menton1

Popularity is rarely a good indicator of quality... IMHO, this place is very ordinary-- or as Tommy would put it, a "typical red-sauce Italian". No creativity, and certainly not real Italian food, no more than Chow Mein could pass for real Chinese food.

Here's help for "fork" lovers: http://maps.yahoo.com

Apparently this place has been bypassed, for some reason, by the Egullet NJ Foodies; it obviously gets no play on these boards-- Basilico pales when it comes to chatter about this type of restaurant compared to Fascino and Corso 98, for example. I will be dining at Basilico soon, and will report back on it, so then there will be 2 of us that have gone there, Rosie.

It's not only not ethnic, but my experience there was that of a combination Pizza Parlor food/Diner experience; I think that for the price there, you have much better choices in the Forest Hills area.

I agree, Bill-- the place is a great find in Venice. I loved the community tables, and we had the best "Seppie Col Nero" we've ever had, the quintissential Venetian dish! (My knees don't hurt a bit! )

How so? 1/ We could actually go without our parents, door to door, and not worry about razor blades in the candy or being accosted, or worse... 2/ No one sprayed shaving cream on car windshields (very difficult to clean) 3/ On the morning of Nov 1 the entire neighborhood was not littered with toilet paper.

Tommy, you must be slipping-- I can't believe you went to Al Mascaron, a place that I highly recommended!!

I have wanted to go to this restaurant for a while, but the last 2 times I tried, they were already booked for the weekend by Wednesday. The person answering the phone said to book at least 1 week in advance. Has anybody been to this place, why is it so popular, and is it worth all the advance planning? Thanks.

Having to leave at 1:15 will only give you 75 minutes for lunch.... that's lightning fast for a restaurant in France, could potentially take away from the experience having that time anxiety.... Stocking up on goodies is a good idea, except that Nov 11 is a major holiday in France, and many of the good places (Fauchon, Hédiard, et al) are probably closed, and most likely they will do a 4-day weekend. A dilemma....

Yes, you have to book way ahead for the Caron... we stayed there several years ago, the rooms are very tiny, but otherwise the place is great-- great location, great staff. This past September we stayed in the Hotel de la Bretonnerie, also in the Marais, more expensive, about 150 Euros, but their rooms are among the largest in Paris, regardless of price-- the only drawback is no A/C. N.B. Upon checking in this year, I asked for a room facing the back so to avoid the loud Paris street noise-- they had none, and the clerk said to me, "but Monsieur, do not worry, our rooms are all double-soundproofed". I replied, that's great, but, as the temperature is over 30°C. (about 83°F) we will have to open the windows!! She was clearly taken aback, and had nothing to say!! ( The French almost NEVER open windows!)

Re/ Hotels, a wonderful choice is the Caron de Beaumarchais, rue Vielle du Temple corner of Rue de Rivoli in the 4th. The Marais is a great area to stay in, great shops, restos, and bars, very hip, but not the wall-to wall of humanity that you get in the 6th, and it's close to everything. In February you should get a room close to your budget. The rooms are small, but perfect. Immaculate, comfortable, all modern conveniences. Most restos in Paris other than the Michelin-starred usually have casually-dressed diners; I would, however, leave your jeans home-- the French do not wear them much, it is a dead giveaway that you are a tourist.

Does Les Magnolias provide luggage racks for their diners?

I suppose that is true--- however, it is tough to think of Lyon, a city of 450,000 people, as provincial. That is the paradox, and that is why we were so surprised.

AMEN!!

According to a report by the AP, the Halloween phenomenon that has been growing for the past few years in France is now starting to wane. Apparently more attention is being given to Nov 1, All Saints Day, a major holiday all over the country. The big losers are the merchants and the bars that did a nice business connected to "alloween". I think they are on the right track-- this Holiday has become somewhat of a nuisance here in the US-- it's not like the Halloween I remember growing up. Halloween Fading in France Article

Just want to put in a good word for an authentic bouchon in Vieux Lyon, not on most of the bouchon lists. It's Les Lyonnais, 1, rue Tramassac. WE stumbled upon it while shopping in a pottery street fair in that area. Very tough to get in on Saturday, we wound up starting dinner at 10:15. A very bustling, active place full of locals. Memorable for us was the mixed saucisson appetizer, Quenelles, an unusual preparation of cod, and Pork Sausage flavored with pistachio. And the "pot" of wine is a lot of fun, a tradition dating back hundreds of years. It is possible, however, to get a not-so-good meal in Lyon-- we had stayed on a weekend, and, surprisingly enough, a city the size of Lyon virtually "rolls up" on a Sunday night. 99% of the restaurants are closed! Even the streets are practically deserted at 8PM. We were forced to go to a very unmemorable pizza place where there were only 3 tables going. I suppose the entire population of Lyon eats at home on Sunday nights. A peculiar phenomenon.

Bux, I think you are being unfair. While Languedoc may not be as sexy as Provence, nor have as large a chapter in the tourist guides, it can certainly hold its own for cuisine and charm. It encompasses a large area, from Nimes all the way to the Spanish border, and also includes Carcassonne. I have spent many wonderful days touring in the Languedoc. Cassoulet started in the Languedoc, as well as Aligot, a great mashed potato dish, Brandade de Nimes, a Cod specialty, Gardiane, a Daube made with Bull's meat, let us not forget the special pastry " croquants de Nimes" as well. Also many Catalan specialties around Perpignan. Although the Languedoc does not get the ink that Provence gets, in many ways it can be preferable. Less pretentious, less touristy, more genuine, and for me, just as much appeal.

A little research also came up with New Leaf Cafe, on W. 190th street; A "New American", it seems that all proceeds from the business go into the restoration and upkeep of Fort Tryon Park!!

A place up there that I understand to be highly touted is "DR. K" , on 114 Dyckman Street. Have you been there? Anyone else know about it?

Could anyone please provide information on where to get a community Amish meal in a private family's house? I had one of these a few years ago with Dee Dee Meyers, but it seems that she no longer gives these dinners. They are a wonderful experience, I would appreciate info on who still conducts these dinners.

This place has appeal with the Black Cadillac, Lincoln Continental crowd; Black silk suits are the attire of preference here-- Go into the next town down the hill, Tenafly, and try America for a sophisticated meal.

FYI, a quick check brought up 2- one star Michelin restos in Bercy; check the Guide Rouge for more details, but here are the names: Au Trou Gascon 40, rue Taine Au Pressoir 257, av. Daumesnil Several other 3-fork choices as well. Bon appétit!

The only problem with this thought is that most of these vignobles don't sell their wine any further away from the Cave than their own little shop and the closest "Huit a Huit". You can buy a couple of bottles to bring home, or, use them on a pique-nique! The best part of this activity is the interaction with the vintners themselves, the tasting, the conversation, meeting their dogs, (they always have 1 or 2), etc. And, as Bux has said, don't drink more than a sip of each if you are driving! (Great to be the passenger on these occasions!)

Yes, that is an interesting point; unfortunately, I have never been personally to Bercy yet, just haven't made the time-- hope to get there next June or September... Patricia Wells, recognized as a great foodie, has been touting the area for a couple of years now in the IHT... And we await a first-hand report from Jackal in December!

What could possibly be wrong? I go often to this place, and the food is terrific....