AnnBR's Profile
Two New Yorkers Eat Seattle
LOVE Seattle cuisine! It was our first trip to that fair city. Here's where we ate.
The Waterfront
(Great views of the harbor and impeccable service. They bring you blankets when it gets cold!)
http://www.waterfrontpier70.com/waterfrontpier70/
Apps and Sides:
Asparagus
Crab Mac n Cheese (phenomenal)
Grilled Corn (Yep)
Mains:
Wicked Shrimp (spicy yumminess)
Jumbo Prawn Cocktail (better even then the wicked shrimp)
Seared Diver Scallops (smokey goodness)
King Crab Legs (seriously pricey. But soooo good.)
Grilled Pacific Swordsfish (good)
Desserts:
Bread Pudding (The server said this would change our lives. He wasn't too far off.)
Ice cream sundae (killer)
Drinks: I had a Mint Julep which was lovely and refreshing too. My DC enjoyed his "so dirty it would shame your mother" Martini.
The 5 Spot (Breakfast) in Queen Anne neighborhood
The Mocha French Toast is delicious. I was thinking it would be super sweet, but no! It's not sweet. Just a plate of mocha-french toasty goodness.
The Garlic Gulch omelet with locally-made sausage is also good.
Long Provincial (Vietnamese)
http://longprovincial.com/
Love this place. We especially enjoyed the squid. It was amazing. How can you not love squid on a stick? The quail was hard to eat, but excellent. Veggie Spring Rolls were yum. Lotus Root salad! I wasn't expecting much, but it was spicy and really one of my favorite things. Also, the cocktails are delicious. This place was pretty affordable too.
Monsoon
http://www.monsoonrestaurants.com/
Could it get better than Long Provincial? Why yes, yes it can. Monsoon! We loved the bo la lot, the claypot Idaho catfish, the Ribeye with lemon grass, the lamb with fermented soy beans, the side of sweet corn.
Ezell's Fried Chicken
http://www.ezellschicken.com/
Just how do they get that skin so dark and cripsy and keep the middle so tender and juicy? Good Fried Chicken. My friend said their dinner rolls are "crack." Yes.
The Virginia Inn
http://virginiainnseattle.com/
Good, basic pub fare with an upscale twist. Duck sausage was tasty. Handcut fries were stand out.
St Cloud's (Breakfast)
http://www.stclouds.com/
As good as 5-spot. But a little more subtle. Jam-stuffed french toast was outstanding. The veggie omelet was stuffed to bursting with gorgeous roasted veggies. And the hashbrowns were light and fluffy with just a hint of thyme. Very good.
The Hideout Bar. (No food, but delicious, fancy drinks.)
At first it seemed a little too precious. (You get a Polaroid of yourself when you order the 'Andy Warhol'.) But the drinks were made with such care, that I ultimately became a believer. We loved the Old Fashioned, The Lavender (not on the menu, but you can ask for it), and the Dark and Stormy.
Thanks Seattle. We have to lose the weight we gained now.
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Ezell's Fried Chicken
5703 S Fletcher St, Seattle, WA 98118
Autour du Monde
Had a lovely meal at Autour du Monde this evening. As other posters have noted, this is a wonderful neighborhood restaurant. Friendly owner and a small, eclectic menu. We had the crabcakes and the shrimp springroll. Then the lamb and the duck for main dishes. All were delicious. We will definitely be back. Brooklyn chowhounders should give it a try.
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Autour du Monde
860 Fulton St, Brooklyn, NY 11238
Louisville---without a car
thanks to you both for your replies. I will definitely say hey to your friends at the Marriott :)
I'm studying Louisville Hot bytes very closely and have already made plans to try Toast.
Louisville---without a car
hello chowhounders. i will be in lousiville for a few days for a conference at the Marriott. My first trip to that fair city. Will not have a car though so my travel ability is somewhat limited. Please don't tell me I'll be stuck with chain restaurants! I'm looking for casual and tasty. Nothing too fancy or expensive. Looked on the boards but nothing seems terribly current. Thanks.
Rose Water, Stone Park, Convivium?
Thanks, everyone! Very helpful. Will make a decision between SP and C and report back.
Rose Water, Stone Park, Convivium?
Husband's birthday coming up. He requests Rosewater, Stone Park, or Convivium. Neither of us has been in a while and recent CH posts are several months old. Suggestions? I don't want to disappoint.
Zurich Eats
Just returned from a week in Zurich and wanted to share some recs. The first is the more interesting and authentic Swiss. It is in a very un-touristy, cool neighborhood that a local took us to. The schnitzel was amazing. Best ever. The second rec is in the old city next to a theater. It is a little more upscale but the prices (at both places) are reasonable by Zurich standards and we had a delicious lunch there.
Restaurant Tessinerkeller
Neufrankengasse 18
044 241 22 28
Wirtschaft Neumarkt
Neumarkt 15
044 252 79 39
We also had delicious hot chocolate upstairs at Sprungli on Banhoffstrasse and bought yummy chocolates there to take home. Cheers!
The Food Court at Jet Blue Terminal
Ate at Deep Blue last month. It was not a good experience. Food was mediocre at best. Service was awful. I sat and watched my SO eat because my meal never arrived. Neither did my drink. We could not, for the life of us, flag down a server. Overpriced too. Skip it.
Yellow Hook Grill in old Lento's spot in Bay Ridge?
Have been to YH many times. It's not amazing or anything, but it's solid with a distinctly neighborhood vibe. Husband and I like their cheeseburgers with grilled jalapenos and the salads are pretty good. We have always had good service there too.
Are there any hounds in Bay Ridge?
bay ridgers:
SO and I just tried new TRACE tonight on 3rd Ave near 88th. It's a big, spacious, place that serves Latin fare.
Food was pretty good. We tried the chicken enchiladas in a mole sauce and the carnitas (pork tacos) which were both yummy. The real star, though, was the house made guacamole which was divine (we ordered it spicy). Margaritas pretty tasty too.
We will be back to try some of their more expensive entrees (steaks, etc).
Service was ok---a bit slow at times, but they just opened so we won't hold it against them. The four HUGE hi-def TVs on the dining room (in addition to a TV filled bar area) were a bit flashy and annoying. Why do they want to distract people in the DINING room from their good food? Anyway, worth a try.
hudson valley restaurants
Just returned from a short trip to Cold Spring. We stayed at the Hudson River Inn which was just lovely and ate a delicious steak dinner (porterhouse for two) with side of asparagus covered in bechamel. The restaurant (The River Room) looks right out over the Hudson. Nice. We also had good crabcakes and a glass of wine each. Meal cost about $100.
We also ate at Catherine's Tuscan Grill on Main which was good too...not great, but less expensive the RR and pretty solid. The escargots was the standout dish. Enjoy!
The Grocery?
Wanted to go to the grocery last night but walked by and it was closed. Not their usual days to close. Anyone know what's up?
macarons assortis in NYC
hi everyone,
thanks for the great suggestions! I plan to make a list and go on a macaron hunt in the coming days. I'm sure it won't be exactly like Paris, but maybe almost as good.
macarons assortis in NYC
Just returned from Paris where I ate many delicious varieties of what must be the official Paris cookie: the macaroon. I am already missing France and I figure I can soothe my sadness by attempting to eat more macaroons like I had in Paris. But they have to be THE BEST. Anyone know where I can get them?
Grand Canyon east then Bryce,Zion
In Springdale/Zion, we enjoyed the Spotted Dog Pub and Cafe. It's not out of this world food or anything but it's solid w/good service in a nice environment and way better than some of the fast food crap around.
www.flanigans.com/dining_2.html
Recs needed for Provo, Utah
Provo is mostly chains and not so good places in my opinion. I used to live near there. Place I dearly loved was Cafe Rio. The tacos there are amazing. There's also a pretty good Mexican restaurant on Main St called Los Hermanos.
Cafe Rio
www.caferio.com
220 N University Pkwy # 816
Provo, UT 84604
(801) 375-5133
Get directions
Bay Ridge Delivery Staples
We live near there and frequently get delivery pizza from Vesuvio's on 3rd avenue. Yummy. We also like to get delivery from King Falafel also on 3rd...they have good falafel and I like the string bean and lamb stew too. As mentioned, Grand Sichuan is a little farther, but absolutely delicious. Also: the family store on 3rd and about 71st doesn't deliver, but you can get excellent prepared foods to take home. I love their black bean hummus.
7 Dinners in Paris
Our Paris Eating Adventure
All meals were between 30 and 42 Euros for a three or four course menu.
Night One:
L'ourcine
92 Rue Broca—75013
Metro: Denfert-Rochereau
3 course menu: 32 Euros
Everything at this restaurant was spectacular. A real local place with very few tourists. We had just arrived and had jet lag, but I still remember every bite.
Amuse Bouche: A delicious and light fennel foam in a teeny-tiny cup that was just perfect. What can I say? Our bouches were amused. Apps we tried included from Ravioli with a Spider Crab Filling—a real standout. Entrees: Braised Beef with Carrots. Beef just melted in my mouth. Duck dish and a pork chop entrée were also yummy. Dessert: gotta go for the pot de crème while in Paris, of course.
Night Two:
A La Biche au Bois
45 Avenue Ledru-Rollin—75012
located between Gare de Lyon and Bastille
This is the place to go for classic bistro fare. Apps we had included the salade nicoise (of course). It was fresh and perfect. We also ordered the Terrine De Compagne a la maison, which BF and I thought was one of the best apps we enjoyed the entire trip. Rich and smooth and delicious. For entrees we ordered the Coq Au Vin, another must-have in Paris. They brought the pot the chicken had been cooked in right to the table. A huge portion with tender chicken in a deep, flavorful red wine sauce. BF ordered the Andouillette Grillé (tripe sausage)---also yummy. Recommended desserts: Ile Flottante (floating island) and Pruneaux (prunes) that had been marinating in armagnac forever and then served with ice cream. My favorite dessert of the trip.
Night Three:
L'Atlas
12 Bd St. Germain—75005
Just one block from the Seine and gorgeous views of Notre Dame, this place serves some of the best middle eastern I have ever had. We started with a Morrocan Salad, classic and fresh. We also tried the yummy Pastilla Filled with Foie Gras. Recommended entrées: 1) Couscous Mechoui: BBQ Lamb with an enormous plate of couscous and huge pot of sauce on the side. 2) Tagine with qual and raisins 3) Tagine with lamb, figs and nuts. Totally tender lamb and sweet and salty figs and nuts. I can go on and on. For dessert, we had a selection of Morrocan Pastries and mint tea. The tea was sweet and powerfully minty. A real treat.
Night Four
La Cagouille
Place Constantin Brancusi
Facing 23 Rue de l'Ouest---Paris 14th.
www.la-cagouille.fr
42 Euro menu includes wine.
We had great meals in Paris, but for seafood, this place was the best. Everything was unfussy and very flavorful. Amuse bouche was a plate of tiny, unbelievably fresh scallops in the shell. Apps included Raw Sardines in a Balsamic Vinaigrette. Totally delicious. Second app was a huge portion of Mackerel with a yummy, creamy mustard sauce. Entrees: Mulet (mullet fish) in a butter sauce and Whole Dorade with roasted cumin seeds. Desserts were also solid: Cerise (cherry) Clafoutis and a Flan aux Pruneaux (prunes). This place really blew us away with their fresh, simply fish preparations.
Night Five
Anahua Calli
30 Rue des Bernadins—75005
Metro: Maubert
The best Mexican food in Paris---or anwhere. We started with an appetizer tasting plate of all their appetizers: Fish Ceviche, Cactus Salad, Chicken and Veggie Taquitos and Guacamole. Entrées: Turkey molé was the best mole I have ever had and I've had some molé in my time. Deep, rich flavors perfect with the tender turkey. We also enjoyed the leg of lamb wrapped in a banana leaf. A large portion, spicy and tender. With the meal, we tried a carafe of Mexican wine which was perfect with the meal.
Night Six
Astier
44 Rue J-P Timbaud—75011
Metro: Parmentier or Oberkampf
I know I keep saying this, but this place was one of our favorite meals not just because the food is great, but because it was so much fun to eat here. It is also a place for BIG eating with huge portions and, as our waiter explained, a cheese plate that even the Greek Gods would envy. Our friendly waiter who seemed to really enjoy being the maestro of the evening for all the guests that night. Apps: 1) Julienne de Saboulet (pork sausage) in a Poireaux (leeks) Vinaigrette. 2) Smoked Herring. They bring you a huge ceramic dish filled with marinated herring. You simply take as much as you want and they take the dish back when you're done. Entrées: 1) Rabbit with Pearl Onions and Landons served in a dutch oven. 2) Entrecote cherloise (a big, beautiful, local steak) with grilled marrow on top. Rich and succulent and sinful.
But that's just the beginning: after app and entrée, they bring out the famous cheese plate—which includes about 20 kinds of cheese. They just leave it on your table so you can pig out and then they pick it up when you're done. Amazing. Then, dessert comes: 1) the best rum cake (or any kind of cake, really) ever. The waiter places an enormous piece of cake in front of you and then pours run syrup over the time for about 5 minutes. Whipped cream too. Perfection. 2) Nectarine au vin epicé. A nectarine that had been soaking for days in a spiced wine. This dessert was not sweet but was a great, flavorful ending to a very rich meal.
Night Seven
L'Agassin
8 Rue Malar---75007
7th Arrondissement
We ended up eating here because L'Ami Chez Jean (just down the street) was booked, but we were not disappointed. A slightly fancier (but not stuffy), elegant restaurant. We were the only tourists as far as we could tell.
We saw loads of White Asparagus all over the city's markets so I was pleased to see it on the menu here. The dish did not disappoint. It was one of the best apps we had all week. BF ordered a cassoulette d'escargots which were swimming in a buttery pool. Nothing better. Entrées: 1) Cocotte de Jaret de Porc (pork leg). This dish probably wouldn't get served in American restaurants presented quite like this—you have to see it to believe it: it looks like exactly what it is, a pig's leg cooked in its own fat on bed of broth and veggies. So good. 2) Paleron de Boeuf Braisé (braised beef). Simply prepared, very tender, and accented with szechuan peppercorns. Dessert: Cremeaux de Chocolat (the best chocolate mouse—but lighter—ever). I ordered the Gelée de Pamplemouse (grapefruit) with rosemary accented honey. Powerful rosemary flavor in a dessert was bold and delicious.
Also--can't help but mention that the best bakery in the world is in the 13th: Le Boulanger de Monge, 123 Rue Monge. If you're around there, you have just got to try their sweet breads. The chocolate escargots were our favorite. After eating one, we kept talking about it the rest of the day. and kept going back....
Dinner near the Gare de Lyon?
A La Biche au Bois
45 Avenue Ledru-Rollin—75012
located between Gare de Lyon and Bastille
This is the place to go for classic bistro fare. Pretty sure it's in your price range. Go for the Coq Au Vin--delicious. Also, the best dessert ever: pruneaux with ice cream covered in armagnac. Simply wonderful
Great bakery in Bay Ridge?
I like Lesko's on 5th avenue around 77 street (great black and white cookies by the way) and The Little Cupcake shop on 3rd and 91st. Enjoy!
Flagstaff,AZ.; St. George and Cedar City,UT.
I second the rec for Painted Pony in St George on Main. I've had both lunch and dinner there and was very happy both times.
My first al di la experience
Friend and I were at al di la at same time last night and also ordered the gelato. The honey version was just divine.
Food between SLC and Vegas (via Bryce)
It's Painted Pony in St George--not Pink Pony.
Food between SLC and Vegas (via Bryce)
If you pass through St George, try The Pink Pony on Main St. Have been there for lunch and dinner and were happy with both meals. Dinner is a bit on the pricey side but worth it. For breakfast/brunch, we also like The Bear Paw right off Main near the tabernacle. Good pressed sandwiches!
Park City Eats
Check out Chimayo on Main. It's definitely one of the best restaurants in PC. We loved the Kobe Beef and the Elk loin.
Also--for a drink, there's a great wine bar also downstairs on main called Bacchus.
Enjoy!
new restaurant in bay ridge?
BF and I went to Petit Oven tonight and highly recommend it. It is indeed a warm, comfortable neighborhood place with great food. We tried the tasting menu. The pork chop was the best---perfectly cooked. The portion of mussels was huge and delicious. At $35 each, it was a real deal. Everyone should check it out.
Park City Restaurants
Try Chimayo on Main. Absolutely delicious southwest cuisine. I often think longingly about the kobe carpaccio and the elk. Yum!
road trip thru the southwest
St George, Utah: The Painted Pony is a great little cafe on St George Boulevard in Ancestor Square. They serve lunch and dinner. Great. Portobello sandwich, burgers for lunch. A more elaborate (and expensive) dinner menu is also quite tasty.
For breakfast/brunch: The Bear Paw cafe is also on St George Blvd about a block from the Tabernacle. Very good pressed sandwiches, quiche, eggs.
Coffee/snacks: Jazzy Java on Bluff Street. Good espresso, etc.
