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Dinner at Primo on Tuesday night was superb, from the food to the service to the ambiance to the vibe. The restaurant is located in an old farmhouse, on a small bluff overlooking the southern end of Rockland Harbor (about a mile south of downtown). There are number of small dining rooms, located on both and first and second floors. We sat at a two-top in the front room on the first floor. On the property are a number of gardens, providing a number of fresh ingredients used in Primo's cooking. While the restaurant was chock full of customers by Tuesday evening, it never became too noisy or uncomfortable. Our server had worked at Primo for four years, certainly someone personally invested in the restaurant. She took care of us terrificly, ready with helpful recommendations about the menu to lead us inpleasing directions. For appetizers, I had the oysters two ways and Sara had the salad. The oysters reminded me of the oysters three ways at Restaurant August in New Orleans--I found them to be even better. Both served in their shells, the Pemaquids were roasted in the wood oven with red pepper basil butter; the Sudsbury oysters were fried with green coriander and corn relish. The corn in the latter preparation was by itself incredibly tender and flavorful. My wife had the salad of red lettuces with black mission figs, rosemary almonds, and a Gorgonzola dolce crostini with balsamic fig vinagrette. Our amuse was a shot of gazpacho (which was also used in other dishes on the menu). For entrees, I had the wood grilled Cayuga duck breast served with a hazelnut farrotto, lemon thyme and scallions, roast beets, and a wild blueberry gastrique. Sara had a special, blackfish (called toehog locally) with yellow tomato gazpacho, carolina rice with coriander oil, and peekytoe crab fritters. The duck, served medium rare, was among the moistest I've been served. Desserts. Wow! I had the affogato with zeppole, my wife had an evening special, the profiteroles with peanut butter gelato, peanut brittle sauce and chocolate. The zeppoles rivaled beignets I've had in New Orleans. And the affogato was rich and giant, completely unfinishable after such a large meal. The restaurant also has a well-designed cocktail and wine list. I had the Question Mark to begin the evening, made with Maker's Mark. I managed to find a small producer California pinot noir by the glass with dinner. And enjoyed a glass of house-made limoncello with dessert. They fixed up my pregnant wife with a lovely 'maternity cocktail' to start the evening and she had an enormous chai with dessert. Overall, the food struck me at tremendously sophisticated. Not sophisticated in an arrogant sort of way or in the use of lots of foams and new-fangeled cooking methods and presentations, but in its emphasis on fresh ingredients that speak to the palate in harmony with one another. One thing I did notice is that those with late reservations or late walk-ins were left waiting in the entry foyer for tables to clear. Pacing at Primo is rather relaxed, which is wonderful for those dining, but may potentially lead to waits later in the evening. Our reservation was at 6:30 pm and we were seated promptly. A final observation: Both my wife and I were struck by the enormity of choices at a small restaurant. Inclusing specials, there were no less than 12 appetizers, 2 pastas, 9 entrees, and 15 dessert choices. Other appetizer choices included foie gras, soup, 2 additional salads, and wood fired pizza with duck confit. Other entree choices included lamb 2 ways, pork saltimbocca (the house specialty), wood roasted bronzino, and pan-seared scallops. Primo is a restaurant around which we'd build another visit to the Maine coast!

Thanks for these Nashville recommendations. I was in Nashville for a business meeting--staying at Opryland--for the last two nights. I managed to find my way downtown last night away from the artificial environment provided by Opryland. Jack's Bar-B-Que at 416 Broadway absolutely hit the spot. I feasted on the pork shoulder platter with cornbread and sides of mac 'n' cheese and cole slaw. Jack's is very laid back. You go up to the counter, order what you want, get your sauces, and find a seat. I'm certainly no barbeque expert, but it was delicious food, a very generous portion of pork, and stellar cole slaw--more of a vinegar base than a traditional milk base. This is food I can't get in Wisconsin.

The Capital Times this week also offered up a nice story about The Chocolate Shoppe, a local ice cream establishment. The Vanilla Bean (made with vanilla from Madagascar) won one of the two blue ribbons awarded for vanilla ice creams at the most recent National Ice Cream and Yogurt Retailers Association contest. The Chocolate Shoppe's strawberry ice cream won a blue in 2001, and its Zanzibar chocolate ice cream was one of three ribbon winners in the "new flavor" category in 2005.

This week's edition of the local weekly, The Isthmus, offers a glowing review of Sardine, the new bistro from the owners of Marigold Kitchen. Sara and I have not been as of yet, but I'm sure we'll get there soon.

Sara's husband here ... thanks for your report, Michael. I'm glad you found some of our suggestions helpful and happy you enjoyed a pleasant visit. We haven't been back to L'Etoile in over a year, although I used to eat in Cafe Soleil all the time when I worked downtown until about a month ago. In addition to the pastries, the trout salad sandwich is one of my favorite items on the menu. The "magic coffee" is also a summer staple. Your report makes me want to give l'Etoile itself another try and see if Tory has hit his stride, so to speak. There is no Barriques on Regent, but there are two in Madison. Did you visit the Barriques location on Monroe Street on the relatively new one near the Capitol on West Washington Ave? The new location appears to have more of a food and coffee focus, while the one on Monroe is more of a traditional wine bar and shop. For the benefit of others reading this thread, here is another on Madison that may be helpful.

My wife and I are going to be in Portland next month. What is the current status of the Public Market? Open/closed? Remaining vendors? Is there somewhere else we should consider going to buy local produce on a Sunday in August?

Since you'll be in Middleton--and I assume you'll have access to a car--I would start with a meal at Eno Vino. I haven't been to Lombardino's so I can't comment, but it certainly appears to be a local favorite. Sardine is another new restaurant that just opened, just off downtown. A bistro, it is run by the owners of Marigold Kitchen, an excellent breakfast-lunch spot just off of Capitol Square.

Can't wait to read Ronnie's report on Blackbird (where I've yet to go). But as of last Thursday, I've finally been to Wrigley Field. So that's been rectified. My wife and I ate at Avec last Thursday evening and had a lovely, relaxed meal as always. Avec's whole roasted fish special -- it was whitefish last week -- should not be overlooked. In addition, the housemade tagliatelle was a stand-out as well. The appealing wine list and communal tables are always something to look forward to at Avec. However, after sitting in Wrigley's bleachers all afternoon, Avec's wood benches were a bit too much for the arse to take that evening.

Oak Tree was a great recommendation. My wife and I were staying at the Omni Parker House at N. Michigan & E. Huron this past week. We went there for breakfast at about 10:00 a.m. on Thursday morning. Even the restaurant's pancakes and waffles were excellent. Excellent service, nice city views, and plenty of tables available.

Funny. My wife and I were in the same Legal Seafoods at Logan that same day. I had a fantastic Maine crab roll (generous portions of tasty lump crab meat) and, of course, a cup of clam chowder. My wife had a salad and steamed clams. For us, the service was professional and efficient. It doesn't get much better than this at an airport.

Yes! I had great food there back in October . . . a delicious club sandwich and some of the best roasted cauliflower soup I've ever eaten. And the shopping is great too! It's a great spot. =R= ← Kudos to the Fox & Obel recommendation. I'm in Chicago for the next couple of days and got lunch here today at the Cafe. I enjoyed the delicious Roast Beef & Blue Brie sandwich - House-roasted Black Angus beef, caramelized onion, beefsteak tomato, blue brie, red leaf lettuce & Dijon mayonnaise on baguette. It was rich, delicious, and completely filling, served along with two pickles and some spicy homemade(?) potato chips. And it was ready within five minutes of ordering it. A great spot for lunch on the go!

Amen, Katie. I agree with all your points. And I strongly agree with Holly's comment a couple of posts up about the unprofessionalism of Stephen & Dave showing up late & drunk. I understand why they didn't have Tiffani's back in the end, but this isn't acceptable behavior by any stretch. I am truly pleased that harold won. Of all of the contestants, I think he's got the variety of skills that make him the most likely to be successful with the $100,000 prize in actually opening a restaurant. Am I correct that Tiffani would have used the money to travel and pay off debts--not to open a restaurant?

Another restaurant that uses local ingredients, that is a member of the Vermont Fresh Network, and is closer to Warren that all but one of these suggestions, is The Kitchen Table Bistro in Richmond (Exit 11 off Interstate 89). Past threads -- here and here -- on the Warren/Waitsfield/Mad River Valley area of Vermont may also be helpful.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Tojo's. Its patio has views of downtown and the North Shore in the distance.

Actually, based on some recent media accounts, I don't think that young sommeliers are all that rare: Food & Wine San Francisco Chronicle

I enjoyed the first season, but I wholeheartedly agree with these two points. There is a divide as a TV viewer by being unable to actually TASTE the food. And Katie appears to have learned how to speak from one of those 1970s talking computers. Hell. O. My. Name. Is. Kate. E. If they replaced her for next season, it would be a breath of fresh air.

Excuse my ignorance, but how does one extract a glass 'cork'?

There was an article in today's Capital Times about Madison Originals, a local chapter of the Council of Independent Restaurants of America. It has 34 local restaurant members, including Avenue Bar, Harvest and L'Etoile.

Thanks for the recommendations. They will come in handy over the next few months. I've also heard that Manresa Restaurant in Los Gatos is very worth checking out.

I'll be starting a new job, based in Santa Cruz, next month. While I'll continue to live in the Midwest, I'll be in town regularly. I didn't see a general thread on eGullet about Santa Cruz restaurants in general, so I'm starting one. What's good out there, from taquerias to high-end dining? I was in Santa Cruz for the first time on Sunday & Monday and had a very nice meal at Soif Wine Bar. The pork belly on a bed of avocado was marvelous. Thanks!

Cocoliquot is featured in the CityScene section of the April 2006 edition of Wine & Spirits magazine -- http://www.wineandspiritsmagazine.com/pages/cityscene.html

Longbranch is featured in the Cityscene section of the April 2006 Wine & Spirits magazine -- http://www.wineandspiritsmagazine.com/pages/cityscene.html

The Isthmus, a weekly Madison newspaper, recently reviewed Cocoliquot. Here is the review. Cocoliquot's web site is now up and running.

Sara is my better half. The meal we had at Longbranch last weekend was the best of our trip to NOLA, although we also ate well at August, Jacques-Imo's, Drago's, Felix's Uptown, and Herbsaint. Allison and Slade are doing something special at Longbranch, bringing it home from appetizer to dessert. Longbranch's wine list is also reasonably priced and well thought, with a heavy nod toward Europe. I rarely get excited by a salad, but Longbranch's current one is beautifully done. The foie gras appetizer may be the best one I've ever eaten. And the flavors in the perfectly cooked beef filet were in perfect unison. Here is Longbranch's current menu--not including desserts which should not be overlooked. Appetizers Oyster Rockefeller "Deconstructed" -14- Pan Roasted Sweetbreads, Truffle Grits, Glazed Bacon Lardons -13- Covington Market Lettuces, Organic Sprouts, Louisiana Meyer Lemonette -8- Salt Cured Foie Gras, Louisiana Strawberry Jam, Warm Country Biscuit -18- White Asparagus Soup, Asparagus Marmalade, Louisiana Crawfish -12- Blue Crab Stuffed Tomato, Creole Remoulade, Avocado Mousse -15- Entrees Smoked Pepper Dusted Filet of Beef, Parsley Potato Confit, Shallot Sauce -30- Filo Crusted Dover Sole, Fondue of Carrots and Leeks, Sweet Red Pepper Jus -32- Wild Striped Bass, Caramelized Artichokes, Tomato Confit, Spicy Lobster Sauce -26- Poached Foie Gras Stuffed Duck Breast, Scallions, Toasted Quinoa, Hibiscus Syrup -29- Rabbit Saddle "AU Boudin", Cabbage Choucroute, Creole Mustard Jus -28-

The husband speaketh: My appetizer at August was stellar: P&J Oysters (3 ways): crispy fried with Louisiana caviar (fish roe) "ranch dressing;" pepper seared with country ham and truffle spoon bread; horseradish crusted. The rest of the meal was very good. The meal at Longbranch was spectacular. One of the best I've had in the past year. For an appetizer, I ordered the Blue Crab Stuffed Tomato, Creole Remoulade, Avocado Mousse. But my wife's appetizer stole the show: Salt Cured Foie Gras, Louisiana Strawberry Jam, Warm Country Biscuit. Allison and Slade's foie gras is the finest I've ever eaten. For an entree, I ordered the Smoked Pepper Dusted Filet of Beef, Parsley Potato Confit, Shallot Sauce. Perfectly cooked, lean, delicious. And the desserts--also made in house--were wonderful.