T Raveret

Awesome recommendations, Thank you!! ( and I'll keep checking back) We are looking downtown but would travel if reasonably accessible using public transportation or a cab. There is an "atmospheric river" hitting Vancouver this week and we will be ready for rain but try not to let that prevent us from checking out some cool places. Choppinos was on my radar already so that looks like a likely dinner I love a good Chopipino and OssoBucco as well!! For Indian some of the recent reviews for Vij's on tripadvisor were a bit concerning (but the lamb lolipop sounds amazing). Someone had suggested Tasty Indian Bistro in Yaletown. The Spicy 6 recommendation looks really good as well ( thank you Faux Pas for all the links!!). The Acorn sounds really interesting and amazingly creative but I'm not sure i will be able to convince my wife but if I can we may give that a try. So many choices here !!!! thanks again!

Taking the Train across Canada in in early November. We love french food and culture but open to other cuisines as well and have 1 night in Montreal and 4 nights in Quebec. Looking for some recommendations of restaurants for lunch and dinner and perhaps some amazing patisserie or anything else you think we should look to try. Thanks

Looking for a couple of suggestions for good choices for two dinners and two lunches in Vancouver. We are spending a couple of days there next week before taking the train to Montreal and then Quebec. We love Indian cuisine also enjoy seafood and really are open to all cuisines. Doesn't need to be fancy but if its something special we should try we are open . Thanks

We are spending 4 nights in New York April 9-13th and are trying to find some good and fun food but not totally blow the budget. We love french, Will definately go to Jean Georges and maybe Nougatine for lunch as we did wehn we were last in new york as lunch seems to be a great value. We are adventerous and willing to try different cuisines. Looking for a Steak recommendation. I'd love to blow the bank on Peter Luger but the wife doesent like Dry aged meat as much as I. I know I left this pretty open but are there great values to be had on decent food in New York? thanks for sharing!!

Sadly Sunday night i had a touch of food poisining from a family picnic and had to send the wife and daughter on their own...they insisted on just walking and found a Mexican small plate dining that suited their needs but wasn't astounding...oh well another trip !! I do get down that way a fair bit and appreciate all the input!! What a divergent opinion on Bob Chin's never ate there had friends who loved it and have been tempted to try. We have a Mitchells in Milwaukee and I may have to try that but I'm usually so anti chain that it could keep me out of both places!! lol Again appreciate all the input as we get down to this area for different things occasionally....really sad to hear that Bistro Campange has gone downhill as I have very fond memories of it.

will definately consider south of addison and leaning away from sushi or bistro campoagne...she loves mexican and asked possibly for a seafood place (but really need moderately priced as the tickets were alot a we need to keep it within reason. Thanks!

Not from Chicago driving down from Milwaukee to take our 25 year old daughter for her birthday to see Paul McCartney at Wrigley field and looking for suggestions of nice places open on Monday for an early dinner around 5'ish. Made reservations at Bistro Campagne which is only a couple miles away and we've eaten there but it was 3-4 years ago and were vary happy but wondering if anyone has some nice north side favorites we should consider? Shes pretty open minded when it comes to food so were open to just about anything but don't want it to get much above 25/30 for an entree. Don't necessarily want to drive all the way downtown if we don't need to but will consider all options.. Wanted to take her to Fontera grill but they are closed on Mondays. Thanks

Will post more when we get home but fantastic helpful imnformation here... did the whidby island and stoped at Toby's for Mussels (they don't get much fresher) loved everything.. We have tonight that will either be at the market or I may try to see if I can talk the wife into urban farmer. Thanks a ton everyone.

I live in milwaukee and am just passing through but saw this.. Never been a fan of Penzys. Penzys started in Milwaukee and the parents let the kids take the business in two different directions. Bill Penzy started Penzy's and packages and warehouses spices and has stores all around the company...still better than mccormicks but not the way the parents did things nor anywhere as fresh as they could be. Patty has stores in Milwaukee and Chicago but goes by the name the Spice House (also thespicehouse.com) the difference here is freshness. Patty dosent do much packing except at the store level of things that fly off the shelf. So when you order you order is usually fresh packed from bulk and much much fresher. Penzys is great when you in a pinch or a rush but the better choice is always mail order from the spice house imho. Don't take my word for it order some and buy some and do your own comparison.

Sad to hear about Aligator Soul.. looked promising .. So far we went to Matts at Pikes Place market but were underimpressed with the service that we cut things short at appetizers and a bottle of wine. That said the ceviche appetizer was spectacular. The grilled calamari with their homade spanish style chorizo had a great flavor integration but it was too strong a flavor for Calomary as the dish overpowered the calamari and I've never had grilled calamari before but I get the sense that it isn't optimal to grill and was tough but flavorful. We bent over to the crap pot and while its unique and notorious for the shooting of man vs food there It is overrated as there seafood was ok but nothing spectacular. Thinking of trying El Gaucho... any thoughts? Thanks again

Never been to the Pacific NW and have 5 days to explore after my wife concludes a business trip to Seattle Hoping to get some ideas from those of you who have been there or live there and after searching this board there doesn't look like alot of activity on this board but I thought I'd put it out there since this trip is in a week and we just found out today were going. Likely destinations on our list are: Seattle- will be going to Pike Place Market for sure. any fav's? Everett- The posts about Aligator Soul looks intriguing La Conner- Going up for Tulip Festial Astoria Portland area Oregon Wine country south west of Portland Columbia River Gorge- planning on travelling a couple hours east of I-5 on I-84 then likely coming back on 14 I know thats a broad request without parameters but we love trying regional cuisine and love casual, hidden gems, local hidden treasures (egullet has helped me scout a number of those). We can do more fancy if necessary and are open to all international cuisines...love paella, french, Cajun or creole, and anything inbetween pretty much. Thanks for any light you can shed on helping us make good dining choices on a hastily planned mini vacation.

I'm lucky enough to have grown up and still live less than a mile from Sollys. I also worked at Kopps while in highschool and love their burgers as well. Solly's will always be a special place for me that my dad took me as a kid on Saturdays when he would ake me to his work to get me out of Mom's way for a few hours. The burgers are very good and very over buttered but thats their gimick. The meat really is very tasty and does make a difference. The malts are exceptional (I may be biased as I can't have a taste of one without feeling a bit of love from my old man whos been gone for 17 years). The fries are crisp and very tasty. Everything is served very fresh and hot. Its not fancy, It's not trying to pretend to be something it isn't. It is what it is, a burger joint with very good quality (and lots of butter) but if your passing through it is a great experience to check out along your culinary adventures.... Just don't plan on a big dinner if your doing lunch their!! It can be pretty rich and greasy (in a good way)

well we didnt go the buffett route but found a gem of a restaurant in downtown celebration. I wasnt aware that the Columbia restaurant from Tampa's ybor city has opened several locations throughout Florida. It was very good food nicely prepared in a great environment. It also was reasonably priced so i would highly recommend it for someone looking for a nice authentic spanish or cuban food in a beautiful atmosphere.

we ran into two places that we really enjoyed that werent over the top pricey and had great food. Both were at teh recomendation of the hotel one was Bonefish Willys which had a great atmosphere right on the indian river and wonderful fish with great fresh grouper (the cajun batered was jsut the right mix of lightly seasoned not to overpower the grouper) and really good specials too. the other was a place on the melbourn beadh side of things on 5th avenue jsut a couple of blocks off A1A called Skewers. We werent up for too much food but the hummus was really good and we were allowed to order off the lunch menu at 9:30 at night. The sauce was really good on the chicken skewers a potato based olive oil imersion. We loved melbourne because it wasnt as touristy as many places weve gone. Also for Breakfast we liked the Blueberry Muffin restaurant on A1A- the muffins were great and so was the service. We didnt see Dijons but would have loved to try it (we got back before you posted) Thanks though.

Well were back and did find one exceptional dining experience that was a great value. We went there for lunch but only because we didnt find out about it sooner. The Columbia restaurant in downtown Celebration is every bit as good as the original in Tampa. Prices were really reasonable for lunch and Dinner didn't look too expensive either. Great dining Spanish and Cuban cuisines were well represented on their menu. I'll post this on the Orlando restaurant thead as well.

both We have 5 days in orlando spending 2 of them at disney and one at universal

We are doing a trip that we are trying to keep the food cost down for Orlando and were looking for ideas on value oriented places that would be good food. We have one 8 yr old child with us but are open to all ideas. We leave Tuesday so any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Were trying to keep the prices reasonable and would love to know your favs Thanks

Its the family with an 8 yr old a 25 yr old and looking for a place thats good and hopefully wont break the bank in the melbourn/melbourne beach area or up to 20 minutes from there. Wide open on type of cuisine. any ideas?

Next week my wife and I are taking our 25 yr old daughter and her 8 yr old son to Orlando for 5 nights We are on a pretty tight budget this trip so if anyone has some nice places to grab something casual but that has a fav or enjoyed something I'd really appreciate sharing any ideas. Were staying three days just west of Disney and 2 nights right my Universal but we have a car so we can go wherever. Our taste is wide open from mexican to chinese and anything inbetween. We saw recommendations to check out Little vietnam which we may try. Our price range is to try and keep it not too much over 10-15/person. Does anyone know of any decent Buffett's worth trying that represent a good value or might stand out a bit for their food quality? It might be nice for the Family. Due to the price considerations we are going to try to eat off property as much as possible but if you have any recommendationd on food deals on property we'd take them as well. Thanks for any ideas you can provide that help us stretch our food dollars and still enjoy a meal.

ok too funny-- so far the avenue bar and pedros are two of our usual haunts! Pedros was where we went for mothers day last year!! great ideas we've enjoyed both of those in the past --just looking for something new or a different dining experience both are great choices--- Sardine looks interesting I'm checking them out. We'd even consider a good burger joint!! Thanks- any additional ideas come to the top of the list ?

I need a little help here in looking for a place to take mom for mothers Day in Madison. We'll have Mom in her 70's as well as a 8 yr old great grandson. We'll be picking up the tab for the six of us and need to keep it reasonable but would love some creative suggestions on some decent dining values at decent in or within 30 miles or so of Madison. From Chinese to Mexican, American or even a good old diner or a killer Burger joint or something a little more fancy but not too over the top for price. Any creative or fun ideas in the $10-15 (20 if we had to push it) per person are greatly appreciated (I it was my day we'd be at L'etoile-but that for 6 break the bank) thanks!!

This goes back a while (like 10-20 years)but there used to be a baker that would distribute on carts in Madison WI on the mall by the library. In the early 80's I could get some of their things in Milwaukee at the UW-Milwaukee Student union I think they came in from Mt Horeb but they made really good healthy bakery and my favorite mint chocolate chip cookies. Does anyone know what came of them or if they might be still in operation but under another name or distribution chanel?? We get to madison several times a year for the Farmers market and would love to reconnect but havent seen them at the market. Thanks!!

I so agree with you. I live in Milwaukee. They put a Penzys 2 minutes from my house but unless its an emergency I always make the 20 minute drive down to The Spice House. side by side The spice house is fresher packed from bulk rather than paked boxed and shelved...penzys is too much like mccormicks (ok maybe thats pushing it ...but just a little) I also love the feel of the store its old wooden floor and shelves and then theres the smells!! ohhh I feel very lucky to have found them. I first learned about them in the 80's when my sister lived in Flordia and would order from them.

Jean Georges was simply amazing...we actually decided to board the boat a little later (we were leaving on a cruise on Tuesday from NY) and made time for lunch on Tuesday as well. We were thinking of doing Nougatine but they were able to accomodate us in JG, food and experience were one of the most wonderful dining experiences of my life. Thanks to all who reinforced the choice it was our honeymoon ..she got the wedding ...but I got JG!!

New to the is forum and greatful for the friend who turned me on to it. I am looking to find the best lunch I can get on Monday Octomer 27th in Manhatthan NYC. We have one day in NYC before geting on a cruise and want to have one nice dining experience but can't afford to break the bank. We never get to New York and live in the Midwest. What are your favorite picks. I made a reservation at Jean Georges but are there other places that we should consider? Not looking to break the bank but if a better value than the Jean Georges experience exists (or even something comparable but a better experienc) bring it on. comparisons of Jean Georges to Nougatine would be appreciated as well. Thanks