Swicks
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Posts posted by Swicks
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Don't know yet, most likely the downtown area, I have not sorted out my hotel situation as of yet. I don't mind traveling a bit if it is accessible
Any recs on areas to stay, I don't know austin well.
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Also, I won't have a car so somewhere that is accessible by taxi or public transport.
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Hey all,
I have a stay over in Austin from a weekend trip and am looking for a few recs. I am looking for somewhere for dinner sunday night and a lunch spot monday before I leave monday evening.
Maybe some BBQ? For dinner something unique, nothing crazy high end but would like something nice, say $50-$75 including a glass of wine or drink? No tex-mex as I already eat a lot of good mexican food because I am from Socal.
Thanks!
-S
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I think for a dive bar burger Rocky's is far superior to Hodad's even though Hodad's gets most of the press. Some of my favorites:
Cucina Urbana - Probably the most talked about restaurant in SD right now, casual rustic Italian (think Batali), inexpensive (all under $20). Absolutely amazing place.
I second the Linkery, absolutely awesome.
Whisknladle - La Jolla, rustic farm to table stuff, really delicious menu and great patio type seating.
Sushi Ota - Best sushi in SD. The owners also own a place called Hane in Bankers Hill, havent been but hear it is good
Market-Upscale in Del Mar, very well renowned.
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I arrive Sunday evening and want to grab a quick bite, something near Soho where I am staying. I'd like something not too pricey, maybe $40 or less including a glass of wine. I definitely don't want to deal with huge crowds either.
I was thinking something casual, maybe winebar-esque, maybe just a bunch of appetizers or small plates. I'll be alone so bar dining would be ideal.
I thought of inoteca? Or a gastro pub?
I'd like something close but I don't mind getting in a cab to go nearby to the WV or something but I really don't want to trek uptown or anything.
Thanks!
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Not to continue the hijacking of the Ko thread but.... I had a wonderful experience dining alone at Tailor about a month ago when I was in town. The lounge downstairs is a great place to dine at the bar. The food was spectacular and the barmen were exceedingly nice. I highly recommend it. The bartender Ludo who was working that night was great. Be wary however, he does enjoy feeding his customers shots of whisky.
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Japengo in the golden triangle?
Market Restaurant in Del Mar is a must. Check it out at its website: www.marketdelmar.com
You will not be disappointed. However, they are always full so make sure you have your reservation before you go and they are not cheap - starter around $10-15 and entre $28-40.
Good rec....
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Hey guys,
I'm headed to Montecito for a few days over Easter, and I'm looking for some good bars (think Milk & Honey, PDT, Death & Co, etc.) in the area. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Dave
Tough call, there really isn't anything very comparable in SB/Montecito, or Southern California for that matter. The bar at the Hungry Cat does a good job, you might check that out, they make some well crafted cocktails.
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I was in OC yesterday for an Angels game, so I drove down post-game and ate at the bar right at opening time. I eat at Mozza about once a week, and it's certainly not in the same league, as far as the pizza goes. The crust was pedestrian, and I found the sauce very bland. Service was fine, I enjoyed the braseola, and the wine list was short but interesting. Server said the full liquor license is expected within the nex couple of weeks (only wine and beer now).
Anyhow, the bartender claimed that Myers still intends to bring a Comme Ca down to Costa Mesa, and further that he's planning to bring an Ortica up to LA. We'll see, I guess.
I actually ate at Mozza again last week so I would say your comparison is pretty good though I thought PO was a bit better than what your opinion was. That being said Mozza really is on another level.
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Wow, great trip. Sorry you had to experience Corner Bistro, it definitely stands out by far as the worst place on that list!
Would you ensure a dinner visit to Tailor if you were to repeat the visit? That's pretty elevated company with the Momo's, JG, Ippudo, Katz & WD-50's of the world, curious if you felt it managed to hang, and if you'd repeat it over again if given the choice to switch it out.
Regarding Corner Bistro, I had read it was a highly regarded burger so it was a definite disappointment.
Regarding Tailor, I loved it overall and would definitely return. I kept thinking to myself "How has this place fallen off the radar so much?" given how good it was and the high level I felt it was executing at. Though given the insane pre-opening hype part of that is probably natural. I think certainly it is on a very high level within its niche and also deserves a place among the best restaurants in the city. Take into account though that this was only my second trip to the city and my experience with the restaurant scene is pretty limited.
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Hello all, thanks to everyone who offered advice and help. My trip was phenomenal and my dining experiences were all absolutely superb. I'll just offer some highlights of the best meals.
Jean Georges - Lunch - Surely this restaurant has been lavished with praise here and elsewhere and suffice to say it lived up to all the hype. Two words define this experience, flawless and balanced. The dining room is beautiful and serene, service was friendly and very polished. As stated many times the food was superb. The flavors aren't in your face but the precision, balance and subtlety of the food was unparalleled. Foie brulee, no doubt this is a classic and I can see why, the lemon jam really pulled the whole thing together offering just the right amount of sweetness and acid. Halibut with hoshimenji mushrooms and lemongrass broth, easily the most perfectly cooked piece of fish I have ever eaten, subtle and beautiful, every flavor worked perfectly. Orchard desert...just downright delicious, sweetness, tartness, and whimsy were all in perfect harmony.
Momo Ssam Bar - Lunch - I ate here last time around and my memories were eclipsed. So creative and delicious. I had the apple kimchi, buns, and fried brussel sprouts. The apple kimchi is easily one of the most delicious things I have ever eaten in my life, so simple and wonderful. Buns were as good as usual. The fried brussel sprouts were great as well, the sauce works in perfect contrast.
Ippudo - Dinner - I can see why this place has gotten so hyped, and deservedly so, absolutely tremendous. I have had some good ramen at my local place in a japaneese market but this is on a whole different level. The broth...just wow...like liquid pork. I want to bathe in it. The noodles were incredible, the perfect texture.
Momo Noodle - Dinner - Like the new digs. My second visit. Had the Momofuku ramen. While delicious, it doesn't compare to Ippudo, though to compare the two would be unfair because they are two different things, apples and oranges.
Katz's Deli - touristy yes, but definitely worth the experience. Best pastrami I have ever had.
WD 50 - Desert - 3 Course desert tasting. Just mind blowing. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly, I must get back here for a full meal next time around. First course, jasmine custard, black tea, banana... weird but so delicious, the custard was amazing and the banana added a great fruit note. Second course....cornbread pudding, prune, lemongrass. Just ok, flavors were good but merely pedestrian. The lemongrass was interesting. Third course...Soft chocolate, peppermint ice cream, cardamom, chocolate. Just delicious, classic pairing of chocolate and peppermint but also completely interesting with the other added flavors and presentation.
Tailor - Dinner and deserts. Very cool place, good drinks, friendly bartenders. If I lived in that neighborhood I would be a regular. On my first visit I had drinks and the three course desert tasting. Amuse was an incredibly clever play on the childhood favorite ants on a log, celery sorbet, peanut butter powder, and braised rasins. So clever and so delicious. 1st, cocoa banana ravioli with mustard ice cream, weird but so delicious. The mustard ice cream was confusingly delicious, spicy and sweet at the same time. 2nd course, chocolate cake, peanut, malt ice cream, mushrooms, good but not amazing. Can't for the life of me remember the third course. Overall if comparing the two I give the edge to the deserts at WD 50 in terms of flavors, though both were incredibly creative and interesting.
My second visit I had dinner and desert. 1st course...maple poached snails, bacon, parsley, toast. WOW, ungodly delicious. The sauce was extraordinary. The sweetness from the maple was perfect. Second course...Pork Belly with Miso Butterscotch, apples, whiskey braised artichokes. Another rich dish but just incredible. The balanced of all the flavors was perfect. Probably the best pork belly I have ever had, and I have had a lot of pork belly, the preparation was perfect, succulent and crispy. Desert, Grapefruit tart w/ white bean ice cream and Brown butter cake with squash ice cream and maple caviar. Both were good but i wasn't blown away.
Pegu club - cocktails - I had a pegu club and a old fashioned (my regular). Both were great with the old fashioned in particularly being excellent. The bartender was very serious and pleasant not super friendly but I suppose that is par for the course.
Corner Bistro - Lunch - A good burger with flavorful meat but mine was overcooked. Not sure if this place lived up to the hype. I wanted to go to shake shack but the line was outrageous and I was starving so I fled the scene.
Bars - Blind Tiger, Spotted Pig, DBA - all great beer places and lovely in the afternoon.
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Hey everyone, thanks again for all the advice here and on the other threads, in particular the JG thread.
I am thinking I might add another high end dinner to my trip, probably over the weekend, ideally sunday but my guess is a lot of the higher end places are not open sundays? If not I would have to choose another night
Ideally price wise I'd like to be at between $100-150 out the door.
I was thinking maybe EMP or the salon at Per Se, what are the thoughts here? What is the solo dining situation like at EMP?
Maybe Corton? Would it be very very hard to get in at this late juncture?
Maybe a walk in at Babbo?
What other places might I consider? A full tasting menu is not a necessity, especially given my price point.
Thanks!
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Thanks for all the input everyone, very helpful.
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No, not a restaurant worker, by "us" I'm referring to myself and my wife. Given how cheap and how nice (and how easy to book) JG is for weekend brunch, we've invited people for lunch there a few times. They always ask how much to eat, what courses to try etc... I personally love the tuna ribbons, and have only skipped it once, but we try to limit our advice to how many courses to try rather than which to try. The reality is that it's probably easier to recommend what to steer away from on a first visit if you are trying to get a feel for the food, because at least 10 dishes are signature type dishes that you can't go wrong with.
Ah, I see.
What are your favorites? What would you recommend for a first timer? Someone upthread mentioned they added a few new things very recently.
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If you read the past few pages of the old thread you'll see a few dishes come up over and over and over and over. Get those. They're classics for a reason.
I did read through and noticed some of those dishes, skate, scallops, foie etc. They are definitely on my list.
I read upthread that portion sizes are pretty generous, what is the optimum number of courses here assuming I am a normal, by egullet standards, eater. 3 plus desert? two plus desert?
I usually tell any guests dining with us that 2 courses make for a light lunch, 3 for a regular lunch and 4 for a large lunch. Dessert doesn't really factor in the count for me as it's a reduced portion.
Sickchangeup,
Thanks very much for the advice, thats exactly what i was looking for. I take it that when you referred to "us" you work at Jean Georges?
In any case, very eagerly anticipating my lunch next week.
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I appreciate the responses everyone. Having never been to Chicago this is very helpful.
I re-checked and my actual time between landing and departure is actually 3 and 45 minutes so figure probably 2 and 1/2 hours avliable outside of the airport to be safe. Does this change anything? It doesn't really seem so? Again, I don't necessarily need to go to downtown Chicago, maybe something decent in the general vicinity.
Thanks for all the info nsxtasy, it has been very helpful. I am looking into Giordano's it looks delicious, I appreciate the recommendation.
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I appreciate the responses everyone. Having never been to Chicago this is very helpful.
I re-checked and my actual time between landing and departure is actually 3 and 45 minutes so figure probably 2 and 1/2 hours avliable outside of the airport to be safe. Does this change anything? It doesn't really seem so? Again, I don't necessarily need to go to downtown Chicago, maybe something decent in the general vicinity.
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If you read the past few pages of the old thread you'll see a few dishes come up over and over and over and over. Get those. They're classics for a reason.
I did read through and noticed some of those dishes, skate, scallops, foie etc. They are definitely on my list.
I read upthread that portion sizes are pretty generous, what is the optimum number of courses here assuming I am a normal, by egullet standards, eater. 3 plus desert? two plus desert?
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Hello all,
I have a 3 hour layover at Chicago Midway airport on my way to NYC next week and was wondering if there is anywhere in the general vicinity that would be good for lunch.
I have a reasonable amount of time so it doesn't need to be super close, just somewhere I can get to in a taxi. Nothing too fancy. I'd prefer no Mexican or Sushi. Ideally I'd like something unique to Chicago, say good chicago dogs, maybe Pizza or something. Perhaps some of the newer casual hip places? Do Kahan's places serve lunch? How far away are they?
Thanks for you help!
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Thanks for the advice everyone! I expected this to be the case.
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Hello everyone,
I will be having lunch at JG next week, my one big splurge for my trip. I will be dining alone and was wondering is it best to sit in the main dining room or is there bar seating that offers the full menu? What is the best way to go?
Thanks for the advice.
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My wife and I ate lunch at J-G Mon. 3/16. It was our first time there. Service was friendly and impeccable. The $14/course menu was in effect, as mentioned in prior posts -- by far the most economical three-star meal I have ever ordered!
After an amuse with three elements -- a bit hamachi and chili oil, a guava/grapefruit juice (if I remember correctly), and a sort of celestial daikon "tater tot" over truffle cream -- we had nine dishes.
I have pix of these but unfortunately don't know how to upload them to this post.
First course: peekytoe crab dumplings in heavenly (lemongrass?) broth; tuna ribbons -- just as good as others have said. Glasses of excellent house Champagne.
Next, a shared dish of roast brussels sprouts, avocado, arugula, and pistachios. Another example of complementary flavors, really the mark of this meal.
Next course, we both had the fois gras brulee, one of my new desert island dishes. I asked the waitress to cancel the rest of my order and just bring more of this. She talked me out of it, but wow! Served with with lemon/grapefruit marmelade, which sounded terrible to me but again complemented the fois gras. A glass of off-dry Alsatian pinot gris (Blanck) paired well.
To follow, Kathe had roast veal and a glass of big Barolo, a wonderful combination since the veal had real flavor. I chose the butter-poached skate with Chalon sauce and a medley of vegetables on the top. My thanks to those who recommended this dish in earlier posts.
For dessert, we had the apple combination and the "winter" combination. The pastry elements of these were the highlights.
The only thing I actively disliked was the post-dessert housemade marshmallows, but then I don't like marshmallows in any form. The chocolates were nice, and the coffee was notably high quality, not a given in any level of restaurant in my opinion.
All in all, 2-1/2 hours of bliss, I wish I could get to NYC more often. I've eaten in 15-20 Michelin 3-stars, and in my book J-G deserves its rating.
Great report as to what is going on currently. I will be dining there in just over a week, so this was very helpful to me! Everything sounded delicious. Was there anything you felt was an absolute must try? I have never had foie before and was considering having here for the first time given JG's foie dishes are usually so highly regarded.
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Thanks for all the advice guys! Much appreciated...
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I am suprised there isn't already a topic on this one....
David Meyers of Sona, Comme Ca, et al opened this restaurant in Orange County right near South Coast Plaza about two months ago. Its a casual Italian place very reminiscent of Nancy Silverton's Mozza in LA. In fact they are nearly identical in general feel, menu, and practices. Menus are very close though Ortica has more mains and pastas whereas Mozza, the focus is pizza. I would say PO is maybe a tad bit more formal (though still very casual) but the space is very light and comfortable. It occupies the space formerly of Il Fornaio and Turner New Zealand.
I had lunch at the bar today. I came a bit later than the lunch rush, which I was told fills the restaurant nearly every day. This is due to the close proximity of many nice office buildings. I ate at the bar, service was very friendly and efficient.
I started with the prociutto di parma plate which was served simply with olive oil and a few olives. Tough to go wrong here. Then I had the Margherita pizza. It was cooked well, nicely charred. Ingredients were spare and in balance. The crust was slightly denser than Mozza, particularly noticeable in the crust. I give Mozza a slight edge here but I am nitpicking, it was really good. I finished with another mozza-esque dish, the Bundino, here done with chocolate and caramel. Simple and delicious.
Overall this is a boon to OC people in the know and who want a Mozza-esque experience without having to truck north. I look forward to returning for dinner to try some of their pastas and secondi.
*edited because I am an eetrochus speelar
1 Day and Night in Austin
in Texas: Dining
Posted
Anyone been to Wink recently? It looks interesting.