zorba's Profile
Moscow and St. Petersburg in September
Travelling to Russia in late September. Know this is a tough one, but does anyone have restaurant or hotel w/restaurant recommendations?
What's the new(er) restaurant that was opened by the former managers of Le Bilboquet?
I always try to find something positive about a place...but Le Bilboquet? If a bad McDonald's dressed in drag and charged absurd prices for their chicken strips and burgers, you'd probably wind up with something very close to Bilbo...as their adoring teeny boppers call it. If you still insist on going, wear a disguise and use someone else's credit card....you definitely dont want to be identified at Bilbo.
Pizza in Miami
A year later and Andiamo has gone completely down the drain. The pizza itself is so-so. But why drive to Biscayne and 55th St for mediocre pizza? And the service is a nightmare. If you're in the mood for bland pizza, in an iffy neighborhood, and with unattentive service by despondent teens then this is your place.
Sunday Brunch in Sausalito/Tiburon
Traveling to Bay Area in February. Can anyone recommend a great place for Sunday brunch? Great food and views.
Mt. Dora Weekend
Travelling just north of Orlando and spending a weekend at Mt. Dora. Can someone recommend restaurants or eateries for breakfast or lunch?
I just had the BEST hamburger...
Does anyone remember where the bison burger place is at?
Miami Girl turned New Yorker could use some advice!
Welcome back to Miami, Janie.
Dont know much about FLL and other points north...just as exotic as Burma and probably more difficult to get to, as far as I'm concerned. Here are some picks for Miami-Dade.
Italian: Bugatti (Coral Gables) and Tutto Pasta (Coral Way, Miami) are the two best trattorias around. Havent been to Sardinia (M. Beach) yet, but the rave is definitely on.
Seafood: Fresh seafood is still a rarity in Miami. You can find it at Cayo Esquivel in the hinterlands of West Hialeah. The blue collar crowd tends to behave (most of the time) and the daily specials are particularly a good value. I know it's expensive, but go to Joe's Stone Crabs in SOFI...not to the restaurant, but to the take out next door. And then have yourself a picnic on the beach two blocks away.
Cuban: I've recommended Havanna Harry's many times. The chicken ropa vieja is sufficient reason to visit Harry's. Rancho Molina of Hialeah fame remains the bastion of Cuban peasant food. I miss the old digs, as they've recently moved across the street to a new place, but the food is more than OK.
Fast Food: Dogma's for dogs, fries, and lemonade. I've only been to the Biscayne Blvd location, although the Beach keeps late hours I'm told. If you crave for a "designer" burger, there's always Oneburger, right next to The Globe bar/restaurant (Coral Gables).
Enjoy your stay...travel safe.
Authentic Cuban Sandwich
You're probably right on the economics to grease relationship . Now, Larios is an on again off again sort of place with me. I've been to the one on Flagler and the more recent South Miami location...nothing to write home about...desserts are pretty good, though. I know some of you will find this hard to believe but some of the best Cuban food is to be found outside of Florida. In Hoboken (yes Hoboken, right across the river from lower Manhattan) the food writer and historian Maricel Presilla has two outstanding restaurants Zafra and Cucharamama, the first is more Cuban than not and the closest thing you'll find to a Cuban bistro, the second is Pan-Latin. You not only will have great Cuban and Latin food; in addition, if Maricel happens to be around, she may tell you a bit about the dishes and preparation. These two restaurants put most of South Florida to shame. Here's a link to Maricel. http://www.ciaprochef.com/peanuts/peanuts0305.html
Authentic Cuban Sandwich
Many of my Cuban friends in Miami refuse to eat at Versailles, and the few times I've been there while visiting I found the food pretty average, not bad, just two or three notches below remarkable. Now, if the reason to visit Versailles is other than tasty food (historical, political, cultural, whatever) then that's fine...have an excellent sweet expresso and Cuban pastry and then go somewhere else to eat. I try to stay away from Epicenters (and politicans)....after all, that's where earthquakes make the most damage...!
Sergio's, on Coral Way, got a much needed refurbish and the food/menu has improved considerably since I was there last in October or November.
Also, Nicaraguan restaurants serve similar fare (do note: red kidney beans instead of black beans) and are usually less greasy overall: El Novillo, Los Ranchos are two I can recommend. Great plantains!
Paris Questions - Chocolate, Shwarma, & Crepes
Great advice...and the links are very informative. A visit to Jean Paul Hevin's signature shop on Faubourg St. Honore is de rigueur for chocaholics. Charlotte's (Ile St Louis) is a pilgrimage in itself for hot chocolate...Charlotte is rather elderly, so do hurry.
Classic Bistro ideas in Paris
Actually, no...I prefer Philippe Gosselin (1st) for baguettes....spent an entire morning last October just munching on a perfect baguette...the zen of baking, I guess. For reference: Kaplan's top rated bakers are Le Boulanger de Monge where Master Saibron does his baguette de tradition, and Maison Kayser a popular place for pain tradition by Eric Kayser. They're both in the 5th arr.
Le Bilboquet
OK, that's cool, glad that you enjoy it. Just try a few other bistros on the Upper East: Cafe Boulud, Jo Jo's, Table d'Hote, La Goulue...there are so many, and both the food and the crowds are much more entertaining. I guess Bilbo can be fun once or twice...the posturing and preening just get real old after a while.
Classic Bistro ideas in Paris
A. Westermann's Mon Vieil Ami, on the Isle St. Louis, is my pick. A second favorite is Le Pere Claude, just for the creme fraiche, near the military school. For the best omelette in town, L'Voltaire...even better than Cafe Constant's. I second L'Os a Moelle as an authentic and idiosyncratic neighborhood bistro with the chef's choice for dinner. For hot chocolate, Charlotte's beats out Angelina's. For chocolate, period, Jean Paul Hevin's laboratory on Faubourg St. Honore. And I highly recommend the food market on Rue Clerc. One must read: Cornell's Steven Kaplan "Cherchez le pain" (a guide to the best boulangeries in Paris, and it may not be Polaine after all...) ISBN 2-259-20050-8. Good luck!
Oaxaca for dummies
I must third or fourth, Casa Oaxaca, in the hotel, as the best single meal in Oaxaca. Danzantes is way over rated. The Caminio Real has a nice restaurant, which can be pricey.
Authentic Cuban Sandwich
If you make it down to Miami, I can only recommend a couple of places for a good Cuban...now that the Latin American cafeteria on Coral Way has been demolished. Islas Canarias on NW 27th Ave has a great Cuban and also a pretty good steak sandwich. Mojito's, on a strip mall in South Miami, also has good sandwiches. Skip Versailles and La Carreta (and the tourist buses)altogether for any food whatsoever.
Cheap Cuban in Miami
Try Havanna Harry's for tasty and well-priced Cuban food in ritzy Coral Gables, near South Dixie Highway. The Globe, relatively close by, is a good jazz bar with a decent and inexpensive menu. Max's Grill, also in the area, also has good tapas and wont break the budget.
Dogma does have the best fries, dogs, and lemonade in Miami; I've only been to the one on Biscayne Blvd, though the one on the Beach opens till late.
Xixon, on Coral Way, is a popular tapas bar. The new setting will allow you the space to sit down and have a meal.
And if Ethiopian is your thing, try the tres chic Sheba's in the Miami Design District.
Good luck and enjoy your trip.
Tapas-type food, not too noisy?
Tia Pol across the street from the Empire Diner has great and authentic Spanish tapas. But it's noisy and crowded and very tiny. If you're fortunate enough to arrive early and grab one of the few tables in the back, you may more comfortable. And away from the bar, you may even be able to listen to each other. Patatas bravas are always good, and my favorite Pimientos al Padron.
Le Bilboquet
I respect your dining experience at Le Bilboquet. However, I've been there a couple of times and found the attitude so parvenu that it really detracts from the quality of the cuisine. Besides being real loud, the chummy affair between the waitstaff and dining guests is a bit much. I expect waiters to be professional and even cordial, but I dont expect them to sit at my table and have engaging conversations. If your idea of dining is a romp with the limo set, Le Bilboquet is definitely for you. Otherwise, try La Goulue or other fine bistros in the same neighborhood.
