Beachfan

Steve P's suggestions are top notch. I would extend or modify the Napa itineraries to include them (drop Silverado and Arroyo if you need to). Pride and Peter Michael are in the top 20% of the wineries mentioned. I think they weren't open to the public a few years ago. Calistoga is a great place to base yourself. If arriving in SF, don't go through Napa, but go up to Santa Rosa on route 101 and cut over. Saves a lot of time. In the morning, do a mud bath or check out the geyser and Petrified Forest just outside Calistoga. Pretty small scale, but fun and authentic. The Mount View Hotel is nice there, and the restaurant was good (4 years ago). Steve K is right about the horrible traffic. Stick to the Silverado trail whenever possible, much, much better. Odds are 100 - 1 on tasting Montebello at the Sonoma facility of Ridge. Maybe only 30 -1 at their main place on the Peninsula. If you do the Russian River, stop off in Healdsburg. The Healdsburg bakery is exceptional, and the town is the way a California wine country burg should be. The area immediately around Chez Panisse is called the Gourmet Ghetto. Two highly recommended places - The Berkeley Cheese Board (see the California Borad) and North Berkely Wines' retail store. When are you going? I just decided to go in late June, and I'm salivating. Please report back.

I had a lovely meal there too. It's in Villeneuve d'Avignon, which is a fabulously central and peaceful place to base yourself. I stayed at the Hotel La Magnanerie and am dying go go back. 5 minutes to Avignon, 30 minutes to almost anywhere in Provence.

Russian River itinerary: Martinelli, is easy to get to and excellent. Then get a map and then over the bridge (it's a few turns and a little tricky) to Rochioli, then Ridge, Raffenelli and finish at Ferrari Carano. The best sceneray of all the wine routes, and some of the best wine. Valley of the Moon Itinerary: (Closest to SF) Start in Sonoma and go to Ravenswood. Then get on the Valley of the Moon Road and stop at BR Cohn, Arrowood, Chateau St. Jean and St. Francis. If you have time and capacity, you can fit in Kunde in the middle. You can do it in reverse order if your approaching from Santa Rosa. WHen at Chateau St. Jean, be sure to ask for the Reserve tasting room - it costs, but it's worth it. It's 3 tastes for $x or something like that. If you are with someone, they might split tastes and you can do 6 different wines. Silverado Trail (Napa) Start in Calistoga, check out Vincent Arroyo (a sleeper, great if you like Petite Syrah), Chateau Montelena, Phelps, Silverado and Caymus. Phelps is by appointment only and is my top recommendation for tour/hospitality/quality of the wine/incredibly beautiful location. Don't miss it. Also Chateau Montelena is beautiful for a picnic, (picnic is by reservation only, idyllic setting by a lake). Edit 7/21; based on recent visit, Arroyo was disappointing (no Petite Syrah to taste, other wines so, so). Phelps as good as ever. Heart of Napa (expect a ton of traffic); Heitz, Silver Oak, St. Clement,Beringer (upstairs in the founders room, expect to pay $$, but worth it). Monticello used to be delicous but I haven't been in a long time. Mondavi has a great tour. Their wines have slipped, but if you do go, go to the Tokalon Room (again, pay $$). As mentioned above, Satuii is interesting (more for the cheese than the wine, although their Madeira is excellent). Hess makes good wine and is very interesting for the art. So is Clos Pegase (wine isn't bad, interesting collection of ancient wine glasses). I assume Opus One only has there 1998 to taste. In which case I'd pass. They charge $20 or so for one taste. The 1996 was definitely worth it. Surprisingly, 1997 was not as good, and 1998 isn't much of a vintage. But you might want it for the experience. Let me know if you have any specific questions on wineries that have been around for a few years (I moved away 4 years ago).

You need to know your prices, and it's probably local. In California, where wine pricing is very competitive, they are lower on some but not on others. Nonetheless, their selection is limited but interesting. They have a bunch of 1999 Bordeaux including Lafite and Pavie. The pricing seemed ok on the Lafite (maybe 3% less than elsewhere). I didn't check the Pavie. Past bargains have included Beacastel and Dominus. And they are very good for everyday California Chards (Cambria's Catherine vineyards). In fact, that's where they are usually the best priced.

Interesting. A friend of mine who usually has good judgement in these matters recommended Bofinger highly. So I too would be curious to hear what others think. jordyn -- I've heard about Bofinger being not worthwhile to visit, but have never sampled its cuisine. For lunch, you have many reasonable-value options -- including (3) 71 euros for a three-course prix fixe lunch at three-starred Grand Vefour (note the cuisine did not please me, and you may be resting up for ensuing meals), I absolutely loved Le Grand Vefour for lunch on my last trip. It's my first food priority on my next trip. 2nd best for food, best overall among the handful of 3 star lunches in Paris that I've had. I stayed away from Bofinger for years based on similar comments I had heard. I went last trip and loved it. However, my plan was different than for most restaurants and played to the best of Bofinger. 1) I love Belle Epoque 2) I wanted oysters 3) I had a big lunch and wanted a late supper after going to the Louvre 4) The Marais at night is fun. So, to the point, I would not go for lunch. I would go when the idea of no supper is a little too little, and oysters late at night sounds good. If that's your mindset, you'll love Boffinger.

I know a fair amount about Italian wines, and I am in unfamiliar territory on their list. Which is good. I got a chardonnay from Trentino there that was excellent for the price ($40). I love their quartino approach; most places give you crap for that price. I go nuts seeing mediocre California Cab for $17 a glass. Did you ask the sommelier for a recommendation?

Is Brigsten's still around and still fine? I haven't been to New Orleans in years, but the two time I ate there were the best meals I had.

Having reflected further, I reiterate my previous comment that I'm glad Babbo's is open late. It's a great option. It probably isn't as good as 8pm. But having something other than a diner open at midnight is one of the things that makes NYC great. Here are a few reasons to have Babbo serve late: After theatre After a baseball game The day I fly in (good point Christopher) My wife, who goes to be early, doesn't feel like going out, so I nosh and then go out myself I want to drink some wine off the list and will have just apps I love the Village in summer late at night. 11:00 doesn't seem late there. I understand the offer of 11:00 might be disappointing. Would you prefer they say there are no table available, and not mention the late hour?

How was the wine?

Do you think a kitchen can sustain top level production from 5:30 to 1 AM? Can Mario actually cook all that time and better yet, does he? Good point. I guess I assumed he was usually not there given his far flung empire.

I tend toward Steve P's parameters, on choice of table, although I make less expert use of their vantage point. I didn't go back to Daniel's for 8 years because of a bad table (and worse attitude when I asked for a change). Funny, the two times I've went in the last two years, I've gotten great tables (once after a change request). There are a handful of very good inexpensive restaurants for which decor is no issue. I never like facing a wall. If it has a mirror, I mind it a little less. Decor enhances, but never wins. Picasso in Las Vegas was amazing decor (surrounded by Picassos), but I found the food boring and haven't went back.

It's good. Late night on a hot day in the Village? Sounds great. Would it be better if they were closed?

I agree with the Cote du Rhone recommendations. Also try Falesco Vitiano. Should be $8 or so. Even Rosemount Shiraz if you are at a place with almost zero selection (about $11) would be a big step up from jug wine.

In contrast to Steve, one of my best experiences in my 2000 Provence trip was Christian Ettienne. I went twice. Maybe you could hedge your bets by going for lunch. The restaurant is in a building that's almost as old as the Papal Palace, and that was worth a visit almost in itself.

Cafe Abracci in Coral Gables is a new favorite of mine. Right near the airport, open late. Highly recommended middle tier place. The pasta with asiago/pear filling is other worldly. And the tuna carpaccio was fantastic the first couple of times. Once they served it without enough olive oil on it; so if it doesn't seem fantastic, see if that isn't the problem Poor wine list but reasonable corkage fee.

I think they have a take on molten chocolate cake (at least Matshuhisa's does). Fabulous!

I don't think the topic is off limits at all. It depends on your other immediate companions. In fact, it may be very appropriate. I'm not sure if the other diner was chiding you or expressing a sincere emotion. Hopefully, she was politely requesting your help in getting over the loss. This could have been one of her first times out after the morning period. She may have had a hard time being focused on her dinner companions and unconciously focused on your conversation. Or she could have been the testy sort. It's a shame that it affected your dinner in either case. In any case, next time, talk about death as much as you like!

There is life in the California board! Woo hoo!! Great post on Spago Beverly Hills !One of the best things is that no matter what your food preference is, from meat and potato, to fish fan, to vegetarian, you'll walk away extremely pleased. It has the best aspects of a formal place (top service) but a casual feel to it that promotes dining comfort.

If you go to ISO, be sure to try the Chef Special Sushi assortment. It's $2 more than the regular, but that's where the fabulous finds are. I'd be interested in your review - I find it the best of the lower Manhatten places, and excellent overall when price is a consideration.

In strong contrast to some other advice posted, I say don't explore the notion any more and keep to your healthy orientation. The comfort I got from comfort food lasts no more than a half hour after completion, sometimes much less. The calories remain until burned off (which if you believe in Last in, Last out, will be 10 years from now). Save the calories for more celebratory experiences. Of course, there are many others, less compulsive than I, who can use chocolate, cheese, etc. without health implications. So maybe I'm just talking to myself here. Cheese anyone?

Ahh. Now you're talking. You and I could meet for a depressed lunch at Artisinal. I like cheese.

Since this is in part a Piedemonte thread, I just had the 1990 Giacosa Barbaresco San Stefano Riserva at a price so inexpensive that I thought the wine must have had been bought from someone who had problems with storage. The wine was fabulous. Somwhat smokey, roasted meat, pretty mature compared to the 1990 Giacosa Barolo Falletto that I've had recently. But really wonderful, especially after a half hour open (I need to be more patient, it's half gone in a half hour). To make it relevant to this thread's title: Giacosa. Peter Michael for this moment only.

1990 Leroy Romanee St. Vivant. 1982 Mouton Rothchild the first time (the second time it was disappointing, haven't figured out why).

I think it's a killer wine. I've had the 94, 95 and 98. Even in a slightly off year (94), it's lovely. Mind telling me the price? You can message me if posting price is not considered good gulliquette.

I think whites are comparable or better, reds have a ways to go. This is a somewhat dated opinion, I was there 5 years ago. There are many good Sauvignon Blancs. I really like Kumeu River Chardonnay.