see someone eat a lobster roll with mayo on the Food Network. They just don't know what they're missing. For those who haven't had an L & J lobster roll, get your butt off I-95 at exit 62 and head straight there. 2 miles, max. I've always been a Sally's guy so your "admission" about Pepe's isn't surprising to me. Having said that, I'd kill to have a Pepe's down in Richmond, VA. Oh, and those cannolli's... Overall, I've been pleasantly surprised about the re-birth of the NH dining scene. The city became a hole in the late 80s/early 90s. But now, I can go in and have a really great meal at a bunch of restaurants and, moreover, the atmosphere in each of these restaurants is almost universally cool. I had a great b-day dinner last year w/ family at Roomba and sat at the chef's table. Great view all-night long and inventive food along with the ambience. Of course, ambience comes easier after a few pints of the dark stuff at Anna Liffey's. Every time I pass Cafe Allegre I think about eating there. What were the prices like? Value for money? I'm always short on cash so I usually head to NH for higher end fare. However, Madison is a lot closer to Clinton than New Haven... Thanks again for the review (and the Wooster St. memories).