great suggestions Carrie. I have wanted to try one of Cindy's restaurants- so I think we'll try to hit Brassica.

as for Gott's, no my favorite but my wife loves the tuna burger. I think saving Grace's Table for a happy hour sounds smart also.

Hi,
Spending a week in Napa (staying in Napa city proper) with my wife. We're a little different. Our plan is sit down lunches, then picnic type dinners(cheese, bread and wine) - or quick cheap ones. we do not eat most meat, shell fish or Mexican (because we're from Arizona). we have a car and need options for all over the valley- unsure sure where we'll be. Here are some of my thought so far, I appreciate any other suggestions.

Lunches:

Solbar
Graces Table
Redd
Farm at Carneros
mustard's grill

picnic supplies:

Oxbow
Dean and deluca
oakville grocery
Are there better places that us tourist don't know about?

cheap dinners:

Taylor's refresher...er Gott's
Carpe Diem

What are the best wine shops for finding some of the better wines are the best prices- I usually go to Backroom (sorta a wine snob in terms of quality)

thanks for the help.

just returned, had a great time. tried a few shops.Out absolute favorite and possible highlight of entire trip was Makada. It is what a coffee shop should be. cute, unpretentious appearance. extremely ward, friendly servers (and not just one- of the 4 that helps us, on was nicer than the next ) and most important- a exquisitely drawn shot of espresso. (wife loved the latte art also. we ended up here daily. we also tried Diva was a cute shop with a decent pull of espresso. very disappointed in Neptune though. - I though the decor was underwhelming, the server was unfriendly and the espresso was a little thin and acidic. In fact we didn't even drink it- by unanimous vote, went to Makeda.

I thinks we'll have to try both Neptune and Makeda:)

Hi,
I'll be staying around bitter lake (135th ave and Aurora). I was looking for a good place for my morning java- there is a Brewin Around near by. is it any good, or is there a better place to go?

Hi,
I'm looking for a good place to go for lunch with my wife and 2 boys around Pike Place market. The problem is we don't eat much meat (so unfortunately salumi and matt's are out.). my wife would enjoy a big lunch salad, with maybe salmon on it (no shrimp or shell fish) and one boy eats a lot (salmon, fish & chips, etc) the other-not so much, but too bad for him.

also, one thread spoke of a good coffee place around there. any thought ?

thanks

We went to Bluegrass. Stopped by here with my 2 boys (8 &11) after a long flight from phoenix. The staff were all very nice and accommodating. They made us feel very comfortable, even the chef came out and played with the boys. The food was some of the best we had in Chicago. The skirt steak was marinated to a very tender flavorful state, and cooked perfectly. The tuna poke was fantastic, as was the beat salad. All six of us were very pleased with the meal. I would recommend going here.

long wait, not good. (I'd like to blame the kids but I'm the problem:) . As for Mexican, Living in Arizona, I get my fill. I have fond memories of having grilled skirt stake at my aunts house when she lived in chicago. I'm glad you agreed on Blue Grass, cause that's what we're going to try.

I like the looks of the menu. the beet salad and mushroom broil look good. we have a reservation here for thursday. thanks

I'll be in the area next weekend, mostly northern burbs- Northbrook area, but will have car (and family with me). I'm looking for a place for Skirt steak. nothing too upscale due to the kids. any thoughts.

also, any thoughts on Francesco's Hole In the Wall, looks like a good place for a bite.

Do ya think they'll still be running June 20th? I thought more end of may, first week or 2 of June?

I was on a cruise about 12 years ago, there was a chef from Seattle (don't remember his name) who gave a cooking demo on cedar plank Salmon. He discussed Copper River Salmon. I was hooked ever since.

Boy I hope we can get some.

Good thing we're early risers. Plan is Thursday morning probably between 8-9. coffee and pastries will do the trick.

thanks for the DeLorenti tip. I love Italy and all things Italian. May have to pack some Barolos for the trip:)

Now I'm really excited. I'm on a Junami hunt! although, maybe I'll have a Kiku with my Kiwi? they both actually sound good.

OMG, I'm so embarrassed. I'm trying so hard to learn the lingo. Of course I know it's PLACE, but was concentrating on loosing the "S". ya win some, ya loose some.

Sorry Paul, I was trying to be hip and cool by calling Pike Peak Market, "the Market". but yes, that's what I mean. I will be driving in. We are going there whether I buy stuff or not.

I'll be with in a mile of the one on 155th/Aurora)

Howard,
thanks.
Since I don't eat shell fish, will have to concentrate more on Pure. (I think the family would be disappointed if we didn't get some fish from Pike Peak Market).
Forest mushrooms--ohhhhh (sorry, just day dreeming)
Can one tell the difference between "high" and "low" stalls by sight or is it a knowledge thing?

Hi,
I’ve reviewed past threads, but I can’t seem to find any recent ones. I’m going to be staying in Seattle, but unlike the last few times I’m very excited because I’ll be renting a house so I’ll be able to cook. I figure I can take advantage of the Market- dreaming about getting fresh fish and produce. We’ll be there at end of June. My plan is to go to the market early the first morning we are there (a Thursday). Or would Friday be better?
Here is what I’ve gleaned. Please correct or update if needed.
For fish I should go to either Jacks or Pure Food Fish.
For Produce Frank and Sosios seem to be the place. Then the Low stall v high stalls. Now is this literal? Do I just pick food from lower bins or is this nomenclature for something else? An area maybe?
I think there is a store called Central market near where we are staying that’s suppose to be interesting.
Thank for any advice.

I've seen it with lamb, but that's why I wrote type, to signify the style. Anyway, how about grilled lamb chops?

I'm talking grilled or rack- (not stewed osso buco type). Who has the best?

There are a lot of places to save money, but good food is not one of them ;)

By family friendly, do you mean they have food the kids would eat? or only they wouldn't get the evil eye?

I'll be in napa overnight alone. No time for wine tasting, but will need to eat dinner. I'm a vegetarian who eats fish. I was thinking of either finding a good wineshop that doesn't gauge (I'm on a lot of mailing lists ) and grabbing a pizza or something for the room, or a casual restaurant with a good wine list. I tried Oxbow on my last trip, but did love it.

any suggestions?

thanks

OCshooter,
Funny, we don't do shellfish either. (or a lot of rolls)

we have had a summer vacation in LA (Rancho Palos Verdes) for 10 years. Each year we look forward to an evening at Sushi Zo. (well worth the drive.) This year we find ourselves in Laguna, without the babysitter. so are there any good local sushi places? (are there any a little farther, worth ditching the kids for?)

-----
Sushi Zo
9824 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90034

Funny, I made a reservation at The House at Secret Garden. then I read your response about Tracey Dempsey, who is doing their desserts. sounds like a good oman to me.

-----
The House at Secret Garden
2501 E Baseline Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85042

Hi,
For my wife's birthday we are going to do her favorite thing: go out for just appetizers and dessert. She loves rich dark chocolate, so where should we go for the best chocolate dessert. (we can drive anywhere in the valley).

Great.thanks for the info.

I didn't see date and time restrictions (but did expect them). how restrictive are they?

I just got an offer for a card from "Preferred Restaurants of Scottsdale & Phoenix". The deal is for $49 you get a card that entitles you to one free entrée if another is bought at certain restaurants for a year. the restaurants listed are not bad: Bourbon steak, Deseo, Estate house, TPC grill, J & G, Lon's, Prado, T cooks...
If true, seems like a no brainier.
Has anyone heard of this, or is it a scam?

thanks,

-----
Deseo
6902 E. Greenway Parkway, Scottsdale, AZ 85254

Circa was wonderful.

I wish the BYOB laws were different. Here's hoping for a good and reasonably priced wine list. I frequent restaurants as much for the wine as I do the food. (well, almost)

FYI- I wanted to go this week and Elliot called me back to say they are not going to be open untill next week. I'll be out of town, so they'll have to work the bugs out on someone else.