Thanks everyone!

Thanks everyone,really good to have your input! I didn't realise there were different rooms at Lupa. I would actually like something quite bustling and buzzy. Should we stick with the front room in that case, and not the back room? Thanks!

Hello everyone. A quick question for you. I'll be visiting NYC later this month with my husband and I'm thinking of going to Lupa for dinner on my birthday (it will be on a Tuesday). Would you say Lupa is a good birthday/celebratory spot? Note: we're splurging the Saturday before at Gramercy Tavern and also doing lunch at Per Se, so I'm looking for something that's vibrant and buzzy, without being too 'fancy'? (I'm also keen to try their Cacio & Pepe, a dish I usually love. I've also been to Babbo, and although I know they can't compare, am a fan of Mario Batali.) Any thoughts, especially on if we can do any 'better' would be much appreciated. Many thanks!

Thanks Chalmers! It's good to have an alternative point of you. Just interested, why would you say Aviary is not quite as 'Portland'? I guess I'm still trying to figure out what that means!

Wow, thanks for the detailed response! You've definitely put me off now.
Have you been to Aviary? Interested if the people on this board would say it's a better choice, both in terms of food and atmosphere?

Hello everyone. We'll be in Portland soon and have been doing tons of research on where to eat. Decisions have been made for all nights except one. I am very intrigued by Natural Selection. It seems inventive, interesting and also very Portland (I could be wrong?), which appeals to us coming from the UK. We're also both veggie (although I eat fish...). But what's the general conensus on 1) food (is it really any good?) and 2) atmosphere (is it hushed and quiet, or more buzzy?) I'd love to get the opinion of the locals on this board.
If not Natural Selection, I've also been thinking about Aviary, which I believe is in the same neighbourhood.
Thank you!

This is all great insight/advice, thank you everybody! It looks like it's either BWC or Yew, I'll think it over a bit more and make a choice. I'll be sure to report back. Thanks again.

We'll be visiting Vancouver for a few days from the UK and would like to have a  more 'upscale' meal for one of the nights. Having done some research, including reading past posts here, I've narrowed it down to Cru, Blue Water Cafe or Yew. We're looking for a place that feels very Vancouver, with a buzzy atmosphere and of course great food, especially fish. A good selection of B.C wines, especially by the glass, would be good too. We're flexible on price and location. Please help us choose!

Thanks everyone! I'll definitely check out Woodsman Tavern, good tip.
What's the general opinion on Park Kitchen and the The Bent Brick? They seem quite happening!

This is very helpful, thank you! What would you say the atmosphere is like on either Fri or Sat? As mentioned we like the idea of a more energetic place as opposed to somewhere that feels a bit stodgy. It doesn't look like Castagna would be the latter, but would be good to get your take on it!

Thanks for the reply Leonardo.
North, or more commonly northeastern food from Isaan, is precisely what I was eating in Bangkok! It's very ubiquitous. Funnily enough I actually ate at the place shown in the photo on Pok Pok's homepage http://www.pokpokpdx.com/home - although this is actually Jek Pui, a popular stall in Chinatown selling Chinese style Thai curries. See here:  http://www.austinbushphotography.com/...  It was exceptionally good. 

Thanks both, great suggestions! Ideally it would be a restaurant that takes reservations (which I know Pok Pok doesn't) although this isn't an absolute must. Also, I have to mention, having recently been to Bangkok where I gorged myself on cheap and delicious street food, eating Thai anywhere else has lost its appeal somewhat. (-:
What kind of restaurant is Castagna? I can't get a good 'grip' on it. What would you say makes it stand our from somewhere like Little Bird or Park Kitchen, which I've perhaps been leaning towards so far?

Hi everyone. I need to make a decision on where to eat on our one night in Portland, and also a night that will finish our trip to the Pacific NW on a high note. I've spent a few hours reading through various posts so I'm familiar with places such as Andina, Little Bird, Castagna, Le Pigeon, Beast, Departure etc. The problem I have is choosing! I am looking for a place that of course has great food, but also something with a buzz, a restaurant that feels vibrant and happening. Also a restaurant that, if possible, feels very Portland - we're from London in the UK and have eaten in cities such as NYC, LA, Chicago, New Orleans and always felt each place  we had (carefully) chosen had a vibe unique to that city. Food wise we eat fish, though not meat, but don't mind a restaurant with limited choice as long as that choice is good. We'll be staying near Laurelhurst Theatre but don't mind about the location, happy to travel anywhere. Can you help?? Thank you!

wonderful review! thanks. i'll report back as well.

thanks! it's not too late, we're not going for a few weeks. imogene + willie is already on my list, as well as the coffee shops you mention - glad you recommend them. i was wondering about rumours - good to hear you like it. we can go to 12th south taproom for a beer only - i'm a big fan of american microbrews. i'll be sure to report back on my stay and thanks again for your help.

wonderful, thanks so much everyone!

Thanks Hunt, always happy to hear your thoughts. I'm sure I'll enjoy it!

thank you! this is so helpful. i'll look into all your suggestions, really appreciated. i've heard of las paletas, i'll make sure to go there as well.

do you have any suggestions for downtown eating in the evening? it's touristy, but we want to go to the honky tonk bars on broadway on the saturday, so wondering where to grab some food. thanks again!

Hello. Hope you can help. We have a couple of nights in Nashville and will be staying on Linden Avenue, a few minutes walk from 12th South Ave. We fly in from the UK early evening on a Friday and I want to find a casual restaurant that's walking distance. Where would you recommend?? I've done some reasearch and found Burger Up and 12 South Taproom as possible choices. Any thoughts on these? Or other recommendations welcome! Thank you.

thanks! i got cafe du monde coffee on my visit from chinatown - much much cheaper than anywhere else, so if you're stocking up, make sure you go there.

Thank you so much everybody! I was leaning towards Brigtsen's anyway, but now I'm completely convinced. I think it's what I'm looking for as well (and I can always leave K-Paul's for another visit....). I also talked today to a colleague whose husband worked with Frank Brigtsen when he was a trainee chef in New Orleans and said I must go there as well! Thanks again and I'll be sure to report back

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Brigtsen's Restaurant
723 Dante St, New Orleans, LA 70118

Hello. I can't decide between the two restaurants and hope this wonderful board can help! I went to NOLA last year and had wonderful meals at Dante's Kitchen, Boucherie and Mr B's. This time I'm only passing through for one night and want to go somewhere new, but also somewhere unmistakably New Orleans, i.e. a restaurant that can only exist in NOLA. I've narrowed it down to Brigtsen's and K-Paui's, but really can't decide which one to pick up. What's the opinion here? Thank you so much.

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Dante's Kitchen
736 Dante Street, New Orleans, LA 70118

Boucherie
8115 Jeannette St, New Orleans, LA 70118

Great advice, thanks!

By the way, and I know I said I'm not fussy about brand, but has anyone seen any other New Orleans chicory coffee that's not Cafe Du Monde? Just wondering as from your replies it seems that's the only type that's available. (I guess it's probably the best known?)

this is great, thanks everyone! i'm so glad i can buy it in NY. i'll check out the locations you suggested..

does anybody know where in manhattan i can buy the above coffee? i'm visiting from the UK for a few days and really want to buy some to take home (i fell in love with new orleans chicory coffee on a visit there last june, but it's impossible to find here and also, as i'm in europe, very expensive to do mail order). if anybody can help, i would really appreciate it. i'm not fussy about the brand. thank you!

does anybody know where in manhattan i can buy the above coffee? i'm visiting from the UK for a few days and really want to buy some to take home (i fell in love with new orleans chicory coffee on a visit there last june, but it's impossible to find here and also, as i'm in europe, very expensive to do mail order). if anybody can help, i would really appreciate it. i'm not fussy about the brand. thank you!

So I'm back from Australia! Actually, I've been back for a month, so this post is long overdue.... It was a wonderful trip, especially food wise. Australia has so many fantastic dining options, I could easily move there from the UK just for this reason. Thank you everyone for your help, especially PhilD for his thoughtful and detailed replies.
We ended up going to Rockpool Bar & Grill. Great choice! It was relaxed, yet it felt 'special' enough. The food was lovely, the service impecable and we really liked the cocktails in the bar. I can see why Rockpool would be the more high end choice, but I like the flexibility of the Bar & Grill and the dining room is great. I would definitely recommend this place.
Red Lantern - somewhat disappointing. It was pricey and even though the food was good, I didn't see why it has to cost so much. In fact, throughout the whole meal I felt I had much better for a lot less. Basically, I didn't see what the big deal was. It didn't wow me.
We also went to Bill's (Surry Hills) for breakfast. It was great! I don't know about dinner, but there's nothing to fault about the Ricotta Hotcakes, just delicious. Coffee was good too.
Billy Kwong - a suprise. I thought it would be good/okay/nice, but it was outstanding! We went late (about 9), and didn't have to wait for a table. We started with Homemade Chinese Pickles and the dish just exceeded our expectations - I've never had pickled vegetables like that! Extremly tasty. We went onto Deep-Fried Silken Tofu with Roasted Organic Tomatoes & Shoyu & Lemon Dressing and once again, it was delicious. The texture of the tofu was brilliant and all the flavours just worked together. Next was Dry-Fried Biodynamic Hokkien Noodles with Organic Tamari, Bean Sprouts & Garlic Chives. Again, outstanding. The peppery taste made these noodles really different from any other I've tasted. My companion doesn't usually 'react' to food (not like I do, it's just 'food' to him), but he was really taken back by this meal.
Thanks again for everyone's input.

thanks for that! even though i made my choice, there's always that little bit of doubt... this really helps! can't wait, yum yum.

thanks kathryn, your input is always really appreciated. i'll give LV a try this time. i'm more of a sweet than a savoury person and their lemon curd pancakes sound very tempting!