yes it is. Sometime last June or July they boarded up the door and put up a sign saying they were closed due to a fire. I've been waiting patiently for them to reopen but I'm no longer keeping my fingers crossed. Its a shame.

has anyone tried Michael's new brunch menu? I've been for dinner 5 or 6 times and love it. Curious about brunch.

I've been to Lola's and do not recommend it. Granted, I was only there once but I found it to be overpriced with totally average food and service. I live in Hollywood and can say with confidence, stay away if good food is what you seek. Aside from good burgers at Le Tub or pollo la bras and anticuchos at Goyo el Pollo (which is now closed b/c of a fire) Hollywood is totally lacking in decent food. I definitely agree with the Hiro's Yakko San suggestion. It reminds me of the izakayas (japanese pubs) I fell in love with while living in Japan. It has a very diverse menu with lots of daily specials, local fish, and tapas style portions for reasonable prices, plus an open kitchen with some very skilled and fun to watch chefs. If you want to drive twenty minutes, go to Michael's Genuine Food and Drink, just by the 195 exit in Miami's design district. Its one of the best, most consistent restaurants I've ever been to. Top five all time for me. My favorite casual place in Aventura is an Israeli cafe called Etzel Itzik/Astoria Deli on west dixie highway, parallel to Aventura Mall (biscayne blvd). This place is so good! Very casual, inexpensive and lively. The place does a wicked lunch business with an almost exclusively Israeli clientele but you still never have to wait for a table or food. Try their Merguez (moroccan spicy lamb sausage), amazing falafel, Yemenite Beef Stew, mint lemonade, baked chicken, and everything else! And they always start you off with 5 or 6 complimentary small plates of assorted Israeli salads, pickles, olives, and peppers. I eat here at least once a week. They are open 3 meals a day but close friday afternoon through sunday evening for the sabbath. If you like mediterranean flavors and a lively atmosphere, go here. Its very healthy too. And I've heard bourbon steak is amazing, especially lobster pot pie. Thinking about going here for thanksgiving. Anyone have any other thanksgiving restaurant recs?

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Le Tub
1100 N Ocean Dr, Hollywood, FL 33019

Pollo
7300 N Kendall Dr Fl 8, Miami, FL 33156

Oysters: Casamento's

Crawfish: Frankie and Johnny's

Po Boys: Parasol for Roast Beef, Domilise's for oyster/shrimp.

Modern Southern/Cajun: Cochon

Classic New Orleans: Brigtsten's

Breakfast every day: Cafe Du Monde

Drinks: Napolean house, Jean Lafittes Blacksmith Shop

Gumbo: Olivier's on Decatur. Try their gumbo sampler. It includes the three major styles (thickening agents): File (sassafras), Roux, and Okra based.

Olivier's on Decatur serves great, affordable, creole family recipes.

Napolean House on Chartres St. in the French Quarter. Sit in their couryard or in one of their streetside alcove/doorways. Try the Pimm's Cup too since that is what they are really famous for.

Just got back from my first ever New Orleans trip. My girlfriend and I were there for 3 nights and four days and ate at 11 different restaurants. Stayed at the Sheraton on Canal St. which gave us great access to the whole city. I should mention that I am a chef by trade, have traveled extensively worldwide, and can easily say that New Orleans rivals the best of the best food cities in its own charming way.

Day One:

Cafe au Lait and Beignets at Cafe Du Monde
Muffaletta at Central Grocery
Oysters at Acme Oyster house (not recommended, go to Casamentos)
Cocktails at Napolean House
Dinner at Olivier's (Decatur St.)

Day Two:
Cafe au Lait and Beignets at Cafe Du Monde
Walk the Garden District, Roast Beef Po Boys at Parasol
Second lunch of raw oysters and oyster stew at Casamento's on Magazine St.
Dinner at Cochon on Tchoupitoulas St.

Day Three:

Skip breakfast, head to Uptown.
Oyster/Shrimp Po Boys at Domilise's
Second Lunch of 2.5 lbs. boiled Crawfish at Frankie and Johnny's
Walk off the calories.
Dinner at Brigtsten's- Shrimp Bisque, Rabbit Tenderloin, Duck, Seafood Dinner, Strawberry Shortcake

Day Four:

Cafe Du Monde.
Buy a muffaletta and take it to the airport.

Oh yeah, I forgot, Cochon had what looked to be amazing wood-fire oven roasted oysters on the half shell with some kind of spicy compound butter. We were oystered out at that point and had other apps instead which I regret. Cochon would be a good one to add to your list, as would Brigtstens.

Just got back from 3 nights/4days in NOLA. It was my only my first time there but good research led to a very rewarding (and busy) food tour. We hit 11 restaurants in that short time. A lengthy review will follow in a couple of days but here are my oyster pics:

Skip Acme. I was there for lunch on a slow weekday. Oysters were okay but I was very turned off by that dirty, stale, beer on the floor smell that plagues many a french quarter bar. Don't get me wrong, I'm no snob and I don't mind such an aroma in, well, an awesome divey New Orleans bar. I don't however appreciate this flavor in a place where I'm eating raw seafood. This was a stark contrast to my favorite oyster spot: Casamentos. Strikingly clean, impeccably fresh, Casamento's is the bomb. One of my favorite meals of the trip, my girlfriend and I enjoyed two dozen raw and an amazing bowl of oyster stew filled with fat, luscious, whole oysters. Cold dixie beer washed it all down clean. I loved this place. Its in a lovely neighborhood and easy walking down Napoleon St. from the St. Charles trolley line. We would have eaten more but we were fresh off a stroll through the garden district and an amazing lunch of Roast Beef Po Boys at Parasol's. Definitely go there. The next day we had 1/2 and 1/2 oyster/shrimp po boys at Domilies's in Uptown.

So there it is. For raw, stewed, or loafed (i didn't try it but it looked amazing) go to Casamento's. For Oyster Po Boys hit Domilise's.

Does anyone else find it strange that Chef Bernstein doesn't have websites for either of her restaurants? Chef Bernstein, if you are listening, restaurant websites are cool!

Krista's Restaurant on Rte. 25 in Cornish Village is very good for simple, well prepared breakfast, lunch and dinner (www.kristasrestaurant.com) They have nice outdoor seating above a waterfall and very good house made baked goods. I also love the Rte. 160 Ice Cream/hot dog stand just outside Kezar Falls.

Thursday was my first time at New Rivers and all the stories are true, it was delicious. I lucked out and got the last order of ribs (i heard our waitress '86' it immediately after ordering). They were excellent. My girlfriend had the monkfish which was perfectly prepared. We shared the scallop appetizer which was amazingly clean and light with citrus and arugula. For dessert we had the lemon tartlett and mango/ginger sorbet with cookies. I definitely agree about the clean flavors. I left feeling perfectly satisfied, without being overstuffed. Can't wait til next time!

I'm going to New Rivers tonight. I know their menu changes frequently and I'm wondering if anyone who has been there recently can recommend anything in particular.

The Rhumbline in the Point district (near the goat island causeway) is a good place for upscale pub fare and perfectly poured drafts of guiness.

Theres a good place on Warren Ave in East Providence, near the Washington Bridge. I think its called Asiana. Its across the street from Sun and Moon Cafe. They specialize in Korean food but have a good selection of Japanese and Chinese stuff too. I always buy the one gallon jar of Kimchee. Theres a Thai/Vietnamese market next to Pho Paradise/Mcdonalds on Broad St. Does anyone have information about an Asian grocer on Smith St.? I've heard mention of it.

Who sells the best meat in the Providence area? Opinions? I live in Olneyville but I'm willing to travel elsewhere to find the goods.

Howabout Kosher butchers? Halal?

Does anyone know where I can find a "Jewish" deli in providence? I know that Davidsons has some good product but they aren't exactly a deli.

Any recs for corn beef and pastrami sandwiches at non-affiliated delis?

I make my own challah from a recipe in the Gourmet cookbook. Its very easy (apart from the braiding which I usually skip). Check out the book or the website for the recipe and give it a try.

I frequently consume a small pie and/or whimpy skippy in my car, in the parking lot. Or I order it to go and eat it in the shop. Caserta's sauce is the best ever and their pepperoni is way better than most. I like to order a large pie with pepperoni and cheese on the whole thing, and mushrooms and olives on half. Actually, Caserta is the only place where I will occasionally order anchovies.

Nice Slice on Thayer St. has damn good pizza. Kinda New Yorky, save for the whole wheat crust. They definitely crush Antonios (directly across the street). I like their silk-screened pizza boxes.

Also on Atwells Ave. is Chilangos, a fantastic, inexpensive, Mexican joint. It is really cheap and good. Try the torta (mexican sandwich).

Don Jose is awesome. If you are looking for something less expensive, keep driving down Atwells Ave. A few miles down on the right side is Chilangos. A very good, cheap, mexican place. They make a mean torta (mexican sandwich).

Try the original Haruki in Cranston. Ichiban in Cranston is also good. Sea Shai in Middletown is nice. I've hear Sura in Johnston is good. Seems that Korean restaurants lead the sushi pack in RI.

Cafe Itri is awesome. Very relaxed, unpretentious Italian food. The Knightsville area of Cranston is a great alternative to the gridlock/valet parking hell that is Atwells Ave. (Federal Hill) on the weekends. Much better prices too. Try the grilled apples with gorgonzola and prosciutto. I almost always order one of their specials and I've never been dissapointed.

This place is perfect. Efficient, highly detailed, and delicious. Best breakfast in Providence. Favorites: Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon. Prosciutto breakfast sandwich. Buttermilk hotcakes. New place rocks.

Best Calamari in Rhode Island can be found at Nat Porter in Warren. Fried linguica 'chips' and house smoked tomato sauce really make their mark on this common dish, along with the traditional tangy banana pepper slices and ample seasoning. Delicious.