Chicago: your Girl and the Goat recommendations?

For an upcoming graduation dinner for four, we are going to pre-order a set menu at The Girl and the Goat. Looking at the menu, I'm attracted to shisito peppers, chickpea fritters and grilled baby octopus as starters. I'm also intrigued by goat itself, but don't know if they'll dedicate a portion to us for our small group.

Any chowhound recommendations as to "must haves" or "must avoids" on the menu?

Thanks for your advice.

cortez in Chicago Area

Paris Hotel Bar for Cocktails

For my wife and me, it's the Park Hyatt Paris Vendome as our favorite hotel bar in Paris. By far.

The decor and ambiance are understated, almost minimalist yet luxurious in the Ed Tuttle (think Aman resorts) designed lobby space. The cocktail list is long and is meticulously prepared by the well trained staff. The crowd is 50% chic Parisian and 50% foreign business/leisure visitors. Upscale but not formal or pretentious .

Very interesting, delicious and repeatable place to sip and enjoy.

cortez in France

Wine bars in Rome?

Many thanks for these excellent suggestions. We hope to try a variety of them!

cortez in Italy

Wine bars in Rome?

For a four day visit to Rome in July, we are planning lunch as our prime, reserved meal followed by casual strolling and possible "grazing" in the evening, depending on our capacity to keep going.

For the evenings, we'd like to focus on wine bars (we are wine devotees), especially those with interesting small plate menus to complement the wines.

Any Chowhound favorite wine bars in Rome? We are staying in the Piazza del Popolo area.

Thanks very much.

cortez in Italy

48 hours in Singapore?

Many thanks for these wonderful recommendations. They sound delicious and fun.

Sorry we have only two days in Singapore. It's our departure location for return to San Francisco after visiting Bali and Borneo. We hope that a well spent two days will give us a "taste" that could steer us back to SouthEast Asia on future trips.

By the way, does Raffles have any bar or restaurant worth a visit?

Thanks again.

cortez in China & Southeast Asia

48 hours in Singapore?

For an upcoming first trip to Singapore, my wife and I have carved out 48 hours of tourist time. We would really appreciate your recommendations for "must eat", "must see" places.

We have a preference for Asian/Southeast Asian cuisine on this trip. Our preliminary thoughts are these (we are staying at Raffles):

* breakfasts on Arab St. and Little India. Recommended places and selections?
* morning sightseeing in these two neighborhoods and Chinatown.
* Hawker fare for lunch. Best locations and best choices?
* Afternoons free, with perhaps a visit to the Botanical Gardens and new sculptural, greeenhouse spaces under construction.
* must see Marina Bay Sands Hotel for the view, the pool, and perhaps a drink/dinner. Your favorite place there?
* Dinners? Think we will need a sit down air conditioned restaurant or two. Looking for top design, lively atmosphere and delicious food. Flexible on price point.

Thanks very much for your thoughts.

cortez in China & Southeast Asia

"fun" bars to take the president of my daughter's college

Stylish and sedate: St Regis Hotel

Water and bridge view: Waterbar

Historical Barbary Coast: Comstock Saloon

In Presidio Heights: Spruce

Old Nob Hill: The Big Four

Standby for food, view and decor: Boulevard

Italian accent: Perbacco

French wine accent: RN74

Question: which college is he/she president of? Age? Answer could inform your choice across the options.

Have fun.

cortez in San Francisco Bay Area

Mendoza Wineries - Where to go and How to get there [moved from Wine]

We had fun visiting the family owned (but large, pristine) winery that produces Tapiz and Zolo wines. We also stayed and ate several meals at Club Tapiz, A 19th century country home which is now a small hotel owned by the same family. Delicious and fun.

cortez in South & Central America & the Caribbean

Napa/Sonoma Itinerary help, please!

Oxbow Market in Napa is great for a drop in lunch and browsing the market. Lunch at Hog Island Oysters or C Casa (upscale tacos) is lively in fun.

In Yountville, Bouchon Bakery is closed for repair after a recent fire. You may wish to visit the brand new effort by Richard Reddington, Redd Wood. It's a pizza and Italian oriented stylish but casual place.

In Sonoma, El Dorado Kitchen is great for cocktails, less so for dinner. The Girl and the Fig is fine for lunch, particularly on a sunny day on the patio. Both are right on the scenic central Plaza.

Have fun.

cortez in San Francisco Bay Area

What are your favorite online wine websites? Where do you shop?

I think Zins advice is very sound.

North Berkeley is great for its collection of Burgundies. D+M in San Francisco is superb for hard to find small makers of French Champagne.

In Wine Country, I have 3 favorites, all of whom specialize in new, small producers (eg total production of < 100 cases) in Napa/Sonoma: ACME Fine Wines and 750 Wines in St Helena and Back Room Wines in Napa. I'm in wine clubs in all 3 where they let you specify your price preference and flavor profile. They then fill your order with their "hidden gems.". Very fun way to learn about emerging winemakers!

Have fun.

cortez in Wine

Group of 13-20 for a 90th birthday celebration

Bottega in Yountville has private rooms for groups of this size and will do customized family style menus for you. Excellent for a more intimate experience than a large table in the public front of a restaurant.

cortez in San Francisco Bay Area

New places in Yountville: Lucy and Redd Wood

Anybody been to either of two new restaurants in Yountville, Redd Wood and Lucy? If so, what's your evaluation?

Redd Wood is the upscale pizza place by Richard Reddington in the hotel in northern Yountville, North Block (formerly Luca). Looks attractive and fun. Opened just this week.

Lucy is the re-launched restaurant in the Bardessono Hotel. Beautiful space. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Had a drink in its stylish but near empty bar. Great wine by the glass list.

cortez in San Francisco Bay Area

Where to eat lunch between Oakland Airport & Napa?

I live in Napa and go to Oakland every week or so to visit family. My go to place is Wood Tavern on College Ave. in the Rockridge area. Very popular place with locals who return and return for the fresh American bistro fare. No reservation necessary if you sit at the bar. Full bar service with an interesting and moderately priced wine list. If its jammed, try its sister restaurant next door, Southie. More casual but similarly delicious home cooked food.

A slightly bigger deal requiring a reservation is Chez Panisse Cafe on Shattuck in Berkeley. No bar seats or bar at all. But, it's still featuring pristine ingredients simply done and expertly served. Can't miss.

Have fun.

cortez in San Francisco Bay Area

Rome: best open air lunch options?

Thanks Katie. We will check out Settembrini.

The reason for specifying "outdoors and walkable" is that we will be arriving in Rome from San Francisco, undoubtedly tired, jet lagged and needing fresh air. We are looking to stumble to a wonderful place with minimal effort or transportation.

Thanks again.

cortez in Italy

Rome: best open air lunch options?

For an upcoming summer visit, we will be arriving in Rome about noon at our hotel near the Piazza del Popolo. We would like to kick off our stay with a long and delicious lunch outdoors within walking distance of our hotel.

Reading these boards and consulting other sources, 3 spots have made our preliminary list: Hotel du Russie, in the garden; Dal Bolognese; and the Hotel Locarno.

Any Chowhound comments and comparisons about these 3 possibilities? Are there other places that we should consider?

Thanks for your help.

cortez in Italy

Josephine Chez Dumonet Prices

Jeff,

Our favorite more "contemporary" place, by far, was Spring. The set menu dinner was about 75 Euros per person before wine. Savings could be had at lunch and at its wine bar tastings. Enjoyed the restored 3 story space and meeting the chef/owner Daniel Rose and his staff. Originally from Chicago, Daniel has been cooking in Paris for 10 years and consistently brings a fresh but in no way gimmicky approach to top, pristine ingredients. His minimalist open kitchen is just steps from the top floor tables. Clean, fresh and inventive.

Have a great trip.

cortez in France

Josephine Chez Dumonet Prices

Jeff,

I look forward to your post trip report. I'm one of the lonely chowhounders who was very, very unhappy with Chez Dumonet after my 2011 visit there (terrible table location squeezed between the toilet and the open door kitchen; terrible wine list; slipshod service). Hopefully, you will have a better experience.

I also went to Le Cinq for lunch on the same trip. Any comment seriously comparing the two is beyond comprehension for me. Our lunch at Le Cinq was off the chart in terms of food quality and service. And, the price for lunch was a value compared to its Michelin competitors. Chez Dumonet can be fun if you avoid the service gaffs. But, it cannot but be put in the same category as Le Cinq.

Hope you report back!

cortez in France

Twist: set menu or a la carte?

yes, I did make it to Twist and elected to go a la carte.

Bottom line: I was surprised and a bit disappointed by the whole experience. The service and the view were terrific-- panoramic view of the strip from the modestly sized, modestly decorated room. Excellent.

Cuisine was oddly forced and too precious for me. My venison entree came 3 ways as do all the main courses. The simple filet was elegant and delicious. The venison sorbet, served in a chilled martini glass, was the "precious" part mentioned above. It felt gimmicky and overly complicated, overshadowing the delicious potential of the ingredients.

Also, I was surprised at the very thin wine list for a place of this stature and price point. Very unremarkable selection. No threat to any outpost of Joel Robuchon.

So, for me, a la carte vs. fixed menu is no longer the question. Rather, it's whether I would return. My wife and I agreed that we would return only to sit at the bar to eat simply from the menu, selecting for ingredients rather than "twist.". Several patrons chose this more casual option, receiving great service from the skilled and friendly bartender. We were jealous of the lively and unpretentious meal they enjoyed.

cortez in Las Vegas

Final sf and napa food itinerary

Great places, difficult itinerary. Redd and Bottega are close together. Cyrus is 40 miles away. Manresa is 100 miles away.

Where is your home base?

cortez in San Francisco Bay Area

Must-eat fine dining... During lunchtime?

Late breakfast or lunch at MOzen bistro at the Mandarin Oriental would be my choice. Singaporean street food in an elegant minimalist environment is the style. Good with kids. Enjoy.

cortez in Las Vegas

Where to eat after show(midnight) near aria?

Post Michael Jackson Cirque du Soleil, we had a wonderful time at Bar Masa Aria. Clean, best ingredients with a top sommelier. recommended

cortez in Las Vegas

Short trip report

Just returned from a 3 day trip to Vegas. Stayed in the City Center area and had time for just a few restuarant visits spaced between visits to family in the area.

Hits:

Bar Masa: post show (Michael Jackson Cirque du Soleil) nibbles at Aria. Exquisite. Wagyu skewers, spicy tuna roll, Peking duck with fois gras in mini pancakes, sizzling octopus. Spare presentation of top ingredients. Terrific sommelier with surprisingly deep wine list. Elegant minimalist space. Very repeatable.

MOzen Bistro: top breakfasts prepared us for the day. Customized omelets and Japanese bento box presentation of salmon, tofu, poached egg, fruit and miso were excellent. Pristine, intimate space in the Mandarin Oriental.

Julian Serrano: afternoon snack of Spanish tortilla omelet, ahi appetizer and fried pardon peppers. Cozy comfort food in the late afternoon.

Misses:

Twist by Pierre Gagnaire: big expectations not met at this beautiful space above the strip. Recommended deer (venison) entree comes three ways, like all the featured main courses. Spare, tasty filet was balanced with a plate of darker cuts in fois gras and a martini glass of chilled venison sorbet. Although inventive, this arrangement came off as overwrought where the wonderful ingredients were lost in the theatre of it all. Excellent service. Did not mind the high price but was disappointed that the menu shows off the imagination of the chef rather than the quality, shape or style of the foods themselves. Too precious to be repeated.

The Cosmopolitan: toured the hotel for a possible drop in at China Poblano, Jaleo, etc. Opted to leave hungry as the hotel smells musty and looks unkempt in comparison to its City Center neighbors. Signage was cheap and confusing in the poorly organized spaces. Although new, whole place looks old and on the decline already. Big disappointment.

Had a great trip. Shopping and spas were top. Fun visit as always.

cortez in Las Vegas

Thanksgiving Champagne recommendation

The $40 range, we love Schramsberg Brut Rose. This Napa sparkler matches well with turkey and is a consistent crowd pleaser. Beautiful salmon color is festive as well for the holidays.

cortez in Wine

Thanksgiving 2011 - What are you pouring?

Case of Billecart Salmon Rose? Can I stop by?

Have fun!

cortez in Wine

Filini at the new Rradisson Blue Aqua Hotel?

Any Chowhound feedback on this new restaurant in the just opened hotel at the Aqua? I'm thinking the design and view might be fantastic. How's the food?

Thanks.

cortez in Chicago Area

How Few Sets of Wine Glasses Can I Get Away With?

My wife and I have pruned all our glasses into 4 categories of moderately priced stemware all of which are dishwasher ready by Schott Zweissel ( purchased at Sur La Table): 24 white wine; 8 Pinot; 8 Cabernet and 16 Champagne flutes. We are happy and relieved.

This collection allows us to change glass choice freely, entertain moderate size groups and not fret when we break one. I know it might be heresy to put these in the dishwasher. But, part of being wine geeks is to enjoy it all. Washing glasses by hand with reverence was taking away from the enjoyment of the evening.

We were inspired to simplify by an article in the Wine Spectator last year arguing against specialized stemware. It rang true with our tastes and preferences.

So, we gave away our expensive stuff and bought terrific glasses (good aesthetics and thin rims) in bulk. We are much happier!

cortez in Wine

Rome: recommended non-Italian restaurants?

Thanks both to Elizabeth and Katie.

Based on those comments, I'm asking myself: if I can go to a maximum of 5-6 Roman restaurants during an upcoming visit, should I include 1-2 non-Italian options on that list? Based on a review of this board and multiple other restaurant review sites, my initial answer is "no."

The enthusiasm for non-Italian options seems to center on the need for occasional variety and diversity of tastes rather than unbounded enthusiasm for those restaurants on their own merits. Sushi, Ethiopian, etc sound fun, but not in the top tier of Roman restaurants.

So, I'll stick with Italian for the next visit. Do you think this is right or nuts?

Thanks.

cortez in Italy

Rome: recommended non-Italian restaurants?

I've been studying this board for an upcoming trip to Rome and have been struck by the near non-existence of recommendations for non-Italian places in Rome.

As background, a trip earlier this year to Paris yielded several non-French options and still earlier visits to London were dominated by non-English menus. ( However, I always visit one of the St John venues in London for English fare.)

Don't get me wrong. I adore Italian food and will be sampling places throughout Rome. But, are there non-Italian places (any ethnicity or price point) worth a detour?

Thanks very much.

cortez in Italy

Thanksgiving 2011 - What are you pouring?

Silverpoint Cellars Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast 2009). A lush, multi-layered Chard from a boutique producer. Rich fruit balanced with pronounced acidity. Hard to find but worth it.

cortez in Wine