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Zeb A

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Posts posted by Zeb A

    The Greenbrier Resort: romance and tradition

    in Southeast: Dining

    Posted

    We went to the Greenbrier about 4-5 years ago for my Dad's 60th birthday. My recollection is a bit foggy, but the main things I recall are:

    1. I took a picture of my Dad and stepmother during dinner. Evidently, Jack Germond (journalist) was in the background and complained. So, I was scolded by the staff.

    2. The dining room was huge . . . and almost empty . . . on a Saturday night.

    3. My sister brought a date, who was sort of a dud. But, I felt bad for him because he neglected to wear a tie, and they refused to seat him. So, he had to borrow a tie from the lost and found. It was sort of a purple knit tie that looked, shall I say, "Bold", in combination with his green dinner jacket.

    4. I recall that the food was ok, but not memorable.

    5. Expensive.

    6. Having been once, we won't be returning.

    7. We didn't stay there because we have a home in West Virginia. So, I can't comment on the lodging.

    Basically, it was as expensive or more expensive than a top of the line restaurant; however, the food was mediocre (for the money) and the atmosphere was, in a word, lacking.

    Frazier's in Raleigh

    in Southeast: Dining

    Posted

    Please tell us more about the menu items when you get a chance (or have Mrs. Zeb A write for you! :wink: ).

    Quickly, I had a corn soup, which was outstanding, amberjack (with some sort of Asian noodles in a mild broth), which was ok, and "PB&J," which was pistachio butter brioche with blueberry compote and a glass of milk, which was great. My wife had a basic salad, which she liked, red snapper with summer squash, which she loved, and a trio of vanilla desserts (creme brulee, vanilla poundcake with some kind of compote and raspberry ice cream, and a cream soda float), which was also very good.

    Frazier's in Raleigh

    in Southeast: Dining

    Posted

    I don't have time to say much, but, last Friday, looking for someplace to go to dinner that we hadn't been recently, we called Frazier's on a lark to see when it would be opening again. Turns out that last Friday was opening night. We had an early dinner that was excellent. The restaurant's design has only slightly changed, and the menu didn't appear to be much different from it's prior incarnation, which is a good thing to me. We had a very good meal. The desserts were much more innovative than the rest of the meal and were excellent. There were some opening night jitters: computer problems, wine and beer not yet chilled, etc., but the proprieters were very gracious as always. As when we went to Frazier's in the past, we left remarking about what an enjoyable meal we had and promising to return soon.

    Glad to have Frazier's back in business!

    Raising future gulleteers

    in Southeast: Dining

    Posted

    Funny you should mention Vin.  I recall taking my now 6, then 3 year old there way back.  We got there REAL early..were the only people on the patio and I asked, just out of curiosity, if they had high chairs (I can get around them, but it is easier when they are real little).  The waiter copped an attitude and said, in a haughty voice "Uh, we don't really get children in here".  I said no problem.  You should have seen his face when she ordered the duck and woofed it.  By the end of the night, they were all asking if she was always this good in restaurants and agreeing to bring her a special ice cream sampler.  She has been back many times now. 

    I am surprised that you had such an experience at Vin. They have highchairs, and we have brought out daughter there for dinner and brunch many, many times. No one has ever been anything other than very accomodating. When we take her with us, we generally try to eat at non-peak times, like 5:30 or 6 pm, but it has never been a problem. In fact, it is one of our favorite places to take her.

    Inn at Little Washington

    in D.C. & DelMarVa: Dining

    Posted

    We went to the Inn in May to celebrate my mother's 60th birthday. It was our second visit in the past 5 years. Both visits were exceptional. On both occassions, we also spent the night at the Inn, which is an expensive treat. As far as the meals go, on both occasions we were very pleased. I wouldn't say that the menu was particularly innovative, but everything was well-prepared and tasty. We have also recently dined at Citronelle, which was also mentioned in this thread, and we had a great meal there as well. I wouldn't hesitate to go to either restaurant again, despite the high price tags. The two restaurants are quite different, and I find it hard to chose one over the other.

    PS: There seems to be an overlap between the D.C. & DelMarVa forum and the Southeast forum. The Inn is far enough outside of D.C. that, personally, I would claim it for the Southeast. Likewise, Richmond restaurants are discussed in both fora and surely they should be in Southeast. It would be nice if the overlap was eliminated so that it would be easier to find all discussions of restaurants in those border regions. Perhaps D.C. could be renamed D.C, Deleware, Maryland, and the D.C. suburbs, or something like that. Just a random thought.

    [Austin] Austin City Limits Music Festival

    in Texas: Dining

    Posted

    We are thinking about heading to this event in a few weeks, and I have a few questions (we live in NC and have never been to Austin):

    1. It looks like the food tents / vendors are better than alot of festivals and draw from local restaurants. Is this true? Here is the link to the food vendors: food court What do you think?

    2. Is there any upscale must-eat-at restaurant in Austin? I am sure there are tons of good places, but is there any one place that is the sort of place where you'd be making a mistake if you were in Austin and didn't go there.

    3. With one stage being the Heineken stage, I assume beer is served. True?

    4. I know most of the bands and know we will like the music. But, I am unfamiliar with the venue and wonder whether it will be so crowded that you won't really be able to get very close to the stages. Has anyone been to past this even in past years? Here is the festival link

    5. Any other ideas or thoughts?

    Thx

    Enoteca Vin, Raleigh

    in Southeast: Dining

    Posted

    DonRocks: Thanks for the post!

    I love Vin, and I have said so before!

    I am glad to hear that someone who writes better and with more authority than me also has a very favorable impression of Vin.

    Time after time, when my wife and I (and now our baby) get a hankering for good food, we invariably find ourselves making the short drive to Vin, and we are always happy. We've probably eaten there over 30 times, and we have ALWAYS been very pleased with our meal, whether it was a small meal of appetizers at the bar, a full dinner, a New Year's eve tasting menu, or a Sunday brunch. Add to the food a great wine list and a pleasant atmosphere, and you have a great establishment.

    It is truly a unique restaurant, especially in downtown Raleigh.

    For those who haven't been, check it out.

    Vin Rouge -- Durham

    in Southeast: Dining

    Posted

    This French bistro is owned by restaurateur Giorgios Bakatsias, and I must admit that I've never been a big fan of Bakatsias' establishments -- they focus on the trendy, food is up and down, and in the end, there's more style than substance.

    What are his other establishments?

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