Cynthia wrote:Two things from my recent visit to mom in Michigan: ham salad from Drier's in Three Oaks (ham is actually the dominant flavor, with pickle, onion, and mayo playing important but subtle supporting roles); hot pastrami at Stage Deli in Farmington Hills (with the mushroom barley soup a close second).

Three Oaks, MI? Interesting, I hadn't tried Drier's yet, but now reading this makes me want to go by there next time I'm in Three Oaks. Speaking of Three Oaks, though I am sad Pleasant House closed, Viola Cafe(IIRC how the name is spelled) is decent for breakfast. It's across the street from the town/village hall, btw.

And if you ever head east to Niles, MI, go a little east of their downtown to try The Prized Pig. It's a surprisingly great southern barbeque restaurant, and one I didn't expect I'd find in Niles! IIRC the location, it's on US 12 about 2 miles east of the Michigan Hwy. 60 bypass and exit, and southeast of downtown Niles. Special thanks to my brother, for telling me about that place. Since if you didn't hear about it operating from someone else(as it isn't in Niles' downtown), one may not even realize it's in Niles at all.

The Royale with Cheese at Bad Apple on Saturday- trumpet royale mushroom, roasted shallot and truffle butter, arugula and gruyere. The burger was a perfect rare/medium rare and the fries (plain) were THE best fries I've ever had. A dark golden brown that stayed crispy. I am a salt junky so I added a little to the burger. The fries were perfect.

Pizza from Wells Bros. in Racine. Excellent sausage, quality mushrooms, perfect crust.
Has anyone else been nailing quality control as long as these guys?
Worth the 20 minute detour off the interstate, construction and all.

Lamb Hashwi at Bernie's Lunch and Supper
660 N Orleans St, Chicago, IL 60654

The pita bread was soooo good. It almost had the fluffyness of an Auntie Anne's pretzel. The seasoning in the lamb was great and paired with the nuts/hummus, it was fantastic. Oh, and they have happy hour.

3 dollar drafts. Yep, 3 dollar Apex Predator from OffColor, Sofie, you name it.

What else is on the happy hour food menu? Lamb Hashwi, fries, and a tomato spread + bread.

Best happy hour in RN? Perhaps.

Grilled Pork Collar w/cornbread puree, peach chow-chow, roasted peppers, ruby streaks

At Charlatan viewtopic.php?f=14&t=42556
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Farm egg, maitake, delicate at Lula café yesterday for brunch.
This was perfect in every single bite! Sorry I didn't grab a bad camera shot.

This.
Marinated Olive Salad
pomegranate molasses, walnut
vinaigrette, mint.
The Heritage.
7403 Madison St
Forest Park, IL 60130
(708) 435 4937

Damak!

I am not much of a chocolate lover. But I spotted a milk chocolate square filled with pistachios and said why not⁉️

It is delicious. It is new to the states, but well known in Turkey. Don't be put off that it is Nestle. The chocolate and pistachios are from Turkey.
Just shy of 3oz/80 g cost $2.99.

hoppy2468 wrote:This.
Marinated Olive Salad
pomegranate molasses, walnut
vinaigrette, mint.
The Heritage.
7403 Madison St
Forest Park, IL 60130
(708) 435 4937

This sounds inspired by Paula Wolfert.
I had this at Turkob's place years ago. It is a favorite and I make it during the holiday season.
http://globalpragmatica.com/?p=56

Just went to Parachute over the weekend and while I liked everything, I thought that the dessert of Kabocha Squash Sorbet with Caramel was outstanding. The mix of textures, temperatures, and taste showed some real thought. Execution was great.

pairs4life wrote:Damak!

I am not much of a chocolate lover. But I spotted a milk chocolate square filled with pistachios and said why not⁉️

It is delicious. It is new to the states, but well known in Turkey. Don't be put off that it is Nestle. The chocolate and pistachios are from Turkey.
Just shy of 3oz/80 g cost $2.99.

Where did you find this chocolate wonder?

at bangbang pie shop i had a most delicious lunch of cheddar grits topped with brussel sprouts hash/butternut squash and wild mushrooms. what a great contrast between the slightly bitter sprouts and the naturally sweet squash....

stevez wrote:

pairs4life wrote:Damak!

I am not much of a chocolate lover. But I spotted a milk chocolate square filled with pistachios and said why not⁉️

It is delicious. It is new to the states, but well known in Turkey. Don't be put off that it is Nestle. The chocolate and pistachios are from Turkey.
Just shy of 3oz/80 g cost $2.99.

Where did you find this chocolate wonder?

Could have sworn I submitted a post earlier. These are at Fresh Farms in both milk and dark chocolate. 2 for $5. They have also showed up at various Walgreens over the past year.

stevez wrote:

pairs4life wrote:Damak!

I am not much of a chocolate lover. But I spotted a milk chocolate square filled with pistachios and said why not⁉️

It is delicious. It is new to the states, but well known in Turkey. Don't be put off that it is Nestle. The chocolate and pistachios are from Turkey.
Just shy of 3oz/80 g cost $2.99.

Where did you find this chocolate wonder?

Sorry,

I was in the car, Pete's Fresh Market.

pairs4life wrote:

stevez wrote:

pairs4life wrote:Damak!

I am not much of a chocolate lover. But I spotted a milk chocolate square filled with pistachios and said why not⁉️

It is delicious. It is new to the states, but well known in Turkey. Don't be put off that it is Nestle. The chocolate and pistachios are from Turkey.
Just shy of 3oz/80 g cost $2.99.

Where did you find this chocolate wonder?

Sorry,

I was in the car, Pete's Fresh Market.

i am bothered that this is sold by nestles. nestle's is 1 of many big corporations that relies on child labor to grow/harvest its chocolate. a good reason, imo, not to be buying this chocolate bar... http://usuncut.com/news/beware-of-these ... ld-slaves/

Thanks.

Hershey, Mars, and Godiva, and Kraft aka Mondolez are also on the list from Joan's link.

Trimmings from squaring up high quality salmon for gravlax along with grated beet, also used for gravlax. Tossed in a saute pan with scant water, fleck of sugar/salt/white pepper, sprigs of dill and a splash of cider vinegar. Gently simmered until barely cooked though.

Silky rich palate popping salmon, day-glow reddish pink color with earthy vegetal notes providing subtle bass line. Fresh crusty bread sopping up every last beet hued drop.

Scraps, which I momentarily considered tossing, into one of the best snacks in recent memory.

Gary,

The surprise for me was the splash of cider vinegar, though obviously it worked. I certainly wouldn't have thought of it.

Thanks for the idea.

Regards,
Cathy2

I attended an event last night at which the Nomad Food Company served up 4 incredible types of pizza from their wood-burning oven . . .

Margherita Pizza
Red Sauce, Fresh Mozzarella, Basil

River Valley Ranch Mushroom Pizza
Braised Mushroom Mix, Pickled Shiitakes, Roasted Oyster Mushrooms, w/ Onions, Garlic, Thyme, Olive Oil, & Mozzarella

The Alsatian
Olive Oil, Hickory Smoked Confit Bacon Ends, Caramelized Onions, Fresh Thyme, Mozzarella & Gruyere Cheeses

The Underground
Crispy Soppresatta, Spicy N’duja Red Sauce, Roasted Rapini, Mozzarella, Chives

These were all so great, it was hard to choose a favorite. And 20 people ate almost 30 pizzas!

=R=

Were you on the east coast or did you mean Nomad Food Company?

scottsol wrote:Were you on the east coast or did you mean Nomad Food Company?

Yes - Nomad Food. Sorry about that.

=R=

justjoan wrote:at bangbang pie shop i had a most delicious lunch of cheddar grits topped with brussel sprouts hash/butternut squash and wild mushrooms. what a great contrast between the slightly bitter sprouts and the naturally sweet squash....

I had those last week, you're right - delicious!

the ropa vieja empanada at the new Cafe Tola is what breakfast dreams are made of

Shrimp & Pumpkin Bisque @ Cafe Des Artistes in Puerto Vallarta

Delicious prep, served from a pumpkin.

Had family in from out of town and hit Gather in Lincoln Square to celebrate some career-related good fortune. The meal was a hit all around but I can't stop thinking about the apple fritter dessert, served with simple vanilla ice cream. Sublime.

stevez wrote:Shrimp & Pumpkin Bisque @ Cafe Des Artistes in Puerto Vallarta

Delicious prep, served from a pumpkin.

A favorite of mine for 20 years... have had it almost every time we've dined at Cafe. Sadly, this will be my first winter not visiting PV since 1996 (Zika, trying to start family).

The fried oyster salad at Lüke during a recent trip to New Orleans. Those oysters were amazing. Little pockets of intense richness.

Kung Pao Tofu at Jade Court. It's not something I would even think to order, but it turned out to be a revelation.

Jade Court
626 S Racine Ave
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 929-4828

The house soup (hearty bean soup served with avocado and half a banana) from Rapidito Colombian at a Fooda pop-up. It's really hitting the spot. The banana in the soup works.

Chinese cauliflower dish was sublime. Fresh sea scallop steamed in shell so sweet. Both at Jade Court. 626 S Racine.