Ian F's Profile
Patricia Wells: Food Lover's Guide to Paris is an IPHONE app!
If your Iphone is in airplane mode with no wifi, will any of the content of the app still be accessible?
East Bay Rrstaurant for celebrating birthday
Postino in Lafayette would be a good choice.
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Postino
3565 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, CA 94549
40th Anniversary - Need advice for 2 dinners!
Totally agree. Ate there Saturday night and it was the perfect combination of great, vibrant food, perfect service, and terrific ambience.
Canteen: Still My Favorite Brunch
Had breakfast at Canteen on Sunday. At 8:00 AM when they opened there were two other pairs waiting, all with reservations. No one else came in over the next 40 minutes we were there, which is amazing to me given the line we saw a little while later in front of Sears Fine Food.
Excellent from beginning to end. I had the Chupacabra and my DW had the big pancake. I also ordered the brioche. Maybe the coffee has changed from previous encounters. Mine was strong, hot, and tasted great as was my DW's decaf. Actually, tasted far superior to the Blue Bottle I had at the Farmers Market the morning before. That was the second time I have had Blue Bottle, and have not been impressed. I just don't get it, but I digress.
The only thing odd about our experience at Canteen was that we were told immediately that they did not have the salmon or the eggs benedict. Probably wasn't going to order either, but seemed strange they wouldn't have it ready to go.
Anyway, if I lived nearby, I would be a regular.
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Sears Fine Food
439 Powell Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
Blue Bottle Cafe
66 Mint St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Tell Tale Preserve Co. @ Ferry Building
I had my first experience with Tell Tale at the Farmers Market on Saturday morning. Had the Rebel within and the chocolate croissant. So good we went back and got the marcona almond and salted caramel brownie and a financier. That's when I was told this was their last day in business. Couldn't believe it!!
Looking for braised shortribs in East Bay or SF
This is one of my favorites at Postino in Lafayette.
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Postino
3565 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, CA 94549
Looking for a good first date brunch spot in Danville (or nearby)
I like the food at Chow, but lots of families with young kids at breakfast/brunch. Sideboard is very tasty but the chairs can be uncomfortable, and it gets expensive pretty quickly when you add in the coffee drinks. How about the Blackhawk Grill? You can sit outside by the water. After, you can stroll around the outside mall and look at the ducks.
Restaurant recommendation off of 680 from Walnut Creek to San jose
How about Piatti? Its just off 680 at 100 Sycamore Valley Road West, Danville. Normally, I wouldn't suggest a chain restaurant, but it is a small chain, and they do a good job. It is also family oriented so an infant won't be out of place, and you still should get some pretty good people watching.
Solo Diner looking for recs in Pleasnat Hill or Walnut Creek
Sichuan Fortune House in Pleasant Hill. Very authentic. Stay away from the "traditional" items which are on the menu for people looking for what they typically see on a chinese restaurant menu.
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Sichuan Fortune House
41 Woodsworth Ln, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Anniversary dinner ideas in san francisco
Piperade is also an easy walk near the Embarcadero and should be fine for both of you.
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Piperade
1015 Battery St., San Francisco, CA 94111
Fresh & Easy stores - when will they open?
Made my first visit to the Danville store yesterday. Bought two of their Indian prepared dishes; one was their take on Chicken Tikka Marsala, the other sort of a Chicken Korma, though called something else. Both quite good. Although I thought both were priced at $3.99, one rang up at $2.99. I thought this was quite a bargain and they rivaled many of the local Indian restaurants in terms of taste. The other bargain was blue cheese stuffed olives for under $4. Thats half the price of elsewhere and they were excellent.
This won't replace what I usually get at Trader Joes or Lunardis, but offers a new quick alternative for mid week dinners.
Thai in Contra Costa
Thai House is Danville is outstanding. Wonderful vibrant flavors.
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Thai House Restaurant
254 Rose Ave, Danville, CA 94526
Atelier vs The Mansion
You will get more "extras" at the Mansion (Joel Robuchon) --- Bread cart, Amuse Bouche, a treat to take home with you.
The impossible: top-notch cuisine with oceanfront view?
I haven't been in a while, but how about Pacific's Edge in Carmel at the Highlands Inn. Recent reviews seem to be more favorable and you can't beat the view.
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Pacific's Edge Restaurant
120 Highlands Drive, Carmel, CA 93923
pathetically mixed bag of questions
Regarding Joel Robuchon, they have several prix fixe menus to choose from. The one closest to what you are looking for would probably be:
L'Amuse-bouche
One Main Course
Dessert
Moka - Thé
This is $115 per person. This includes an amazing bread cart.
So adding a glass of wine, tax and tip, you are probably some where in the $150 neighborhood. Well worth the splurge and I believe they will limo you over from another hotel on the strip.
New Wynn venues to open
Looks like the replacement for Daniel Boulud is Lakeside Grill (Executive Chef David Walzog of SW), opening Nov. 1. Also La Cave in December.
1st Wedding Anniversary Dilemma
We recently did Alex for our anniversary dinner and then went to Nove Italiano for another dinner. Very different experience, with a fun, sexy vibe and excellent menu and service.
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Nove Italiano
4321 W. Flamingo Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89103
Annual visit - How's my lineup
The ahi tuna tempura, mixed seafood ceviche, brava potatoes, chicken croquetas, and pintxo de chorizos were all good. I think we had a couple of specials too but can't really remember the details.
Breakfast in San Ramon, Pleasanton, Castro Valley or Hayward?
Try Katy's Korner if you want something pretty close. Its at 2550 San Ramon Valley Blvd in
San Ramon. If you are willing to drive up to Danville (a couple of miles), go to Sideboard. Its at 411 Hartz Ave. Its a little different in that you order at the counter and they then bring you your food. They feature Blue Bottle coffee. If it turns out to be too crowded, there are many options up and down the street in Danville.
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Katy's Korner
2550 San Ramon Valley Blvd, San Ramon, CA 94583
Annual visit - How's my lineup
I am reporting back as promised. We stuck with my original plans:
Raku:
Not much to add beyond what most people say. Food was very tasty. Got to experience many difference dishes, without it costing a fortune. I did a Sake flight; my wife ordering a special cocktail. Fun to see that part of Las Vegas. Have never been there before.
Border Grill (We recently rented the movie Tortilla Soup so wanted to check this out):
Very tasty. Started with the Chicken Tinga Empanadas followed by the Yucatan Pork. Yum! My wife had the Fish Tacos Ensenada. She liked it but said one of taco's fish tasted off. She wasn't that hungry so she didn't care, but mentioned it to the waiter just to alert them. Sangria was just OK and not nearly as good as what we had at Julian Serrano.
Alex (our anniversary dinner): We both had the three course prix fixe. While overall very good, I believe Joel Robuchon is a better value. The net of it is that the bread cart at Robuchon is a differentiator for me. That may sound silly, but even with the extras they give at Alex, I was wanting more as dessert approached; so I went for the cheese cart. That was not the case when I ate at Robuchon, because I found the breads so interesting and tasty, and ultimately so satisfying that a cheese course was unnecessary. So in the end, Alex cost about $100-150 more than Robuchon, and not really better. I would give Alex a few extra points for atmosphere. They had great music playing. Wine list was expensive as expected, though I found a great Howell Mountain Zin for $90. They do lose a few points for having to ask for another roll (OK, I like bread). Also, one of the little extras was a little rabbit canape; this tasted good, but I was happy the thing fell apart on my plate because that is when I noticed a little bone that I pushed to the side. So, if we do this again next year, I believe we may go back to Robuchon.
Julian Serrano (opportunity to check out the Aria): We thought this was terrific. Every dish we ordered had vibrant flavor, and was beautiful to look at. Sangria was outstanding. Service was pleasant and professional.
Nove Italiano (opportunity to check out the Palm on a Saturday night): Did not think much of the Palms Casino, but thought Nove Italiano had a sexy vibe, great service, and the food was excellent. We shared the Shrimp Francaise which reminded us of a restaurant we used to go to in NY years ago. We then both had the Osso Buco and the Death by Potatoes--Also ordered the risotto of the day, which was probably overkill at that point. All good. The make your own cannolis were wonderful and fun. I think the only negative I have is that the wine list seemed unnecessarily expensive.
So, all good choices, and I am already looking forward to picking a new group of restaurants for our trip next year. Let me know if you have any questions.
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Border Grill
3950 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Nove Italiano
4321 W. Flamingo Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89103
Annual visit - How's my lineup
Time to drop the kid off at college in Southern California and then head to vegas for 5 nights, which since its the beginning of Sept. encompasses our anniversary. We are not big gamblers so stay out at the Marriott resort in Summerlin.
Last year we ate at
Mesa Grill
Joel Robuchon
Origin India
Daniel Boulud
L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon
Previous years ate at Vintner Grill, Aureole, Red Square, Rosemary's, Todds Unique, LOS.
Wanted to go with 5 new restaurants this year so my reservations are as follows:
Raku
Border Grill (We recently rented the movie Tortilla Soup so wanted to check this out)
Alex (our anniversary dinner)
Julian Serrano (opportunity to check out the Aria)
Nove Italiano (opportunity to check out the Palm on a Saturday night)
So, is there anything you would change?
I will report back as I did last year.
Thanks
Last night in Vegas--we want to shoot the works!
Are you sure about Alex? They were just closed for two weeks in July and I have a reservation for early September.
Anyway, you might want to consider Joel Robuchon. They have an array of prix fixe options.
Private Dinner for 20-25 at a NAPA Valley Winery?
Merryvale should be able to do it and they have a beautiful cask room for such functions. They typically have Tra Vigne from next door, do the catering.
http://www.merryvale.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=winery.caskRoom
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Tra Vigne Restaurant
1050 Charter Oak, St. Helena, CA 94574
New 99 Ranch Market in Pleasanton
About a mile and a half down Santa Rita on the rright, heading towards downtown is a chinese restaurant called Blessing. Its set back from the road in a shopping center. Their chow fun with black bean sauce combo is amazing.
New 99 Ranch Market in Pleasanton
I went here the day after it opened to check it out. They had lobsters for $5.99 a pound. Went back the following Friday to have them steam a couple for a Friday night dinner and the price had gone up to $6.99 a pound. Still a great deal and they were terrific. Stopped by there today and the price was the same but the tank was empty. Hopefully, just a temporary situation. Also tried their self serve dim sum for lunch. Three pieces for $2.20 and a really nice selection. Definitely like this location more than the one in Dublin.
Most fantastic atmosphere in Vegas?
How about Red Square? My wife and I thought it was fun and that the food was very good. They also have a Vodka vault. There is a video tour on their website so you can get a pretty good sense of the place.
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Red Square
Las Vegas, NV, Las Vegas, NV
Downtown Pleasanton, what's good.
About a mile out of downtown on Santa Rita is a chinese restaurant called Blessing. Its set back from the road in a shopping center. Their chow fun win black bean sauce combo is amazing.
Inspired dining near Embarcadero?
You can also walk to Piperade for some great Basque food. Great cocktails as well. Definitely call for a reservation though bar seating might be available.
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Piperade
1015 Battery St., San Francisco, CA 94111
In town on business
Todd's Unique in Henderson would be a good choice. They also have free corkage on Wednesdays.
