Rondo's Profile
4 day trip w/ rental car...
Just got back from 6 days in Miami, at the Fountainbleu. I highly recommend both Buena Vista Bistro and Buena Vista Deli which are on NE 2nd Avenue in the Design District. Had lunch at the Bistro; for $10 lunch special you get a fabulous entree which will fill you up. Had breakfast at the Deli on our last day there. They open at 7 am every day, great pastries, best chocolate croissant in Miami. Other places which were good are Sardinia, which we always hit when we are down there but that can get pricey. It's on Purdy, away from the beach. We also had dinner at a place called Las Vacas Gordas which we discovered on our last trip down. Share the 1.5 lb rolled up steak. That's on Normandy Drive just over the 79th St. Causeway.
We went to Harry's Pizzeria, the new darling of South Beach, owned by Michael Schwartz, who owns Michael's Genuine (highly recommend Michael's). Harry's? Eh! The pizza did nothing for me but I'd be willing to give it another shot if only because the wait staff was extremely pleasant. I think our waiter set the world record for use of the word "awesome", he was a nice kid, very attentive but not overbearing.
Also, please try Yardbird, 1600 Lenox St. We got there just before the kitchen closed on opening night (this past Monday) and again, great waitstaff, even met the owner who came over to our table to personally apologize for the delay in getting the food out and comped us an appetizer and dessert. The skin of thefried chicken was unbelievably tasty and crisp and the meat was moist. Well worth the wait, which frankly didn't seem all that lengthy.
I also urge you to do a search on this board as well, there are numerous posts regarding where to eat on the cheap, and expensive. You won't go hungry. Finally, if you are cost conscious avoid all the restaurants at the 'Bleu. Good luck.
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Las Vacas Gordas
933 Normandy Dr, Miami Beach, FL 33141
Buena Vista Bistro
4582 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33137
George's Greek American Grill in Great Valley/Malvern closed - where have I been?
George moved his operation to Wilmington, DE. I believe the new place is called "Terra"; it's on Market St. Word is that he left because the landlord kept raising the rent.
Between Media and Newtown Square
Watch it! My son is a waiter , and occasional bartender, at Teikoku. He does his best to service all his tables as efficiently as possible. Having said that, I would recommend Azie, in Media, to the original poster. Sister restaurant to Teikoku. Definitely avoid La Locanda. We didn't nickname it "La Locrapa" for nothing.
Dos Amigos Mexican Kitchen - Media
They weren't Mexican. But I'm hopeful their stuff will be good. Likely will be "gringo" food but who knows, they might surprise.
Mandolin in the DD
Seconded. The octopus was among the best I've ever had. Planning on going there again when we come down to SOBE this week.
Dos Amigos Mexican Kitchen - Media
I happened to be walking down South Olive Street yesterday and I came upon this place. It's still under construction but I peeked my head in and met the owners. They said it should be open in a couple of weeks. I'm hoping for some good Mexican (or frankly good anything) in Media. Once it opens I'll check it out and report back. Now if we could just get a good Greek place. . .
New Brick Oven Pizza in Media
OK, I got curious and looked it up. The name of the Restaurant is Ariano. It is located at 114 South Olive Street which is between Baltimore Pike and State St. The website is http://ariano.net
looks like they are closed Mondays. They do lunch and dinner. Looks interesting enough to give it a try.
New Brick Oven Pizza in Media
The only new pizza place I'm aware of in Media (I work in Media) is on State Street, not Olive. I went in there, took one look at the pizzas and ordered a salad. I described what the pizzas looked like to my wife, how uniform all the dough looked, and she said they were prefab. Really not anxious to try this stuff, it did not look appetizing at all. Yes, there were a fair amount of people in there when I went in about a week and half ago if that means anything. BTW, If there is a new place on Olive, do tell.
Where Do You Want to Go in 2011?
Catahoula, Han Dynasty (Old City), Vetri, Butcher &Singer. I can cross Ocean Harbor for dim sum off my list. Finally got there today. Meh! Chicken Feet were excellent but everything else was so-so.
Queen (Chinese) Chadds Ford
Thanks for the report. I was wondering how it was. We got their menu tacked on to our mailbox and it looked pretty good. Been looking for good Chinese around here ever since the owner of Han Dynasty vultured the chef in Exton for his Chinatown location.
Buffet Suggestions
I've eaten there twice. First time was 4 years ago and my son and I really enjoyed it. Lots of food choices, quality was good. Went back two years ago with a business partner, same choices but I didn't think the quality was all that great. Business partner agreed. As stated in other posts, so many restaurants, so little time. . .oh and thanks for the tip on the Rio.
Buffet Suggestions
Actually, the last time I was at the Bellagio buffet I wasn't "wow'd" by any stretch of the imagination. I'm thinking of trying the Wynn when we are in town next week.
ckonyc we will be staying at the Aria also. Would love to hear your thoughts on the experience, esp. if you hit the buffet.
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Bellagio
3600 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV
best greek restaurant in miami area
DINGDINGDINGDING! I'll deliver your prize next time we are down there. Will have to try Anise Taverna next time. Do try Mandolin and let us know what you think.
best greek restaurant in miami area
I have to agree about Mandolin. My wife and I ate there on our trip down to South Beach earlier this month. I had the octopus app. One of the best I've had, anywhere. The gyro was quite tasty also. My wife had the lamb which she said was very good. Be forewarned the menu isn't huge. Just for the hell of it we asked the concierge at our hotel for the name of a greek restaurant. Anyone want to guess what he recommended?
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South Beach Cafe
121 5th St, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Sugarcane Grill or Michael's Genuine for birthday lunch?
Thanks, yes, we overheard our waiter tell that to another table but we decided to play it by ear. The three dishes between the two of us was just enough. If we go back there for brunch on our next trip I'll likely order a couple different things right off the bat, as it usually would take two of those sized portions to fill me up.
Sugarcane Grill or Michael's Genuine for birthday lunch?
Went to Michael's Genuine twice during our trip (October 6 thru 10). Stopped there for lunch on our way in from the Lauderdale airport on Wednesday. Food was great and service was good. It wasn' t real crowded. Had the grilled steak salad w/kimchi and peanuts. Very tasty. My wife had a caesar salad with steak and she said all the ingredients were very good. Went back for brunch on Sunday. Crowded. Lousy service (hell, even Norman Braman, who was sitting at a table diagonal to ours, was having a hard time getting the waiter's attention). Food was good even though it was busy. I had the brisket hash (it was a virtual coin toss between the brisket hash and the duck confit hash, but I went w/brisket for the sauce, an olive tapenade aioli and the fact I had a duck leg for lunch the day before). My wife had the steak and eggs. I had a bite of the steak and it was really yummy. We were still hungry as the brunch portions are quite small so we got the pizza which was excellent. Aside for the service the only other downer was my bloody mary. Too much ice so the drink got watered down. But overall two good experiences food wise.
Sugarcane Grill or Michael's Genuine for birthday lunch?
Thanks, Frod. Knew I could count on you. Ashamed I didn't check your blog first before posting.
Limoncello - West Chester
For the same reasons places like Olive Garden and Red Lobster are always packed.
Sugarcane Grill or Michael's Genuine for birthday lunch?
I've eaten both inside and outside there. I greatly prefer the "great outdoors" bad weather notwithstanding. Inside tends to be cramped and noisy, in my experience. Can't wait to get back there on our trip to SoBe next week. Although I am intrigued by Sugarcane. What's the big attraction? Until I came across this thread I'd never heard of it.
Limoncello - West Chester
Unfortunately your experience is typical. Haven't eaten there since my wife got a gift certificate a couple of years ago, but the experience was pretty much the same. Cramped, noisy, bland, undistinguished cuisine.
The Saloon in Philly?
Agreed. The first time I went there, in the early '90's I had one of the best steaks I've ever had in my life. Smothered in mushrooms. It was glorious! Last ate there a couple of years ago, with clients. Not very good at all.
Making my first food-centric trip to Philly. Thoughts/Suggestions appreciated.
I watched the dude pack it away at Amada during our pig out. The man can eat. And he's thin! He says he exercises a lot. I'd love to be able to eat like that and not put on any weight.
Amada roast suckling pig, August 31 (Tuesday)
Ray, I was there Wednesday night w/uhockey and the gang. Yes, it was one pig for 8 of us and it was plenty! 4 people took home the left overs. There was plenty of pig to go around. I was very pleasantly surprised by the price per person, much less than I thought it would be. BTW, for those who were there Wednesday night, great meeting you all. My son and I had a great time!
Talula no more?!?
Holy crap! Will Frodnesor be sitting shiva? Let us know where you end up and how the food is. I'll be down there in early October.
Restaurants everyone loves--except you
Couldn't agree with you more about Han Dynasty in Exton. I loved that place but it has gone way downhill since he opened the Chinatown location and took his best chef with him. I don't even know where to go in Chester County for good Chinese.
Had My First Arista Today...
Ahhh, the Arista. I dream about the Arista. It is in a class by itself. You simply cannot compare it to other pork sandwiches, it is like comparing apples to oranges. I strayed once and ordered the Daddy Wad. It didn't compare. Wasn't bad, just wasn't the best hoagie I ever had. May have to hit the 9th St. location for that Liveracce sandwich though.
Donuts at West Chester Food Festival
If it is the West Chester Restaurant Festival, it is held in September, howevaer I have seen a marked decrease in quality of the vendors and choices over the last few years, to the point that I doubt I will go. In fact, just about every food festival I've gone to lately has been "less than". It seems that all the restaurants offer up only one or two selections, oftentimes nothing you would seriously consider ordering if you were to go to their restaurant (burgers anyone???). So just be forewarned.
Good BBQ in Philly or Wilmington?
Damn, just passed it this afternoon on the way back from the shore. Have you tried the place further east on 322? It's located at a gas station, two guys cooking chicken and ribs. Was pretty good.
Avoid La Locanda in Edgemont, PA
Dude/Dudette, I've been telling people that for YEARS. My wife and I call it "La LoCrappa". We went once many years ago, I think it was my mother or father's birthday. I ordered a caesar salad. It was unique and not in a good way. It had black olives on it, fresh from a can. My iced tea was Lipton's powder. The waitress kept calling us "hon". It ain't a freakin' diner, sweetheart! Needless to say we've never been back and I too cannot comprehend how it has stayed in business all these years. But hey, this is just one guy's opinion. To each his own. BTW, if you have a favorite Italian restaurant in Delaware or Chester county, let me know. Always looking for good ones.
