http://www.chow.com/boards/20 Sat, 03 Mar 2007 16:40:21 GMT Keep track of the lastest threads on Chowhound http://www.chow.com/topics/585781#4302978 Not sure I've heard of cooking classes in the Hartford area but if you don't mind the drive up 91 to Northampton, Betty Rosbottom, cookbook author and contributor to Bon Appetit gives them at the Different Drummers Kitchen. Although you don't actually do "hands on", you learn a lot and the meal she prepares is always phenomenal. Betty is down to earth, funny and gives lots of helpful hints to new and experienced cooks alike. Classes aren't as small as you'd like but usually not more than 20. Definitely worth checking out if you can't find anything closer. Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:07:18 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/585781#4302978 http://www.chow.com/topics/523974#4302749 Well said. Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:10:42 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/523974#4302749 http://www.chow.com/topics/585691#4302729 yup. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/573704 and http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/573719 Not that we shouldn't have lively discussions because things change though... but sadly, I highly doubt we've gotten any dim sum in the past 8 weeks. Oh how I'd love to be wrong though... Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:01:17 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/585691#4302729 http://www.chow.com/topics/585762#4302680 looking for somewhere good to eat dessert after going to The Blazer Pub. Thinking a good ice cream place, if possible. I'd like to stay in the general Golden's Bridge, Purdys, Somers, Katonah region. Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:39:32 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/585762#4302680 http://www.chow.com/topics/585749#4302546 Have you tried Balducci's in Westport? Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:58:31 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/585749#4302546 http://www.chow.com/topics/573173#4302537 Glad to hear the food's good. Dropped by a few weeks ago on Saturday around midnight (after barely making it out of Cornerstone alive) and there was not a soul in the place.... On the positive side the 80s tunes were playing at the perfect volume to have a conversation. There were lots of seats at the bar. The bartender was friendly and the drinks were good and moderately priced. It is totally the bar scene I had been looking for! Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:56:34 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/573173#4302537 http://www.chow.com/topics/585650#4302488 Not sure how many it holds, but Harry's of Hartsdale was quite reasonable for brunch and gave us the entire 2nd floor. We used 1/2 of it and had about 40 ppl. Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:36:13 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/585650#4302488 http://www.chow.com/topics/585746#4302480 I had high expectations of this place because of the reviews on this site about their restaurant in Chicago and the NYTimes review. However, I was sadly disappointed in the quality of their food. We drove up to Milford from So Norwalk, which is about a half-hour drive. We arrived for a late lunch on a Saturday. Even as we walked in, my mouth was hopeful and watering, especially when I saw that most of the patrons were Asians: several tables of Asian families represented by three generations, only a few tables of non-Asians. They seated us by the window and I eagerly opened up the menu to see what was on offer. The menu is substantial with a colorful variety of dishes, many of which seemed to hail from the Sichuan region. We started with the Sichuan dumplings and Bong Bong Chicken. The Sichuan dumplings were surprisingly sweet and tasty. The dough was chewy and well cooked. The Bong Bong chicken was tender and seasoned well but it could have been a bit more spicy for my tastes. After those dishes, there was a bit of a pause before our next dishes all arrive at the same time: the duck hot pot which was on the Chef’s recommendations, yu xiang rou si (fish fragrant pork slice), which I had asked specifically because I had been craving it for days, and gai lan (Chinese broccoli) with garlic. My husband loves duck so the duck dish was his pick. He originally wanted the dan dan noodles but I convinced him to try something new. I should have let him stick with the dan dan noodles. Even though the menu stated that the duck was spicy, it was not in the least. It was just very salty and not very tasty at all. The soup was a bit gelatinous and goopy. In addition to the duck, the soup included mushrooms and other vegetables. I don’t think he’ll ever order that dish from there again. My yu xiang rou si was a disappointment as well. The pork slivers were bigger than they should have been and the flavor was not as rich and addictive as I hoped it would be. This is one of my favorite comfort dishes when I’m in China and sadly Lao Sze Chuan did not execute it as well as I’ve had before. The Chinese broccoli with garlic was fine, nothing to write home about. We were thankful that it wasn’t too salty like the duck hot pot nor lacking in rich flavor like the yu xiang rou. Before we started our meal, I had so hoped that the place would be a real answer to the lack of decent Chinese food in the area. Sadly, we were not impressed. Unless the food and service was really horrible, I try to give a new place a couple tries before I rule it out completely. If we’re back up in Milford again, I may give it another go and try some other dishes, maybe the noodles dishes would be tastier. But until then, I am still looking for a great Chinese restaurant in suburbia. Wed, 07 Jan 2009 02:34:30 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/585746#4302480 http://www.chow.com/topics/583191#4302314 Thank you so I will defintely try it because I need a change from the stamford joints. What are the prices like? Do they have lunch specials? Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:41:10 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/583191#4302314 http://www.chow.com/topics/584742#4302298 I will defintely try this place we need this type in Stamford. I have always loved turkish food. Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:37:17 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/584742#4302298 http://www.chow.com/topics/583528#4301996 Thanks for reporting back, Sarah. And glad you were pleased. Did they reshape the blade, grinding down the bolster, or just sharpen the edge? Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:39:52 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/583528#4301996 http://www.chow.com/topics/527450#4301729 Most of the Princeton restuarants are BYO, the best being Ferry House on Witherspoon. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:24:48 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/527450#4301729 http://www.chow.com/topics/255817#4301701 I agree with MS...this used to be one of our "special occassion" places...but not only is the food dated, they jamb you in like sardines...so that when you try to go to the buffet, you run the risk of either bumping into someone or wearing your food...those big wheeled chairs are comfortable, but make it impossible to get up easily when everything is so cramped...if you don't like cold seafood, the rest of the buffet is mediocre at best...I've had better food at the cocktail hour of most weddings... Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:16:52 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/255817#4301701 http://www.chow.com/topics/580253#4301657 Thanks for the heads up - we enjoy both Justins and NWHC, despite its controversies. Have had many happy Thanksgivings there! So we will welcome Ric back to the neighborhood happily. Plus - Blackened Stringbeans within walking distance! Things are looking up. We hope he will be doing some of his special events up here too. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:04:17 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/580253#4301657 http://www.chow.com/topics/585528#4301583 Yes, when Dom Emilio ran it (as well as places in Mamaroneck and Larchmont) the place was solid, tho no spills and thrills. Sadly, the best Mexican in town is served by Alex and Carlos from their Taco Truck, now on hiatus, at Jackie Robinson Park. note bene: Daksin was also the sister of Coromandel. (Neither can match Bengal Tiger in While Plains.) It will be interesting to see what opens at 211. And Sibeats, that's encouraging news about Barcelona. My source was a commercial real estate guy... who hopefully was wrong. The addition of Barcelona to Summer would more than cancel out the subtraction of Buffalo Wild Wings Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:46:05 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/585528#4301583 http://www.chow.com/topics/585395#4301562 This is a bit out of your bounds, but Hanna's in Danbury is good. Authentic food and the portions are pretty generous. There is a small store next door owned by the same people (it started out as a store many years ago...) and you can pick up many Middle Eastern spices and foodstuffs there. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:39:24 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/585395#4301562 http://www.chow.com/topics/571094#4301557 We went there for brunch on Sunday, to try the omelets the new chef is turning out. The apple-walnut omelet with apple brandy was incredible, as was my husband's banana-kiwi omelet. The pasta was bland and the salads uninspired. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:38:22 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/571094#4301557 http://www.chow.com/topics/585583#4301236 My DH went there Sunday evening around 6pm, after not being able to get through on the phone. In addition to the open sign and the lights out, he said he also saw a broken window. I will keep patrolling. When we were last there in mid-December they told us they had made progress on getting a permit for seating. I hope all is well. The family that runs it is so nice. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:17:42 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/585583#4301236 http://www.chow.com/topics/584273#4301193 You could try The Porter House in Montvale. It is decent. www.porterhouseusa.com Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:05:59 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/584273#4301193 http://www.chow.com/topics/584802#4301176 Dim Sum Dynasty in Ridgewood does a very good Peking Duck. One of their dishes is actually half Peking Duck and half duck with veggies in lettuce leafs. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:01:32 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/584802#4301176 http://www.chow.com/topics/465191#4301114 Hey, Alpha Hound -- good to hear from you! Slways trust your chow-dar. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:46:24 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/465191#4301114 http://www.chow.com/topics/253136#4300991 Taste has folded. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:07:57 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/253136#4300991 http://www.chow.com/topics/569270#4300687 I visited for lunch with 3 friends just before Christmas. While it had some shortcomings, I would rate it as very good for its price point. We shared a margherita pizza which had an excellent if a little too salty crust but the toppings were a bit blah. I then had the chestnut tagliatelle with parsnips, which was very good, but also a little salty . My companions all had an orata with fennel and oranges special, which they all loved. For dessert we had a chocolate cake with pistachio gelato, which was excellent and a ricotta cheesecake with lemon curd gelato, which was pedestrian. I would definitely return next time I am in the area. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:48:49 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/569270#4300687 http://www.chow.com/topics/585338#4300012 adamclyde and DGresh, imagine if you asked for craisins! Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:52:18 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/585338#4300012 http://www.chow.com/topics/584896#4299887 I like Jack's Oysterhouse also. For a quick lunch, we like Pepper Jacks. ~Fred19 Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:25:04 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/584896#4299887 http://www.chow.com/topics/537078#4299699 Have to agree with you. I had tried some food that people had trays of for takeout and the chicken scarporo and chicken paisano were amazing. The other night I actually got to go there and had my heart set on the scarporo. The appetizers were pretty good, Calamari, hot antipasta, and a spedini were good, but the entrees are where they shine. I had the steak al a Mike. Nice sized cut, with a sherry cream sauce and mushrooms, topped with frizzzled onions and sliced potatoes. Amazing dish for something relatively simple. Huge portion too. Others are the table had the scarporo, paisano, the pumpkin ravioli, and the salmon special. Not one complaint was heard. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 06:45:46 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/537078#4299699 http://www.chow.com/topics/584028#4299288 Laylag - if you are only shopping for your mom, Trader Joe's carries a nice selection of inexpensive (relatively) kosher poultry. They used to carry beef too, but there has been a major supply chain disruption with the closure of a huge Agriprocessors meat processing plant in the Midwest. I've bought the kosher meat at both the Eastchester and Central Ave / Hartsdate locations. As for New Roc Glatt, I have only had the prepared food & haven't been shopping there myself. If she wants to travel for kosher meat, Riverdale is probably closer than Little Neck - plus no bridges. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 03:08:07 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/584028#4299288 http://www.chow.com/topics/542827#4299251 you can also walk to Captain Lawrence Brewery (about half a mile or so) from the Pleasantville train station on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons! (i know, no food, but awesome and free beer.... how can you beat that?) skip Jackson and Wheeler, go to Iron Horse although definitely far from free. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:57:18 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/542827#4299251 http://www.chow.com/topics/461940#4299231 thewie, you don't say where you got the subs. Marino's? Their subs have always been huge and great. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:48:39 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/461940#4299231 http://www.chow.com/topics/573495#4299201 I assumed that it was their location that did them in. While I'm sure their rent was relatively cheap, it was a brisk 10 minute walk from the 21st-Queensbridge stop on the F, which was the closes train station. (15-20 minutes at a more leisurely pace if you enjoyed some rakia with dinner.) And the neighborhood probably would have scared off some people for its desolation - the first time I walked there, I was convinced that I had entered the wrong zip code when looking for on-line directions. I agree, though, that it was worth the effort if you hit them on one of their open nights. Besides being good food, it's one of those "how the hell did you find this place?!" restaurants that you can impress guests with who think they know the city's restaurant scene. Does anyone know, with certainty, why they closed? We're just assuming business was bad and/or they couldn't pay their bills. G. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:39:48 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/573495#4299201 http://www.chow.com/topics/507066#4299198 Westchester eats... Italian- Mima in Irvington & Tarry Lodge in Portchester Spanish/Tapas - Peniche in WP & Espana in Larchmont American - Bedford Post Inn in Bedford Gastro Pub - The Tap House in Tuckahoe Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:36:41 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/507066#4299198 http://www.chow.com/topics/570840#4299053 Their bread is excellent too but their soups are constantly under-seasoned. Pain au chocolat great with their bowls of cafe au lait... Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:49:44 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/570840#4299053 http://www.chow.com/topics/583800#4299024 I made an unscheduled stop to Pamir on Saturday and the food and service were as good as I remembered them. I was quite hungry and cold ( on my way home from a hockey game) and I think that influenced my menu choices. I started with the pumpkin soup which was fine but oddly "american" but to accomapany I had the bulanee feta which were a kind of delicately fried turnover with a bit of salty feta cheese inside. They were the perfect foil to the soup, especially when dipped in the hot sauce. I followed with the lamb and eggplant in a tomatoey sauce. Delicious! I must remeber to go there more often. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:38:50 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/583800#4299024 http://www.chow.com/topics/585336#4298932 oops, here's their info: Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:00:33 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/585336#4298932 http://www.chow.com/topics/585386#4298881 Hi! I'm looking for a cute place to have a baby shower in northern New Jersey. I'd ideally like a perfect tea party type room for 20-25 people. Most people will be traveling from Clifton. I'm planning from out-of-state and need to do most of my initial planning online before I make a trip to confirm that I like a place. Any ideas? Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:45:13 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/585386#4298881 http://www.chow.com/topics/584831#4298800 Hi there LW1, Usually your posts are pretty spot-on. How disappointing that your criticism of this restaurant is so far off-base, bordering on mean-spirited. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:14:23 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/584831#4298800 http://www.chow.com/topics/584615#4298773 Salumeria Beliese on 9th ave & 28th st. (??) The best around.....period. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:04:31 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/584615#4298773 http://www.chow.com/topics/505526#4298729 yeah, they've got a lot of daily menu items, though they don't seem to keep to them all the time. I can't remember the dates, but their goat birria is very good. And I seem to remember their pollo en pipian was good too. But it's been a long time since I tried either of those there. Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:52:15 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/505526#4298729 http://www.chow.com/topics/585353#4298497 Just got back from spending a night in Hyde Park. Stayed at The Willows B&B where the innkeeper is a CIA grad. The 2 course breakfast was a delight. Dinner at Twist was good. The cheesy bread sticks melt in your mouth and are worth the trip. The service was extremely good and carpeting on the booths really helps to keep the sound level down. The seared scallops were just a hair overdone and only seared on one side. The braised boneless short ribs were a bit tough and didn’t have that beefy taste of 100% grass fed local beef. The prices were not a bargain either The Eveready Diner was a hoot and good comfort food. We particularly liked their potato salad. The mac and cheese was, well, mac and cheese, good solid and comfortable. The prices on the menu on their website are way out of date. Everything seems to have gone up $3 so it isn’t nearly a bargain Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:37:03 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/585353#4298497 http://www.chow.com/topics/585299#4298471 I recommend Aroma osteria.45 min from Suffern . I copied my post from last fall. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/555080 Solstice, I am indebted to you for your rec of Aroma Osteria. We went on a fall foliage drive last weekend and stopped for lunch in Wappengers falls. The restaurant is beautiful, brought to mind a high end Napa Valley experience. I have never been to Italy but my dining companions have and they said it was like a country restaurant there. All of the food was extraordinary. We had 3 vegetables and an order of mussels as appetizers. The stand out was the peas with prosciutto. We also enjoyed broccoli rabe with garlic and chile pepper and Escarole with garlic and pine nuts. Pasta with diced squash and roasted squash seeds. Special pork chops with apples and cider sauce. Pork chop with vinegar peppers. A grilled ahi tuna. The one desert we shared was a Tartufo Classico "A zabiglione cream center surrounded by hazelnut gelato dusted with pralined hazelnuts. I have to do the work to figure out how to post pictures. Thanks again solstice444. Lets have a drink sometime. Permalink | Report | Reply phantomdoc Oct 24, 2008 02:41PM 1. re: phantomdoc I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Although I really can't take all the credit, many people have recommended Aroma here on Chow. :-) I'll have to go back soon myself, I've only been once. Permalink | Report | Reply Solstice444 Oct 25, 2008 11:59AM 2. re: phantomdoc Photo Delete Delete Permalink | Report | Reply phantomdoc Jan 04, 2009 11:25PM 45 min Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:30:33 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/585299#4298471 http://www.chow.com/topics/584937#4298205 Because the food was probably better eaten in house. And the people were so nice. I'll have to make a note of Misti, thanks. Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:15:32 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/584937#4298205 http://www.chow.com/topics/584908#4298093 Nothing too exciting up Stephentown way, and certainly not in the culinary arena! Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:43:36 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/584908#4298093 http://www.chow.com/topics/579059#4297946 Thanks Deven. I knew it was something... Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:59:05 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/579059#4297946 http://www.chow.com/topics/577290#4297698 We've split some discussion of Burger, Shakes, Fries and where to get a charbroiled burger to its own thread, here: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/585268#4278117 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:56:51 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/577290#4297698 http://www.chow.com/topics/585233#4297461 A new Chinese take out has opened up on Rt. 303 in Orangeburg, Eastern, next to the old Orangeburg Tavern location. It's super clean and the folks running it are very nice. I was there last night, ordered typical take out items, that were good, they were very fresh, not great, but ok given what else is in the area a bit better then the others on or off of 303. I was speaking with the women behind the counter, she told me she is from Hong Kong and spoke of a few dishes they've made for other folks that were more traditional to Chinese tastes. I think if you were to tell her what you were seeking, they would be willing to make it for you. She explained a pork dish that wasn't on the menu, but how another customer came in, and now she makes it all the time for him. I haven't strayed to ask her to prepare something less Westernized, but I'm thinking, just don't know what to ask her for. It could come out disappointing, on the otherhand we can find some great stuff. Any suggestions? I think you need to stick to the basic ingredients found in a take out joint, but who knows.... Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:59:32 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/585233#4297461 http://www.chow.com/topics/466365#4297439 Giovanni's is good, friendly and will order anything you're looking for that is out of the ordinary. I too can be intimidated by a butcher but once I show interest in learning and try to come somewhat prepared for what I need they were absolutely great. Worked with Larry. Giovanni's Country Market 105 Old Long Ridge Rd Stamford, CT 06903 (203) 322-2202 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:55:06 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/466365#4297439 http://www.chow.com/topics/546722#4297413 Sara, was there a crowd when you were there? Also, has anyone tried their brunch in the new space? Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:49:58 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/546722#4297413 http://www.chow.com/topics/583891#4297269 I have always enjoyed Spiga's regular Sunday brunch. That price includes unlimited champagne, mimosas, or bloody mary's....you can not beat that! Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:03:00 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/583891#4297269 http://www.chow.com/topics/579851#4296839 We went to the Jade Garden on the 2nd, and were very pleased. With children, we started with the dim sum sampler and for entrees tried the pork fried rice, shrimp with lobster sauce, and the ginger and scallion dungeness crab. The rice was excellent, and the shrimp with lobster sauce was very good. The crab was outstanding. The dumpling and shu mai were very good in the dim sum appetizer. I especially appreciated that all the dumplings had thin and delicate wrappers and not thick and chewy ones. From the menu, it seems that Central Seafood may have more dim sum choices, but what we had was excellent. The service was first rate. Very anxious to please. We will definitely return. Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:20:08 GMT http://www.chow.com/topics/579851#4296839