I don't get to dine out as much as I'd like, but try to explore new places when I can. Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Paseo in Seattle for the first time. It is a mega-popular place that specializes in Cuban sandwiches and other Caribbean foods. Many sites (including SE, I think) have billed their sandwiches as among the best in Seattle, if not the northwest. I was so excited to finally try it, and my friend and I ordered their Caribbean Roast and Paseo Press (two of their most popular items). While I can understand why Paseo is so popular - the pork was definitely succulent - it didn't blow me away. Don't get me wrong - the sandwiches were tasty, and I'm glad for the experience. I guess I let myself get caught up in the hype, and was expecting a truly transcendent sandwich. In the end, even though it was a good meal, I felt let-down (and then felt guilty for feeling let down). Has anyone else had a similar experience?

Leandra's Cereal column has had me racking my brain to remember a cereal I loved while on study abroad in Australia (1996). The cereal had a slightly sweet/oaty taste; pieces were rectangular with several holes. I think it may have been Kelloggs Nutri-Grain cereal, but not 100% sure. I scarfed this every morning for breakfast in the dorm cafeteria, and still crave it. Does anyone know if this cereal is sold in the US, perhaps under a different name (since "Nutri-Grain" is used for their fruit bars]?

I love the holidays, but the past few years have left me feeling a bit blue in part because I no longer have my grandmothers. My paternal grandmother was Norwegian, and a fabulous cook. Every year for Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve, up until her early 90s, she'd prepare a full spread of food that reflected both her Norwegian heritage and her mastery of traditional American food. My single greatest regret is that I did not take her up on her multiple offers to learn how to prepare some of these foods. While I can make lefse and krum kake, I cannot find her recipes for, nor recreate the flavors of, her doughnuts, yulekake or rhubarb sauce (just to name a few). What favorite food do you wish you could make or recreate, but can't?

I see that my grocery store has just started stocking Betty Crocker's new line of gluten-free mixes. Has anyone tried them, yet? I have several colleagues who are gluten-intolerant, and when it is my turn to provide dessert for our weekly meetings, I don't want them to feel left out. However, no matter how hard I try, and what recipe I use, I've had zero success in baking gluten-free brownies. I'm curious to give the mix a try, but am concerned not only about the taste, but whether it is truly gluten-free (i.e. won't cause problems for my colleagues).

I've never visited San Francisco before, but this summer I will be attending two conferences in SF (a month apart). The venues are in the Union Square and Embarcadero areas (near the financial district, I'm told). All lunches are on our own, and depending on the schedule, I have 60-90 min. for lunch. I would love some recommendations for good, inexpensive eats in the general area (I've already made note of recommendations for the Ferry Building on other Serious Eats posts, and will definitely make that one of my stops). I'm open to just about any cuisine (but have a weakness for good pannini sandwiches). Thank you!

So, today was one of those days - I wanted to make the Chicken Paprikash that was posted on Serious Eats earlier in the week. Everything was going well up until I tried to add the caraway seeds. I've never cooked with caraway seeds before, so bought a new jar for the occasion - only I couldn't break the seal. When I finally broke the seal, I also lost my grip on the jar, and seeds went flying all over my kitchen, most of it landing in the skillet. I tried to scrape out as much as I could, but the paprikash is completely inedible. At least I was dining alone - no witnesses! Note to self: open up everything before cooking! What is your worst/most embarrassing cooking disaster?