Desperately seeking a Top 10 idea
Cripe. I forgot until this morning (actually about 2 a.m. when the thought woke me up) that I need a last-minute Top 10 Tuesday idea. I had it in my head that next week would be Top 10 Restaurants to Have Thanksgiving Dinner, but the editors want to do an all Thanksgiving food section on Nov. 19, so that would make the Top 10 about Thanksgiving have to be on Nov. 11 unless I can come up with a second Thanksgiving idea. And frankly, one is about my limit.
So that leaves this Tuesday unaccounted for. Somehow the ideas haven't been coming thick and fast lately. ...
For one thing, we've been doing Top 10s for 18 months now, which translates roughly to 75. That's a lot of lists about restaurants, even if we allow ourselves some latitude. That's not a royal We, by the way, it's a we, as in you're in this with me.
We did an ingredient last week (duck) so it needs to be a bit broader this week. And it can't be too over the top because it has to appear in the print edition. The standards are stricter. In fact one of the comments I chose for last week's list was pulled at the last minute in case it might offend someone. (Sorry, I don't remember which one.) That means I probably can't do Top 10 Restaurants Not to Break Up In, as I think one of Owl's personalities once suggested, with the explanation that steak houses would be on the list because of the sharp knives.
Now that I've put my mind to the subject, maybe there is more than one Turkey Top 10. I could bag the whole Thanksgiving/restaurant thing and do Top 10 Best Uses of Turkey Leftovers on Nov. 11. Although my immediate problem is Nov. 4.
(Colby Ware/special to the Sun)
Comments
Soup! How about top 10 places to get soup? It is fall and soup is lovely and it is difficult to find a good luncheon spot that serves good soup.
Posted by: J | November 1, 2008 3:17 PM
Best restaurant in which to celebrate your candidate winning? Or to try to forget that he/she/it lost?
Best dessert in town?
Best place for drinks or coffee or tea and a snack?
Top 10 imaginary restaurants, from movies, fiction or both?
Posted by: Lissa | November 1, 2008 3:38 PM
Restaurants for a good meal needs more lead time for planning and booking of tables; leftovers are, well, leftover. They will hold until the 11th for the 19th.
Posted by: Robert (the Single One) | November 1, 2008 3:59 PM
Along the lines of the great Owl, how about Top Ten Places to Be Stood Up In? Recently had what could have been a horrifying experience but my server at Cinghale was so compassionate that I left feeling better than I went (thanks too in part to a lovely lambrusco!).
Posted by: Mags | November 1, 2008 4:13 PM
How about the Top 10 Thanksgiving Side Dishes? This could include traditional family dishes, and/or restaurant side dishes that you wish you could make at home (and which, hopefully, would be compatible with a turkey dinner).
EL -- I would have suggested the Top 10 Places to Get a Non-Turkey Dinner on Thanksgiving, but, based on last year's post, I don't think that topic would sit well with you. ;-)
Posted by: hmpstd | November 1, 2008 4:24 PM
How about top ten salads or places to get a salad? Or, more appealing, top ten places for cold-weather drinks (mulled cider, hot chocolate and the like...)? Or top ten things to do with cranberries?
Posted by: Abigail Carlson | November 1, 2008 4:26 PM
How about...
top ten restaurants for the starving student
top ten hole in the wall restaurants
top ten carry out
top ten curry dishes
top ten simple yet successful menus
Posted by: justagrrl | November 1, 2008 4:28 PM
Places to eat hearty fall fare?
Posted by: Joyce W. | November 1, 2008 4:46 PM
How about a Top Ten alternatives to Turkey for Thanksgiving dinner? One of my nephews is a pretty good shot, and wild goose for Thanksgiving is a wonderful alternative. We've also had wild duck, thanks to an old friend. My vegan friends are all about the corn-beans-squash thing that Native Americans did.
OK, that's three. :-) EL
Posted by: MD Canon | November 1, 2008 5:02 PM
Have you ever done top ten Mexican really good restaurants?
No, but only because I didn't think I could find 10 in the area. If someone could prove me wrong, I'd love to do it. EL
Posted by: earl | November 1, 2008 5:13 PM
How about a Top Ten alternatives to Turkey for Thanksgiving dinner? One of my nephews is a pretty good shot...
Top Ten Dinners You Can Shoot Yourself...
Posted by: Bucky | November 1, 2008 5:56 PM
THERE IS NO TURKEY ALTERNATIVE FOR THANKSGIVING. In fact, my dad pouts at every Christmas dinner that does not involve turkey.
Posted by: Heather | November 1, 2008 6:04 PM
How about a top ten list of your top ten lists?
I actually did this once and I got 10,000 hits. It was great. :-) EL
Posted by: Emily | November 1, 2008 6:30 PM
Top Ten:
appetizers
non-chocolate desserts
Salad dressings
Posted by: cinnamon girl | November 1, 2008 6:43 PM
earl wondered ... Have you ever done top ten Mexican really good restaurants?
So, how big is the area?? If you want to go as far west as Frostburg, I could put one together -- but it would include one from there, two from Hagerstown, two from Frederick, one from Howard County, one from Baltimore City, one from Baltimore County, and two from Harford County.
Underlying this potential list is the notion that Tex-Mex is a legitimate subset of Mexican.
Posted by: MD Canon | November 1, 2008 7:22 PM
Top Ten Dinners You Can Shoot Yourself...
I laughed, out loud, and long. Thanks!
It reminds me of the bumper and window stickers I'd see on my way to work from Annapolis to Stevensville MD. They read:
"IF IT FLIES, IT DIES"
Posted by: PCB Rob | November 1, 2008 8:07 PM
Top 10 Things to Eat When You Have a Cold: 1. Hot and Sour Soup.
Actaully, I wantedhot and sour soup the kids wanted Cafe Hon. So we went to Hampden. The server, bless her kind heart, noticed my sniffling and brought me "Emergency C" to stire into my water, hot tea, and kept refilling my water and telling me to stay hydrated and generally fussing over me. I've not a huge fan of Hon-food, but the service really hit the spot!
Posted by: Baltofoodie | November 1, 2008 8:37 PM
How about a Top 10 Steakhouses or 10 best places to get a steak?
Filet Mignon is my favorite...
Posted by: PCB Rob | November 2, 2008 8:42 AM
Heather wrote: my dad pouts at every Christmas dinner that does not involve turkey.
My father and XH both whined if the "right" food was not on the table. You can learn to put such childishness behind you and live a good life, Babe. Giving up yelling at us in all caps would be a good first step.
Posted by: Eve | November 2, 2008 10:14 AM
I second PCB Rob's suggestion regarding steak (if, of course, it hasn't been done already). It would be nice to have some suggestions other than the obvious, and very expensive Morton's, Ruth's Chris, and Flemings. There are many places around that make a very good steak for less, and that are not part of a chain.
Rob - I'm starting to feel we may be twins who were separated at birth...
Posted by: Bourbon Girl | November 2, 2008 1:11 PM
You could be right Bourbon Girl, we seem to like a lot of the same things.
When I was a kid, I was a very picky eater. I've expanded my horizons considerably since then.
As for steakhouses, The Original Sports Bar and Steakhouse on Joppa Road (between Belair and Harford Roads, very close to Belair Road) is a good place for a steak. Although its a chain, its not as expensive as the ones you mention. Its a bit more upscale than most sports bars for sure. And if you eat in the dining area, you don't have to look at the GIANT screens showing games.
Posted by: PCB Rob | November 2, 2008 5:30 PM
Believe it or not, Bill Bateman's sometimes does a darn fine job on filet! "Sometimes" being the key word here, as I've found, with all of their food. Consistency is not their strong suit. But, the price is way cheap (like 12 bucks or something for filet and 2 sides) and when it is good, it is very very good...!
Posted by: Joyce W. | November 2, 2008 6:25 PM
My favorite twins separated at birth was a picture of Charlie Brown next to one of Phil Collins wearing a yellow t-shirt with a black stripe. It was priceless!
Posted by: Joyce W. | November 2, 2008 6:37 PM
Timely top tens:
Best Restaurants to celebrate Nouveau Beaujolais day. I have no ideas here.
Top Ten wines to serve with a traditional Thanksgiving Dinner. I'm talking wines that are a hit with the budmillercoors crowd and the wine lovers in the family.
1. Nouveau Beaujolais.
2. Bourgogne Rouge.
3. Bourgogne Aligote
4. Riesling from anywhere.
5. Pinot Noir from Oregon
6. Pinot Gris from Oregon
7. Red Rioja
8. A southern French Rose like Bandol.
9. Champagne or a top quality sparkling wine from California.
10. Beaujolais Villages
Any other suggestions?
Posted by: Elite Elephant Lover | November 2, 2008 8:00 PM
top 10 ways to use pumpkin?
Posted by: tbm | November 2, 2008 8:28 PM
candy candy candy
Posted by: gunnarsmom | November 2, 2008 8:57 PM
EEL, good list. I'd say any Beaujolais is a good match with turkey. I'll also expand the list to include any German Kabinett and Spatlese.
Posted by: Dan D | November 2, 2008 10:59 PM
I like the top 10 Soups idea with the change of the weather.
If you've not done it, how about a top ten thrifty restaurants (e.g. Dinner for 2 under $30 or $40). Granted everyone's doing stories on how to save, but there is a reason, the economy stinks.
Posted by: Trouble | November 3, 2008 7:47 AM
How about top 10 cupcakes? So tasty!
Posted by: Rebecca | November 3, 2008 11:03 AM