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"It Only Looks Like a Waffle" from Broadway Mall in Hicksville, NY circa 10 years ago. Essentially belgian waffles (of different varieties, to boot) covered with simple syrup (or something). Always worth it back then, and I'm sad to see that it was, apparently, a one-of-a-kind storefront.

It's been available in a lot of supermarkets on Long Island for at least the past week. It's definitely available in some of the local Stop n' Shops in Nassau County, not to mention some Shop Rites. I believe there were some in Fairway as well, but I can't say with any certainty on that one.

I mean, I would have looked but I already stocked up earlier in the week. ;)

@eileen216. Reminds me of a take-away service in Pittsburgh we used to use in the dorms way back when. Since we were always big on knowing what everyone would be paying (as well as tip) before we called up, we always knew the total within a dollar or two.

However, this place would almost always "make an honest mistake" on the price whenever we called in an order. Now, I'm all for mistakes myself since nobody is perfect, but it was pretty odd that on three consecutive occasions that the price was overinflated by 40%. When we would inquire about the price and what it should be, it was always the same "Oh my! Really sorry about that, just wasn't paying attention!"

So don't just worry about eating out, also be wary when picking up/getting delivery as well.

Vodka sauce, hands down, every time.

I always handled it as follows, because you just never know...

20% for usual, solo delivery (usually around $2).
30% if it's nasty weather or someone I know (around $3 - $3.50).
10% if the place calls me an hour after the order to tell me they don't know where the driver is at all.
NADA if the driver shows up two hours later (30 minutes after the place closes, mind you) with the entirely wrong order and an air of "who cares?"

The last one is usually followed up with a talk to the manager when they open the next day. ;)

All I've learned over the years in NY, PA, and IN (Pittsburgh and Bloomington, if you really want to know specifics) is that if you want to find good bread you've got to hit everywhere. Leave no stone unturned. Sometimes that challah you love from Bakery X is spot on every time, but those loaves at Bakery Y can be mind-numbingly insane in comparison.

I found the same to be true of sourdough when I went looking, same with baguettes and other varieties. Besides, in most places you have no shortage of options! Well, so long as independent bakeries and whatnot are thriving. I should find a few around Bloomington, come to think of it.

Besides, if you want fun in Pittsburgh grab a friend with a car, see if anyone else wants to go compare some bakeries, and say you're buying $5 worth of samples for everyone at each. I did it for my recital and, truth be told, it was a hell of an afternoon. You end up all over Pittsburgh, from the Italian bakery all the way in Monroeville close to the old Media Play and Outback, the cheap, homey places in Shadyside, the various offerings in Squirrel Hill...crazy stuff.

Then you follow it up with a beer run, of course. Take your pick. ;)

So, let me get this straight...

Yesterday, Monday, the Nintendo World Store rolled out Wii Fit to customers. Today, they promote the Major League Eating game.

I must admit, this made me laugh for about a good two minutes. ;)

Joe's Shanghai...under happier circumstances I would have been there in a little over a week. At least the picture stirs my appetite (and long for some dumplings!) rather than get my goat. ;)

First of all, I love the fact that I have a Fairway just several blocks away out on Long Island. When the other supermarkets are getting in garbage (or have fruit rotting on the shelves) I can take a quick trip over there and get what I need without a fuss. That and it usually ends up being cheaper!

Second, this was absolutely hilarious. I needed a bit of levity this morning and Rooney rarely fails to deliver.

I used to live in Pittsburgh in my 5 years at CMU and I just have to toss in my 2 cents about some of the places already mentioned:

1) Church Brew Works: Take the trip. Beautiful atmosphere, some very good food (I really enjoyed their venison meatloaf the one time I went), and some excellent beer as well. For me that's really something because I really don't like most beers!

2) Chaya: I went there numerous times with my friends when we decided that Friday night meant emptying our wallets and eating big. While you may have to wait for seating at dinner hours (usually crowded) it's worth it. Absolutely magnificent food, spot-on every time. The sushi boats are quite a sight to behold and are quite fresh.

3) Lulu's: Yup, a fine place for the collegiate crowd to go for some good Pan-Asian eats. Very reasonable prices, some excellent takes on old classics. I still miss their wonton soup quite a bit, mostly because it involved bonito broth instead as well as many other veggies and ingredients I usually don't expect. Quite flavorful!

Great, now I miss the ol' place. Guess I'll have to go back eventually to catch up with friends and food!

When it comes to standard dining, my family either opts for Appetizer/Entree or Entree/Dessert, mostly because we can't possibly finish the meal otherwise. Sometimes we'll go for all three when we know that all three will be excellent and fridge space isn't a concern.

Otherwise...it depends. My friends and family aren't averse to an appetizer meal, especially since they're now into dim sum and other fun things. I've been to plenty of places as of late where I could make at least several meals out of the appetizers at the very least. I wouldn't count entrees out because sometimes we just don't have time during the day to eat anything substantial (maybe a small muffin for breakfast and a small soup for lunch) so when dinner hits...well, that top-notch $12 entree that will fill us up is a bit more appetizing than ordering three appetizers that will only get us halfway there. ;D

I haven't had much in way of real BBQ but I did enjoy City Grill's offerings in Bloomington, IN when they were still in business. Delectable brisket, hands-down. Hog House out on LI is quite good as well but the place is far too small. It really needs a location that's about thrice the size.

Personally, I find it a bit of a blow since even though my parents don't care for Emeril in the slightest (although they do like a few of his recipes), it was pretty much the last show in FN's lineup at night that we could use in cooking dinner. That sounds a bit odd, of course, but since we all get home late due to our own job requirements a solid episode of, say, Good Eats or even an interesting Emeril recipe is all the difference between cooking up a good meal (even when exhausted) and ordering out.

So it's going to be a loss for us, at least. I know, we can still hit up sites and print out recipes but we still enjoy cooking along with a program, as outdated as that may be. I just hope that FN will replace the 8 to 9 PM bracket with one or two shows that actually focus on cooking rather than "let's take a look at ______".

I'll leave the "what is FN's definition of 'cooking'?" discussion up to everyone else. ;)