cqt's Profile
Pina's Bistro in Tustin - Veal Parm
Like you, I thought that the place was overpriced for mediocre homestyle Italian grub. I've only been there twice, and I would never have returned the second time if I remembered that I had eaten there the first time.
I love the idea of family-run restaurants but this one was just meh.
Q: Where to Purchase "Gourmet" Tea (OC)
You're unlikely to find any place like that in the OC - I don't know about LA.
My favorite teas are currently from Harney & Sons - you can order online and have it shipped: http://harney.com/
The blended black teas rival what you can get in the UK and in fact, is used at at the Dorchester. The sencha green tea is quite nice as well. Buy the silk satchets which are filled with the tea leaves - they are beautiful.
Planning 2 dinners for Miami - please help weigh in on the choices
TPigeon - thanks for the quick response.
What should I expect pp from Michy's for example? $60pp?
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Michy's
6927 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33138
Planning 2 dinners for Miami - please help weigh in on the choices
I've been tasked with planning two dinners for a work trip. Personally, I am a foodie so food takes precendence over ambiance, etc. Having said that, I have never been to Miami and feel that ambiance may be part of the experience.
I don't want to go overboard on $$$ so $30-40pp for the entire dinner is what I'm thinking.
I have more or less decided on Michy's for 1 night.
For the 2nd night, here are some possible choices:
-Azul
-Nobu
-Alta Mare
-Ola
-Spiga
-Bond St Lounge
-Aura
-Others???
The 1st two may be out of the price range but if you have thoughts on how much, that would be helpful. I've been to Nobu's in Europe, LA and NYC - I would say that dinner is generally $60+pp so I don't know if Miami would be more or less.
TIA!
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Michy's
6927 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33138
Help with restaurants - Staying at Gaylord National Resort & Conference Center in MD
Steve and Woodleyparkhound - thank you!!
After researching some more today, I think that we narrowed our choices to:
Alexandria - Majestic (thought about Restaurant Eve but still worried about the prices but couldn't find an actual menu on their site)
DC - chose Central over Brasserie Beck's. Woodleyparkhound, hope that this is the right decision.
Can't wait!!!
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Restaurant Eve
110 South Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Brasserie Beck
1101 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005
Help with restaurants - Staying at Gaylord National Resort & Conference Center in MD
Thank you, Woodleyparkhound!
I did read through those links earlier and the area around National Harbor seemed very chainy and the hotel restaurants very pricey.
We will not have a car but are not opposed ot take a taxi or water taxi. It sounds like our two options are to take a water taxi into Alexandria (Is this "Old Town?") or taxi into DC.
For Alexandria, Restaurant Eve seems to be the consensus. I am worried about the $110 prixe fixe pricing since we are traveling for work - I would love to try it if I were on my own. What do you think of this vs other restaurants (weighing innovative and good food with price?)?
For DC, the only lead I have is Braisserie Beck. Good to know that it's a good choice.
TIA!
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Restaurant Eve
110 South Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Help with restaurants - Staying at Gaylord National Resort & Conference Center in MD
We are attending a conference at the Gaylord National Conference Center - I am not excited about eating hotel food while we're there.
I haven't been to this part of the US since college so I would welcome any recommendations.
What is Maryland known for? Any good foodie restaurants that are reasonably-priced?
Should we try to go into DC or Mt.Vernon? If so, any recommendations? I read about Braisserie Beck so definitely thinking of this as a possibility for one night.
Thank you in advance!
Is Deja Vu in Sarasota Closed for Good?
I just called Yoder's and they haven't made it in a while. They can't guarantee when they'll make it - I am not going to satisfy this craving!!!
On a side note, I am hoping to eat at Rick's Bistro and Cafe Bologna this week before we leave but we may not get lucky because neither places are answering their phones. Must be off due to the holiday weekend.
If you can think of any other places, please let me know. We'll be here until the end of the week.
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Yoder's Restaurant
3434 Bahia Vista St, Sarasota, FL 34239
Recs for GREAT Bread Pudding in Sarasota/Siesta Key?
Please help - craving great bread pudding - TIA!
Is Deja Vu in Sarasota Closed for Good?
Irwin an/or any other local Sarasotans - any recs for good bread pudding? I am seriously craving it!! Thanks!
Also, just wanted to share that we went to the Ritz hoping to get their wonderful brunch buffett. Unfortunately, they now only serve the brunch buffett during the high season (Nov to June). The ala carte items were inconsistent - the lobster eggs benedict and waffles were great but the omelettes were disgustingly bland.
One thing to note is that the service was ATROCIOUS! Our coffee and drinks were not refilled for nearly 45 mins to an 1 hour. I ordered a seafood platter - the waiter did not bring me the silverware to eat the food with (shelling forks, little spoons for the sauces, etc.). He never came back to the table until we complained to the hostess a good 30 minutes later. It held up all of our meals so the food came out lukewarm. Why is it that they can't seem to get their act together from a service perspective? We stayed here 3 summers ago because our in-laws were also in town - the rooms were slightly better than a Marriott's and the service was pretty bad. I won't go into all the details.
It's a sad day for a restaurant of that supposed caliber when the service is better at Hooters down the street!
Is Deja Vu in Sarasota Closed for Good?
I am seriously craving bread pudding, and from my recollections, Deja Vu had an excellent bread pudding. But their website no longer works, nor their phone number.
I know that they had moved from the Gulf Gate location to the Webber location. But what is going on now?
TIA!
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Duval's
5758 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231
Please Advise Between these Choices in Paris and Also, Need Help for Versailles
Pikawicca - I can't report any because everyone is right - stay in Paris if you want a culinary experience. I especially had a horrid experience and meal at La Veranda - ate there twice with the second time culminating in this letter to Gordon Ramsay holdings:
Dear Sir/Madam,
Please forward this to your corporate headquarters.
I have always been a fan of Gordon Ramsay, especially after dining at Royal Hospital Road years ago when we first moved to London. We've been to Claridges, Maze, Petrus, Boxwood Cafe, Maze at The London in NYC. More recently when we travelled to Versailles where we stayed at the Trianon Palace, we ate at La Veranda twice.
Both experiences were quite dismal from a culinary perspective - we had lunch there on 29 May (Saturday) and then, dinner at 30 May (Sunday). Although the meal was not special at lunch, we had a very good server who was extremely pleasant (the one in the apron, not the suit who was not very client-focused). It was disappointing that the food was not up to our expectations of a typical GR restaurant, but the overall experience was still positive because the dining room was beautiful and the service was fine.
On our last night at the hotel, we opted to dine at the hotel rather than head into town since many restaurants were closed on Sunday. It was the worst meal experience we have ever had anywhere! Our waiter decided early on that we were not worth serving. Tables were filling around us, and it was disconcerting that every table started to get drinks served while we were simply ignored for 30 minutes. After my husband complained, we got our drink orders taken. To make up for it, the waiter did apologize and give us complimentary amuse bouche. At this point, we were hopeful that our meal would turn around for the better. But it declined if possible because while our appetizers arrived in a timely manner, it was over an hour before our entrees arrived AFTER we finished our starters. We saw a large table of 10+ people get their meals and the other tables around us finish their dinner before we even got our entrees. These tables all got to the restaurant after us.
To make things worse, the food was heavy and left you feeling "ugh." The only reasonable dish was the lobster risotto. Although this is supposed to be the more casual of the dining rooms, I really expect better quality food than we received. Everything was cooked very heavy-handed without any delicacy at all. The zander was the worst dish of all. This had to be one of the worst dining experiences of all time for us.
I'm writing you this feedback because I am surprised that Mr.Ramsay would put his name against a restaurant like this. Is there no quality control to ensure that his reputation is upheld in some of these restaurants? When we go to any of Nobu Masuhitsa's or Jean-Georges Vongerichten's restaurants (whether in London, NYC, Milan, Paris), we always get the same amazing food. I was disappointed to find that this was not the case for La Veranda. This restaurant really ought to end up in his Kitchen Nightmares show.
I hope that you will do independent audits for this restaurant.
Here is their response:
Dear X,
Thank you for taking the time to write us and please allow me the opportunity to apologize to you most sincerely for your disappointment on your recent visit to La Veranda at Trianon Palace.
Gordon Ramsay is a consultant to The Trianon Palace and does not in fact operate the restaurant himself. The restaurant is owned and operated by Hilton who Gordon of course works very closely with on the style of service and cuisine. We were surprised and sorry to learn of your comments and would like to assure you we take guest feedback extremely seriously. As Gordon’s name is associated with this restaurant you are right to expect the same high levels of cuisine and service that you have encountered at our other restaurants.
I am sure my colleague in Versailles will respond directly you and will be as concerned to learn of your feedback as I was. I would also like to assure you that your comments will be discussed in the strictest possible terms during our regular visits to ensure the quality and standards are as you would expect of a Gordon Ramsay restaurant.
Assuring you of our best attention at all times.
Yours sincerely,
x
For Gordon Ramsay Holdings
His colleague from the Hilton Hotel also wrote back offering us a complimentary dinner, which was nice of them. But it is more important to me that they do something about the restaurant because it is unlikely that we will ever voluntarily return there so hopefully, we can influence its improvement somewhat.
Alle Testiere Closed on Monday - Suggestions for a Good Alternative?
Hi everyone - we ate at Al Covo on Monday for lunch. The food was good, but I have to confess that I didn't find it to be that special. We had the crudo of sea bass and octopus (I think on this last one?), a black ink spaghetti with scampi ragu, deep-fried soft shell crab and sole. The owner's wife, Diane, was great and so hospitable. The highlight for me was the dessert which was a pannacotta and hazelnut ice cream. Overall, I thought that it was a good but ordinary meal. We had fun chatting with others who were in the restaurant from Europe so it was a fun, relaxing lunch after the craziness that is Venice and its many tourists.
We got back to Florence last night and had an amazing dinner at one of our favorite seafood places, Fuor d'Acqua. They get their seafood from the coast fresh nightly. We had amazing raw scampi (so sweet), tuna/seabass and tuna tartare for our starters; steamed scampi (a mess to eat but super sweet); lobster spaghetti (amazing but by this time, we were stuffed to the gills; branzino cooked with potatoes, tomatoes, etc. (too stuffed to full enjoy). It wasn't cheap at 300-euros for 3 people but this included wine.
Thanks everyone (esp Jen and PBSF) for your recommendations!
Where to eat in Florence in a Sunday?
I don't know if it's too late, but we went to an old local favorite: Osteria Centopoveri. They do excellent pastas and seafood.
For a splurge of the best seafood in Florence (from the coast), we love Fuor D'Acqua. It's a nice place, but service is a bit patronizing to the non-local and they would prefer to do the ordering for you. If you don't mind, the freshness of the seafood is just amazing (from raw scampi and seabass to lobster spaghetti and branzino. We just went last night and had to be rolled out of there.
Alle Testiere Closed on Monday - Suggestions for a Good Alternative?
Thanks Jen Kalb and PBSF - we booked at Al Covo. Unfortunately, Corte Sconta was closed on Monday. I would love to try Il Ridotto but the thought of not getting the raw scampi made me reconsider and book at Al Covo.
As for freshness of seafood, I am not concerned. I don't expect them to be killing the fish right in front of me. Being from CA, our sushi and sashimi (fresh as it is) comes frozen from Japan. A couple of days is not going to bother us - the quality of these restaurants will not doubt ensure quality of their seafood or as Jen mentioned, probably have connections to get this seafood fresh elsewhere. Our other favorite in Italy (Fuor d'Acqua in Florence) gets their seafood from the coast daily after 8pm.
Venice: The Great Binge of '09
Joe H - we are going to Venice on a Monday - my first choice would have been Alle Testiere since I LOVE that place. But they are closed.
I am really craving the raw crudos, especially the scampi, and would love to have the grilled scampi and baked branzino.
Given my cravings, would you recommend Al Covo or Il Ridotto? Alle Testiere would have satisfied my craving, plus the other more imaginative foods.
TIA for your help!
Alle Testiere Closed on Monday - Suggestions for a Good Alternative?
Thank you for all the suggestions - I am now between Al Covo or Il Ridotto but am worried that Il Ridotto (although amazing) won't give me the seafood fix that I want.
Any thoughts - I'll also post this on Joe H's thread to see if he has any thoughts.
Thanks, again!
Alle Testiere Closed on Monday - Suggestions for a Good Alternative?
Hi everyone!
It has been 5 years since we've been to Venice. Alle Testiere has always been the favorite for us, but we won't be able to go because they are closed on Monday. Unfortunately, we are just doing a day trip to Venice.
Does anyone have recommendations for a similar caliber restaurant?
We love seafood, especially the raw crudos (scampi, hmmmm!!!), baked branzino, grilled scampi, etc. Okay, I am positively drooling thinking about this!
Your help is greatly appreciated!
Please Advise Between these Choices in Paris and Also, Need Help for Versailles
My knowledge of GR is from his restaurants in London as well - my favorite was always Hospital Road over Claridges. This was 3-4 years ago when we used to live there.
I booked dinner at La Veranda both nights because GR is too pricey for us on this trip.
Thank you, again!
Please Advise Between these Choices in Paris and Also, Need Help for Versailles
John - thank you! I will book at La Mediterranee for the second night. For the first, I read one of the threads where you guys were recommending La Regalade so I was able to get a reservation there!
So for Versailles, you recommend La Veranda and GR's flagship restaurant?
Please Advise Between these Choices in Paris and Also, Need Help for Versailles
Hi everyone,
We will be in Paris for 2 nights of dinner and then, 2 nights at Versailles. With Paris, we have been to Jules Verne, L'Atelier du Joel Robuchon (sp?) and Market,. On this trip, we were thinking of going to some local bistros. Here are a couple of recommendations from friends - which would you choose since we only have 2 nights in Paris:
http://www.vagenende.fr/us/p1.html
http://www.la-mediterranee.com/index1.htm
http://lesdeuxcanards.com/
Aux Lyonnaise
http://www.lerelaisdelisle.fr/index.htm
For the two nights at Versailles, we are going to La Veranda at Triannon Palace one night since we're staying there. Any recommendations for a restaurant in the town of Versailles?
TIA!
Fortnum & Mason tea?
I started researching this after I started running low, and unfortunately, they no longer sell it retail except through their website. I did, in fact, order this via the F&M-USA website a couple of years ago, but their products are only available through the F&M-UK website. The shipping is crazy expensive (for 1-5 items, it's 20 GBP!). I guess that I'll wait until we go there in May.
Best Hainan Chicken Rice in LA/OC
I think that I found the restaurant in Westminster: Grand- Com Ga Hai Nam
9904 Westminster Ave. (in the Mall of Fortune lot/corner of Brookhurst & Westminster)
Garden Grove, CA
Here's a review from OCRegister.com: http://foodfrenzy.freedomblogging.com/2008/01/15/fresh-chicken-at-grand-in-garden-grove/
Afternoon Tea Someplace Nice, Not Kitsch-ish in OC
We are looking to have a nice afternoon out somewhere in South County. But I am out of ideas!
We've been to St.Regis' afternoon tea buffet which was dreadful - the scone crumbled and was dry. The sandwiches weren't very good either. At $45pp, it was a disappointment. We love the Four Seasons Aviara, but it's a bit far. The Ritz in Laguna doesn't do it any more.
We do not like that kitsch-ish "tea houses" such as McCharles' Tea House or that Rose Cottage in Brea.
Does anyone know of a place that serves formal afternoon tea and has a nice ambiance? Price is not a concern.
Thanks!
Best Hainan Chicken Rice in LA/OC
I recently saw a Hainen Chicken restaurant in Westminster on the corner of Westminster and Brookhurst but haven't tried it. It's in this big strip mall near a 7-courses of beef place.
I've been to Savoy and was not overwhelmed.
I am looking for the hainan chicken that you can find at Nynonya in NYC or C&R in London.
So-So Meals at Esca and Degustation; Knock-it-out-of-the-Park Meal at Nobu57
On our recent trip to NYC, we ate at some favorite oldies and a couple of newbies. The experience was a bit mixed all around.
Esca - very disappointing. We went there for lunch and sat in the section behind the bar. Our food was continually bothered by random knats and flies - I know it's summer there and the windows were opened, BUT it's still gross. We started with the crudo, which was supposed to be their specialty. I am normally a huge fan of crudos because I love raw fish. But the crudos tasted fishy - all three of them. The fish did not taste 100% fresh so the salt, olive oil and preparation did not take the fishy taste away. I then had the spaghetti with lobster - the sauce was like a thick, tomato paste and was so disappointing. I was hoping to find a good Southern Italian restaurant in the States that would be reminiscient of my favorite places in the Amalfi Coast, but I was aiming too high. Would I come back here? No.
Degustation - this restaurant was our big find on the last trip a month ago. This time, it was a bit disappointing overall. For starters, we weren't able to get a table until 10pm for a party of four - even at this time, we weren't seated for another 20-25 minutes. We had such a wonderful meal there last time that we wanted to bring our friends here. The chef (Wesley Genovart) was in the basement prepping for the next week's menu on a Saturday night so we had another chef - is this common in NYC on a Sat night??? We had the 10-course tasting menu, which had looked so inspiring when we were there last but didn't live up to it. I can't remember all 10-courses, but some of the dishes included: Mediterranean prawn w/urchin risotto, bonito crudo, pork belly in tomatillo sauce, lamb, grilled octopus, bread pudding, etc. Everything tasted fine but nothing brilliant - it was like a shadow of its former self in the preparation. The bread pudding was especially disappointing after the last visit when it just melted in your mouth - this time, it was a gooey, stretchy mess that wasn't so tasty. Would I come back here? Probably not.
Nobu57 - amazing! We were regulars at Nobu London on Park Lane so we love this chain, and have eaten at Nobu NY and Matsuhisa a few times. This place was the best of the lot! The yellowtail with jalapeno was to die for, and the tuna & lobster tacos were also really good. The new style sashimi scallop was pretty amazing, too. The anti-cucho tenderloin was very tender, but not as spicy as Nobu London which is how I like it. The ambiance of the restaurant was great - our booth table was great for a 4-top. The place is very pretty from the inside. Would I come back here? Most definitely.
Other restaurants that we ate at on this trip were brunch at Jean-Georges (much better than the Sat night dinner there last time), Vong (a shadow of its former self but appetizers are still great, especially the lobster daikon roll!), Ray's Pizza on Spring St (yummy pizza!).
NYC is still the best!
Ko reservation system - rigged?
Thanks for all the insight. The article posted by Lau was interesting - especially the comments left by readers! For the time being, I'm crossing this one off my list because we don't live in NYC and I really don't like having to get up at 7am just to see more red Xs. Or at least, til they put in a phone reservation system where I can get our concierge to do the work. There *are* many great and perhaps, even better restaurants to eat in NYC.
Many thanks! Esp Kathryn for the tips - will pass them on to my friends and family in NYC.
Ko reservation system - rigged?
This is so bizarre - three of us logged in at exactly 10am for a table of 4 for next Saturday. All we got was a page with red "X"s for unavailability. This was returned literally 2 seconds after 10am. WTF?!
Is this reservation system rigged?
Even getting into Per Se on opening night was a pinch compared to this. If we had a fair shot at this, I would be okay. But I really feel like the system was rigged.
I'm kind of disgusted actually.
Any Hong Kong-style Cafe in OC?
Das Ubergeek - I was thinking of the Hong Kong-version of westernized food. E.g., Filet Mignon with black pepper sauce or baked spaghetti bolognese.
Faves in Rowland Heights and MPK: RH Cafe on Colima Rd and Regent Cafe on Garfield.
Any like the above places you can think of here?
Thanks!
Any Hong Kong-style Cafe in OC?
I was wondering if anyone knows of a Hong Kong-style cafe in Orange County or one opening up? Thanks!
