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It's seating a new party at a recenly-vacated table. Restaurants (and servers) try to turn their tables as often as possible, for obvious reasons.

Actually, there is a small storefront restaurant immediately adjacent to Miramar to the east called La Casa de Gordo. Gabe plans to do some changes to the menu, redecorate a bit, and change the name to (are you sitting down?) Pancho Viti's.

I can eat chocolate turtles at any given hour of the day.

I wouldn't want it any other way!

It is rather disappointing that talented chefs outside Chicagoland don't seem to be recognized with nominations for JB Awards, but it seems to be the method of awards-giving to recognize the "best" among the Most Popular. Academy Award nominations are most guilty of this practice.

He left after March 11? That IS disappointing. I hope they keep their themes working too. We wrote to Yesenia, the Manager, after returning home to thank her for being so committed to providing a world-class dining environment/experience. I think she got the message that there are people out ther who do appreciate all their hard work.

Is there any update as to where/when they'll reopen?

I doubt he thinks about such things; perhaps because there's not a "cause" behind them. Sarcasm, of course, which is a classic MO of bullies everwhere. That, yes; or at least self-righteousness. No, he's challenging you to be creative and show us that you really have talent even if you don't have foie gras to do that dirty work for you. (Sarcasm mine.)CT is really digging himself deeper here. Hell, I probably would too if Alinea were set to open just around the corner from me in three weeks.

Several years ago, Vincent's on Camelback was THE place to be. Fine SW/French cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. We had a fantastic meal there Esther, is it still good? Click: Vincent('s?) on Camelback 3930 East Camelback Road Phoenix, Arizona 85018 602.224.0225

The piece was essentially written to defend Trotter's right to boycott foie gras. Would anyone here disagree with this "opinion"? No mention was made of Trotter's childishly defensive remarks. The fact that he really hasn't given up foie completely is the real controversy here. Certainly he has every right to disagree with (and even dislike, for whatever reasons) a colleague. If he hadn't been so arrogant in trying to make his point, his arguments may have come off as something more than a schoolyard bully trying to retain his title of King of the Hill.

I had a great dinner there too - about three years ago! I don't know why I don't think to go there more often. It's one of my favorite "mid-level" New American restaurants in the city (Rushmore and Naha are two others). I'll have to try to make it back there soon.

CT better hope so...

Calling someone a hypocrite in defense of an argument is a perfectly acceptable thing to do; after all, it's RT's feeling about CT with regards to the foie issue. To respond with a fat joke is childish and unworthy of the debate.

I'm afraid that CT's comments make perfect sense to me, as I've long sensed he's a prima donna who cares not what others think as long as he gets to do things his way. While this can be seen by some as dedication, others (myself included) interpret it as arrogance. I don't care for his restaurant because, at least the last time I dined there (in 1996), there was no changing the menu to suit a diner's preferences. The feeling I got was, "If you don't like lamb tongue or sea barnacles, tough luck!"

CT's calling RT "fat" (in so many words) is really hitting below the belt. It was certainly uncalled for after being called a "hypocrite." CT should realize that many "larger" folk are his bread and butter. To resort to public fat jokes is arrogant, insulting to his customers, and potentially self-destructive to his livelihood.

I want to know if they're going to offer positive payback Video Poker!

OK, let's have a show of hands: Who in their right mind would ever pass up an opportunity to eat at a place called "Barbara Ann's Motel and Barbeque"?!?

I hate to sound like a broken record, but Coconuts offers the best dining experience on the whole island. Lots of restaurants have the "views," but who wants to spend $40 and eat lobster in Hawaii, even with a million dollar view? Coconuts is in a former Jack in the Box, but it's been redecorated into a classy, understated room with good lighting. What's more important, the food is top-notch, utilizing local ingredients, island flavor, and world-class cooking techniques. I cannot say enough good things about this place; it has culinary significance, polished service, and laid-back, island atmosphere. Have cocktails and pupus with your view, then head to Coconuts for real dining.

But there's never any PARKING! Waaaah!

I had their Kobe steak, which was made from the outer ring of meat from the ribeye/prime rib cut (sorry, don't remember what it's called.) It's the best-tasting cut of beef there is, and serving the Kobe-style version made this the best steak I've ever had anywhere. Not cheap, but if it's available it's HIGHLY recommended. Also, if you've brought some extra Lipitor along, do try the fried Mac & Cheese. Mac & Cheese is formed into thick batons, lightly breaded, and deep fried. Hey, you only live once, right?

Do yourself a favor and don't miss Coconuts. It has some of the most progressive cooking on the island, and the setting is casual. You'll enjoy this better than any of the "fine dining" options. Have fun!

Here are some of the places we sampled last week: Amuleto - The food was wonderful, though the restaurant (or rather the several tables set up poolside each evening for dinner service) is currently sub-contracted to Kau-Kan. We quickly learned on the first evening that Zihua is not the place for fine wines (with one major exception, to follow), mostly because proper storage is not assured. Sure enough, the first bottle we ordered arrived corked; our second choice was fine. Casa Bahia - Laid-back, casual, and pleasant. The outside deck is open to the lights of Zihua Bay and the stars. The justly famous spinach salad was ethereal. The Maui Tuna appropriately exotic. Relaxed service. El Faro - Beautiful hilltop view of Ixtapa. Nice wine list, polished service. Kau-Kan - Another beautiful rooftop setting (it's easy to take these for granted when staying at Amuleto!), friendly service. The busboy noticed us admiring the view and said in halting English, "I am very pretty!" Assuming he meant, "IT is very pretty," we politely corrected him and all had a good laugh! One strange note: the same bottle of corked wine we sent back at Amuleto a few evenings earlier was being poured by the glass at Kau-Kan. We sent that glass back too. Coconuts - Delicious local seafood in a beautiful walled garden setting. Get a table away from the outside wall if you don't want to be bothered by the "Chicklets Kids." Delicious desserts, though the house Coconut Cheesecake was rather plain, the only coconut flavor coming from toasted coconut sprinkled on top; delicious cheesecake, however. Zi - This was the real find of the trip. So good, we ate there twice (we'll typically revisit a favorite restaurant on our last night). Say what you want about the presence of Club Intrawest on La Ropa beach (and the grounds, indeed, are quite "Mexican" in their design, with colorful buildings and lush foliage everywhere), but their restaurant is world-class, with a keen eye to using all local, mostly organic, ingredients. And not one flaming coffee in sight! Highlights inclded fresh huachinango served in a banana leaf with garlicky shrimp and scallop stuffing; "drunken" quail appetizer; medium-rare duck breast with a fresh fig compote; and last but not least, a heavenly Kahlua souffle, cheap at 50 pesos! The wine list, overseen by hands-on manager Yesenia, is adventurous and extensive - and they wines are stored at the right temperatures! Add a beautiful terrace overlooking the property and La Ropa beach and you have a near-perfect dining experience.

We had a fantastic brunch there this morning. We arrived at 10:00, and the place started filling up by the time we left at around 11:45. Service was, as usual, non-rushed and informative. Now I'm not a brunch person because I'm not overly fond of brunch-type foods, but I'd heard that some of the more popular lunch items were on the brunch menu as well, so I figured I'd be able to find something to eat. Do I look like a person who goes hungry often?!? Anyway, to my surprise, there were wonderful brunch offerings - so many that I had trouble making up my mind. I settled upon the potato skins stuffed with scrambled eggs and cheddar cheese, topped with crumbled Neuski's bacon, sour cream, and scallions (Lipitor extra, alas.) Fantastic! Others in our party had the spinach Benedict; the salmon Benedict; and the challah French toast, which was a HUGE piece of challah stuffed with ricotta and fresh strawberries. As sides, we sampled the ancho chili breakfast sausage, the ENORMOUS cinnamon roll (enough for four to share), and the fruit and yogurt parfait. Needless to say, we all walked away stuffed and satisfied. Brunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays.

I'm excited about the well-deserved three-star review! I've noticed the seemingly underdoneness (is that a word?) of the crust of the pies, but the taste is there, 100%. Don't miss the opportunity to try the chocolate cake - not the liquid center one, but the plain ol' chocolate cake, which is little more than chocolate cake and chocolate frosting. It's superb!

I'm getting the feeling that I-Z isn't the place to go for serious "upscale" dining, (and I don't mean overpriced places serving "continental" cuisine which isn't local). I've read the above posts, and only Club Interwest seems to hold the consensus, with Kau Kan mentioned as well. Any other recommendations? Thanks!