Please send all emails to dave@schrohe.com
From Candio (February 2003):
The site looks awesome! Love the Colchester section, although we need some basil
pix!! i have a guest
photo for you. it’s of you and the Tupperware lady.
Pretty damn funny.
From Gordo (January
2003):
So I'm sitting here looking for a recipe to make an
amuse bouche, and I
thought of that French Laundry appetizer course, in which he kills a live
lobster with his bare hands, then slow poaches it in butter. Thought that'd
be nice in really small portions, served on puff pastry or some such.
Anyway...... I do a Google. Scroll down about five or six entries, see a
promising result and click on it, without noticing the URL. Lo and behold,
as they say, it's that familiar brownish-maroon-what-color-is-that page of
Schrohe.com! I chuckled.
From Jimmy J (January 2003):
Your
site rocks. I just read that email from the woman who recognized
you from the site in your orange jacket and was too stunned to speak.
Hilarity.
Anyway, I need to get in a few recommendations on the sandwich list as
that is vastly my area of preference outside of the mexican arena.
1) Melampo on Sullivan between Prince and Spring. Yes, Allessandro
can be cranky to outsiders, and, yes, he did yell at my father once for
innocently requesting that Allessandro make him "the house favorite" (he
told Bill to go to the back of the line, read the list again, and have a
sandwich in mind when it was his turn again). The Tramezzino bread is
requisite (better than the Foccacia even), and the Marina (chicken
breast, arugola, artichoke hearts) and Lucy (sweet peppers, smoked
mozzarella, prosciutto) are both life-altering experiences.
2) Some people hate Pastis. Those of us who are flexibly employed
manage to sidestep most of the concerns (crowded, overpriced, brimming
with ciggy-sucking Eurotrash, hey wait this is starting to sound like a
Castle party) of the place by heading in at five after noon on a
weekday, grabbing Le Figaro or US Weekly, and taking one of the 20 empty
tables in the bar area. An attentive boy in a waiter's uniform and
tight jeans will then approach the table, and you tell him to bring you
an iced tea and the steak sandwich pronto. If you're feeling sluggish,
the boy will swap a salad in for the fries, but it's better to get the
salad as an extra because even if you eat only one fry, it and the
mustard-mayo it comes with will notably enhance your meal. The boy will
return with a sandwich that is like a froggy take on a cheesesteak; the
steak is not so finely chopped, is more like chopped tips instead of
fried roast beef, and not so greasy. Crucially, it is served on a
cutting board instead of a plate. The roll is a sour, hard, delicious
torpedo with not much dough inside - crusty, perfect - and the cheese is
gruyere, which adds an important flavor-licious edge. There's also a
little bitter lettuce in there to shore things up. As I said to Milton
as we downed a pair of these at 3am saturday (another good time to
partake of this particular meal), "Get ready for the best god damned
sandwich you've ever had." He didn't disagree, but, then again, Melampo
isn't open in the middle of the night, and Milton isn't really very
picky. After you're done, the boy will clear the empty cutting board,
you will give him $12, and you're in the clear before the place fills up
with slumming, dull uptowners.
3) We now switch gears to Eisenberg's (5th b/t 22-23). Some people
can't get the faint air of uncleanliness out of their minds when they
enter this place. I sit at the counter, because if there are roaches in
there as some attest, they will take the easiest route and hit the
tables first. As a pure throwback lunch counter, Eisenberg's is way up
there on my list. Number three in fact. Not a better way to start a
hung-over Saturday than with the Post, some brisk winter air, and the
open-face tuna melt on rye with swiss, extra pickles, extra mustard, and
a coke with ice in a wax cup. Summertime, throw in a lime rickey.
4) The Mulberry Street combo sandwich at the Italian Food Center on
Mulberry and Grand. Three- and four-syllable porky meat products,
slightly air-dried provolone, slimy vinegar-ey mushrooms, a bottle of
Orangina, and a fistful of napkins. And some toothpicks. Now that's
Italian. Kind of.
5) Shopsin's Cheezy Stake. Because it comes with perfect rippled,
greasy potato chips instead of fries, it is broiled before it leaves the
kitchen in order to melt the cheeze and toast the roll, and it has no
pretentions to be anything but what it is. Thus the spelling. You can
find a facsimile of this sandwich in a few places, but I happen to be a
huge Shopsin's whore despite the magnitide of hype, and I know that
anyone with sense will say they are going for the Cheezy Stake but
really order the Mexican Chicken Tortilla Stew (with fresh avocado
slices, 7 out of 10 on the hot meter), because that's the best meal in
the city.
From MC (September 2002):
The panko crusted rock shrimp with masago ailoli at SANSEI in Kapalua, HI is
unbelieveably good. Being on the mainland, we dream about it often. I've
thought to ask a restaurant here in Chicago to add it to their menu so that
we can have a local source for it.
NB. While the character of the Rendez-vous in Memphis is special, I think
the ribs at Corky's are better. Personal opinion. The problem with Corky's
that it is a chain, it also feels like an Outback Steakhouse or Lone Star
because of it's total lack of character. If you are ever in Memphis again, you
should really try the Germantown Commissary for BBQ. It's an old shack, in
"downtown" of Germantown (first suburb east of Memphis), great character, a good
"boss man salad" (smoked pork shoulder cold (dry rub i.e. no sauce) piled on a
chef salad. It sounds gross but the pork is fantastic and the salad is
refreshing when you get
through all of the pork, unlike when you typically have Memphis BBQ and walk
away with that feeling of having consumed so much meat and starch.
I came across your website when I had typed in "steak tartare illinois" in
yahoo. My girlfriends and I get together once a month to have dinner (always
steak tartare) and to catch up. We plan to try all of the restaurants that
serve steak tartare in Chicago.
Great site of yours though. I have to say I've been at a number of the
restaurants and trust that I should try the others.
From Tory M. (September 2002):
I've enjoyed prowling your site. Just returned from N'awlins where I hit some of
your recommended sites. I'm already jonesing for more debris from Mothers!
I was surfing, to see if anyone had written about a NO dive restaurant
with unbelievably good food: Euglesich's. Found a review on NOLA.com, and
there was a link in there somewhere (not on that review, but on that site)
to one of your Top 5s. I noticed Food TV is adopting your Top 5 idea into a
new show. You should get a commission!
You've inspired me to begin keeping a list of my food favorites: Kentucky
country ham; mint julep at the Seelbach Hotel in Louisville; a
walnut-stilton-pear salad in New Orleans; Mother's debris and ham sandwich;
fresh hearts of palm at the Swamp Cabbage Festival in FL; champagne, smoked
salmon and my first scone with clotted cream at Fortnum and Mason's
restaurant in London; Willy's Krauch's smoked salmon from Tangier, Nova Scotia,
etc.
From Lisa Cupcake Girl (August
2002):
Hi Mr. Food Dude,
The best cupcakes are at the Butter Cup Bakery, 51rst and 2nd Ave. The
chocolate/chocolate are great. I have tried Magnolia Bakery and they are
also quite good. I will try my best to visit Rao's this summer, any hints
on getting in?
From Megan S. (August
2002):
I just stumbled across your site and found it very
entertaining and
useful. I come from a family where my Dad would easily drive 3 hours to
go to his favorite restaurant so I found your "meals of my life" section
great. I live in Europe now (London) and often make weekend trip to the
places my Dad used to take me. My favorite is in Italy's Piemonte region
(in the wine region of Barola, La Morra etc) and so I wanted to know if
you have ever been there because it definitely has some restaurants that
hands down are better than any French cuisine or other Italian cooking.
Piemonte is not a big tourist destination (closest big city is Turin
know for car manufacturing) so it doesn't get the same exposure as
Tuscany or the Amalfi coast, but it is not to be missed. Anyway, if you
are interested I would be happy to share the names of the restaurants
and the meals that my husband and I go back for each year which are the
best we (and my Dad- who is a man who knew) have ever had.
I also found your write-up on French Laundry to be useful because I am
going to be in the Napa region for a 1 week holiday soon and was trying
to decide if it was really worth booking.
Lastly, I wanted to know how something gets on your ultimate list? Hands
down the best Margarita in the US that I have ever had is in San Diego
(my hometown). It is in a restaurant called Epazote in Del Mar. They
come in individual shakers (3 serving per shaker) and after they are
poured, the waiter tops them off with a little extra tequila (can never
remember how to spell the brand...the one that starts with an "S").
Anyway, if you ever find yourself in Del Mar, CA you must try them
out....it also doesn't hurt that the restaurant overlooks the Pacific
ocean.
From "Redette" (August 2002):
Just a
note to say Thanks....Came upon your website and really appreciate
your write up on Red's. It is reading (or hearing) nice comments like yours
that make all the hard work worthwhile. I am "Red's" (Allen's) daughter
and work at Red's. I was so pleased to find that you enjoyed your visit and
your food. Sure put a smile on my face after a busy and long day.
From Jenny Z. (June 2002):
I've been meaning to write you .... Did you see that Blue Smoke's smoked bologna
sandwich won a Time Out NY Eating Award? We feel great, and Danny
wanted to acknowledge that you discovered it first!
From JoAnna P. (May 2002):
Somehow in my surfing, I came upon photos you took in Lyon, France. I
wrote a piece for the Associated press and, with your permission and credit
given, would love to use a couple photos. Don't know how you feel about
that, but didn't want to steal.
From
Cliff A. (May 2002):
IN SF? Have you CHA CHA CHA'd? I
agree w/ you on Biba's! Awful and
pretentious!!! Please come back to NE and try Stone Soup in Ipswich, MA.
Farhham's in Essex for the fried clams. Great site and thank you!
From Gracie (March 2002):
Remember me? I provided you with
some Boston restaurant recommendations
(sorry about Biba!). Well, you're not going to believe this. I was in New
York this weekend and Saturday afternoon, I was walking by the Blue Water
Grill. As I passed it, I started thinking about restaurants and thought to
myself, "Wouldn't it be funny if I saw that guy from schrohe.com this
weekend?" And then right as I walked in front of Diesel, you and your wife
passed me. I couldn't believe it. It was so, so weird. This was about
2:30pm; you were wearing an orange Patagonia jacket.
I would have said something, but I was too stunned to speak!
Pretty funny, don't you think?
From Danny M. (November 2001):
Thanks for your Ultimate List. Based on what I read, I have a hunch you're
going to enjoy our new barbecue restaurant, Blue Smoke, which is slated to
open by February/March 2002!
Keep making other foodies hungry!
From
Danny M. (November 2001):
Just checked out your site for the
first time and wanted to say thank you
for being so enthusiastic about our restaurants. Especially appreciated
your appreciation of the Union Square Cafe Tuna Burger.
Best continued success with your top 5 idea.
From Shannon (August 2001):
I have loved the cinnamon rolls at Le Bistro in San Anselmo since I lived
there when I was ten years old. I really enjoyed seeing it on your list.
From Lou L. (August 2001):
This could be added to your
list!
The best hot dog and onion rings...
The Varsity in Atlanta, Georgia.
They have a web site.... check it out.
I found your site when I
was looking for Ole Salty Potato Chips. I just
heard of them yesterday. I typed in google. I was searching for ole salty
when your list popped up. I thought it sounded interesting. We have the
same old same old in my city. We found The Varsity last year. We had seen a
show called the hot dog program. And they do have terrific chili dogs! And
slaw dogs too! We planned our vacation around driving to The Varsity on the
way to Florida. And Nuway on the way home from Florida. But Nuway made us
sick. So I cannot recommend them. The site seemed like a great idea to
me. So I thought that I would suggest The Varsity. Oh, do you know if Ole Salty
has a place that I could order chips. I am in Ohio.
From Attilio, General Manager of the Palazzo Sasso (August 2001):
Many thanks for your great feedback!!! Very impressed, and delighted that
you have enjoyed your stay... we look forward to seeing you back in your new
home on the Amalfi Coast.
From Mark L. (March 2001):
what's up big man. a good bay area guide to 'dive restaurants':
http://www.razz.com/dives/
From Anton L (March 2001):
I am a friend of Justin's, and
I contributed a half dozen or so items to the
ultimate food list. There are some restaurants in Portland that are worthy
of inclusion on your city restaurant list.
-Castagna for the French fries, the grilled quail and the spinach
-Genoa for the five course Italian meal, only choice is for the entree.
Super simple elegant great food. Changes every night.
-Higgins for the home-cured pastrami in a fancy restaurant
-Lemongrass-Thai place with tiny menu, tiny room, incredible flavors,
wonderful unusual choices
-Wildwood for the wood fire roasted chicken thigh sandwich on home-made bread
and any lamb dish and local cepe and moreilles recipes in the fall
-Cafe Mingo for unusual and wonderful pastas, including a penne with sugo de
carne cooked for ten hours in espresso and chianti.
From Seth F. (March 2001):
This is fucking hysterical
From Garrett K (March 2001):
When does the magazine
begin? If George can still be in circulation, why
can't SCHROHE?
From Anne G. (March
2001):
Very impressive, but, I'm sorry, -- raw puffin? YUCK!
