Stopped for lunch last week on our way through Forestville because the courtyard looked so inviting. Had the grilled cheese, sausage flatbread, and - oh, my- the onion rings (buttermilk in the batter!). Everything was excellent ! Had a great conversation with the chef. Will head back to Forestville on a future trip.

Thank you all for the recommendations. We headed right to Forestville from SFO. It was unseasonably warm that day - over 90, so we limited our tasting to 2: Hartford and Merry Edwards. We're looking forward to enjoying our purchases from both.

The hit of the day was lunch at Backyard. Fantastic! I also picked up lovely bread from Nightingale.

We'll be sure to head back to the area on a future trip to check out more wineries.

Thanks. I'll look into both.

Thanks for the tip!

Thanks for the suggestions. We've been all over the area in previous travels, so we're familiar with the territory and have had great experiences in the mtn. areas. We value the tasting experience as highly as the wines, and since we live in a state which does not allow wine shipping, we will not be purchasing a great amount. No doubt we can plan a lovely afternoon!

We're driving up from SFO and staying in Yountville for the night. Love cabs and pinot noirs. We like to keep the bottles under $50, but have been known to go above and beyond for something special. We don't mind spending on the tasting if we can recoup the price on the purchase.(We did that at Joseph Phelps last year.)

Thanks for the link.

We've been visiting Napa/Sonoma for 20 years. We have one afternoon in the area in May. We're looking for 1 or 2 hidden gems to visit, as well as one "splurge" tasting. We prefer red, but do not object to tasting white.

Any suggestions?

I do agree with the Stateside selection. Amazing! I'm afraid with Anthony Bourdain's recommendation & PM's, it will no longer be a hidden gem.

The tasting menu will be chef's choice and, more often than not, spotlight something seasonal/local. Allow at least 3 hours for the 5 for $50 tasting. Excellent bargain!

Allow three hours if you do the five for $50 tasting.

I agree. We prefer the pacing we experience at Maize. Recently in Duck, NC (off-season Sunday night), we were pushed through our meal in 45 minutes. When I complained to the hostess, she said our server misread us because northerners like to eat fast.

Checked out Cotogna's menu and It looks perfect for what we want. It may be an anniversary dinner, but we will have been up since o'dark thirty east coast time and will be fine with something a bit low key (and probably pretty early in the evening.) The things we liked at the original Quince were those that leaned to the rustic - ravoilo with egg yolk! We're still talking about that one!

Thanks for all the opinions!

We haven't been to Quince since it moved. We'll been in the city over the holidays for one night. Is Quince still wonderful? I've been reading the recent thread on Perbacco, and I'm intrigued. We have never dined there, though it has been on the list. (Anniversary dinner - not a major one, so no need to break the bank, but willing to pay for a quality evening.)

Thoughts?

Thanks again for the wonderful suggestions, particularly from those who know the peculiarities of buying wine in PA!

Thank you for all the selections and suggestions. The towns across the river in NJ are fairly wine friendly and have great selections. (Oh, to be in CA!)

I'm thinking of prosecco or a Spanish sparkling to stand in for champagne. Any thoughts?

Tilly Mints - Definitely! The proprietor' parents were British, and she has live in England off and on. Her shop is decorated with family and British memorabilia. And she is delightful! Go! Go! Go!

The bride & groom have decided on only wine and beer for the reception. I'm looking for suggestions for a sparkling, white, and red. We're planning to spend $12/person. I'm interested in an unoaked chardonnay or something similar, a toasting wine ( which may or not be actual champagne) and a red (I originally wanted a cab sav and a pinot noir, but I think I want to keep it really simple).

What the heck - give me beer suggestions as well. We think maybe Yuengling (local), a light, and one more.

Also, your suggestions for purveyors in the Lambertville/Stockton/Flemington area are greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

How about Le Pain Quotidien? Or do any of the hotels have a great lobby bar or tea?

Thanks for the suggestions!

Meeting the hubby in the city for dinner the night before an early morning flight. I'll be coming in by train mid to late afternoon and need a place to hang out an hour or so. I'd love to find a place where I can have coffee/tea/wine and a snack while reading that's easily walkable from Market East or Suburban Stations.

Thanks!

A Thursday

I'm planning my one day in the city before meeting my son and daughter-in-law. I'm looking for suggestions where to lunch. I haven't been to SF in a few years and have not kept up with the restaurant world. I'm considering returning to the Ferry Plaza, Cafe Claude, or Zuni Cafe. Or should I consider others?

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Zuni Cafe
1658 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

Cafe Claude
7 Claude Lane, San Francisco, CA 94108

The MOG is interested in Bobby Simone's Has anyone been to a private event there?

Thanks for the suggestions (and the warnings!).

We would prefer to stay in town. We'll have many OOT guests who will be invited for cocktails later. I'm familiar with Slate Bleu and Knight House. Not a fan of Freight House (much money for mediocre food/service). Is anyone familiar with Paganini's for a private party? How about Villa Barolo? I know it's out of town, but it's near the hotel.

What restaurants in Doylestown have private party facilities for a sit-down rehearsal dinner for up to 50?

Thank you for all the suggestions. I will use the Keller recipe some time when I'm a bit more organized. The chicken's resting in my fridge. I'm going to use the recipe in the current F&W .

I'm attempting to make fried chicken for the first time. I always prep my roast chicken ala Judy Rodgers/Zuni Cafe by rubbing salt & pepper into the chicken 2 days before I plan to use it. How should I prep my chicken pieces for frying? I have Thomas Keller's brine recipe, but I'm not organized enough to get the brine made and cooled in time to brine the meat overnight. Any simple brines/solutions I should use?

Thanks.

I'm obsessed by the gelato I had, in all places, the Florence train station. It was mixed berry in a sweet cream or vanilla base with slabs of dark chocolate. Does anyone have a recipe I can play with until we get back to Italy?

Sounds fantastic! Thanks for the info.

We will be spending Easter with our lovely daughter in Greensboro, NC and will be cooking in one night. Where do I find the local chicken, ham, beef,etc? How about veggies and cheese. What will be in the farmer's markets? Which farmers markets can you recommend?

I can't wait to shop!