sunnyand72's Profile
Young couples first trip to Oz (Sydney, Melbourne) and NZ (Christchurch), looking for advice!
Dineout maintains a list of earthquake affected restaurants:http://www.dineout.co.nz/earthquake.php
I would highly recommend St. Germain (relocated post earthquake).http://www.saint-germain.co.nz/menu.html
It's a little over your budget--they do a 5 course "chef surprise"--one of the best meals I've eaten in NZ for $85 (not sure what currency you were listing your range in).
Healdsburg Christmas
Hi all,
Anyone know of any restaurants in Healdsburg that will be open on Christmas? Opentable lists only Madrona Manor...I'd love to eat there sometime, but the Christmas menu does not look very impressive. http://www.madronamanor.com/restaurant_winemakerdinners.htm
Thanks!
Dining Alone in Phoenix
Any recommendations near the Hyatt Regency?
Any cuisine is fine...bars are fine...
I can only expense $40, so something less than that would be perfect.
Thanks!
Dinner in Ballard, WA area
Hi all,
I'm staying at a friend's house for a couple of days, and figured I should take him out to dinner. His tastes run more towards the quantity end of things (and I would prefer quality). So, I'm looking for a good restaurant with large portions...all ethnicities considered; no particular price range, but under $40 pp would be preferred.
Thanks!
Restaurants with no corkage in Napa
Cole's and Celadon will waive a corkage if you buy a bottle from them.
I was charged $10 at Downtown Joes...though it has been a few years since I've been there for anything other than root beer.
Another cheap dining question, now in Napa
Pearl. http://www.therestaurantpearl.com/
You can even go a little crazy with the oysters and keep it under $30...depending on your wine tastes, I guess.
Dinner After the LA Winefest
I'm going to Comma Ca...planning on drinking just enough so that the bus (route 10) sounds like a good idea.
I have developed a massive tarte flambe deficiency since 2006 (when I was last in Alsace).
Good crepes in OC?
I like Crepemaker (at the Irvine Spectrum). I am not a crepe expert, and I admit that every crepe stand I frequented in Vancouver was better...but the Spectrum is close, and I've never been disappointed.
Breakfast in Napa?
I'm a big fan of First Squeeze.
I do like Gillwoods...though, the Napa location has disappointed me more than once...
Help wanted with a tentative itinerary for Yountville/Napa + SF in late August
Am I the only one who doesn't get Taylor's Refresher? I wouldn't say it's a horrible burger, but it is nothing to write home about. Wine at a burger joint is cool and all, but the only thing impressive about the wine list at Taylor's is that it's at a burger joint.
RE In-N-Out: You can eat there without leaving Napa!
In-N-Out warning: In-N-Out gets worse the further you get from Southern California. You really can't get the same experience in NoCal.
Italian in OC
I miss Marco Polo also...used to live in the apartments right behind it.
Il Farro by the Newport Pier is a good bet.
OC Airport Eats
I wouldn't say it's the worst...and it is a pretty small airport. Part of the problem has to do with post 9/11 security measures: There is no virtually no: "outside security" area at John Wayne...which means that the OP is the rare person who can wait at a restaurant (in the secure area) for friends/family/coworker. I actually don't remember what the food was like prior to 2001 (I am by no means a frequent flier), but I am certain the restaurants were better supported back then.
OC Airport Eats
Oasis is a David Wilheim restaurant...I'd say it's slightly better than the Wolgang Puck's "Express"--which is just premade sandwiches and salads inside a refrigerator.
Unless you're starving (which is unlikely if you're just coming from Phoenix), I'd highly recommend finding something else (other than eating) to do for 45 minutes: have your shoes shined, buy an OC Register, go to the baggage claim and read about the OC restaurants that have paid to advertise in the pamphlets at the visitor booth.
Happy Hour Near House of Blues, Sunset
Hi all,
I'm looking for a good happy hour near (
Requirements:
1) Must not end before 8PM (9PM even better); this is for a Thursday night
2) Cheap (and preferably good) drinks are more important than good/cheap food.
Thanks!
First time at The French Laundry
I would recommend having lunch and a light afternoon snack; or at least, that's what I would do if I had a 9PM reservation.
I would probably arrive a little early to look around the courtyard while it's still light. Be aware: if you go inside, you'll be pressured into a glass of champagne at their makeshift bar...not that there's anything wrong with a glass of champagne (which would also be enjoyable in the courtyard), but this is how they get you to go over your planned French Laundry budget (and you don't want to seem cheap by ordering the cheapest sparkling wine on the menu at $20/glass).
RE dress: If you wear a suit, you'll be much more over dressed than most. If you wear a tie, you'll be just a little over dressed than most.
Here's all I know about the French Laundry: http://takealotofdrugs.blogspot.com/search?q=french+laundry
places with cheap corkage and decent food?
I have never been charged a corkage when I was able to convince the server (or sommelier) to try my wine. This is more difficult than it sounds, though your chances are better if you are bringing better wine.
Taste of Anaheim, Thu 06/26/08
Goldstar discount: http://www.goldstar.com/events/anaheim-ca/13th-annual-taste-of-anaheim.html
Laguna Beach Help Please - Restaurants & Mexican
For Mexican, I like Olamendi's (in Laguna; there are several around Orange County, each is operated by a different sibling, and each is a pretty different restaurant). Anyway, I would not call the food spectacular, but it's fairly inexpensive (my wife and I generally get out for around $25), and they make some interesting dishes with potatoes and pumpkins; if you sit in the right place, there's an ocean view. Kid friendly; there's a single mariachi most nights if you're into that sort of thing.
Question about French Laundry Reservation
Looking at reviews on this board, it seems that far more negative (or mediocre) reviews occur at lunch than dinner. The menu is the same...I am told the staff is the same. I suspect spending 4 or 5 hundred dollars per person hurts a little more for lunch (than dinner), raising the potential for disappointment.
Moroccan Restaurant in OC
Can't say I've seen anything Moroccan in the vicinty you've described in the last 5 or 6 years...
Happy hour help in C.M./Newport Beach
Finally something I know something about!
Daily Grill (Newport and Irvine) is one of my favorite happy hours for food (M-F 4-7...it's starts again at 9:30 or 10...can't remember the time). All appetizers are $2.99 (including a rather substantial chicken pot pie). Martinis are $7, draft beer $3.50 (hey, it's Newport).
McCormick and Schmick's is also a food steal (cheeseburgers for $1.99!!!)...I haven't actually been there for happy hour, so you'll have to check on the times.
Harborside has half priced appetizers, $4 mai tais and margaritas (and $2 off everything else--M-F 12-6)...and since it's Wednesday: buy two drinks (between 7 and 9PM), and get dinner free (entree is selected by them). Food is decent, view is one of the best in Newport.
Speaking of Wednesday: Good day to head to Huntington Beach. 1) Duke's (by the Pier) has half priced appetizers; 2) Savannah (down the stairs from Dukes) had a decent happy hour when it was Chimayo...I have not been in since the name changed. The crowd at 3) Hurricanes (half priced appetizers) might be a little young for you, but if you're there early it won't be too hopping yet.
Back to Newport, my sleeper pick is the Newport Beach Brewing Company. $6 pizzas on Wednesday and $6 pitchers of beer...as I type this, I'm thinking they may have raised the prices of each to $7; still a bargain.
Everyone at my work loves Z-Tejas (South Coast Plaza) for half price appetizers (all drinks $1 off)...I don't really care for the place.
Fondue
The appetizer that's on the regular menu is scraped in the kicthen...served on a plate with potatoes, onions, etc.
I have not been there for all you can eat raclette night. The picture on their website shows what I guess I'd call a "traditional" machine...I have no idea if they actually use it.
http://www.basilicrestaurant.com/39326_101412.asp
Fondue
Basilic (Newport Beach) serves raclette...It's more of an appetizer, and not the size of a meal you might get in Switzerland. First Tuesday of Winter months they have an "all you can eat" raclette night.
I believe they serve fondue once a week, but I cannot remember which night.
Mac & Cheese
Palm Terrace (in the Island Hotel, Newport Beach).
Best $13 you can spend. (Also available in tasting potion for $6).
A Restaurant - any recent visits?
I drive by it every day, and the parking lot is always full. (The lot was never full when it was the Arches...in the last few years, at least).
I have not made it inside yet.
Question about French Laundry Reservation
The next available table function only looks 30 days out (from today's date). If you're trying to book 2 months out already (or even 1 month out), the link will not be there. The function works well for snagging last minute cancellations (I here lunch on Friday is a popular meal to cancel).
Question about French Laundry Reservation
For anyone else who stumbles across this thread: the number of tables listed on opentable (2 parties of 4 for dinner;1 party of 2 for lunch; 1 party of 4 for lunch...or whatever it says currently) only applies if you are trying to make reservations 60 days out. They frequently fill cancellations (especially in January) using opentable. If you search for today's date, then use the "find next available day" link, you will sometimes be pleasantly surprised (especially in January).
Everything else I know about the French Laundry can be found here: http://takealotofdrugs.blogspot.com/search?q=french+laundry
Post Concert Eats in Costa Mesa
Il Farro (by the Newport Pier) Dinner til 11PM during the week, and 1AM on Friday and Saturday.
