LPM's Profile
How is the Slanted Door these days?
It was in 2008 or so. They had already moved into the Ferry Building.
How is the Slanted Door these days?
I have fond memories of a meal at the Slanted Door many years ago and was thinking of going back when I'm in town in October. Can anyone comment on the the quality of food and service these days? Thanks.
LPM
-----
Slanted Door
Ferry Slip, San Francisco, CA 94111
Triangle Tops?
I will be in town for a weekend with my young male heirs and would appreciate some insight:
(1) What are the consistent winners for casual breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the Triangle -- Cary, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, and Durham? All ethnic iterations considered.
(2) Can anyone vouch for the pies at Scratch in Durham?
Thank you.
LPM
Not your typical Nashville Bachelorette Party...
I'm going to put my metrosexual bona fides on full display and say that you should go to upscale burger joint "Burger Up" for lunch in the 12 South Neighborhood, and then you can go shop at Katy Ks and Imogene+Willie afterwards. Here's my summary of Burger Up, based on lunch this weekend:
You can find excellent burgers using locally-sourced beef and fixins' at Burger Up, a new bright, tight space with communal tables and plenty of windows in the 12 South neighborhood. The buns are soft, but not too soft, so the burger holds together while eaten by hand. The burger proper is generous and juicy and cooked exactly the way you order it. I recommend the Woodstock, which comes with Benton's bacon, Tennessee sweetwater white cheddar, and Jack Daniels maple ketchup. Vegetarians will want to try the Marathon, which is heavy on quinoa. Also notable is the five-tiered, ziggurat-style fried vidalia onion tower with spicy lemon-lime aioli and the honestly fresh-cut sweet potato fries. Wash it all down with a Yazoo amber or a lip-scorching bloody Mary.
Where to drink beer in Nashville?
Hey, I've been away from Nashville for a few years now. Where would you go if you wanted a comfortable spot to drink good beer before an event at Titans stadium -- so either downtown or in East Nashville? Is Flying Saucer still open? Anything new in Five Points? Thank you.
-----
Five Point Restaurant
1420 E Broadway Ave, Maryville, TN 37804
Father's Day Lunch - Loop / River North
Any recommendations for a Father's Day lunch with wife and 6-year old? Preferably somewhere that takes reservations. Willing to venture out. Eating at Publican the night before. Thanks.
LPM
Italian / Mediterranean before Marathon
Can anyone recommend a decent place in Back Bay area for carbs before the marathon? It will be a Sunday night and I will have a 6-year old. Looking for decent food but need not be too fancy as we intend to blow it out after the race. Thanks.
LPM
Help me fill in the blank: L20, ______, Alinea
I'm coming to Chicago in October and will be eating dinner (in this order): Topolo, plain pasta, David Burke Primehouse, L2O, ___, and Alinea. I need to fill in the blank and would prefer a step down from the multi-course affairs we will enjoy at L20 and Alinea. I've been to Blackbird and enjoyed it, but would prefer to try something new. Is Publican the way to go?
Also, I had a great steak and sides at DB Primehouse 3 years ago? Is there a better overall steakhouse that I should be considering?
LPM
Eating Well Between Rosemary Beach, FL and Asheville, NC
Any tips or thoughts on breakfast near Rosemary Beach, FL and then road food up to Asheville, NC. The general route is Hwy 331 to Montgomery, then I-85 to Atlanta then Greenville, SC, then I-26 to Asheville, understanding that some deviation may be necessary.
Pre-Marathon Italian Near the Willard / White House
Anna Maria's was perfect for its intended purpose. I could not have asked for a better pre-marathon meal. And I ran my fastest race ever the next day. Thanks.
LPM
Pre-Marathon Italian Near the Willard / White House
Does Tosca have a hushed dining room? We're going to have a 5-year old on Friday night.
LPM
Pre-Marathon Italian Near the Willard / White House
Coming to DC next month for the marathon, and I need a decent Italian spot for pre-race carbo-loading. I'd prefer something near the Willard / White House area and I also need a place that takes reservations. We're going to CityZen for post-race celebrating, so I don't need anything high-end, but I would prefer something better than Olive Garden. Thanks.
LPM
Birmingham Dinner on a Sunday Night?
Who has the best food and is open on Sunday night? Frank Stitt's spots and Hot & Hot are all closed.
LPM
Asheville, NC Casual and Higher End Suggestions
Went to Limones last month, and they're definitely not living off their reputation. Great meal -- from the ceviche to the churros -- and exemplary service.
S&W is a budget-buster for steak, but a great spot if you're into Art Deco.
I like Sugo downtown for "nicer" and, outside of downtown, Stovetrotters.
LPM
Is Stovetrotter's the best restaurant in Asheville?
I would encourage you to visit Stovetrotter's, a high-end bistro with an unfortunate name and no relation to Charlie Trotter's, just on the edge of Biltmore Village. We ate there by chance on a quiet Wednesday night and had a meal fit for a Saturday night special occasion.
They have a locavore ethic and a guy playing Beatles instrumentals on guitar. They have an expansive open kitchen with a wrap-around bar, a dozen or so tables, and a small fenced patio. I think they started as a catering company that also offered cooking instructions. We started with an amuse bouche of roasted until sweet garlic clove, brie, and a raspberry-something gastrique. A little tasty jewel in a pretty dish. We also had some of the best focaccio bread I've tasted in a restaurant, served with a trio of accompaniments -- blackberry butter, olive oil and aged balsamic, and a Asian-flavored chili oil.
We also moved on to a hyper-spinach and fresh berries salad that, when we said we would split it, they divvied onto two plates for us. We then had the scallop creation of the night. (It changes nightly.) This once could be described as scallops with apple pie filling. You had your seared scallops paired with roasted, super-delicate apples, and an almost caramel-like sauce. It sounds gross as I type it. It tasted delicious as I ate it.
For entrees, I had a perfectly cooked piece of halibut with a blueberry sauce, wilted spinach, roasted tomatoes, and "purple" rice. Nice summer flavors. The TW, turning back the clock to January, went with the osso buco, which was as tender as a Steve Earle ballad.
Dessert was a bananas foster bread pudding with Chantilly cream, one of the better bread puddings I've encountered in some time. There was only one waitress working the floor for three tables inside and two outside, but service was perfect. As we left, I couldn't help but wonder if this was the best meal we've had in Asheville.
One Meal in Napa Valley
Ate at Chez Panisse Cafe a few years ago and loved it. But considering the alcohol units I hope to consume, I don't want to drive to Berkeley.
If I had more time, I would visit Ubuntu as the write-up in the NYT intrigued me. I have noticed that many on CH are lukewarm, at best, on Ubuntu, but that does not factor into my decision. I was a vegetarian for 10 years, so I'm neither close-minded nor close-paletted. I simply want to experience all of CA's bounty at my meal -- not just its veggies and grits.
LPM
One Meal in Napa Valley
I don't want to go completely sans meat at Ubuntu or play prix fixe roulette at Ad Hoc.
One Meal in Napa Valley
Visiting in July and will have the opportunity for one dinner. If you had to pick one place to go these days, what would it be? Who is turning out the best food in a relaxed, unpretentious setting for stiff, but not stratospheric, prices?
TFL is not an option (went to Per Se in May and so have blown my Thomas Keller budget for the year), and we've been to Mustards, Cindy's Backstreet Boys Kitchen, Bistro Jeanty, and Bouchon. Don't want to go to Ubuntu or Ad Hoc. Thanks for your help.
LPM
On the Road from SF to Yosemite
Any Chow-worthy stops on the road from SF to Yosemite? I think I'll be on Highways 4 and 120.
LPM
Downtown ATL - lunch & dinner carbo-loading
I will be in downtown Atlanta this weekend. I need recs for Saturday lunch and Saturday dinner. My group is running the ING Marathon or 1/2 Marathon in the morning, so we're looking for a place where we can carbo-load on pasta or rice. But we'd also like good food and the ability to secure a reservation as well.
LPM
Skylight Inn BBQ?
Used to live in Ayden and never cared for it. I'd highly recommend Bum's over Skylight if you're in the area.
LPM
Best Restaurants Near MSG
Will be based at 31st & 7th. Looking for nice restaurants within walking distance. Any suggestions? Thanks.
LPM
Greenville, NC - Any great steakhouses?
You can not get a "great steakhouse steak" in Greenville or anywhere else in a good 60-mile radius. The Beef Barn is an institution, but no better than Outback, et al. There is a new place called University Chop House where you might find something better. I have not eaten there. Your best bet would be to order the steak on the menus at Chef's 505 or Starlight Cafe. But it would not be a steakhouse steak in that I doubt you could get a baked potato, creamed spinach, or any of the other steakhouse classics. I have had decent steak frites at Starlight.
LPM
French Broad Chocolates!!!
Hard choices, indeed. I agree about Ultimate. We have The Hop in our 'hood, but they can't touch Ultimate.
French Broad Chocolates!!!
They are definitely open now in a hip little spot on Lexington. The line was nearly out the door today when I went in to get a box of truffles for my sweetie. They have a fun menu, including a variety of chocolate ice creams from Ultimate, choco-coffee combos from Counter Culture, choco beer brews from a brewery whose name escapes me, "liquid" truffles, wine by the glass, etc. Full report after Lent!
LPM
Oahu near Hilton Hawaiian Village
Just back from Oahu and spent a few nights at HHV. Eggs -n- Things may be a good, post-run meal, get your protein from one of their giant omelets and carbs from their pancakes. That's a short walk from your hotel.
For sushi, you could walk to Nobu and sit at the bar. Great sushi and sashimi, but expensive. Don't fear Sasabune, the Nazi tag is a misnomer. He did not put any wildly exotic dishes before us. Worth a cab ride.
You can also walk to Roy's and that should be a definite dinner on your list. You could sit at the bar there too and watch the action in the kitchen.
I blogged almost every calorie of my trip, so check it out or shoot me a reply if you want more details.
Hope you run a PR and have some great meals too.
LPM
Mountain Road Trip
The best and most affordable restaurant closest to the BRP in Asheville, to my mind and without looking at a map, is Papas & Beer. You would take the exit just as you cross the French Broad River, pass the Arboretum, take a left at the light, and go up a couple of miles. It's on the right in a strip. Go for the fish tacos.
There's a Celebrity Hot Dogs between the BRP and Papas, but I've never been. Can anyone report on the dogs?
LPM
