Alba's Profile
Entertaining European Clients and money is no object!!! - Miami's Best Food
I have made reservations at Escopazzo, Yardbird the Southern Table, & the Tudor House... That is the start of the week... We still need 4 more nights and I would appreciate some comments on these.
Entertaining European Clients and money is no object!!! - Miami's Best Food
Somebody talk to me about great wine lists and tasting menus!!! How about pairings? I'm looking for the best that Miami has to offer. Most nights we will be over in South Beach, however we can travel and will head over to the tennis tournament to see some action as well!!!
Any great ideas?
Current dining suggestions for two food and wine geeks
I second the Aviary recommendation. It's unique in Portland for creative Asian-French fusion dishes.
And DOC is not to be missed. It's one of the best restaurants in Portland, without question.
In addition to Aviary and DOC, my short list of restaurants with great food and thoughtful wine lists (from your long one) would include:
Gruner
Firehouse
St. Jack
Le Pigeon
Navarre
And do plan a visit to Kir wine bar on NE 7th & Couch. It's a tiny place with a phenomenal selection of obscure wines (mostly European) that would please any wine geek. My favorite place to drink wine in the city hands down!
Regarding Tasty & Sons, do try it -- but stick to brunch. They can lose their way at dinnertime...
Feedback on dinners, Help with lunches
For lunch, do not miss a food cart at NW 10th & Alder called Nong's Khao Man Gai. They only serve one dish but it's otherworldly & addictive -- a poached chicken with sauce of garlic, ginger & chilies, and a cabbage soup on the side. Even though I don't work downtown, I make the hike several times a month for lunch. Don't be late, as they run out of food by around 1 PM each day.
For an offbeat, quirky alternative try Miho Izakaya on North Interstate (dinner only). This restaurant is not downtown, so a good option if you have a car, but also reachable on Trimet. It's creative Japanese fare minus the sushi (though they do usually have one sashimi option on the menu). They do fantastic vegetable dishes -- miso-buttered grilled asparagus and wakame salad are inspired, but my favorite dish is the Ika calamari salad. The flavors are extraordinary! This is also a great place for sake, if you are a fan. Super friendly owners and great service. Highly recommended!
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Nong's Khao Man Gai
SW 10th and Alder, Portland, OR
portland
These are very different restaurants on your list. Ciao Vito and Nostrana are both Italian but Nostrana is by far the better of the two, in my opinion -- it's more authentic Italian cooking, better techniques, bolder flavors, and higher quality ingredients. They also have a superb, well-priced wine list. That's not to say I haven't enjoyed dining at Ciao Vito, but it's just classic, old-school Italian-American fare -- think red and white checkered table cloths and dishes that have not changed in 20 years.
I have nothing but good things to say about Ned Ludd; it's a menu crafted of seasonal, local ingredients, and the dishes are very tasty. Kind, attentive & knowledgeable service is also a hallmark of this restaurant. I recommend it highly!
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Nostrana
1401 SE Morrison St, Portland, OR 97214
Ciao Vito Restaurant
2203 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211
Visiting Seattle with an 18-year old from Spain
Thanks everyone! Palace Kitchen looks great and we’ll definitely try it on our next trip to Seattle. We ended up taking the car for dinner and had memorable meals at Steelhead Diner next to Pike’s market and Spring Hill in West Seattle.
At Steelhead we especially enjoyed the Kumamoto oysters and Oregon black cod main dish. The Spaniard was content with a steak. We were also pleasantly surprised (ironically) to discover a delicious Oregon Pinot Gris our waiter recommended –Acrobat from King Estate near Eugene. It’s crisp and fruity style with a hint of minerality was the perfect pairing with our oysters and fish entrees. Steelhead was also the perfect spot to watch the packed Bastille Day celebration going full bore in the alley below from our table overlooking Pine Street. We took a stroll through afterwards with our little terrier George and had a blast.
Spring Hill gets the edge for food overall – we particularly liked the simple but savory butter lettuces, Kumamotos (again), chicken liver terrine, and the ethereal, light gnocchi with English peas and trumpet mushrooms. The Alaskan halibut with sweet corn and fava bean succotash was a standout entree. The Spaniard had steak (again) and pomme frites. We give Spring Hill one demerit for the unbelievably loud dining room -- even though we sat at the front of the dining room by the window, the cement floors and hard surfaces really do amplify the din of diners’ conversations. But the food was so wonderful I know we’ll be back!
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Palace Kitchen
2030 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98121
Steelhead Diner
95 Pine Street, Suite 17, Seattle, WA 98101
Spring Hill Restaurant & Bar
4437 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
Visiting Seattle with an 18-year old from Spain
My husband and i are visiting Seattle later this week from Portland with our college-age house guest from Spain.
We'd like some recommendations on restaurants in the city with seasonal Pacific Northwest ingredients, a good wine list and a fun, relaxed vibe. (not too formal) The Spaniard loves meat dishes but our tastes lean to vegetarian (although we eat some fish and poultry).
Anyplace we should not miss? We'll have a car but would prefer options downtown that we can walk to from our hotel (near the Space Needle).
Gracias!
.
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Space Needle
203 6th Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
Portland on a Diet
This may be too late for your parents' visit, but I wanted to suggest another option for low calorie, low fat, tasty dining in Portland (which is quite a challenge).
Ned Ludd on MLK does some truly amazing things with fresh, in-season vegetables. Their 'roots and shoots' dish is consistently one of the most delicious vegetarian dishes I've tasted.
Although their chef (like so many in Portland) tosses pork into lots of dishes, there are also some great veggie sides that are healthy. A side bonus is that much of the produce comes from the garden located directly behind the restaurant.
What could be cooler than that?
Just relocated to NE Portland - need recs
Thanks amigos for the plentiful suggestions. I just noticed the new Barista on Alberta. Any cafe that plays Velvet Underground is a good place to start...
I'm not sure if I've visited Garden State (I tried a burrito from the cart run by the former Shins' drummer - unbeknownst to me at the time - it was good!)
I am definitely looking forward to the kickoff of farmers market season at King. Thanks for posting the date -- I'll be there on May 2nd.
Finally, I forgot to ask about dog-friendly pubs, cafes or restaurants. Ideas anyone?
Just relocated to NE Portland - need recs
I’m a Bay Area hound that’s recently relocated to Portland. My husband and I are now living in Piedmont and are trying to figure out the dining scene & nightlife on the eastside.
We’ve already tried (and love) Le Pigeon, Toro Bravo, Secret Society, Thai Food Café, Apizza Scholl’s, Prost. I've been searching the board, but have yet to figure out where to find:
• Best baguette
• Best place to eat escargot
• Best sushi
• Best place to buy produce
• Best place to hear live music, Alberta or Mississippi areas.
• Fun spot for DJs/dancing, eastside option?
• Late night dining for a foodie
• Great spot for a glass of wine or 3 on a rainy evening
• A fun spot to grab a beer and watch futbol
• A great taco truck/cart for burritos (have tried the Mississippi cart pod and the guy at Killingsworth and Interstate)
• Great ceviche
• Best espresso, and good source of fair trade, organic coffee beans (not a supermarket chain)
Locals, please share your favorite haunts in NE/SE PDX. Thanks!
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Le Pigeon
738 E Burnside St, Portland, OR 97214
Apizza Scholls
4741 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97215
Toro Bravo
120 NE Russell St Ste A, Portland, OR 97212
El Bulli to close [moved from San Francisco board]
This will be of interest to many Bay Area hounds...
The New York Times is reporting that the the legendary, avant garde El Bulli is to permanently close:
http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/12/el-bulli-to-close-permanently/?hp
Chef Ferren Adria told reporters the restaurant is losing 500,000 Euros a year -- he said he wants to open a culinary academy there instead.
Upscale Vegetarian in San Francisco
I second the Ubuntu suggestion. Their food is clever, local, tasty and well-presented. And the setting is gorgeous. La Folie also has a good vegetarian tasting menu - just depends on how much you want to spend...
In my experience dining at Greens over a 10 year period, their food has become less inspired, waiters more surly, inexperienced (or both) and is just an overall poor value. To their credit, the wine list remains interesting and bay views unmatched. But seriously, your friends deserve better than this!
Favorite PDX wine and cheese shops?
These are great suggestions! So, what if you find yourself across the Columbia River in Vancouver... are there any good wine or cheese shops up there (ignoring chains like Whole Foods), or do you need to drive to Portland?
Favorite PDX wine and cheese shops?
I'm a Bay Area hound that visits Portland regularly and is scoping out the food scene...
Where do local foodies go to purchase their boutique, hard to find (and fine) wines and cheeses (either domestic or imported), attend tastings, and find knowledgeable and passionate folk that sell cheese and wine?
Please share your favorite shopping haunts and why you love them so much!
If you're familiar with the East Bay specialty food stores, I'm wondering if there are stores in Portland like Berkeley's Cheeseboard or Oakland's Farmstead Cheeses & Wine, Paul Marcus, etc.
Thanks for sharing!
New Burrata sighting in Rockridge
For the burrata lovers out there... Yasai on College is testing the market. My husband bought a ball of burrata goodness there last week for $7.
Best Place to Buy a Barolo?
Whatever dude. My point is they don't exclusively focus on southern Italian wines.
Best Place to Buy a Barolo?
I'd second Paul Marcus. They have a deep selection of younger vintage Barolo and impeccable taste.
You may also get lucky and find Barolo by the glass at A16 -- I have. They by no means focus their wine list only on Campania and southern Italian wines; I think there's just too much money to be made selling Italy's best wines from up north.
Adesso - Oakland
My wife and I went to Adesso last evening and had a lovely time... The atmosphere is nice and the place has a fun vibe that I would expect in the city - quick drinks, snacks, and high turnover.
We had a couple nice glasses of wine and a lovely appetizer - Buratta Salad - highlighting fennel and artichoke hearts. The Charcuterie looks fantastic, but I don't eat that stuff. Everyone else seemed to be wolfing down the Salumi platters though.
For our wines we had a Sangiovese Algianico blend and a Barbera d'Alba that were both healthy pours and fairly priced in the $9 range. I was even intrigued by what I thought was a bargain for a Bay Area wine bar; a $5 glass of wine (Negroamaro). I tried it and it was drinkable - nothing great but decent...
We also took advantage of the complimentary Foozball table in the far corner and had some fun before heading out for the evening. I'd say that it hits the mark right on - Adesso is someplace you meet up with friends and grab a really good cocktail (haven't tried them yet but everyone seemed pleased with the drinks they ordered) have a light snack before dinner and then shove off - only to return at the end of the evening and play a little Fooz while taking in that nightcap... I think this will be a staple of Piedmont in no time...
Prima di Dopo and dopo di Dopo e perfecto!
P.S. - I posted this using my wife's account because mine is acting screwy
Joe - jgotshal
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Adesso
4395 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA
Rockridge hit on Oakland restaurant holdups
They've arrived in Rockridge -- hit Pasta P on College last night:
Read the Chronicle story here:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/08/19/BAOG12DMMN.DTL&tsp=1
Business breakfast in Bethesda
Thanks guys. It looks like Mon Ami Gabi doesn't do weekday breakfast. I think we're headed to Daily Grill or Tastee Diner!
Business breakfast in Bethesda
My boss and I are meeting with an important client in downtown Bethesda later this month. Can anyone recommend a breakfast meeting spot -- ideall, a place with quiet and efficient service, not too loud, and near the metro.
Bonus points for places with healthy fare (organic, vegetarian-friendly) and really good coffee!
Recommendations for thin crust pizza in east bay?
I'm late to chime in here but I have just 2 words for you: Dopo & Pizzaiolo.
Wine bars in Chelsea or W. Village?
ooh, so many good recs here. This list is going to keep me busy for a while ... thanks everyone!!
Wine bars in Chelsea or W. Village?
Howdy, SF Chowhound here - headed to the Big Apple on business later this week.
For a change, I'm spending a few extra days, and am anxious to get out of boring Midtown. I've already got dinner reservations at Jules Bistro and Crispo (dining with family coming down from CT) after reading recommendations on the board.
But for a pre or post-dinner drink with friends, I'd like some recs for an unpretentious, moderately priced wine bar in Chelsea or the West Village. Ideally a place that you could wear a nice pair of jeans ... Please help.
best east bay bakery
Long thread but it bears repeating - La Farine, La Farine, La Farine - for French pastry and cakes. I had the to-die-for mocha cake for a recent party and the pain chocolat is terribly decadent.
I'm also a recent convert to Bakesale Betty's for American-centric treats.
SF Chowhound needs recs in West 30s
Damn. I was afraid we'd be limited to steakhouses. If not for my client's need to catch a train, we'd defintely be venturing further afield. Not a meat eater myself, but i guess i can deal if those are our best bets.
Thanks guys.
Best Caesar salad in Financial District?
I'd check out Harvest & Rowe on Second St. betw Market and Mission. They use excellent anchovies. Great salads and less pricey than Mixt Greens.
SF Chowhound needs recs in West 30s
I will be in New York on business next week and need a place to take my client and boss for drinks and maybe light snacks after meetings on Tuesday. We need a spot near 8th Ave in the 30s.
Can anyone recommend a fun, relaxed, non-trendy, non-corporate bar (or restaurant w/ bar) for two lefty, 50-something Boomers and myself - a wine-drinking 30-something?
Many thanks!
Best Italian Resturants in SF
How many times have you tried A16? Are you judging on one visit? I've been at least half a dozen times and have never had a bad pizza. They're the closest thing to traditional Napolitana pizza without getting on Alitalia!
Best Italian Resturants in SF
It totally depends what type of Italian food you're looking for ... these recs cover regional menus from Milan to Sicily.
For southern Italian fare head to A16, for northern it's Ristorante Milano, and for an eclectic mix head to Delfina. I like Ideale too but it's not in the same category of cooking as the others.
