35126 Fri Mar 18 17:12:01 -0800 2005 17 1 San Francisco Bay Area 0 160100 As I was perusing the San Francisco Chronicle's website, whose lovely visages should appear, but our own Sixy Beast and Pim! Congrats on the recognition and on diligently championing the cause of Chowhounds all over the world. I for one am quite please your respective travels have brought you to our little corner of the culinary world. Along those lines, I'd like to query as to your respective thoughts on En Suite. I recall reading Sam and Fred's initial experience which put me off of trying it for several months. Now once again, since my business partner lives quite close, I found myself walking by and peering in through the windows. With the impending closure of Bizou, is this remaining bistro truly beyond help? Not that I am opposed to making the trek to Chapeau! or Jeanty at Jack's for my bistro fix, but it's just so darn tempting to try En Suite. What's the real deal? Sam, have you been back? Pim, have you given this a whirl? Dining minds would like to know :) a sante, Curtis P.S. Lovely pix of both Sam and Pim accompany the article on line (as if the mere mention of their names were not enough) ;) Link: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/03/09/FDG00BJAGE1.DTL Fri Mar 18 17:12:01 -0800 2005 0 Curtis 1 160118 Although she was apparently camera shy, the equally lovely Fatemah was also featured in this article and contributed a truly delicious sounding recipe. On topic: where can one buy fresh fenugreek leaves in the Bay Area? Fri Mar 18 19:24:30 -0800 2005 160100 0 Ruth Lafler 2 160130 Ruth - As it happens, Berkeley Bowl is currently stocking fresh fenugreek; if all else fails, any number of the markets (including Aria market in Alameda) have dried fenugreek. Fatemeh PS (thanks for the plug ;-) Fri Mar 18 19:38:15 -0800 2005 160118 0 Fatemeh 3 160134 I believe the Aria market is no more, or at least, they aren't where they used to be. Did they move? Fri Mar 18 19:47:27 -0800 2005 160130 0 Ruth Lafler 4 160137 Milan Market (9th(?) and University) in Berkeley has often had fresh curry leaves...so It's a pretty nice place altogether and they're very helpful. Lots of different spices and flours and loads of canned and packaged stuff, including some leftoverfromBritishraj days goodies like McVitties (sp)Ginger Cookies. Fri Mar 18 19:55:07 -0800 2005 160134 0 oakjoan 4 160149 Last time I called, Aria was at 1533 Webster St and their phone # was (510) 337-9831. I just called them the other day to check about their smoked fish for Nowrooz, and they seemed to be alive and kicking. Fri Mar 18 20:29:41 -0800 2005 160134 0 Fatemeh 3 160135 Pardon my omission Fatemeh, I did indeed see your recipe, even before you pinged me :) Color me red, but kudos to you as well for the well deserved mention. I think the SF Chowhounds are the most well represented and enthusiastic of all and I challenge other regions to prove me wrong ;) (just thought I'd throw down the gaunlet and see what happens) Yeah, I'm talkin' bout you NYC! LA, don't even try it! :ducks out of harm's way: btw, I know Fenugreek is a medicinal herb, but does it taste good? What're you making with it Ruth? Soup for a new mother? What could it be...hmmmm :) And back on topic, has no one an opinion, good, bad or otherwise on En Suite (sic) actually La Suite? Bistro fiends are waiting hungrily. a sante, Curtis Fri Mar 18 19:48:30 -0800 2005 160130 0 Curtis 4 160139 the dried fenugreek is a little stinky I use it in some indian dishes I've never used it fresh, would be interesting I bought mine in Bombay Bazaar in the Mission Two little plastic packs full in a yellow box. It's quite an amount and I had to buy some jars to seal it in, because in the open box it was a bit whiffy in my pantry. I emailed you regarding your other Q, curtis Fri Mar 18 19:58:42 -0800 2005 160135 0 Sixy Beast 4 160147 I actually had a very enjoyable meal at La Suite a few weeks ago. I can't remember the content of my meal completely, but remember foie gras and some whole fish were components. The front desk staff seated the restaurant very oddly- clustering folks rather than leaving empty tables in between groups when there were plenty of tables. The waitress we had was truly excellent, and the sommelier also extremely helpful. I'd easily return to enjoy more seafood. Fri Mar 18 20:19:11 -0800 2005 160135 0 a geek 4 160148 Curtis... Fenugreek is, how shall we say... PUNGENT at best. In fact, whenever we make ghormeh sabzi at home, we sweat it out for a couple of days afterwards. However, there is a taste that can't be replicated. My mother has taken to using cilantro in fenugreek's place because, after 60 years, the smell nauseates her, but I don't think it tastes the same. Link: http://sfmcclures.blogs.com/gastronomie/2005/02/ghormeh_sabzi_o.html Fri Mar 18 20:28:09 -0800 2005 160135 0 Fatemeh 5 160199 Yes..fenugreek is quite a pungent taste...definitely one to "acquire" if you haven't experienced it! Very 'earthy'..maybe even somewhat medicinal...I can't say I crave it...but it us "interesting"! Sat Mar 19 10:18:36 -0800 2005 160148 0 ChowFun (derek) 4 160171 Re: La Suite. I haven't eaten a proper meal there. I did attend a wine tasting in the back room there at which they provided platters of finger foods. Nothing was either exceptional nor bad, but I'm sure that is no indication of the regular menu items there. However, based on that experience I have had very little desire to return. The reason is that whatever wood they burned in their oven threw off an oppressive odor. If I didn't know any better I'd think they were burning chemically treated wood. Who knows, the food may be great. But I just couldn't imagine being able to enjoy myself in their dining room having to breath that smoke. SF Weekly reviewed them a while back, and there were some very humorous exchanges in the Letters section afterwards. You might want to go search for those. Amusing reading at least. -nick Fri Mar 18 23:26:57 -0800 2005 160135 0 nja 4 160177 I live in LA and always check the SF board first when I get to Chowhound. I just like the mix of restaurants better and am more eager to hear what people in the Bay Area have to say. I still find LA intimidating, dining scene wise; dunno why. Sat Mar 19 00:10:09 -0800 2005 160135 0 hushpuppy 2 160141 Not camera-shy, methinks. Gazing upon her photogenic countenance is a pleasure reserved for those who visit her blog. Fri Mar 18 20:02:27 -0800 2005 160118 0 Gary Soup 3 160150 awww... i'm blushing!! Fri Mar 18 20:31:00 -0800 2005 160141 0 Fatemeh 2 160176 IIRC,fenugreek leaves are also called "methi," possibly in Hindi. If so, the Bowl has them at the corner of the produce section farthest from the entrances. Fri Mar 18 23:58:56 -0800 2005 160118 0 heidipie 3 160182 Ohh ... methi ... the farmers markets are overflowing with it. I noticed it for the first time a few weeks ago at Alameny ... one of the few small vendors to label their greens. I asked about it and it seems now I have noticed it at all the markets I've been to. Sat Mar 19 01:06:56 -0800 2005 160176 0 methi 1 160178 It was very nice to get all that fame and glory last week in the Chron. I am sure Pim and Fatemeh feel the same way. But did you know that Chowhound, Bay area, has many more wonderful foodbloggers out there that all deserve attention. They are all dedicated to finding delicious things to eat, just like chowhound is. These are the other active Bay Area Chowhounders with food sites I know of - for give me if I miss any out. http://www.arthurhungry.com/ http://eat.tanspace.com/ http://eggbeater.typepad.com/ http://www.eatingchinese.org/ http://cedichou.blogspot.com/ http://fogcity.blogs.com/jen/ http://www.epicureandebauchery.blogspot.com/ http://mollyfn.typepad.com/spicetart/ http://worldonaplate.blogs.com/ see if you can guess their chowhound handles? Sat Mar 19 00:24:50 -0800 2005 160100 0 Sixy Beast