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Help? Your fave spot to eat near Ghiradelli?
This will be a Friday evening in July.
Was thinking if we started by 7pm, we might be halfway
done (almost) when the jazz music starts.
I was there w/my hubby but on a worknight.
The jazz added a nice touch. But as mentioned,
probably not a great idea for the bulk of our event...
only due to my mom's age, etc.
Up above...someone mentions M & Kuleto's too,
and it's nice-sounding private room. I've come across
so many neg reviews about Kuleto's...
have to wonder between it & Ana Mandara...
which would be the better bet....?
Help? Your fave spot to eat near Ghiradelli?
Thanks for the link! I haven't been on the board for so long,
I didn't realize so many answers came in, by the end. :-)
Ana Mandara's minimum approaches 2k...which would be fine for 17 adults
but for only 11, including one senior? (and otherwise, kids?)
Just not sure whether to go for it, or not, for the perk of the quieter room
for my mom. If anyone has used the private room there who could share,
please do! No min. order on the main floor, but wondering about the noise levels.
The main room is more 'special' occasion in feel, in many respects, than the
little private room. However, perhaps others have a different take
on it? (who may have experienced it?) Myself...I only saw it after an event,
when it was all 'broken down' so couldn't visualize too well, if it feels truly special,
or merely sterile (like a corporate boardroom) in comparison to the more
pronounced decor in the main space. Thanks again! :-)
Pamplemousse in RWC: French Macaroons -- Awesome, Awesome, Awesome
Had a chestnut one & anise one that were quite good! But only had once,
so can't speak for the aftertaste some report. Will have to try again.
However, I could swear that the people there boast of only using natural
ingredients/flavors not additives. But again...need to look into.
Otherwise, they definitely have some beautiful, beautiful mousse cake options here, and a really nice selection of single serving ones! (fun for parties)
Help? Your fave spot to eat near Ghiradelli?
Heard that Ghiradelli Sq is undergoing some improvements.
And, we're having our big family celebration at the Argonaut.
Wrote in the past, but looking now for any updates.
Does anyone here know when Marche on the Square might open?
Or other up & coming restaurants in that area?
Also, I found an article talking about Danko having a 2nd spot...
already open nearby, is that right? Could I get more info on that?
(or thoughts on whether worth the no doubt high prices??)
Also, saw mention... Lola of North Beach is coming.
Any recent updates on what's actually open now at Ghiradelli & recommendations
would be truly appreciated.
Almost committed to doing my mom's big bday celebration at Ana Mandara
for the simplicity of having it so close to the Argonaut vs. travelling w/others to spots around town. (eg. Boulevard which also tempts) But my mom's mobility is bad...
and there just is something truly appealing about most in the group being able to
easily walk to dinner, for her 85th. Keeping things 'simple' appeals.
The interior of Ana Mandara would appeal I think to some in the group,
and they *do* have a private dining room, too. Anyone here who might
have eaten there, or have tried using this room, who could advise?? I do realize
it's not the 'best' Vietnames or Asian fusion place in town, but again..
we're looking for ease here. (and something that isn't awful, but 'feels'
like a special occasion place) However, for our group of 17 - 6 of which are under 17
yrs old...it would be pretty pricey at Ana Mandara.
They have a $1500 minimum for use of of the private room....(not the main area,
which is more attractive, but might be too noisy for my mom?)
and this is not even including service fees, taxes, etc. So, all further/new thoughts
still welcome!! I have to get this event booked asap. Thanks! :-)
Help? Special occasion restaurant for mom's 85th in SF w/a view, perhaps?
Wow! Thanks everyone!
Haven't checked back thinking I'd perhaps exhausted patience
by asking for more ideas. :-)
I agree, it's time to abandon the idea of 'views'...will enjoy those
just walking around the Argonaut and from some rooms.
Should put higher priority on the food, and the possibility
of a private dining room, for my mom's comfort. (and my sister
says it's just impossible w/a larger group in main dining rooms
to hear ANYthing anyway)
If staying at the Argonaut, I suppose some could take a streetcar there?
Just drive my mom who is 85, etc? It sure looks gorgeous,
and I can't believe I STILL have not gotten there. Been close a few times,
but it's not a walk-in kind of place. ;-) I wonder if it's private dining
is real step down in ambience, or not? Anyone know? Also, I haven't been
I think because on the surface their menu does not look too vegetarian-friendly.
But I would think they could improvise.
Union Square too would be reachable by cable car for more from the Argonaut,
correct? Lots of dining there, I know. Thoughts on Grand Cafe or is it Scala's
at the Sir Francis? I'll check into Farallon, too.
Kokkari reachable from Argonaut easily, or not so much?
I appreciate the history of a Tadich grill, but would probably prefer
to avoid the financial area for this trip. Hmmmm...
sorry for the referral to too casual spots like Alioto's or Scoma's, but I just know
they are close-by. Greens used to be quite innovative & does have
some ambience, but...? Any recent reviews? Thanks so much!! :-)
I need to look up Cafe Majestic, too!
Help? Special occasion restaurant for mom's 85th in SF w/a view, perhaps?
Size in party...about 4 teens, 2 kids, and 11 adults.
Tastes? She will try things, but just doesn't like spicy or
ethnic cuisines as much as the rest of us. So...
straight continental or Italian works great for her. Might do one
casual night at the Blue Mermaid if staying at the Argonaut (if we can swing it for such a large group). Might not be the best seafood, but it's convenient
for our arrival night. So, with that said, another night out at a primarily
seafood restaurant might not make the most sense...so might not
do Kuleto's spot at Ghiradelli. (unless people here say the Mermaid is awful)
Otherwise, considering Greens...maybe Boulevard, altho' I'd love it
if most could walk to dinner. (everyone but my mom of course) ;-)
So something at Ghiradelli *would* be convenient. I'll try looking at Danko's menu, but if the place is sterile or boring at super high prices (like some
think) would prefer something more atmospheric, I think. The Vietnamese restaurant at Ghiradelli I suppose might be an idea, except for my mom's
rather reserved eating style. BUT...I probably could find her some fairly
basic food there, too, more like Chinese which she prefers. I myself
love Thai & Vietnamese & Singaporean, etc. Will think about it some more.
Thanks to everyone!! :-)
Anyone tried the Julius Castle recently? All reviews older here
Got a recommendation for this place for my mom's 85th.
I ate here 20 yrs ago, but have read mostly negative reviews since.
It did close & re-open. Just wondering if things might have
improved lately? Would love a recent review.
Also, considering Greens for a view....
and not sure where else for views, but did receive some
nice recommendations for non-view places. Thanks! :-)
Help? Special occasion restaurant for mom's 85th in SF w/a view, perhaps?
Thanks again for the further ideas! Notes taken on the Garden Court.
Will check into tea there. :-)
And Gary Danko I'll look into. Have never eaten there,
but have heard nice things. Thanks!
Help? Special occasion restaurant for mom's 85th in SF w/a view, perhaps?
Thanks for the suggestions everyone! I was wondering about the Vietnamese place as it sounds pretty. However, my mom is fairly conservative in her tastes, as well as some of the grandkids, I'd guess.
Julius Castle I haven't been to in 20 yrs...has anyone eaten there recently?
It does seem quaint & a place with great views.
The Palace TOO is a wonderful suggestion, altho' I'm not sure yet whether
better for tea or dinner? Brunch won't work, unfortuantely, as we'll be in town
probably Thurs/Friday nights...leaving Saturday. Hmmmm....
Thanks again to all!
Help? Special occasion restaurant for mom's 85th in SF w/a view, perhaps?
Looking for a suitable spot to celebrate my Mom's 85th this summer. Considering a stay at the Argonaut which is near the Wharf, Cannery & Blue Mermaid restaurant on-site. Anyone ever try this place? (hotel or restaurant, per chance?) The Blue Mermaid might work for one night but looking for an esp. nice spot for her actual bday night.
Any fave restaurant that could work for all ages...and perhaps not be too, too noisy? (or have a private room?) My mom's hearing is getting tough for really noisy restaurants.
Open to all suggestions! And the grandkids are mostly teens now,
so can eat about anywhere but we *would* have one 5 & 9yr old too w/us. Any nice dining close-by? (to eliminate need for driving all but my mom who uses a cane/walker much of the time?) Or, am open to further afoot too if you think Sausalito or Tiburon makes more sense. Other ideas? Greens? Scoma's or Alioto's?? Other? Thanks so much!! :-)
Your fave vegetarian, ethnic or panini-style food near Plaza de Cesar Chavez, San Jose?
Wow, Alice! Many thanks for this wonderful resource list!!
Look forward to using much of it, on various forays down to the area.
This time, we might take the train...will see. Worried about construction
on it for the return, but will gamble. Still...look forward to trying
some of these. And thanks for the tips, too! :-) All the best...
Zeni in San Jose? Time from downtown SJ & decent for vegetarians or those watching their diets...?
Thanks so very much! Looking forward to trying this...
will be tough limiting the bread, I'm sure! :-)
Zeni in San Jose? Time from downtown SJ & decent for vegetarians or those watching their diets...?
Considering wrapping this into a San Jose sojourn we're making.
Can't really tell how long it might take to get here from downtown San Jose.
Want to make sure we don't arrive too late for dinner....
Looks like it might be interesting for vegetarians but wondering
if others could recommend? Also, if watching one's fat/calorie intake, etc.
how does this cuisine fare against others? Fairly fatty, or not so much?
(would the stews, etc. being similar to Indian do you think on caloric/fat content?)
Thanks in advance!
Your fave vegetarian, ethnic or panini-style food near Plaza de Cesar Chavez, San Jose?
Considering heading down to San Jose for some of their concerts on the Plaza this summer. Not being all that familiar w/the area, rather than just grabbing something
in the park or bringing a dinner w/us....thought it might be fun to grab some food pre or post-concert. However, we're both vegetarian...probably looking for something other than pasta this time around. (altho' we enjoy that too)
Just thought w/San Jose's many ethnic & unique spots, someone might make some recommendations! :-) Also, if staying for the whole show & it goes 'til 9pm, I think...
the caveat would be the place would need to serve past 9pm. Guessing
some of the smaller restaurants might not? (family run ones perhaps not?)
Would be okay too w/bringing food with us from a spot you think has awesome carry-out
or picnic like fare....that too could work. Just let me know your faves. If some place
does awesome panini nearby, could definitely go for that, too.
Walking distance places most appreciated...We're active so fine w/a bit of a walk
but whatever would make sense w/parking down in that area, too, would be great.
(which again, I'm not sure where to do that, for it to make the most sense?)
Any San Jose tips most welcome! :-) Thanks chowhounds!!
Mendocino- recent reviews for vegetarians/seafood, Cafe B, Moose, Ravens, etc?
Sounds nice. I LOVE tamales, but hubby, not as much. :-\
Mendocino- recent reviews for vegetarians/seafood, Cafe B, Moose, Ravens, etc?
Is it primarily Thai or Mexican-influenced? Seemed that way
from the menu. THanks!
Help! Need nice breakfast place in Indy for special mtg w/godmother
Flying in for a family thing. Haven't seen godmother in quite some time.
One option is breakfast somewhere. Lunch maybe, instead.
Any great rec's for either in the Glendale, Broad Ripple or Castleton area
per chance? Being in her 80's, I don't think she will want to venture too much further
than these areas.
And yet, I would like to treat her to a nice outing...she would fall back into
just doing fast food, I think, for budgetary reasons. Help me? Thanks! :-)
Trip coming up very soon, so any quick replies most appreciated!!
Mendocino- recent reviews for vegetarians/seafood, Cafe B, Moose, Ravens, etc?
Thanks so much! Good to know.
Will check it out. :-)
Mendocino- recent reviews for vegetarians/seafood, Cafe B, Moose, Ravens, etc?
Could use some recent reviews! Have read mixed ones on TripAdvisor, but many are dated. Our Inn recommended for vegetarians, the Mendocino Cafe, Cafe Beaujolais,
Ravens, and 955 Ukiah. Went on to TripAdvisor, and found mixed reviews.
Wondering if anyone has eaten recently at *any* of these, as well as at the Moose Cafe or MacAllum House? We once in a blue moon do seafood, so if it is 'to die for'
somewhere in town, let us know! Otherwise, I'm wondering...should we do the restaurant at the Stanford Inn twice? Seems to be a vegetarians' dream place!
Only problem is: we're not staying there, despite having considered it.
So, not sure I want to go twice, since staying in town. Help?!
Celebrating a 40th on one night, so if you have a fave scenic place, too,
but w/delightful food, let us know. Thanks in advance! :-)
Taking senior to AMTSJ...need close-by options, or easy ones!
Thanks so much for the further ideas. When I looked at Scott's it also
is right up there, and I believe no veggie choices, but will look into.
But maybe it would be nicer than Paolo's, at least?
La Pastaia has lots of options...sounds nice, but I suppose there is the needing to park 2 places issue, since my mom not the most mobile. Pretty slow walking.
Usually, I'm not much into hotel restaurants, but I ate there yrs ago & thought it decent. Who knows if the same still? Is the Crowne Plaza or Hilton closer?
Fave out of those two? Park Avenue...I'll try to look into. I'd love to have a place w/a little color...once saw a cute little French place in downtown but have NO idea now where that was. Maybe called Rue...something. Was ages ago.
Thanks again, everyone! Will do some further checking. :-)
Taking senior to AMTSJ...need close-by options, or easy ones!
Thanks so much, you guys! Sounds like Paolo's it should be then...
as it's closer. I knew I'd seen something close-by but couldn't recall
its name. Not sure they will have space.
Just checked menu. Sort of afraid our friend joining us might not
like the prices at Paolo's...La Pastaia's menu & prices seem perhaps more her cup of tea.
But when I tried searching on Yelp's Directions, they indicated La Pastaia
being 2 miles from the Musical Theatre? I wonder what's up, as you both
mention it being only 2 blocks. Do you know how parking is there?
One pro of Paolo's is validated parking & it being right there at the theatre.
Thanks again!
Taking senior to AMTSJ...need close-by options, or easy ones!
Taking my 84-yr-old Mom to All Shook Up this wknd there.
She uses a rolling walker. Any decent place to eat very close-by?
Or, another spot we could drive to w/easy parking?
We won't have tons of time. Probably can't get to San Jose 'til 6:45pm or so,
so need a place that isn't too slow, too. She's not much into ethnic cuisines
unfortunately (unlike us)...and we're both vegetarians. Any ideas/suggestions
MOST welcome! :-) Thanks so much!!
Easy Delicious Cupcakes
Chelley...
can I ask...how do you do the vanilla paste? (or is that something you could buy?)
When you say all butter...I'm assuming you mean you use cake mix but don't use marg...
only pure butter. Btw, I'm not much of a baker these days...does one use unsalted butter for baking? (vs. salted) Thanks!
Filled pasta recipe w/butternut or other interesting filling, & no cheese? Favorite sauces? (made or bought)
No, that was very helpful!! Thanks so much...
I may just try it, altho' not sure about doing for them, or not.
First have to ascertain if they are averse to butternut. Could also use pumpkin
but harder to work with, I think. Do you use a whole butternut & roast it,
or buy chunks of it from Trader Joe's or frozen food area, generally?
Then, boil & mash?
Lastly, for your sage sauce...I've fried full sage leaves in butter before...
is that essentially what you're offering on top? Thanks again...
appreciate the assistance. :-)
Filled pasta recipe w/butternut or other interesting filling, & no cheese? Favorite sauces? (made or bought)
Chowser,
would you have a recipe for the filling you use & how you do the won-tons?
Where do you find 'em in the grocery? Thanks!
Thanks again!
Help? Lactose intolerant brother & we're vegetarians...need ideas! :-)
Thanks, I'll do a search.
Actually, if I could find a gourmet bottled sauce,
I might lean towards that. Most esp. since the filling of some pasta
might take a lot of time. (or again, maybe I should stick w/penne!) :-)
Filled pasta recipe w/butternut or other interesting filling, & no cheese? Favorite sauces? (made or bought)
This is related to the Lactose intolerant thread....just thought I better pull this part of the thread out, as it hit me, maybe I could do filled pasta for my brothers.
Some w/cheese (ricotta/parm?) and some without. I personally like the flavor of butternut squash, etc. Not sure yet if they'd go for it.
Anyway, I could fill some w/spinach maybe & some w/other fillings.
But for one brother, I have to avoid dairy. He says he uses Smart Beat cheese sometimes
for his lactose intolerance, but I'm quite sure that would be pretty blah in cooking?
I've never had it.
My hubby & I are vegetarians but not vegan.
Anyway, I'm stumped for ideas, but someone recommended pasta & it got me thinking. :-)
I've had zero experience filling pasta before, so would it be too difficult for a novice?
My sister used wonton wrappers recently & it was wonderful, BUT I gather
it took all day. :-\ Simplicity most welcome here!
If I'd fill larger pasta like Cannelloni shells, maybe a lot easier?
Any fave fillings, where he might not even miss the cheese?
Or are you more likely to miss the cheese if it's a bigger shell vs. little
ravioli? Sigh....
Any homemade tomato/veggie sauces welcome, too, altho' if you have a jarred sauce that you find as good as or CLOSE, that would be terrific too! :-) I'm okay w/spending some money. Thanks again!! :-)
Help? Lactose intolerant brother & we're vegetarians...need ideas! :-)
Hmmm...I'll ask about the feta & spanokopita angle, but in general,
I gather neither do Middle Eastern food much. We personally LOVE it. :-)
Help? Lactose intolerant brother & we're vegetarians...need ideas! :-)
Mojo...
do you have a homemade recipe for sauce that you recommend? That stands out
against bottled ones? (so I can make it seem more special)
I personally LOVE butternut squash type pastas, but pre-bought ones all seem to include cheese in their fillings. If anyone has a recipe for THAT, that might also be cool to try. (altho' I've never ever filled pasta before, so am a little leery.
My sister used won-ton wrappers once & it was wonderful! (but a lot of work, I gather?) I suppose I could instead stuff cannelloni shells to cut-down on needing to fill lots of items? Could filll some w/ricotta/spinach or butternut? for the cheese people...and keep his dairy free somehow? Thanks again! Maybe I should post this butternut/pasta request separately?
Help? Lactose intolerant brother & we're vegetarians...need ideas! :-)
Maybe I should just stick with brunch, eh?
I mean...he can be such a complainer, and both brothers,
are really picky. (btw, I'm the youngest of a big family,
so that's why I bother to even care. I know I really shouldn't.) ;-)
Pastas? Maybe?
