Dinner in Mendocino?

We will be driving in from northern Sonoma County for just one night in Mendocino before heading on up to the OR coast. We will have been wine tasting all day and probably in the mood for something casual but tasty that evening. Open to anything--from what I gather, sounds like the restaurants are touristy and not so good--so we are up for pizza or burgers or something nicer. Please help point us in the right direction! Thanks!

jcnorton in California

Should we have lunch in Geyserville or Healdsburg?

We don't need anything particularly lavish, but delicious is a must! Open to anything from local/California cuisine to a burger or something ethnic. Throw out your favorites and we'll see what strikes our fancy. Thanks, 'hounds!

jcnorton in San Francisco Bay Area

NOLA classics

I grew up on the Mississippi coast and always heard the "grown ups" talking about amazing dinners at Commander's Palace, Galatoire's, Antoine's and Brennan's. Are these still the best restaurants in New Orleans? Are some better than others? And what other contenders should we consider? I've seen mentions of August and K-Paul's and, even though I'm a total foodie, I'm out of the loop as far as New Orleans restaurants go and don't know what's what these days.

I should define who "we" are: A group of mostly 40-somethings traveling from the Washington DC area to celebrate a friend's 50th birthday. We would love great food and a great NOLA experience, money not much of a factor -- but also want a place that's not so stuffy that we can't let our hair down a bit and actually celebrate.

And then if we plan on a more casual dinner for the second night, what should that be?

We won't miss beignets at Cafe du Monde and will also try to hit Coop's for lunch, which was recommended to us. Feel free to throw any other suggestions our way as we love to eat, drink and be merry, New Orleans-style!

jcnorton in New Orleans

Nando's Peri Peri Chicken

I was in South Africa about a year ago and my only regret was that I didn't have an opportunity to try Nando's... so I was very excited to see the "opening soon" sign on the Connecticut Avenue location (where Candy's Hardware used to be). My understanding is that they have different levels of hotness, with the Peri Peri being fiery and the others ramping down from there. All I know is that people rave about it!

jcnorton in Washington DC & Baltimore Area

San Diego for a month

Chowhounds -- thanks for so many great suggestions! Was too busy yesterday to see what had been written, so this is a great list to wake up to. Will get busy this weekend! And btw, I did manage to have a decent steak and a great zin at Fleming's last night with a co-worker, so at least I've broken the streak. I look forward to exploring your lovely city a bit more.

jcnorton in San Diego

San Diego for a month

Thanks for the recs, Doug. Market is actually very close to where I'm staying (as is Scalini's???). Would that be a good place to dine solo at the bar?

jcnorton in San Diego

San Diego for a month

Hello Chowhounds,

I am in town from the East Coast for six weeks (a month to go) on a project, but here's the catch: it's mostly work -- from early in the morning to fairly late at night -- and after being here for two and a half weeks, I haven't eaten out one time. Yikes! I'm usually a total foodie, and scoping out the good restaurants is typically my first order of business.

So here's how you could help. I would love to have a handful of restaurants to try on the odd weeknight when I might have the energy to go out after work. They don't have to be the absolute best in town, but what would be great would be worthwhile restaurants with a good/friendly bar area where I would feel comfortable eating alone (I'm a 40yo woman). I tend toward upscale (but not overly trendy or too much of a scene) or really good neighborhood places. I am working in the UTC area (near the Hyatt) and I am living roughly between Del Mar and Rancho Santa Fe. Realistically, I don't see myself being too adventurous during the week, so suggestions convenient to those neighborhoods would be great.

I am hoping to have a little bit more time to explore during the weekends. Would love to explore Hillcrest, La Jolla and perhaps some of the seaside? Suggestions? Again, I will mostly be alone and although I am okay with that, I would like places where I don't feel too out of place if you know what I mean.

Thanks for your suggestions. I feel like I am going to kick myself when this is all over and I've barely experienced the town at all. Hopefully it's not too late to salvage this!

Jules

jcnorton in San Diego

C'ville for Bachelorette dinner and wineries

Thanks for all of the feedback -- we definitely feel like we're on track now. But we need a little more help with wineries. We are staying near Standardsville (which is north of town) and the innkeeper recommended Stone Mountain as a beautiful place (not so sure she was recommending the wines so much as the view, which is fine, and this could be a picnic spot). So we were thinking we'd hit that first and then either head to Oakencroft followed by Kluge and/or Jefferson OR cut across to Burnley/Horton/Keswick (probably two of the three). Having gone to the Winelands in South Africa last year, I like the sound of Keswick -- but how are Horton and Burnley? We are purposely avoiding Barboursville as we like smaller, more intimate wineries. After the wineries, we are heading into town for dinner, which is why we're keeping it as close to C'ville proper as possible. And do you think that Stone Mountain is a must-do? Thanks again!

jcnorton in General South Archive

C'ville for Bachelorette dinner and wineries

We are a group of eight 30-something Chowhounds from DC heading to C'ville for a Bachelorette weekend. We eat at all of the great DC restaurants regularly and are looking for someplace upscale but not too stuffy as we want to be able to let our hair down and enjoy ourselves after a grueling day of wine tasting (ha!)... From what I can tell, the best spots seem to be C&O, Oxo, L'Etoile, Cassis, Hamilton's... am I missing any? Which of these, do you think, would give the best balance of great food plus great fun? Any good spots for pre- and/or post-dinner drinks? And if we are dressed casually from our day of wineries, would we feel underdressed at any of these?

And about that grueling day of wineries... recommendations fairly close to C'ville proper? Several of us have done the group of wineries to the west (Cardinal Point, King Family, White Hall), which we enjoyed. We generally prefer smaller, more intimate wineries (NOT Barboursville, for example), although we can bend on that for great wine (Kluge, for example -- is worth it?). And finally -- which wineries would be best for a picnic on the grounds?

Thanks C'ville Chowhounds!

jcnorton in General South Archive

Scottsdale Mexican restaurants?

Thanks, CHer's for all your input. I'm going to take a look at the La Hacienda link above. I would also be interested in the prices, as I surmise from the posting above that they aren't listed on the website. In the meantime, someone told me to go to Richardson's or La Sombreros, which would both be about half an hour away -- and both of these get great reviews on CH. I'm willing to drive a bit for a good place. Do you all think one of these is superior to the other? I only recently learned that "New Mexican" cuisine was a whole separate thing, so I'm kind of curious about that. Also, can someone tell me what "hatch chile" is? Thanks again -- this is so helpful!

jcnorton in Southwest

Scottsdale Mexican restaurants?

Thanks for the suggestions. Are any of the places mentioned a little more upscale, or are they more "down home" Mexican restaurants? I sort of think we'll want to go to a nicer place if possible since we'll be celebrating with family and friends who we don't get to see very often. Thanks!

jcnorton in Southwest

Scottsdale Mexican restaurants?

I am going to be in Scottsdale for a wedding an a few weeks and would like to find a great Mexican restaurant for a larger party (probably 10 people or so). We are staying at the Inn at Eagle Mountain, which appears to be near 101/Shea Blvd toward Fountain Hills. This is my fourth trip to Phoenix this year, totally randomly, but the people I usually visit don't like Mexican, which is one of my favorites -- and I'm sure there is some good Mexican to be had out there! So please, point me in the right direction!

jcnorton in Southwest

One night in Vancouver?

So no votes for West, huh? I have heard about Vij's and it does sound amazing -- but would that be your pick for our only night in Vancouver?

jcnorton in Western Canada Archives