cpl55

Okay, finding nothing interesting in terms of cooking classes in Napa, I am instead heading to SF... I have heard that RN74 is a must-try, but I can't get a table there, so I'm looking for suggestions. Can anyone recommend any great alternative (of a similar genre) in the SOMA area or thereabouts? I greatly appreciate your thoughts, Christina

Hello, all - I live in the Bay Area and am planning to head up to the wine country later this week. I'm looking for a good (beyond just the basics) wine tasting class, and would also be interested in a cooking class. (Ramekins doesn't seem to have anything that interests me this week.) Basically anything from a couple of hours to an all-day course would work for me. I'm having trouble determining what's available in that area, so I appreciate any insights any of you have! thanks, Christina

Hello, all - I am going to a show on Columbus Ave on Saturday night and looking for a good "find" in North Beach. Casual, relatively inexpensive (under $30-ish per person, excluding wine). Italian, American, mediterranean are of most interest to me. I searched previous threads, but couldn't find anything too recent as far as recommendations in North Beach. (I've done Stinking Rose, Rose Pistola, and Steps of Rome. Not looking to go to any of those.) I really appreciate any tips! Thanks, Christina

Thank you for your thoughts! I have lived here all my life and I couldn't agree more that there a remarkable number of ethnic restaurants of all kinds... and right now I'm looking for Indian. I guess this huge pool of excellent (often obscure) ethnic restaurants is exactly why I'm asking for information on any great, hidden Indian places! (Strangely, we all seem to know of only the same prominent few.) Does anyone have any suggestions for somewhere most of us haven't tried or heard of? Thanks!

Looking for somewhere new to try! We like Amber at Santana Row, and Gaylord's in Palo Alto pretty well. Have had good and bad experiences at Amber in Mountain View (last time was a disaster, with abysmally slow service, and when the food finally arrived it was not nearly good enough to justify the 1+ hour wait!) Is there anywhere you would recommend, in the South Bay area? (Anywhere South of Palo Alto, basically.) Looking for a place to have some really good, traditional Indian food, (and not strictly vegetarian)? I welcome and appreciate any suggestions! Christina

ChefG - I am very sorry to hear the news. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers and wish you all the best for a fast recovery! Christina

Hi, everyone - I am headed to Chicago at the beginning of August, and have secured a table at Alinea on August 4 - taking my parents there to celebrate their 40th anniversary. I couldn't be more excited, and am thrilled to have booked such a monumental experience to celebrate with my folks. We live in the SF Bay Area, and none of us have been to Alinea yet! For those of you who have been there, I have a couple of questions - is there an optimal place, upstairs or downstairs, to request seating? (not that I have any kind of "pull", but the host staff has been very gracious when we've spoken on the phone, so I figure it doesn't hurt to ask...) For a special occasion such as this, is there anything in particular I should request/order? (We're planning to do the Tour.) As far as the wine pairing goes - is it worthwhile? Let me explain our bias - my husband and I (and to some extent my parents), though we are pretty "into" wine, have a general lack of appreciation for even the best Reislings, as well as other sweet whites (with the exception of dessert wines). Just don't enjoy them very much. Usually, when we've been to high-end restaurants (most recently, Charlie Trotter's "C" in Los Cabos) we end up with at least one course paired with a Reisling or Gewurtztraminer. (And though I think almost any ingredient or wine can be right if masterfully paired, I just haven't experienced that synergy with Reislings.) We also tend to prefer reds for most things, though we do enjoy certain whites with lighter courses. At Manresa (our local up-and-comer in our hometown, which recently scored a Michelin star. I highly recommend it!) we ordered bottles of a couple whites and reds and instead of the wine pairing and were pleased. Given all of these idiosyncracies, do you think we'll be making a huge mistake if we forego the wine pairing? I really appreciate any thoughts, thank you!!! Christina

Hello! This is my first eG post, but I have been enjoying all of the information and insights as I plan summer travels! My husband and I will be going with my parents to Chicago at the beginning of August to celebrate their 40th anniversary. The focus of our trips is usually food, and I have booked Alinea for Saturday night (can't WAIT for that!), but we have two other nights available. My dad adores Italian food. Are there any great new "finds" for Italian? I have looked at Spiaggio, but I couldn't help but wonder if there is somewhere perhaps slightly less formal/more fun that had really great food. Cost is not a big factor as this is a special occasion weekend, but we are doing the blowout at Alinea on our last night, so big "production" restaurants are not a requirement for the first two nights, though if they DO happen to be the places you think are best, I'm open to that. Plus, we're from California and used to casual attire even at our top restaurants - we don't mind "jacket required", but would kind of prefer "elegant but relatively casual". (I know, savages we are... ) And aside from the Italian recommendations, what other places shouldn't be missed? Thank you, I really appreciate your thoughts! Christina