Carlsbad

Ok, I confess to being a little type A. And food and wine are my major hobby. I tend to agonize about restaurants and make a lot of reservations way ahead. Once there, however, I can just sit in a cafe all afternoon if it's a good one in a good place. I also like art and jazz. And I don't mind a little history. Those are the things that fuel my vacations. Is there any city better than Paris? I can't wait until I get there in July.

From the description of what you are looking for, I immediately thought of the Chez Panisse Cafe. It's not inexpensive, but it is the best ingredients, simply prepared. Here is the website which includes a menu. http://www.chezpanisse.com/

On Coronado, Azzura Point at the Loews Resort has a great view of sunsets over the bay and gets very good reviews. I've never been there, but I doubt Mr. and the bambinos have to wear a coat. Peohe's has a good view, esecially outside, but the times I've eaten there the cocktails were better than the food. On that side of the island, there is an Il Fornaio, which is part of a small, but pretty good chain Italian place. I haven't been to that location, but I've enjoyed lunches and dinners at the one in Del Mar, and the view is about the same as at Peohe's. Across the bay, in the downtown area, Anthony's Star of the Sea has recently received stellar reviews. It does hang over the bay and only dinner is served. I haven't been there in at least five years, but the recent reviews have made me think I should return. I don't think they require a coat, but you should verify that. The adjacent Anthony's Fish Grotto (and the take-away Fishette) are institutions that serve very fresh Seafood very simply prepared, and I have always thought of them as priced quite reasonably. The bar atop the Grand Hyatt has a nice view of the whole area, although I think it's one of the worst designed bars I've ever seen. I haven't been there since they built another tower that doubled the size of the place- maybe the new tower has something at the top. Bertrand took over the long-time Mr. A's a few years back. The view down from a hill over the bay, city and airport is one of the best. I don't like the interior much, but Bertrand has owned Mille fleur in Rancho Santa Fe for many years, and I've enjoyed quite a few meals over the years there. I've only had drinks at Bertrand's at Mr. A's, before going to Laurel, a pretty good provencal inspired place across the street. No view there though. The best beach view with very good upscale food and a decent wine list is at the Marine Room in La Jolla, which is literally on the beach at La Jolla Shores. Jackets are welcome but not required, and few ties will be seen. I've never been disappointed there. Georges at the Cove has a good view of La Jolla Cove from the formal dining room and the rooftop casual area (one of my favorite places for lunch), and the food is excellent. Nice wine list, too. The Sky Room at the La Valencia Hotel is very intimate, has a striking view, and is quite romantic. Not sure it's a place I would take the bambinos. Recent reviews have been good, but I haven't been there since a change of chefs and menus. There are several casual places for breakfast, lunch or dinner with views in the area. I had a great meal at Tapenade in La Jolla last weekend, but it doesn't have a view. Del Mar and Cardiff have places right down on the beach, although the food is pretty basic and you are getting pretty far from Coronado. As for Aqua Al 2, I've not heard anyone say much good about it, so I've never been.

This has always been a favorite of mine and it sounds better than ever. I can't wait to get back there.

I've always loved the Left Bank in Larkspur. The first time we were there, it was the 4th of July, and the parade was going by as we ate lunch. I also enjoyed the one in Pleasant Hill. Although it is a chain, it's headed by Roland Passot of La Folie, and the food is quite good.

Please, no ketchup on the hot dog.

I would suggest taking the 101, with possibly some diversions onto Highway 1, when travelling down to San Diego. The I-5 is faster, but it's also a very boring drive and you don't see anything interesting for miles and miles. There are some nice things to see and do along the 101, and if you can stay the night along the way, it's much more rewarding.

Thanks for the reviews. After hearing more about La Bastide d'Odeon, it's back on my list for July. The problem is I keep adding, and I need to be subtracting. I guess it's a good problem though.

Thank you John, Bux and Laidback for the feedback. And yes, Laidback, I've spent hours on this list. Margaret, you bring up a good point. I have researched as well as I can the closing dates of these places. My list has closings dates for those places that are not open for part of my trip, as well as addresses, metros, phone and fax numbers, prices, and closing days. I'm happy to send it to anyone who wants it. Just send me a message.

For two weeks in July, I'm considering: Dinner: Taillevent l’Astrance Le Violin d'Ingres Au Bon Accueil Les Ormes La Braisiere Dominique Bouchet L’ Angle de Faubourg Aux Lyonnais Le Troquet Mon Vieil Ami Thierry Burlot Le Clos Des Gourmets Le Pamphlet La Cerisaie Chez Michel Le Repaire de Cartouche Lunch: Le Café Press Avant Gout Café Constant Le Pre Verre L'Ourcine Le Cosi (Corsican) L’Abadache L’Entredgeu Fish, la Boissonnerie Les Fables de la Fontaine Cinq Mars Other fading dinner possibilities: La Table de Lucullas La Bastide Odéon Les Allobroges L’Ami Jean Pinxo Obviously, I need some further narrowing of the list. I would appreciate any comments, pro or con, on any of these. If there are better choices, please let me that as well. Thanks.

I grew up on Mexican food and still have it at least three times a week. There are good Mexican places all over San Diego County, you just have to search them out. Very few of them are regular restaurants, however. They are usually taco shops, where it's hard to spend more than $6 or $7, unless you get into seafood, in which case you might spend $10. Old Town is nice to drink margaritas and some of the food is even decent, but I rarely go there. My current favorite place, mainly because it's near my office and I can get take-out for lunch, is the Harvest Taco Shop, 9350 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., on the northwest corner at Ruffin Rd., just west of the I-15. Good mole de pollo, tamales, carne asada tacos, carnitas, tacos al pastor, enchiladas, and seafood, including fish or shrimp soup. The albondigas soup is great, too. They have the best marinated carrots and chiles on the salsa bar, which also has very good salsas. There are places like this all over San Diego though- some better than others, and some doing certain things better than others. You have to try them and figure out what they do best. A lot of it is the style you are used to, also. I know that probably doesn't help someone from out of town, but if you tell me where you will be, I might be able to recommend someplace close.

Wow.

I always enjoy your reviews. Thankfully, as I am trying to pare a very large list for 14 days in July, this one didn't complicate things. It was just a fun read.

I read a report that La Cerisaie is a no smoking restaurant. Does anyone know if that's accurate? Edited to add another question: Do they take reservations? There seem to be conflicting reports.

Thanks for the recommendations, pierre45. So little time and so many good places to eat.

Thanks for the information. Thierry Burlot is on, and L'Argenteuil and L'Atree are off.

I'm still working on a list for our two weeks in Paris this summer. I've come across several places that sound good from one source or another, but information seems limited on them. If anyone has tried any of them, I would greatly appreciate any feedback. They are, in no particular order: Thierry Burlot, Le Café Press (which also seems to be known as Press Cafe), Le Cosi (the Corsican in the 5th- not the sandwich place in the 6th), Le Petrelle, Le Mesturet, La Marsangy, La Maison Courtine, Le Grastroquet, L'Astree, Le Beudant, Epicure 108, Graindorge, Cafe Moderne, and L'Argenteuil. I'm happy to share the list, for what it's worth, with anyone who sends me a message.

I still would recommend Le Bistro Latin, although I don't think you will get steak tartare or fruits de mer there.

I would also suggest you consider Le Troquet.

His table restaurant was on my list of possibles for the next trip, too. Does everyone have this rather dismal view?

There are quite a few choices in the San Diego area for very high quality, mostly organic produce. I quit shopping at Henry's because I didn't think the quality was there, although it is inexpensive. I buy a lot of seafood and some Asian vegetables at 99 Ranch, but their general produce doesn't seem that good to me. I think the small chain, Jimbo's Naturally, has the best quality produce for a large market in my area. About 98% of the produce is organic. They have good chickens, and a limited selection of good meats and seafood. They also have bins of bulk items and some interesting prepared foods. The Be Wise Ranch has top rate organic produce, both at their stand and in some markets. Seaside Market in Cardiff carries a lot of Be Wise produce, along with other veru good organic and nonorganic produce, limited meat and seafood, and poultry. There is a totally organic stand in Encinitas that has very fresh produce. There are Farmer's Markets everywhere. And of course, there is Chino's in Rancho Santa Fe for the highest quality produce, including more exotic things, if you don't mind paying an arm and a leg and standing in line with local chefs. I don't think Chino's has much that is organic though.

Images, thanks for the reviews. They are very helpful in planning for a trip to Paris in July. Most of the places you discuss are on my list, which needs considerable narrowing.

If I had more than a week or two in Paris every year or two, which I don't, I would drink the tap water. But I can't get Badoit here for less than an arm and a leg, so I order it if the restaurant has it, and so many do. Maybe it's my imagination, but Badoit tastes really good. Perhaps it's age, but I like a little sparkle in my water, too.

I'm not sure Au Bon Accueil qualifies as a wine bar, however.

The website posted by bobsdf reminded me of a great time we had at Bar du Caveau a couple years ago. When we arrived in Paris, our hotel room wasn't ready and we went there for lunch. We sat outside, on the peaceful square, and had a very nice lunch and a couple glasses of wine. I'm not sure I would like sitting inside as much, but outside it was a very nice experience I would recommend to anyone.