Foodies Unite!

[mjkoehler]

Damn right, you're spoiled Bbill! I was getting stuff ready for my green bean casserole yesterday and was thinking, "If I lived in California this would be fresh AND local"  But alas, we've had a few hard frosts and we won't see fresh green beans again till May (unless they're shipped in from California)  >:(

That's why we set aside some from our harvest and froze. Even frozen homegrown taste better then store bought. Also, I have seeds for you and Liz to share for 2010 season.

[pawpaw]

Great thread.   I don't think I am a food snob, but I'd rather go without than eat crap.
 
I'm jealous of Ruckus. That is a restaurant I've been wanting to go to for a couple of years now.  The food is reported to be amazing (though I must say visually off putting).

BBill - have you gone to The Kitchen or Ella?  Both are amazing!    

I have eaten at Ella, not at The Kitchen (yet...dining out has slowed, A LOT since baby). Ella was great, we had a really nice meal. Cool interior too. There's another place down near there (19th, near L) called Mulvaney's, and that's the best restaurant I've been to here in Sacramento. I recommend checking that place out if you haven't.  :)

And I think I should clarify what my self-proclaimed 'food snob' status means to me. I'll eat at Applebees, got no problem with the place. I don't do it often, but it's not trying to be something it isn't, and they've got some tasty, fatty food there that I like. I can dig on fast food every once in a while too (In 'n Out, Chick Fil-A being top choices). I do have a problem paying good money for food that isn't REALLY good, and I definitely don't want to go out and pay good money for something that I feel like I could do better than at home. My standards are pretty darn high at this point after being lucky enough to have eaten at some great places - I (perhaps unfairly) have some great ones to compare against. Maybe it's a matter of value for me, or effort, or talent...not sure...I just can't stand going to a place in an incredible building, with a huge wine collection and a high priced menu that just can't bring it with the food.

[pawpaw]

Damn right, you're spoiled Bbill! I was getting stuff ready for my green bean casserole yesterday and was thinking, "If I lived in California this would be fresh AND local"  But alas, we've had a few hard frosts and we won't see fresh green beans again till May (unless they're shipped in from California)  >:(

P.S. Has anyone read the Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan?

Yeah, the extended growing seasons in the mild, coastal regions like the Salinas Valley, and Oxnard Plain allow for crazy long production. Through the winter, most of our fruits in the big grocery stores will be coming from Mexico or South America but we've got a lot of great seasonal stuff that will just be getting going. Outstanding farmers markets too...Lucy, you ever go to the one under the freeway  downtown between W and X? That one's pretty great. Davis is nice too (plus, it's not under a freeway  ;D).

[capt. scotty]

And I think I should clarify what my self-proclaimed 'food snob' status means to me. I'll eat at Applebees, got no problem with the place. I don't do it often, but it's not trying to be something it isn't, and they've got some tasty, fatty food there that I like.

Not to go off topic, but what do you recommend at Applebee's?  ;D

Im not picky at all, but that place is the worst of the chain restaurants 1 level above fast food IMO (ie them, Chili's, TGI, etc). The only decent thing Ive ever had there was that chicken penne dish. Theyve even found ways too eff up my burger.

[Jaimoe]

I try to avoid eating in all big chain restaurants particularly because they use processed meats and veggies plus they also load up on far too much sodium.

I like to eat at places that buy fresh local produce and meats and fortunately I live right around the corner from four mid to higher end restaurants that do just that. I'm pretty spoiled though since there are over 80 restaurants within a 15 minute walk from my apartment; over half are Greek cuisine (but I'm only a casual fan of Greek food).

[pawpaw]

And I think I should clarify what my self-proclaimed 'food snob' status means to me. I'll eat at Applebees, got no problem with the place. I don't do it often, but it's not trying to be something it isn't, and they've got some tasty, fatty food there that I like.

Not to go off topic, but what do you recommend at Applebee's?  ;D

Im not picky at all, but that place is the worst of the chain restaurants 1 level above fast food IMO (ie them, Chili's, TGI, etc). The only decent thing Ive ever had there was that chicken penne dish. Theyve even found ways too eff up my burger.

;D Sorry to ruin your thread with Applebees talk Ruckus.  ;D

To tell you the truth Cap'n, I don't know a specific item from their menu off the top of my head - it's probably been at least 6 months since I've been there. I don't mind the place though, understand what I'm getting when I go and can enjoy it for what it is. My food snobbery only really kicks in with places that want to be taken seriously, but don't make seriously good food. It's two different leagues - The Mass Produced, Convenience League, and The Gourmet (and Wannabe Gourmet) League. And yes, there's plenty of grey area...  ;D

[pawpaw]

I'm pretty spoiled though since there are over 80 restaurants within a 15 minute walk from my apartment; over half are Greek cuisine (but I'm only a casual fan of Greek food).

Man, I LOVE Greek food.

[mjkoehler]

I'm pretty spoiled though since there are over 80 restaurants within a 15 minute walk from my apartment; over half are Greek cuisine (but I'm only a casual fan of Greek food).

Man, I LOVE Greek food.

Agreed. I wish I had that many Greek places near me.

[Ruckus]

I'm pretty spoiled though since there are over 80 restaurants within a 15 minute walk from my apartment; over half are Greek cuisine (but I'm only a casual fan of Greek food).

Man, I LOVE Greek food.

Agreed. I wish I had that many Greek places near me.

Fantastic Greek restaurant in Greektown, B'more called Samos.  If anyone is in the area and likes Greek food, that is what I would recommend :)

[Ruckus]

For lack of a better term, I enjoy 'molecular gastronomy' a lot.  When I go out to eat, I like to go places where food is served that I can't make at home.  That's part of the reason I never go to steakhouses or most Italian places.

3 years ago, I went back to Chicago for a friend's wedding.  I had been waitlisted at Alinea for the night I had attempted to reserve so my girlfriend and I decided to go to Moto.  Turns out that Alinea had called me twice saying that a table had opened up but alas, my voicemail machine was broken and I somehow go the message 3 months later.  Luckily I was able to go to Alinea the following year.

Here are some picks from Moto.  We took the full tour with pairings and the pours were so generous that I got pretty loopy.  I believe I got at least 10 different glasses, all at least 6 oz pours including a refill of my sake.



Edible menu with my name on it.  It was cool to eat "Welcome Robert (last name)."  I'd never eaten my name before.  Cool



Salmon with liquid nitrogen poured on it tableside.



Marinara and Caesar



Beets



Goat cheese snow.  It really did feel like eating a handful of snow except it tasted like goat cheese



Caramel apple



Their version of charcoal which was actually bread soaked in liquor and squid ink.  It burned on the table while we ate another course.



Soup and Crackers







Meatball



Mac 'n Cheese



Steak 'n Eggs



Cotton Candy



Frozen Pancakes



Soup



Chicago Dog - This was a cold dessert.  It was a chilled donut with a raspberry sorbet on top.  All the other condiments are some form of manipulated sweet.

'Twas a really fun experience but definitely not for the picky food snob.  I'm talkin' to you BB.  Some of the execution in the food left much to be desired but it was the most fun meal I've ever eaten.

[Ruckus]

Oh yeah, it's on the Moto website and I am psyched for this.  I'd been thinking for some time that 'molecular gastronomy' has gotten so popular that there should be a show solely dedicated to that.

Well here we go.  Homaru Cantu and his pastry chef from Moto will be doing just that



Future Food Comes to Planet Green!
Get ready to redefine your relationship with food.
By Team Planet Green Silver Spring, MD, USA | Wed Nov 04 2009


Future Foods

Planet Green is excited to introduce a brand new show that will change the way you look at food and its relationship with the environment. Meet molecular gastronomists Homaro Cantu and Ben Roche: world renowned chefs, successful restauranteurs, patent-owning mad scientists and celebrated futurists.

These two technology-obsessed chefs are looking for solutions to some of the world's most pressing environmental issues from a completely unexpected place-the kitchen. Is it possible to save fuel by taking the delivery driver out of the equation? Download pizza off the internet? Reduce landfill mass by making edible packing peanuts?

Planet Green's new original series Future Food will redefine the nature of food.

In each episode, Cantu, Roche and the rest of the team at Chicago's world-famous Moto restaurant are presented with a unique food challenge, and they tap into their gastronomical genius for solutions-with shocking, eye-crossing, and always delicious results. Future Food unveils what goes on inside the lab, letting viewers follow along through the circus of trial and error that is as funny as it is intense.

"I first try to imagine a reality that is positive and then work backwards through scientific reasoning and emotion through food to capture viewers' attention in order to create more awareness around social responsibility and true sustainability," said Homaro Cantu. "Oh yah, I like to have one hell of a good time while this all happens."

Changing the way people think about food is no simple task. It requires extreme focus, cooperation and unbridled creativity, as each week the Future Food team goes to task to reinvent the wheel-and then convince diners to pay money to eat it.



Get excited for the spring 2010 premiere of Future Food.

[pawpaw]

I'm talkin' to you BB.  Some of the execution in the food left much to be desired but it was the most fun meal I've ever eaten.

Man, I'm not some raging jerk, yelling at the wait staff! ;D I've just got well defined opinions... ::)

It looks like a really fun menu! The back half of your pictures looks like some kind of 'Comfort Food' theme...I could go for that plate of steak 'n eggs right now! Looks like it was a great time!

For lack of a better term, I enjoy 'molecular gastronomy' a lot.  

There was a chef named Daniel Humm who worked at a great restaurant called Campton Place, used to do a little bit of this. He was an outstanding chef, moved to New York 4 (or so) years ago. Seek out whatever restaurant he's at if you want a great meal in NYC.

[ALady]

Speaking to someone who has NEVER tried something he didn't like so much that he wouldn't eat it, it's hard for me to understand the fear of trying foods.  The odder the dish, the more exciting.

I hear this, Ruckus!  I'm not too hip to the molecular gastronomy, but I do love to find something in an odd corner of the menu that I've never tried.  Especially in ethnic restaurants...I always seem to get the funny look and the "Are you sure?" from the waitress   ;D

Great pics from Alinea and Moto!  I've never been to either, but would love to go someday.  

The term "locavore" bugs me....I'm not crazy.   ;D

[Janet]

Damn right, you're spoiled Bbill! I was getting stuff ready for my green bean casserole yesterday and was thinking, "If I lived in California this would be fresh AND local"  But alas, we've had a few hard frosts and we won't see fresh green beans again till May (unless they're shipped in from California)  >:(

P.S. Has anyone read the Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan?

Yeah, the extended growing seasons in the mild, coastal regions like the Salinas Valley, and Oxnard Plain allow for crazy long production. Through the winter, most of our fruits in the big grocery stores will be coming from Mexico or South America but we've got a lot of great seasonal stuff that will just be getting going. Outstanding farmers markets too...Lucy, you ever go to the one under the freeway  downtown between W and X? That one's pretty great. Davis is nice too (plus, it's not under a freeway  ;D).

I've gone to the one downtown (I like that you can get fresh meat and seafood) but I usually hit the one Saturdays at Sunrise Mall since it is so close.  Get my produce there pretty much every week as I try to eat seasonally and locally.  There's also one in downtown Folsom on Sundays.

Haven't eaten at Mulvany's Building and Loan, but it is on my list.  Sad truth is that I don't eat out much in Sac even though we have some fine, fine establishments.  Most people I know think the best restaurant in town is in my kitchen!  ;)

[Ruckus]

Great thread.   I don't think I am a food snob, but I'd rather go without than eat crap.
 
That is a restaurant I've been wanting to go to for a couple of years now.  The food is reported to be amazing (though I must say visually off putting).
 

I do highly recommend it and hope you get to go some time.  When I went, it was when Chef Achatz had beaten cancer but he still wasn't really able to taste so he was relying on his chefs tastes while he only conceptualized the dishes.  I wonder what it would have been like when he was healthy and if it would have made a real difference.

It was cool to be right there next to him and get a signed menu.  I know, I'm such a dork like that.

What aspect of the presentations did you not like?  I loved most of them.  So intricate

[Ruckus]

I'm talkin' to you BB.  Some of the execution in the food left much to be desired but it was the most fun meal I've ever eaten.

Man, I'm not some raging jerk, yelling at the wait staff! ;D I've just got well defined opinions... ::)

It looks like a really fun menu! The back half of your pictures looks like some kind of 'Comfort Food' theme...I could go for that plate of steak 'n eggs right now! Looks like it was a great time!

For lack of a better term, I enjoy 'molecular gastronomy' a lot.  

There was a chef named Daniel Humm who worked at a great restaurant called Campton Place, used to do a little bit of this. He was an outstanding chef, moved to New York 4 (or so) years ago. Seek out whatever restaurant he's at if you want a great meal in NYC.

;D  I can picture you and your lovely wife yelling at the servers, "DO YOU KNOW WHO WE ARE?!"   ;D

As for Moto's menu, basically every dish is a whimsical take on a comfort food.

I checked out the website for Humm's restaurant in New York and it looks amazing.

[Ruckus]

Speaking to someone who has NEVER tried something he didn't like so much that he wouldn't eat it, it's hard for me to understand the fear of trying foods.  The odder the dish, the more exciting.

I hear this, Ruckus!  I'm not too hip to the molecular gastronomy, but I do love to find something in an odd corner of the menu that I've never tried.  Especially in ethnic restaurants...I always seem to get the funny look and the "Are you sure?" from the waitress   ;D

Great pics from Alinea and Moto!  I've never been to either, but would love to go someday.  

The term "locavore" bugs me....I'm not crazy.   ;D

I love getting the "Are you sure?" look.  I got it in Istanbul when I ordered the chilled whole sheep's brain as an appetizer. ;D

I too hate the term locavore, foodie etc.  I will now refer to the former as those that prefer consumption of food grown within a yet to be determined, finite distance which inversely correlates with the guilt in one's conscience. :-?

From Wiki - The word "locavore" was the word of the year for 2007 in the Oxford American Dictionary.

[pawpaw]

Damn right, you're spoiled Bbill! I was getting stuff ready for my green bean casserole yesterday and was thinking, "If I lived in California this would be fresh AND local"  But alas, we've had a few hard frosts and we won't see fresh green beans again till May (unless they're shipped in from California)  >:(

P.S. Has anyone read the Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan?

Yeah, the extended growing seasons in the mild, coastal regions like the Salinas Valley, and Oxnard Plain allow for crazy long production. Through the winter, most of our fruits in the big grocery stores will be coming from Mexico or South America but we've got a lot of great seasonal stuff that will just be getting going. Outstanding farmers markets too...Lucy, you ever go to the one under the freeway  downtown between W and X? That one's pretty great. Davis is nice too (plus, it's not under a freeway  ;D).

I've gone to the one downtown (I like that you can get fresh meat and seafood) but I usually hit the one Saturdays at Sunrise Mall since it is so close.  Get my produce there pretty much every week as I try to eat seasonally and locally.  There's also one in downtown Folsom on Sundays.

Haven't eaten at Mulvany's Building and Loan, but it is on my list.  Sad truth is that I don't eat out much in Sac even though we have some fine, fine establishments.  Most people I know think the best restaurant in town is in my kitchen!  ;)

The Bledsoes sell their pork at the Sunday market downtown...it is DELICIOUS.  :D

You ever go down to the Ferry Building farmers market in SF? It's pretty expensive, but the setting is hard to beat. Not worth it for weekly shopping coming from Sac, but fun if you're down there. The Ferry Building itself is kind of foodie mecca too...again, not cheap, but outstanding stuff in there. Plus, the Slanted Door (upscale Vietnamese restaurant).

You can take the ferry from Oakland, it's a fun day. Even catch a Giants game (for the Sheriff)  :)

[Jaimoe]

I can't say I'm a fan of traditional French food, especially breakfast;  Alcatian food from Strasbourg is good though. Italian breakfasts in the Rome, Venice regions suck.  I rather like German cuisine, but it's too meat oriented.

[pawpaw]

I can't say I'm a fan of traditional French food, especially breakfast;  Alcatian food from Strasbourg is good though. Italian breakfasts in the Rome, Venice regions suck.  I rather like German cuisine, but it's too meat oriented.

Probably my most comforting meal, maybe my favorite meal, is a big Mexican breakfast. I LOVE Mexican food. It's generally not all that refined or technical (and I have a whole DIFFERENT set of VERY HIGH standards  ;D), but it's so delicious. We've got access to a lot of good Mexican cooking here in California, and I like to do it myself when I get the time.