Closet Cooking

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On Vacation

[heart_this] · · 42 Comments

This morning I am off to New Orleans to attend the International Food Bloggers Conference put on by Foodista. I have been wanting to visit New Orleans for a while now and this was the perfect chance! In addition to the conference, I will be spending a few extra days there to explore the city. What are the must eat foods and restaurants in New Orleans? What are the must see and do things in New Orleans?

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  1. Hi there,
    Long time reader, first time commenter. I am so jealous that you get to go to New Orleans, I love that place. I'd recommend Coop's Place on Decatur Street for some awesome local food, and don't forget to go to Cafe du Monde. Have fun at the conference!

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  4. Oh my god, there are SO MANY. You should check out Couchon (for dinner) and/or their charcuterie Butcher (they have nibble plates, sandwiches, and wine. Just around the corner from Couchon). I also love Crescent City Pie and Sausage – they make all of their own sausages and their own mozzarella. They have an awesome static menu but always have good specials as well – check their website. Anyway, I could go on forever… those are just two out of a million 🙂

    I can't believe I didn't know about this food blogger conference in my own town 🙁 I wonder if it's too late to go!

    Reply

  7. You are so lucky! I grew up in New Orleans, and even though I am attending graduate school just a few hours away, I miss it and my family.

    Cafe du Monde's beignets, Palace Cafe's bananas foster bread pudding (or French toast… I forget…), La Boulangerie on Magazine Street's anything (especially their brioche and chocolate croissants), Lebanon's Cafe on Carrolton's chicken shawarma platter…

    Looking forward to reading about your eating adventures!

    Avi

    Reply

  11. I have lived in New Orleans all of my life – too many great places for great food! Make sure you have beignets, a fried soft shell crab po-boy, Chargrilled oysters preferably from Drago's, and you can never go wrong with a Brennan's or John Besh restaurant – oh, and have some good gulf fish while you are here too!!

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  12. I'd stay away from Bourbon St. If you want to see music- head over to Frenchman St in the Faubourg Marigny.

    While you're there you must try a po boy. My favorite places for this are Domilise's in the Irish Channel and Parkway in Mid City. Central Grocery on Decatur is the place to go for a muffaletta.

    Sunday Brunch at Commander's Palace is highly recommended. There's a great little restaurant in the French Quarter called the Green Goddess that I recommend. They have a web site where you can read about their menu- their chef, Chris Debarr, is just excellent. Cochon is also good, as are Stella! and Restaurant August. I'd stay away from Jacques Imo's at all costs- the food there tastes canned- it's geared toward tourists.

    If you are there on a Thurs. night you should try to go see Kermit Ruffins play at Vaughn's in the 9th ward- take a cab there and back. He cooks (free!) red beans and rice for his guests!

    Reply

  13. I live in New Orleans! Magazine street is awesome!! I 2nd the suggestion for Coop's on Decatur. Try the Tchoupitoulas Chicken or the Jambalaya! Cafe du Monde of course for beignets, Deanies, French market, etc….you really can't go wrong!

    Pay the $2.50 and get on the St Charles Streetcar located on Canal across from Bourbon street and ride it–it goes thru the Garden District and you will see beautiful homes and Loyola/Tulane Universities.

    I do highly suggest going down Magazine!

    Have fun and don't melt in the heat!

    Reply

  14. I hope you have a great time in New Orleans. It's one of my favorite food cities. Two of my favorite places are Mother's (for Po' Boy Sandwiches) and Commander's Palace (for elegant dining.)

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  18. It may seem like antiquated advice, but no foodie visit — especially a first visit — to New Orleans is complete without a trip to Commander's Palace in the Garden District. It's not just for the food, but for the experience. Don't skip the turtle soup.

    I second the Sazerac if you like brandy and whiskey; it's quite unique. Since you're staying in the French Quarter, there should be ample drinking opportunities. If you're interested in heavier drinking, the Hurricane and Hand Grenade are New Orleans specialties.

    Also in the Quarter, on Decatur, stop by Central Grocery for a muffaletta, but be prepared to walk and eat; it isn't a restaurant. Brennan's is the birthplace of Banana's Foster, but imho, if you really want Banana's Foster, go just for that.

    Cafe du Monde's (also on Decatur) chicory coffee au lait is a love-it-or-hate-it kinda thing, but worth a stop, especially if you fall in the earlier category (my wife makes me stock up each visit). There are better beignets, but unless you want to go out into the burbs, they'll do nicely.

    Take the St. Charles streetcar line (just outside the quarter, across Canal Street from Bourbon) Uptown to take in the scenery and stop for a burger (or omelette) at The Camellia Grill, located at the end of St. Charles, where the streetcar makes a right turn onto Carrollton.

    There are also some great little places a few blocks away on Maple Street, including the aforementioned Jacques-Imo's. Jamila's also used to be a favorite spot when I lived nearby. Mom and pop place with great Tunisian and Mediterranean cuisine and the service you'd expect in New Orleans.

    I've been dying to get to Cochon, in the Warehouse District, as well as some of the other new places that have opened in the last few years, but between all the old favorites that call me back and limited scheduling, I haven't been able to make a reservation during my last couple visits.

    As for must see places that don't involve eating (to me, there really are so few), just walk around, especially in the Quarter. The Uptown and Garden District areas can be beautiful. If you're wandering around by yourself, I do want to caution you though. There's no reason not to feel safe in most of New Orleans, but since Katrina, crime has shot way up and neighborhoods can change very quickly in NoLa, not quite like I've seen anywhere else. Don't let this discourage you from exploring, but just stay alert and you'll be fine.

    Audubon Park and Zoo (Uptown) can be a nice diversion if the weather's decent (which I wouldn't expect this time of year). In the summer, the aquarium is usually a better choice; you can find it where Canal meets the river — a short walk from The Monteleone.

    On the other side of the Quarter is the Faubourg-Marigny area (or The Marigny – mar-in-nee). Good spots for music and after hours entertainment. More local and authentic than what you usually find near Bourbon Street.

    That should more than keep you busy. Visiting New Orleans can do more harm to your waistline than a cruise, so just know what you're getting into!

    Reply

  21. I've read your blog for some time now and I love it.

    I was just in New Orleans for Mardi Gras earlier this year, when I had several brunches at Cake. It's in the Bywater and open 7a-3p, for breakfast and lunch. The vibe is very local and the food is incredibly delicious. I highly recommend it as an out of the way and down to earth non-touristy option!

    http://www.nolacakes.com

    Have fun!

    Reply

  25. I'm young, but I lived there for a really long time and got to try some excellent restaurants. Voodoo BBQ, Juan's Flying Burrito, Lil G's Cajun, Jacques-Imo's, Mother's, Palace Cafe!

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  27. I posted earlier about The Green Goddess restaurant and now have been thinking about it all day! We went for brunch and I had the – Painted Hills Organic “Grits and Grillades”
    Organic beef tri-tip, hand-cut and seared in a rich red wine & beef
    gravy in our updated version of a classic New Orleans dish.- with a side of sweet potato biscuits. Dang. I wanna go back.

    Reply

  29. Just moved to New Orleans (French Quarter) two months ago, and absolutely love it!

    In terms of food, Green Goddess is good, so is Eat New Orleans. If you're looking for some good authentic Jazz (especially if you want to run into the swing dance crowd, which is always a blast to watch), check out Meschiya Lake at the Spotted Cat Saturdays 10-2, and the Palmetto Bug Stompers at dba Sundays 6-9. Or if you're still here Monday, Meschiya and her band play upstairs at Mimi's in the Marigny, whose kitchen serves a great selection of spanish tapas.
    Magazine St is definitely worth checking out, too.

    And I'll second whoever said to stay away from Bourbon – there are so many better places to visit.

    Welcome to New Orleans!

    Reply

  32. I think everyone pretty much has you covered with the restaurants…except maybe Semolina if you're in a pasta mood. I think they're down to one location now though, so if you're out in Metairie around dinner time, they're in the Clearview Mall. I never did get the hype about Commanders personally, but it's one of the standard stops.

    If the weather permits, DEFINITELY hit the zoo. I love that place, and it's always changing. Also, if you get a chance, cross the river and go check out Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World (across from the Riverwalk). It's like getting to see Mardi Gras without the crowd! You can check out some floats, see how the characters are made, try on costumes, see a film about Mari Grad, eat some King Cake …

    Most of all, have fun. And if you see my Mom, say hi for me. 😉

    Reply

  33. I actually live right outside NOLA and go pretty often. I like finding little hidey holes like La Peniche. It's at 1940 Dauphine St. And it's open Thursday through Tuesday 24/7. So it is my go to place for good wonderful food at random hours. Their Fried Green Tomatoes are to drool over.

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  34. I could recommend plenty to see, plenty to do, plenty to drink, and plenty to eat. But I don't see the point. In my experience in New Orleans, its far too easy to get caught up in the life blood of that city, that you likely won't follow much of your travel itinerary anyhow. I do however recommend if you are staying a few extra days to spend a few nights in the India House Hostel. This is one of the greatest places I have ever stayed on any continent. From there, just go with the flow and you will have a great time.

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  36. Crawfish Etouffee at Deenie's. It is unbelievable. But how could any place that gives you a basket of boiled new potatoes instead of bread not be.

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  38. When you're ready to take a break from eating I recommend a nighttime ghost tour! An easy walk through the historic neighborhoods with a new perspective and a fantastic storyteller. I think different companies offer differently tailored tours, so try to get specific recommendation. And I second the motion of checking out the Zoo!

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  39. I recommend Napoleon House as well! Very European in a way and historic, with authentic food. Its right in the French Quarter.

    Reply

  41. you definitely need to bring home some Central Grocery's Olive Salad and some cans of cane syrup! hope you get to take advantage of their free trolley and enjoy your visit!

    Reply

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On Vacation

[heart_this] · · 18 Comments

I am heading out to spend some time with family over the holidays. I have packed up my cookies and they are ready to go so I thought that I would leave you with a few more ideas in the side bar along with some ideas for appetizers for entertaining and for parties. I will be back in the kitchen before the new year.

I hope that you all of your holidays are amazing and filled with tons of tasty food!

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On Vacation

[heart_this] · · 38 Comments

It seems like I just got back from Seattle and the IFBC 2010 and now I am rushing off to the airport again. It has been my rough goal to try to do one big vacation every other year. Two years ago it was Greece and the next place on my list was Italy. I certainly will miss all of the great local produce that is available right now while I am gone but Italy is calling my name. Italian cuisine was one of the first that I got into and it holds a special place with me. I am really looking forward to experiencing some of it from the source over the next few weeks!

The Canadian Thanksgiving is also coming up in two weeks (I will make it back just in time!) so I have added some Thanksgiving ideas to the sidebar.

Time to get going. I’ll be back in two weeks!

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  3. Have a wonderful time. I can't wait to see authentic Italian recipes. Could you take a photo of Lardo. It is an ingredient in a cook book that I use all the time and can not find it in the States. Enjoy!

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  13. Soooo jealous! I just saw Eat Pray Love last night and all that amazing Italian food in the movie has got me obsessing about a trip to Italy! Have an amazing time. Looking forward to some pasta recipes when you come back!

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  28. hi kevin! hope the travels are going well. i nominated your blog for the sunshine award! it's for "bloggers whose positivity and creativity inspire others in the blogging world," and i think yours is awesome. i'm definitely reading & learning your delicious recipes even though i may not always comment. 🙂

    [check out my blog posting for more info on the sunshine award and how to make your own nominations!]

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On Vacation

[heart_this] · · 78 Comments

Tomorrow I am off to Seattle to attend the International Food Bloggers Conference which should be loads of fun! After the conference is over I will be spending a few days exploring Seattle and all that it has to offer. What are the “don’t miss” foodie things to do in Seattle after visiting the Pike Market Place?

After a few days in Seattle I am heading back to Canada but I will be stopping off in Vancouver for the long weekend before returning to Toronto. What are the “must do” foodie things in Vancouver after visiting the Granville Market? For some reason the japadogs keep popping up in my searches. 🙂

Time to finish packing. I’ll be back in the kitchen and blogging after the long weekend!

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  1. Kevin, have a great time! I used to attend school in Seattle. Try to get to one of the authentic Chinese or Japanese restaurants downtown; I unfortunately don't have specific names as it's been a while, but you could ask for recommendations at the Pike Place Market. If you have an interest in Native cultures, make a side trip to the Burke Museum on the University of Washington campus; they have a fantastic exhibit there! Also, if you like zoos, the Woodland Park Zoo is a lot of fun. So is the Aquarium. You can purchase tickets for cheap to all these things and more by Googling City Pass Seattle — you get a whole bunch of tickets for one very reasonable price. It will get you on the Space Needle, the Aquarium, the zoo, etc. You can also take a 2-hour boat tour of the harbor if you like architecture — the boats leave from the wharf area by the aquarium, where the ferries also are. Hope this makes sense!

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  4. In Vancouver you must have some Indian at Vij's and some sushi at Tojo's.
    Seattle has many great things to offer and besides food, the "Underground Seattle" tour is actually really cool.

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  5. Canlis (Seattle) is fantastic, if a bit pricey.

    If you can swing it, the Herb Farm in Woodinville is worth every penny. It is expensive and a full evening, but it is amazing. The food and the service are both fantastic.

    Ballet on 914 E Pike St is completely the opposite of the other price tags and is still the best pho I've ever had. All their noodle dishes are great, as is the teriyaki and everyone I know who eats meat (I don't, I stick to the tofu/fake meat) says it's tasty, especially for being so cheap.

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  6. Enjoy the events! Too pricey for me, so I passed. Here in Seattle, if you are looking for fresh spices, World Spice (at the market) is great. At the market you will also see the Sur La Table store, full of goodies, and many other kitchen stores. If you are looking for restaurant tips, don't miss Tilth. It is my fave here in Seattle, but we have so many good options (all of Tom Douglas are excellent), but I am sure folks at the Conference will hook you up with some pretty good eats. If you happen to be at the Westlake center (monorail), look up and you will see the Allrecipes sign. That's where I work and I am happy to show you the place if you'd like to. Have fun!!!

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  8. Seeing as it is summer, I would recommend La Casa International Gelato. You have over 200 flavours to choose from! Everything you could think of, and the gelato/ice cream is just plain tasty as well. Haha, probably not exactly what you were looking for, but it could be a nice afternoon snack 🙂

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  10. What fun! Seattle is one of my favorite cities to visit. Foodie visit… haven't made it there *yet* but Salumi is supposed to be fantastic.

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  11. Have a blast on the West Coast!

    The two things I definitely miss the most in Vancouver are Japadog and "The Eatery" which has a great vibe and some insane sushi combinations (i.e. "The Fat Elvis" tempura avocado and the "Electric Banana" roll tempura banana/eel.)

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  12. My absolutely favorite place to go in Seattle, is a little known place called Thirteen Coins. An ex boyfriend took me there once, and it was a beautiful experience. They truely open 24 hours for a full menu. You must sit at the "bar" which is really a food bar, and you can watch them cook. Get their creme brule with a great glass of chardonnay.
    http://www.13coins.com/

    Also, a dive place but Blu Water Bistro on Lake Union in Seattle has the BEST king crab mac and cheese….ever.

    Good luck!

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  13. My very favourite set of restaurants in Vancouver are owned/cheffed by Andre Durbach — check out La Buca (my fav), L'Autre Buca, and Pied a Terre. Great local produce served up in classic French/Italian style. Not to be missed.
    Have a great time!

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  14. The coastal kitchen is very good. They are a 'touring' restaurant and right now the theme is Santorini. Serious Pie is great pizza place with strange combinations and buffalo milk mozzarella. Carmelita is a vegetarian place that is quite creative and wonderful.

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  16. You need to eat mac and cheese from Beecher's (located in the market). They make all their own cheese, and the mac and cheese is the BEST I've ever had.

    Tom Douglas has some great restaurants in Seattle that are worth checking out. Our family especially loves the Dahlia Bakery (they have coconut cream pie bites that are absolutely divine).

    Have fun on your trip!

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  17. Go see Tim at City Fish in Pike Place Market! Tell him that his sister Sergei sent you. (Just trust me *giggle*)

    They are NOT the fish throwers.(It bruises the flesh!)

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  18. Hi Kevin,
    I am a dedicated blog followerer and a local vancouverite.So here are my list of Vancouver food things: (oh and I agree with Granville Island as well)

    Richmond Night market: this is a night market that takes place Friday- Sunday which has stall after stall of interesting food lots of which can't be found elsewhere. http://www.summernightmarket.com

    Kitchen/Food Store- Gourmet Warehouse is a just that a warehouse filled with great finds for a foodie.
    http://www.gourmetwarehouse.ca/
    Restaurant Experience (in my order of preference):
    Les Faux Bourgeois- this incredible and reasonably priced restaurant is just mouth watering good. Oh the mussels and the quail I had there on my last visit- just amazing. http://lesfauxbourgeois.com/

    Vijs- delicious Indian fusion note that they don't take reservations but they have a sister restaurant next door that is easier to get into to. Vijs is wonderful.
    http://www.vijs.ca/index_in.htm

    Chambar- this is an Afro-Belgium restaurant their lamb tajine and mussels are soo tasty. Great drink selection as well. Most popular restaurant according to dinehere.ca
    http://www.chambar.com/

    Japa dog is an experience and should be tried at least once very delicious granted the wait is a bit. There are new food carts that are getting lots of buzz including a BBQ pulled pork sandwich cart that is on Georgia downtown.

    I have to go as I have made myself very hungry. Perhaps I will need to go back to Lex Faux tomorrow I could go every day.
    Oh and make sure you get sushi while in town we have hundreds my favourite is Ro for unique rolls on Broadway a block east of Cambie their ninja roll or green hornet are wonderfull.
    Cheers,
    Kyla

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  21. Seattle foodie places:
    West Seattle has Full Tilt ice cream (regular & vegan) made on site with exotic flavors that change constantly. You may be lucky enough to get Absinthe if you get there before Justin runs out. He was written up in the NYTimes recently.
    Cynthia

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  22. Hi Kevin,

    I've been visiting your blog for awhile now, and love your recipes and photos!

    I've never been to Seattle, but a friend of mine sent me some chocolates from a local chocolatier called Fiori Chocolatiers. Their
    Sera 65% is fantastic! Their Giorno 60% is also good, but the Sera is outstanding.

    Here's a link to their site with a list of their locations:
    http://www.fiorichocolatiers.com/

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  26. There is a chocolate tour in Seattle that would be right up there with a tour with Jan Marie of Seattle Bites with Jan Marie Johnson.In Vancouver there are several tours with Edible BC to Chinatown Town, Granville Market and their version of Little Italy.

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  27. Gyoza King in Vancouver, on Robson street. And then walk the ten minutes to Stanley Park, find some place that sells ice cream and savour it on the beach!

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  29. I recommend Theo Chocolate – it's a fair trade and organic chocolatier, and it's the first and only one that imports its cocoa beans fresh to the US and handles everything from the roasting to the finished product here. They have bars made of beans from specific locales, as well as many really novel flavors like Chai Tea and Curry.

    Key tip: if you want to do their factory tour (which I hear is amazing) you should call ahead, as it fills up in advance. Enjoy your trip!

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  35. I would head to Salumi (309 Third Ave South). They have excellent cured meats as well as incredible sandwiches made from said meats. Anthony Bourdain made the stop, so you should too!

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  36. I live in Seattle (well, I moved here a month ago) and am also attending the conference!

    Some of my favorites:
    Red Mill Burger
    Paseo (Caribbean sandwiches)
    Cactus (Tex Mex)
    The Bustle
    Cafe Flora
    The Pike
    Molly Moon (ice cream)
    Tamarind Tree (Vietnamese)
    Uptown Espresso
    Cupcake Royale
    Annnnd I can't remember anymore – there is so much good food here!

    See you at the conference!

    –The Ginger Cook

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  37. Check out the Ballard neighborhood. The Sunday market is great. Paseo's makes amazing Cuban sandwiches. Someone already mentioned Salumi and Beecher's cheese. The spice shop at the market is great too. The international district is a must. Start at Uwajimaya and go from there. There are some great wineries in Woodinville/Redmond area, close to the city. So many things and I'm sure the conference will have tons of great suggestions.

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  40. Hello there, I happened to stumble upon your blog today (perhaps you are already here in Seattle?) while looking for an interesting version of a sundried tomato pesto recipe (thanks for yours). I feel compelled to write you because I, too, cook from a tiny kitchen and call myself the "Shoebox Chef." Check me out on http://blog.shoeboxchef.com/ when you get the chance.

    I look forward to following your blog! Your photos are beautiful and the recipes look delicious. Enjoy your time in Seattle — if you're a cheese lover, check out Beecher's Cheese in Pike Place Market. There are also some great eateries on Capital Hill, just east of downtown. Cafe Presse makes some delicious French fare, and makes the best cappuccino in town. Dilletante is all about chocolate, and they make a mocha with their special Ephemere chocolate sauce (it has butter in it! Like, real dairy butter, not just cocoa butter) that is so decadent. If you want to check out a foodie's market (besides Pike Place) check out Metropolitan Market in Queen Anne. They carry a glorious selection of local artisan breads, cheeses, salami, and wine. They import countless varieties of salt, olive oils and chocolates. It's heaven!

    Enjoy your time here! I hope you'll tell us all about the conference. I really wish I could attend!

    Thanks for sharing your food stories!

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  41. There are (finally) some great options in Seattle for foodies. As a Seattle native and resident, I would have to recommend the following:
    – Harvest Vine (http://www.harvestvine.com/)
    – Salumi (amazing cured meats, sandwiches, etc.)
    – How To Cook A Wolf (Ethan Stowell restaurant)
    – Dahlia Bakery (Tom Douglas)
    – Le Pichet (French, by Pike Place Market)
    – Paseo (cuban sandwiches)
    – Chocolate Tour (http://www.theochocolate.com/)

    Have a great time!

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  43. While in Vancouver you must visit Vij's restaurant. The best Indian food in North America. Bar none.

    Trust me.

    -slightlypickled.

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  44. Have a fantastic time at IFBC, Kevin. I hope to get there next year. I was going to make the same suggestion as "Anonymous" – Indian at Vij's & sushi at Tojo's. Two of my favorites!

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  45. You have to have dim sum at Sun Sui Wah on Main Street-it's absolutely the best! Skip The Eatery for sushi-overpriced, bad service ok sushi. I would def hit up an izakaya. In my opinion the Guu in Gastown is fabulous as is Kadoya (both Japanese Izakayas both fabulous). For a "fancy" dinner/meal-Carderos or Seasons in the Park-Seasons has a stunning view, wonderful attentive staff n delicious well prepared food 🙂

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  46. u must have dim sum at Sun Sui Wah on Main street-so tasty and def part of what Vancouver is all about. I would skip The Eatery-overpriced, terrible service, ok food and hit an izakay instead-my favourites are Guu in Gastown or Kinyo on Davie Street. For a fancy meal my favourites are Seasons in the Park (terrific views, awesome staff, in a vancouver landmark) or Carderos (right on the water in coal harbour) TRUST ME if you do you will be happy and so will your belly 🙂

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  47. While at Pike Place Market you can try a really wonderful kimchi wrap. I got one when I was there a couple weeks ago (I never pass up an opportunity to eat kimchi) and it made a good lunch.

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  48. Kevin-I am new to your blog and love it. I am Canadian (but live in Boston and have been in the States a long time) Anyway-if you like Indian Vij's in Vancouver is a MUST. no reservations-so show up early! The lamb popsicles are to die for. Also, Go Fish on Granville Island has the best fish/chips and asian coleslaw. the lines are also long here but worth it. Tojo's is also a MUST!!!

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  49. Old Sichuan on 12th and Jackson in seattle is the best chinese food I've had outside of China and also inexpensive.

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  50. In Seattle, Full Tilt ice cream also has a location in the University District.

    The Pink Door is a local "secret" restaurant in Pike Place Market– no sign, just a pink door in Post Alley.

    In the International District, Green Leaf serves the best Vietnamese food in town. And grocery store Uwajimaya (also in the ID) is a fascinating experience.

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  52. featured on Food Network all the time! Excellent donuts.
    http://www.toppotdoughnuts.com/

    outstanding pizza! The soft egg pizza is to die for!
    http://tomdouglas.com/index.php?page=serious-pie

    Best chowder I've ever eaten….numerous awards
    http://www.pikeplacechowder.com/

    If ur into Happy Hours this tool is great….
    http://sevennites.com/

    Wineries of Woodinville are about a 40 minute drive from Seattle. Efeste and Mark Ryan are two of my favorites and very well respected wineries.

    Enjoy! Seattle is foodie heaven!

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  53. featured on Food Network all the time! Excellent donuts.
    http://www.toppotdoughnuts.com/

    outstanding pizza! The soft egg pizza is to die for!
    http://tomdouglas.com/index.php?page=serious-pie

    Best chowder I've ever eaten….numerous awards
    http://www.pikeplacechowder.com/

    If ur into Happy Hours this tool is great….
    http://sevennites.com/

    Woodinville Wineries are about a 40 min drive from SEA. Efeste and Mark Ryan are two of my fav's and are very well respected in the wine community.

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  54. I recently visited Kingfish Cafe in Seattle. Definitely a must! And I think it was already said, but Go Fish just off of Granville Island in Vancouver is also my go-to place for fish and chips. Be prepared for lineups at both places and have a great trip!

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  56. I just moved from Seattle to Austin a few months ago and what I consider to be the absolute must haves are:

    – Dinner at Art of the Table
    – Cuban Press at Paseo
    – Croissant at Cafe Besalu
    – Hamachi at Nishino
    – Beignets at Cafe Flora
    – Avatar Jasmine IPA at Elysian
    – Vivace Espresso

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  57. Hi Kevin,
    I am going to agree with Vij's as an excellent choice.
    If in Granville Island, stop at my friends fudge shop, Old World Fudge. Also within the market is a store that profiles local foodie wares, Edibles they are called.
    Great place to pickup some foodie gifts to bring back home.

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  58. Not really a culinary experience, but a quintessential bit of Vancouver – either breakfast or cocktail hour treats at the Sylvia Hotel – a seat with a view over English Bay: A big breakfast after a walk along the Stanley Park Seawall, or late afternoon glass of chilled BC white and a big pot of steamed mussels…they make a decent Manhattan too.

    cheers,
    trevor

    Reply

  59. sounds like a lot of fun. just added your blog on my daily reading exercises. there is another food blogger that will be attending the same conference, chef john, from foodwishes.blogspot.com. i only passed through seattle quickly but had some good and cheap dim sum. don't remember the name but i am sure you will have no trouble. As for Vancouver, one of my favourite places in the world, I would recommend the Vancouver Chinatown night market. Never been but bring your appetite. I've been to night markets in Asia and they are the best. don't eat dinner cause you will need all the space to taste all the wonderfully deep fried, grilled, stir-fried and steamed food. Have fun.

    Reply

  62. Hey Kevin!

    If it's not raining when you're here (it's raining as I type in Seattle), try going on a hike to Mt. Si or go to Golden Garden or Alki Beach. Kerry Park or Gasworks park are a great place to have a picnic and they have such beautiful views of the city. As for food places to go, everyone here has given you such great ideas already! But here are a few more in case you're still hungry: Bakery Nouveau (my favorite bakery in Seattle!), Maneki Restaurant (Japanese food + sushi), Mashiko (sustainable sushi). There's also a stretch on Highway 99 (also known as Aurora) and N 200th St, where there are many Korean restaurants and supermarkets. Take care and have a wonderful time!

    Reply

  63. Piroshky Piroshky
    Pike Place Mkt.|1908 Pike Pl. (bet. Stewart & Virginia Sts.) Seattle, WA 98101
    http://www.piroshkybakery.com

    The sweet ones are fine but the savory ones are to die for. Choose any kind that appeals to you, you won't be sorry. In fact, get a sackful.

    Reply

  64. I saw you at the conference and I'm 90% sure I saw you on the waterfront today.Not that I'm a stalker, you just have a distinct appearance.

    Anyway, hope you enjoyed the conference! Always wanted to tell you that your Spanakopita style lasagna has always been one of my favorites. Thanks!

    Reply

  66. Seattle:
    Skillet Street Food! This crazy little trailer that drives around Seattle to bring food to a location near you. Kevin, I had the most life changing crab cakes here. Life changing in that since then I thought I had fallen in love with crab cakes, and order them at every restaurant I've gone to, from upscale restaurants to grungy bars, and each experience has left me craving those crunchy crabby morsels of greatness I tasted at Skillet.
    Warning 1: Do not eat here if you ever want to enjoy crab cakes elsewhere ever again.
    Warning 2: Menu changes daily, so those life changing crab cakes may not be on the menu.

    Reply

  69. I can't wait to see some of your posts about Seattle when you get back home! I live in Seattle and I'm ashamed to say that I haven't tried much of anything around here. Sure .. I eat out a lot but that's about it =)I'm excited to see what you did when you were in town!

    Reply

  71. Hi, First I've been reading your blog for a while, but this is my first post. I wanted to thank you for all the great recipes and photos. 🙂 My husband and I went to Seattle last year and we are still talking about our next trip mainly so that we can eat at this great little Greek place we found near the Queen Anne/Space needle area. It's called Panos Kleftiko and I highly suggest the house specialty: arni kleftiko sto psomi. O. M. G. Amazing. Great little mom and pop hole in the wall. The food was fabulous and the staff and other diners were great as well, giving us suggestions on things to do during our trip. This is a definite can't miss. Have a fun and safe trip! -starryskies

    Reply

  72. Kevin they sell a bizarre tea in the Pike Place Market called "Market Spice Tea". It's a cinnamon orange tea which is blindingly strong, sweet and just as spicy as Atomic Fireballs. It tastes nothing like most teas. It's very sweet but supposedly contains no sugars and gets its sweetness from the heavy dose of citrus oil (a lot of diabetics seem to drink it). It's so saturated with citrus and cinnamon oils the tea tags turn dark.

    Reply

  73. Buon viaggio e tanti complimenti per i tuo bellissimo blog,davvero mooolto interessante e tu sei bravissimo nel creare i tuoi piatti!!!!;-)
    W il Canada..che amo!!!:-)
    CIAO

    Reply

  74. In Vancouver, there is an awesome restaurant on Main Street called Grub. A little bit on the hipster end of things but so delicious and under appreciated.

    Reply

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On Vacation

[heart_this] · · 111 Comments

Tomorrow I will be on a plane on my way to enjoying a little over two weeks of vacation in Greece! I have been looking forward to this for a long time as it has been well over two years since my last real vacation. I will be spending about a week on the mainland followed by a week exploring a few of the islands including a stop in Turkey.

My decision to go to Greece on this vacation was in part influenced by my recent enjoyment of Greek cuisine. In addition to seeing the sights, learning new things and experiencing a bit of Greek culture, I am really looking forward to enjoying some tasty Greek cuisine!

This is so exciting!

Although I will miss a few weeks of the best local produce while I am gone, I am hoping that it will be a good time for food in Greece as well. I will still get to see what you have been making while I was away in Reader when I get back.

Time to get back to packing.
See you in a few weeks!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  15. So envious!! We were planning for a trip to Turkey for the end of this year. But with the house that just came along, we had to shelf it for now… Let me know how Turkey is man! Gotta miss ya writing!

    Reply

  16. Dear Kevin have a nice and beauty time in Greece I dont know Greece but all said (specially Peter!!) is one of the most beauty places and the cuisine I think is fantastic. We will miss you but is good to may have a rest, have alovely holiday and hope to heard from you at return.Gloria

    Reply

  19. you knuckle head…how friggin’ fun….I wish I was you…I want to punch you or something..you know in like that annoying cousin way…if not its that annoying way that no one wants to be punched when something good is going on…you know that punch.

    Reply

  29. I’ve dealt with so many assholes, idiots and dumbs in my job as a correctional facility officer but you’re something!
    Just look at your stupid ugly face and the crap you make and call them food! You go fuck yourself in Greece you scumbag. There are lots of beautiful places in Canada that ugly animals like you will never see in their life. Pieces of stinky craps like you deserve shits like Turkey, Iraq and Greece. I vomit, piss and shit in your mouth.

    Reply

  38. Have a fantastic time Kevin. Greece is a wonderful place to go….so much to see and do. And lots of yummy mediterranean food. Enjoy and see you in a couple of weeks.

    Reply

  43. have fun in greece! you will love it! it is sooo beautiful over there! hopefully you will get to visit santorini. i felt like my equilibrium was off on that island but i did enjoy the scenic views and great seafood!

    have fun!

    Reply

  52. I will miss my daily dose of closet cooking – but will be excited to see what new things you have in store for us! Have fun – take lots of pictures (of food)!

    Reply

  55. What am I going to do without all your amazing photos for 2 weeks! Enjoy your trip!! I can’t wait to see new recipe ideas/ingredients you bring back.

    Reply

  59. hoooooowwww exciting!!!!! Ive been to many places in the world but Santorini has to be one of my top 3 places that I have ever been. Eat lots off good greek salad, gyros, and greek yogurt for me!

    Reply

  75. I’m not sure if I should be jealous or happy before you. Maybe both. Looking forward to all the great food that you’ll make with Greek inspiration.

    Reply

  91. I just canceled a trip to Cuba and came to my mind to replace it in a few months for a trip in Greece. Can’t wait to hear impressions about Greece… Have a great vacation!

    Reply

  94. I must say, I am absolutely impressed by your blog – it’s amazing! The variety, imagination and photo quality is utterly fantastic – kudos to you!

    Reply

  97. I’ve been slowly catching up on all your yummy recipes…. only to get to the end and find you are in Greece!
    Hope you’re having a wonderful time and are taking lots of photos – food amd otherwise!

    Reply

  104. Hi Kevin, been missing your blog posts! Have a wonderful trip, and hope you enjoy lots more of Greek cuisine. looking fwd to your pics and stories of you vacation..

    Reply

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