Carlsbad

So many good choices have been suggested. On our last trip, six of us had an almost perfect dinner at Dominique Bouchet, especially for what it cost. We also thought Drouant was excellent, but it appears from the website that Antony Clement may have departed. Les Ormes would have been a great choice, but last I heard, the chef had turned to catering. Violon would be good, and they could probably set up something special in advance. L'Angle du Faubourg has good value, very good food and a terrific, reasonable wine list, but the decor is not very pleasing.

In Aix, check out Le Bistro Latin.

Grace3, How did you like Les Clos de Gourmets? We tried something different last summer when we flew from LAX to Paris. We rented a car and drove the 95 miles to the airport, and did the same thing coming home. It was much cheaper than parking for the entire trip and much quicker than waiting for a connecting flight to San Diego and then driving home from there.

Last summer, the Picasso Martini at the Hemingway Bar was 23 euros. Sometimes it's not available if the Noilly Prat cubes haven't been frozen.

Check out Izakaya Zero I thought it was great, and I'm probably about your dad's age.

From my experience, if you tip as if you were in New York, in euros and in cash, figuring that the first 15% is included at all restaurants and cafes, everyone will be more than happy. Except cab drivers, who will be happy with 10%.

Thanks, I will do that.

That meal sounds great, especially the price. Are you near Saint-Antonin Noble Val? A frend has a house there and has invited us for a visit.

La Vallauris is the best high-end place we have found in the Palm Springs area.

Against my better judgment, I'm going to wade in here once more. There are places for anniversaries and there are places to go and have multi-course menus where the food is the focus. The former should be about romance, not concentrating on each course again and again. I love Chez Panisse, but it isn't the least bit romantic either, which is why I have never spent an anniversary there. I like Quince, and it can be romantic. But Acquerello is really romantic. In a beautiful small room that used to be a chapel, Giancarlo, who got his early training at the Cipriani in Venice, knows how to be the ultimate host, and can pick wines from a great list that will enchant you. The service is gracious, and the room is quiet and, yes, romantic. The food is the best elegant Italian in San Francisco. Edited to add that the Ritz would also be a good romantic choice, although the changes might be a slight problem.

This seems to go against the idea that more space for a little more money will work.

Take a look at Acquerello. We've gone there for at least four anniversaries, and have always enjoyed it.

Speaking of this kind of restaurant, is it true that Les Ormes is closed?

Check out Les Pipos.

I enjoyed your reviews, GB. Thanks.

If Vivande is open, I think Christmas Eve there would be a perfect choice.

I thought it was great, actually. Much better than I anticipated. The menu is on here, although I think it was a little different when we were there. There were a lot of dishes I wanted to try, really much of the menu sounded interesting. We all picked some. There was an interesting Italian and French influence in some of the dishes. We shared all the dishes. This is what I thought of the ones I can remember: Edamame- excellent; Hamachi sashimi dish that isn't on the menu shown: really, really good; Grilled Snapper Lemongrass Soup- really good; Duck Confit: a knock-out; Shiso Linguine Carbonara: really outstanding; Brown Rice Risotto: Excellent; Vegetable tempura: very good; Crab Cigars: good, but not next time; Koro-Koro Filet: okay (better with a little soy sauce), but there are much better dishes. For dessert, the Mochi green tea ice cream was intriguing and looked liked sliced limes, the fried ice cream thing was good, and the chocolate souflee that was excellent. Every dish was nicely presented. The restaurant was far from packed, even on a Saturday night. If it were near me, I would go back often.

Can we see the Cabo link- I'm heading down that way soon on a cruise.

Yes, it is.

Four of us had an excellent dinner at Izakaya Zero last Saturday night. The food and service were first rate. Has anyone else tried this place?

Although some of them might be on the high end of what you are looking for, take a look at Chapeau!, Bocadillos, Piperade, Fringale, Clementine, A16, Betelnut. Chow, Park Chow, L'Osteria del Forno, and Ton Kiang. If you order carefully, you could stay close to $30 a head.

I agree with the great philosopher: "Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded."

I found Taillevent's wine list to be much more accessable pricewise and in the manner it is presented, than either Enoteca Pinchiorri or La Tour d'Argent. (I haven't been to Le Louis XV, but from what I can see, I think the same would be true of it.) I also have to say that I haven't been to the Enoteca since the early 90's, so my view of it might be dated. I found it to be the most pretentious restaurant I have ever seen. That is another story, however. As for La Tour d'Argent, the sommelier brought the Bible-like wine list, which would take years to study properly, and then made us feel as if it were a bother to answer questions. He seemed bored. At his suggestion, we ended up with a tired white burgundy and an over-priced, but adequate red burgundy. At Taillevent, it has been a different experience. The wine service (like the rest of the service) is helpful, friendly, gentle and enthusiatic. If you want a champagne, for instance, they bring you a champagne list in a separate wine list. They discuss the list as much or as little as you want, and they know their wines. The prices are very fair, and there are wines from 30E up to whatever you want to spend. If you order a less expensive wine, they serve it enthusiatically. There are many great choices in the 100E or less range. The short list is well chosen and easy to navigate. If you have an interest is a particular wine, they will bring the larger list and point you to it. For instance, a friend asked about a vin jaune with the cheese course, and the sommelier brought out the large list and recommended a Chateau Chalon that was 20 yrs or so old. As I recall, it was about 140E. Some of the staff (including M. Vrinat) actually gathered as it was opened. I was relieved that the wine was not more expensive since I didn't see the price before it was ordered, and the manner in which it was served was as if we had ordered a 2000E bottle.

Taillevent has an extraordinary wine list. The short list can be seen on their website, but the extended wine list is unbelieveable.

Was it La Gueule du Loup, not far off the Place du Forum? We had an excellent dinner there a couple years ago, and it sounds like the same place.