We post our newsletter in the hope this group might enjoy our subscriber's comments about restaurants. If you like reading and writing about restaurant-dining experiences, you may obtain a free subscription to Foodie Forum by emailing the message: Subscribe Foodies to [email removed] Enjoy! 7-19-97 --------A word from your striving moderator------ Greetings beloved Foodies! Welcome to the offficial, inaugural Foodie Forum Newsletter/Discussion List! My apology for missing the promised 7-12 mailing date. "Coollist", the free service who performs much of our organizational and mailing chores, took a sudden hiatus. I'm shopping for a more reliable supplier as we speak. Contributors desiring a rare, collector's copy of the final issue of my (print) publication, Tabletips Dining Guide, may request same by emailing me their snailmail addresses. I'd promised copies to early contributors to our little list. This is the issue wherein your humble moderator appears on the cover in his guise as the infamous, "Anonymous Food Critic". ;-) Please remember our list is a dialogue made up of member's written contributions. Feel free to comment, remark, expound, criticize or opine upon any facet of restaurant dining. Writer's welcome your response to their contributions. But we must contribute; your most innocuous scribble may be seen by others as profound and insightful. Also welcome: your favorite Internet/WWW addresses of noteworthy food and restaurant- dining sites for publication herein. Please write. Lurkers may be unceremoniously bounced after a respectable interval. Please try to include details in your restaurant reviews. Without address, phone, city, state, country, email address when available, readers who want to contact and/or patronize featured eateries will experience difficulty. As moderator, I need your comments and suggestions for our list. Constructive criticism is welcome. When writing, please keep typewritten lines to a maximum of 65 characters. Insert a hard "Enter" at the end of each line. Please send copies of our discussion to fellow foodies. All are welcome to join. We now number about 200; let's shoot for 1000! That should guarantee a llively discourse. Thanks to the fearless Foodies who contributed to our debut effort. Not all were published herein. We're saving some for the next issue. Now is the time for you to write. Write as you might speak when among friends discussing favorite (or least favorite), eateries.Tell us about a dining nightmare. How do you feel about lousy servers? Got an opinion about unruly kids and parents who permit (if not encourage) them to disturb us as we dine. You're among friends; get it off your chest here in your very own Foodie Forum. Bon Apetit! Your struggling moderator Zylph -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- To Subscribe: Email message: "Subscribe Foodies" to [email removed] -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- To contribute: Send articles to: [email removed] NOTE: Important we use all lower case letters in this address When/If coollist is unwell; send all to [email removed] -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ Address questions, comments, remarks or personal attacks upon your modest moderator to: [email removed] -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- ****************Larry's California Dreams************* Overall, My second favorite L.A. restaurant is Joe's in Venice. Owner Joe Milleris is almost always in the kitchen. This Chef insists on serving each dish at its peak of freshness and flavor. Shrimp are juicy and taste of the sea. Lamb is prepared perfectly medium rare. Tomatoes are ripe and flavorful. His brioche is incredible. A full, 4-course meal averages $35.00. and is well worth the price. Joes, 10233 Abbot Kinney, Venice, CA; (310) 399-5811. My absolute favorite is Patina, in Hollywood, where one may enjoy the meal of a lifetime for an average of $65. Highlights include generous use of truffles, fois gras and caviar. Email me for details: [email removed] Larry Falkin a.k.a. Larry The Locksmith ------------------Moderator's Note--------------------- Thanks, Larry! Sounds interesting, but we need to know more. More details, please. -------------------------------------------------------------------- *********Etta's Seafood, Seattle, WA; USA************* Hi Fellow Foodies! Seattle is famous for seafood and one of her most famous landmarks is the Pike Place Market. On the Market's northern edge is Etta's Seafood, run by (arguably), Seattle's most famous chef/restaurateur, Tom Douglas. But who cares about famous, we want quality right? I dined there not long ago and still rave about the place whenever seafood restaurants are mentioned. To recap our experience: Four of us arrived and were promptly seated. The place is fun, casual, not as noisy as some but not quiet by any means.We ordered beverages and appetizers to share. I thought an octupus appetizer daring, but bravely tried it; it was quite good. The clams were delicious (but then, I'm a clam-lover). We ordered a variety of entrees. I enjoy fish, but love steak, so succumbed and ordered the menu's lone beef item: the New York steak. My wife ordered salmon (broiled as I recall) and our friends each ordered other seafood dishes. As soon as our entrees arrived we sampled and then cut off portions to share around. Our guests dishes were good, even delightful, but not great IMO. However, my wife's salmon was to die for! There was nothing wrong with my steak, but I wished I'd ordered the salmon. I'd have traded in a heartbeat. Texture and flavor were superb! Dessert was another delight. Tho called something generic like "mud pie" on the menu, my pie had a chocolate graham cracker crust with a mousse-like filling. I love mousse! Another bull's eye (pardon the pun). It was rich and I had a strong cup of coffee with it (they serve Starbuck's); but couldn't finish it. I wanted to, but couldn't. Service was friendly and helpful without being chatty. From start to finish everything was enjoyable. With appetizers, a drink per person, desserts and coffee we spent about $140. Not the cheapest meal in town, but the quality is well worth it! Go and enjoy! Wayne, with Savvy Diner For Savvy Diner data, Emailto: [email removed] -------------------Moderator's Note----------------------- Wayne. Tsk, tsk. Some folks in this group of sophisticated Foodies might tell you it's not savvy to order beef in a seafood joint. But not I! ;-) -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- ***************I&J Station House ******************** 233 W. Lantana Road. Lantana, Fl. 33462 USA [561] 547-9487 Having Lived In Palm Beach Cy, FL practically forever, I was amazed to discover this terrific restaurant. At the invitation of a friend, I had dinner at the I&J last week. It was very good, moderately priced and quaint. The restaurant is an old house with what seems to be many additions. It is air-conditioned (a recent amenity I'm told), and comfortably casual. It specializes in lobster and other seafare, but does an admirable job with steaks and ribs. Our group of 4 shared a couple of appetizers which all enjoyed. We had Clams Oreganata which were tender and perfectly seasoned. We also tried Marinated Tenderloin Tips which were nothing short of sensational. Prepared in garlic-butter sauce, they were tender and juicey. These would make a good entree. My main course was soft shelled crabs sauteed in lemon-butter sauce: wonderful! Just the right size and doneness.My friends each had a different entree and we tasted everyone's to our mutual satisfaction. A two-lb. lobster cooked perfectly; ribs were good but not my favorite and barbecued shrimp which also were good. The house salad of mixed greens with rasp- berry, balsamic vinegar, ranch-style dressing (their description), was a whole lot better than it sounded. The restaurant has a full-service bar. All that food left no room for dessert so I can't comment on that. I will return soon and often. Connie Kaufman emailto: [email removed] -------------Moderator's Note------------------------ Softshells! My favorite. Over here in Sarasota, FL, we get 'em at the Original Oyster Bar; The servers always laugh when I order up "A bunch of spiders!" ---------------------------------------------------------------- ***********Rose's excellent journey to Hawaii*********** The Beach House Restaurant, 5022 Lawai Road Kuhio Shores at Poipu Beach in Kaua'i (opposite Prince Kuhio Park); 808 742 1424. ALSO, Roy's Poipu Bar and Grill, Poipu Shopping Village. 808 742 5000 Kaua'i is an amazing and seemingly unending source of delicious food. Throughout our stay, we had Mahi sandwiches everywhere we went, from the Inter-Island Airport coffee shop to the Beach House Restaurant ($2.25 to $28.00 respectively); each was fabulous and succulent. "It's ono!" (so good!) Each with Maui onion of course. No ka'oi- the best. Whatever we ordered was really excellent. Your Island hosts want you to have the island's traditional good food. Twenty-five years ago it was the same, very cozy island; very good food. Definitely plant a food flag here! One very interesting contrast was between Roy Yamaguchi's 'Roy's of Poipu', and our Beach House Restaurant. Entrees at both were priced within a dollar of each other were all very good. And there ends the similarity. The Hawaiian graciousness of the Beach House was an invitation to experience the environment. The 'let's make a buck off the tourists' orientation at Roy's, coupled with the chain store spin, locked us into an *event* mentaliity relentlessly pursued. The waitress asked us not less than 50 questions during our meal. From "did you enjoy the shrimp?/ahi?/vegies?/ rice?/ dessert?" to the ubiquitous plunder and relentless "may I take your spoon?/knife?/fork?/plate? /bowl?/napkin?/glass?/cup?"??? ***Hey, just clear the table without me!*** Roy's best 'event', the presentation of the beautifully prepared entree, became just another occasion to interupt with questions before we even took a bite...as she placed our entree before us, she queried: "Do you want dessert???" Yes. "Would you like to select it now?" **NO!** Undaunted, her outstretched hand shoved the menu in our faces, demanding that we abandon our freshly served entree to attend to her needs for our dessert order. It was the worst service I've ever experienced. And it was due to self-congratulatory over-attention, not neglect. We were invisible; our role was merely to serve their needs. Your fellow Foodie: Emailto: [email removed] Santa Monica, CA PS: Also the staff at the Beach House was busily attending to a huge monk seal that parked itself right down in the middle of the beach for the afternoon. They made sure that all we tourists knew not to invade the area around the seal for any reason. Sometimes tourists tease monk seals without realizing it, so the seals are protected by law. The entire staff is cordial and accomodating. Poipu shopping village is quite nice, with lovely shops. Also Brenneke's Beach Broiler at Poipu Beach Park has been serving good food in the local manner for over 20 years (808 742 7588). Every spot on the Island served wonderful fish, including the counter at the airport! Kukuiulu Market, also nearby, right off Lawai Road, offered the freshest Ahi every morning, cut sashimi style. This fish was probably caught about 2 hours before it hit the shelf at the Kukuiulu Market! ---------------------------Moderator's mutterings---------------------- My only question, Rose: How did you like Roy's? -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------- ***************Some of Santa Cruz, CA's Best************** There are some very unique eateries in Santa Cruz, CA..Don't know how upscale you want - fancy decor, fancy clothes, fancy prices? Or great food, relaxed atmosphere, innovative cooks? It's always hard to tell, but here are my choices: Shadowbrook - in Capitola. A fantastic view, traditional cuisine and a very good reputation as the "romantic" place to take a someone special. Chaminade - in Soquel, up the hill: hosts lots of conferences, has a fine-cuisine dining room. Al Dente - in the Capitola Mercantile. Too casual for upscale, but the food is authentic Italian, prepared by an eccentric Venetian who cooks behind an open counter, kisses all his regular Italian customers, and plays loud Italian rock 'n roll while serving the best pasta in the area! The Crow's Nest - by the Yacht Harbor: great romantic view of the ocean and sunsets, traditional seafood (don't get the paella though!) Omei - on Mission St. going out of town (before it becomes US Hwy 1): very authentic Chinese cuisine without a Chinese cook in sight! The owner studied Asian subjects, traveled through China, learned about Chinese Cuisine, married a Chinese woman; set up a fantastic restaurant that presents truly tasty Chinese food (not Americanized stuff we're innundated with). In downtown Santa Cruz - on or around Pacific Avenue - the main drag (they use the best and freshest organic produce picked every Wed from their downtown Farmer's Market - also the best in the area!): Oswalds - elegant continental cuisine in a modern atmosphere Pearl Alley Bistro - more elegant continental cuisine, with a great exterior paint job and outdoor seating area that looks like the Mediterranean (except for the poor view - a parking lot - but they try to hide it with huge urns of blooming plants) Costa Brava - not-your-usual south-american cuisine Gabriella's Cafe - small, intimate, continental cuisine India Joze - definitely Santa Cruz eccentric and ethnic, with a wide variety of foods with Pacific Rim backgrounds (Indonesian, etc), and "theme" months (the squid festival, etc). BUT as far as upscale goes - you can get great food and wine, pricey menus and all - but Santa Cruz is a beach town, and the idea locals and visitors have is to relax and let your hair down. Bon apetit! [email removed] -------------------------------Moderator---------------------------------- ----- Thanks, Cody. A tempting synopsis of Santa Cruz boites. Sounds similar to my area. Great beach/tourist area. Very casual, though we have world-class spots where tie and jacket are often seen. But bring your wallet! -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------- *************ChefMimi does Aspen************* Cache-Cache, Aspen, CO, USA, 205 South Mill Street, Aspen, CO 81611 970-925-835 Imagine. A top-rated restaurant, without a stuffy atmosphere, without stuffy servers, without stuffy chairs, and with reasonable prices. Yes, I said reasonable. I found it - and I found it in Aspen, Colorado, believe it or not! It’s Cache Cache (pronounced cash-cash by the reservationist, but those of us who speak French would give it a slightly different pronounciation.....). Although advertised as a Southern French bistro, I’m not sure that the chef is aware of this. The menu covered a variety of culinary regions, including Alsace, Tuscany, and even Morocco. But most dishes were generally Mediter- annean in nature, plus some from that hard-to-pinpoint “modern” cuisine that originates in the chef’s brain (with lots of portabello- this and sun-dried-tomato-that). I quickly forgave him for his deviation, however, because all of the food was perfect. Appetizers included the fabulous “Onion tart strudel served with tomato-coriander sauce” and “Prosciutto with grilled eggplant and field greens.” Entrees, which averaged $15- $20, included pastas, fish, meats, and game, as well as some fantastic vegetarian dishes such as “Polenta tart with baby vegetables, pesto, and fresh mozzarella”. I wish I had room for the “Osso Bucco in marsala sauce, served with French lentils and garlic mashed potatoes.” Instead, I opted for the less filling “Angel hair pasta with tomatoes, chevre, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and basil”. All of the food I sampled was simple in assemby and presentation, something I appreciate. But most importantly, it was delicious. None of us made it to desserts, but each one was tantalizing. I would have chosen “Assorted gelato with fresh berries and biscotti” had I not eaten too much already.... In its restaurant issue published last October 1996, Gourmet Magazine rated Cache-Cache #6 of all Denver and Aspen restaurants. For good reason! This bistro is neither pretentious or overly expensive, but it serves wonderful food in a pleasant atmosphere. Because it was a beautiful June evening, our party ate outside in the courtyard, which was relaxing and romantic. All things considered, that night at Cache-Cache has become one of my most memorable dining experiences. Call first not only for reservations, but to get good directions to this tucked- away bistro in downtown Aspen. Emailto: [email removed] -------------------------------Moderator's Note------------------------- ChefMimi previously wrote an enlightening review of Nora's, in DC. Subscribers who missed it may request a copy. Email requests to: [email removed] -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- *********DC's Ray Johnson visits my neighborhood******** To:ZYLPH Just a quick note on my trip to Sarasota. I put on my own grouper festival since I wanted to sample local seafood cooking. Had it three times: Cafe Bijou (blackened; good, but Cajun does't really suit the fish, IMHO), Carmichaels (overcooked to mush), and Michael's Seafood Grille (ok but accompanied with an "Middle Eastern Rice" which had an odd chemical flavor). I was reminded of eating in seafood restaurants on Maryland's eastern shore -- where the quality of fish is seldom matched by the competence of the cooks. Oh yes, a grouper sandwich at the Hyatt's Boathouse-- where it was no better than it needed to be. Salads were often the best part of the meals. Excellent at Cafe Bijou and Carmichaels,eccentric at David Michaels (where the lunch menu was all salad). Quality of the produce at the Farmers' Market was really impressive-- superior to what you'd be able to find at the very pricey Dean and DeLuca's in NY and DC. Best meal overall: Michael's on East. Nicely done scallops with a saffron risotto. Service was pleasant, if a bit rushed -- but it was Saturday night, and prom night as well. A curiosity was the risotto at Michael's Seafood Grille where it was stuffed into a poblano, along with an acrid tasting chevre. We went to the Seafood Grille because it was close to the hotel and the weather was threatening (the original intention was to try the Burns Lane Cafe and go to the movies afterwards). Some of the John Tesh crew wereat the next table, and they were very, very demanding. It was fun to see the staff try to handle harassment from the testy Teshites. People watching was almost as much fun at First Watch. Sorry the visit was over so quickly, with so many of your recommended restaurants untried. Today's New York Times has nice things to say about Euphemia Haye. Now I'll turn my attention to DC restaurants. Regards, Ray Johnson [email removed] --------------------Moderator Explains----------------- Ray Johnson and I met via a Foodie Newsgroup. He requested a copy of my sketch of eateries in my area. Listmembers interested in more detail on places he's mentioned may Email me: [email removed] -------------------------------------------------------------------------- - An egg of one hour old, bread of one day, a goat of one month, wine of six months, flesh of a year, fish of ten years and a wife of twenty years, a friend among a hundred, are the best of all number. John Wodroephe, Spared Hours 1623
Colorado