Nice review, Tom. The Four Swallows is one of the reasons we feel very fortunate to live on Bainbridge Island. You didn't mention Mike, co-owner and consummate host.

Thanks for calling attention to this gem, which is well worth a ferry ride to Bainbridge (though be prepared for a bit of a walk if you're planning to walk on the boat).

Family together for daughter's graduation from Oberlin. 1 vegetarian, 1 pescatarian, 1 doesn't eat red meat, 2 good with almost anything. Suggestions for a restaurant that will please all of them? Aiming for Saturday night (5/25)...

Thanks for the suggestion! Do you happen to know of any local (non-chain) spots as well?

I will be staying in Elyria during an upcoming trip and have to take some relatives to the airport early one morning. I wonder if there's a great breakfast spot between Elyria and the airport, or not a great distance off the route. I will drive additional miles for Joe's Special! Thanks1

Isn't O'Asian still owned by the same people who own Top Gun?

Other hounds may disagree, but after trying numerous Seattle dim sum restos, we like Sun Ya and O'Asian.

I ended up getting a porterhouse, at the waiter's recommendation. It was OK. Seriously not worth $70. But better than my wife's $85 Australian lobster tail, which arrived mostly raw. To their credit, Met Grill took my complaint seriously and is working to rectify the situation.

I'm the lucky recipient of a fairly hefty gift certificate to the Metropolitan Grill. Want to make the most of our visit and would like to know what would be the best steak to order. Thanks in advance!

I heartily support the recommendation of Sichuanese Cuisine.

I recently read that the secret to creamy scrambled eggs is to use the lowest heat and stir with chopsticks. Chopsticks! Well, I tried it and sure enough - creamy, delicious eggs every time. Nothing added except S&P. It takes patience and you must constantly stir the uncooked eggs from the center to the edge, and the cooked eggs from the edge to the center. Give it a try!

I would add to the Bainbridge reco - Hitchcock is also great and open when Marche is not (on Sundays and Mondays). They have a special "Americana Mondays" menu on Monday.

Streamliner Diner (http://www.streamlinerdiner.com/daymenu.html) is very popular among locals and has outdoor seating. Cafe Nola, as has been mentioned, is known for their brunch, though I haven't had it there for some time (I'm a Streamliner fan.) FWIW, Madison Diner (http://www.themadisondiner.com/Madiso...) was just named "Best Breakfast/Brunch on Bainbridge by the local newspaper, based on votes from readers (note: voters could vote online, and more than once). If it's a factor (i.e., you're walking on the ferry), Streamliner is the shortest walk; Madison Diner is the furthest (still, not that far).

The fresh, hot beignets with salted caramel and Macallan 12 butterscotch at RN74 get my vote. As does the butterscotch budino at the Pink Door.

Take the ferry to Bainbridge Island for breakfast at Streamliner Diner or dinner at Hitchcock. Hitchcock always has great oysters.

If Sun Ya is just for tourists, then 90% of the tourists who go there are Asian.

Prefer Sun Ya to Jade Garden for dim sum. Really like Shanghai Garden and becoming a Red Lantern convert.

Thanks, johnseberg - I'll see if we can make it to one of these.

Thanks, Bill. You're right - it's a little like asking where to find "authentic" Chinese food - Cantonese? Hunan? Sichuan? What I was hoping to find is something that you won't find in a "typical" Mexican restaurant in Anytown USA: hard-shell tacos, enchiladas, same old same old. I hope to find one while I'm there. Thanks again.

Thanks - I started out by looking for that thread but couldn't find it. Most of the places recommended last time were in Tempe or Scottsdale. I was hoping to stay in Mesa.

This Pacific Northwest Hound will be visiting relatives in Mesa soon, and I'd love to find a great restaurant that serves AUTHENTIC Mexican food, not the same old tacos and enchiladas.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

You also might enjoy taking a ferry to Bainbridge Island and having dinner at Hitchcock. Beautiful trip by water, walking distance from ferry, terrific food.

Too bad - especially considering what's taking its place. But not the same post-Sandy Shea, IMO.

FWIW, we prefer Sun Ya to Jade Garden (which I have never found to live up to its hype). And O'Asian is good if you're downtown.

I found the theatrics really detracted from the food. A lot of other places where I would rather spend that kind of $$$.

Hi Parnassien - Like you, I have always thought that it's considered pretty crass to eat or drink on the street. But I'm in Paris now and I have seen people (who appear to be locals) eating les sandwiches etc on the street every day. It also used to be that travelers were told not to wear jeans, as it simply is not done in Paris - I am seeing jeans on everyone, young and old, and not just tourists. Things are changing?

I've been seeing a lot of chatter about Frenchie so I went to their website. OK, simple, two entrees, two plats, two desserts. Since we're headed to Paris, I thought we might try it out - only to discover it's booked for the next month or so.

So my question - what makes it so popular? I can always check for cancellations while we're there, but just wondering why there's so much demand.

Thanks in advance!

The Thomas Keller method already cited. Then I make a mustard-cream pan sauce. Delish!

Hi cortez - They sound like completely different places. I enjoyed our dinner at Guy Savoy some years back, but I want more traditional (some would say boring) food this time. Cassoulet, duck confit, etc. Though I'm not opposed to trying someplace more "contemporary" as long as its prices are no more than JCD.

Thanks - great info!

I've read a number of posts/threads about JCD, some positive, some not so. But it still sounds like the kind of place we'd like to experience. However, these same posts/reviews have varied widely in their descriptions of the cost of dinner - from 145 to 300 euros.

I realize that wine can greatly affect the cost of a meal anywhere, but what is the typical or cost of a dinner for two, with moderately priced wine, at JCD? (I can't seem to find a menu online.)