Not based on the puff pastry I had (I've had Bakery Nouveau croissants that have held up much better than this puff pastry did, next day). My 1 visit to Besalu, I enjoyed more than BN, but BN happens to be a stone throw's from my MIL's home, so I visit there more frequently than the Ballard neighborhood.

I'm not sure I thought the old Fuji Bakery could hold a flame to Besalu either though.

I didn't get around to trying my treats until this morning. Because of this, I'll reserve judgement on the pear puff pastry. But the chocolate muffin I had was wholly pedestrian. On par (if not eerily similar) to a Costco chocolate-chocolate chip muffin.

It's not looking like the Fuji Bakery of before, so far.

And the Bosnian food sounds about right. I'm not particularly familiar with it, but there was baklava and some unfamiliar deli meats.

Just stopped by the Bellevue store (happened to be next door and saw the open sign). It now says Fuji Bakery and G.A. Something. The gal inside is possibly of eastern european dessent. The remodel is not an improvement from an ambiance standpoint. I picked up a couple of pastries to try later which look good. Will report back.

Heaven Sent fried chicken is down in Renton. Really enjoyed the spicy recipe batter, crisp, flavorful and not greasy. Service was homey and friendly, also. Not sure how or if this ties in with gluten free diet, if at all. Maybe they have a baked option?

Pearl used to reserve some tables for our group. Also, Daniel's has the back room (Vintage Lounge) where you can't officially reserve tables but you can go and take over the space (which easily divides into two). Cigar lounge type atmosphere.

Did you go? Anything to report?

Haven't been to that place in years and honestly, kind of forgot it was there.

Pho in Crossroads is Papaya. It's far below Than Brothers. Their Renton Landing store is much better than Crossroads, but neither is at the level of Than Brothers.

I did go to Charleston and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I sat at the bar and the environment started very quiet/stuffy, but another solo diner ended up there and we struck up a nice conversation.

I had 4 courses. My favorite was the beet tartare and least favorite the foie gras. The fg was a generous portion and came as the last course. I might have enjoyed it more if not so full. Flavors were excellent, portions and presentation right on and overall a delight.

Thanks for the recommendation. Easily the best meal I had in Baltimore.

I'm in town for a convention. Staying at the Renaissance Inner Harbor. Have at least dinner tonight solo. Any recommendations for a first-time visitor to your city? Some parameters, slightly pregnant woman with current seafood aversions. Looks like crab cakes will have to wait. Otherwise loves food and lively (but not rocking) atmosphere. Since it's just me, an otherwise difficult place to get into with a bar to dine at would be great. Any Baltimore Institutions or must-try-when-here restaurants would be great. Open to taking the water taxi or a cab.

Coming from Seattle, so we get quite a bit of Asian cuisine (so not a priority) but open to ethnic, comfort, local or fusion cuisines. Broad parameters, but I'm pretty easy to please.

Thanks!

OC has a Koreatown? Can you suggest a few places? We're going to Disneyland (for the 5 year old) and my husband wants to hit LA's Koreatown while we are in town (not at the park). If there's an OC option that would cut the travel time in 1/3 or less, and has good options, I'll try for that instead. More info please.

Thanks for the suggestions. Alas our weekend was short (and the hotel pool enticing) so we didn't get out as much as originally anticipated. Here's a brief recap:

-Bouchon for dinner, dining al fresco. The service was excellent and food/wine selection very good. I'm a little high maintenance (food allergies) and I guess that's the benefit of being LA...no one batted an eye.
-Basix Cafe (W. Hollywood) for brunch. $15 bottomless sparkling wine and solid basic diner food. Lively environment made for a fun 3-hours meal.
-Earth Bar (W. Hollywood) for veggie juice. Super yum (just what we wanted at one point) but found it strange a place called Earth Bar that focuses on organic/sustainable doesn't recycle or compost their cups.
-Red O for dinner. Loved the setting. Food was good but we definitely over-ordered. Guac was awesome...I could (and probably should have) had just guac and chips as a meal. Non-alcoholic lemon/cucumber drink was so refreshing. Duck taquitos...yum!
-Cabana Cafe at hotel (poolside) had really solid food. Pricey if you're just looking at the food. But if you consider the poolside service (they bring your food on a breakfast-in-bed tray) it's underpriced.
-Culina (breakfast and dinner) was outstanding. Not your average hotel restaurant. We had many tastes and no complaints around the table. The chop salad was nothing like I anticipated--so much better. Farro and micro-diced veggies. If you go, save room for the gelato/sorbetto. I'm still dreaming about the grapefruit and coconut sorbettos. Almost had it for breakfast the next day...but the house made granola with almond milk was probably a more nutritious way to go.

Thank you for all the help, CHers. Very much enjoyed eating our way around town (when we could tear ourselves away from the pool).

Rikki Rikki has a late night happy hour with sushi specials. You might call ahead, though. Last time we went at 10pm and they had closed the kitchen already.

Thanks for the report. We'll definitely give it a go. We've been saying that Issaquah lacked really good pho, and maybe it's been here the whole time--just disguised as something forgettable and unnoticed. Will report back.

Not so secret. The Puget Sound Business Journal did an article on it. Also includes $150 off for three couples (must order 6 entrees). They will be trying a number of promotions to see what gets people in for dinner during the slower summer months.

Nishino has an amazing foie gras and shitake appetizer that I remember "mmm"ing over.

Thanks all, for the suggestions and comments so far. I'm looking at the menus for all your recommendations!

Don't forget to use your Passport/Prime card (buy 1 entree, get the 2nd free) or buy discounted gift certificates at Costco. That will help lessen the overpriced sting.

My last 2 meals there were on the banquet level. The food was not particularly memorable, good or bad.

Visited Total Wine for the first time this weekend. It is to those who like a drink what Target is to housewives. Want flavored vodka, they have 50 flavors by 12 different manufacturers. Want Vinho Verde? 6 brands and 10% off if you buy at least 6 bottles. Mix and match. Free beer and wine tastings.

We're headed to Beverly Hills for a long weekend (3 nights) of respite. Mid-30's, looking to lounge by the pool and just catch up. Also enjoy a few meals together. One gal will be on crutches or possibly in a wheel chair, so we want to be able to cab to where ever we go (and nothing buried deep in a shopping complex), but don't want to drive 30 minutes to grab a meal either. Emphasis of quality food (locally sourced is always preferred) and relaxed atmosphere (not places to see and be seen) that is not too noisy. We are staying at the Beverly Hills Four Seasons (LA, not Wilshire).

Can you provide suggestions for:
-Lunch - Outdoor seating (we're coming from Colorado and Seattle, so some sunny but not scorching LA weather sounds great).
-Lunch - casual taco truck or something similar. Serious shortage of good Mexican food in Seattle. Not tex-mex.
-Brunch - Farm to table and with housemade baked goods, vs. "Mother's Day brunch" formal.
-Dinners - Prefer a place that doesn't require reservations...if we're really enjoying the pool, don't want to have to scurry about to get ready to make a reservation. Casual--no vampy heels will be packed.

If these recommendations can be within the W. Hollywood/Beverly Hills area more or less, that'd be great. If they can't and we have to travel, then travel we will!

Thanks in advance.

A friend put on facebook that she was there 45 minutes before opening and was 8th in line. I can't handle the Nordstrom's Half-Yearly sale...no way I'm making it here.

I picked up 2 pints at the Tacoma Farmers Market last week. They were Puyallup based and $2.50/pint or a 6 pint flat for $12. Also, I know they are ripening in my/my neighbors yards right now...so I have to think they are in the rest of the area too. Haven't looked for them in stores though.

Not sure what you're looking to spend, but we had a company gathering at Earl's in Bellevue for about 20 people. They gave us a small private room and let us go off the happy hour menu (with happy hour prices). Actually had a tough time getting up to the $1000 minimum with the prices they offered. That might allow you to take care of drinks and food for the group.

O'Asian. Honestly haven't been there for anything but dimsum, but the setting isn't bad.

Define "different." Where are you coming from and what are you looking for?

If I were to hit my favorites on the eastside over a weekend, it would probably include meals at
-Pomegranate (Redmond)
-Din Tai Fung (Bellevue)
-Facing East (Bellevue)
-Cafe Juanita (Kirkland)
-Ginza (Bellevue)
-Tosoni's (Bellevue)

Of course, this line up would include too many dinners...but it's a start, depending on what you are looking for.

Thanks for the response, Shelley. I know the search function and my questions are still not answered.
Can we order crab, chowder and oysters there? Or are oysters the only regular offering...the rest on event nights? There is not menu listed. Does it get crowded?

I've seen this brought up a few times as an option for oysters and wanted to get more information.

I've seen the website and understand it to be a shellfish vendor (raw goods) more than anything else. What is the "dine-in" option. Looks like there's a small counter? We can order crab, chowder and oysters to enjoy there? No menu is listed on the website. Is there seating at the counter? Does it get crowded?

Thinking of doing an off-beat dinner there on Friday (we're not trying to hit their happy hour), and wanted to know what to expect.

my search turned up posts 2 years old. Hoping that new (better) options have come up in the Lake Chelan dining scene since then. Particularly some options more on the bistro/fining dining end than the pizza parlor level of formality.

Thanks!

I really enjoy the Issaquah Farmer's Market (starts this weekend). It blows Bellevie out of the water.

My favorite grocery is Your Local Market across Bellevue Way from Bel Square. It's local and features locally grown produce and meats. It is very community oriented, which I like. It's similar to Whole Foods for 75% of items, with 25% the more familiar brands. For me this = convenience. I get my grass fed beef there as well as veggies grown in Mt. Vernon or closer. Pricing also seems to be more in line with QFC than WF.

Tried the Fountain Cafe on our short trip to Port Townsend this weekend.

I am going to have to argue with some of what has been said above. It's not just standard fare done well and in a good environment. I ordered their special pasta, an adobo/coconut milk with flank steak and peppers over linguine. Oh my goodness, I swear I woke up thinking about it and have already tried to google a recipe that will get me close. It was divine. My husband ordered steak which was well prepared, but fairly standard.

We started with the pan fried oysters, which were so delicately battered and served with a slightly sweet, slightly horseradished cocktail sauce. One of the best meals anywhere, I have enjoyed in a long time.

I wonder if they'd be willing share that recipe? I may have to ask as we don't get to Pt. Townsend often.

The wontons in spicy sauce...i could eat just about anything in that spicy sauce. Such a delicious blend of smoky and sweet.