87182 Wed Apr 13 16:09:09 -0700 2005 26 3 California 0 480913 Is it worth the trip up there for produce? If so what the best way there from carmel valley? I just saw them mentioned in a nytimes article on california strawberries. I was interested in this and some other produce. thanks Wed Apr 13 16:09:09 -0700 2005 0 MV 1 480915 You are aware that it is in the San Diego area, aren't you? Below is a link from Professor Salt's blog that tells you how to get there once you are in the area. Link: http://professorsalt.blogspot.com/2005/03/meat-vegetables_27.html Wed Apr 13 18:42:57 -0700 2005 480913 0 wally 2 480918 The thing that makes this even more amusing is that there is a "Carmel Valley" in the San Diego area that isn't too far from Chino Farms (just a few miles south), though the drive can be quite circuitous depending on your starting point. I always thought that this place was more for the local chefs than anything else. It may very well be that the poster who criticized it was in line with a bunch of rival chefs that didn't want to talk with each other. :-) For my part, I could not spend that much money on produce. I'd rather ruin something inexpensive than something expensive. :-) Wed Apr 13 20:57:44 -0700 2005 480915 0 Brian Saunders 3 480919 "I always thought that this place was more for the local chefs than anything else. It may very well be that the poster who criticized it was in line with a bunch of rival chefs that didn't want to talk with each other. :-)" Huh? I'm just a married lady from Laguna Niguel. Nothing sinsiter here... Wed Apr 13 21:03:00 -0700 2005 480918 0 Pate' 4 480924 Actually Chino Farms is not just for local chefs..They are selective in who they sell to and they have good reason. They were rated one of the top farms in the country serving incredible chefs like Wolf Gang Puck and Alice Waters....just to name a few....If you are planning a trip it is well worth the drive for the produce and I would come during corn season....best corn I have ever had! You can't go wrong and I find most of another chowhounds posting that posted a negative response on Chino's typically posts negative thoughts! I'm not a chef but I do know good food and chino's has it...Google them and find out more...They were also mentioned in Vogue a few years back not to mention numerous foodie magazines....good luck Thu Apr 14 00:08:10 -0700 2005 480919 0 happyeats 5 480926 I actually went to Chino Farm stand once in late February or early March. I found the quality of produce to be quite high. At the time, I was living in Chicago and it was well above what was available there at that time. I took back quite a bit of produce and enjoyed all of it. Prices were high but I got what I paid for. This was a while ago, maybe seven years ago. There was no line at the time I visited. I don't know what it is normally like in February there. Thu Apr 14 00:44:05 -0700 2005 480924 0 wally 5 480927 I would second happyeats' comments on Chino Farms, as I heard of them over 20 years ago when I was living outside of SD County. It is one of the top farms and yes, many chefs from LA drive all the way down, just to get their produce from the day. Wolfgang Puck included! I have heard consistent raves about their corn and strawberries, the latter not being the commerically grown stuff that is flavorless and woody. I've not made it there yet, but have heard that to get the best selection, go there early and bring LOTS of cash. And considering you live in Carmel Valley, it is not that far. It IS in Rancho Santa Fe. Directions: off the 5 freeway: east on Lomas Santa Fe, pass El Camino Real, 3rd right onto Calzada del Bosque which ends at Via de Santa Fe. it is an unmarked stand. call 858-756-3184 for hours. And about that earlier remark about "ruining" expensive produce--if you don't know how to cook, then stick with your cheaper produce!! One of the basic rules to good cooking is to start with the best, freshest ingredients you can find!! Thu Apr 14 00:44:08 -0700 2005 480924 0 daantaat 6 480932 Thanks for the advice, i am relatively new to the area and this helps out alot. Thu Apr 14 13:50:52 -0700 2005 480927 0 MV 7 480950 other places to get good produce are Whole Foods and Trader Joe's, both in the UTC area, about 5-10 min south (depending on traffic and how fast you drive) on the 5 freeway (exit La Jolla Village Drive, go right; then turn left at the first stop light which is Villa La Jolla Drive. Whole Foods on the left, Trader Joe's and Ralph's on the next block down). The closest Henry's is in Solana Beach, off Lomas Santa Fe (go west and it's in the big plaza just off the 5). Otherwise, you are limited to Vons and Ralphs' in Carmel Valley. Thu Apr 14 21:54:47 -0700 2005 480932 0 daantaat 8 480951 I was disappointed that I never went to Chino Farm when I lived in the San Diego Area. I DID drive by it once by accident when I got lost, but it was closed and I wasn't aware of its status at the time. Anyway, I was never much impressed with any of the fruit in the area grocery stores. However, there are some excellent farmers markets in the area. Also, the Local Harvest site includes farms as well as farmers markets. Here's the link for Local Harvest. http://www.localharvest.org/ And just be on the look out. There are a lot of seasonal stands where you can buy excellent produce. Link: http://www.cafarmersmarkets.com/search Thu Apr 14 22:28:28 -0700 2005 480950 0 Krys 8 480965 Yeah those are the places i have been going to and the quality is generally very good. However i have really wanted some excellent produce that i heard california has to offer from local farms. I have also been to the farmers market in Del Mar which has been hit and miss. Im going to try and get out there tommorrow morning, cash in hand..... Fri Apr 15 12:24:42 -0700 2005 480950 0 MV 5 481357 Can you please help me with Chino Farm's e-mail address. I've tried Google and other things and nothing turns up. Had some of their corn at George's in La Jolla and can still taste it. Am hoping they ship. Thanks. Tue May 03 14:48:37 -0700 2005 480924 0 ann tillotson 6 481396 Chino's do not ship and they do not have a website! If you have a friend that lives here I'm sure they could ship it for you! They do ship to a few Chefs in the country but they are a selective few... Crowe's Pass has incredible strawberries and we love there corn too. Not sure if they ship but you could try them. If interested I'm sure I could get there information for you! Wed May 04 21:45:51 -0700 2005 481357 0 happyeats 7 481406 This place has been mentioned several times as a source of great strawberries, but no one has ever mentioned (that I could find) where it is. I Googled it, and the first listing was for a site in Cardiff, but alas, it turned out to not be the Cardiff with the Pacific Ocean out in front; the Crowe's Pass in this case was a football (aka soccer) team in somplace called Wales(?) (must have ripped off the name of the North SD County town). But enough! Where is Crowe's Pass? . . jim strain in san diego Thu May 05 12:12:24 -0700 2005 481396 0 Jim Strain 8 481418 Crowe's Pass is located in Temecula. I will post there information in how to get a hold of them by Friday. I need to find there info again! I have it just need an evening to get it! Thu May 05 18:22:53 -0700 2005 481406 0 happyeats 1 480917 I've only been there once and I won't be going back. I believe it is the most pretentious, over-rated vegetable stand in America. I haven't been to them all but I can't imagine any other vegetable stand comes close. The drive down is the easy part. You loop around a little and eventually you find it. Then you stand in a single file line. There must have been 15 people before me. Most people brought their own burlap bags to better cradle their produce in (I guess). Nobody talked. It was like being in line for communion at church. Once you get to the head of the line you are NOT allowed to touch the produce! You can't smell it, squeeze it, shake it. Nothing. You point to the item you want and the person behind the table places it in a bag for you (if you didn't bring your own burlap bag.) The people behind the table are not helpful if you ask a question. They just want you to get through the line fast so they can help the next customer. Then the really bad part happens...they add everything up and tell you the total! Yikes. For those prices they ought to follow you home and cook it for you. I think I spent $30 for 6 ears of corn, 3 tomatoes, and some red and yellow beets. I wouldn't even mind paying so much if the vegetables were remarkably better than those I can get locally, but they aren't. Not even a little bit. I went with a friend and we now refer to them as "The Vegetable Nazis" like "The Soup Nazi" from Seinfeld. This is a case of the emperor wearing no clothes. Wed Apr 13 20:20:44 -0700 2005 480913 0 Pate' 1 480929 As a grower, I'll encourage anyone buying from Chino Farm at their stand to ask them about their growing practices. I believe they use conventional practices, meaning chemical 'cides and chemical fertilizers. We don't use any of that on our own farm. Some chowhounders may not care, but for those of you who do care, ask ask ask. cg Thu Apr 14 10:02:37 -0700 2005 480913 0 chardgirl 2 481061 They are not secretive about how they grow there produce...I would ask for sure and they would be happy to tell you:) I feel they are the best farm in town but would get my strawberries from a farm called Crowe's Pass..they are tops Tue Apr 19 16:14:36 -0700 2005 480929 0 happyeats 3 481071 Crow's Pass does have very good strawberries. I remember eating them last year and thinking these are better than Chino's. They have very good citrus too. Kumquats, blood oranges and meyer lemons. Tue Apr 19 21:21:46 -0700 2005 481061 0 pastrygirl 4 481099 I agree...We love Crowe's Pass on the strawberries..My favorite!!! Chino's farms uses biodynamic farming. Biodynamics is a method of agriculture, which seeks to actively work with the health-giving forces of nature. It is the oldest non-chemical agricultural movement, predating the organic agriculture movement by some twenty years and has now spread throughout the world. Wed Apr 20 22:02:45 -0700 2005 481071 0 happyeats 5 481143 Where is Crowe's Pass?? Fri Apr 22 01:01:22 -0700 2005 481099 0 daantaat 2 481126 Chino's farms uses biodynamic farming. Biodynamics is a method of agriculture, which seeks to actively work with the health-giving forces of nature. It is the oldest non-chemical agricultural movement, predating the organic agriculture movement by some twenty years and has now spread throughout the world. Thu Apr 21 14:10:56 -0700 2005 480929 0 happyeats 1 480934 If you're coming from the San Diego County Carmel Valley that's over by the I-15 corridor, then for sure it's worth it. If you're coming from the Carmel Valley near Monterrey, then I'd look for boutique produce places nearer to your home. Chino Farms (which geezers like me have always referred to as just "Chino's") is famous for a reason: the stuff is really good. I live in La Mesa, and my wife and I only make it over there about four or five times in a year. We always go on Saturday, and we usually get there around noon, by which time some stuff is likely to be sold out. Even so, we've never lacked for a good selection of delicious produce. Someone has already mentioned the corn (which should start showing up in June or later) and the strawberries (sweet as the ones I remember from my childhood), but other things that may not seem exotic have also stunned us with their flavor, aroma, and overall quality. Spinach, Brussels sprouts, kale, and (sweet Jesus!) the tomatoes are all special. Note also that tomatoes are goof-proof; just wash her off and bite. We don't bring any burlap bags, but I do empty our icemaker into the cooler and we put our purchases in there. When we've been there, there were always several workers who were helping customers, and they have always been friendly and very helpful when I've asked, "What in the world is that stuff, and what do you do with it?" I had my first ever Cardoons from Chino's. The stuff is definitely expensive, but we don't shop there every week, and when we do, we become vegetarians until it's all gone. When I'm looking for a bargain, I go to my local Henry's or Windmill Farms store, both of which are pretty good, but not outstanding in the way that much of Chino's stuff is. Because their produce is so costly, they don't encourage customers to handle it, but I've never noticed they were particularly anal about that. The other thing that sometimes surprises (and pisses off) first-time visitors is the cash-only policy. No checks. No plastic. Green stuff only. Bottom line, Chino Farms is a San Diego area institution that is rightfully treasured by knowledgeable food people nationwide, as well as ordinary guys like me to whom Rancho Santa Fe is largely terra incognita. As you already know from reading this thread, not everyone is as smitten as I am, but then again, you can always find people who, upon peering for the first time into the Grand Canyon, ask loudly, "Is that *it*?" I hope you like it as much as we do. . . jim strain in san diego. Thu Apr 14 14:07:29 -0700 2005 480913 0 Jim Strain 2 480938 agree. it's top notch produce and they handle everything with great care & love (nicked their idea of storing items like lettuce & celery root in shallow trays with water). great little romanesco & purple cauliflower. Thu Apr 14 17:03:01 -0700 2005 480934 0 petradish 1 480993 The lady friend and I made a trip to Chino farms this morning and picked up a few things. Some fantastic strawberries, very flavourful almost spicy. Much better than commerical varieties. A little pricy at $5 a container but well owrth it. We also got some baby squash, a mix of baby sunburst, baby zuchini, and yellow and light green pattypan. I have to say this was THE BEST squash i have ever had in my life. I sauteed them this afternoon in a little evoo and butter with a little s&p. I didnt want to overwhelm them with garlic or onions. I made the right choice because they were wonderufl. The subtle taste of the squash was highlighted. The baby zuchini had a seafood taste for lack of a beter term. There was this subtle undertaste of really fresh oysters. the patty pans had a herby flavour and the combo of all of them was fantastic, i cant reccomend these highly enough. We also got some baby bok choy, baby brussels sprouts and a red lettuce whose name escapes me. We havent tried these yet but i am excited to try. Thanks to all who rec'd this place; i will be going back to try mroe things like the purple artichokes i saw and some of the multi coloured root vegetables. Sat Apr 16 19:09:48 -0700 2005 480913 0 MV 2 480996 ooh, I think we'll be going there tomorrow to load up on strawberries! I haven't had really great ones since I left Charleston, SC (the BEST strawberries, peaches and tomatoes I've EVER eaten were out in the South)! Sat Apr 16 19:36:07 -0700 2005 480993 0 daantaat 2 480999 They do have the best strawberries!!! I highly recommend the sugar snap peas, fava beans and/or peas right now. A little work is required to get the beans and peas, but you will be greatly rewarded. I recently made a stir fry with the sugar snap peas and ended up just wanting to eat the peas they were so juicey, sweet and crisp. I'm looking forward to peaches, concord grapes and melons. Sat Apr 16 23:20:45 -0700 2005 480993 0 pastrygirl