Jeffo

The Winslow Way Cafe on Bainbridge Island has closed as of August 18. No news as to a possible replacement restaurant, though one is rumored. Updates as they become available.

Clearly, Abra has never been to Treehouse. And actually, Westside can serve up some decent pizza.

Naw. This is Seattle. I wore jeans, t-shirt, and a sport coat.

Maybe not traditional "romantic" -- but it's dark!

True, though when we go with our two (older) kids we have no trouble finding something everyone likes. Our two love their dumplings...I think most kids do. I'm heading their next week, meeting our son who's going to college in CT (and who is a vegetarian). A note: don't be put off by the very ordinary exterior. There are a lot of surprises waiting inside!

I second little ms foodie. Be sure to let them (Ethan) know it's a special dinner. Enjoy!

I love Traunfeld's cooking too. And I'm a serious cook as well. Which is why it was so hard to take all of the "entertainment" at the Herbfarm. It is nothing like the original. Keep in mind that the original poster is looking for a great place for an important -- and romantic -- dinner. I find the current Herbfarm dining experience lacking in both areas. Your opinions may differ. I've been to Le Gourmand for an anniversary dinner as well and the entire evening is much more magical there (and Bruce and Sara Naftaly's food is right up there with the best in the city). Believe me, I wanted to like the Herbfarm much more than I actually did.

One great idea (to me anyway!) is Wu Liang Ye, a terrific Szechuan place on 48th between 5th and 6th just to the south of Rockefeller Center...and across from the Nintendo store (you have been warned!). The nice thing is, there's a variety so there's sure to be something for everyone, even the vegetarian(s). And the food is -- wow! Get the Dan Dan Noodles appetizer.

I'm still very much a Rover's fan. We did go to the Herbfarm for an anniversary dinner a couple of years ago. It felt like Knott's Berry Farm. The romance left when the original restaurant burned down. (They couldn't even spell "anniversary" correctly on the little card they made for us.) The room was noisy and we really didn't like the not-so-gentle reminders to visit the gift shop! And after all of that, the food wasn't all that memorable either...

Maybe the bread isn't the best example. (I still think ours was too black, "supposed to be or not.") But honestly, the ravioli was unpleasant. Not tasty. Not good. And certainly not worth $19.

Am I the only one who feels that Babbo is slipping? Went there Sunday night. Took our (well-behaved) 13- and 16-year-old girls. First they forgot the girls' drinks (beneath a man of the grape to serve Shirley Temples?) then the somellier simply forgot about us -- after our opening quartinos, we were never approached about a bottle. Another lost sale. And then...well, how to explain why the bread has burnt crust? "Uh, it's supposed to be that way," I gamely ventured. "But why?" asked the 13-year-old. "Who wants burnt bread?" Who indeed. Speaking of bread, why do we have to ask for the olive oil? I mean, we're dropping over $300 for a meal for four. Can't they at least offer it? The Marinated Sardine antipasto ($11) consists, I kid you not, of three PARTIAL sardines. That's it. Plus a lump of carmelized fennel and a few drops of what must have been the promised lobster oil. The Goose Liver ravioli was virtually inedible. Too much balsamic. Too sweet. Flavors did not meld. Simply didn't taste good. The pappardelle was a bit beyond al dente and skimpy on the sauce, even by Babbo standards. I've enjoyed many other meals at Babbo, but this experience was far less than stellar. Are Babbo's glory days over? Am I simplyl the last to know?

This place sounds interesting and fun. But is it solo diner compatible? I know most places are, but part of the attraction of Buddakan seems to be the ability to try a wide variety of interesting dishes...something that is greatly curtailed when dining alone...

Had I only known! I would have insisted you go with the pasta tasting menu...or at the very least, the Beef Cheek Ravioli. TDF.

Please help: I will soon (in about a week) have a chance to dine at Alinea OR Moto. I'm seeking the most sublime experience. The closest I've had to either restaurant is WD-50. Please advise! I particularly appreciate the advice of EGers who have been to both! Thanks! Thanks! Thanks!

OK, now here's a tough one: Moto or Alinea?