Curious as to how you liked Poulet this time around? Not many people know about it so it's hard to get input on it but last time (a few months ago), I found it ......lacking. I've always enjoyed the Royal Mojitos, steak and pasta at Sol e Luna and we stayed there as well a couple of years ago.

Ti Bouchon is a definite must as is Bistro Nu. La Villa is always lovely. I would do Pinel Island and book lunch in the "treehouse" table as soon as you arrive there. Grilled lobster, a white burgundy and a stunning view :)

Once again, I am turning to the wise and ell fed at Chowhound. I'm from CA and will be in Miami for a few days before heading to New Orleans. I need to purchase some excellent Nacatamales to bring to my friend in New Orleans. Please help! I will be staying in the Doral area but have a car and am quite comfortable going into just about any neighborhood to eat :)))

We ended up going to Sauls where We had a great breakfast and my friend purchased an abundance of items in which to break his fast. We also did check out Paulies Pickling (where I purchased some great piroshki and cookies) and Holy Land where we picked up a couple of items to try.
Thanks to all of you for your assistance!!! I so appreciate those who know their food :)))))

Thanks for all of the input. We are in the City now but will be driving to Los Gatos for dinner on Thursday and then have to drop off someone in Berkeley Friday a.m. My plan, initially, was to drive back into SF to pick up something to serve him Sat night but it sounds like the East Bay has some very good places. I really, really appreciate the help as this was way out of my field of expertise :))

I'm sorry, I should have specified that it's for his meal when he breaks the fast (?? - again, I'm not Jewish so am not sure if that is the correct term )

I'm having a friend who will be visiting from London this week and will be in need of proper Jewish food to eat over Yom Kippur. Given that I am (a non-practicing) Catholic, I am in need of guidance.Can anyone help me out with some Jewish delis where I can pick up some appropriate food for him? Thanks!!

Any recs for a good place to pick up nacatamales in the Mission?

I just love the prix fixe lunch deals at Rest August and Saturday at Bayona. You cannot beat the value and it leaves all the more $$ to splurge on wine!

I replied to the reservation confirmation and received an e-mail back from him immediately.

Just got back from a week stay in NOLA and went to Domenica for the first time. I can't say enough good things about it.
I also ate at :
August, Gautreau's, Cochon Butcher, Cochon, Gautreau's, Lilette, Rio Mar, Herbsaint, Parasols, Luke, Green Goddess, and others I cannot recall right now.
Domenica was our favorite meal this time around. There were some very close seconds but Domenica's spicy pizza, the chicken livers and the charcuterie with the lardo just delighted me. We tasted damn near everything on the menu (I kid you not) and there was nothing that disappointed. Alon Shaya is not only a extremely talented chef but he is also exceptionally welcoming and gracious.
I would absolutely make Domenica my Monday night pick.

Wow! I guess we must have missed something.
We just got back and Cuba has the BLANDEST food I have ever eaten!! Let me preface this by saying, I in NO WAY expected gourmet meals. I was expecting, and looking forward to, rice and beans, a media noche, platanos, yuca, maybe some lechon....and I did get all of those things.
The problem was, they were not very good.
None of it.
We went upscale and downscale (way down). We tried the paladars (casa dining) and the cafeterias.
I had some "okay" food, but nothing that I thought was really good. One of the best meals we had was in the airport.
That is just sad.
On the upside, there is a great history there and there are beautiful beaches, buildings and areas of Cuba that are just stunning. I also did not have one bad cocktail while there.
We wanted to go before it opened up and the U.S. influences the culture there. We wanted to experience Cuba before there is a Starbucks or McDonalds on every corner. I have never said this about any country we have ever visited - I embrace every country and it's unique culture- but Cuba is in serious need of some golden arches!!!!

I am probably too late to give my 2 cents, but here goes. ..
After reading all of the suggestions, I can only agree whole heartedly with the Ella recommendation. Enotria and Mulvany's are also good rec's but both distant seconds to Ella.
I eat ....A LOT. Our travel, our calendar, our daily plans, all revolve around food(and wine) I assure you that Ella is THE place you want to host your rehearsal party.
No offense to Sac, but restaurants here, with rare exceptions (Waterboy, Ella, The Kitchen, Taste..and a few others), are just not of the same caliber as one finds in New York, San Francisco or Chicago (mmmm...Alinea!!)
I am sure that $50 pp is more than enough to give you, your guests and most importantly, the bride and groom, an evening they will remember very, very fondly.

I think Ella is the best deal in town. People have a misconception that it is really expensive (perhaps because they associate it with The Kitchen), it is not.
In reality, most of the "small" plates are really quite generous and very well priced. They have a great wine list that has some excellent wines at all price points.
I have dined there by myself as well as with both small and larger parties. People are amazed (pleasantly) when we get the check.
Honest to God, I have spent more at a girls night at Chevy's for margaritas and appetizers than I have spent here for a FABULOUS meal and (house crafted) gin and tonics!!

Just returned home, (not all 2 1/2 weeks in NOLA, although that would not have been a bad thing! Did Grand Cayman and in Koo bah as well).
I want to thank everyone for their suggestions. Am very sorry to report that we made it to NO Vietnamese restaurant at all this time. Too many reasons to go into. Just my husband and myself will be returning to NOLA in early and again in late December and I will DEFINENTLY be trying at least 2 of those suggested. Am exhausted now but will follow up with a more detailed report. Did eat at Domenica, Rest. August, Cochon Butcher, Herbsaint, Pot o Call, Gautreau's, Lilette, Coops, Praline Connection, Sucre, Green Goddess..... and more.....

Am in DFW now - just a couple of hours before I get to the first NOLA meal I've had in a couple of months!!!! I am sooooooo hungry but saving my appetite as we are meeting friends at Domenica as soon as we land.
Cafe Minh on Canal St. sounds very convenient, weather permitting.
Unfortunately, there are 8 of us, so renting a car won't work for us this time, however, it is a really good idea for future visits - so thank you!!
.

Thanks! Looking forward to trying it out!!

There are 8 of us total cabbing it from the Quarter. How far are Ba Mien and Dong Phuong respectively?
Just to clarify, we are looking for REAL Vietnamese food, not a "Southern" interpretation of it (no offense intended). I just want to be clear we are not looking for a chefs "interpretation" of Vietnamese food.

Now I have a dilemna...
I have heard good things about Ba Mien but had not heard of Kim Son or Nine Roses. I always enjoy trying someplace new so will have to pick one of those three to try on Sunday.
Thanks to all three of you for the input - I will report back!!

Thank you!! It was making me crazy!!
Thanks for the info on Nine Roses as well. I will definently look into them as well.

I was in NOLA a couple of months ago and a friend took us to a Vietnamese restaurant that I loved but cannot remember the name. I thought the name was Than Dinh but cannot find it on any of the search engines.
All I remember is that it was about a 10 minute drive (max) from the Quarter and we crossed a bridge.
If no one can help with the name of that one, I have heard good things about Ba Mien (sic ??), has anyone heard or have opinions of that one?

Let me know how it goes! When we ate there they were so overwhelmed that they were not able to accomodate Roydons son, wife and 2 guests! :o
I am sure it will not be the same experience as it is really, really slow now.

Just so you know - I did not enjoy B&D as much this time around. In years past they did not pre-sauce their ribs. Prefer them with a dry rub and then sauce them myself (my husband brings his sauce) IMHO the lolos in St. Martin have much better bbq.
I always love Lucy. Her fish salad is always great and I tried her fried chicken for the 1st time and loved it!

You can get info on Epicurean Week at www.malliouhana.com follow the "rates and packages" heading and then on to "packages". You can also go on Facebook "Malliouhana Anguilla". Several of us have downloaded pics (including each course of the meals) on the Facebook site.
Malliouhana laid off 1/2 of the staff and cut hours for those remaining. The only restaurant option for lunch is the Bistro and they were absolutely overwhelmed. Understaffing explains the slow service but is really no excuse for the food. My husband and I, along with two other couples (both featured chefs), dined there on a Monday, which was the first full day of the event. Out of 6 meals, the only one that was good was the whole fish. My seared tuna/seaweed salad was so salty it was inedible (and I like salt). Ditto for my husbands duck confit sandwich. The other entrees (tuna nicoise salad sandwich, conch fritters and one other I cannot recall) were all just "eh" or "ok". The french fries were good. eedless to say, none of us ate there again for the remainder of the week.
We ate at Hibernia, Lucys and B&D's. We also took a couple of friends over to Bistro Nu in St. Martin one day.
The property is a beauty but in all honesty, is in need of upgrades and maintenance. Sadly, I think that the desire to sell it instead of improving or maintaining it is the current priority.

Just got back from another Epicurean Week at the Malliouhana in Anguilla and although the hotel is (still) not the newest and most luxurious, the beach is fabulous, the staff is honestly kind, helpful & gracious and the Michel Rostang restaurant can be truly amazing. That being said, the cutbacks are taking their toll on the hotel and the island as a whole. The only restaurant serving lunch at Malliouhana is now the Beach Bistro and it should be skipped altogether. I am attaching a few photos of some of our meals last week. It really is a spectacular event!! NOLA's Besh was one of the chefs this year. More info can be found at www.malliouhana.com

So sorry to hear that. We know Stefan (formerly of Le Cottage) and he was quick to greet us each time we went. I am sorry you had a negative experience - I hope that it was just a huge oversight on their part and not indicative of the type of service they usually offer.

Sorry - my bad for calling it a "winery/epicerie" - I had a couplpe of glasses before writing that!! :)

It's not a winery - it's a wine store/epicerie/restaurant. It would be on your right in the industrial area. Make a right into the industrial area (where the road veers right to go toward OB) It is in the back of the industrial area on the left hand side. Difficult to find but well worth it. Ask anyone you see in that area for help finding it (pronounced BA-COOS) and they will more than likely lead you there.
Am in DFW right now headiong back to St. Martin - if you are still there on Friday - I will lead you there myself!! :)

Very cool! I do love photos!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are in Anguilla for the Epicurean Wekk at Malliouhana so dinners are all spoken for. Will check to see if they are open for lunch. We will also be in St. Martin for a few days before we head to Anguilla so will be hitting a few favorites there as well. Will report back (with photos hopefully).

Have never had the pina colada at Ku but it sounds like it alone is worth the trip!! I'll be there 7/12-19 and if Davida is open I'll be trying it out. Warm and gentle breezes to you!