annsyp

Hey guys- My husband and I will be going to San Diego on vacation in May. Any places we shouldn't miss? I've done a search and have seen that the consensus is generally that food in San Diego is not so great. Is this really the case? Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!

This might sound simple, but I went to Jacques-Imo's for the first time a few weeks ago (I live in DC), and I think that you must order the Shrimp and Alligator Sausage Cheesecake. I also had the fried chicken, and while it was good, I was already too stuffed to enjoy it!

My wedding cake was chocolate doberge with white icing. I got married in Atlanta, but grew up in New Orleans (and still call it home!), so my parents picked up the cake and drove it all the way to Atlanta for my wedding. I had a ton of compliments on it at the wedding (especially because it's so much better than the typical bland wedding cake), and people still mention it to me when we're talking about weddings. It may have been the highlight of my wedding reception! And, even though I'm pushing 30, my mom still overnights a chocolate doberge cake with chocolate icing every year for my birthday. Oh, my mouth is watering just thinking about it. Sadly, I live in Washington, DC, now and there's nothing even comparable around here!

I'm not going to pretend to know too much about authentic Greek food, but when I'm downtown, I have a hard time passing up lunch at the Greek Deli on 19th Street (between L and M). And judging by the lunchtime lines at the Greek Deli, a lot of other people can't pass it up, either! I have tried a lot of their offerings, but I generally crave their pastitsio and spanakopita. I also recently tried Mourayo, which I *loved*. Our waiter was kinda young and goofy, but he was so excited to tell us about every single item on the menu, that it really added to the experience.

I don't even know the name of the place, but I have had a great Cuban sandwiches (great only compared to the Panera and Atlanta Bread Company sandwiches I've tried) at a little sandwich shop just north of K on 17th Street (on the west side of 17th). It's a tiny place with no seating and, in my experience, rude customers, but it's worth it! If I find the name of the place, I'll post it.

It's not right in Charlottesville, but I had an amazing meal at Palladio, which is located at Barboursville Vineyard, a little northeast of C'ville. We had lunch there (which is quite a bit cheaper than the dinner) and my husband ordered the best entree he's ever had. It was duck, and it was so tender that it literally melted in your mouth. I swear I've never tasted such great duck in my entire life! Also, because it is a vineyard, they have perfect wine pairings for each of the courses. I recommend reservations, because even for lunch on a Sunday, we called two weeks in advance and were put on a waitlist.

My husband and I visited New Orleans in November (I grew up there, and he! had! never! been!) and we stayed in Le Pavillion Hotel. We got a sweet deal on it through hotels.com (it was about $100/night). The rooms were beautiful and comfortable. The staff was friendly and helpful. There is not much nearby, but it is only a few blocks to the French Quarter. I hope this helps!

I am new to eGullet (I have been lurking for a few weeks now). I learned about this forum from one of Tom's chats. Anyway, I feel like people have been really rough on Tom over the last few chats. A year ago, I didn't know anything about the dining scene in DC. Now, after reading Tom's chats religiously, I really feel like I know what's going on. Now, my friends are always asking me where they should go for dinner! I think that the eGullet forums provide the next step in learning about the dining scene in DC (or any city, probably). Tom does a great job, but he's only one person with one opinion. I like being here and knowing what everyone here has to say about the restaurant where I am planning to dine. This is not to say that I don't still completely look forward to 11 a.m. on Wednesdays! I don't really know what the complainers are looking for on his chats. I feel like it serves its purpose, and I think Tom does a great job!