mardy's Profile
Big Sur rec's
In my decades of travel around the U.S., it's hard to recall a dining experience as poor as the one we had at the Big Sur Roadhouse in 2004. Lousy food, ridiculously lousy service---we left in the middle of our dinner...
Wrentham
Like seafood? The best in the area is the Chowder Bowl in nearby Bellingham. No special decor, rather like an outdoor picnic pavillion. But 63 years in business says plenty. Tricky to find, and even some Bellingham residents don't know where it is. Used to be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Family friendly recommendations for late June...
Found out that the Copeland's at the Clarion Boutique (2001 St Charles) did not flood during Katrina, but the hotel's sprinkler system activated and destroyed all the rooms. The hotel is scheduled to re-open in October (2007)
What do you do when a favorite restaurant slaps you in the face?
Let me get this straight: You've "worked at high-caliber restaurants throughout the country". And you know all about "the difficulty of dealing with customers".
This episode occurred "a few weeks" ago. You've apparently done nothing about the situation since then. But a couple hours ago, you post on Chowhound.
Frankly, I don't get it...
Family friendly recommendations for late June...
I believe there are two Copeland's restaurants right on St Charles. One is in the Grand Boutique Hotel at 2001 St Charles. I recall the other as being up the street (towards Tulane) on a corner on the even-numbered side. Copeland's should satisfy all your criteria...
what are you eating right now?
London broil with steamed broccoli. Dessert will be fruit mix of strawberries, granny smiths, and aged cheddar. Beverage: iced tea, courtesy of Luzianne (the best).
Lobster rolls - no mayo!
Respectfully, Harp00n, I know that's not the way it should be made, but more often than not, that's how it's served. Many, many restaurants promote their chowder as "thick" on menus. I lived north of Boston for 53 years. One of my restaurants in southern New Hampshire served 200 quarts of lunchtime chowder DAILY, because it was thin, tasty chowder. All our competitors for many miles around served the thick version and their sales were nothing like ours...
Silks? Ritz Carlton?
I don't live in San Francisco, but have eaten at both. There can't much question that they're not even in the same category. Spend your money at The Ritz...
Lobster rolls - no mayo!
It's a thinner, brothy chowder quite unlike the thicker New England-style chowder that your spoon will stand up in. Always surprising to me how many folks prefer the thicker, gummier chowder. While they're eating it, that is. Because late into the evening and later yet, one often regrets that choice...
It's pitifully easy to make your own chowder, especially in quantity (no problem freezing quarts of it). Then you can easily enjoy it anytime.
But make it thin...
The Lobster Trap - Asheville, NC
The lobster roll was undoubtedly the worst I've ever had, and the Oysters Rockefeller were nearly as bad. And I've probably eaten more lobster rolls than anyone alive, and have feasted on Oysters Rockefeller in dozens of cities. This was an unwelcome surprise, especially at a restaurant owned by New Englanders. In fact, outside of having some lobster pieces, nothing else about the roll was correct, and their version of same is nothing you'll find in other restaurants. And certainly not in New England. Spend your $22 elsewhere on the menu....
..
But all was not lost: my wife ordered a regular lobster with broccoli and was quite satisfied with both. One other comment. Do NOT accept seating in the rear part of the restaurant beside the kitchen. During summer, it is so unbelievably hot that you'll want to remove your clothes. I had to unbutton my shirt completely just to get thru the evening. And there were no other tables available.
Minx in Glendale - Amazingly Awful
Why would you go to a place like Minx and expect quality food and service? As you now know, that's not their specialty
Fuddruckers
FoodFetish describes Fuddruckers very accurately, and over many years my observations are the same.
A very good Fuddruckers is the one just off the Windy Hill exit off I-75 a few miles north of downtown Atlanta. One of the worst is in Asheville NC.
Savannah - Tybee top 7
As of two weeks ago, there are still no decent places to eat on River Street. And the same has been true for over twenty years now......
Best Chicago Steakhouses?
And there is certainly nothing bad about having dinner at Capital Grille. But there are 25-30 CGs around the USA, perhaps one in the OP's hometown....
Asheville updates, festivals, new etc
Twig can be VERY good. And it's amazing how many people in Asheville are not familiar with it, what hotel it's in, or what side of town it's on...
Best Chicago Steakhouses?
If, as you say, the real point is the meat, then go to Gibson's and make it clear to your server that you're there for the best beef. He'll know what to do...
Gibson's detractors are those who do not care for the "scene", rather than the food. The scene can be a little intimidating for some, but others see it as lively. Good chance you'll meet some interesting people, too...
The Saloon is not where you go on your honeymoon...
Presentation
Tell your guests you learned about it from a chef in Provence. Then watch them rave about it, even if they hate it...
Best Chicago Steakhouses?
Gibson's wouldn't even be considered on your top 10 list? Everyone, of course, has an opinion, but why embarass yourself? Do you realize there's no chance that any knowledgeable midwesterner could possibly agree with you?
Do you dine out often?
Plymouth, NH/lunch and dinner
Forget Foster's Steakhouse and go to George's Seafood...
Pelican Club
Forget the Pelican Club. You might go there once, but not a second time. For something different in that part of the Quarter, consider Louis XVI. It's the courtyard restaurant inside the Hotel St Louis.
It's not Commander's Palace, and it's certainly not Galatoire's. But it's pleasingly different with excellent service and a fine menu...
"fine" Dining on Food Stamps................
Tomatoes for 50 cents a pound? Were they hollow?
looking forTO DIE FOR ITALIAN
Years ago there was a place on Massachusetts Avenue just before you get into Arlington called Marino's. No one has mentioned it. Has it gone downhill? Or closed?
Good Southern chains?
If you go to the Sonny's BBQ in St Augustine, you will not find it acceptable. Nor are most of the other places mentioned on this thread "acceptable".
Waffle house? Zaxby's? Golden Corral? Popeye's? These places could be the basis for a new website, though I'm not sure what it's title would be.
Any suggestions?
The Leaves at Copper Crest - Hendersonville
Somehow I'm guessing that
(a) foodie people with high standards probably won't expect pizza.
(b) the bride probably isn't thinking pizza for her wedding
Ya think?
What Was In My Wife's Lobster??
You are correct. Lobsters caught off Rhode Island's coast don't seem as flavorful as those caught further north off Maine's coast.
I've eaten a lot of lobster over the decades, and would not bother with those caught in the warmer waters south of Cape Cod.
Nor would I order swordfish in a Kansas restaurant....
Galatoire's for lunch
One of the best all-around culinary adventures possible is Friday lunch at Galatoire's. Bring along the jacket, you'll feel more like a "regular" plus you'll show respect.
This place has been in business 102 years. You'll eat well (try something you've never had before) and have fun with those around you....
What Was In My Wife's Lobster??
I am in Florida. And what is sold as "lobster" around the state is not what is widely known to be lobster. Vacationing Floridians who eat lobster along the New England coast are pleasantly surprised.
Which is why they spend large $$$ to have the real item shipped south...
What Was In My Wife's Lobster??
I must ask: Where did slave owners in South Carolina get these lobsters? Off the Charleston coast? Those are not lobsters, any more than the ones caught and served in Florida.
Crayfish, perhaps, but not lobsters...
