The What's For Dinner Thread - November '09(recipe index in OP)

[liamsaunt]

Kathy, I would love to see your pictures!

Laura, Becky, and Caili - thanks for the reviews and photos! Flying Fish is one of only 2-3 signature spots we haven't tried yet and need to. Sounds delicious! I also need to try Artist Point but didn't one of you say it was disappointing?

Yes, Artist Pount was extremely disappointing. This is usually one of our favorites, but not this time. Everything that our friend Charlie ordered was good, but the food that Laura, John and I chose was really bad. I ordered the mussels appetizer...2/3rds of them were closed (aka raw). John and Laura had the portobello soup...usually a favorite with us, this time it was lacking the smoky flavor and also was not hot enough. No servers came around to check on us so we could not send anything back.

Entrees, Laura and I split the salmon, and John had his own order. Our salmon was completely overcooked, and John's was RAW! I love medium rare salmon, but this was raw, raw, raw!! The side order of broccolini that Laura and I asked for was oversalted and cold. The mac and cheese side was bland. Again, no servers to be had.

To top things off, and this was NOT the restaurant's fault, Liam got sick during the entrees and we had to leave! No chance to rectify anything, and in his haste to get Liam home John accidentally double tipped the waiter (we have tables in wonderland). The meal was over $400....so not worth it.

 

[TigerKat]

I'm making the most of my day, got DH off to work & went back to sleep! Yay, I finally feel rested! No cooking for me today either, we will be going out to dinner with my Mom & DD, SonIL is working. (Kat, the charbroiled oysters are calling me!)

Where are y'all going? Now you've got me craving oysters.

I'll get started posting pics in a bit but I'm afraid I may not remember details about anything unless it was either really good or really bad.

 

[shovan]

Where are y'all going? Now you've got me craving oysters.

I'll get started posting pics in a bit but I'm afraid I may not remember details about anything unless it was either really good or really bad.

Take a wild guess? Where do we go for the best charbroiled oysters?! Just can't decide if we should go to Metaire or the Hilton? Is the menu the same at the Hilton one?

 

[Nancyg56]

Thanks, I've looked everywhere to try and find a recipe that's looks similar to DB's MIL's, but no luck. I think I'll wing it and see what happens.

If you go to recipezaar.com and then to the community section there are forums there, the same as on the DIS. Those folks are really nice and everytime I have had a question someone has had an answer. I think that the ethnic food forum would be your best bet. I was able to get help on fresh Lithuanian sausage recipes for some folks. I would do it for you but I am afraid I know nothing about empanadas except that I like them Good Luck!

 

[OKWMom]

Ellen - So sorry about your beloved horse. I'll make sure to give Tory a hug and kiss when I get home. Not that she would let me forget anyway. She goes to work with Kenny every day and I beat them home. Every day when she gets home, she runs through the house until she finds me. Not for the love, but because I always give her chicken jerky.

Laura - Teriyaki?!? I guess that is better than a gargoyle or fitness book. I promise you that I think of you and the gargoyle book every time I open a gift from my husband.

Sheryl - HAPPY 40th BIRTHDAY!!!!!! Hope you have a great day!

Kat - So sorry about your MIL. That is such a difficult adjustment and it's hard to tell how long it will take. Prayers for all of you.

Becky - What a horrible experience at Artists' Point! I usually love that place and I hate to hear how terribly they ruined your meal! You can overlook one bad dish or possibly two but not that many. And when you add the poor service to it, I would have been extremely unhappy about it too!

Aimee - Love the reviews. And I did see your post about the picture. I'll try to get a photo of it tonight when I get home and get it uploaded.

Sorry I've missed so many of you, but this is our first day at work and we're swamped. I will try to check in again this evening, but it will be chancy. I'm working on the year end accounting stuff for Kenny this week. You may recall that he promises me each year that he won't wait til the last minute, but this year isn't that year. He brought me the reports for January - October on Sunday. I'd say he used his get out of the freezer pass.

But I did want to share what I think is some good news. Mom has hired an attorney for the issues with my brother. Now I just need to meet with the attorneys to fill them in on the financial information and hopefully that will have me out of the majority of the issues. That's my hope anyway. I'm tired of the drama and would like to see Mom have some closure.

Tonight is whatever takeout my husband picks up. I'm working on his financial info tonight so I told him to surprise me.

 

[TigerKat]

Take a wild guess? Where do we go for the best charbroiled oysters?! Just can't decide if we should go to Metaire or the Hilton? Is the menu the same at the Hilton one?

Yep, same menu. I like the Metairie one better though.

 

[TigerKat]

Gretchen - So happy to hear Mom has an attorney, better for everyone.

Ok, I'll start with Flying Fish. LOVE this place more and more every time we go! The first is their amazing crab cake followed by the special "surf and surf" entree. Maybe Sheryl can remember more about this than I. I know it was swordfish, shrimp and sea urchin.

 

[TigerKat]

California Grill

Crispy Asian Rock Shrimp Salad - with Japanese Pears, Red Onions, Soy Reduction, and Wasabi Cream

BLT flatbread - with Heirloom Tomatoes, Applewood Bacon, Provolone, Crisp Romaine, and Lemon Mayonnaise

Sushi

Day Boat Scallops - with House-made Gnocchi, Sustainable Pears, Brown Butter and Bacon Emulsion

Valrhona Chocolate Cake - Warm Chocolate Cake with Molten Center, House-made Salted Caramel Ice Cream, and Roasted Golden Pineapple

 

[Disney Ron]

Hi Girls, I miss you all and promise to spend more time on here this week.

Today has been very busy around here. Today is DH's only day off this week so we were trying to get alot accomplished. We took down most of the Christmas decorations but I left a few snowmen around. Dh also made arrangements for our September trip to WDW. Because it is so far away we are going to try to go to the Poly this trip. It has always been a dream of ours to stay there so I have my fingers crossed we don't change resorts this trip.

Well, that was my short break. I need to go make the bed and get supper going.

WFD- Shake & bake chops with apple sauce, rice, and mixed veggies.

Hug and love to all!

Ellen, so sorry for your loss.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Yes, Artist Pount was extremely disappointing. This is usually one of our favorites, but not this time. Everything that our friend Charlie ordered was good, but the food that Laura, John and I chose was really bad. I ordered the mussels appetizer...2/3rds of them were closed (aka raw). John and Laura had the portobello soup...usually a favorite with us, this time it was lacking the smoky flavor and also was not hot enough. No servers came around to check on us so we could not send anything back.

Entrees, Laura and I split the salmon, and John had his own order. Our salmon was completely overcooked, and John's was RAW! I love medium rare salmon, but this was raw, raw, raw!! The side order of broccolini that Laura and I asked for was oversalted and cold. The mac and cheese side was bland. Again, no servers to be had.

To top things off, and this was NOT the restaurant's fault, Liam got sick during the entrees and we had to leave! No chance to rectify anything, and in his haste to get Liam home John accidentally double tipped the waiter (we have tables in wonderland). The meal was over $400....so not worth it.

Augh, that sounds awful! Our last LeCellier exp was horrid thanks to service alone. The food was okay but not even the best food in the world could have saved our meal. We NEVER saw our waiter - literally, the whole place shut down and you could hear the staff in the kitchen having a grand ol' time ignoring every patron left dining.

And on the tip on that size party.

But I did want to share what I think is some good news. Mom has hired an attorney for the issues with my brother. Now I just need to meet with the attorneys to fill them in on the financial information and hopefully that will have me out of the majority of the issues. That's my hope anyway. I'm tired of the drama and would like to see Mom have some closure.

I hope it's as painless as possible.


In a similar vein, my mother is being encouraged by one of her credit card companies to press charges against that POS roommate that stole so much of her stuff. They have him on camera and everything when he stole her credit card! It'd be an open and shut case but she's scared of ruining her friendship with her original roommate - who took his side. Now they are mooching off some other single woman and you know the pattern will continue. Me and my sister are tag team convincing her to press charges if nothing else, to show her friend what kind of man this guy is AND save this woman (and many others!) from being stolen from. Doesn't return her priceless family heirloom pieces of jewelry she lost but might help someone else.

Did your mom struggle with the decision to hire one? The details are blurry, sorry if you've already explained it all.

Kathy - between your pics, and Laura/Becky, I am wishing we did Flying Fish on our trip! Next time...



Remember my guilt over spending a FORTUNE on overnight shipping for those Vera Bradley bags? Well, they were worth it! They are the PERFECT park bags for us. We carry light, but still need to carry a few things, and I could fit my camera, sunglasses, inhaler, lipgloss, and bottle of vicodin in it.. Mom absolutely her bag. She changed over immediately to it and carried it everyday I saw her. She told me it was just what she needed for hitting the parks and for when she travels. Esp helpful in the airport to be hands free.

I got her this one:

And this for myself:

I've never been a huge VB fan but this particular piece really sold me on their stuff.

 

[TigerKat]

Aimee - I LOVE the bags!

 

[EJ4Disney]

Thank you everyone for the good thoughts for my Sandy girl. I miss her running to the fence when she sees me enter the yard. She always had a loud nicker for me as I got out. Life is just a little dimmer for today.

Sheryl ~ Happy Birthday to You!!!

I am at work for a couple hours today - it's pretty dead, I think the whole staff is in a post-Advent coma - but since I was out I need to catch up on some year end budget things.

I hear you on this one. I know I am!! How are you feeling? Did you ever hear from the doctor?

Gretchen ~ I pray that the attorney will give your Mom some closure and she feels better about the whole situation. My thoughts are with you all.

Lauren ~ Safe travels my friend.

Kat ~ So sorry to hear about your MIL's fall. I so hope she starts to get used to her new home. It will be so much easier for all of you. But it does have to be so hard for her. Thanks so much for the great food pictures. I need to try Flying Fish on my next trip.

Maria ~ How is Lily feeling today? I sure have been thinking about her and YOU!! This is the best news about Emily. She must be thrilled.

Glynis ~ THANK YOU so much for the Tomato/Basil/Parmesan soup recipe. I can't wait to try it. Thanks.

Laura, Cali & Becky ~ love the food review. That is just horrible about your Artist Point dinner. I am afraid I would be writing Management on that one.

Ann ~ Sweetie you so deserve a quiet day. Enjoy!!

It is cold and frosty out today. It looks like a winter wonderland.

Tonight Doug is going to go get his H1N1 shot, so it is out to eat for a Runza and a bowl of Chili for us. Matthew is even going.

What is on your menus for New Years Eve or New Years Day?

Stay warm my friends!!

 

[Zandy595]

If you go to recipezaar.com and then to the community section there are forums there, the same as on the DIS. Those folks are really nice and everytime I have had a question someone has had an answer. I think that the ethnic food forum would be your best bet. I was able to get help on fresh Lithuanian sausage recipes for some folks. I would do it for you but I am afraid I know nothing about empanadas except that I like them Good Luck!

Thanks Nancy. I go to recipezaar all the time, but I've never been to the forums. I'll try what you suggested.



Kathy ~ I'm sorry about your MIL's fall. I hope she feels better soon.
Loved your food pics. I could eat seafood everyday (I did on our last cruise).

 

[shovan]

Gretchen, Thanks for wishing me a Happy 40th!!! I'm glad your Mom has made that decision. Hopefully it will make it easier & smoother for all of you.

Aimee, I especially like the pink bag!
I hope your Mom decides to press charges. That guy has got to be stopped.

I have Le Cellier booked for our next trip. Still unsure about it though, we haven't been there in many years & the last experience was not a good one.

Kathy, Thanks, I think we'll go to Metairie then, parking is cheaper. I know I'm starting with raw oysters & a glass of champagne! Then charbroiled, if I'm still hungry I might decide to really splurge & have lobster too!

Love the memories those food pics brings back! Although I remember more about the fun we had than the food. On the surf & surf, I do remember asking the server, what part was the sea urchin, he said it was sea urchin aioli. I know it was GOOD!

 

[shovan]

I wanted to share a recipe that I made twice this holiday & got rave reviews. It an old recipe I came across while sorting through my old pile of recipes. We used to make this often, back in the day when we were young and had lots of cocktail parties. It was as good as I remembered.

CRAB MEAT DIP

· 1 stick of butter
· 1 bunch of shallots or 1 small onion, chopped
· ½ cup of parsley, chopped
· 2 tablespoons of flour
· 2 cups of half and half or heavy cream
· ½ pound of grated Swiss or Jarlsburg
· 1 pound of lump crab meat (checked for shells)
· Salt, black pepper & Tabasco hot sauce

Instructions:
Sauté butter, shallots & parsley for 5 mins
Add flour and stir, cook for a couple of minutes. Add half & half while stirring. Let mixture get hot enough to melt cheese but do not boil. Add slowly continue to stir until well mixed. Fold in crab meat & season to taste. Serve warm with crackers or tortilla chips.

 

[TigerKat]

Kathy ~ I'm sorry about your MIL's fall. I hope she feels better soon.
Loved your food pics. I could eat seafood everyday (I did on our last cruise).

Thanks Sandy! I could eat seafood every day and be a very happy woman.

Kathy, Thanks, I think we'll go to Metairie then, parking is cheaper. I know I'm starting with raw oysters & a glass of champagne! Then charbroiled, if I'm still hungry I might decide to really splurge & have lobster too!

Sounds like my kinda night, ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!

Ellen - Would you like to share a pic of your sweet Sandy with us?

 

[Disney Ron]

Kat, thinking of you and DMIL. How is Johnny coping?

 

[HERSEY]

Sheryl Enjoy your Birthday dinner

Tonight I am having stuffed chicken breast with a salad.

I've had a headache on and off today so I am going to take it easy.

Maria I am glad Emilie and her mom are enjoying the city. I can hardly wait for you to get here. How is Lillie?

Ellen I am sorry to hear about the untimely death of your Sandy. Sometimes you don't know how much you will miss someone until they are gone.

Aimee I like the bags I am partial to the blue (the darker one) I am not much of a pink person.

 

[TigerKat]

Sheryl

I've had a headache on and off today so I am going to take it easy.

Please do. I hope you're not getting what I've had for 9 days now, it started with a headache that I still have.

When are you & Maria getting together?

Kat, thinking of you and DMIL. How is Johnny coping?

He's good. Johnny is the most laid back person you could ever meet. I am the one that is po'd about a lot of things that are going on. They are lucky I don't have much of a voice right now.

 

[HERSEY]

Kathy I hope whatever you have is finally going away. Rest up We had to be very visable when my cousin was in a nursing home, since he couldn't talk. We were there a different times some they knew they better take good care of him. I know it is a very difficult thankless job but it is their job. I am sure they would like good care for their loved one. I makes me mad just thinking about it.