HerculesRockefeller's Profile
1 dinner, 1 breakfast, 3 lunches in SF
Thanks for everyone's suggestions so far...I would still love to hear a good lunch spot in the Haight Ashbury neighborhood--I've heard good things about Magnolia, but am I missing something better?
1 dinner, 1 breakfast, 3 lunches in SF
Yes--Gitane! I would love to stop in there for a drink, I think the atmosphere looks really fun. Thanks for the warning about Rickhouse--we will probably check it out anyway but we will at least be prepared for the crowd!
1 dinner, 1 breakfast, 3 lunches in SF
Thanks for the tip about Swan--we are going to try to go @ 11 on Friday. I originally made a reservation at Foreign Cinema for dinner Friday night but ended up switching it to Perbacco. Still thinking of FC for brunch...
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Perbacco
230 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111
Foreign Cinema
2534 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94110
1 dinner, 1 breakfast, 3 lunches in SF
Ooh, Barrique looks great but I think a little north of where we are planning to be. Dottie's looks awesome--if we don't end up picking up breakfast at the farmer's market, we will be here for sure! I am glad that you would recommend Swan--I think we are going to try to stop by on our way into town Friday around 11ish...I am guessing it's busier on the weekend, or is it just busy all the time?
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Barrique
461 Pacific Ave, San Francisco, CA 94133
1 dinner, 1 breakfast, 3 lunches in SF
Thanks for the recs--Acquerello does look wonderful but I ended up making a Friday night res at Perbacco. We are hoping to meetup afterward with a friend nearby--perhaps at Rickhouse since it is back toward the hotel, unless there is a better place nearby that we are missing?
If we visit the Presidio, I am thinking of stopping by the Ferry Building Farmer's Market on the way to grab a makeshift breakfast...
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Perbacco
230 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111
Rickhouse Bar
246 Kearny St, San Francisco, CA
1 dinner, 1 breakfast, 3 lunches in SF
My husband and I are spending a couple of days in SF (save for a quick trip out to Modesto for a wedding) and I would love help planning those meals (as well as suggestions for cool bars to grab an afternoon drink/snack).
Last time we were in town we ate/drank at:
XYZ (in our hotel)
Town Hall
Salt House
A16
Cliff House
Bourbon & Branch
We loved everything except for Town Hall, and the Cliff House was more view than food (although a great view at that). We don't really have a budget although I would prefer not to go absolutely crazy--Salt House and A16 had very fair price points, for example. We would like to stay away from Indian food as well as most Asian (unless you have a can't be missed Japanese, Chinese, or Thai place--husband is picky). If we are going to do pizza we would only like to do it once (we have great pizza in Phx and also just ate at Mozza in LA). We LOVE fresh seafood. Aside from those caveats, please help me plan! We will be staying at the Westin St. Francis and will have a car.
Here are some places I am thinking of visiting--keeping in mind that we want to see the Embarcadero, Haight Ashbury, Union Square area, and *possibly* the Presidio (breakfast?). Please let me know if some of these places are worth a stop for a drink but dinner elsewhere, or if some are better for lunch than dinner, or if you would scrap any completely, etc:
Boulevard (thinking lunch--really want to go here)
Waterbar
Swan Oyster Depot
Perbacco
Range
Delfina
Canteen
SPQR
Spruce
Flour + Water
Magnolia (or is there somewhere better in Haight Ashbury?)
Ame
Acquerello
Zuni
Foreign Cinema
Thank you!
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Zuni Cafe
1658 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Perbacco
230 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111
A16
2355 Chestnut St., San Francisco, CA 94123
Delfina Restaurant
3621 18th St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Town Hall Restaurant
342 Howard St., San Francisco, CA 94105
Swan Oyster Depot
1517 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
Foreign Cinema
2534 Mission St., San Francisco, CA 94110
Acquerello Restaurant
1722 Sacramento St., San Francisco, CA 94109
SPQR
1911 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA 94115
Bourbon & Branch
501 Jones St, San Francisco, CA
Salt House
2 Shaw Aly, San Francisco, CA 94105
Large Family Dinner (12) wanting Italian in North Phoenix...
In the sister property of the Marriott Canyon Villas, the Desert Ridge Marriott, there is an Italian restaurant--Ristorante Tuscany. My husband and I ate there once while staying at the resort, it seems like it would fulfill your requirements. Also, a few miles southeast of you is Maggiano's, a pretty decent Italian chain. The food is good and they are adept at handling large parties.
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Maggiano's Little Italy
16405 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Ristorante Tuscany @ JW Marriott Desert Ridge
5350 East Marriott Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85054
Munich/Frankfurt/Berlin--Reservations?
We returned from our trip! I would say more often than not we were the only couple eating at the bar--my husband and I rather liked it at first, because we never had to wait to be seated, but it made me uncomfortable over time because we seemed to be the ONLY ones doing it.
We never had trouble with reservations except for one night in Berlin--Friday night, tried two places around 7pm (Grill Royal and Bocca di Bacco). We ended up at Lutter & Wegner (Potsdamer Platz, by the Ritz Carlton where we were staying) and were pretty underhelmed :/
If we ever get back to Berlin, which do we make the res at: Grill Royal or Bocca di Bacco?
Thanks for everyone's help!
Looking for fresh/home cooked meals delivered to my home
Sunfare: http://www.sunfare.com/
Full disclosure: I work in administration in the fitness industry. I am a desk jockey, not a personal trainer, but I know we recommend this company (I tried one entree--a chicken Caesar salad--and it was pretty good). They are not specifically geared toward weight-loss customers but they do offer healthier options. Hope this helps!
Munich/Frankfurt/Berlin--Reservations?
Linguafood, thank you for your response! That helps immensely--and good suggestion about calling same day, I rarely think to do that.
Munich/Frankfurt/Berlin--Reservations?
Hello to all! My husband and I are traveling through Germany next week, and I have a question about reservations at restaurants in Germany. I have noticed that many online travel guides as well as the chow boards suggest making reservations at a lot of restaurants. If we try to eat at a restaurant that is upscale or just popular (or both) for dinner without a reservation, are we going to be completely out of luck? I hesistate to make reservations (I usually do) because we are so unfamiliar with the cities and would like to get a feel for them before we decide where to eat (and in what part of town). I should mention that my husband and I actually prefer to sit at the bar of a restaurant (if there is one) and have dinner there.
Thank you in advance for your help! This may sound like a silly question, but in Phoenix (where we live) most restaurants that say "reservations suggested" have a few tables open for walk-ins and seating for dinner at the bar.
Celebrating My 21st Birthday in Style
Hi Pannikin!
I usually just peruse these boards because I'm not sure how great my advice is, but I wanted to offer some help! Congratulations on your upcoming birthday--very exciting. I'm in my 20s, live around the area, and am and more of a bar, less of a club person as well. Here are some thoughts on your birthday:
The Rokerij is a great choice for dinner! Get there early and have a drink at the bar downstairs--you won't be disappointed.
I know you have a limo, but there are a few bars around that area that sound like they would appeal to you. All different vibes. Not sure how busy they will be on a Sunday night, though--check to see how late these places are open.
The Vig Uptown
16th St & Bethany Home
Hip but laid back. Huge enclosed patio w/bocce ball court. Have a "Vignature cocktail"
Merc Bar
24th St & Camelback (Esplanade)
Upscale, dark lounge atmosphere. Highly recommended. Famous martinis.
Rosie McCaffrey's
9th St & Camelback
Roaring Irish pub, casual and fun. Have some whiskey or a Guiness.
Stingray Sushi & Christoper's Crush
24th St & Camelback (Biltmore)
These are both technically restaurants with great bar areas. Both hip and upscale, and you can walk from one to the other. Sake bombs at Stingray and then maybe a glass of champagne at Crush?
Hope this helps! Happy birthday!
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Stingray Sushi
4302 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Rokerij
6335 N. 16th St., Phoenix, AZ 85016
Where to eat in Chicago with no reservations?
Thank you for your response, gomexico. I posted the reason for the no-reservation policy (self-imposed) to nsxtasy's response below. I hope it makes sense. Bin 36 looks like they have a great wine selection--is it a wine shop and a restaurant? Thank you!
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Bin 36
275 Parkway Dr, Lincolnshire, IL
Where to eat in Chicago with no reservations?
Thank you for both of your responses! I should have given more information about our situation. We are traveling with my husband's boss and his wife--we are for all intensive purposes joining them on their trip, and they are taking care of (read: paying for) everything for us. So, I hope it makes a little more sense about why I can't make reservations. I would feel much too forward, especially making reservations at very nice places. They like to dine well, so I will be making many suggestions, but I just feel like making a reservation for a meal we won't be paying for is pushy. I hope that clears that up. Your suggestion about checking Open Table to see what our best bets are was a great one that I had not thought of! And also your suggestion about the concierge--we are not used to staying in nice places like the FS, but you are right that they could probably help. My husband and I do have one free lunch that I know of (the other couple is going to a Saturday baseball game), and I think I would like to try Topolobampo (sp?). Is a reservation necessary for a weekend lunch or do you think we could get away with walking-in? Thank you again for your help!
Where to eat in Chicago with no reservations?
Hi all. My husband and I are from Phoenix and we will be traveling with another couple to Chicago next week for six days. This is our first visit and I'm very excited. The problem I have is that we cannot make dinner reservations anywhere because the other couple is spontaneous and doesn't want to be tied down with appointments and plans. Ugh. A little about us: the other couple will be more concerned with the wine list than the menu, while we are focused on the food. We like any type of food, really, though probably no Mexican food because we have such an abundance of great places here in AZ (although the Bayless restaurants sound tempting). Lunch can be casual but we all like to dress up a little for dinner (jacket, heels). We are staying at the Four Seasons at the north end of the Magnificent Mile (anyone know how the restaurant is there?) so walking distance (within 20 mins) would be great but taking a cab ride a couple of times isn't a problem. I have composed a list of restaurants that sound interesting based on the Chicago threads I've read (tons); please let me know if any of these are an option with no reservations (we are happy to wait for 30 mins or so for a table if there is a bar where we can have a glass of wine), or please make suggestions if I've missed something. We are also perfectly fine sitting at the bar if they serve the full menu. THANK YOU in advance!
Avec
Mercat a la Planxa
Blackbird
Publican
Cafe des Architectes
Perennial
Cafe Spiaggia
Mado
Primehouse
Bin 36
North Pond
Two Dinners Needed in San Diego
The crab cake was literally oozing mayo (or some creamy incarnation) when we split it in half to share. This was especially disappointing because I am mayo-averse and was assured by the bartender that it was used minimally in the recipe. Even my husband, who likes mayonnaise, thought it was too much. I still really enjoyed Oceanaire, though.
Two Dinners Needed in San Diego
Musings on our trip:
-Had Thanksgiving dinner at the US Grant (buffet style). The food was terrible and the room they had it is was even worse--the rest of the hotel is so pretty, though, so walking through it saved the dinner from being a total loss. I know, a buffet--shame on us, but we tried one last year in Flagstaff and it was delightful. This dinner was the low culinary point of our trip.
-Ate breakfast two mornings at the Broken Yolk Gaslamp--this was our only option within walking distance as we wake up insanely early (they open at 6am). It was good, nothing special, but nearly everything was above average, save for one truly unfortunate blueberry muffin.
-Our first lunch was at South Beach Bar & Grill. It was fantastic. We had the peel and eat shrimp and mixed clams and mussels to start, followed by mahi mahi tacos. Everything was flavorful and fresh. A winner.
--Stopped for drinks before dinner at Syrah Wine Parlor. The decor was very interesting and our drinks were good. The bartender bought us a round for my husband's birthday, which was unexpected but very nice.
--Birthday dinner at Cowboy Star, which was easily the best meal of the trip. Started with the butternut squash soup and the foie gras duo. Everything was superb. I had the filet and my husband had the ribeye--both were juicy and cooked to perfection. We ordered the peanut butter chocolate dessert, which was bizarre. It just tasted...bad. Neither of us touched it past the first bite. Our waiter was great and spent some time shooting the breeze with us, nice guy.
--Had late morning drinks (10:30am) at J Six to check it out. The decor was boring and the service was terrible--our waitress brought us the wrong drinks and when I pointed out her mistake, she said, "I'm not used to people ordering drinks this early." Thanks, we won't be back for dinner.
-Second lunch spot was recommended to us by Cowboy Star waiter--Basic Urban Kitchen. Awesome interior design, the pizza was fantastic (tried the red with meatballs and basil and the white with chicken and sun dried tomatoes), the drinks were strong, and the bartender was wonderful. I wish we had one of these in Phx, it would become a hangout.
-Had to check out Oceanaire before dinner--unfortunately it was Saturday, so no happy hour. Old school, but in a very nice way. Service was excellent. Sat at the bar and ordered drinks, oysters, mussels, and a crab cake. The crab cake was the only disappointment--it was a mayonnaise bomb. Everything else was excellent and I liked the ambiance.
-Went next door to Red Pearl Kitchen and sat at the bar for dinner. It was nothing revolutionary, but everything was good. Service was slow at first, but more attentive once they realized we were eating dinner. We had the pot stickers (gyoza?) to start; I had the drunken something noodles, which the bartender proclaimed to be his "favorite" (I'm sure.) and my husband had the pork belly (recommended by the bartender at Oceanaire). Both were good.
-Breakfast the last morning at Cafe 222 (recommended to us by several locals we encountered). I do not see the draw. My banana bran muffin was delicious but everything else was almost inedible.
Thanks for the recs, everyone.
Two Dinners Needed in San Diego
Thanks for the help, all. I tend to obsess, over-analyze, and second guess myself. I am sticking with Cowboy Star and J Six, but we are definitely stopping at Oceanaire for happy hour, Quarter Kitchen for a drink, and hopefully Cafe Chloe for lunch. I will report back.
Two Dinners Needed in San Diego
Sweetbreads @ Cowboy Star--noted. Have you tried the lamb short ribs there?
Two Dinners Needed in San Diego
Thanks for responding. I am so bummed about Oceanaire--are they open for lunch? It doesn't appear that they are. I was thinking of maybe stopping by for some pre-dinner snacks at the bar. You are right, the pictures don't make it look "hip."
I had those same feelings about Cafe Chloe and Cucina Urbana. Thanks for confirming.
We still might check Starlite out for a drink, my husband loved the pictures. Hipsters are only ironically, unaffectedly snobby :) We can handle them.
As for Quarter Kitchen, Ed Hardy shirts = enough said. Drinks maybe, but no dinner there. The smell of Axe Body Spray would ruin our meal.
You seem to dislike JRDN quite a bit based on other posts. I just liked how modern-looking it seemed when we walked by it in Aug, but the overall response has been tepid.
Mr. A's seems stuffy. Am I wrong?
I'm still with Cowboy Star and JSix.
Two Dinners Needed in San Diego
Thank you for the rec--you piqued my interest with Wine Vault. I checked their calendar on their website, and unfortunately they are not open while we are in town. Next time! Looks like we are still on for Cowboy Star and JSix...so far :)
Two Dinners Needed in San Diego
Phx is the same regarding the lack of dressing up. To each his own, I suppose. I read a ton of things about Cafe Chloe on the boards--it looks so delicious, we might give it a whirl for lunch? Last time we were in SD, we ate at Point Loma Seafoods and Currant for our lunches. Both were good. I want to make it over to South Beach for these fish tacos I keep hearing about, leaving a lunch open--Cafe Chloe?
Glad to hear about CU and Starlite--the pictures make Starlite look pretty cool, but the general response here seems to be "meh." Ivy sounds like a better choice, and we won't need to drive!
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Point Loma Seafoods
2805 Emerson St, San Diego, CA 92106
Cafe Chloe
721 9th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101
Two Dinners Needed in San Diego
Thank you for your help! I am relieved to hear that the choices I've made are ok. I like your suggestion of Quarter Kitchen afterward for a drink. What about Syrah Wine Parlor?
Two Dinners Needed in San Diego
Thank you for the suggestion. Reading the boards, I saw quite a bit of Addison-dropping, and it looks like this is for good reason. The problem (for my husband in particular) is the old world style decor--columns and tapestry chairs are lovely, but not really what we are looking for in terms of ambiance. Beautiful, but reminds me a little of Mary Elaines (an old school but lovely Phx establishment--RIP). I will keep it in mind for a future visit.
Two Dinners Needed in San Diego
Hi! Sorry in advance for the long post. I have been scouring the San Diego columns looking for ideas but I am still lost. I'm sure some of you will tell me to check other SD-related postings, but trust me when I say I have been reading them for days. My husband and I are staying at the Solamar for his birthday (Thanksgiving weekend). We are from Phx, in our 20s-early 30s. We are already set up at the US Grant for Thanksgiving dinner--now we need dinner recs for Friday (his birthday) and Saturday. We would like to dress up and go somewhere (I know these words make people wince) trendy or "hip," but that has excellent food as well. I really don't want to trade one for the other. We went to Nobu last time we were here in August, and it was the appropriate atmosphere but I was unimpressed with the food. Price is not a concern, just good food where we won't feel silly wearing heels or a jacket. We currently have reservations at Cowboy Star for dinner Fri and J Six (our hotel restaurant) for Saturday, but I'm wondering if I've made mistakes. We like any kind of food really, but my husband isn't a fan of asian tapas. Other than that, we are open to suggestions. We will have a car, but I would like to stay in the Gaslamp area at least one of the nights. Here are a few restaurants I was considering:
Quarter Kitchen
JRDN (have walked by it, looked cool but saw mixed reviews)
Cucina Urbana (dressy, though?)
Starlite (or is this more of a bar and less of a restaurant?)
Thank you in advance for your help. I hope my "trendy" comments don't make me sound d-baggy.
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Nobu
207 Fifth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
Starlite
3175 India Street, San Diego, CA 92103
phx : what chowhound faves do you not get?
Fusion in Scottsdale. I had bizarre service (overly attentive and confused at the same time), and our food just wasn't that good. Odd pairings together, if I remember correctly--we haven't been back.
Bagels in Scottsdale
Lock Stock and Bagel is a personal favorite of mine. The bagels are absolutely fantastic, and it's been around forever. (Hayden and McCormick Ranch)
phx: what local place do you think is underrated?
Funny, Basis just got a brief mention on a local news website. Two mentions in one week-- it must be fate, and I guess I'm supposed to try it.
phx: what local place do you think is underrated?
Just down the street from Lola is Padre's, a blink-and-you'll-miss-it restaurant that is a favorite of mine. The owner is friendly and is often behind the bar or walking around, which I agree makes for great service. They do seafood really well, but the other night I had a chance to try the Arrachera Steak, which perhaps the best thing I've had there. Also, their blueberry mojito is so good I actually called the restaurant while I was at the grocery store so I could make my own at home!
