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Shmily

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    If you had to choose between...

    in New Jersey: Dining

    Posted

    Several ideas...Jean George has a reasonable lunch...in fact, it is considered a bargain...I have not eaten at it...IF you eat at Nicholas, skip their beef entree...every time we have eaten there, it has been tough and full of gristle...and others have reported the same thing...and it is very strange with reservations...last week I called Babbo to get reservations for a birthday dinner in January...they have always been the HARDEST number for me to get through to...well, they answered on the first ring....economy, anyone??!! so it is worth trying anyplace...please tell us what happens...and have a wonderful time.. :biggrin::biggrin:

    If you had to choose between...

    in New Jersey: Dining

    Posted

    I know I will get annoyed replies BUT here is my opinion....as a foodie, I would go to NYC. I have eaten at Seranade and found it overpriced and not great, have eaten at Nicholas a number of times, and(other than the always chewy and full of gristle beef entree) found the service pleasant and the food ok, but not in any way gourmet. I have not eaten at David Drake, but I have has his food at previous restaurants and do not find it special...sorry...I am totally disappointed with NJ restaurants that charge NY prices but do not deliver the goods...so sad....

    So what would I do...The most special of all...if you can swing it, is Per Se...amazing food, unbelievable service....a totally amazing and memorable evening...and ask for a tour of the kitchen...the ultimate for a foodie (in my opinion)...Less expensive but wonderful with great service and pretty roomswould be The Gramercy Tavern, Tabla, Daniel, amazing food but not a beautiful room would be Jean George, Babbo...I just think turning 40 is really special...good luck :smile::smile:

    Per Se

    in New York: Dining

    Posted

    This comment is for all of us who are much more into food than wine...Please dont worry about needing to order wine you are not comfortable with nor can you drink due to medicine...or any other reason...In the number of times we have eaten at PerSe they have been wonderful at picking just one glass of wine...or whatever we felt we wanted. They are SO customer friendly that it is a pleasure to eat there...To those who love and appreciate wine, they will help you also pick whatever you are comfortable drinking...I just dont want those who are not to be scared in any way....Let us all enjoy this amazing treat. :smile::smile:

    Per Se

    in New York: Dining

    Posted

    Bobster..The amazing service has always impressed us...They have always made us feel like honored guests..and that is only one reason we have returned for the 4th time and you for the 7th time...and why we feel the price is worth it..the food is so consistent..so unusual, with so many ingredients and so complicated..and so much is so special and the service is so down to earth and lovely...and not at all pretentious...what a treat. :biggrin::biggrin:

    Per Se

    in New York: Dining

    Posted

    I had a special birthday so again we made reservations and had another sublime dinner..we look at the cost as a weekend away...for 3 1/2 hours we felt totally transported to another place, another level of dining...the amazing Staff..the food, much of which I feel is etherial...just a dining experience that is above anything I have ever had..and I have eaten in most of the top rated places in NYC...and this was our 4th trip to Per Se...so my message to anyone who is looking for something very special...this is the place... :biggrin::biggrin:

    Help in Alexandria area for special meal...please

    in D.C. & DelMarVa: Dining

    Posted

    Has anyone eaten in Domaso?? or know anything about the food?? Thanks,.. :smile:

    Domaso has been flying under the radar. It's been getting good notes here and there, but the Washingtonian didn't like it too much.

    Heck, if you're going to Rosslyn, you may as well go into Georgetown and eat at Hook, it's just across the river. You may want to avoid prime time unless your guests enjoy "high energy" scenes." 6:30 reservations are great because that's when rush hour parking ends and you can always get a spot (but traffic in the Alexandria/Rosslyn/Georgetown area is miserable, so plan extra time if you're traveling by car).

    I just made reservations at Hook...thank you very much for the suggestion. :smile::smile:

    Help in Alexandria area for special meal...please

    in D.C. & DelMarVa: Dining

    Posted

    Has anyone eaten in Domaso?? or know anything about the food?? Thanks,.. :smile:

    Domaso has been flying under the radar. It's been getting good notes here and there, but the Washingtonian didn't like it too much.

    Heck, if you're going to Rosslyn, you may as well go into Georgetown and eat at Hook, it's just across the river. You may want to avoid prime time unless your guests enjoy "high energy" scenes." 6:30 reservations are great because that's when rush hour parking ends and you can always get a spot (but traffic in the Alexandria/Rosslyn/Georgetown area is miserable, so plan extra time if you're traveling by car).

    I appreciate the suggestion... :smile::smile:

    Help in Alexandria area for special meal...please

    in D.C. & DelMarVa: Dining

    Posted

    Of all the laces mentioned, only Eve is actually in Alexandria.  But don't go to the Bistro, go to the tasting room.

    Is the food different in the Tasting Room than the Bistro..I thought the big difference was being able to order a la carte rather than a complete dinner?? Thanks :smile:

    There's not a whole lot of overlap between the Bistro and the Tasting Room IIRC. Perhaps Busboy didn't pick up on you desire to order a la carte. The food from the bar to the Bistro to the Tasting Room is fantastic. You could be blown away in any setting.

    Unless all of your party is open to game, organ meats, caviar etc...I would let them have more control over their meal. Chef Armstrong does all of the above with great expertise, but if it's not your thing, it's not your thing.

    Take a look at the sample menus on Eve's website.

    The problem is that some of our party has more sophisticated taste than others...so the Bistro might be perfect...thanks a lot... :biggrin::biggrin:

    Help in Alexandria area for special meal...please

    in D.C. & DelMarVa: Dining

    Posted

    Hi...We live in New Jersey and are going to visit a cousin who is turning 90 and another of our party is turning 65 and 2 others have a 25th anniversary...and 5 or 6 of us will go out to eat.  We love New American(interesting and imaginative preparations)  or seafood and want to be able to order a la carte. Here are some of the suggestions we were given and we are looking for comments and specific suggestions and/or experiences:  Restaurant Eve (Bistro), Hook, 2941, Cushion's Eat Place, Oceanaire, Blacksalt Fish Market, Bazins on Church....other names are welcome...we just want a WONDERFUL meal... :smile:  :biggrin:

    I love Eve and couldn't recommend it more! I'll also throw something out there that you and your guests might enjoy, and it flies under the radar on foodie boards-The Grille at The Morrison House.

    It fits all of your criteria and while The Grille has a talented chef who focuses on local ingredients/American cuisine, it remains underappreciated. There is a nice bar and lounge area to enjoy before or after, and the English style Inn is just gorgeous. Valet parking as you pull up (or at least the last time I went :wink: )

    http://www.morrisonhouse.com/mrr-dining/index.html

    thank you SO much for the suggestions..will share when we decide...we are going in April... :smile::smile:

    Help in Alexandria area for special meal...please

    in D.C. & DelMarVa: Dining

    Posted

    Hi...We live in New Jersey and are going to visit a cousin who is turning 90 and another of our party is turning 65 and 2 others have a 25th anniversary...and 5 or 6 of us will go out to eat. We love New American(interesting and imaginative preparations) or seafood and want to be able to order a la carte. Here are some of the suggestions we were given and we are looking for comments and specific suggestions and/or experiences: Restaurant Eve (Bistro), Hook, 2941, Cushion's Eat Place, Oceanaire, Blacksalt Fish Market, Bazins on Church....other names are welcome...we just want a WONDERFUL meal... :smile::biggrin:

    Rosemary & Sage Riverdale

    in New Jersey: Dining

    Posted

    So sad that I need to agree totally with you...after many many visits several years ago, we stopped eating here due to the poor attitude of the staff...I believe that when I am a guest in a restaurant I am paying for not only the food but the attitude and atmosphere...and if I feel as though I am not welcome...I talk with my feet and do not return....I hope you had a better experience at MC since I have not heard wonderful food comments about it either.... :sad::sad:

    Orlando Area Dining

    in Florida: Dining

    Posted

    We spent a week in Orlando and first I want to thank those who told us about Lee and Rick's Oyster Bar...the food was wonderful...we had oysters, both raw and steamed...yummy..and peel and eat shrimp..so tender and properly cooked...and at Epsot in the pastry shop in the French Pavillion....the best Napolean ever...other than that...chicken and pizza at Costco...so sad...thanks... :biggrin::biggrin:

    Orlando Area Dining

    in Florida: Dining

    Posted

    I just returned from 5 days in Orlando and before leaving I searched the Florida Forum for restaurant suggestions...so I was prepared for a culinary wasteland.  I don't think there is a chain restaurant that does not exist in Orlando!  That said, we did end up having some good meals.  Here is where we went:

    1. Memories of India - tucked into a strip mall on Turkey Lake Road near Sand Lake Rd.  Went here on Valentine's Day and there was a line out the door.  We had wonderful, authentic Indian food, very gracious service and no rushing.  While waiting we spoke a gentleman originally from India, who said he was in Orlando on business.  He had heard of the restaurant and had eaten there every night of his business trip.  We had the chicken makhani and the lamb shakuti.

    2. Cedars - Sand Lake Rd.  Again an authentic ethnic restaurant, this time Lebanese.  The food was wonderful and the server helped us select items to round out a nice dining experience.  Delicious hummus, and a unique pita bread. 

    3. Before heading to the airport, we stopped at Lee & Rick's Oysters on Old Winter Garden Rd, just off Kirkman.  We had tried to eat there one evening and there was an hour wait.  It is a dive but it has the most fantastic fresh oysters.  It has been there forever and locals call it home.  It is also the best value in town...a dozen fresh oysters for $4.95!  You sit at a counter and the server shucks the oysters for you as you eat.  Besides oysters, they also have steam crab, shrimp, mussels as well as deep fried fish baskets.  If you like seafood, treat yourself to this experience.

    While there we also heard of a restaurant, K Restaurant Wine Bar on Edgewater Dr., that is supposed to be good but we didn't have a chance to try it.

    thank you again..we ate at Lee and Rock's...see my comment at end of this Forum..WONDERFUL FOOD.... :biggrin::biggrin:

    Rosemary & Sage Riverdale

    in New Jersey: Dining

    Posted

    Hi everyone – I’ve been an avid reader here for a while, first time posting.  And my reason…Rosemary & Sage in Riverdale. I have been eager to try this place for sometime and finally made it last weekend.  It was very poor, one of the most disappointing meals we have had in a long time. 

    Based purely on their website I was expecting the interior to be quaint, eclectic even, but it was fairly lackluster.  When we first walked we were greeted with a view of a double closet door and a coat rack.  The place is tiny (no problem with that) but crammed full of so many tables the wait staff could barely get around.  Walls are painted plain yellow with industrial drop ceiling tiles. Yawn – again not what I was expecting - I love places that are cool or interesting but I can forgive the lack of decor if the food is splendid.

    After an interminable wait at the coat rack (14 minutes with an empty table right in front of us) we were seated.  The wine by the glass list was a joke – only 4 or 5 choices, we chose soda.  The service was ridiculously slow.  I don’t mean it was slow in a have-a-relaxing-meal-take-your-time-slow, I mean slash-your-wrists-slow.  Our waiter who, it turns out, is the brother of the owner was fairly clueless and completely unsophisticated.  He stopped reading the specials to us twice – once to talk to another table about their order and once to tell a waitress to bring water to yet another table.  We ordered the fish special and the stuffed sole.  Before our meal came out we ate a rather wilted salad which seemed a few days past its shelf life and listened to the table next to us saying “no really, he must have forgotten about us – he must have really” and they had a different waiter to us.  Our waiter came back out to ask us again what we had ordered (seriously) and went back to the kitchen to get it.  The stuffed sole was ok. Bland like my grandmother cooked it, but passable.  The fish special was raw in the inside.  Yep raw.  My husband called over a different waiter – a young lady who took my husband’s plate back to the kitchen – not a word of sorry or “I’ll be right back”.  I continued to eat (I know it’s not polite but eh, we have been married a long time and I was about ready to eat my own arm).  Our original waiter eventually came out with he food (same piece of fish reheated) and put it in front of him, again not a sorry in sight.

    We declined dessert and asked (begged really) for the check.  Took 10 minutes.  Was brought over and mutely handed to us.  We went to A&P and bought brownies and that was the best part of the night.  :raz:

    OK – I feel better I got that off my chest.  I know oodles of people like that place and it gets great Zagat ratings.  I really wanted to like it but, alas, it was not to be.

    This weekend we also went to the Strip House and it was a better time, next weekend Restaurant.MC.

    So sad that I need to agree totally with you...after many many visits several years ago, we stopped eating here due to the poor attitude of the staff...I believe that when I am a guest in a restaurant I am paying for not only the food but the attitude and atmosphere...and if I feel as though I am not welcome...I talk with my feet and do not return....I hope you had a better experience at MC since I have not heard wonderful food comments about it either.... :sad::sad:

    Darly"s Wine Bar, New Brunswick

    in New Jersey: Dining

    Posted

    We were in New Brunswick for a 7 PM show last night (which was outstanding!!) and we read the NY Times review in the Jersey section about Daryl's Wine Bar..Carla Cook gave it an excellent...so we made reservations.the food itself was good...sweetbreads for $23 were outstanding...but the portions were the smallest I have ever seen...at least double would have been a fair sized entree...and this was on the other side of the menu away from the small dishes...the waiter was sweet, but had NO clue about either the food or the wine...our bill for 1 tiny dish we split ($7), 2 sweetbread "entrees" and coffee and 1 4 ounce glass and 1 6 ounce of the least expensive wine ( $16)..with tip was over $100 and we were starving (and we are small eaters). Just wanted to warn people...for us, this is NOT acceptable...and David Drake ought to be embarrassed!! :sad::sad:

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