mdt

As mentioned by mktye here it would be interesting to do a canned tomato testing. I figured this would be a great thing to pair with a hands on session of pasta making that I have offered to do for a couple of people.

The canned tomato tasting would basically consist of the following:

- select several brands of canned tomato

- blind taste in the raw state

- blind taste a simple sauce

- rate and discuss the results over a huge bowl of pasta while drinking wine.

The pasta making session would be an overview of how to make basic fresh pasta and some flavored versions. I will also show how to make some filled pasta shapes if people are interested. This will be a hands on course as there is no better way to learn.

This would take place on a Saturday at my house sometime after the picnic. What I would like to know is how many people are interested in the tasting and/or the pasta making session.

Comments and/or suggestions?

My thoughts exactly.

Great idea!  Anyone want to join me?  Some friends and I did a vanilla taste test a few years ago and we had a blast!

I have offered to do a pasta making session to a couple of others, maybe we could combine the two and have a pretty good carb fest.

$500 per person and that is the review it gets? Wow! I would agree that something is amiss. The proprieter of Chateau Haut-Brion being in the house should not affect your meal for the price that you are being charged. While they may receive extra attention, it should not take away from other diners.

I wonder if some of the sogginess could be ameliorated by having them put the provolone on first to form sort of a moisture barrier between the bread and the sauce.  My meatball sandwich got soggy on me last week as well.

I am sure you can find someone with an 'in' at Galileo to submit the suggestion.

Hmm, two of the three major food groups:  grease and salt (the 3rd being sugar).

Add some of her pineapple upside down cake and you will be covered!

Must get back to CK to try a burger.

Two different vedors at the DuPont market had morels this past weekend. A small box (pint?) went for around $20.

The entree that I 'scarfed' down was a wonderful cut of Kobe beef with a balsamic reduction, served with some braised (?) punterelle.

All in all a fun happy hour(s)!

Where do you get your's, if anywhere.  I'm so jaded by all of the EU confusion over what constitutes an authentic San Marzano canned tomato that I'm disinclined to believe just about everything.  I bought some Flora brand canned tomatoss yesterday at Wegmans.  The can says "San Marzano Tomates of Sarnese-Nocerino Area."  Imported Authentic Tomato.  D.O.P.  The designation "of Sarnese-Nocerion Area" has me totally confused.  They cost $2.99 for a 28 oz. can. But the question lingers:  did I get bona fide San Marzano tomatoes?  There are at least 3 seals on the back side and numbers.  At this point, I think it's all bullshit myself.

Buy a couple of cans of different tomatoes and do a taste test. It would be interesting to see how they compare.

What a wonderful morning to be at the DuPont market!

Flat iron steaks from Sunnyside -- Yes I am addicted to these.

Asparagus (best price at the market), turnips, radishes and beets from Sunnyside.

Milk

Yogurt

Marscapone

Rhubarb

The first strawberries of the season.

The reason Restaurant Depot only sells to other businesses and tax exempt organizations is because they probably do not charge sales tax and therefore can't sell to consumers.  Business purchasers are entitled either to a "sale for resale" exemption or they self asses use tax.  Erin, have you tried to buy anything there?

I buy baking equipment at Restaurant Depot, but you have to know what you are buying as I have found things cheaper at various online dealers. Not sure if the trip is worth it unless you are going to buy a good amount of stuff, or the items you want are priced very well. Of course the $25 coupon changes things. The good thing for me is that it is on my way to work.

BTW, I have found that they stock many different items in store versus the online catalog.

For a short time only (I would guess), but very good right now at 2 Amys: Durham bread crostini with fava bean puree, olive oil and shaved pecorino.

Bonus -- watching every member of staff variously set to skinning fresh favas at each lull in their other duties.

Oh man that does sound good. I cannot wait for the these to show up at the farmer's market. To me there is nothing better than fresh fava beans with olive oil and salt, eaten with good Italian bread.

Pardon the ignorance but when does HH start and where tonight?

We are starting at Circle Bistro. I think most of us are getting there around 6pm. There is also talk of hitting Palena as well. Looks like we will have a good crowd tonight. Anyone else coming?

Not too busy this morning shogun?

If you start your reply on the same line as '/quote', you get yet another line savings, thus! 

Pho Xe Lua

It's good stuff.  They serve the cafe su da with a thermos of hot water so you can get some refills.  Sweeet.

Hmmm...perhaps I shall visit there this weekend.

Ah yes, the thermos of hot water. I have still not found another place that does that. BTW, anyone know what that sawtooth herb is called?

My boss gave me a leave pass Friday, so I'm in for happy hour.

Edit to add - While I want the tartare at CB, all this Palena burger talk has me hankering for a stop at some point there during the night's festivities.

Looks like a multi-stop HH night. CB, Palena, ??? What time you plan on getting there?

I had the Palena burger last Friday and it was the same old same old to me - which is to say it was pretty much perfect.

In the local chains category, I'll nominate Chadwick's and Clyde's burgers as far superior to Five Guys.

Which Five Guys have you tried? I enjoy Five Guys, although it really depends on which one you hit.

It being a wonderful evening last night my friend and I were looking for a place to dine outdoors. I had not been to the Straits for some time and looked forward to the flavorful dishes that I remebered, while sitting on the rooftop overlooking 18th Street and that much maligned and crowded place across the street.

We had the 5 Spice Roll for an app, which when eaten with the accompanying sauce is a good way to start. It could have been taken out of the fryer a minute or two earlier as it was slightly overdone.

For our mains we ordered the Chicken with Basil (#4) and the Bawang Sambal Udang with shrimp (#11). The shrimp dish is described as being cooked in a sauce of chili and tamarind with onions and carrots. Unfortunately this dish was very bland with none of the expected tang from the tamarind. The chicken dish, a stir fry mix of chicken, water chestnuts, carrots, green beans, and basil. It was pleasant with a slight bit of heat that was unexpected from the description, but welcome. The addictive puffed shrimp chips were served with dinner.

4 beers, 1 app, 2 entrees and the total w/o tip was $64. I was disappointed as I remember things as being more consistently prepared and flavorful. Has anyone else been lately? Was this just an off night?

When did you have it?

I ask because I've heard from two independent sources that it ain't what it used to be. I haven't had one in about 3 or 4 months, so I'm wondering if they're right. The two possible heretics in question have used words like "dry", "tough", "less flavorful" and "smaller". Both have said that everything but the beef itself is the same as it used to be.

I may need to go and investigate.

I had the burger at Palena this past weekend for the first time in a while. It was ejoyable and tasty, but not up to the level that I remember. I certainly would not use the words, dry, tough, or less flavorful. It just seemed to be missing something. I will say that it still beats others in the area.

Carl's Frozen Custard in Fredericksburg, VA is the best.  It's been there for over 50 years turning out the best stuff in the world.  It puts that crap that Milwaukee Frozen Custard serves to shame.

Those are pretty strong words. How/why is it so much better?

Looks like I need to take a trip south.

I'm thinking of heading over to Firefly after work this evening for a glass of wine or something.

I might see you there.

While many restaurants make some truly wonderful ice creams, where do you go to get a cone to go?

One of my favorites is the local Milwaukee Frozen Custard 'chain'. I really enjoyed the time I worked out in Chantilly and could frequent the place on an almost daily basis. Best flavor was malted milk ball!

Is the lobster burger at Citronelle eligible for "Best Hamburger" consideration? Or is this category limited to beef?

While I really enjoyed the lobster burger, my vote goes to the burger at Palena.

Sorry, 9:30 club that night.

Next week?

I take it that you are not going to the late show...

Friday 4/29. Who? Where? (Circle Bistro)