Carlsbad

Yummm. Wish I could get them for that price here.

I get it now.

Always wanting to participate in a lively discussion, or perhaps not knowing when to shut up, I will wade in one last time on this one. I think that it should be obvious that a restaurant regular with a food blog and a known restaurant critic from another country who have a chef make them up a special tasting menu just might get a little better treatment than the average guest. I don't know whether British restaurant critics are less objective than American counterparts, but it makes sense that the special circumstances of the meal might have affected the review a tad. But the real point here is that people should be able to post their experiences without being subjected to person attacks. A poster should not have to list dining credentials to present honest impressions, especially if they are as detailed as those of jeffj. There is something about Manresa that seems to bring out protective instincts in a few regulars. I haven't seen it in postings about other restaurants on here, at least not to the same extent. Perhaps it is partly because of the quality of the restaurant- I don't know since I haven't been there. It is hard to believe that any restaurant can be perfect all the time, however. A prior posting that wasn't really negative at all, but opined that Manresa is for serious foodies who are willing to concentrate on the food, rather than casual diners looking for a relaxed evening met with an even more personal attack. In that instance, it was suggested that the poster there was a plant by someone out to get the restaurant. As johnnycab pointed out, some degree of objectivity seems to have been lost.

Grazie for writing. Hope to hear about the next stage.

I'm certainly not an expert on chocolate, and to be honest, I rarely order anything chocolate for dessert. But my wife is a fan, and we did venture to La Charlotte de L'Isle several years ago for hot chocolate after I read about it somewhere. It was an experience in the best sense of the word. The lady is seriously what we used to call a "trip" in the 60's (a positive description), and the hot chocolate was wonderfully decadent.

I've never thought about this before, but from the comment, I assume the French don't have something like buttermilk, which I find strange. Buttermilk, contrary to its name, has very little butterfat.

Divina, Is there a website?

My current guide shows one star as well.

I quit recommending Acquerello on here because no one listened and, besides, I want to be able to get a table when I'm in San Francisco. It is, in my opinion, far above any other Italian restaurant in the area, for romantic atmosphere, great food, perfect service and an Italian wine list that is hard to believe and an owner who can recommend the perfect wine at a good price. I haven't been to Camptom Place since Bradley Ogden left, but that review made me put it on my list for the next trip. Thanks.

You could also consider the Chez Panisse Cafe upstairs. There is also Cesar right next to Chez Panisse for tapas.

I have stayed at La Cabro d'Or twice and loved everything about it. I was actually going to recommend it when I saw your post, but the website says it is closed now. http://www.lacabrodor.com/US/index.html The French page is better. http://www.lacabrodor.com/decouvrir/maison.html The hotel is wonderful, and the restaurant, especially in the warm months when you eat on the terrace, is even better. For the price, the place is as good as it gets in my opinion. I would think it would be a great place for a wedding.

I ordered copies of both guides today. Thanks again.

We're supposed to try it next time we are in SF, which is what I'm going to do. Thanks for the information, pim.

I love beets, too. I think they are the earthiest vegetable. I'm sure that the pre-cooked beets are good, but there is something about the cooking raw beets that I find more satisfying than cooking other vegetables. I get really fresh beets and cut off the root end and the tops, double wrap them in foil, and then into the oven. They are easy to peel after they cook, and I slice them and put a little good salt and olive oil on them. I often boil the tops and add them, too.

Thank you very much, markk.

Thanks for the compilation, John. Any chance I can get these guides in the US?

I've never thought of Alpine as particularly odd, at least compared with its neighbors, and I don't ever remember a Basque restaurant there. I only remember the cutesy little places with fairly bad "home cooking." The only experience I've had with Basque restaurants was in San Francisco a long time ago at the old Des Alpes and the place that used to be across Broadway from it. They both used to serve up very good, four-course dinners for about $5.95. I remember good soup, clams and rice and lamb stew.

-- and, to bastardize Willie Mays, do what most people do and say, "It's a beautiful day. Let's eat two!" ← I think that it might have been Ernie Banks you were bastardizing. I used to go to El Coyote back in the 70's when I worked not too far from there. The food wasn't very good then either. It sounds about the same from the description. You can get much better Mexican food at the taco shops in San Diego, some of which are really pretty good. Edit: I never can get the stupid quote thing right.

The age question was answered while I was writing.

I read chowfun as saying his/her kids are a little too loud for quiet, "fussy" restaurants, but old enough that they won't be running around the restaurant and hiding under other tables. (If my kids were ever like that, I wouldn't have taken them to Denny's, much less a good restaurant.) I guess I was assuming they are in the 8 to 13 year range. Maybe I am totally wrong. I never found San Francisco restaurants to be child unfriendly. The only time I ever remember the slightest hint of a problem taking my kids to one was once when we went to Le Cyrano. It was a fine, reasonably priced, French restaurant on Geary, which I always loved from the time it opened in the early '70's. We showed up one night with a reservation, and the middle-aged French hostess, the wife of one of the owners I believe, greeted us with some concern on here face when she saw the kids. They were about 10 and 12 I think. We all had a great time, and toward the end of the meal, a smiling madame came over to me as I left the table and remarked how well-behaved the kids were.

Thanks, Serge. I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation.

Chez Panisse Cafe isn't fussy at all. We took our kids there for lunch the first time when they were about 8 and 10 (they are now 22 and 25) and we had a great time. My younger son wanted pizza, and we were sitting adjacent to the kitchen, so someone there pulled up something for him to stand on so he could could look over the counter and watch them make the pizza and put it in the wood burning oven. I wouldn't hesitate to take kids there, especially for lunch. I wouldn't take kids to Acquerello. L'Osteria del Forno would be great for you if you are staying in North Beach. It's small, and I don't think they take reservations, so get there when they open for lunch or early for dinner if you don't want to wait. At busy times there is always a line. Piperade, Chapeau!, Clementine, or Fringale would be fine for older kids who appreciate food. So would Zuni and even Boulevard. I remember my kids loved Rose Pistola in North Beach, although I haven't been there in years. The also liked Betelnut and the Slanted Door, which I have always really liked. I haven't been to Slanted Door since they moved to the Ferry Building though, and some have posted negative reviews lately.

Have you tried Le Troquet?

I don't think of Chez Jenny as touristy, although I haven't been there in about 15 years.

I agree with Bux. I think it's always wise to use (good) guidebooks and whatever sources of information are available to decide where to eat in France, or anywhere else for that matter, if food is a big deal to you. If it's not, then just pick places on looks. I can't remember ever having a bad meal in France, but I always have a list of researched restaurants that is much larger than needed for the trip, and most of my dinner reservations are made before I leave home. I seldom pick a place unless there are several sources recommending it. I have to say that when I have picked places without research, I've either been lucky or I've learned how to pick the right ones. You need reservations in advance for the best, whether it is a bistro or a three star. Next time, post where you are going on here in advance, and see what is recommended. You will get everything from simple cafes to three star wonders. You will get varying opinions, but I'll bet that even the worst of the those recommended will be far better than what you described.