Leely2's Profile
Reflections on a week of Paris dining, May 2012. Long!
Thanks for the latest rec. Sitting here thinking about thinking about packing. But mostly thinking about eating.
Reflections on a week of Paris dining, May 2012. Long!
Thanks for this report--not too long at all. As a salad lover, I especially appreciate all your "good place for a salad" recs. I'll be in Paris on Monday so this is very timely. Can't wait!
Thanks again.
I'm no longer recommending Le Cinq for lunch (review)
That's too bad. I've booked La Grande Cascade for our "pretty" splurge lunch next week. I hope it delivers better than Le Cinq did for you this time.
"Patricia Unterman, Examiner Food Critic, Dismissed"
Yes, I always enjoyed reading her reviews because...well, she writes well. I stopped reading Bauer a long time ago.
Verjus Review
Thanks for the report. Edifying, as Parigi noted. That first course sounds right up my alley, though. Green gazpacho...mmm.
frenchie reservation: mission impossible??
I don't have a problem with challenging platings--I like them. Mom will be happy enough; I am thinking of reserving a lunch at La Grande Cascade and a dinner at Chez Casimir for balance.
I know I'll sound like I just fell off the turnip truck, but I'm not sure I've had Nordic-influenced food. Is it code for fish or...?
By the way, Phil, I love Zuni for a late, winey lunch on a nice day, NOPA for late night deliciousness, and I had my college grad dinner at Chez Panisse way back when, so I think you chose well in SF.
frenchie reservation: mission impossible??
I was strongly considering Saturne for my visit in a few weeks but then I read some negative reviews of the service. I will be with my mother (70ish), who is less likely to laugh off a bad experience than I am. Can anyone here comment on the service at Saturne?
Small Plates Recommendations??
Does DLL serve until 11pm? Does Au Passage serve late too? I am looking for a relaxed place with good food and wine that will serve us after 10:30. We arrive at CDG (from AMS) at 8:30pm. Thinking that if all goes well, we could pop out for something to eat around 10:30. Or is my gluttony causing me to think irrationally?
I hate to be this unimaginative, but post-research, pre-trip, might you celebrate or lampoon our choices?
Perhaps I'm mistaken, but I seem to remember that I asked the price of the champagne I selected at Le Cinq. Or somehow I seemed to order a relatively reasonable glass, and I don't know champagne at all so I can't see how how that could have happened without some help. In any case, it was no big deal and I'm uptight and self-conscious, so I know I'd remember vividly if I'd committed an obvious gaffe.
I say ask.
Best child friendly dinner?
I don't have kids, but I think most restaurants in SF are child-friendly (depending on the child, of course). If you make your reservation for an early-ish seating, I cannot imagine you'd have a problem most anywhere.
What do you mean by "a bit more special"? Are you speaking of food or atmosphere/fancy-factor?
Off the top of my head, I would look at Canteen--booths, which would be good with a child--and Perbacco. But I don't eat downtown or near Union Square too often. I'm sure others will have many more suggestions.
Have a delicious visit.
Paris Itinerary Help - Primary question Le Cinq or Guy Savoy for lunch
Thanks for your lovely report and congratulations!
I am debating whether to take my picky-eater, growing-into-picky-about-most-things mother to lunch at Le Cinq or La Grande Cascade next month. I had fantastic lunches at both a few years ago, but don't know which would be better for Mom (if either). I'm swinging back to Le Cinq based on your descriptions.
Saturne sounds delicious as well.
Trip report
Thank you for your excellent report. Your misses don't sound too bad. I so enjoy Atelier Crenn--I only wish my pocketbook would take me there more often, especially because I really love pigeon! What didn't your husband like about it, assuming that he's not as anti-bird as you?
Agree that those meatballs at Barbacco hit the spot.
Saison switches to prepaid ticket system
It's subjective, I suppose. As far as I can tell, he doesn't seem to be roasting on embers to create anything rustic. However, I guess I didn't mean tweezer food per se. Just fine dining, with an emphasis on precision, innovation, etc. I was thinking of uhockey's glowing review and photos a a few (?) years ago:
http://endoedibles.com/?p=543
I'm sure the food is great/mostly great, but that interview tickled my funny bone.
Saison switches to prepaid ticket system
Maybe I'm just feeling silly, but that interview read like satire to me. I thought the whole thing was hilarious, akin to a Christopher Guest film. I generally love well-executed tweezer food, but my god!
question about modern French restaurants
I've only been to Le Chateaubriand but I didn't find it at all toothpasty. I appreciated the relaxed, buzzy room. The food was serIous but I didn't feel the need to pray at the temple of gastronomy. It was a fun place for me, and I dined solo. I can imagine that the kitchen would turn out some misses as well as hits because of the flavor combos/ambitions, but it's not the kind of price point that would make me regret giving it a whirl.
Plus charming waiters, handsome and cordial chef.
Caveat: I've only been once and that was several years ago so perhaps it has changed. I was thinking of returning next month.
Trip Report: Cotogna, Ferry Building, Atelier Crenn, Koi Palace
You hit some of my favorites, so glad to read you enjoyed. I've not been to Koi Palace--clearly a visit (soon) is in order.
Thank you for the report!
Antico Arco Buccatini all'Amatriciana recipe
Yeah yeah yeah, that's what I've had, three times over the years, I think, at Antico Arco. I love it. I am not a carbonara fan (too rich for me, I like the counterbalance/acidity of tomato with my fat).
I am an okay cook but for some reason I cannot make this dish taste right at home...
Antico Arco Buccatini all'Amatriciana recipe
I think I've had all'Amatriciana once at Antico Arco and it wasn't with bucatini. Maybe just once or maybe more than once.
This is my favorite pasta dish to order in Rome and I pretty much order it wherever it's on the menu, so for me trying it at both places you mention would not be overkill.
Paris & Reims report March 12-22
Thanks, Patty, for your post. I am seeing Sola for dinner (when my 71 year old mom will want to relax at the apartment and go to sleep early) and Au Passage for lunch. Take mom to Chez l'Ami Jean for lunch another day. Seem reasonable?
Report on trip to SF - "The Short Report" - more detailed reviews to follow
I've not had the pork belly but have always been a fan of the duck salad. It may be a love-it-or-hate-it dish.
I also really like those dishes with all the peppercorns. There is no such thing as too much heat for me. My dining companions do not always agree.
Teacherfoodie, this is a great report. And yes, you should have tried Nopalito.
A Coté: A Flashlight on the Side? [Oakland]
At A Cote I am forever young and attractive. I hope they never change the lighting.
Report on trip to SF - "The Short Report" - more detailed reviews to follow
I live in San Francisco and yet have never been to Aziza--not sure why, as I've long wanted to go. It's getting bumped up to the top of my list after reading your report.
Looking forward to more!
Off the Beaten Track Restaurant Finds for Our (Slightly) Off the Beaten Track Sicily Itinerary?
I can personally recommend La Gazza Ladra based on a visit last March.
I wouldn't return to Osteria dei Sapori Perduti, which had good firsts but carelessly served (lukewarm) main plates.
Fellow travelers at our hotel enjoyed La Rusticana and La Magnolie.
Off the Beaten Track Restaurant Finds for Our (Slightly) Off the Beaten Track Sicily Itinerary?
Oh, I'd forgotten--I went to Spizzulio in Agrigento last spring. Nice little wine bar, very relaxed ambiance and a friendly owner who loves to talk about wine. Don't come if you're in a hurry. Or anyway, when we went we didn't realize that the owner was also the cook, the host, and the server all rolled up into one. We would not have ordered so many different cooked-to-order items had we known. Though he might have said that he was short staffed because someone had called in sick (?). A bit of a language barrier.
Anyway, if not in a hurry, I would definitely return. Very pleasant with some excellent dishes and wines.
Sicily is a joy.
Cafe Fanny closing tomorrow 3/9
Thank you for this, Melanie. I used to go to Cafe Fanny all the time back in my Berkeley school days. I too loved the egg salad. I'm sad they've closed their doors.
Please critique my itinerary for 5 night trip to San Francisco (DID LOTS OF RESEARCH)
Fifi's is indeed good, but it's in Pacific Grove last I heard.
Agree about Parker Lusseau--I mentioned upthread but it bears repeating: fantastic bakery. Some friends shared a galette du roi from PL with me a couple of months ago. I'm still thinking about it and even had some other friends bring canneles back to the city for me a couple of weeks ago.
Restaurant suggestions for Sicily
In Modica I can recommend Ristorante la Gazza Ladra if you want something refined. We had a great, long leisurely lunch there but dinner would also be beautiful.
http://www.ristorantelagazzaladra.it/
Have a great trip!
Please critique my itinerary for 5 night trip to San Francisco (DID LOTS OF RESEARCH)
Yes, I'd give Napa/Sonoma the edge for food wine, but Highway 1 the edge for beauty.
If you do stick with Monterey/Carmel, other options that you might include are Cantinetta Luca for lunch. In Monterey, Parker Lusseau (a few locations) is great for pastries/sweets.
I don't know about trekking all the way over to Poc Chuc after the Haight, but I'm a lazy, low-energy local. I'd probably just got to Nopalito, which is terrific. And I prefer Mr. & Mrs. Misc to HS for ice cream.
You have many great choices. It's more a matter of how much city crossing you want to do each day.
