lzcrane's Profile
Need a fantastic caterer for a small new year's party
I liked the Kitchen for Exploring Foods, but what are some other options -- ideally even a step above food-wise? Looks like Cynthia Brooks and Auntie Em's are getting the best reviews -- but some of the reviews are a bit dated. Any thoughts out there?
(they must be pleasant people, too, and have great servers...)
thanks!
Need a rec for a really good restaurant in or very near Santa Cruz...
Help! it seems that most of the restaurants in Santa Cruz are a mediocre -- is there anything that's really good? Capitola would be fine, but we prob don't want to drive as far as monterey. Can anyone help? thanks!
The best restaurant in Manhattan for dinner this weekend is..?
thanks so much! That was so nice of you to check for reservations, too...
The best restaurant in Manhattan for dinner this weekend is..?
Looking for the very best restaurant in Manhattan for a very special celebratory dinner this weekend. Price is not an issue for this particular event. It'll be dinner for 2-4, and can be any cuisine, but has to be excellent service and great food (the decor is less important but helpful).
Any area of the City is fine.
thoughts?
Weeknight birthday dinner -- XIV or Mastro or ?
looking for a GREAT dinner for this week for my husband's birthday. XIV? Mastro?
We love Mastro, but I thought something different might be nice. It MUST have great service and great food.... thoughts?
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XIV
8117 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046
Mastros Restaurant
2087 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
Spending my birthday next week in London
Suggestions on where to go for a great birthday dinner mid-week? Ideally near the West End, but that's not required. Probably not French (or English) food, but anything else would be great. Must be great service and great food -- ideally without too much attitude.
Any suggestions? I heard Scott's is awesome...??
Fun place, really good food and service, downtown, for my daughter's 23rd birthday. We'll be a party of about 8...
One more thing -- we came close to choosing Lure -- they were very lovely to deal with. We had also thought seriously of Bacaro (another private room) but they were so arrogant that it wasn't worth it. FYI.
Fun place, really good food and service, downtown, for my daughter's 23rd birthday. We'll be a party of about 8...
thanks, everyone -- for your wonderful suggestions. We had the dinner last week (it ended up being 14 people!) and we ended up at Aroma Kitchen and Wine Bar. It was absolutely wonderful -- great food (my husband didn't love his meat loaf, but why he ordered meat loaf at an Italian restaurant, I don't know...). The appetizers were terrific, entrees (mostly fish and pasta) were delicious, wine list was great, and the service and event manager couldn't have been more helpful. Beautiful room (the private room downstairs where they often sit smaller parties) is lovely (see their website) and the area is quite hip. Highly recommended!
BTW -- the very best molten chocolate cake-lets I've ever had. I don't know what kind of fabulous chocolate they used, but they were amazing. They have these cheese-stuffed meatballs that were great, too.
Fun place, really good food and service, downtown, for my daughter's 23rd birthday. We'll be a party of about 8...
I don't love Balthazar (we went to their sister restaurant in the meatpacking district a few years ago and nobody was very excited about it...). Stanton Social sounds absolutely PERFECT, but I just called and can't get in (this is for 2 weeks from now.) I'll try Buddakan... I love the small dish/sharing idea -- any other thoughts?
Fun place, really good food and service, downtown, for my daughter's 23rd birthday. We'll be a party of about 8...
We live in LA, but my daughter has lived in the city for the last 4 years...however, on a student budget, she hasn't been to many of the better restaurants. She likes ethnic food, but really anything. We'd like to go somewhere with either a private room or at least the ability to talk a bit...
Fun place, really good food and service, downtown, for my daughter's 23rd birthday. We'll be a party of about 8...
really, whatever. Without drinks $50-75/pp ?
Fun place, really good food and service, downtown, for my daughter's 23rd birthday. We'll be a party of about 8...
any suggestions? Anything but steak.
I need a good/great seafood restaurant near Moscone Center for dinner on Monday night
A bit of a challenge -- I'm allergic to shellfish, but I love any fish other than shellfish, and my dinner companion keeps Kosher. Doesn't need to be walking distance, but that (or cable car distance) would be nice.
Hoping for excellent service and really good food. Any suggestions?
Looking for a great place for my daughter's college graduation dinner
I'm assembling about 10 people from various parts of the country for a graduation dinner in 2 weeks for my daughter (graduating from Columbia). We will have my 14 and 17 year old, and the rest will be adults. I want something unique, very stylized, with great food and great service. (We were going to do Spice Market but I just can't deal with the attitudes there...).
Cost isn't that much of an issue. Can't be French or any heavy meat, and ideally not Italian (we're doing Italian the night after this dinner).
I'm on a waiting list at Mas (my daughter is really into sustainable/organic farming) and I'm also thinking Milos. Any area of Manhattan is fine.
Other thoughts are Asiate, Tao, or La Cirque... Can someone help, please?
a few Northern Italy restaurant updates
Just got back, and, thanks for a fellow chowhounder, I went to the most fabulous restaurant imaginable! Off the beaten path, but one of only two Michelin 3 star restaurants in all of Italy (the other's in Florence) and it was totally amazing.
That restaurant is called Al Sorriso, and it's near Lake Orta in the "village" of Sorriso. Worth flying there just to eat at the restaurant. (Amazing service, only 10 tables, beautiful rooms to stay if you ate too much, etc...;-)
We also ate at the Hotel San Rocca in Orta -- very very nice. Get a table near the window overlooking the lake.
One bad meal (with lousy service to boot) was at Giardinetto. Don't bother!
Oh, also... dessert at the (Michelin 2 star) Hotel Crespi was to die for!
off to northern italy (Lake Orta area), need recommendations!
Thanks for the referral! The Hotel San Rocco restaurant was terrific! I had an amazing perch dish there, and the view was lovely! thanks!
off to northern italy (Lake Orta area), need recommendations!
I just got back last week from my trip, and I just wanted to thank you for the Al Sorriso recommendation. It was, I think, the best (yes, brilliant!) meal/dining experience I've ever had, anywhere. We ended up staying there as well (they have 6 Relaix and Chateau rooms upstairs for those who just want to keep eating) and we had lunch and dinner there. I can't stop raving about it, and, yes, it still have 3 stars (only one of 2 3-star restaurants in Italy!). Thanks again.
off to northern italy (Lake Orta area), need recommendations!
Leaving tomorrow for Italy -- first a brief trip to Milan, and then a week in the Lake Region. Staying in Lake Orta area (east of Maggiore, west of Lugano). All/most of the restaurant recommendations on chowhound are from 1+ years ago -- many longer.
Any updated restaurant recommendations -- all types! -- would be appreciated!
