Beachfan

Au Fer Rouge looked fabulous but I couldn't get in. Since you have the 3 stars sewn up (Buerheisel was one of my best meals ever), you might want to leave room for a Winstub (I don't remember the one I went to in Strasbourg, but Michelin gave it a Bib Gourmand). It's a great, fun environment. Also the bakerey Kayser in Stassbourg is outstanding, clearly better than the Paris branch. Are you visiting the wineries? Calling ahead even a couple of days is a big help. The intimate and personal tasting there is fabulous, they sit down with you at a table and spend a half hour with you. Schoffit was superb, Weinbach almost as good (but so popular, you'll have to wait a little bit). Deiss was excellent and you could just drop in on. Let me know if you need more rec's on wineries.

GT, Sushi Yashuda, and Bouley (the lunch at Bouley is a steal at $35; also served weekends).

Loved the post. And I'm not a BBQ fan. In fact the post rises to the top of a special travelogue category - travelogues so illustrative that it satisfies the urge to go there! In case there is any doubt, this is a compliment. If you've ever read Riding the Iron Rooster by Paul Theroux, you know what I mean. I know by outing myself as a non BBQ fan, I risk being ostracized. I guess I just don't learn. PS The cerviche in the video store sounds like a great movie script start.

My favorite is Fleur de Lys (although it's been a few years). Farrollon is a ton of fun and excellent food too. I was thinking of going to the Fifth Floor tomorrow night; where are the naysayers posting?

Whoops, I posted a non NJ restaurant, sorry.

I hear something similar, but not quite that. I have friends to whom food is very important, they think about it as much as e-gulleters, but wouldn't ever spend $100 on a meal (and they can afford it if they wanted to). It has to do with the additonal pleasure one enounters as one moves up the quality scale. At the high end, 10% extra quality (however defined) will cost much more than 10% extra price. For me, the extra 10% is almost always worth it. For others it isn't. But I don't think it means that they enjoy their meals less. They just have parameters for enjoyment that are easier to achieve. That being said, I think your advice sounds great.

Wow, sounds like the type of food I really enjoy. Thanks for the post Steve. By the way, would you also recommend them for lunch?

It even varies in the same area. Woodland Hills (LA County, California) is superb, while the one in Thousand Oaks (next county over) is just average. The salad bar, fish, meat, cheese, deli (health oriented but not just veggie) are all excellent in the larger ones in LA.

Do you know where he is going? We are in need of a very good Indian restaurant in California. PS If you have any recommendations, let me know.

I've enjoyed l'Affriole on a few occasions, but it doesn't often seem to get a recommendation here. Any comments from non-fans? PS Sorry if I've added a side track to the thread.

The two times I was at Artisanal, I couldn't help but admire, ogle, linger, at the cheese store. The woman behind the counter was busy, but appreciated my interest and would tell me what she liked best that day. I had her make a little assortment for home, but perhaps that's the best termporary solution for meals. I understand it may seem less than elegant, but for someone like myself, who likes to ogle gorgeous cheese assortments, it would work out well. I like cheese.

Thanks! I am an Italian wine fan and am continually delighted at Babbo, Lupa, Esca. Whether I spend a lot or a little, I find it fabulous.

I love the mangoes in Kauii in June (only available there as far as I know). Have you been to Hawaii and had mangoes there? Hayden's seem to be my favorite.

Lovely post. Are you getting to enjoy Provence, or do you need to sleep most of your time off.

I understand about the Y'quem, although it transcends the concept of sweet wine. Regarding being in the boondocks, you should be able to get someone to ship to you, even if you are limited to in state stores. Send me a message if you need help locating a place. I found at least one pretty quickly, and they had 1985 Salon.

If you tend to drink non-vintage champagne, the 1990 Grand Dame seems like the best bet based on current (California) market prices (about $80). I'm pretty sure you'll be very happy with that. Also excellent is the 1990 Pol Roger Winston Churchill. Bollinger Grand Anee 1989 is excellent and different, a little yeasty (a good thing in my taste vocabulary for champagne). 1990 Grand Annee is also very good. Dom Perignon 1990 is also nice (but I prefer the Grand Dame). I love the Dom Perignon 1985, but I think I've seen posts where others didn't like it (didn't stop me from buying a couple bottles more though :>). If you want to go the next step up, Vintage Krug is tops. Also Vintage Salon. Say from 1985 or 89 or 90 (maybe even 88 for Krug I think). If it says Clos de Mensil from those years on it, you know you've hit the jackpot (and will take a jackpot to pay for it). If you want to have a fun extra bottle, try Laurent-Perrier non-vintage Rose. I like it, and a nice Rose is nice indeed! Should be much cheaper than the vintage stuff above. Not the same quality level, but vintage Rose's tend to be dear. Leave some money over for a half bottle of Chateau Y'quem from 1988 or 1989 or 1990 (Sauterne, an expensive desert wine). That may be the most memorable bottle.

Since the title is French Food Guides, I'll add the following: I love Patricia Wells books, more for there information on where to shop for food than for restaurants. Nonetheless, I take her thoughts into account after using Michelin as a first cut. For me, so much of the pleasure is visiting the shops, and it makes Patricia Wells invaluable.

The dinner at Maximin sounds a little like the "new cruelty" practiced at Restaurant L'Idiot in LA Story. Maybe it's the old cruelty when taking place in the old world. PS A gold star to anyone who can name the actor playing the Maitre d' at L'Idiot in the movie.

Glad to hear the Vegas restuarants are coming around. 3 years ago, Picasso wouldn't do it (although Olive's did). Now all we have to do is convince the French. Re: the Morey, I've had more expererience with Bernard than Marc. Any comments on comparisons between the two (if they are comparable?). Also, I noticed a 96 Marc Morey Chassagne-Montrachet Les Caillerets in my "drink this summer" section. Any thoughts on Les Caillerets vs. the Les Vergers you had? PS Old Barolos rule!

When I lived in NYC and Northern California, tap was great. In Southern California, I drink Pellegrino sparkling and Crystal Geyser still water. Besides liking both of them a lot, they are at Costco and Trader Joes.

Be sure to care about the vintage as well. 1990 and prior years had a lot of stars (Winston Churchill is a good choice). Subsequent to then, the pickin's are leaner. How much do you want to spend?

Can you add where these lovely small towns are in relation to Lyon? Maybe one of our more e-able members could post/link a map.

I support this view. While I have found that tossing a nice sport jacket on makes almost anything decent, there's something very appealing to eat elegantly in an Aloha shirt and shorts (in the tropics). In particular, it's the tie I don't enjoy. And in Tabla, I would think a broad standard would apply, allowing anything that wasn't truly shabby.

Another fabulous dispatch. I'll never think of shrimp in the same way again. However, confusion now abounds in my household. Me "We gotta go to Charlestown in the fall!" Wife "Ok!" Me "No, make that the Florida panhandle!" Wife "Allright!" Me "No, make that Alabama!" Wife "Too much time on the web must lead to mental illness"

It's a bit south, but Zemi's in Boca Raton is a big favorite of mine. Wine friendly too.