Are Turduckens Really Good Eating?
I've heard about this deboned turkey/duck/chicken and stuffing delicacy for many years.
I'm just wondering, do they live up to the hype?
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The Ten Most Recent Posts By CambridgeFoodie
There's Some SERIOUS Calories at PF Changs!
While on recent visit, I found myself staying at a hotel surrounded by chain restaurants...Bahama Breeze, Bob Evans, McDonald's, and PF Changs.
I've been curious about PF Changs for several years and thought this would be a great time to try it on. Visiting their online menu, I was shocked at the calories in their dishes. The company lists this information clearly on their menu. Check it out:
http://www.pfchangs.com/cuisine/menu_main.jsp
1500 calories for fried rice!
Next to PF Changs, McDonalds looks downright healthy!!!!
Is Prime Steak Really Worth the Price?
There is an article in today's New York Times about prime steaks and their price. The writer claims Choice New York Strips cost $17 a pound and Prime steaks as much as 50% more (though in Boston, I just purchased some excellent Choice Porterhouses from Costco for $7.99 a pound, strips are slightly cheaper).
Here's my question, is Prime really worth it? It may be better than choice, but is it really worth the price differential?
On the occasions I dine at top steakhouses (Mortons, The Palm, etc) - the meal is always so overtop (in addition to Prime steaks, hash browns, crab cocktail, and a souflee) - that I'm not sure if my great meal is because of the Prime steaks - or the abundance of richness.
I've ordered Prime Strips from Lobels, and yes they tasted more meaty (dry aging) and were more marbeled - but when it comes right down to it, I'm not sure whether the price for prime is worth it.
Of course, everyone has different tastes - I'd love to hear your opinions.
Thanks!
Have You Tried Zankou Chicken in Los Angeles?
IMHO, undoubtedly the best roast chicken on the planet!
Where have you enjoyed the most lavish brunch buffet?
Over the weekend, I enjoyed a phenomenal brunch at the Four Seasons in Boston. Unlimited Oysters, clams, LOBSTER (tail & claws), dim sum, peking duck, ham, roast beef, cheeses, breakfast foods...well, you get the picture. I could not believe the unlimited lobster.
But what impressed me most was the service. Our waiter told us that if there was something special that we'd like to eat the next time we had brunch (e.g., lamb), let them know the day before and they would make sure to have it for us! Now that is truly unbelievable service.
What Do You Think About Costco's Porterhouse Steaks?
I am curious about what other people's thoughts and experiences are.
I purchased some great porterhouse steaks yesterday at Costco ($8.00 a pound) - they have very well defined filet portions on them.
There have been times when I believe the steaks were at the upper end of the Choice requirements...close to Prime!
Please let me know what you think about Costco's Porterhouse Steaks.
How Do You Cook a Thick Porterhouse?
I tend to buy thick Porterhouse steaks (1.5 pounds).
Inevitably when I cook these steaks, the filet gets more done than the strip part. How do I fix this? Do I cut the filet off when it reaches medium rare and then leave the strip/bone on the grill to finish up?
Many thanks for helping me savor such a great steak!
Delivery Tip - Revisited
Awhile back, there was a thread about how much to tip for home delivery. There were a wide variety of opinions, but I came away thinking 10% - 15% would be fair.
Suppose a restaurant charges a fee for delivery (e.g., last night I was charged a $2 delivery fee)...does the driver get that? If so, can I deduct $2 from the 10% - 15% delivery tip?
Thanks for your advice.
Are Carry Out Tips Optional?
I found the discussion on delivery tips to be interesting. I want to be fair when I tip - not too little or too much.
Here's my question. We've all faced signing a credit card slip for carry out where the proprieter has helpfully left the "tip" and "total" sections open for us to fill in.
So, what's the etiquette? Tip? If so, by how much?
Thanks!
The Ten Most Recent Comments By CambridgeFoodie
Boston vs. New York Food Super Bowl: Breaking It Down Food by Food
Beg to differ on your proclamation on Emma's pizza in Cambridge, MA. IMHO, excellent cutting edge pizza...love their house smoked bacon topping!
Seriously Delicious Holiday Giveaway: Southside Market Sausage
uncle pete's in boston
Seriously Delicious Holiday Giveaway: Southside Market Sausage
Uncle Pete's Hickory Smoked Ribs - Boston
Frozen Guilty (Hot) Pleasures: What Are Yours?
Tag along question...
where do you get the best frozen appetizers? Costco or Trader Joes?
For me, the answer is always Costco.
It seems like I'm an anomaly, but I'm just not a fan of Trader Joes. How does the board feel?
Mike Huckabee May Not Be the Serious Eaters' Choice
He should have gone to the Papaya King!
Seriously Delicious Holiday Giveaway: Bacon of the Month Club
crispy ridges of fat!
Seriously Delicious Holiday Giveaway: Two Peter Luger Steaks
Bone in New York Strip steaks.
Seriously Delicious Holiday Giveaway: D'Artagnan Heritage Smoked Ham
Swiss cheese and mayo for me.
Responses to Comments by CambridgeFoodie
Boston vs. New York Food Super Bowl: Breaking It Down Food by Food
I am a New Yorker who has been living in Boston for some 25 years. New York has always been a world-class food town. Who could really argue. When I was growing up in New York in mid-20th century, New York was the capital of the world, and where food was concerned there were some truly great things I simply took for granted.
Many of these are as unobtainable now in New York as they are elsewhere. Is New York pastrami still great at Katz's? - yes but it's not like it used to be, and it's made in Albany. Is New York cheesecake wonderful? - not like it used to be when Leonard's of 2nd Avenue was still supplying the best to restaurants and hotels so anonymously. Today you can barely find any mention of the place or its extraordinary product anywhere on the web. You'll notice my name here: "noshstalgic" - I've been blogging about this stuff for a while now at noshstalgia.blogspot.com.
After a while, ranting into the blogosphere didn't seem a sufficient response. So I began an effort at culinary archeology to recreate the things I so missed. And even though I still love many of New York's signature items, I am here to make a claim. The best pastrami in the land is now hand-made in Boston, MA - to my specifications. My recent blog postings at Noshstalgia extolled the virtues of pastrami as the ideal Super Bowl food. Not nachos, not chicken wings. Quoting now:
"Nothing else so distills the essentials of football sustenance - Beef, Spice, Warmth, Smoke, and Beer Affinity."
So - confining ourselves to the dual questions of pastrami as football food - and as quintessential New York food - who's wrong here - Ed or Sheryl?
Both...
Sheryl because pastrami is perfect for football.
And Ed because the best is actually to be found here in Boston. If you don't believe me, (and please pardon the commercial plug) stop on by to Savenor's or John Dewar's (Boston's two premier meat purveyors) and ask for some of Boston's Deli Arts brand pastrami. Take it home, steam it up as directed, and slice it down. It's like a time machine. You'll smile.
Boston vs. New York Food Super Bowl: Breaking It Down Food by Food
I am a New Yorker who has been living in Boston for some 25 years. New York has always been a world-class food town. Who could really argue. When I was growing up in New York in mid-20th century, New York was the capital of the world, and where food was concerned there were some truly great things I simply took for granted.
Many of these are as unobtainable now in New York as they are elsewhere. Is New York pastrami still great at Katz's? - yes but it's not like it used to be, and it's made in Albany. Is New York cheesecake wonderful? - not like it used to be when Leonard's of 2nd Avenue was still supplying the best to restaurants and hotels so anonymously. Today you can barely find any mention of the place or its extraordinary product anywhere on the web. You'll notice my name here: "noshstalgic" - I've been blogging about this stuff for a while now at noshstalgia.blogspot.com.
After a while, ranting into the blogosphere didn't seem a sufficient response. So I began an effort at culinary archeology to recreate the things I so missed. And even though I still love many of New York's signature items, I am here to make a claim. The best pastrami in the land is now hand-made in Boston, MA - to my specifications. My recent blog postings at Noshstalgia extolled the virtues of pastrami as the ideal Super Bowl food. Not nachos, not chicken wings. Quoting now:
"Nothing else so distills the essentials of football sustenance - Beef, Spice, Warmth, Smoke, and Beer Affinity."
So who's wrong here - Ed or Sheryl?
Both...
Sheryl because pastrami is perfect for football.
And Ed because the best is actually to be found here in Boston. If you don't believe me, (and please pardon the commercial plug) stop on by to Savenor's or John Dewar's (Boston's two premier meat purveyors) and ask for some of Boston's best - Deli Arts brand pastrami. Take it home, steam it up. It's like a time machine. You'll smile.
Man Bites Dog: Serious Critic Reviews a Chain Restaurant
I have to say, I like Cracker Barrel Breakfast. Their "mama's french toast" is the best french toast I have ever had and that what keep's my hubs and I going back. The lunch and dinner menu is mediocre, but I say definitely head back for the french toast, and then see how you feel.
Boston vs. New York Food Super Bowl: Breaking It Down Food by Food
I'm a NJ/NY person who went to school in Boston for 2 years, and I love the city as well as NY.
But aren't we being a bit unfair to B-town, judging it on a NYC food group basis? Things might stack up differently, with say, who has the best lobster, or even linguini with clam sauce from the North End? Plus, does New Haven count in the New England pizza sweepstakes--if so, Pepe's might throw a wrench in the voting...plus, what about lobster rolls?
Ice cream seems really unfair, too, given that eating ice cream on a Boston street in the middle of winter seems more like a health hazard than a treat!
Boston vs. New York Food Super Bowl: Breaking It Down Food by Food
papa ginos! a pizza chain that is TOTALLY awesome. papa ginos is the best boston pizza, ok- it's not gourmet but it tastes GREAT. I also like sweet tomatoes and the upper crust...for more upscale pizza moods.
ice cream: toscaninis is my favorite, but i also like christina's quite a bit. herrell's is ok. not a huge fan of emack.
Boston vs. New York Food Super Bowl: Breaking It Down Food by Food
As a Red Sox, and Patriots fan, currently living in NYC, I spent 7 wonderful years in Boston, after growing up in Maine. You missed two great Boston Institutions for food. Emack & Bolio's for great Ice Cream, and the Union Oyster House for some of the best Seafood in New England! I wish I could be at the U.O.H. for the Super Bowl, downing multiple plates of their great oysters!!! New York may have pizza, but Boston has the whole Italian North End, which FAR surpasses what is left of NYC's "VERY" Little Italy. I can't even scratch the surface here of what Boston has to offer, not only for the football fan, but for everyone's taste for the great food Boston has to offer! Boston Wins!!!
Boston vs. New York Food Super Bowl: Breaking It Down Food by Food
I was also going to bring up The Upper Crust. A branch just opened down the street from me. Awesome pizza. We eat there or get delivery at least once a week.
Also, for ice cream, in the town I'm in (about 10 miles outside Boston) we have Lizzy's. Fabulous ice cream. Just fabulous.
If we get into the hot dog discussion, how much will just plain "sausage" rolls get into it? Because if they don't count in that discussion, then they need to be considered in the sandwich discussion. The first thing my boyfriend and I did when we got back from New York last May was hit up a sausage vendor in Fanueil Hall. Not only were we hungry, but we needed to counter the memory of a particularly craptastic "hot dog" we'd been served from a cart near Madison Square Garden late night on our way back to our hotel. Overpriced and underwhelming. All hail The Sausage Guy!
Boston vs. New York Food Super Bowl: Breaking It Down Food by Food
Herrell's is nasty. I was there once and was mobbed by flys. For pizza Boston has a home grown chain called Upper Crust. Solid pseudo-Neopolitan pies w/ a mighty good crushed tomato 'sauce.' Deffinatly my favorite pizza chain.
But seriously, how can you compare NY to anything. Boston's population is a tiny fraction. Maybe Boston to Philly, or Cleveland to Cincinati or whatever. NY is singular in the country and in a very small group world wide.
Food aside, 'The Hub' certainly has a sports edge.
Boston vs. New York Food Super Bowl: Breaking It Down Food by Food
Isn't it the New England Patriots? I think you have to include the entire region this team represents. You made the exception for Ice Cream, so the floodgates are open.
No discussion of pizza in New England should forget Al Forno.
Boston vs. New York Food Super Bowl: Breaking It Down Food by Food
Come on man. Boston is over 3 hours by car from Burlington, VT. But as a former resident of Boston, current resident of NYC (and actually raised in Burlington) I will give Boston the edge on Ice Cream. There is good ice cream to be had in NYC, but nothing has ever blown my mind like the burnt sugar ice cream at christinas in Inman Square.
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