Author Topic: Eggplant suggestions  (Read 318 times)

gmatoy

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Eggplant suggestions
« on: September 11, 2018, 12:18:47 pm »
I never get to have eggplant parmesan that I haven't made, except at a restaurant. Does anyone know of a restaurant that has really good eggplant parmesan? Even if it is not in our area (Pacific NW) because we do travel some and might be in the area some day.

The last two times I have ordered it at restaurants, it has been terrible. More breading than eggplant, and at the last restaurant, tough and bitter. It doesn't have to be like mine, but it is so expensive to order and then to not be good.  :(

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nuku

Re: Eggplant suggestions
« Reply #1 on: September 11, 2018, 06:05:13 pm »
I love eggplant, but I only order it places where I trust the kitchen to know what to do with it (it is easy to ruin). This past summer, I was in NOLA and had delicious eggplant fries at two places: the Palace Cafe and Oceana Grill. I also have had excellent eggplant Parmesan in Chicago at good Italian restaurants. (There is a place called Riccardo's in Schaumburg where I've always been happy with their eggplant.)

Good luck!

Catmet75

Re: Eggplant suggestions
« Reply #2 on: October 22, 2018, 12:31:03 pm »
Have you tried Angelo's? Burien and Bellevue. There is one other too, not sure where.

TeamBhakta

Re: Eggplant suggestions
« Reply #3 on: October 22, 2018, 12:47:23 pm »
I can't give you specific restaurants. But this my trick for weeding out bad eggplant dishes: Ask your server how they make it. Is it baked, fried or both ? Do they freshly slice the eggplant or use frozen slices ? My mom taught me to make eggplant parm by thinly slicing it, salting, covering with paper towels, patting dry, frying & then baking. I stick with restaurants who prepare their eggplant that way. Avoid restaurants that use frozen eggplant; it will be too soggy. And don't settle for vague explanations like "Well, it's made in house / fresh / made daily / homemade."

nuku

Re: Eggplant suggestions
« Reply #4 on: November 14, 2018, 06:29:16 pm »
I can't give you specific restaurants. But this my trick for weeding out bad eggplant dishes: Ask your server how they make it. Is it baked, fried or both ? Do they freshly slice the eggplant or use frozen slices ? My mom taught me to make eggplant parm by thinly slicing it, salting, covering with paper towels, patting dry, frying & then baking. I stick with restaurants who prepare their eggplant that way. Avoid restaurants that use frozen eggplant; it will be too soggy. And don't settle for vague explanations like "Well, it's made in house / fresh / made daily / homemade."

I agree. I love eggplant, but I won't eat it somewhere that isn't likely to fix it regularly.


Aleko

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Re: Eggplant suggestions
« Reply #5 on: November 15, 2018, 12:58:55 am »
Do you have any Turkish restaurants where you live? Here in the UK we have loads of them because of the large Turkish and Turkish Cypriot immigrant communities, and a chef who isn't skilled in the many delectable ways in which aubergine features  in Turkish cuisine won't get a job cooking in a Turkish restaurant.

Hmmm

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Re: Eggplant suggestions
« Reply #6 on: November 15, 2018, 09:07:28 am »
I can't give you specific restaurants. But this my trick for weeding out bad eggplant dishes: Ask your server how they make it. Is it baked, fried or both ? Do they freshly slice the eggplant or use frozen slices ? My mom taught me to make eggplant parm by thinly slicing it, salting, covering with paper towels, patting dry, frying & then baking. I stick with restaurants who prepare their eggplant that way. Avoid restaurants that use frozen eggplant; it will be too soggy. And don't settle for vague explanations like "Well, it's made in house / fresh / made daily / homemade."

I had no idea that eggplant was ever frozen!

TeamBhakta

Re: Eggplant suggestions
« Reply #7 on: November 15, 2018, 09:50:03 am »
Quote

I had no idea that eggplant was ever frozen!

Sometimes it is  :P Also squash, too (which is why some fried squash appetizers are too thick & too mushy)

pjeans

Re: Eggplant suggestions
« Reply #8 on: November 15, 2018, 11:09:53 pm »
I haven't thought about this place in a while, but for a few years there was a Copeland's Restaurant a few blocks from my work. My boss LOVED the place and we went there so many times that I eventually had a most of their seafood and classics. A standout for me was the eggplant. Not bitter at all, and more firm than I'd ever had before or since ( I've had a lot of mushy eggplant :) ). They closed up here in Minnesota, but there are a handful in and around Louisiana.

I see that TripAdvisor reviews aren't really strong, my boss and I really liked the place 14-15 years ago.