Carlsbad

Four of us had dinner at L'Angle Du Faubourg in July, which we all enjoyed very much. I thought this review was very close to our experience, although I think the meal was paced about right for us. In general, the service was just about as described- a little thin and rough around the edges, and certainly not in the same league as that at Taillevent. We did find the sommelier very helpful and engaging, and she led us to two terrific wines.

Chez Panisse Cafe.

I would suggest you explore Clement from beginning to almost the end. The stories change, but the food is usually excellent.

Look at those websites and give us an indication of the type of place you are looking for. Some are better than others, but I'm still trying to figure out what kind of place you are looking for.

All great choices. I would add The Marine Room and Tapenade in La Jolla. Also, I read a great review of the updated Star of the Sea Room that really made me want to try it after many years, but I haven't made it there yet. It might be a tad romantic for what you are looking for though.

You might consider Region, which isn't a vegetarian restaurant, but they do have great vegetable dishes. It's not downtown, but not too far away. The Westgate website doesn't mention a buffet- only fixed dinners for New Years Eve, but if you asked them in advance, they might do something special for you. The staff at that hotel are very accomodating. The Sunday brunch buffet is a big event.

My kids grew up eating good food. We took them to many restaurants all over where there were no other children, and they are better for it. That said, I can't imagine ever taking them to Taillevent when they were nine, much less five.

I think you should have the romantic dinner without the kids. It's a great restaurant.

This thread is very informative and interesting. This explains something I haven't understood in seven years. Back in 1998, in Paris, I had something in my eye during a trinqueur, and had to deal with it. Now I understand what happened. I'm looking forward to 2006.

Interesting thread. The French drivers described sound a lot like the California drivers I encounter all the time. One of our friends (who stays in Paris for 2 months each year) insists on drinking tap water. At Taillevent, he said he wanted it instead of the Badoit the rest of us were drinking. They brought a carafe and put it in a wine cooler with ice. His glass was filled at least as often as ours. After a week or so of ordering tap water with us, he started drinking the Badoit. I think he liked it a lot more than he let on. I think that many of the French servers genuinely like to speak English to improve it, especially the younger people.

I have to say that in more than a few trips to France, including a good deal of time in Paris, I've never encountered any rudeness that I can recall. Maybe I have just been lucky. As for service, I think there is a real difference between France and the US. I first noticed it before I went to France. In the '70's, we had dinner at a French restaurant in San Francisco that was owned by Rene Verdon, who had served as the White House chef under President Kennedy. Our waiter, who was French, was so professional that I still remember him clearly. (I also remember Verdon's lamb loin in pastry was so amazing to me that night that I quit trying to do anything "Wellington" after I had it.) I think the difference is that Europeans in general see food service as a profession. Americans don't for the most part. I think it shows.

I live in the San Diego area, but I've hosted a party on New Years for the past 22 years, so I'm a bit out of touch with what goes on at that time around here. You might want to call the Westgate Hotel, and see what they are doing for New Years. I think they might do it as well as anyone in the area. I checked their website, but the calendar didn't go that far, Hey, it's San Diego. Call them and see what's going on. The hotel is a bit of a fish out of water, but I love it and I'm about your vintage. Where are you staying? Edited to say I just saw they do talk about New Years on their webpage- see here. Even if you don't go for New Years, try to get by there for a drink.

I have to agree with menton about San Gimignano. There are a lot of day-trippers, but as the sun goes down, sitting in the little square near the ancient well, there were nothing but locals, including the old people sipping wine and young people gathering at la cisterna. It is a tourist attraction, but hardly a slick one. The shops have a very good selection of food and wine. The Hotel La Cisterna wasn't what I would call Disney-like either, and the views from our balcony were literally breath-taking.

Makes me want to go back, too. I'm glad you liked Le Pamphlet- I thought it was great.

Cosi has great sandwiches on freshly baked focaccia-like bread at great prices. I love their roasted tomatoes. It's across the street from Fish at 54 rue de Seine in the 6th. They play opera in the upstairs eating rooms, including one non-smoking.

As much as I love the Cinque Terre, I would probably forget the car, and train it from Pisa to Florence and then on to Bologna for a few days.

If you want something simple in that area, an old favorite for lunch is Sancerre, a wine bar that has great omelettes. It's at 22 ave. Rapp.

We stayed in an apartment in the Palais Royal 30 rue Montpensier for two weeks last July and positively loved it. The location is great- right next to the Louvre, and short walk to the river, and with two metro stops close at hand. I don't think you will be at all disappointed. Staying in the Palais Royal is a great experience in itself. The market situation is also very good. It's a nice 10 minute walk to the rue Montorgueil Market, where you can buy just about everything you need. There are other food shops within easy walking distance as well, including Max Poilane for bread, chocolate at Jean-Paul Hévin, La Fontaine au Chocolat, and Debauve & Gallais, coffee at Torréfacteur Verlet, produce at Aux Beaux Fruits de France, and wine at Legrand Filles et Fils. There are several interesting restaurants in the immediate area, including Casaluna. You can easily walk to Aux Lyonnais. The metro makes many fine restaurants easily available. I'm happy to email you the list of shops, markets, restaurants, etc. I compiled for out trip if you want.

Hard to believe it is as bad as Outback, but it makes me wonder what is going on there.

raisab, I know what you mean about recommending a place and then being afraid that people won't like it. It seems like a lot of people don't listen, and half of the ones who do are either not thrilled or you never hear from them.

We loved the coffee I bought at Verlet, and recommend it highly.

TarteTatin's experiences may put this back on my short list. Maybe the plan should be to drop by for lunch, maybe a little early, and have a back-up plan just in case.

These great reviews are making me very jealous.

The Gods are telling you to go to Le Bristol. Besides, I'd like to hear about it since I won't see it until at least next summer, and probably longer.

I was referring to the Westerman connection, as M. Talbott indicated, and also to the fact that I thought his bistro was exceptionally good.