viejomajadero

Hi Would you share with me and others what you consider "Fine Dining"? To me -- places like The Saddle River Inn and the Dining Room at the Manor are fine dining. Customers dress well. Food is impeccable. Table service is done by professionals. Place settings --- hardware, china, glassware --- are high quality. Wine service is is 4 star whether they have a wine list or not. I love Blu in Montclair but I would not call it "Fine Dining". Love to hear. Viejo

Paulo Thank you so much for your reply. Do you have any dinner suggestions in Lisbon where the locals would eat? We wish to try all levels of dining and really want to try some typical local foods in additon to high end? With us depending on public transportation trips outside the city for dining might not be practical. Obrigado Viejo

Hi Everyone My wife and I are planning our 10th wedding anniversary in Lisbon. Will probably be staying at the Tivoli Lisboa but that has not been decided. Based on the fabulous help we received for our last trip (Barcelona) we are once again looking for your recommendations. We wish to taste Portugal. Would like dinner choices for 5 nights. Neighborhood locals and up. FYI my wife is fluent in Spanish which may help at local restaurants. Obrigado Viejo

Hikeleader I would say you reiterated my feelings based on my last visit. In my estimation there is no reason to return to this place. Viejo

So, Deserts What is your evaluation of Cinc Sentits food?? Viejo

Hi All First we would like to thank all who have submitted their thoughts and suggestions. We have decided (also in light of availability) for our dinner as follows; Saturday Hisop Sunday Cerveceria Catalana Monday Rias de Galicia Tuesday Gresca Wednesday Quimet i Quimet Thursday Cinc Sentits Viejo Majadero y Esposa

Thanks for the reply. If you had to choose 4 restaurants for us to visit, which ones would you pick? Price or or type of food is not an issue. We appreciate all your help. Viejo PS.....not necessarily from this list...

Mi esposa suggests Top Choice for Tasting Menu ---- 35 - 50 Euro Best Suckling Pig Best Paiella Best Seafood Viejo

Aiden I truely respect your opinion but need to make this simple for me and the way I think. I have read through all the restaurants recently visited on this blog. I also culled from some web sites and then got this list from the hotel. What I need from someone such as yourself is to tell me not to choose a certain place because it is "not good". Impecable references are good, but as you must be aware restaurants change over time or after a great review you visit the place and it is just off. I plan to take in all levels of food and only have six nights to do it in. I want to try what the locals eat as well as higher end. I don't want Japanese, Thai, Italian, French, Chinese, etc. I do want what is expressed as "Barcelona" food. Radical is not important, but exciting and inventive can be, BUT not every night. I want to narrow down my list tonight and make a final selection. Set Portes, Barceloneta, Cerveceria Catalana, and Merendero de la Mari are open on Sunday and I need a Sunday choice. Since one is your second home that helps me. I thank you in advance for your educated help. I usually have chef friends with connections to places I visit and that is a tremendous advantage. I don't have that in Barcelona. Lastly, my wife is Cuban and her mothers side of the family is Catalan, so she would like to taste her "roots" so to say. I'm already thinking Gresca, and Cerveceria Catalana, Hisop, and Pinotxo. Viejo

Hi Would appreciate a yes or no to each restaurant listed. I have already considered all of those restaurants reviewed in other threads and recently got this list from our intended hotel. Thanks very much for your quick reply. Viejo Majadero --------------------------------------- Via Veneto Windsor Ca l’Isidre Casa Calvet Set Portes Barceloneta Merendero de la Mari Cerveceria Catalana thanks

Hi Six courses including tip cost each of us under $100 (low $90's). Of course it cost me a lot more since I supplied the wine. But that is what I wanted this to be about. Great food. They do have a menu!!! And BYO!!!! Impecable service. Wonderful old world, civilized charm. For me this was a much better dining experience than my recent visits to Panache and David Dreck. Viejo

Told Ya So!!!!!!! Derek Barnes of Derek's Culinary Casual, 514 Central Avenue, Sarasota was one of twenty chefs nominated last week as a semi-finalist for the 2009 James Beard Foundation Awards. Twenty chefs from five different states have been put onto the roster for "Best Chef South." Read More at http://www.dereks-sarasota.com Derek is cookin and I'm watching snow flakes. Viejo

Ah, and it came to an end too soon!!! Viejo

Hi Had no idea what the price would be until the bill came. Thanks Viejo

On Tuesday the 17th my wife and I had dinner at the Manor in the Ala Carte area. Tuesday is special as they allow wine to be brought in (no corkage) and, as it turns out, they have a very respectable list of wines at half price. We were really enjoying the old world charm and the piano music when I realized this would be a great choice for one of my Boys Night Out dinners. I spoke to the Maitre d' about such and asked if we could use the side room so as not to disturb the diners and the piano player. I discussed the wines I intended to bring but felt the menu would not accomodate the wines. In walked the Chef Mitchell Altholz (formerly Chef owner of Jocelyne's of Maplewood.) He came to my table and I told him I was having a group of six men scheduled for dinner and was bringing a vertical of Chateau Neuf Du Pape - Beaucastel. The years were 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1994, and 1995. He said he would put together a special menu for the wine selection. We stepped out of the limo at 7:00 PM and were escourted to a dining area just behind the main dining room. Set up on a table were six carafes each noted with a year to match the wines. Our table was set up with six wine glasses across the top of each setting. The wines were expertly decanted over a lit candle and served to each of us oldest to newest right to left. Chef Altholz had printed menus at each setting. First Course---Country Game Pate', Cumberland Sauce and Celery Root. Second Course---Rabbit Crepinette, Sunchoke and Truffle Salad, Black Garlic Sauce. Third Course---Squab with Sauteed Foie Gras, Napa Cabbage, Smoked Bacon, Black Truffle Sauce. Fourth Course---Dijon Crusted Rack of Lamb, Baby Vegetables, Potato Gratin, Rosemary Jus. Chef Altholz came to the table and personally went through each dish as served. We finished with a cheese platter and dessert. Everything was perfect. Wine, food, atmosphere. And --- the table service was impeccable. Three hours of attention detail!! I cannot say enough about this evening. As we were leaving the General Manager came over and thanked us. He hoped we would spread the word. This is a BYO worth exploring. Viejo