warning: boring post: what I had for breakfast

kat1 (Moderator) says on Mar 27, 2008, 06:57:

uhmm looks delicious...

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podborski says on Mar 27, 2008, 06:59:

here are the best french fries in the world, or at least outside of the fat duck in the UK. It's a lousy picture. We serve them with garlic and oil.

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podborski says on Mar 27, 2008, 07:01:

and here's where I am eating all this good stuff:

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kalder says on Mar 27, 2008, 07:01:

You can't beat (so to speak) a poached egg.

Are you considering adding the ' Full English' to your breakfast menu?

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

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podborski says on Mar 27, 2008, 07:05:

good morning kat and kalder!

Well, considering we are written up in Time Out as being the place to go for a good 'fry up' the morning after a big night out, I thing the 'Full English' is a must.

Can you tell me what it is?? : )

We do have fried potatoes and bacon to go with eggs of any sort...

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Mar 27, 2008, 07:30:

everything looks great Podborsky so elegant presented.. congratulations

this is in Buenos Aires isn't it?

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kalder says on Mar 27, 2008, 07:45:

Cracking venue!

Fried potatoes, bacon and eggs sounds lovely, but for the 'full' you could perhaps consult the oracle:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Full_breakfast

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

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houstongal says on Mar 27, 2008, 08:13:

Kalder - Isn't a broiled tomato part of the English breakfast?

Pod - BEAUTIFUL breakfast area. What a huge difference from December. And the food looks spectacular. I actually like the presentation of the yogurt in the glass better than a bowl. Thanks for sharing the photos. I'm hungry!!!

"It is now official: there's no place on earth where you will not find a Peruvian band." David Sedaris

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kalder says on Mar 27, 2008, 08:58:

It'd be fried HG.

And some purists would disdain any tomato as being far too healthy.

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

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britabroad says on Mar 27, 2008, 09:12:

Danish Bacon, Runny Fried Eggs, Cumberland Sausages, Heinz Baked Beans, Fried Mushrooms, Fried Tomatos, Black Pudding, Thick sliced bread and butter, all washed down with a pint of steaming hot tea........or porridge made with full fat milk.....................God I'm homesick!

Leave the big stick at home...carry a cannon!

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Mar 27, 2008, 09:17:

i love the mushrooms, but in general i don't like English breakfast, to heavy for my stomach in the morning.

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britabroad says on Mar 27, 2008, 09:20:

Kat
If they knew you ate an English breakfast in Welsh Wales they'd burn your house down!
It's far safer to go for the full Welsh breakfast - lamb chop, leeks and a cup of daffodil tea.

Leave the big stick at home...carry a cannon!

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RAAAY says on Mar 27, 2008, 09:35:

Brit ........you missed the fried potato bread..............or is that just an Ulster thing.....

You have just made me homesick too.....

We are big on the white pudding too...........

.




.

.

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Mar 27, 2008, 09:41:

rayyyy what are you doing with the orange juice, i though it was a pint of Guiness and where are the oysters

britt never seen a daffodil tea :(

but i do like the sound of the welsh breakfast :)))

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RAAAY says on Mar 27, 2008, 09:43:

We have the Guinness and oysters as a starter................

These are pics af the main course.

Silly Kat.

.

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

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kalder says on Mar 27, 2008, 09:44:

Potato bread's an Irish thing RAAY.

brit- you missed out the fried slice.

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

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kalder says on Mar 27, 2008, 09:46:

According to wikipedia, the Welsh add seaweed and cockles to their version of the 'Full...'

"kalder- have you ever had a woman?"--Sam Salmon

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kat1 (Moderator) says on Mar 27, 2008, 09:46:

as starter? for breakfast! you are teasing me don't you....

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RAAAY says on Mar 27, 2008, 09:49:

.... " A traditional Ulster fry consists of bacon, eggs, sausages (either pork or beef), the farl form of soda bread (the farl split in half crossways to expose the inner bread and then fried with the exposed side down), potato bread and tomatoes. Other common components include mushrooms, baked beans, wheaten bread and pancakes. All this is traditionally fried up in lard...."

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

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tejasmarcos says on Mar 27, 2008, 10:01:

nice presentation, pod. the place looks nice. does your place have a website yet?

trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine...

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Man Tequila says on Mar 27, 2008, 10:03:

Does the chef get pissy if you start playing Jenga with the freedom fries?

It all looks very good, but the best fries are the Belgian ones served at the Montreal restaurant "Frites Alors!", double deep fried in peanut oil and served with one of twenty delicious sauces.

I'm jealous and would like a personal chef. In anticipation of my next trip to Buenos Aires, I am perfecting a way to add insulin and Lipitor to drinking water.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

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tejasmarcos says on Mar 27, 2008, 10:08:

LOL!

trying to walk a straight line on sour mash and cheap wine...

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houstongal says on Mar 27, 2008, 13:28:

Kalder - The tomatoes are fried? Every hotel I've been in London seemed to serve them broiled. Oohh...and I forgot about the mushrooms. Always thought that was a bit strange for breakfast, but I love mushrooms!

MT - Yes, I think we need to return to BsAs just to give this chef a try. And to see the transformation of the hotel from what we remember it being like....the dust, the lack of light fixtures and mirrors, eating off a table made from the empty cable spool.....only kidding Pod!

"It is now official: there's no place on earth where you will not find a Peruvian band." David Sedaris

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britabroad says on Mar 27, 2008, 14:05:

.....and a fried slice!

Leave the big stick at home...carry a cannon!

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podborski says on Mar 27, 2008, 18:57:

I dunno HG that sounds pretty much like what it was!

Hope you all get a chance to come back and be treated well

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podborski says on Mar 27, 2008, 18:57:

but the price will be a lot higher too : )

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houstongal says on Mar 27, 2008, 19:20:

Pod - I don't know if I could handle staying in a place that's tastefully decorated and not full of construction workers! ;-)

If I'm in Argentina in August, I'll let you know. Anywhere is better than Houston in August! Are you officially opened yet??

"It is now official: there's no place on earth where you will not find a Peruvian band." David Sedaris

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podborski says on Mar 27, 2008, 19:46:

we are quietly open...several guests staying, we've had a few people in for dinner (other than all my friends and their friends), and on Monday we'll really open the doors, as the chef's brother is getting married and he's a bit tied up this weekend.

We have been turning people away as we didn't have the menu set, or all the prices for the wine. But now that's all done.

So still lacking a few things, table cloths, pepper mills, stuff like that, but otherwise we are ready.

Next week one guest is hosting a private party here, and we'll also hosting a wine/cheese for travel agents so they can see the place and start booking people into rooms.

Almost had a famous photographer book the place for a party, but we turned out to be too small for her needs.

But we will save the big opening for mid april...when we have all the bugs smoothed out.

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podborski says on Mar 27, 2008, 20:02:

man t, these fries are also double fried.

If I recall correctly, they are boiled, cooled for 20 minutes in a fridge, fried, cooled again and then fried once more. Takes 2 hours start to finish. The recipe is a page long.

I think we need to present them in a better way.

Some of the work that goes into things is really surprising (to me anyway).

For example, under the poached egg and spinach is a bit of tomato 'confit'. They make the tomato confit by carefully slicing off the pulpy part of the tomato, and then marinating the remaining slices in oil, spices and brown sugar. Then they are cooked for 80 minutes at very low heat.

I guess that's why so few people can cook like this at home. Just no way you can spend the time. But if you are cooking for 30 people you can prepare a whole bunch of the stuff ahead of time. (The word for this is 'produccion' I learned. "estamos haciendo produccion" is a constant refrain)

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houstongal says on Mar 27, 2008, 20:18:

Pod - The secret to crispy fries is to double fry so I'm not surprised. I am a little surprised that they're boiled first though. That's a bit unusual.

Good luck on the opening and congrats on the early successes in booking small parties. I assume you're talking about the wine cellar area? Hopefully the profit margins there are pretty decent or are they better than the profit off the rooms?

"It is now official: there's no place on earth where you will not find a Peruvian band." David Sedaris

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Man Tequila says on Mar 27, 2008, 22:00:

Well, they sound good. Can't wait to try them, Ma wants me to take her to Argentina, so maybe.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

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Portena says on Mar 28, 2008, 17:21:

Your food photos could make the cover of Gourmet magazine, Pod. :)

Your breakfast looks a lot better than mine! Boring is a protein/vitamin bar.

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gringoloid says on Mar 28, 2008, 17:30:

hallelieua.......i'm coming back pod!

Who are the three blind men?

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podborski says on Mar 28, 2008, 22:17:

thanks for the compliments, I am finally getting to eat some healthy food (ok, not the fries) after 2 years of living down here.

we added a new tapas to the menu, the chef's latest experiment: layers of thinly sliced potato, tomato confit, spinach, chevretin (goat cheese) and grilled mango...riquisimo...

but we don't know what to call it. Chef says the proper name is 'Tian' (de papas, tomate etc) It's sort of like lasagna but with different ingredients of course.

any suggestions, what we might call it in english?

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Man Tequila says on Mar 28, 2008, 22:30:

I'd call it "cornucopia", traditionally a goat's horn (since Zeus was raised by Amalthea on goat's milk) filled with festive fruits and vegetables. Or Capicornucopia if you really want to emphasize the goat cheese.

But I like academic names more than most folks.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

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houstongal says on Mar 28, 2008, 22:57:

Sounds lovely so it needs to have a good name for it! Take a photo and perhaps we'll be inspired!

"It is now official: there's no place on earth where you will not find a Peruvian band." David Sedaris

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britabroad says on Mar 29, 2008, 11:32:

Poborski,
Sounds very similar to Lancashire Hot Pot, except for the mangos ... not many of them growing in rainy Lancashire.

Leave the big stick at home...carry a cannon!

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Cerealkiller says on Mar 29, 2008, 12:19:

Wow Pod, that granola and yogurt looks absolutely lovely!! Congrats!! BTW i think your main kitchen man is going to fatten u up big time :P I cannot wait to come down and enjoy that free stay :P

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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Man Tequila says on Mar 29, 2008, 14:11:

My mom is from Lancashire, and while her Hot Pot is delicious, it is not one iota like Pod's cornucopia. ;)

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

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podborski says on Mar 29, 2008, 15:44:

free stay??!! free stay!!?? whaaa??

I must have been drunk when I offered to put you up free CK. Or maybe you were flirting with me, that usually works : )

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podborski says on Mar 29, 2008, 15:45:

they're going to make me the cornucopia tonight, so I'll see if I can take a pic before it dispappears.

for not having many paying guests yet, I am sure going through a hell of a lot of food and wine...

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Cerealkiller says on Mar 29, 2008, 16:09:

geez Pod, so not only you are stuffing your face but also hitting the bottle?
When I was a kid my friends and I set up a candy shop, we would put up a tent and fill it with candy, then sell it to passer bys. Since I was the youngest and could not count or add very well, I always got thrown in the tent...until they found out I had driven us bankrupt by eating all the candy. You just reminded me of that story podcito...hope you're actually selling the booze!

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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goin_south says on Mar 29, 2008, 16:31:

wait, I-Pod... I'm confused: "they're going to make me the cornucopia tonight"

Are they putting you in the cornucopia? lol, or.....

Where do we go from here?

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podborski says on Mar 29, 2008, 22:31:

sorry for the bad grammar gs, they did make the cornucopia for me, but it was gone in a flash, along with lenguado (white fish), spicy curry chicken (not even close to man t's famous curry), spinach, mango and bacon salad, plus a few glasses of chardonnay and a bottle of malbec (there were 3 of us)

sorry CK, by the time you come for your free room, I will be either fat, drunk or dead.

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goin_south says on Mar 29, 2008, 23:36:

well, maybe just fat and drunk and still breathin...
jja..
I'm munchin on a half can of red salmon, adorned by a habanero, a serrano, a red jalapena, and.. fat clove of garlic, lots of curry... a lime and some decent St Suprey (Napa) Merlot... el fuego es muy caliente... I'm a sucker for heat/punishment... I think somehow, it's a good thing, now and then.. PASS ME SOMETHING COLD AND WET! POR FAVOR.. AND THANKS THE POSTERS FOR SOME GOOD MUSIC TO NUMB THE PAIN,... FROM THAT THREAD ABOUT GOOD COLOMBIAN MUSIC UP ... STAIRS. ARRRIBAAAAAA!

Where do we go from here?

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Man Tequila says on Apr 3, 2008, 18:58:

I now think a better name for this thing would incorporate the word tango. Your hotel is marketed for foreigners.

Mango Tango.

Or if "tango" already means a mixture of tomato and mango, then emphasize whichever ingredients form the dominant flavour. Cheesy Potato Rockefeller Tango, or what have you.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

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podborski says on Apr 3, 2008, 19:53:

I like mango tango...

I have had one hell of a day/week...

today while I was playing waiter, concierge and bellboy the building inspector showed up...talk about panic...I'll tell you the story one day...good news is, it all ended well, and even better news, as of tonight I am fully booked, at least for the next few days.

Bad news, the 3 new staff I hired can't start until Saturday, so I am going practically sleepless for another day or so

first opportunity I get, I am going to go to some resort and sleep for days

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Man Tequila says on Apr 3, 2008, 20:31:

Well, it will all seem worthwhile in a few years.

If not, technically, you could easily be fat, drunk and dead at the same time. ;)

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

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houstongal says on Apr 5, 2008, 20:23:

Pod - I hope you made it through Saturday and your 3 new staff are working out. Sleep well!

Glad to hear the hotel is booked and the building inspector left without issue. :-)

"It is now official: there's no place on earth where you will not find a Peruvian band." David Sedaris

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podborski says on Apr 6, 2008, 00:29:

thanks guys..it's 4 30 am and I have had about 4 hours sleep over the last 2 days...some crazy canadian girl insisted on keeping me awake all last night while I waited for guests to return. Damn this late night BsAs party scene is going to kill me, and I'm not the one enjoying it!

I hope to have time to chat soon...

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goin_south says on Apr 6, 2008, 00:43:

I-pod.. you really think anyone is having any sympathy 4 ya?
jaj

Where do we go from here?

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houstongal says on Apr 6, 2008, 05:54:

Wait...... you're staying up for your guests to return from the BsAs party scene??? I don't remember you doing that for MT when he went out; ;-)

I dunno....doesn't sound too bad to be kept awake while you were waiting for people to return. Of course, if she was Colombian, you wouldn't be complaining now would ya?!

"It is now official: there's no place on earth where you will not find a Peruvian band." David Sedaris

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podborski says on Apr 6, 2008, 11:05:

MT had keys, I can't give all my guests keys! They'd raid the wine cellar for sure...

I am going to interview a few colombianas for waitress jobs...I'm looking forward to it : )

Meanwhile, just received an email form "M" in Bogota, she's planning on buying a house...guess she won't be heading down here anytime soon : (

GS: Good point! I'll try to bear that in mind and quit complaining : )

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houstongal says on Apr 6, 2008, 12:17:

She's buying a house? Guess her business is doing well. You can always escape and visit her you know...once things settle down.

Ahhhh....they don't have keys to the front door! And you're the night desk person? I thought you were hiring someone to be at the front desk in the evening?

Where are you finding Colombianas for waitresses? How are your other hires working out? Had to fire anyone yet?

"It is now official: there's no place on earth where you will not find a Peruvian band." David Sedaris

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Man Tequila says on Apr 6, 2008, 15:29:

I don't know what you're taling about, Houston Gal.

Pods is a gentleman and a fine hotelier. My memory is slightly hazy, but as I recalll, when I returned from my night on the town, I was greeted with a mariachi band, complementary glass of Mateus and a selection of gourmet empanadas. ;)

Those crazy Canadian girls! Still, life sounds pretty rough what with so many interviews to do. ;)

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

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