bleen68's Profile
Headed back to Honolulu
Thanks, great suggestions. We are not limited to that area, it is just our first choice. I am sure we will want to go down to Waikiki one night for dinner just to absorb the ambiance. Who has the "best fish in town?" Or is that a silly question in Honolulu?
Headed back to Honolulu
My son actually lives at 1088 Bishop and you can see the Aloha Tower (no "s") from his balcony, so I figured that would be a central monument to use as a starting point. Last time we ate at Indigo, Little House and Chai's. It is really nice not to have to drive. There was also a French Bistro across the street from Indigo but we couldn't get a decent table last time. Are there still two Alan Wong's and is one better than the other?
Headed back to Honolulu
We did an extensive study on Chowhound a year and a half ago for our visit to our son in Honolulu. Has anything changed, such as previous stars falling or closed or new entries arriving on the scene. We are especially looking for suggestions within walking distance of the Aloha Tower.
Friday night dinner within walking distance of LAX Embassy Suites South?
Can any one recommend a good place for a Friday night dinner in March withing walking distance (2-3 blocks) of the LAX Embassy Suites South (4400 East Imperial Highway) We are on an overnight layover before catching a flight out on Saturday morning.
Dinner recommendations within walking distance of Crowne Plaza Denver?
a collegue and I are attending a convention in Denver. We need suggestions for two females within walking distance of the Crowne Plaza. Good food of any cuisine needed for two nights. Reasonable prices, not 5 star luxury.
Lunch or Dinner after Univ of Utah football game?
Thanks to all. We had lunch at Mazza sitting outside at their 900th and 900th location. Great food with some menu item we have not seen other places. Great lunchsnd we won the football game!
Lunch or Dinner after Univ of Utah football game?
in two weeks we will be up in Salt Lake for a game. Still don't know kickoff time, so we may be looking for lunch before or Dinner after. Will be staying at Univ Marriott so won't want to wander far?
Recommendations for 3 cities in Bulgaria?
We are back and so I will answer my own question. We never had a bad meal in Bulgaria. And once we got out of Sofia the average cost for wonderful salad, meat dish and wine for two was $25-35. Here are my choices in order of preferenceand I will add special review for the best places.
Sofia: 1. Manastirska Magernitsa. Old house with beautiful garden tables for the summer. Best meal of the trip but also the most expensive - $ 60 for two but that included complementary humus and brandy brought out with hot water to warm it before drinking!
2. Ege Ege - Armenian. I had Duck with Apricot and Dates and my wife had Pork stuffed with Olives and Cheese. 3. Pri Yafata.
Plovdiv; 1. Dayana. There are several versions around town all with Gardens 2. Chuchura (Bachkova - can't remember the name but it was the restaurant with the waterfalls by the bus stop.)
Velinko Tarnovo: 1. Ethno 2. Shtastivetsa 3 Gurko Tavern.
Recommendations for 3 cities in Bulgaria?
We are spending multiple days in Sofia, Plovdiv and Velinko Taranova. Would appreciate restaurant recommendations. Looking for local foot but any good restaurant would be appreaciated.
Lunch on the great river Road?
Next week we will be in town and one day are taking an excursion out to the Great River Road. We will probably see both Laura and Oak Alley. Are there any lunch recommendations around those planations or between there and New Orleans? Perhaps even to the south or southeast if the place is worth the drive.
Restuarant recommendations for mid week in March?
We are going to be spending two nights in New Orleans next month (March). We had sor of settled on Cochon and Galatoire's but have discovered that the later requires a jacket which I do not plan on taking. We will have one lunch and two dinners so need recommendations for lunch the first day and dinner the second. We have breakfast in our hotel but might want to go out for a nice breakfast on the last day before we fly out just after noon.
We would also like recommendations for lunch out near the planations on the Great River Road. (We plan on renting a car for a one day excursion.)
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Cochon
930 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, LA 70130
Galatoire's Restaurant
209 Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70130
Outstanding food in Cervera del Rio Alhama
What a surprise to find such a gem in the middle of nowhere! Cervera del Rio Alhama is a city of 3381 people in the mountains around where the provinces of Aragón, Navarra, La Rioja and Castilla/Leon come together. In sits below the Sierra del Moncayo and close to the mineral waters at the Balenario de Fitero. It is an ancient town that was the center for the manufacturing of the rope sandals (or alpargatas) that used to be a national footware in Spain. Located in the center of down off Plaza San Gil and up a steep stairway is the Hotel Rural Cervera. This completely refurbished building has a dining room on the first floor that goes back into a cave. The food is outstanding. We took a family party of ten people on the Sunday after Christmas. We started with an outstanding Revuelto de Hongos, Pimientos Rellenos and two types of salads . All were outstanding. The main couse varied Bacalao Salsa Verde, Asados, a Confit of Pato, an Entricot, a Solomilo and a Cordero Asado. Everything was excellent. Even the House red wine at 7.50 Euros was good. The pricee was reasonable at 33 Euros per person including wine, coffee and dessert. It is a bit off of any main road so this has to be a destination and spending the night to eat a meal might be worth while. In addition to the minerals baths the local boasts ruined castles and dinosauer tracks.
Dining near Atocha Station?
The weather cancelled our trip to Sevilla and dealt us an unexpected overnight in Madrid. What are the best options around Atocha station? We are staying at the AC Atocha for one night and will have two lunches and a dinner available.
Cádiz just before Christmas?
Some asked this question a couple of months ago and didn't get a reply, but I'll give it another shot. We might be dropping into Cádiz for a day trip from Sevilla the week before Christmas. Can anyone suggest a place for lunch. Any cuisine but I'd expect seafood to predominate. A sea view also might be nice.
What flavors at bargain prices - Little Village Noodle House
For our third and final meal on this trip to Honolulu, we chose the Little Village Noodle House located in the heart of Chinatown. Walking down a dark Hotel Street wasn't the most pleasant thing and we had never seen this restaurant before so were pleased when we came upon a bright nicely decorated place full of people. And best of all it happened to have one table open immediately. As I mentioned in my earlier thread, we didn't know what all the locals know that you bring your own bottle of wine and they open it for you at a charge of $1.50 per glass. We started with Mu-shu roll, a crep with pork veggies and spices that was prepared at the table. I have never experienced that in a chinese restaurant. The great flavor started us out right. The first of the three main dishes to hit the table twas Black pepper beef and the tastes caused all of us to say "wow!" This was followed by cashew chicken that was not on the menu but was an evening special listed on the chalk board above the kitchen. The final dish was Honey walnut shimp. Again the flavors were absolutely unique although my wife found it too sweet for her. We thought we over ordered so that our son would have something to take home, but there wasn't even a nibble left. The best part is this feast only cost $53.04 before tip. Photos of everything but the cashew chicken are posted below.
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Little Village Noodle House
1113 Smith St, Honolulu, HI 96817
Fine meal in Honolulu at Indigo
I should add that the meal came to $175.34 before tip.
Superb Meal in Honolulu - Chai's
We should add the price which ame to $198 for three before tip.
Superb Meal in Honolulu - Chai's
If you are following the board you know that the main criteria for our eveing meal was walking distance from our son's apartment. Using the list suggested in response to a question, we selected Chai's. We had seen it the previous day when we went up the Aloha Tower. We arrived fairly early on a Friday night. Good thing too, because it filled up immediately afterwards. We sat outside in the Patio under interlocking umbrellas and at the foot of the Tower. We started the meal with a Scallop pot pie in lobster sauce. Excellent flavor. We followed it up with a Rainbow salad that included a wonderful collection of greens and fruit of various descriptions (see first photo). The main dishes in the order of the photos below were Beef Wellington, Mahi Mahi in curry sauce and Seabass in Lobster sauce. Everything was excellent but the Seabass may have been the best fish I have ever eaten. We complemented the meal with a bottle of Heger Pino Gris (Germany). I had never had a German Pino Gris and was surprised the bottle came with a screw cap but more and more white wines are doing that. We finished the meal with coffee. The service was excellent and the evening enterainment, a Hawaiin singer was very good. If we had been inside it might have been to loud but it was fine out in the patio. A memorable meal.
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Chai's Island Bistro
1 Aloha Tower Dr, Honolulu, HI
Fine meal in Honolulu at Indigo
We were on a short visit to Honolulu. Our main criteria was that it be within walking distance of our son's apartment on Bishop and Hotel Street. Although this restaurant had not appeared in the string based on our inquiry, we passed it during the day, the people were pleasant and the setting tranquil. We sat out in the patio covered a large roof. The service was professional and friendly. We started our dinner sharing an order of cheese filled Won Tons. They were good but we have had better. For our main course we had Duck, Lamb Chops and Seared Fish (in the order of the photos below.) All were well prepared and flavorful. A bottle of Volver Temprinillo (Spain) accompanied the meal. Dessert consided of Cheesecake, Keoki, and coffee. It was a nice meal for our first night in Hawaii.
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Indigo Eurasian Cuisine
1121 Nuuanu Ave., Honolulu, HI 96817
Recommendations within alking distance of King and Fort?
Thanks for all the suggestions. To close the loop, let me fill you all in on what we chose. The first aftern0on (a Thursday), while exploring Chinatown, we had lunch from one of the booths in the food court of the Maunekea Market. For the evening meal we managed to have all three within three blocks (maybe four) of the apartment. We were going to Alan Wongs the first night but discovered that really isn't walking distance so instead headed to Du Vin. There was an open table in the patio but it had a reserved sign on it and the inside dining room was too cold so we opted to go across the street to Indigo. This was not listed in this string but after passing during the day, I checked the board out and it had good ratings. We had a nice meal outside and will provide a seperate review. The next day we headed around Oahu with the first stops in the Wheeler Field-Schofield area. We continued north and had lunch at the Fumis Kahuku Shrimp truck right next to the shrimp farms. My son was unhappy about the cost - $12 a plate but we have no idea if that is standard. There appeared to be more people a couple of trucks down (I think it was called Roy's). Anyway the food was good and we had three different styles- garlic, mild garlic and limon. Some photos are included. After completing our loop with a stop at Bellows beach the evening's meal was at Chai's Island Bistro at the foot of the Aloha Tower. This was a memorable meal for which I will also include a separate review. The next day started at Waikiki and lunch was at Duke's Canoe Club in the Outrigger. Lunch was good and everyone had something different including Kalua Pork, Mahi Sandwhich and a spinich and fruit salad. The setting was classic with the outriggers coming to the beach to pickup passengers. The afternon was at Pearl Harbor. That evening we walked into Chinatown and had a very nice mela at the Little Village Noodle House. The flavors were wonderful and the cost of the meal was a third of the two previous nights. Unfortunately we didn't know what the locals know, there is no alcohol on the menu so you need to bring your own wine which they will allow for a corkage fee of $1.50 a glass. All in all the food on this short visit was memorable. (I will also post a separate review of this meal.
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Little Village Noodle House
1113 Smith St, Honolulu, HI 96817
Chai's Island Bistro
1 Aloha Tower Dr, Honolulu, HI
Alan Wong's Restaurant
1857 S King St Fl 3, Honolulu, HI 96826
December in Sevilla
Guess it is a bit early but we are looking for restaurant recommendations in Sevilla the week before Christmas. We would like one splurge meal but for most we will be looking for good quality reasonabily priced food. We will not have a car so for the most part would like walking distance (and we like to walk) of the Barrio Santa Cruz.
I am also looking for the name of a fish restaurant that cooks the fish in blocks of salt.
Recommendations within alking distance of King and Fort?
What can you recommend within walking distance of King and Fort Streets in Honolulu? That is where we will be staying and it is a couple of blocks northeast of the Palace. Any cuisine including the best in Chinatown is welcome. We will have three meals on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Any price range but, of course, everyone loves a bargain if the food is good.
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Fort Street Cafe
1152 Fort Street Mall, Honolulu, HI 96813
Salt Lake and Provo Recommendations?
Will be coming to BYU's first game of the season but staying in Salt Lake. We will arrive around 8:30 on Friday night and are staying out near the airport. We will be looking for a good place to eat that stays open late on Friday night and has parking. Any cuisine is welcome except Mexican. Then we need someplace for lunch on Saturday, either in Salt Lake or Provo or on the way. Dinner will be in the stadium.
Four nights in Boston without a car
This is the report back on our experiences in Boston. The first night we headed straight for the North End and Neptune Oyster. On a Thursday night at 9 PM the wait was 45 minutes. Silly us...we didn't wait. I read somewhere on this board that "you can't go wrong at an Italian place on the North End. We must have found the exception to the rule. My wife head her heart set on cioppino so we selected the first place with that on the menu and an opening. It turned out to be Pagliuca. My wife was disappointed in what she got because it was dry and what sauce it had was heavy and strong. I had a veal dish that was OK. We did finally hit Neptune on Sunday night and it was all that we expected. She finally had the Cioppino that she had been dreaming about. I had Artic Char and it might have been the best fish I have ever eaten.
The next night we went to Rincon Limeño by Metro. I made the mistake of going out the back entrance of the station which leads down a lonely road and over a dicrepant over crossing and past lots of broken beer bottles. All she could think of was returning that way after dark. Of course we missed the well lit beautiful entrance on the main street. The place was full of Andean folk and was good but we decided we really didn't care all that much for Peruvian food (or Colombian food outside of Colombia for that matter.)
The third day'd dinner was wonderful at Penang. It was two blocks up from our hotel and everytime we passed it on previous evenings it was packed. It was excellent. We have never had Malaysian food and that cuisine scores a positive review for us. We had ordered two soups but when the first one showed up (Seaweek Seafood Soup) it was so huge we asked if it was too late to cancel the second one. They said OK I had Masak Beef which was perfectly prepated not dry nor overpowered with the sauce. We had been talking to a young oriental couple while waiting to get in and they ended up sitting next to us. When a interesting vegetable dish appear, my wife asked what it was. They let her taste it and she immediately added it to our order. It was Kang Kung.....Sauteed convolus. Something she had never had before but she loved it. The man behind the counter manning the register, perhaps the owner, could have been provided by Central Casting to play a South Sea Pirate. I'd definately eat here again, food was unique, flavorful and service efficent but willing to please.
We also had a lunch at legal seafood where my softshell crab sandwhich (see photo) was quite good although the getting over the emotional effect of the legs sticking out takes something. My wife had a lobster salad. The next day we had lunch at Chowda in Quincy market and I had a great lobster roll while my wife had chowda.
All in all, the food was very good in Boston.
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Neptune Oyster
63 Salem St Ste 1, Boston, MA 02113
Dowtown Boston without a car
I will report back on a new post. Thanks to all the suggesters.
Visiting Newport in late August....
We were in Newport last week. We were tired and not elegantly attired returning from a hike on the Cliff Walk and stopped in for dinner. We chose the inside section in the back because we wanted to avoid the live music on the upstairs balcony. We asked if we could sit at another table just down from ours and next to the open floor length window looking out and were told no. Later the waitress allowed us to move two tables closer to the window. There was no bread served but the food was generally good. My wife had the Captain’s Plate which was a mistake since she generally does not like batter fried food. I had a encrusted cod and thought it was quite good.
Best meal in New England
We recently completed a ten day trip to New England. One night while traveling between Mystic and the Berkshires found us spending the night in Windsor. Based on recommendations to our query elsewhere on this board we chose to eat this restaurant. We arrived without reservations on a Wednesday night and were lucky enough to find an open table in the Gazebo next to the pond. David C, our waiter provided superior service. My wife started with French Onion Soup which was superb. I started with a unique Lobster Gazpacho, which my Spanish wife declared to be a contradiction of terms because something with Lobster in it could not be Gazpacho. Truth or not my cold Lobster/tomato soup was wonderful. My wife followed with French Stuffed chicken and I had a superb Jagerschnitzel. By the time we were finished it was dark and we were the only targets for the local mosquitoes, so we moved into the bar for coffee and a wonderful apple Strudel. There were other places on the trip where the food approached this but nowhere else did we find the combination of service, ambiance and excellent food. Thanks to all who suggested it!
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The Mill on the River
989 Ellington Road, South Windsor, CT 06074
Boston - on the water?
Thanks to all for the great suggestions. By the way, got my haircut tonight and my barber recommended the Barking Crab which bostonbroad says to avoid. I think I'll trust the locals and just won't tell my barber about it.
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The Barking Crab
88 Sleeper Street, Boston, MA 02210
Boston - on the water?
One more specific request. On the water (we New Mexican's doen't get much of that here) withing walking distance of the Theater district or easy to Metro.
