The Foodie Thread

10 toughest reservations in the world:

http://eater.com/archives/2012/01/25/the-toughest-reservations-in-the-world.php

Two Chicago restaurants make the list.

For the purposes of the list, Rao's was deemed ineligible.

 

Interesting. The only two on that list that I've even tried to get reservations for are The French Laundry and Babbo. Fortunately, I was in wine country and NYC and had no trouble finding GREAT restaurants to eat at elsewhere in the area. The night we tried to go to Babbo, we ended up going to Becco, Lydia Bastianich's Theater District restaurant and it was fabulous. She was there that night and after you order your pasta, they come around with the pan and serve more out of it if you want.

 

I went to French Laundry once -- the husband of my wife's law school roommate had done some work for either Keller or one of the other people there. He was told that he could have three reservations as a thank you and we went maybe 9 years ago. Man was that good.

My favorite place in NJ now is so hard to get into that unless you are on a list (which I'm lucky enough to be on), if you want a weekend dinner reservation, you better go on Open Table exactly 30 days in advance because by the time that they open for lunch, all of their tables are gone.

 

What place is that Webster?

 

A place called A Toute Heure in Cranford. We've probably been there 30 times and each time has been wonderful. And while not cheap, it isn't super expensive. BYO also helps.

 

We checked this place out for lunch yesterday.

You aren't given a card anymore when you arrive. You pay more like at a traditional cafeteria.

But, it wasn't nearly as nice as the joint in Toronto. Nothing looked as fresh and/or vibrant. By pasta was undercooked, and they got the order wrong on my girlfriend's sandwich.

 

American "Chinese" food is being introduced into...........................China.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/02/05/american-chinese-food-comes-to-china.html

The biggest challenge was fortune cookies which are unknown in China.

The largest fortune-cookie producer in China is trying, so far unsuccessfully, to make her country’s “signature” dessert work domestically. She sells fewer than 1 million units a year, mostly for export; that’s far less than Wonton Food Inc., America’s largest fortune-cookie manufacturer, makes in one day. The Chinese “just have no idea what this is,” says Shi Nana, a former marketing executive who started Beijing Fortune Cookies six years ago. “It’s been a very long process. We tried to sell them to hotels and restaurants in China, but that didn’t go over well; they prefer fruit plates.”


Does this mean Olive Garden will be opening stores in Italy?

 

A restauranteur who already owns a couple of hot places here in Chicago is opening a new place tonight.

It's a "diner" and is on a street with a number of popular restaurants. (Stephanie Izard's Girl & the GoaT is right across the street.)

http://chicago.eater.com/archives/2012/02/22/what-to-eat-at-au-cheval-opening-officially-tonight.php#more

Check out the menu:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/82459180/Au-Cheval-Menus

Too fancy for a diner, or a fun option?

 

Was planning a trip to Chicago later this summer and thought it might be fun to splurge for a great dinner at a place like Next or Alinea. I know how tough it is to get a ticket to Next, but figured it was worth a shot. Especially when their website talked about their goal of making that sort of dining experience "affordable."
Figured that meant $100 or so per person, but never saw an actual advertised price until they put a same-day ticket for sale on Facebook last weekend.
Good. God.
The price was $365 -- per person.
Clearly, gourmet chefs have a different idea of "affordable" than most people.

 

This menu is their most expensive menu. They're doing 20 something courses, so they can only do one seating instead of two.

I think it also includes drink pairings.

They did offer $100 tickets on their previous menus, but those didn't include drinks.

I've got to run, but PM me if you want some ideas for top restaurants that won't be so expensive.

 

I have had the biggest urge to make lasagna from scratch the past few days. I would make it with a few health conscious adjustments: 1) I'd use Buffalo meat instead of beef or Italian sausage; 2) I'd use whole grain pasta and 3) I'd add in spinach.

If I do make that fateful lasagna, I'll provide a full report here.

 

http://www.tkrg.org/upload/fl_menu.pdf

Here's the current menu for The French Laundry. $270/pp-$350/pp without wine

I don't know if the after dinner blow job is included, but one day I'd like to be able to go and enjoy the meal without thinking about the cost.