Shmily

Just a concern...the current Bernards Inn is certainly not what it was in previous days..I forget whether they changed hands or chefs or what, but it is pretty disappointing for people who ate there before... used to be one of our favorite special places....

Hi..We are going to be in Naples at the end of January. Several years ago we had a wonderful birthday dinner at the Ritz Carlton at the beach. I know there is also a Ritz Carlton Golf Resrt in Naples...any suggstions for a wonderful dinner?? Comparisons?? Differences?? Thanks a lot in advance...

Thank you so much for the great info...slight change of plans..we are staying at the Hilton Ballpark but we have a room with breakfast included. How far is that from Rooster and is it safe for me to walk it?? Will also look into your other suggestions...thanks again...

thanks again for the new info..we will report back on what we end up doing...today is the day to get airline tickets for me...

Dear Lonnie...So now please share where some of the best food is in your opinion...I would enjoy hearing from an "insider"...We have been going to Southweat Harbor for about about 12 or 13 years now...and I still am learning about new places on the "quiet" side of the island..thanks...

Just noticed this aspect of your post. This complicates things considerably. There are only two Marriotts I'm aware of: at the airport, which is about 10 miles northwest of downtown and seven or eight miles north of Clayton, and the Marriott out on I-64/US 40, which is about 15 miles west of downtown and maybe six miles west of Clayton. Either way, a car is your best bet to get around, since cabs are scarce compared to big East Coast cities and public transit is not as good as Boston, NY or Philly. I haven't tried it, but with a new extension to Clayton the Metrolink light rail might be useful. It will get you from the airport to downtown St. Louis in about 40 minutes or, via a transfer, to Clayton in the same amount of time. At the very least I would imagine either Marriott can provide courtesy van service to a Metrolink station or downtown Clayton. ← Hi, Actually, we are staying at the Marriott Renaissance which is at 800 Washington Avenue and I was told that was downtown. Any and all suggestions you make are welcome..thanks ...

thanks a lot..I will read the thread you sent and we look forward to our visit...

Dear Bob..We thank you so much...once again, you are SO helpful. You made wonderful suggestions when we made our annual visit to Southwest Harbor, Maine...and once again you are there with great ideas...so thanks a lot....

Hi all, Early in December we are visiting St. Louis, Mo. This will be my first trip and my husband is there on business. I would like some healthy ( low fat, not fried) suggestions for me for lunch and for us for dinner...I am thinking of taking a Gray Line bus tour. Any suggestions are welcome...We are staying at the Marriott and will not have a car. Thanks in advance.

Hi...My husband is "dying" to find or learn to make a replica of Gruning's Hot Fudge Sauce. He would also love to know if anyone serves their ice cream. Thanks in advance.

Hi..Just returned from our annual trip to Southwest Harbor...Thrustons is still wonderful...Red Sky is not bad and for a small bite we enjoyed Sips which is right next door to Red Sky. Nice latte, Sips is open all day and you have a choice of full or half portions which makes for great smaller meals...We always have some problem with Little Notch, yet we always return for their bread..We tried the Full Belly Deli in Northeast Harbor for sandwiches...they close at 3 PM and run out of things much earlier...but their sandwiches are big...coffee not so good though. Actually, I think you found the name of this deli for us...I envy your trip...ENJOY...

At the risk of my life...I have a question...I have lived in West Orange for many years and have eaten at Star Tavern many time...and while it may be heresy to some...I do not think their pizza is so great...pools of oil on the pizza do not make my pizza great...and then mushrooms look just like the ones I have taken from a jar or can and the salty, salty anchovies left me longing for better...so pl-e-a-s-e splain why some say Star makes the best pizza...thanks...

May I share that if you return, you will be treated the same ...it is just a joy...oour last trip there (our 3rd) was also right after our marriage...we could not think of a more special place to eat...Glad it was so wonderful...

For the second time in a few months we stoped at Otto to have gelato last night. For the second time...what a disappointment. They used to have amazing gelato...I had sweet corn, mascarpone and the chocolate (actually Mexican chocolate, I think because the waiter had no idea). The sweet corn and mascarpone had almost no flavor and the entire dish was grainy rather than creamy. My husband had the chocolate and pistachio and coconut...his pistachio and coconut also had almost no flavor and had the same strange texture.....I remember the gelato as intensely flavored and just amazing. Does anyone know how I can e mail either Mr Batali at his office or someone at Otto? Their Web site does not give any option to write to them. I am SO DISAPPOINTED...A formerly devoted Batali fan...

Has anyone else any comments to add about ALee and Rick's oysters?? Sounds interesting...we are visiting in January 2008...any other similar suggestion are very welcome...that is, properly cooked and served seafood...(NOT FRIED)..thanks in advance..

This is not "with authority"...just what I "think" I remember...We ate there shortly after their opening...(after they reopened after their fire) and twice after that...most recently in May..I do not believe that the meal is "enhanced"...a few dishes were extra originally and still are, when they are offered. They bring everyone extra courses, and sometimes tell you these are "special" for you..they are not. They did that from the beginning..We have had kitchen tours each time...Chef Keller was there the first time...I still believe that the meal is the best I have ever had in New York City...We have always had wonderful service and attention and I see it as a wonderful treat for our very special occasions.

How about Panini at 'ino Oysters and Pearls at Per Se Gnocchi with anything at Lupa almost as good gnocchi with anything at Babbo (different receipe) Gelato by Mario Bitali...anyplace Fish baked in a salt crust at Esca Crudo at Esca Breads at Tabla I drool just thinking about all of them...

Have a wonderful evening....We have used your method of calling and eaten at Per Se three times...we are not drinkers and had only 1 glass each...which I must say was handled beautifully...if they do not suggest it, ask for a tour of the kitchen after your meal..it is super...and a real treat...in fact I have little but wonderful things to report...we read the threads about Per Se before going and they got us even more excited...

We ate lunch there about 2 years ago in order to try the "hamburger." We were terribly disappointed by everything we had to eat. In fact, I think the hamburger made me ill. Clearly, a return visit was not in the cards. In fact, I have some difficulty finding myself paying top dollar for restaurants opened by star chefs...who seem to be paying little attention to their places...especially when they have opened places all over the world...so I think there are lots of other choices that I would make...

I guess they must be to somebody...or they would not stay in business... ← i suppose that would go for McDonald's too? i don't think mcdonald's is overrated. it can't be overrated unless it's highly rated. it's hardly rated at all, along with most chains. Legal Sea Foods might be an exception. I think they do some things wonderfully. show me a non-chain restaurants with that consistency, beer selection, wine selection, and oyster selection, and i'll go. i'm guessing you won't come up with one though. overall i'm much more interested in hearing about overlooked restaurants. i'm not sure what happened here. ← I DO agree about the overlooked restaurants being more interesting...we cannot forget that for many, many people in this country places like McDonalds are important..they might not be able to take their children out at all, excet for such places...

...sorry...18 year old!!

When I eat at a restaurant that is on the expensive side, who is doing the cooking is really important to me. Yes, I am a foodie and believe it or not, it is like going to a Broadway play to see a star and having the understudy. Since I am paying that is my choice. I stop going to restaurants of "super chefs" as they open more places all over the world and simply are not in the kitchen cooking my food....I believe that I can tell some difference. So, while I agree that the overhead for the food and rent is the same, the cost for the salary of a super chef is not if he is not there and I am not willing to pay high prices for a 21 year old kid to cook...

anyone see the comments in today's Wall Street Journal ..the review of Bitali's new restaurant in Los Angeles.. .as well as the comments about Del Posto...

A suggestion..I would call Per Se itself, not Open Table...I have eaten there 3 times since they have opened and always gotten our reservation that way...they can put you on a waiting list also, I believe...good luck...and in my humble opinion, the meal is certainly worth all the trouble..the best meal we have ever had and superb service...enjoy...

I guess they must be to somebody...or they would not stay in business...