mnebergall

Damn. I'm having dinner there tonight, four of us. There will no female in our party to charm the chef out of some of those shoestrings. Any bits of advice, nuance, before we go. My first time. Wine recs?

They may let you in to "check it out" but I think you will have to join before they will let you buy anything.

I don't think they have trial memberships, and I think the membership cards have pictures on them. Also, I think you have to have a card in order to pay by check. If you gain entry using your mother's card, bring cash.

Take your mother's Costco card without your mother . The Costco here in Oakville has splendid meat, and I'm damn picky about my cuts of meat. I think Costco's meat is as fresh, if not fresher, than many local grocery stores. They have fairly high turnover and their beef is USDA Choice. I see stuff at the local Giant that is at or near expiration. Also, if you ask, they will specially cut a piece for you.

Looks like Mark S. and John W. are playign "good cop-bad cop" here. One sees white, the other black, when the color is probably grey.

Go to Pennington.

I, myself, prefer a 60 degree rotation, but with my 2 1/2 mintue toutine, I have to get the protractor out.

If you really want to do it right, cook for 2 1/2 minutes per side, twice (i.e. turn three times for a total of 5 minutes per side) on high heat. Then let rest for five mintes on a plate under foil.

I had lunch at Panache this afternoon. The place is decorated in what appears to be a reddish polished mahogany with a lowish light level brightened by the yellow fabric on the chairs. The play a sort of Latin style jazz in the background. George Stephanopolus was dining a couple of table over (ABC news is right down the street). My lunch host and I went with six different tapas, 2 cold and 4 hot. The cold were the Carpaccio topped with a sort of salad mixture and the Spanish style antipasto which chorizo, salami, olives and cheese. Both were very good. The warm appetizers were generally excellent. We had the fried rice balls stuffed with fontina, the braised rabbit with caramelized onions and toasted almonds, the pork loin brochette and the sautéed artichoke hearts with prosciutto. I thought the rabbit was stellar, my friend agreed but thought it was a toss-up with the artichoke hearts. We both came out saying that we would try it again son and order a slew of different things. Despite the fact that it has only been opened for three days, they had a decent lunch crowd. We plan to go back. PS: The staff is still getting its sea legs. Service is a little rocky but no more than is to be expected at this juncture.

We understand, about the commitment issues I mean.

Those folks who are in the dark about the existence of lefotover barbeque are not doing it right. I always cook way more than I think will be consumed just so there will be leftovers. My standard operating procedure is to cook as much as the cooker will hold.

?Donde esta Taqueria Poblano? Mt Vernon Ave in Del Ray (Alexandria) and in Arlington (can't recall exact address) It's in my neighborhood. I ate there once and was not too impressed. Only had the tacos though. Next time I should try the burritos. Actually, I prefer Los Amigos, also on Mt. Vernon.

?Donde esta Taqueria Poblano?

Where do you live? And what's your definition of "fast food?" I live in NYC, and don't consider the burritos at either Noche Mexicana or Taqueria y Fonda (or a host of other places in the city, of varying quality) to be "fast food," since the restaurants aren't chain, mass-production type restaurants. In Glendale, Litchfield Park, and Avondale, AZ, respectively, I like La Perla (Machaca burrito, yay), Peter's Cafe, Raul and Teresa's, recently. K How long does it take between the time you place your order and receive your food? If it takes less than 10 minutes, its fast food. I live in the DC area. One of my favorites is Guapos, and I consider them to be fast.

Could someone please tell me where I can get a "non-fast food" burrito (other than at home)? edited to add: Or a non-fast food taco for that matter?

Hillvalley: That's where you should head, Lambertville. Many restaurants in NJ are BYOB and I think Hamilton Grill is one of them. Drinks at the Boathouse before dinner. Your friends in Princeton will wonder how you happened on to these places.

Is the Boathouse in the Porkyard in Lambertville still there?

LAHIERES RESTAURANT 5 WITHERSPOON ST, PRINCETON, NJ 08542 Phone: (609) 921-2798 Pronounced La e air's

Panache opened for business yesterday. I stopped in this afternoon and picked up a menu. They have a happy hour from 4-7 (although during the first week it does not start until 5). The menu has both cold (14) and hot (18) tapas ranging in price from about $5 to $9.50 (for the filet mignon). They also have soups, salads and entrées (entrées include sea bass, rack of lamb, crab cakes and a pork chop). The tapas look interesting enough to stop by after work for a sampler and glass or two of wine. Would anyone care to join me?

Is this the stuff with the fried orange peel in it? If so, its pretty good, if done properly.

We should have a refresher on what the exercise is here.

What about out near Fall River or New Bedford, Mass. or up Rt. 24?

Is there any good BBQ joints in RI?

The springtime deepfry trifecta where I hang out is (and all are freshly procured): morels, crappie and wild turkey.

At a restaurant in Seattle one time, I ordered some sort of fish with a pasta on the side. The fish was so salty that I could not eat it. The waiter asked me if there was a problem and I told him. Apparantly, they tasted it back in the kitchen and agreed. They took it off my bill. But, I did not send it back to the kitchen.