Beachfan

I managed to have dinner at both Leon de Lyon and Les Loges. My meal was almost excellent at Leon de Lyon and excellent at Les Loges. The difference in what my vegetarian wife had was huge. Leon de Lyon - the best you could say is that they were accomodating. Choice of soup or simple salad to strat along with a suggestion of a (seemingly simple) vegetable plate. Heres an excerpt from the email with Les Loges proposal (which was divine!!) "Hen's egg in Tio Pepe Water of Cucumber in the ceéléri and the watercress of Fountain Cream of Jerusalem artichoke in Beans coke and rapée truffle The cooked asparaguses in vinaigrette, smell of sage The Turnip of the mushrooms of wood in the Marjoran Chanterelles in the creamy italian rice and the parmesan cheese A selection of Cheeses Especially Chosen for you by our specialist Mr.Boujon An irresistible Selection of Sweet Temptations Created for you by Your Chef: Nicolas Le Bec Hen's egg in Tio Pepe Water of Cucumber in the ceéléri and the watercress of Fountain Cream of Jerusalem artichoke in Beans coke and rapée truffle The cooked asparaguses in vinaigrette, smell of sage The Turnip of the mushrooms of wood in the Marjoran Chanterelles in the creamy italian rice and the parmesan cheese A selection of Cheeses Especially Chosen for you by our specialist Mr.Boujon An irresistible Selection of Sweet Temptations Created for you by Your Chef: Nicolas Le Bec" (Well accompanied by Beaurenard 1999 CDP white) The difference in the creations of chefs who care is amazing. 'Nuff said.

Thanks. I just received a menu proposal for les Loges that included a vegetarian menu. It was super; so les Loges it is! Thanks!

With all the travelers we have in France, I was wondering whether there were any recent experiences on Les Loges or Leon de Lyon. I find myself having to choose between the two (this weekend).

The Gateway to Japan - Kodansha Guide was awesome. The best guide book I ever used (and I use a lot). I'm not sure if there has been an update, I went in 1998 (Kyoto and Tokyo, with day trips outside town), and it was a 1998 edition I think.

I've had two great lunches at L-C and have heard of several poor dinners. I wonder whether it's an exception to the rule espoused on e-gullet that dinner shows off the kitchen better.

I tried Astrance in early August, foolish me. Then I tried on the second day back from vacation. Too late. My hotel only opened in late August, so concierge didn't exist earlier. Of couse, I could have done something earlier, but I wasn't sure what I wanted to do until I reread the raves on Astrance. But it isn't really so much having dinner on the day. It's having something else to do in the evening. If anyone knows of a cool Paris event the evening of Friday 9/27, then we'll do lunch at Astrance. If the weather is decent, the Bateau Mouche late is always fun for us.

They have the best oil packed Italian anchovies for the price (under $3) or triple the price for that matter. You have to go to the top quality boquerones at Whole Foods to do better.

I enjoyed them at Boffinger, but perhaps it was the Art Noveau talking.

Bux, your thoughts are similar to mine (Italian in France, $$$$$ for one *). These choices are what the concierge offered when Astrance said they were full. The complication is that it's my wife's birthday (a vegetarian non foodie). We have reservations for lunch in Astrance, but on a Friday, I think she'd rather do dinner out. The day before, we are having lunch at le Grand Vefour. During the week, some museums are open late, so we enjoy a lunch, nap and evening in the musuem. Maybe the weather will be fine and an evening outside after lunch at Astrance will be lovely. PS I ate at Cap Vernat last year and it was definitely mediocre; I wouldn't go back.

My choices must be so unfashionable that no-one cares to comment (except one kind soul who sent a PM).

I struck out on my first 4 choices for a one star dinner in Paris. Any recommendations between Il Cortile and Drouant? Both have vegetarian options. Exciting food is the first consideration, followed by quality/price ratio and nicotine content in atmosphere. Thanks in advance!

Unless I know the individual at a store doing the rating, I just ignore it. Many, many wines would get a high rating if you looked at enough ratings. The difference between ratings can be 10 points, even after accounting for conservatism/liberal ratings.

What's your definition of casual (or SF casual)? Mine is that you wouldn't think of needing a jacket. The service is pretty relaxed at Boulevard (although it's excellent).

I can add a couple for the next visitor. Cafe Ruszwurm near the Palace has world class pastries for under $1. Alabardos is an expensive but good restaurant on castle hill, good place to try Hungarian fois gras d'oie. The best was in the town of Szentendre, Aranysarkany Vedeglo (Golden Dragon Inn) which was inexpensive and absolutely super. Worth the train ride (45 minutes) just for lunch, and you can catch a boat back for the cruise down the Danube. Kacsa Vendeglo was also nice, reasonably priced upscale restaurant.

I'd strongly suggest Boulevard. It's casual, though priced higher than Fringale. If you don't have a big appetite and you like mussels, go to LuLu's. They have the best oven roasted mussels I've ever had (in a cast iron skillet). The appetizers are better in general than the entrees, but it's a fun place.

The Thai restaurant at the Santiago Hyatt was excellent. I found Chilean food outside the capital to be surprisingly bland.

I've been a few times, not in several years. It's ok for Queens. Glad to hear egulleters think it's decent. I'd go back if you took the job!

Sounds pricey but tastey. Thanks for the help!!!

London Marriott Grovesnor Square

I've done it for several trips. It has some effect, but mostly color. It wasn't much of a problem.

Infant mortality rates would say otherwise. Having seen people bath in the same stream their livestock defecate in, I'd say there are problems far beyond out of date frozen food.

I asked the concierge for a recommendation on a moderately priced Italian restaurant. They suggested La Genova. Has anyone been there? If so, please let me know what you thought of the place.

The one time I was at Sripraphai, it was fabulous. Best in the US, and as good as the average one in Thailand. However, I was warned away from the seafood dishes.

The Hanalei Dolphin fish store will occasionally do cajun seared ahi sashimi that is just fabulous. I have it for lunch whenever I can.

1) Yes 2) Correct, won't order because of brand 3) No 4) The opposite, I resent when only small are available. Of course if it's $10/bottle, I might feel otherwise. 5) Anything other than evian. 6) $5 - $8 ok ($8 at a top place) more and I won't order it. 7) It's usually not on the menu 8) I like only a few waters; Pellegrino, Badoit. If the local water sucks (LA, Florida) then I'm open to more. In NYC the tap is delish, so I won't stray too often from those two and I'll go for tap.