discovered favorite places that are unique to each particular city. I thought I’d pass along info on a few of the things about San Francisco (and thereabouts) restaurants that I miss the most: 1) the huge selection of fresh...

was able to observe. I would honestly rather stay home and have a pimento cheese sandwich, than go back to P.F.Changs. But I do like the “Big Bowl” concept as far as chains go. They started here in Chicago. Recipes were...

Further evidence: I read in the Dec/Jan issue of Mid-Atlantic Brewing News the following selected top ten beers for 2006 (I’m assuming in the US only): 10) Elysian Brewing – Tripel (Seattle, WA) 9) Max Lager’s...

that falls apart the least. Schibucho waitress(aside from her terrific desserts, she has learned from Shige, how to make sushi properly) says that Echigo’s falls apart due to poor technique of sushi chef. Echigo’s...

and they give you special crusty rice service to finish off your meal. Here, it’s $12/bowl for a bad selection of cold appetizers.

and possible, yet when you request them at some places you are treated the same way as the customer who is trying to rewrite the recipe.

. Manuels is your typical rice and beans Mex place, but with better ambiance and service than most. I doubt that the menu or recipes have changed since 1950 or whenever it opened. Carried Away is a deli type place in the center...

, and enhancing each other. Aziza uses one of the same wine buyers that Slanted Door users. Mark Ellenberger is responsible for the wine list which is selected to complement the food. The site says that “he conducts...

. It is an unkempt warehouse/worn-out-deli-kind-of-interior market, but the selection of sodas is kind of fun to walk around. I personally don’t enjoy soda pop often, but it’s still a kick to see what old and new...

or Vongerichten or Bouley or Peter Luger are trying to do when they routinize their recipes. Food involves two things, ingredients and preparation. The former, for better or worse, tend to be out of our control except when we get...

that they make an entirely different version of Kung Pao chicken. (Many people from Sichuan emigrated to Guizhou starting in the 16th century, so maybe they brought the kung pao recipe with them.) Like any region of China (or the...

I would choose the bigger one personally. When we use the LC we tend to make bigger recipes and either use them to entertain or to freeze. I might be inclined towards an oval shape as well. I often thought it would be handy to...

unexpected way. Before annieb left for SW France, I chatted a bit with her about recipes for Cassoulet de Castelnaudary (she will be in this area between Albi and Carcassonne). This is of course a pork (ham) and beans (plus duck...

- places to eat and recipes to follow. The only real commonality is that we’re all here to share and learn. I think that this is a real distinction – without snobbery or any intent to put anyone down – where so...

't great and it all certainly felt wasteful. They do have a good oyster selection though and a dozen at the bar is a good way to start an evening.