Need restos in Carpentras or Mazan

That's wonderfully helpful - thanks so much!

T.O. Diner in France

Need restos in Carpentras or Mazan

My hubby and I are spending 2 nights at a chateau between Carpentras and Mazan. Any suggestions for terrific food? Wide open here - happy with a fab local bistro or Michelin stars. We know, either way, the wine will be spectacular.

Thanks in advance, Chows!

T.O. Diner in France

Long lunches in Baltimore - anywhere we can go that's *fabulous*?

We're going to be in Baltimore for a Friday and Saturday. Would love to spend all afternoon over great food and wine. Suggestions??

T.O. Diner in Washington DC & Baltimore Area

One night in Calgary - where should we go?

First off, thanks for all of the suggestions. As my sister's request (she lives in Silver Springs) we ended up going to Bear's Den. I have to say, although I was initially not terribly excited, we ended up having a really terrific meal (though neither particularly great value nor a tasting menu, it had really fabulous bison and all in all I was really pleased). Phenomenal BC wine list (as a wine lover from Ontario, we don't get nearly enough good BC wine here, so that was a treat), service was really good, room was stuffy, but I'm happy to look past that. I have to say, it was a surprisingly terrific meal. Really.

T.O. Diner in Prairie Provinces

One night in Calgary - where should we go?

I saw that one, but we're not limited in area (have a car), so was hoping for a wider range of responses.

T.O. Diner in Prairie Provinces

One night in Calgary - where should we go?

For context: love tasting menues and good wine, not price sensitive, but demand good value for the money. No food allergies/restrictions. Dinner will be on a Sunday. Bring it on, Calgarians!!!

T.O. Diner in Prairie Provinces

Visited Pulcinella at Brown's Line and Lake Shore in Etobicoke

Have been back twice since.

First time with a group of 6, had a great time - big thumbs up.

Next time, just my spouse and I went back on a Friday night. It was clearly busy. We ordered wine and food, and were told by the server that the kitchen was really busy, and our food would take a bit longer. We said not a problem.

It *was* really slow. The apps were their usual high standard, but the mains were clearly rushed (the pasta wasn't quite 'al dente' - inside it was crunchy). We were so hungry by the time it arrived that we ate it anyway. By the time the mains arrived not only had we finished our bottle of wine, but they had cleared our glasses.

All in all, not the quality we expected. Will try again, but not as confident of a good experience.

T.O. Diner in Ontario (including Toronto)

Visited Pulcinella at Brown's Line and Lake Shore in Etobicoke

Although it's apparently been open for a year, this was our first visit to Pulcinella. If you have a desire to eat at Via Allegro frequently, but not the necessary six-figure salary, this is a *fantastic* spot.

The surroundings are cozy (but that's not to be read (as "cozy" may sometimes be) for cramped) and low-key elegant. The service was excellent - a great balance of friendly, good natured and attentive without being overbearing. When we asked what the chef particularly *liked* to cook, we weren't steered toward the most expensive items on the menu (as is so often the case when the focus is simply to up-sell), but instead the hearty and reasonably priced pastas.

We started with a ceasar and a 'chef's caprese', which was a great combination of pureed yellow and red tomatoes, sun dried grape (cherry? hard to tell when they're shriveled up) tomatoes and a piece of buffalo mozza the size of your fist. The caesar was very credible, but the caprese definitely stole the show.

We then each had pasta - a fluted noodle with tomato sauce and wild boar meatballs, and wide noodles with bolognese sauce. The first dish wasn't served as spicy as had been requested (more on that later), but both were satisfying and full of flavour.

When we asked whether the chef makes zabaglione (not on the menu, but a favourite of ours), we were told that our server would check, and quickly confirmed that *of course* he would do it. The zabaglione (served over fresh berries) was thick and wonderful, and accompanied by the chef personally apologizing for not making the tomato sauce sufficiently spicy (which we told him wasn't necessary, but what a classy touch).

Back to the Via Allegro reference - shouldn't surprise anyone that the food is a good as it is - the chef used to work at VA. So it's VA quality food (with an albeit much more modest wine list - we know, most places on the continent have a more modest wine list than VA), at just over half the price. Wine list is heavily Italian (not suprising). From a lower end $35 Montipulciano to much higher end fare, there is something for everyone (we selected a ripasso which went very well with our dishes).

We will be back. Frequently. And yes, it will mean many more hours on the treadmill. And they will be more than worth it.

Rating may well work its way to 5 star, but want to try more of the dishes first.

T.O. Diner in Ontario (including Toronto)

Any advice on fine dining on Salt Spring Island?

We're struggling for a Christmas present for my sister, who lives on Salt Spring, and we thought 'how about sending her and her hubby out for a great meal??" and that's when I turn to you....

T.O. Diner in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Need terrific liquor store near Mich Avenue

In town for a few days and want to pick up some great bourbon to bring home (tough to get in Toronto). Any suggestions on a high end liquor store to visit? Staying at the Marriott on North Mich. Ave. Thx.

T.O. Diner in Chicago Area

Looking for a great value restaurant in the west end (as far west as Etobicoke)

Thanks, Socks - I'll definitely check it out (and if not for tonight, for another). Deliberately left posting vague - more room for creative responses

T.O. Diner in Ontario (including Toronto)

Looking for a great value restaurant in the west end (as far west as Etobicoke)

Getting together with a friend for dinner, want a good quality meal but not crazy prices. South of the 401, west end. Help!

T.O. Diner in Ontario (including Toronto)

OK, tried to make a rez at Alinea 2 months in advance. No luck.

Could only give us a 5 or 5:30. ugh. Suggestions?

-----
Alinea
1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614

T.O. Diner in Chicago Area

Where are the best Chicago dinner *values* - the hidden gems?

Anyone can pay $600 for a great meal - where is a fabulous meal for $200? We're coming in May and staying the loop, but don't let that restrict you, Chicago foodies. Thanks in advance.

T.O. Diner in Chicago Area

Mildred's Temple Kitchen - What a Disappointment

After much anticipation, a group of us went for dinner last Friday at MTK. Must say, the vibe of the restaurant is great - industrial feel, lots of concrete, fantastic open kitchen. With positive memories of Mildred Pierce in our minds, we eagerly anticipated our meal.

The food, however, left 3 of the 6 of us saying we won't be back.

The reality is that there is just no good reason to ever have a bad meal in Toronto, and 3 of us left feeling that's exactly what we'd had, at not insignificant cost.

The fois gras app was fabulous - the one saving grace. And the three of us who had either the beef or the curried cauliflower, were generally happy with their meals (we all agreed the cauliflower was the best dish going), but the three who had the Pig Shin (at $28) or the Roast Hubbard Squash (at $17) were incredibly disappointed.

The shin was small, dried (hard to understand, since it was braised - can only assume it sat under the heat lamp too long), and everything - I mean *everything* on the plate - was cloyingly sweet. There was no variation in flavours on the plate at all.

The roasted squash dish was likewise without any variation in flavour, and also way oversweet (yes, I get that roasted squash is sweet, which is why it makes sense to pair it with contrasting or complementary flavours - not more sweet).

While the server made all the right 'we're very sorry' noises (after attempting to educate me that the pork was sweet because it was braised in cider - thanks for that), apart from apologies there were no actual attempts to do anything to make good on a bad dining experience.

All in all, a significant disappointment. As I said above, there is no reason to have a bad meal in Toronto, and no reason to pay $28 for a cheap cut of meat done badly (this, from someone who revels in a cheap cut of meat done in a way that's fabulous!).

We won't be back.

-----
Mildred's Temple Kitchen
85 Hanna Avenue, Toronto, ON M6K 3S3, CA

T.O. Diner in Ontario (including Toronto)

Joel Rubochon or Guy Savoy - one Saturday night in Vegas, where should we eat?

We're in Vegas just for a couple of days. Already have a rez at Alex and were considering one of these two for our only Saturday night. Thoughts? Thanks in advance.

T.O. Diner in Las Vegas

First trip to Vegas

Thanks so much - and I'd say food is most important, but we'd love to have a 'classic' LV experience, so environment counts too (never, never trumping food). Will do a thorough search of this board and see where it takes me!

T.O. Diner in Las Vegas

First trip to Vegas

Hey Chow community - about to take my first trip to Vegas and we have one free evening to eat out. Not going completely insane with the budget (let's keep it under $250 for two, before wine) where *must* we eat for the 'Vegas food experience'??

T.O. Diner in Las Vegas

simple good food with great wine in Verona?

Hey there, Lawmanx - we're in Verona right now - wanted to thank you for the recommendation on Al Pompiere - we went there last night and it was truly splendid. We've also hit Al Duca, also wonderful and a nice, friendly, down to earth atmosphere. We have 2 more nights - anything new we should try since your last post?

Thx.

T.O. Diner in Italy

Several days in Verona - where *must* we eat???

Hey there, Chow community - we leave next week for Italy and are spending 5 days around Verona (including day trips to Lake Garda, Parma and Bologne) - are there any incredible places to eat (that won't drain our wallet more than the 3 days in Venice already have???) Thanks in advance - I know I can count on you!

T.O. Diner in Italy

Looking for a restaurant recommendation for a Wednesday

Thanks so much - we ended up at Apiary and it was terrific - I'd definitely recommend it.

Cheers.

T.O. Diner in Manhattan

Need a T.O. restaurant - cool vibe, great food, 4 can eat/drink for $400 or under

LOL, I probably walked by and saw your table last night on the way back to my office! I don't recall what used to be in that space, but my colleague and I were thinking we'd have to try it, so great to have the recco.

T.O. Diner in Ontario (including Toronto)

Need a T.O. restaurant - cool vibe, great food, 4 can eat/drink for $400 or under

Given the overwhelming response on Harbord Room, tried to book but they were full - great for them, not so good for me :-) But we'll definitely try them another night. And we're likely to head to Oddfellows for at least a drink tonight - their website is too intriguing *not* to try them out! Keep the suggestions coming - you're expanding my selection of TO restaurants every day!

T.O. Diner in Ontario (including Toronto)

Need a T.O. restaurant - cool vibe, great food, 4 can eat/drink for $400 or under

I'm a bit tired of our 'usual haunts', as good as they are - Rosebud, Czehoski, Eight Wine Bar, Colborne Lane (when the budget is less of an issue). I miss the Town Grill! Any help appreciated.

T.O. Diner in Ontario (including Toronto)

Looking for a restaurant recommendation for a Wednesday

Thanks so much - that's terrific news. We were actually looking at Veritas (in case we didn't get any fabulous suggestions on Chow), so this might fit the bill just perfectly. Thanks again.

T.O. Diner in Manhattan