I had a nice meal at La Riboto de Taven in Les Baux, and I can second the comment below that Les Baux would be a nice 'smaller town' to catch a night. La Riboto also has rooms which look nice from the outside (we didn't stay there). As for recs in Arles, I highly urge you to head to La Gueule de Loup, a wonderful little place on the Rue des Arenes. Jean-Jaques Allard, the chef, is as warmly friendly as he is talented.

Any ideas on where best to find good fresh seafood? I live near the Cross Street Market, and what they have is good, but limited. Haven't yet cracked the puzzle on where in this harbor city (or it's environs) there's a killer fish market.....willing to drive a bit. Any help would be appreciated!

If they're in the 18th, have them check out Le Relais Gascon, 6 rue abbesses, at the top of the hill of rue houdon. Great, young, bistro feel, inexpensive and they have salads that are worth the trip alone......but jeeez, a vegan in Paris.........?

Anyone have suggestions where to look for good capicolla, breseola, et al in Baltimore?

You might want to give 'Spoon', Alain Ducasse's more moderate place a try. Their lunch prix fixe is a good deal, and, well...it's Ducasse. I'm a big fan of Bistros, and always head to Belville and a tiny little place called 'Au Trou Normand' at 9 Rue Jean Pierre Timbaud - nothing flashy, just good, solid, traditional bistro....I'm envious of your Taillevent trip....

I've never made reservations for Au Trou...but we've always arrived a bit early. For a group of 5, you might want to do so. Also, don' t know that I mentioned it in the first post, but you'd be hard pressed to spend more than 30 euros per person at Au Trou, wine included.

Thanks....not sure myself what I mean by the difference, but I do know that when traveling, the 'pubs' I've been in have had decidedly different feels than the 'bars' I'm used to in my stateside life. Neighborhoody, yes, more of a focus on the person to person, not the TV, good beer on draft, hard to define.....J. Patrick's sounds nice, I'll give it a try (live music is a major plus). It's close, so...

Don't know when the season officially starts, but Kwon's in Cross St. Market is selling it fresh these days.....looks very tasty....

Fairly close to where you're staying (close being Bellville, and the nearest metro is Oberkampf) is Au Trou Normand, a very neighborhoody, young, bistro with very solid food, friendly staff. The magret is faulous, as is the lamb tagine. 9, rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud. My wife and I make a point of hitting it every time we're in Paris. Feels like we're part of a 'local' joint.

Have to say, I had a completely different, and quite wonderful experience at L'Atelier last year (Dec. 2008). Service was attentive, food was uniformly good. Special mention of the Beets roasted in salt crust - possibly the best beet preparation I've ever had. Rabanel's sweet/sour order of dishes (or within one dish) is enjoyable. I did not feel rushed, Rabanel himself came table side and had a nice chat, will definitely go back. Stopped by A Cote for lunch one time the same trip, nice feel, EXCELLENT charcuterie, solid wines by the glass. I know this post is long after the original, but I'm having a great time reliving the memory of a great meal......

...Anyone have suggestions in Baltimore for an honest to god 'Pub'? I know there are a lot of opinions out there, but I'm looking for someplace, hopefully WITHOUT 8 large screen TVs blaring sports, with good drafts and comfortable atmosphere. What do ya got?

For Thai, I'd recommend Ten-o-six, located at (oddly enough) 1006 Light Street. Small, casual, but great Thai. Very friendly owner, and some of the best flavors I've come across. Start off with their calimari...

...didn't realize they did that every night, so that's good news. Thanks! Still looking for that waterside shack experience, though. I've spent a lot of time down in Florida, and some places down along the outer banks, and got in the habit of ordering buckets of oysters (3-4 dozen) for @ $15. There's just something about sitting out on a sunset dock, slurping 'em down and tossing the shells in the water.....almost a perfect dining exerience.

Fairly new to Baltimore, and looking for a good place to (over) indulge in...well, obscene amounts of tasty bivalves. I live in the Federal Hill area, so I know about Ryleighs and the Cross Street Market, but they tend to be a bit pricey to really allow an all out feast. I was wondering if anyone knew of a place, could be within an hour and a half drive or so, I don't mind making a trek for good eats, where the prices and quality allow for an oyster orgy? I don't need chic surroundings, in fact I prefer something with the word "shack" in the name, or perhaps, "Pappy's" or even "Pappy's Oyster Shack". Waterfront would gain a couple of stars automatically, but back-ally dives are fine as well. Thanks for any tips!

Anyone know of a good Baltimore area butcher who knows how to dry age(hang) meat? And who will take special orders to do so? Thanks for any pointers!