I don't even answer questions asking about the "best" of anything.

Best gelato in Rome? The Yellow pages show that there are almost 600 gelaterie in Rome. How many should you have tried to be able to have an opinion on the "best"? People who have tried three or four feel competent to answer the question, though.

<i> Flower bulbs in The Netherlands? </i>

You wanted the opinion of culinary experts??

bvlenci - where can I find the BEST Big Mac in Rome?

So many misunderstandings; so little time.

You wanted the opinion of culinary experts??>

I never said that and included Fado in my original list- yes the Dutch were said to have had to resort to eating tulip bulbs during the NAZI occupation so I guess they are edible - great idea for a theme snack in FEBO's in Holland - deep-fried tulip bulbs!

Dulux non drip gloss again.

Questions about the "best" whatever always kind of irritate me too. Just seems very naive to me.

Pal, I quote:

"Thanks in advance for your culinary expertise!"

I didn't notice the fado, or, rather, I didn't get past the tulips.

Nürnberg sausages sold by the street vendors are the best.

I do love when you all talk about off the beaten tourist path. "The <BEST places only locals go" - How would we know? I'm certainly not telling>

Example, you need a car to see those off the beaten tourist traps. No one ever says what they are.

I am from the east coast of Florida and I have my favorite beach that is not a known tourist trap. It is called Playlinda and it is on the Cape Canaveral sea shore, a National Park. No food stands, only manned life guards at a couple of spots, a nude beach at lot 13, wild life galore, tranquil and beautiful. It is not Daytona or Cocoa Beach and for that reason some might find it boring. What is great for some is not for others. Same in Europe. I love Dublin, don't like Rome, love Paris, not a big fan of London. We each have different opinions.

I would rather buy from the markets fresh and cook in my Paris apartment. Others want a hotel with a five star dinner in a restaurant.

Best of???

Sometimes people say, "Everyone there was local, except for us."

Even if people are speaking the local language, that doesn't make them "locals". They could be tourists in from the countryside, who don't know anything more (maybe less) about the local restaurants than you do.

A French person visiting Times Square, and hearing mostly English spoken, might assume all those people are New Yorkers, and not folks from Nebraska and Kansas.

THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE!

I approve of this thread.

<i>yes the Dutch were said to have had to resort to eating tulip bulbs during the NAZI occupation so I guess they are edible - great idea for a theme snack in FEBO's in Holland - deep-fried tulip bulbs!</i>

If you read up on tulips, you will learn that they were originally imported to Europe in the 16th century as a food crop, not as decoration.

I think that people should be obliged to modify their "BEST" questions along the lines of "Where can I find the BEST pizza for someone of my national culture and personal taste?" if they want to get a useful reply.

'There seems to be a few numpties who took this seriously.'

Oh yeah, always some are. On every thread.

So for those guys : I am NOT serious. Certainly not here.

I accept everybody's opinion except when racist etc (as in the rules of Fodors actually) so please accept non serious opinions without challenging them too.

"Thanks in advance for your culinary expertise!">

Oops- posted on a quick whim without thinking it all thru.

Where can I get the BEST olive oil in Sicily?

It's not enough for something to be the best.

It most often, simultaneously, be the cheapest, the fastest, the longest (or shortest) and the biggest (0r smallest)

What is the best, cheapest and fastest way to visit Stonehenge, at a time when it is not crowded with tourists?

Did you ever notice most pizza boxes, not from chains read,

"You've tried the rest, now try the best."

An oxymoronic universal statement.

Will no one tell me what spah bol is? Is Google my only friend?

Spag bol = short for spaghetti bolognaise

OK, I googled. Seems that spah bol was a typo. It sounded vaguely Cambodian to me, and I was beginning to want some.

The BEST beans on toast in England?

<i> If you read up on tulips, you will learn that they were originally imported to Europe in the 16th century as a food crop, not as decoration. </i>

I don't think this is true, Kerouac. Do you have a source for this? I've read that they were brought to Europe because of their flowers. The Tulip Mania started very soon after, and that was all about the flowers.

The Dutch did eat them during a famine towards the end of World War II, during which many Dutch people starved to death, because the German armed forces blockaded most of the occupied Netherlands after D-Day. The Dutch ate tulips out of desperation, though, because they're neither tasty nor nutritious. When I lived in the Netherlands, people I knew recounted being forced to eat the tulip bulbs.

Yup the tulip came from Turkey as a venerated flower not to be eaten - by all accounts very very bitter to eat. The Tulip Mania saw tulip bulbs soar to dizzying heights until someone discovered how to mass produce them - an industry that continues until today.

the 'tulip bubble'is still held up as a classic bubble burst in economics, having been one of the first to suddenly see its market collapse overnight practically.

Best Buy

Taking note of Amélie d'Envège sold at Julien de Savignac. Hope they have it at the St Antoine location. Thanks StCirq!

I haven't been to the St-Antoine location, just Sarlat and Périgueux, but their stock seems to be pretty uniform. If you can't find it, go to a Godard or Grolière or Rougié store and buy some there (they have an infinite number of foie gras products, so it helps if you know ahead of time what you're looking for. They'll let you taste usually, though).

I'm always hit or miss with my foie gras selection so this really helps thank so much!

De rien. When you find something that pleases your palate, see if you can find a confit de figues to go with it.

Uh oh - foie gras- What is the BEST food in France produced by animal torture?

Just go to a slaughterhouse and tell us.

There is no torture. Just delectable edibles produced since Egyptian times with geese and ducks. It's all completely natural. If you don't get it, don't eat it.

Show me some meat that you eat in the USA that is handled so naturally and without harm.

I am a vegetarian and agree with you that all animal slaughter is torture but foie gras production makes it a daily torture - stuffing as much grain down the open mouth and gullet of a goose for days on end.

You eat it you sanction it - just like bullfights in Spain - you go you sanction them.

that said we all have different morals but I feel that overt animal torture should be illegal - you do not and that is of course fine - but animals have feelings too. Being slaughtered in a abatoir is torture too - but it is fairly quick. I also opposed factory farms, etc and one reason I am a vegetarian, besides health benefits.

Force feeding of ducks to make foie gras for rich folks...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW2uiw-p_js

Vegetables have feelings too. I have started eating sand.

A chacun a son gout!

Vegetables have feelings too. I have started eating sand>

Wow when I sliced my tomato it shreeked! People in the American South do eat dirt - traditionally with poor blacks - not so much anymore but clay so I guess you can survive on soil? Night soil especially in your case I guess.

A chacun a son gout!>>

i think there was a thread about that a few years ago.

<<Wow when I sliced my tomato it shreeked! People in the American South do eat dirt - traditionally with poor blacks - not so much anymore but clay so I guess you can survive on soil? Night soil especially in your case I guess.>>

Pal - I think you've been at the paint stripper again.

A chacun a son gout!>>

i think there was a thread about that a few years ago.>

Yes indeedy and StCirq and moi got into quite a tiff about it all - reason I said that - not wishing to bring old old animosities with hopefully today's friend! But could not pass up the opportunity to have some fun.

Pal - I think you've been at the paint stripper again.>

Yes a relapse, again! Plus all that ganja!

<i>The finest fish and fries in England.
</i>

I think it's generally accepted that Benny's is operated by the friendliest guy in Clapham, if not London. He treats everyone like an old friend.

The BEST High Tea in London?