Great bread would be a stretch, but I actually think the LaBrea Bakery stuff they bake and sell at Harris-Teeter is pretty solid especially as compared to Panera.

I am with you. I have eaten at Berns a few times and have never thought it was among the better steakhouses. It certainly does not belong in the same league as Luger's, etc. I have enjoyed a hamburger and a bottle of red there, and the o rings are really good. Not trying to start an argument. It's good for sure and a Tampa food traditon (to be grateful for as there aren't many). To me it just seems old and not in a good way.

Eat at the Greenbrier! Drnk much wine. Walk to your room. It is first rate.

Haven't lived there in a while. That said Aldo's is close to the ocean front and does a good steak and great upscale Italian. There is a Ruth's Chris at VB Town Center. A chain obviously, butsteaks are their thing and I have never had a bad one at any of their locations.

I have enjoyed reading this thread. I am not from KY, but get to L'ville a few times a year. I love 610 Magnolia (glad Ed Lee got some press on Top Chef, but enjoyed the place long before that) and consider it to be among the best in the South. Looking forward to trying some of the others mentioned.

Where on BB Downs? Long Street.

Pasha Mezze. Vegan and vegetarian friendly. Also has gluten free menu. 22nd St. Norfolk (Ghent)

Kyma, as mentioned is good. I do like the Atlanta Fish Market, but I am guilty of mostly ordering the same dish. My last two experiences at C&S were so bad I will never go back.

It is easier (at least to me) to order through their web site.

I lived and grazed in Manhattan for several years and in ATL for a few. Also in Paris, Brussels, Madrid and London. I hate it when people apologise for the food in ATL. The argument might be made that NY is no Paris, but I would take issue with that as well. They are just different and all sumptious in their own right. You can eat very well in ATL. Bacchanila would be at the top of my list. I ate there last Wednesday and enjoyed it thoroughly (drink the Walter Hansel Pinot Noir if you are so inclined. It is the deal of their wine list. i enjoyed it so much that I bought several cases the following day). ATL may not be NY, but then it's not the ATL of ten years ago either. As a city, ATL is becoming much more food conscious and there are really good choices. It, is simply a city that is progressing in it's understanding of finer fare and that requires no apology. Enjoy your trip.

Thanks for that. Look forward to giving it a try.

Agree completely.

If you mean the Ritz Buckhead, I would say the food is always excellent and it is an elegant (old school) place. I stay there frequently when I am in town.

McKendricks is close to my former office and I used to eat there all the time when I lived in ATL. It has been a while, but I always enjoyed it. Is Marissa still the hostess?

Nonsense. When you are dealing with an establishment that is doing 30-40 buck entrees, everything on the menu should be well executed. Our dinner check for two (with a moderate bottlle of wine) was over 250$. Do you really think it's the same as a wing joint don't doing a good burger???!!!

I don't live in ATL, but visit often and went to Barcelona a few weeks back. Enjoyed the Tapas and the wine. I found the staff to be very friendly, helpful and well trained. Will go back.

I am curious as to people's responses which is why I posted. That said, I do not think I can agree with your post. Sushi is obviously very specialized. Broiling fish is not. Fish is also not ethnic. It is fould almost worldwide. To me,a very expensive eatery should be able to pull off whatever is on their menu. The teaming of garlic with a delicate fish, to me was what was really the issue. I have had really well cooked fish at Mortons a few times. Very curious about other's experiences.......hyperbole not so much.

So, one of my business partners and I had dinner this week at NY Prime in your fair town. I have eaten large quanities and embibed there many times as it's an easy walk from the Ritz-Buckhead. I have been watching what I eat lately and decided to go with the sea bass. I asked how it was prepared and got the response "light coating of seasoned breadcrumbs, a little lemon, white wine and butter and under a hot broiler". Sounded fine. I asked for no butter and was good to go. When the fish came to the table, not only was it overcooked (on a very hot plate, so I imagine it had been under a lamp), it was covered with a crumb topping that was rife with toasted garlic ( I am guessing it was raw when it went under the broiler). so strong that I could not really taste the fish. I ate it mostly because the food was secondary to the conversation, but the garlic was so strong that I got up in the middle of the night and ate a lemon and drank a liter of sparkling water to cut the aftertaste. In retrospect, what in the heck were they thinking doing that to a delicate cut of fish? What a waste, especially for such an expensive eatery. I usually eat steak in steakhouses and seafood in seafood joints, but admit to being surpised at the lack of respect given to the fish. Is this often the case? Inquiring minds want to know.

I went today to buy vanilla beans and some almond extract. Ended up buying vanilla extract as well. Their prices are not really more than the upper end stores and I liked that I could buy vanilla extract in larger quantity at cheaper prices (cheaper than smaller sizes). The alcohol content is also clearly marked in the extract. Nice spot, especially during the holidays. I prefer to dry and smash my own chiles, so I didn't check ther's out. Next time I am going to get a good look at the peppercorns.

Give Foggy Ridge from VA a try. Available via their web site. Several varieties available. Covered in F+W recently. Also a nice spot to visit in the Fall.

I saw a sign today on BB Downs Blvd near Wiregrass (where Pancheros was and closed, near the SBUX and First Watch). I would guess it is going in where Pancheros used to be. Good for me as it is closer to Saddlebrook than the Carrolwood location. I continue to like the chow and the owner's involvement.

Someone asked about this. Here you go.

I posted a thread titled "Stove in Portsmouth - Huge Dissapointment". Have a look.

Thanks. I am going to give it a try. As far as the comment on Stove go, I wouldn't eat there ever again. Just awful.

I live nearby. I would echo Smithfield Inn. Local legend, Monroe Duncan composed the menu. Don't think it is open for lunch except for Sunday brunch. Lunch is ok at the bakery mentioned or at Smithfiled Station. Go to Ringo's Donuts for coffee and calories. Little family owned place slightly ouside of the restored area. Another idea would be to take the ferry to Williamsburg. If you do that, Surry House is near the ferry.

where?

Sorry about the Celiac diagnosis. I have high sensitivity to wheat gluten, but am not actually alergic. I would suggest that you be very clear about your definition of "gluten free". Do you mean food prepared in a wheat free kitchen or do you mean food without wheat on the plate? They are very different things. There are very few (there is a cafe in Tampa) actual gluten free kitchens in the area. There are lots of places that will convert sandwiches to salads to keep gluten off your plate. Just trying to be helpful and good luck.

We ate at La Bella on 22nd St. in Norfolk (not Bella Pizza on Colley) today specifically for Pizza. It was really done well. Crispy crust obviously baked at high heat. Tried two separate pies. Fresh topping in the correct mix and and quanity. Both excellent. Could clearly taste the tomatoes rather than too much salt in the sauce. Only thing I could ask for is the smell of wood smoke but alas, because of the proximity to the RR tracks, no brick oven is allowed. Lots of other tempting Italian fare on the menu, but we went specifially for the pizza. I will be back soon. Well done La Bella.

That's about as complete as it gets. Covers my favs.

Pierce's BBQ in Williamsburg is on your travel path. Love the place.