Santa Monica outdoor dining restaurants

I just read an article that the city of Santa Monica has now made it legal for dogs to be on restaurant patios. This is good news for us as we will be traveling with our dog.

Can you recommend a casual place for lunch with a dog friendly patio? We are hoping to find asomething more than a basic burger/sandwich shop but definitely not fine dining either. We will be in SM on a Saturday. We are open for most types although Italian or seafood would be our first choice ( not sushi or completely vegetarian). Being from Colorado, we are always intrigued with "California." (not sure of the exact definition but to us it implies creative and fresh).

Any ideas?

JudyDenver in Los Angeles Area

Are there any good Reno restaurants with patios?

We will be in town on a Sunday and unfortunately, the Grill at Quail Corners is closed. The Wild River Grill is open 7 days a week. so perhaps that will be a good choice for us.

JudyDenver in Southwest

Are there any good Reno restaurants with patios?

We will be in Reno Oct 1 (I like to plan in the future!).

JudyDenver in Southwest

Are there any good Reno restaurants with patios?

My husband and I will be passing through Reno with our goldendoodle. We can't leave Maddy in our hotel room and don't want to leave her in the car (unless we can see the car from our seat in a restaurant)

We will be staying overnight at the Staybridge Suites south of the Reno-Tahoe Airport. I've been reading about so many good restaurants on threads (such as La Fuente in Sparks, Miguels, Thai Chili) but wondered if any of these places might have a pet friendly patio? (we are not interested in all you can eat buffets)

Can you recommend anything close to our hotel rather than driving back into downtown Reno?. If not, we will gladly drive extra for a good meal (nothing fancy)

Thanks

JudyDenver in Southwest

Santa Barbara must-try restaurants

Good to hear that dogs are becoming more accepted in public places. We're hoping that SB and Carmel will become our new favorite go-to vacation spots in the future! I will keep a log of our experiences in your area and post when we return. Thanks again for your help.

JudyDenver in California

Santa Barbara must-try restaurants

There are so many interesting choices everyone has suggested that I am confident we can select really good restaurants which are pet friendly for our entire stay --3 nights. Now it's a question of shortening the long list! I posted the same question for our visit to Carlsbad, Ca and was amused to see a post with a link to kennel for our dog! As our trip is all about being with our dog, I really appreciate everyone's effort in Santa Barbara to help us all stay together.

JudyDenver in California

Must try restaurants near Carlbad

Thanks for your link but our entire purpose of our 2 weeks trip is to be with our dog. This is sour 5th cross country trip with the dog and we enjoy having her with us so much that we are willing to make compromises. Thankfully there are many upscale places to stay with her as well as great restaurants with pet friendly patios. She is far better behaved than most children and quietly sits at our feet. too bad obnoxious, barking dogs have created a problem for those of us with silent, calm animals.

JudyDenver in San Diego

Sedona restaurants with patios

We have never been to Sedona and are having difficulty finding pet friendly restaurant patios. Often restaurants have patios but do not allow dogs. (I'm sure it will be too hot in mid-September to leave Maddy in the car and the hotel will not allow an unattended dog to stay in the room alone)

We will be staying in town for 3 nights, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I noted that Cucina Rustica and Elote are both closed on Mondays. We enjoy casual meals and always seek out the most popular whenever possible.

Could you let me know if any of these places have pet friendly patios and offer good food:

Dahl & DiLuca
Cucina Rustica
Elote
Blue Moon Cafe
Dan's Bistro
Heartline

any other options?

JudyDenver in Southwest

Must try restaurants near Carlbad

Definitely add it to my growing list.

I called The Park Hyatt and learned that the only place to eat with a dog is their Ocean Pool bar (with all of the kids)--no thanks.

JudyDenver in San Diego

Santa Barbara must-try restaurants

I flew from Denver to Tampa to pick Maddy up from a special goldendoodle breeder when she was 8 weeks. She was hand picked to become a therapy dog. Unfortunately due to her disease, she cannot deal with the stress of new situations and doesn't do well with strangers. She is managed well with daily steroids. I often wish I could borrow a therapy cape for her to wear when we travel but then everyone could tell she doesn't have the internal discipline to be a guide dog!

What a great link.! I will keep that bookmarked for sure.

I have the feeling that Stella Mares and Jane do not have patios--I was just asking if anyone knew if they had any pet friendly tables for us. I have found it best to call or email each restaurant to learn their policy in advance.

We LOVE really good pizza but 45 miles is too far. We will be driving north on a Thursday morning to Carmel. I wonder if American Flat Bread in Los Alamos serves lunch?

JudyDenver in California

Santa Barbara must-try restaurants

Unfortunately, there are restaurants with patios and restaurants with patios which allow dogs. From the photos on the Brophy Brother's website, I would predict no dogs but I will call them. We have been traveling with our dogs for years and go through this tedious process each city we visit.

Often we walk around, see a sidewalk patio and inquire about their pet policy. Sadly, this method is hit or miss and usually the food is quite disappointing. I've learned it pays off to do a lot of research in advance and read reviews before ordering a meal.

With only 3 nights in Santa Barbara I hope I can come up 3 really good choices. Any more ideas?

What about Opal, Jane, Stella Mare or Mac's Fish and Chips?

JudyDenver in California

Carmel dog friendly patio restaurants

I found a list of restaurants which allow dogs on their patios. However it doesn't mean they offer good meals.

We will only be in Carmel 3 nights. Would you please help me reduce this list?

Cypress Inn Terry's Restaurant and Bar
Bistro Beaujolais
Bistro 211
Seafood Harvest
Rio Grill
Belle
Portabella

Or are there others which we should include?

JudyDenver in California

Santa Barbara must-try restaurants

My dog has addison's disease which basically means she can deal with any type of stress (i.e. boarding or day care).

Could you comment on these restaurants with dog friendly patio?

Pierre LaFond (State Street and Montecito)
Peabody's Coast Village Road Montecio
Pascucci
Emilio's

JudyDenver in California

Santa Barbara must-try restaurants

My husband and I have never been to Santa Barbara (we live in Denver). We will be in town for 3 nights with our dog.

Can you suggest any really good places we should try (not fine dining)? We would prefer restaurants which have pet friendly patios but these are in very short supply in some areas. We can leave her in the car because of the cool weather (and with the moon roof open) but we have learned that we do not enjoy our meal unless we can see the car while we eat.

We are serious pizza lovers and always in search of a new gourmet delight--if any are in the area, please let me know!!

JudyDenver in California

Must try restaurants near Carlbad

We will be staying in Carlsbad for 4 nights at the Park Hyatt Aviara with our dog (who cannot be left alone in the hotel room).

We would love to find restaurants with patios which might let her be with us during dinner. If these options do not exist, we can leave her in the car (because the weather will be cool) with the moon roof open. We would need to visibly see the car from our table in order to not worry about the dog during our meal.

We do not want fine dining but always enjoy really good food (seafood is a real treat for us coming from Denver). Are there any exceptional Mexican restaurants in the area?

What do you think of Vigilucci's in Encinitas or Jake's in Del Mar?

JudyDenver in San Diego

Downtown restaurants ideas for 5 nights

After all of this discussion, I will delete the word "upscale" from my requirements-- Definitely do not need formal, white table clothes and expensive. Rather a place with good energy exceptional food and overall a pleasant dining experience.

JudyDenver in Quebec (including Montreal)

Downtown restaurants ideas for 5 nights

I guess I had a misconception of the underground.

I will definitely read about all of the outside/walkable suggestions.

What about Garde Manger?

JudyDenver in Quebec (including Montreal)

Downtown restaurants ideas for 5 nights

Actually I was not referring to the subway, rather the underground city connected to my hotel.

Are there any Asian restaurants (not sushi) I should consider?

JudyDenver in Quebec (including Montreal)

Downtown restaurants ideas for 5 nights

I will be staying at the downtown Marriott Chateau Champlain in Montreal for 5 nights next week. I have never been in Montreal and would like to make reservations at restaurants in advance

. I have read about Au Pied du cochon, Joe Beef and Garde Manger but wondered if you could give me any restaurants suggestions which would be connected by underground to the Marriott? I am not a very adventurous eater and like upscale, trendy places to dine.

Thanks

JudyDenver in Quebec (including Montreal)

restaurants in Niagara on the Lake

I appreciate everyone's input.

No one has mentioned Zee's Grill. Is that not a good option too? We are not going to the Shaw Festival.

I know the Stone Road Grille should be on the top of my list, but to be honest, I can't get excited about anything on the menu. (I called and the menu on line is current). But due to the rave reviews, I feel obligated to at least give it a try.

-----
Stone Road Grille
238 Mary St, Niagara-ON-the-Lake, ON L0S, CA

JudyDenver in Ontario (including Toronto)

restaurants in Niagara on the Lake

We will be in Niagara on the Lake for 3 nights, Sept 15,16, and 17. I've read that it's important to avoid the tourist trap restaurants on Queen Street and to find restaurants away from the crowded downtown area.

We are not looking for a break- the -bank special occasion meal (like the fancy winery dining rooms )--just a good (more casual) restaurant. We're trying to avoid fried food if possible.

Stone Road Grille is highly recommended as well as Ginger (on Queen). anywhere else we should consider?

-----
Stone Road Grille
238 Mary St, Niagara-ON-the-Lake, ON L0S, CA

JudyDenver in Ontario (including Toronto)

Please recommend a great lunch spot between Montreal and Quebec City

We will be driving between Montreal and Quebec City on Sept 24 (Saturday). I thought I found the perfect lunch restaurant -- Le Mouton Noir in Baie-St.-Paul. I was so disappointed to discover that it's 1 hour 45 minutes PAST Quebec City. Definitely too far off of our route.

We aren't looking for an expensive feast, rather a really good, casual lunch spot (where we don't feel obligated to dress up) which serves memorable food.

Any ideas?

-----
Mouton Noir
43 Rue Sainte-Anne, Baie-Saint-Paul, QC G3Z0C8, CA

JudyDenver in Quebec (including Montreal)

Is there great pizza in Montreal?

As a tourist, is it worth a nice trip from Montreal to see Burlington, Vt and have pizza at American Flatbread or should we just give Vinnizza a try or save that sightseeing time to spend more time in Montreal?

JudyDenver in Quebec (including Montreal)

Best casual bistros in Montreal

We live in Denver and will be visiting in Montreal for a week. Denver has 3 French restaurants and only one offers exceptional food. If we decide to concentrate on bistro/French cuisine in Montreal-where should we go for dinner? (not fine dining).

I don't want to offend anyone, but I won't be eating poutine. I have NEVER eaten gravy or sauces over potatoes. In fact, I don't even eat mashed potatoes and gravy (very un American). Of course I love french fries, but with salt only (no sauce).

JudyDenver in Quebec (including Montreal)

Is there great pizza in Montreal?

I would like to avoid a red sauce--that's my idea of white. Thanks for defining all 3. I must admit after all of these discussions that I am not very enthused to embark on a pizza seach. Sounds like I may be disappointed.

JudyDenver in Quebec (including Montreal)

Is there great pizza in Montreal?

Are their distinct differences in the crust between
Vinizza, Bottega and Prato? I have no clue how to decide on which one to try--everyone has such a different idea of what is great.

I have never been wild about the pizza baked in a wood burning oven (like all in Nice, France) that has burned spots on the top and dry on the bottom. When sliced, the dough is limp and soggy in the middle and the toppings slide off.

Certainly using the finest Italian ingredients helps, but technique is so critical. I recently offended an owner of a pizzeria in Cannon Beach, Oregon. He proclaims to use the best flour, technique and brags about his experience--but the crust was tasteless and boring and the pizza was $32! I posted my negative comments on tripadvisor and he attacked me for my negative review.

-----
Bottega
65 Rue Saint-Zotique E, Montreal, QC H2S1K7, CA

JudyDenver in Quebec (including Montreal)

Is there great pizza in Montreal?

The more I read reviews on other threads about Bottega's and Napolitana's, I don't think the dough from either place is what I am searching for. I really don't care if it's authentically Italian but certainly not soggy, brady or soft andloaded down with sauce and heavy toppings.

My all time favorite: light, chewy crust with garlic oil olive glaze, gorgonzola, hazelnuts and pears--with arugula salad on the side.

I really hate a traditional red sauce pizza with heavy cheese and greasy meat. I have been making pizza for 35 years and am still perfecting my dough. (and getting close) I am a real pizza snob with very high expectations. I am usually disappointed but am willing to try something new.

-----
Bottega
65 Rue Saint-Zotique E, Montreal, QC H2S1K7, CA

JudyDenver in Quebec (including Montreal)

Is there great pizza in Montreal?

white pizza to me, means no red sauce but we love various specialty cheeses (fontina, asiago, etc) not the basic mozzarella.

JudyDenver in Quebec (including Montreal)

Is there great pizza in Montreal?

I posted this question before we went to Vancouver, and received the best pizza suggestion ever from a Chowhound post (the Rocky Mountain Flatbread Co in Kitsilano) I'm hoping you can help me find a great place in Montreal.

We will be in town for a week with a car. We are willing to drive anywhere to find amazing pizza. Our idea of the perfect pizza is not traditional--more of a white pizza with light, chewy crust.

Any suggestions?

JudyDenver in Quebec (including Montreal)