The New And Improved Fashion Board

[Anne Elk]

Originally posted by ThurgreedMarshall
This explanation doesn't hack it. Tomatoes are tomatoes. Onions are fucking onions. And it doesn't really matter what they cost. I don't understand the draw. It seems to be only the thickness of the cut. I've never seen anyone who wasn't a complete poser order them.

TM

Mmmmm, tomato and onion salad can be amazing, WHEN the ingredients are fresh.

Sadly I am now allergic to tomatoes, but after 20 years I still crave my Mom's tomato and onion salad. She uses Jersey Beefsteak tomatoes and sweet onions, balsamic and EVOO. So simple and yet so good.

My other favorite simple food - a perfectly ripe avocado with a bit of lemon juice and salt. Thankfully I am not allergic to avocados. Yet.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by ThurgreedMarshall
I just knew you'd be the one to say, "Isn't this true of all salads?"

Basically, I agree. But at least they chopped the fucking salad, prepared the bacon and put some dressing on it. Cutting a tomato and an onion three times, serving it with salt and pepper and presenting it like it is some kind of culinary adventure seems ridiculous to me. And I'm not talking about a generic mall restaurant here. I'm talking about a highly expensive steakhouse.

And adding "absent a pound of bacon, there's no way that's a $12 salad" makes little sense since you are essentially saying the same thing as me. Twelve bucks for a tomato and an onion makes no sense.

TM

So we agree? Suck it, then!

[greatwhitenorthchick]

Originally posted by Anne Elk
a perfectly ripe avocado

still not a vegetable.

[ltl/fb]

Originally posted by ThurgreedMarshall
I just knew you'd be the one to say, "Isn't this true of all salads?"

Basically, I agree. But at least they chopped the fucking salad, prepared the bacon and put some dressing on it. Cutting a tomato and an onion three times, serving it with salt and pepper and presenting it like it is some kind of culinary adventure seems ridiculous to me. And I'm not talking about a generic mall restaurant here. I'm talking about a highly expensive steakhouse.

And adding "absent a pound of bacon, there's no way that's a $12 salad" makes little sense since you are essentially saying the same thing as me. Twelve bucks for a tomato and an onion makes no sense.

TM

I undoubtedly don't go to high-end steakhouses enough, but I don't recall ever seeing tomato and onion salad on a menu. Tomato and mozzarella, yes. I agree it sounds ridiculous. I have to confess I'm a big fan of the wedge salad with blue cheese dressing, bacon, etc. And a ribeye. And a baked potato with everything.

God I miss Texas Land & Cattle. All of that for like maybe $30. Mmmmmmmm.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by ltl/fb

God I miss Texas Land & Cattle. All of that for like maybe $30. Mmmmmmmm.

Have you ever done one of those "If you eat this (78 oz) steak, you eat free!" deals?

Originally posted by ThurgreedMarshall
What exactly is the draw of the tomato and onion salad at steakhouses? Is it because one wouldn't normally cut them so thick that makes people order them and exclaim in delight how delicious they are? They are fucking tomatos and onions. Do they not realize they are suckers for paying $12 for something that they can make themselves in 38 seconds for $1.50? Someone explain this to me, because as it stands, I'll never fucking get it.

TM

When did you become Andy Rooney? Next you'll be all upset about how much people pay for coffee.

[notcasesensitive]

Originally posted by barely_legal
Tomatoes are not just tomatoes. I have a lot of trouble finding decent tomatoes in my local grocery stores, and I don't have time to go to farmer's markets just to get a decent tomato. So if I'm at a nice restaurant where I know the tomatoes aren't going to be mealy and flavorless, then I'll happily pay $12 for a fresh tomato salad.

I am sad to report that even living across the street from a permanent Farmer's Market in Los Angeles does not insure a person ripe, delicious beefsteak tomatoes 12 months per year. Only 9 or 10. It is a bit lame of TM to be discussing tomato salads during the period in which it is hard to find a good tomato, even in LA.

I'm doubting he's ever priced good beefsteaks.*

I taste-tested balsamics Saturday (as part of my shopping for a secretary holiday gift). Ended up with an 8 year for her (along with other stuff) and a 10 year for us. The 12 year was incredible.



*aside: who even looks at prices of salads in the context of a dinner at a fancy steakhouse? are there people who honestly get th house salad because the extra $3 for a tomato salad would break the bank? I get the salad that sounds the best to me. Often it is the tomato salad (don't even get me started if it is caprese with fresh buffalo mozzerella (hi Coltrane!)).

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by ThurgreedMarshall
This explanation doesn't hack it. Tomatoes are tomatoes. Onions are fucking onions. And it doesn't really matter what they cost. I don't understand the draw. It seems to be only the thickness of the cut. I've never seen anyone who wasn't a complete poser order them.

TM

Tomatoes are excellent when they're ripe, but for some people it's probably difficult to handle the logistical challenge of preparing tomatoes at home at that point. It's lame, but so are many grocery-store tomatoes.

Those of us who live in [eta: Northern?] California have fantastic produce year-round. Everyone else can sulk and cry about what they're missing.

[Anne Elk]

Originally posted by greatwhitenorthchick
still not a vegetable.

Never said it was a vegetable. I don't care if it's a vegetable or mineral or fruit, it's still yummy.

[ThurgreedMarshall]

Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
I'm eating low carb, and you ask me out to Peter whatever it is.

I didn't ask you out to Peter Lugers. You're there on your own because you're eating low carb. Not really my business.

Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
You order a killain's a ribeye, a side of au gratin potatoes, and a side of green beans to share with me. I get the porterhouse, and JW Black. The potatoes look really good to me, but I'm eating low carb, and trying to be strong. A thick tomato slice, if it is firm, has the texture of a potato slice. I know it isn't the same, but I order it, as it's all I can do.

That's great. But I'm fairly certain that this item was on the menu long before the low carb craze.

Originally posted by Hank Chinaski
You call me a poser. I point out pretty much everyone there is a poser.

I don't think that everyone who eats in a steakhouse at any time is a poser. Steaks from steakhouses are good. The guys who go to Lugers or wherever and order the tomato and onion salad and act like it's the greatest thing in the world (and I've tried them -- they taste like tomatoes and onions) are posers.

TM

[patentparanyc]

Originally posted by notcasesensitive
I am sad to report that even living across the street from a permanent Farmer's Market in Los Angeles does not insure a person ripe, delicious beefsteak tomatoes 12 months per year. Only 9 or 10. It is a bit lame of TM to be discussing tomato salads during the period in which it is hard to find a good tomato, even in LA.

I'm doubting he's ever priced good beefsteaks.*

I taste-tested balsamics Saturday (as part of my shopping for a secretary holiday gift). Ended up with an 8 year for her (along with other stuff) and a 10 year for us. The 12 year was incredible.



*aside: who even looks at prices of salads in the context of a dinner at a fancy steakhouse? are there people who honestly get th house salad because the extra $3 for a tomato salad would break the bank? I get the salad that sounds the best to me. Often it is the tomato salad (don't even get me started if it is caprese with fresh buffalo mozzerella (hi Coltrane!)).

Well, that is what I was going to say as well. You know going in that the expensive steakhouses over charge for salads and sides. The sides are ridiculously expensive for what they are. A side of mashed, etc.

What is high end steak? Ruth Chris', Del Frisco's, Smith & Wollensky, Ben Benson's, Wolf & Lamb? Luger's?

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by Tyrone Slothrop

Those of us who live in California have fantastic produce year-round. Everyone else can sulk and cry about what they're missing.

I drown my sorrows in a nice box of wine.

[ThurgreedMarshall]

Originally posted by ironweed
When did you become Andy Rooney? Next you'll be all upset about how much people pay for coffee.

Please. I posted that one like 3 years ago.

TM

[Tyrone Slothrop]

Originally posted by ThurgreedMarshall
Steaks from steakhouses are good.

The last several times we've had the urge to go to a steakhouse, we instead have bought the best steaks we can find and a bottle of good wine. Ever since Atticus set us up with the right grill, this works pretty well for a nicer price. If I'm going to eat out, I'd rather get something I can't make as well at home (e.g., seafood, or dim sum).

[ABBAKiss]

Originally posted by ThurgreedMarshall
poser...poser...poser

I keep envisioning men in business suits, a little tipsy, playing the statue game -- the one where the Statue Maker picks up the other players ("posers!!!") one by one, spins them around, and flings them across the room only to land and strike a pose to become a statue. I would LOVE to see this next time I am at a steak house.