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From Recipes

Perfect Prime Rib

There are not going to be drippings. You want it at the lowest temp you can keep it at. I did mine at my parents place and found the temp the oven said it was at -- it's a fancy convection with digital programming -- was off 15 degrees. I used my probe to track the temp. Drop to 140 if possible and don't let it go over about 122. After it hits that temp, use your probe to track the temp in the oven and hold it at about 110-115 degrees as long as necessary.

From Serious Eats

Seriously Delicious Holiday Giveaway: Korin Knife

It fits in my hand. It has great balance. After years, my hand just knows what it's going to do when I use it. 9" Wusthof culinar

From Serious Eats

Seriously Delicious Holiday Giveaway: Korin Knife

I have a 9" wustoff culinar that I use for everything and can't live without.

From Serious Eats

Seriously Delicious Holiday Giveaway: Filet Mignon Roast from Pat LaFrieda Meats

Lately it's been the sirloin. A local place has it dry aged and prime grade. It has more flavor than the tender cuts. It's still tender because of the quality.

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Recent Favorites

From Recipes

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Caramelized Onions and Bacon

From Recipes

Dinner Tonight: Pasta with Broccoli, Goat Cheese, and Oregano

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Recent Polls

From A Hamburger Today

brownbag answered "No way, and I don't know anyone else who does that." to Do You Eat Burgers Around the Periphery Towards the Center?

From Serious Eats: New York

brownbag answered "Yes! I love ice cream no matter the season. " to Do You Eat Ice Cream In The Cold?

From Serious Eats

brownbag answered "Fresh Nutmeg " to What Kind of Nutmeg Do You Use?

From Serious Eats

brownbag answered "Other (write in below!)" to What type of turkey are you cooking for Thanksgiving?

Recent Quizzes

From Serious Eats

brownbag got 50% correct on How Much Do You Know About Barbecue?

From Serious Eats

brownbag got 40% correct on Quiz: How Much Do You Know About French Fries?

From Serious Eats

brownbag got 70% correct on How Much Do You Know About Spring Vegetables?

From Serious Eats

brownbag got 62% correct on How Much Do You Know About Breakfast Foods?

See more polls and quizzes by brownbag »

Recent Comments

From Recipes

Perfect Prime Rib

There are not going to be drippings. You want it at the lowest temp you can keep it at. I did mine at my parents place and found the temp the oven said it was at -- it's a fancy convection with digital programming -- was off 15 degrees. I used my probe to track the temp. Drop to 140 if possible and don't let it go over about 122. After it hits that temp, use your probe to track the temp in the oven and hold it at about 110-115 degrees as long as necessary.

From Serious Eats

Seriously Delicious Holiday Giveaway: Korin Knife

It fits in my hand. It has great balance. After years, my hand just knows what it's going to do when I use it. 9" Wusthof culinar

From Serious Eats

Seriously Delicious Holiday Giveaway: Korin Knife

I have a 9" wustoff culinar that I use for everything and can't live without.

From Serious Eats

Seriously Delicious Holiday Giveaway: Filet Mignon Roast from Pat LaFrieda Meats

Lately it's been the sirloin. A local place has it dry aged and prime grade. It has more flavor than the tender cuts. It's still tender because of the quality.

From Chicago

Chicago Essential: Pizzeria Due

As a youth, I would get to go into work with Dad a couple times a year. This was the mid 60's. He worked at the AMA (American Medical Association). It is now a parking lot. He would always call over to Due's for a lunch reservation. We'd arrive and check our coats with the coat check girl. It was dark and filled with business men working on bourbon, beer and pizza. I only remember three things on the menu. Small, medium and large. There was one pizza. It was sausage, and it was really great. By 1980 it was bright lights and garish, order and wait until the pizza is cooked to be seated. I could see the room that used to be the coat check, but it was empty. Now, it's just a good memory and a trip to Lou Malnati's, or similar, is the preferred place to go.

From Drinks

Drinking the Bottom Shelf: Old Overholt Rye

Old Overholt good. Jim Beam Rye, cheaper and just as good. No offense to the guy above liking Wild Turkey 100, get the Rittenhouse 100. Great price and the best top shelf Rye priced at a bottom shelf level.

From A Hamburger Today

Orem, UT: Satisfying Burgers Far From the Boardwalk at Coneys Frozen Custard

I've been working my way through the 75 burger places, and it basically proves we have no really good fast food style burgers in Utah. There's some very good gourmet and some good pub style burgers, but not much in fast food style. I ate here as a Judge for a Best of Utah Dining award. It was one of about 85 places I went to in six weeks. The burger is better than the average burger. It beats the In N Out down the street, but it's the custard that's the star. Don't go out of your way for it, but if you're in the neighborhood and don't want to go to SmashBurger down the street. This is the next best bet.

From Serious Eats

What to Eat On Martha's Vineyard

What a surprise seeing Crimelli sausages in the picture. It's a local Salt Lake City treasure.

From Recipes

Time for a Drink: the Apple Blow Fizz

Well balanced and fresh. It really needs the 100 proof over the 80 with the Applejack. "Pucker"??? I guess that explains the rest of the comment.

From Serious Eats

Cross-Border Shopping Guide: Canada

Canadian Oreo Cookies are so much better. I also really like Maltesers. It's what malt balls are supposed to taste like.

From Drinks

Cocktail 101: How to Make Simple Syrup

If it's not high volume, but home use. Just use Agave syrup. It's the same sweetness as rich simple syrup and easy to get. It's lasts a long time without going bad too.

From A Hamburger Today

Chain Reaction: Fuddruckers

The problem with Fuddruckers is the same as many casual restaurant chains. The quality of the burger is directly related to the monkey manning the grill. It's a new college student every week where we live. They squish the meat to squeeze out all the moisture and then cook it well done, no matter how you ask for it.
I've been to other ones that are good. I wish our local one was.

From Serious Eats

Hey, Foodies: (Some) Chefs Hate You

If I had food allergies I'd ask the restaurant what they had, or could do, to meet my needs. If I told a restaurant to switch sauces around for me, I'd be the ass**** mentioned above. I didn't see anything in the original quotes saying all "foodies" were ass****s.
I love good food. I expect a restaurant to put out food that matches, or exceeds, what they "advertise". I have very different expectations from a $35 an entrée. ala carte, white tablecloth, restaurant than I do from a roadside diner. I do not expect to tell the chef what to make, or how to make it. If I don't like it, I'll move on to another place, another day. Eventually, I'll find the good places. They appreciate that I like what they do, I appreciate their food. Some places actually starting asking my opinion on new dishes. That's something I've earned, not demanded, or expected by being a pretentious jerk.

From A Hamburger Today

Dear AHT: What Are NYC's 'Must Eat' Burgers? Here Are Our Favorites

Thanks for pointing out the link location. Somehow I didn't see it. It's not a public Google map, but I don't care. I'm more than happy seeing the link location below the map. Thanks.

From A Hamburger Today

Dear AHT: What Are NYC's 'Must Eat' Burgers? Here Are Our Favorites

You need to post this map, and others like it on Google maps so we can download it to our points of interest sections of the GPS. You've already done the hard part making it, please either make it public on Google Maps, or provide private links on AHT.

From Serious Eats

A Sandwich A Day: 'Machine Gun' from Bruges, Salt Lake City

@square_pie: You can probably ask for it to be done your way, but I appreciate that by default it's made the same way it was when I was purchasing it at a
Christmas market booth in Brugges.

@Monsieur_Ghislain. It's the real stuff. There's lots of sauces for the Frites.

From A Hamburger Today

Salt Lake City: Tracking Utah's Pastrami Burger at Crown Burgers

@David - Sorry I missed your comment. I have been to High Mountain Drug as an Food judge for a well known judging I can't talk about since I'm an anonymous judge. It's a very good burger. Better than the CB regular burger. They also do amazing shakes and the location can't be beat.

@BryGuille - Copper Onion is the best burger so far. Of the gourmet burgers at nicer places, Communal's is very good. The Owl Bar/Foundry Grill is excellent. The one at J&G Grill is pretty good. I haven't tried Sage, or Stein's, but they are both on my list.

I did the SE Hamburger Today review for Copper Onion. I have a couple more to do up, but I've been lazy.

From A Hamburger Today

Salt Lake City: Tracking Utah's Pastrami Burger at Crown Burgers

Although the burgers at all the Greek places are very similar, the CB in downtown seems to be more consistent, and better, than the ones down here in Orem and Provo. The pastrami is grissely and the patty can be even more overdone.
I had been meaning to get to Cotton Bottom Inn for years. Finally made it -- and I could not finish the burger. My wife couldn't either. The french bread needs to be toasted, or something. It's just doughey, and not in a good way. The burger is a Sysco frozen patty with garlic powder sprinkled on it and then overcooked. SL Magazine said that too when they put it on the 75 burgers you have to eat. I saw the frozen patty being tossed on the grill and powder sprinkled when I left the exit that goes through the kitchen. We were there on a Sunday afternoon. Maybe worse than normal then. Perhaps at one point it was real garlic and good, but the only thing you can say now is that it's a cool little neighborhood bar, but the burger is all nostalgia, not actually good eats.
The sad truth is that people here have never tasted better than In-N-Out. There is no equivalent of Shake Shack or Pat LaFrieda in the State. One day someone will come in and use fresh beef that's not just ground mega-mart chuck and cook it medium rare. Until then, we are consigned to the best of a mediocre lot. I'll continue to work my way through all the "best" burger places in the State and hope there is one that doesn't disappoint. At least the 30% brisket, 40% chuck and 30% bottom round cooked at my hour medium rare makes a really good burger to use as a baseline of what's good.

From Slice

Fantastic Wood-fired Pizza at Pizzeria 712, Orem, Utah

It's about 5 blocks from the house. I've always known they were as good as the big boys. It's great to see them get their do. You've had quick looks at a couple other places in SLC, but nobody does a better and more consistent job than P712.

From Serious Eats

Seriously Delicious Holiday Giveaway: La Belle Farms Foie Gras

The French version of the 3 course Chinese Peking Duck. A foie gras terrine, soup from the stock, and duck confit and seared breasts for the main course.

From Slice

Daily Slice: Settebello, Salt Lake City

It's a very good pizza. Certainly it's the best in Salt Lake City. They are somewhat inconsistent, but when they are on, it's very good. Unfortunately for people in SLC, but lucky for me, Pizzeria 712 in Orem, is better and always consistent. I'm not associated with either place.

From A Hamburger Today

Salt Lake City: The Copper Onion

I'm sorry to be slow responding. I wasn't watching close enough. @Cedarglen: It's really a nice upscale casual restaurant and worth going to. The bun was darker than the bad picture. The prices aren't out of line for the restaurant. It's really unfortunate that we don't have any really good true casual dining places with burgers that match. However, I'll be trying a few of the places I've not been to in the SLC magazine article. I'm also friends with the author of that article, so I'll contact her for recommendations.

From Serious Eats

Culinary Ambassadors: Breakfast in the Philippines

I stayed at the home of an affluent attorney when I was there, so the breakfast was more traditionally Western, but the mangoes were to die for. I just can't eat the ones here anymore.

From A Hamburger Today

USA Today's '51 Great Burger Joints'

Hi-Mountain Drug in Utah makes a good burger, but the exotic shakes are even better. Considering the said shape of burgers in Utah, this is a place worth mentioning.

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Recent Posts

brownbag hasn't written a post yet.

Recent Favorites

From Recipes

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Caramelized Onions and Bacon

From Recipes

Dinner Tonight: Pasta with Broccoli, Goat Cheese, and Oregano

See more favorites by brownbag »

Polls

From A Hamburger Today

brownbag answered "No way, and I don't know anyone else who does that." to Do You Eat Burgers Around the Periphery Towards the Center?

From Serious Eats: New York

brownbag answered "Yes! I love ice cream no matter the season. " to Do You Eat Ice Cream In The Cold?

From Serious Eats

brownbag answered "Fresh Nutmeg " to What Kind of Nutmeg Do You Use?

From Serious Eats

brownbag answered "Other (write in below!)" to What type of turkey are you cooking for Thanksgiving?

From Serious Eats: New York

brownbag answered "Location is no objection. I'll go anywhere." to How Far Would You Travel For Good Food?

From Serious Eats: New York

brownbag answered "They're a good road map to fine dining, but don't get everything right. " to What Do You Think of the Michelin Stars?

From Serious Eats: New York

brownbag answered "Alton Brown" to Which Celebrity Chef Would You Most Like To Meet?

From Serious Eats

brownbag answered "Drip brew" to How Do You Brew Your Coffee?

From Serious Eats

brownbag answered "Nay." to Breakfast Cereal Marshmallows: Yea or Nay?

From Slice

brownbag answered "No" to Do you work — or have you ever worked — in a pizzeria or the pizza industry?

From Serious Eats

brownbag answered "Something more complicated (explain below)" to Are You Eating Fewer Eggs

From Serious Eats: New York

brownbag answered "YES. Can't get a weekend day started without it." to Do You Drink at Brunch?

From Slice

brownbag answered "A month" to What's the longest you've gone without eating pizza?

From Serious Eats: New York

brownbag answered "Call over the manager. " to How Would You Deal With Restaurant Error?

From A Hamburger Today

brownbag answered "80/20" to What Lean-To-Fat Ratio Do You Prefer When Making Burgers?

From Serious Eats: New York

brownbag answered "I'll eat one if it's in front of me, but wouldn't ever seek one out." to Do You Care About Cupcakes?

From Sweets

brownbag answered "Vanilla" to Soft-Serve Poll: Vanilla, Chocolate, Swirl?

From Serious Eats

brownbag answered "Hash browns!" to Hash browns or home fries?

From A Hamburger Today

brownbag answered "No" to Patty Melt: Is it a Burger?

From Serious Eats

brownbag answered "Never, I'm germophobic." to Do you share drinking straws?

From Serious Eats

brownbag answered "Yes" to Do you toast your Pop-Tarts?

From Slice

brownbag answered "During childhood" to When did you start loving pizza?

From Serious Eats

brownbag answered "Always." to Do you ask before eating off a friend's plate?

From Slice

brownbag answered "In the regular oven (on a pizza stone)" to How Do You Reheat Your Pizza?

From Serious Eats

brownbag answered "Diet" to Do You Prefer Regular or Diet Soda?

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Quizzes

From Serious Eats

brownbag got 50% correct on How Much Do You Know About Barbecue?

From Serious Eats

brownbag got 40% correct on Quiz: How Much Do You Know About French Fries?

From Serious Eats

brownbag got 70% correct on How Much Do You Know About Spring Vegetables?

From Serious Eats

brownbag got 62% correct on How Much Do You Know About Breakfast Foods?

From Serious Eats

brownbag got 100% correct on How Much Do You Know About Irish Food?

From Serious Eats

brownbag got 28% correct on How Much Do You Know About Chocolate Chip Cookies?

From Serious Eats

brownbag got 42% correct on How Much Do You Know About Indianapolis Food Culture?

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About brownbag

Website:

Location: Orem, UT

About: I've eaten at 10,000 bad restaurants to find the 500 good ones. I spent 20 years doing extensive business travel and lots of personal dining. I like my cooking more than most restaurants, so this site covers both loves.

Favorite foods: I like nearly all food, but I have a special place for classically inspired regional cuisine.

Last bite on earth: Seared foie gras with a balsamic riesling reduction on toasted baguette.