Random Food Questions Thread

[edinatlanta]

Any tempeh recipes? Not some bullshit-boho-meat-replacement ****, but like traditional Indonesian?

 

[erictheobscure]

Pleb query: my local overpriced gourmet store sells super expensive dried pasta ($8 - $15 per package). Is high-end imported dried pasta somehow really amazing or would I be a chump to try it out of curiosity?

 

[b1os]

Which producer? Rustichella d'Abruzzo, for example, at 3 € / 500 g (for the "regular" shapes), is amazing. I usually buy De Cecco though (500 g for 1.70 €-ish), which is very good and has a better qpr. $8-$15 sounds like a lot. How much are real canned San Marzano tomatoes?

 

[erictheobscure]

Should've made a note of the brand names. The $15 pasta was in a fancy gift/presentation box that screamed ripoff. I usually use De Cecco.

Forget how much San Marzano tomatoes are--maybe around $5 for a can?

 

[venividivicibj]

Making short ribs tomorrow. Any recs for sides? Was thinking of doing a sous vide of carrots and maybe something else

 

[Piobaire]

Oven roasted root veg medley?

 

[Bellafonte27]

Mashed sweet potatoes!

 

[venividivicibj]

thanks guys - ended up doing mashed potatoes with some oven roasted carrots

 

[sonick]

Going to Paris early May, need input. If I could only do one splurge meal at a Michelin star place (and even that would probably would have to do a lunch menu; EUR150 to EUR200), what place would you recommend? I love Ducasse's videos, my first pick without really doing any research at all would be Arpege.

Edit: Guy Savoy has a EUR110 lunch menu, perhaps that...

Perhaps a more affordable, fewer michelin-star place to recommend?

 

[venividivicibj]

Going to Paris early May, need input. If I could only do one splurge meal at a Michelin star place (and even that would probably would have to do a lunch menu; EUR150 to EUR200), what place would you recommend? I love Ducasse's videos, my first pick without really doing any research at all would be Arpege.

Edit: Guy Savoy has a EUR110 lunch menu, perhaps that...

Perhaps a more affordable, fewer michelin-star place to recommend?

is this for one person or two?

 

[sonick]



is this for one person or two?

two, listed budget is per person

 

[poorsod]



Going to Paris early May, need input. If I could only do one splurge meal at a Michelin star place (and even that would probably would have to do a lunch menu; EUR150 to EUR200), what place would you recommend? I love Ducasse's videos, my first pick without really doing any research at all would be Arpege.

Edit: Guy Savoy has a EUR110 lunch menu, perhaps that...

Perhaps a more affordable, fewer michelin-star place to recommend?

L'Arpege, a Passard restaurant, has a 140 euro lunch menu that's very vegetarian. I had the vegetarian menu quite a few years ago and many dishes had an Asian theme. I found that menu a little hit or miss. The vegetarian sushi is still the best melt in your mouth sushi I've ever had. Other dishes reminded me of Asian dishes but tasted a little off.

I went to Meurice after Ducasse took it over. Place is beautiful and food is good but I'm not in a rush to go back. Here are some pics from the Paris restaurant thread.
http://www.styleforum.net/t/370258/paris-restaurants/0_30#post_7055380

Best bang for the buck (places I would return):
Traditional French : Le Comptoir du Relais (casual ambiance) vs Spring (formal ambiance).
Inventive French : David Toutain

 

[t3hg0suazn]

I think in terms of 3 Michelin star, L'Arpege lunch is quite good bang-for-your-buck. Many courses are just a single bite but there are still around 20 courses, which is very much up to whim of chef (two different diners might get different things). Almost all vegetarian (there was a fish dish at the end). The atmosphere at lunch is very lively so the whole thing is a lot of fun. I will admit I remember the atmosphere/experience more than the food itself. It was my favorite meal on a recent trip all things considered.

I think Paris' strength is more in the sheer quantity of good food available vs a single meal-to-beat-them-all. I would hop between modern and traditional bistros to get the best food experience.

 

[poorsod]

I think you had a better time at L'Arpege than I did. I'll be back this summer. Maybe I'll give it a second try.

 

[ehkay]



Going to Paris early May, need input. If I could only do one splurge meal at a Michelin star place (and even that would probably would have to do a lunch menu; EUR150 to EUR200), what place would you recommend? I love Ducasse's videos, my first pick without really doing any research at all would be Arpege.

Edit: Guy Savoy has a EUR110 lunch menu, perhaps that...

Perhaps a more affordable, fewer michelin-star place to recommend?

Knowing nothing about your tastes, who you're going with, etc., I'd say Savoy. The new location looks amazing, and the chances of disappointment are much lower than somewhere like Arpege. IIRC you also get to order off the full menu.

In any of those places, unless you have amazing self control, prepare to pay a bit more than the menu price. Champagne? Sure why not? Coffee? Of course. . . . You get the idea.

I'd consider Le Cinq also (Le Squer is the best IMO), but check what they're serving on the lunch deal first.