I like real Chinese food, but we also go to PF Chang's, which is a chain that has California Chinese--fresher ingredients and lighter sauces. [link] It's pretty good, especially for taking parents who are in town out for a meal.

There's even a table in the kitchen, which, to me, would mean FREE MEAL. It's not a treat to be put in the kitchen, folks. It's punishment.

At a chain place, definitely, but I can imagine several of the nicer Boston establishments where it could be fun (provided they had the space in the kitchen). Might end up with TMI about the food prep, though.

Or what ita said.

P.F. Chang's is pretty good, and is one of the few chain restaurants I actively like.

Best lasagne I've ever had is from the Marcella Hazan cookbook. It has bechamel sause instead of the ricotta mixture.

I imagine that, to real Italians (or just Catholics in general), they're vaguely offensive.

My family is Irish Catholic, and I think they'd be a wee bit put off by having a bust of the Pope on the lazy susan in the middle of the table.

It was the Chef's Table here. Before each course the person who'd prepared it would come over and talk to you about it -- then they'd riff on what they were overhearing of our conversations and alter what they were serving us to reflect it.

Most interactive restaurant meal ever. Mmm.

Not only have I never put eggs in lasagna, I've never seen a recipe that suggested I should. Maybe my mother protected me from such things with her anti-egg-ness, somehow. But she was also anti-ricotta cheese. Anyway, it sounds gross and I am going to be more suspicious of all baked pastas in the future.

I like PF CHang's food just fine, but the one near me is at the mall. It's bad enough going to the restaurants that are on the edges of the mall parking lot, PF Chang's is right in there next to Old Navy, and I find that unsettling.

Is that really the impression of Houston yo want me to have?

Well, no. We have much better restaurants, so decide if you want Mexican or Vietnamese or Indian or Sicilian or Japanese or South American.

I'm guessing you've never been to a Chuck E. Cheese's then?

Not since I was 4, no.

I grudgingly tolerate Chuck E Cheese's because they have skeeball. I will do anything for skeeball.

t /skeeball whore

Not only have I never put eggs in lasagna, I've never seen a recipe that suggested I should.

My standard lasagne recipe.

The eggs just give the ricotta mixture a little structure. You can't taste egg in it at all.

Eggs? In lasagna? Why?

Um, because the Italians say to? You beat the eggs then combine with the ricotta and stuff for the filling. I think it supposedly helps makes the filling fluffier.

Ah. I see. The cottage cheese lasagne I had didn't have none o' that fancy foreign stuff in it.

Hee.

Good lasagna filling, bastardized ('cause I can) from The North End Italian Cookbook, by Marguerite Dimino Buonopane:

2 lbs Ricotta
3 eggs
3/4 C freshly grated Parmesean or Romano cheese (I use a combo)
Garlic to taste (I use fresh, probably 3 cloves, start with one if you're timid)
1/4 C chopped, fresh parsley
salt and pepper to taste

Mix it all together, and that's your filling.

You need to reserve another 3/4 C of grated cheese for the layering, and will also need 1 lb Shredded Mozzarella.

Cook your lasanga noodles (feh on that no boil business). Make a meat sauce (more sensible than layering a layer of ground beef, and then a layer of sauce). Italian sausage is nice along with the ground beef.

The Layering:
Put a thin layer of meat sauce on the bottom of the lasagna pan. Then a layer of noodles. Then a layer of meat sauce. Then a layer of the ricotta filling mixture (about 1/3 of it). Then sprinkle about 1/4 cup of grated cheese. Then about 1/4lb of the Shredded Mozzarella.

Repeat 'til you're out of stuff. Top with sauce, grated cheese, and the shredded Mozzarella. Bake at 350 for about 45 minutes. Let rest 15 minutes before serving.

Now I'm hungry.