Several questions for ChiChows from SFHound, please

Dear Chowhounds!

On our way to Chicago next week, and have several questions needing your advice, please.

First, a little about us:

Seasonal, ingredient-driven cooking, either contemporary or classic, probably best describes what we look for on a menu.

What a creative chef does with food can be exciting and memorable for us, but novelty for its own sake crinkles our nose and leaves us hungry.

We eat all manner of fish and seafood, but no other meat. We enjoy food from around the world.

We prefer more casual dining to overly formal rooms--though style and "relaxed elegance" can be a treat.

Dinner without wine is like a day without sunshine.

We're accustomed to menus with $8 to $12 first course or small plates, and entrees in the mid $20's. For a truly unique meal we'll splurge well beyond this, but we've learned that often the higher the price, the greater the disappointment.

I've been a Server in San Francisco for more than a decade.

OK! The questions, please:

1) We have one dinner w/local family. What's newer and delicious in the city where four people can hear each other, and have a great meal for about $125, all in, per couple?

2) Dinner rec's for two other nights? We'll be staying at the Fairmont near Millennium Park, and are happy to use public transit or cab to not-too-distant places.

3) Lunch spots in neighborhoods where we might visit? Could be counter, cafe, picnic to-go.

4) Lunch near the Art Institute? ChiChows seem to be mixed to negative about the food at the museum, true?

5) Thoughts about breakfast? Can be quick, and doesn't have to be a big deal, just tasty. We may go to North Pond for brunch on Sunday--enjoyed a lovely brunch there a few years ago.

Thanks to all in advance!

polenta in Chicago Area

Market Table, Little Owl, August or ?

Thanks to NYC 'Hounds who suggested these places. We'll be eating at Socarrat our other dine-out night, so that eliminated the otherwise great Spanish suggestions.

People who have eaten recently at any of the above, or who want to suggest something else, please feel freee to chime in with how these places are doing now--things can change so quickly in the resto world. Unfortunately we can only choose one.

The original post from earlier today is "Small, delicious, memorable."

Thanks again for all your help.

polenta in Manhattan

Small, delicious, memorable

Out-of-town 'Hounds need some advice about dinner choices for a brief NYC visit. We most enjoy seasonal cooking, whether contemporary or classic, along with a well-priced wine list favoring Italy, Spain, etc.

We prefer smaller rooms, say 50 or fewer seats, to big glitz. The whole "sustainable/local" trend going on now is a boon for us, especially if it involves local produce and locally caught seafood, as we don't eat meat other than fish.

We tend to share plates, though tasting/pairing menus can also be fun.

Either casual or somewhat formal. Value matters more than price. Anywhere in the City is fine.

Many thanks!

polenta in Manhattan

Food and Art: mix and match?

Visiting 'Hounds from San Francisco need some help, please, deciding if it is a good idea to save some time and eat lunch when visiting New York's art museums, or step outside to discover places nearby.

We will most likely visit MoMa, the Met and/or the Guggenheim. My bet is that there's probably someplace not far from each of these that is has better food, at a better value than the museum cafe. If so, please tell us where in their respective neighborhoods you would go for lunch, whether for a sandwhich or more of a sit-down place.

If any of the above-mentioned museums does have a great cafe because of food and/or setting (garden,etc.), please tell us that, too.

Finally, we'll also spend some time in Chelsea's gallery land, so any recommendations for that area would also be helpful.

Many thanks!

polenta in Manhattan

Take away for picnic in Prospect Park

Looking for suggestions on where to go for good n' fresh picnic food to take to a concert at the Bandstand in Prospect Park. We're visiting 'Hounds from San Francisco, so street addresses will also be helpful.

Also, interested to hear lunch suggestions in the Boerum/Cobble/Carroll Gardens neighborhoods.

Thank you!

polenta in Outer Boroughs

Fish and Farm lately?

Looking to hear from recent diners at Fish and Farm. Concept sounds appealing, though previous reviews leave me with a sense that while the food can be good the experience on the whole wasn't memorable.

Thanks for your thoughts.

polenta in San Francisco Bay Area

Weekday bakery/sandwhich spot in JP or South End?

Arriving at Logan about 10:30am from West Coast on an empty stomach. Starting my day in Boston either in JP or South End. By the time the T takes me to either place, I'm sure I'll be ravenous but perhaps not quite up to full-on lunch fare. Which is why I thought if there's a bakery type cafe of note in either 'hood, I could have my choice of sweet or savory--something like a weekday brunch.

Prefer tasty and fresh to greasy-spoon quantity or silly expensive morsels.

Thank you!

polenta in Greater Boston Area

Bar & nibble/Coffee & pastry in Cap Hill, Ballrd or Fremnt?

Hello Seattle Hounds. First, thank you to everyone who responded to my initial query ("SF 'hound requests info"). Very much appreciate your advice/opinions!

I think we'll be at the Asian Art Museum Friday afternoon, and perhaps walking around Ballard/Fremont the next day--thus my new question above.

Also, please chime in with pros/cons of brunch downtown (maybe 94 Stewart, Cafe Campagne, Etta's or elsewhere?) or neighborhoods? Rec's?

Also, I don't see Boat Street Cafe mentioned by many. Past it's time?

Many thanks!

PS We've reserved for lunch at Matt's and dinner at Tilth. I'd like to take my chances at Sitka and Spruce with the wait tomorrow night (Fri) because it sounds delicious, cozy and happening.

polenta in Pacific Northwest

SF 'hound requests additional info for visit

Hello Seattle 'hounds,

Learned a ton from last week's response to a previous poster (Shika?) visiting your city, thank you! We're fortunate to have great eating in food mad San Francisco, and look forward to meeting our admittedly high expectations--with your help!-- on our too-brief, two-day stay in Seattle.

We're happiest in smaller places where the ingredients are largely local and expertly prepared. We love seafood, but eat no other meat. A good wine list is a good friend. I've been a server for 10+ years at some of SF's best spots.

Here are a few follow-up questions inspired by some previous recommendations:

What's the vibe/ambience of Tilth? Menu looks good to me, but haven't been able to find much of a description of the intangibles (not even a photo).

How 'bout the vibe at Crush? Also, any experience with requesting that certain ingredients not be used (e.g. pancetta with fish,etc.)? Some chefs balk at this, or the preparations don't permit it.

Lark looks lovely, and expensive. Worth the price? With no rez possible for two, will we wait forever on a weekend night? (Same goes for Sitka and Spruce.)

So many have suggested Matt's for lunch: how is it after the remodel? What about Jakes Fish Shack instead?

Is there a Belltown place that is more about great food than flash?

Any suggestions for lunch near the Seattle Art Museum or Pioneer Square galleries?

Thank you for your comments/suggestions!

polenta in Pacific Northwest

Has anyone eaten at One Market or Farallon lately?

Would appreciate hearing from anyone who has eaten dinner recently at either of these two restaurants. Interested in your thoughts about the menu, food preparation and quality/style of service.

Thank you.

polenta in San Francisco Bay Area