LJC

The Palm has good lobsters and big sizes too. I don't know if they offer it stuffed though and they are pricey. I will also second Centro Vasco on 23rd St. , I think the last time I was there someone in our party had a stuffed lobster.

Well, if it's any consolation Chickpea is darn good. They make (on site) arguably the best pita in the US and they even offer a whole-wheat pita. The Shawarma is really good too but they only offer Turkey and Chicken (typical in Israel) varieties, no lamb. Does anybody know how the Quiznos or the Chipotle on St. Marks are doing? It seems like a poor fit but I wonder if they are holding their own.

Ha ha ha- I couldn't understand it. I thought that they were using smaller rolls than usual so they gave an extra half. I had no idea it was a promo. At any rate it was more than I should be eating so I took the extra half back to my room and ate it as a late night snack. It was great, not to mention cheap; two pints of beer and a sandwich and a half came to $12.

So, I am back... Thank you all very much for the suggestions they were very good. Here is where I went: When I got to town and checked in I headed to Oscars on Sansom and 18th St.; this was a blue-collar bar that the doorman suggested for a cheese steak and beer. It was as good a cheesesteak as I have ever had and the pub was a throw back to old school urban bar life. 1st day's lunch I had at the University (lunch was included in the program) it was horrid! That night I went to the white dog and had a very good meal. I have to mention that the decor is so adorable and warm I really felt like I was in a friend’s country house. Memorable was the Pork Chop stuffed with blue cheese and walnuts and even more so was the ice cream for dessert (strawberry buttermilk). I did leave wondering what lunch would have been like. 2nd day's lunch I went to La Teressa and tried the "wet duck" sandwich, which was pretty good. I was expecting something life altering and it wasn't but nonetheless it was very tasty. I then met an old friend who took me to Dinardo's (3rd and Race) for Crabs. We had the house soup (just ok) and clams/oyster on the half shell (I could not get over how cheap they were; less than $1.50 each) with a great cocktail sauce. And then the jumbo crabs (blue claws) cooked in Dinardo's house seasoning were fantastic. All together with lots of beer the check was less than $35 each including a generous tip. Final day I got stuck eating lunch with the "group" again but headed to the grease trucks before driving back to NYC. I tried the chicken sandwich from Hemo’s, which turned out to be all the fuel I need for my ride home. All in all I had a great time and I can't wait to return with my wife. The city is really very fun (restaurants, bars etc.) and the buildings/historic sites are breath taking. I think I will wait until the cherry blossoms blossom and then I'll be back to try the places I missed and have some more fun. Once again thanks for the help and I loved your city.

Have you made it back? ..... I hope so.

So I leave on Sunday... Any last min. suggestions?

In terms of quality and value I think that Commanders Palace is one of the best in the country. I was first there about 12 years ago and I was back just last year and I still think it's great. I remember having a menu that included oysters, foie gras stuffed quail, beef fillet cheese and desserts two bottles of wine (also a great value, although I can't remember which wines we had) all served in a "NOLA fancy" setting by tuxedoed servers for something like $80 per person. It was crazy I remember asking if there was a mistake on check. For a less fancy meal try Pascale Manale's (spelling?) they serve great NOLA style bbq shrimp and they have a great raw bar in front for the wait. Last time I ate 1 1/2 dz oysters before we got seated.

Be yourself, be upbeat, excited and enthusiastic.

Vanilla ice cream and Root Beer gets my vote, but I haven't had one in ages. With all the interesting ice cream flavors being made in restaurants I am surprised that the ice cream float has not made a come back. How does ginger ice cream and sprite sound? or maybe, muscavato and coke? I guess it's time to experiment.

How was it? Where did you eat?

so... where did you go? what did you have? what did you think?

Has anyone herd of chateau roumieu-lacoste?

Here are some photos from our last trip to Colombia. First is Andres Carne De Reys and then I threw in some shots form Los Islas del Rosarios, which by the way is also a great place to visit. http://images.egullet.com/u12701/i2957.jpg Rosarios - Sea Vendor offerings http://images.egullet.com/u12701/i2960.jpg Rosarios - eating lunch

So cbarre02, Have you made it back yet? What did you eat, any highlights? Did you make it to Andres?

Southern Central America and Northern South America. Although I have never seen them on any of the Caribbean Islands that I have visited they could possibly be found there too.

What is the "right" consistency for Risotto? I can't say that I ever ate risotto while in Italy and I had always believed that risotto should not be soupy but just a bit moist; so it shouldn't clump nor should it run, right? Recently a very prominent and powerful Italian woman insulted a friend of mine's risotto claiming that it was not at all authentic. She wanted it to be soupy and said that is the "right" way to serve it. Any thoughts?

My favorite rib eye is from the old homestead. If I am with my wife (non red meat eater), I go the palm for "surf and turf"; I get the fantastic strip and she gets a 3 pounder and then I end up eating both.

Mamones are a small round green fruit that grow in bunches on trees. They have a skin similar to an avocado in texture and thickness and it has a very stringy flesh that is attached to the proportionally large pit has an addictive sour sweetness. Basically, you peal half of it and begin to suck/gnaw the flesh off the pit.

Lychee Mamone Pineapple (Thai pineapple, IMO is best) Papaya Banana Kiwi Passion fruit Star fruit Coconut Mango (my in-laws have a tree in there backyard; I wish I could visit every August) I like to eat most of these with a little squeeze of lime juice. A funny side bar: In Spanish, a "slut" or "easy" sexual partner can be called a "Mango abajo" meaning the low mango or the easiest one to pick. As well a really hot person that you might like to be with can be called a "Mango".

Schneier, I am sorry to turn this into a Stone Crab thread... If you have a car then I would also suggest Nobu, La Broche and the Blue Door. By Florida standards they are all excelent. richw, I completly disagree with your suggestion that, "Joe's only advantage is that they probably get most of the largest jumbo claws". Acctually, on my last visit this was far from the truth. Joe's “take out” (I am addicted to the key lime pie; best in the world) offered only three sizes "med., large and Jumbo". Many others offer 5 sizes. The “Jumbo from Joe’s were 5 claws per pound at $43 or $44/lb compared to 3 claws per pound at $29/lb.

I agree with Jason about needing to eat Stone Crabs while they are in season (Oct. - May) but not at Joe's. Joe's is the most expensive Stone Crab eatery that I know of; and the quality is not better than, and in some cases it's even worse than some of the others. Although it could be hard to find Garcia's in Miami is, IMO, your best bet. It is very casual with offer outdoor seating (picnic tables); when I am in town I have lunch there as many time as possible. In fact I was just there for 4 days and I ate crabs at Garcia's 3 out of the 4 days. Enjoy!

It was a zoo last night; I couldn't bare the crowds trying to get into Per Se. Sushi at Masa was really impressive but I think I need to dine there before I can pass judgment. Rare was a bit gaudy for my taste and I was surprised that they served the lobster and diakon rolls. It seems that they pass that item at every JG event I have ever been to. Not that it isn't very good, I just thought that they might do something new. Whole Foods has a great set up in a huge space and the tastes I had were very good. They also have a Jamba Juice in the Whole Foods, which is new to NYC and I believe the first of six locations to come.

If you don't mind Miami, on Brickel Key the Restaurant Azul in the Mandarin Oriental is possibly the best "fine dining" option.

Miami, Miami Beach or South Beach?

In NYC to add to Soba's list: Fiamma Felidia In the outer bouroughs: Don Pepe, Ozone Park (best white clam sauce) Roberto's, Fordham Areo, Bay Ridge