josephnl's Profile
San Diego - Great weather, but where is the outside dining?
To reiterate my recommendations above...La Jolla which is even closer to SD has 2 outstanding restaurants both of which have outdoor dining with great views and food....George's and Eddie V's. you will not go wrong at either!
B & B vs. Sage for a solo bar dinner?
I'm in LV for 3 days by myself. Had another spectacular dinner at Le Cirque last night...at a table of course. Tonight had a very good lighter dinner at the bar at Bouchon. Good, as always. Can't decide between B&B or Sage for a dinner at the bar tomorrow. I don't have a huge appetite, and prefer lighter albeit delicious food with a few glasses of great wine. Where should I go?
Great BBQ in Long Beach???
Reading over these posts, I am shocked by the number of people who like Lucille's. To me, Lucille's is dreadful...perhaps the worst barbecue I've ever had. I've tried many places for barbecue in Orange County, and have only found one place that is good...but it's not only good, it's great. The one downside is, that they really only have a small cafe. Most of their food is for take-out...but it's terrific. Go to Blake's Barbecue in Anaheim and take home some of their brisket and pulled pork, and you'll have a feast. See: http://www.blakesplacebbq.com/ You will enjoy...guaranteed the best around...runs rings around Lucille's!
Around the world in 5 days, Las vegas culinary trip
Tableau is outstanding, especially for breakfast. Wonderful setting, service and food.
lechonbaboy...I'm staying at the Wynn/Encore by myself this coming week and love eating at a bar when I'm alone. Is Country Club a place with a nice bar to dine at?
How far are you willing to drive for a good restaurant?
I think Hunt needs to reread the tale...I meant it in jest, and thought it was pretty funny!
Rochester - anything great?
Some folks I know just recommended Woodcliff's Horizons. I don't think they are really CH's, so wonder what others think.
Around the world in 5 days, Las vegas culinary trip
Missing Le Cirque is a mistake. For high end dining, there is no question in my mind that in LV, Le Cirque and Joel R. cannot be topped.
Rochester - anything great?
Thanks. Your recommendations of Lento and Warfield's seem right on. Will definitely try to do them both next month when I'm in Rochester. Will report back!
How far are you willing to drive for a good restaurant?
Hunt...it's obviously very smart of you to use a Town Car or limo service when you dine if you anticipate drinking a significant amount of wine. I immediately thought of you when I received this email from a friend of mine. Have you ever considered this less expensive alternative?
"I would like to share an experience with you, about drinking and driving. As you well know, some of us have been known to have had brushes with the authorities on our way home from the odd social session over the years. A couple of nights ago, I was out for a few drinks with some friends at the Marriott Hotel and had a few too many cocktails and some rather nice red wine. Knowing full well I may have been slightly over the limit, I did something I've never done before: I took a bus home. Sure enough I passed a police road block but as it was a bus, they waved it right past. I arrived home safely without incident, which was a real surprise; as I have never driven a bus before and am not even sure where I got it."
Sounds like a great idea!
Jarred pickles - what's best?
Do you put the split peppers into the brine before boiling it?
Jarred pickles - what's best?
Two questions....do you put the split peppers into the brine before boiling the brine, and will pouring the hot brine onto the pickles make them less crispy?
Jarred pickles - what's best?
Depending on how much heat you want the half sours to have, you might want to give them 3 or 4 days.
Jarred pickles - what's best?
Found the secret to getting some heat into Ba-Tampte half sours without waiting forever. I quartered the pickles and put them back into the brine with 3 arbols which I split in half. In 2 days, voila, the pickles had a nice amount of heat.
Third dinner in Las Vegas?
I visit LV pretty often, so I'm generally familiar with the better restaurants. I have a 3 night stay coming up. Will definitely have dinner at Le Cirque (my favorite) and Sage. The 3rd night I'm going to see LOVE at the Mirage and looking for an excellent early dinner not too far away. Don't want something over-the-top elegant since I'll be myself that night. Staying at the Encore, and considering Bouchon (perhaps eating at the bar), Mon Ami Gabi or something at the Wynn/Encore...perhaps Sinatra, SW Steakhouse, or Botero. Where would you go for a solo dinner, not overly fancy, and a short taxi ride from the Mirage.
Pizzeria Mozza, Newport Beach - has anyone been?
I love raw snow peas...but somehow the julienned peapods with the peas tonight were really tough and stringy...almost like finely julienned regular peapods...very weird. Probably they got a funny bunch in today. Nevertheless the peas, mint and yogurt were delicious. Do try the Meyer lemon gelato pie...it's really good!!
OK, OK...it's been ages since I've been to Ortica...I'll give it another try. Do you usually sit at the bar there, or at a table? Which pizza and starter should I get?
Pizzeria Mozza, Newport Beach - has anyone been?
Well Porthos...I finally made it to Mozza NB late this afternoon, and I must say that I enjoyed myself. All in all, everything was very good...some things excellent, some thinks not quite, but overall it was a very pleasant experience.
I was dining solo today, and arrived at about 4 pm without a reservation. The restaurant was pretty much empty, so I sat at the pizza bar. As you know, I'm not a big fan of noise...this was certainly not a problem at this time.
I had a house Manhattan cocktail. It was delicious, but not an especially large pour. Indeed, the martini glass in which it was served was only filled about 2/3 full...not the norm for Newport Beach.
I wanted the cauliflower fritti, but this was not on the menu. On the servers advice, I ordered the yogurt cheese with peas and mint. This was delicious, and served with a few slices of crispy toast. Very tasty...but...the dish included not only excellent English peas, but thinly sliced pea pods (not snow peas!) which were very weird, indeed raw and very stringy. These should have at least been blanched, or better yet, left off. Nevertheless, the dish was very tasty.
Per your recommendation I ordered the Salumi Salami pizza with Fresno chiles. This was also delicious. The toppings were outstanding, and the crust was very good (probably not the best I've ever had, but certainly up there). I personally prefer a crispier pizza, but this was very good and certainly baked throughout, unlike the pizza with the "raw center" that I've been served elsewhere in OC.
The banana gelato pie was not available, but the Meyer lemon gelato pie was,...and it was sensational. Sort of like a delicious, frozen key lime pie. Truly excellent.
I had a quartino of wine with my pizza, and wanted a tad more with my coffee. Strangely (I thought) no wines are available by the glass...only by the quartino (250ml, which is >8 oz.). I turned down the quartino, but the excellent server brought me a quartino "on the house". A very generous gesture!! I only drank about 1/2 glass.
All in all, this was a very good experience and I will return. The service was flawless, as friendly and professional as it gets. The food was very good. Thanks Porthos, for encouraging me to go!
Great BBQ in Long Beach???
Agree that Lucille's is worse than awful...absolutely yuck. We live in OC, and the only decent barbecue around is at Blake's in Anaheim (?). We often buy brisket and pulled pork there to go, and it makes a pretty delish dinner.
San Diego - Great weather, but where is the outside dining?
Two great places which have outdoor dining in La Jolla are George's at the Cove, and Eddie V's. Both have outstanding views (especially Eddie V's) and terrific food and drinks.
Which high end places (twist, la atelier,etc...) have a bar menu?
Definitely second the recommendation of the bar at Sage. Also, I always enjoy the bar at Bouchon...great oysters, terrific bistro food and nice ambiance. Although it's not a place for bar dining, I have dined alone at Le Cirque several times and have had really wonderful meals. Make a reservation for one, dress nicely and you will be treated wonderfully. If Ivo Angelov, the manager, knows you are a chef, I'd be surprised if you were not treated royally.
La Cave at Wynn
La Cave is a terrific place for lunch. Interesting small plates, flatbreads, etc. Good wind list including some nice tasting flights. Pleasant atmosphere, good vibe...all in all great for lunch, or for a light late supper after seeing Le Reve (the wonderful show at the Wynn/Encore).
Le Cirque Dress Code?
It really does ruin the ambiance when you have larger groups which are often noisier, and especially so if they are not properly attired. This is such a beautiful and special restaurant where you would think most people would want to dress up, at least a bit.
Umami Burger Costa Mesa - any visits?
I've never been to an Umami Burger...but one just opened nearby and I'm temped. I've heard that they are expensive, and have heard opinions ranging from "the best in the world" to "no better than In 'n Out". I suspect that the truth lies somewhere between. Has anyone been to the CM venue...and how was it?
How far are you willing to drive for a good restaurant?
A wonderful spot...excellent food, drink,and service...and a view that's tough to beat. Nowhere in the same league for food or ambiance, but if it's the ocean that beckons...the Beachcomber in Crystal Cove is right on the sand, and Splashes in Laguna is just over the beach.
Visiting Laguna Beach for a week - need recommendations
For what it is, a beachside casual restaurant serving burgers, sandwiches and some fish. Nicky's is terrific. Good food, good drinks, great service, and perfect location for indoor or outdoor dining. It's a winner!
Visiting Laguna Beach for a week - need recommendations
As you have probably gathered by now, there are very few terrific restaurants in Laguna. For Mexican, it's a funky place, but I love the Mexican breakfasts at the Coyote Grill in south Laguna. If you get there early enough, you can get a table on their deck with a peek-a-boo view of the ocean. They have decent margaritas, good beer and pretty good Mexican breakfasts. In town (Laguna), we enjoy Nick's a lot. Sure it's casual, but their drinks are good, their burgers and French dips are as good as you'll get anywhere, and the service is terrific. If you want to eat "on the beach"...the Beachcomber Restaurant at Crystal Cove (Newport/Corona del Mar) has decent food and drinks, and it is literally right on the beach. Their breakfasts and lunches are fun, and the setting can't be beat. Also in Crystal Cove (a 10 minute drive from Laguna Beach) you'll find Bluefin, an excellent...albeit expensive..sushi restaurant. The owner Abe, is an alumnus of Nobu. Also in this center is one of southern CA's best upscale Indian restaurants, Tamarind of London. This is the sibling of another Tamarind in London (of course) which has a Michelin star.
If you're willing to drive for 30 minutes, and want an upscale French restaurant, you cannot go wrong heading to South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. On the upper level you will find one of southern CA's very best French restaurants...Marche Moderne. It's outstanding, especially for dinner, and with the tasting menu being the star. Do reserve!
Have fun!
Visiting Laguna Beach for a week - need recommendations
We've had terrible food, drinks, and service at Javier's...and it's expensive. It would be the last place I'd go if I were looking for good food.
Jarred pickles - what's best?
I put 2 arbol chiles into a jar of Ba-Tampte half sours 2 days ago. So far nothing! How long will it take before I can expect noticeable heat?
Niagara-on-the-Lake. 3 great dinners?
We'll have a car. We will not want any long or difficult rides however...we will be drinking some wine!
How much do you tip coat check attendants at restaurants?
Have you ever dined out at a nice restaurant in New York City, Boston, Chicago, DC, or any other cold location in the US (or Europe) in the winter? If so, you just weren't looking for one...they are all over!!!
