Here's a fantasy you - and she- might like. Choose a unusual venue that's available. A park, a landmark , someplace unusual. You take her there in a limo . Blindfolded. A personal chef has set up a beautiful table there with wine, wonderful food .Not a restaurant but something quite special. I don't know San Francisco but I will bet they have a party planner that could set up something like this . Of course it would cost the world:)

Does anyone have experience in going to the farmers market--any of them--on Christmas Eve? Are they open? Is anyone there?

In an atempt to get our whole family together for Christmas , we have rented a place in the South Congress area and will be ( sort of) cooking a Christmas dinner for family and possibly a group of friends. I have a couple of questions for you Austin experts as I enjoy our cooler weather and plan.
I will probably cook some --the main meat , which will probably be a standing rib roast. Maybe I will add a ham from our "stash" of farm raised pork that we gain by working at a CSA. I'll make mashed potatoes becausue there would be rebellion without them. I'd love to have help with the sides and , since I really can't bake, someplace that has really spectacular Christmas desserts to take out--particularly pies , but anything amazing.
And do the food trucks stay open in the winter too?
We have been to Austin before, but never in the winter. I'd love to have any Christmas suggestions about cozy restaurants or wonderful things to do. We will be there about a week.

Latest and greatest are in the Over the Rhine area of downtown. Tavola for Pizza, John Roberts Table for french bistro, Senate for gourmet hot dogs. There's a really interesting tour of the area too--googleCincinnati tours. If you want a view of downtown go a bit further by car or cab to Primavista for upscale italian or View ( in an apartment building, don't let it fool you) for good small plates etc. I like Nada downtown if you don't mind trendy. Make a reservation on Open Table.

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Primavista
810 Matson Place, Cincinnati, OH 45204

Traveling to Hawks Nest Park so am looking in the New River /Fayetteville/etc. area. Has anyone been there and eaten something good???????

"You won't go away hungry !"
Damned with faint praise I call it!

Try keeping little things around the house--like nuts or cheese bites or such--and take a tiny taste about once an hour. It may be that the thought of a full meal is bad but a lttle bit once in a while is tolerable. Try to make this protein or high carb rather than sweets.
You are very wise to get help before your lack of appitite makes your body ill. I hope you find the balance you need.

On our last night in Sarasota, we went to the new Brassiere Belge for dinner and had a really nice time. We had a delicious and innovative goat cheese salad and a special of beautifully cooked cod with perfectly done vegetable garnishes. I would have loved to try many other things on the interesting menu. The waitstaff was just attentive enough and charming without the cloying cuteness that spoils many a restaurant. The room was well set up and our table for two seemed private and cozy.
The restaurant is very flexible . There is a bar with eating space and an outdoor space as well as the dining room. There is even a children's menu, though we did not need it.
When my husband teased the waiter ( who may have been one of the owners) about not having belgian choolate with the espresso, he went back to the kitchen ad got us some lovely chocolate to end our meal.
We really liked this place and hope it does so well it will be sucessfully there when next we visit Sarasota.

There seems to be some movement isn local restaurants. Check and reserve before going out if you are from out of town Sorry about Chalk--the duck fat fries were sensational!

We rented a cabin--very nice--at the Inn and Spa at Cedar Falls. We were happy with the restaurant and also happy to have our litttle kitchen for breakfast etc. I thought the spa was way overpriced so did not have any services there though it might be nice to treat your girlfriend.

Star Fish Company on Cortez has great food and lots of Pelicans . Takes a while to get your food though.

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The Fish Company
725 Atlantic Blvd Ste 12, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233

While in Toledo last year, we tasted green olives that were soft and lucious -every place seemed to have them--but I did not buy any as I did not want to carry them in our several country trip. I thought I could get them in the USA. Dumb. I haven't found any thing like them here so far. I don't even really know what to call them--other than olives like they have in Toledo:). Can anyone help me find a mail order place where I can get them--or even give them a name so I can keep looking with that? Thanks!

I took some German visitors to Primavista recently and htey loved the food and the view. What I loved best was the caring intuitive service which made dining with some who did not speak english well and one who is mentally disabled a charming and easy evening.

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Primavista
810 Matson Place, Cincinnati, OH 45204

I really thought that this might apply to all of great lakes. Thanks!

Thanks--will do!

I have a friend thet is thinking of opening a booth in an inside farmer market. She is a great southern cook. What kind of dishes/products would you be interested in buying from a booth like thais?

Does anyone have suggestions for great bread in the Sarasota/Bradento/Longboat Key etc. area?
Or a Bakery you like?

Looking for good--really good--bread in the Sarasota/Bradenton/Longboat etc area. Renting for a few weeks in the winter and would like to be able to cook at home-but I can't make near as good bread as I can get from Blue Oven in Cincinnati. What's out there?

I think you would be fine with either Keegans ( for a larger selection of wines, canned goods etc) or Lobsta Bakes. I go to both of them frequently. I would call them before I come and make sure they have what you want. They really only stock what they think is good and they might have to special order your fish.

Very few hints about Toledo on the boards. Has no one eaten anyplace good? Will be there for 2 nights in September ( tues-Wed) and have eaten already at the rather expensive Hostal Cardenal--which was just fine if not thrilling. Any other ideas????

Thanks so much for posting. On my way to Kampala next week. Although , since I am with a group, I won't have much say in the restaurants, your post and information are much appreciated.

We went to Cuicina 24 on a brief trip through Asheville and liked it so much that my husband said he wanted to find the first person he met on the street in Asheville and tell them "You MUST eat at this restaurant" . Everything was delicious , the waitstaff was really concerned but not intrusive--even the kitchen staff were interested to see that we enjoyed our meal.If it was close to Cincinnati we would eat there once a week!

If you go to opentable--the restaurant reservation site and plug in Cincinnati , you can go to an area that lists banquet facilities. There are lots there to choose!

The Anderson Towne Center --up 275 about 10 minutes , get off at Beechmont exit) has a modern tapas place and a Mediterranian place that we like a lot. There's an Unos there too--if that is what you like.

Has anyone tried Picnics? I was thinking of taking a picnic with their pie on our trip out of Asheville. Any good? We do love good pie:)

Thanks! Good to have connections:)

When we were in New York , we went to the Bar at the Modern , where we had a cilantro Martini that my husband, the adamantly traditional martini guy liked very much.It was sort of traditional but maybe with cilantro infused gin???? I would love to have suggestios o how to copy this drink.

An out of the way place that you might try if you are in the mood is the Sourwood Inn. Small Inn located on windy roads and down a gravel road about 15 minutes outside Asheville. No alcohol but you can bring your own. I loved the food when we stayed here especially a cake that the chef said was a recipe of her mothers--and I usually don't care for cakes. A set menu --call them to see what is on. A charming inn, by the way, not victorian, but modern, with some great hiking trails and views. Those windy roads might be nice for a biker. .

Ok I have been to Pizza Paradiso and was unimpressed. Deweysis ggod. Sorry Pho paris is closed --it was a great restaurant. The one that has relpaced it has lukwarm at best reviews-don't think i will bother. Went to a fun place on the east side ( where there is little restaurant action) called The Foreign Exchange, last night and liked it.

Help. For resons that I won't go into, I have to do a Birthday Dinner for my husband --and he wants Chinese take out. Some of the places I have used have perfectly good food whn you eat in--but soggy horrors when you take out. Please, if you have any suggestons, I would appreciate them. Or suggestion of how to take care of the sog factor too:) I want this to be nice for him in spite of the fact that we have to do it this way.