Romantic Singapore restaurant?

My dear friends are getting married and moving to Singapore - I'd like to buy them a gift certificate for dinner at a nice, romantic SIngapore restaurant... Any recommendations? I'd prefer to spend around $150 - they are non-drinkers and one's vegetarian, but she can almost always find something on the menu.

Any thoughts would be great - thanks so much!

jkc in China & Southeast Asia

Where to eat downtown and Half Moon... with a toddler?

Hi there!

My husband and I are coming to San Francisco for a visit with our 13-month old - love to eat good food but don't even know what the general attitude towards kids in nice restaurants is in SF. She's out all the time with us in Boston and NYC. Anyone have any advice on the following?

1) Toddler-friendly restaurants for lunch/dinner within a 1-1.5 mile walk from Union Square.
2) Recs on great foodie gifts to buy within the same general area.
3) Toddler-friendly restaurants for lunch/dinner in/around Half Moon.

Any advice greatly appreciated! Thanks so much!

jkc in San Francisco Bay Area

Recs for Thai grocery store?

as far as i know, the super 88's in both malden and allston are still open, but the shelves are pretty bare, and the quality of the items has gone way downhill. they no longer carry some basic products like the fish sauce i like, and the produce is pretty sad. apparently there have been some big company scandals over the last year or two...

jkc in Greater Boston Area

Recs for Thai grocery store?

Does anyone have recommendations for a good store for Thai ingredients? I live in Cambridge and used to rely on Super 88 for everything, but now that they seem to have gone under, my supplies of basics are dwindling.

I have a newborn, so places with parking are essential! I also don't mind driving out of the city if it's worth the trip.

I can usually find produce at Russo's, but some of the canned and dry ingredients, sauces, noodles (fresh/dry), fried tofu - those are more what I'm looking for.

jkc in Greater Boston Area

Dok Bua: Still on top of its game

Does Dok Bua still have a decent selection of Thai grocery items? I haven't been in ages, but now that Super 88's shelves are bare, I may be heading back...

jkc in Greater Boston Area

blue ribbon barbeque catering

Blue Ribbon catered a casual dinner for 35-40 people for us at our home in June - the service was great. Prompt, attentive, and totally flexible (we were going to do outdoors, but because it rained for the entire month of June, we had to squeeze into a smaller space).

Food was excellent - completely on par with what you'd get at the restaurant. We didn't have any fish - the meats were the best, though.

Let me know if you have any specific questions. Can't say enough good things about the catering.

Oh - and yes, we had TONS of extra food. We ordered for the right number of people but then had enough to send three meals' worth home with the babysitter, brought dinner to my sister's the next day, then brought more to my dad's... and still were eating BBQ for a week.

jkc in Greater Boston Area

Best place to treat friends to for dinner?

Our best friends recently moved to Baltimore and we'd like to spoil them with a gift certificate to a wonderful restaurant in their new city - they have two little boys under the age of five so rarely get out on their own... what would you recommend? Probably better to stick to straightforward (non-ethnic) cuisine - it's what they like and would appreciate good steaks, seafood, fresh/local veggies and ingredients, nice wine list. Nothing too fancy/formal - but great food and a little bit of romance... Thanks so much!

jkc in Washington DC & Baltimore Area

Best dinners in Chicago?

Thanks so much for the recommendations! North Pond was wonderful, and we're looking forward to more great food tonight...

Any recs for Sunday lunch/brunch near Westin River North? Meeting ends at noon tomorrow, need to leave for the airport by 2:30 or so... nothing too fancy, we'll be in jeans / travel clothes...

Thanks, hounds!

jkc in Chicago Area

Best dinners in Chicago?

thanks so much for the suggestions! and no worries at all about recommending mexican - that's one of the things we just can't seem to get right in boston! will check into it all - but here's an odd question (please throw me off the board if this is fallacy to even ask...). i know chicago is a deep dish pizza place, but my husband LOVES pizza - but he's picky and likes thin crust only. any outstanding thin crust pizzas in chicago we should check out while we're there? any great deep dish pizzas that might make him a convert?

jkc in Chicago Area

Best dinners in Chicago?

Will be in Chicago for two nights for a conference - staying at the Westin River North and looking for great options, both casual and formal. If nearby, fantastic - also happy to cab it for good food... Since the company's paying for the trip, we'd love to splurge on a good meal while we're there! Locally grown, organic, etc., always a plus. Not picky at all about cuisine, just love a good meal.

Any ideas? (If you're ever in Boston, go for Oleana and Mistral - always our favorites...)

jkc in Chicago Area