My family and I will be in London over Easter weekend. We are staying at a friend's flat near Hyde Park (right near Lancaster Terrace Underground Stop). Although only in town for a 4 day weekend, my husband and I are hoping to do some wonderful dining. We were considering Arbutus for dinner....your thoughts?

Not a nod to the original John's on Bleeker? Tottono's (sp?) in Coney Island..Did Joe's on 6th close? Drove past there on NYEve and it looked like it went out, maybe just closed b/c of the holiday?

For an out of towner, Di Fara is too much to handle (the drive, the wait etc)

Patsy's would definetly be my recommendation!!

My first Chow Hound Post (!!). Driving from Boston to Montreal, arriving mid-evening, staying at Intercontinental. Both Bouchonne' and Aszu sound exactly like what we are looking for once unloading the car, washing up and heading back out. WIll be with our two junior chowhounds (really budding foodies), our 13 year-old twins. Which of the two is the more casual in vibe, though, as we may all be a little tired after the 5.5 hour drive.

An onto a second request: we are in town for a hockey tornament that our daughter will play in. We will sadly leave beautiful Old Montreal for a Holiday Inn near the airport (apparently also near the rink where she will play both Sat night and Sunday)...anyplace worth trying out that way?

Lastly, which is the best Frite Alors location near to the InterContinental, figured we would have lunch there b/f heading out of Old Montreal.

Thanks much...very, very excited to be a part of this site.