dannyboy

I don't know if this is too late, Tim, but here goes: Basilico's (across from the Springfield Inn) is very respectful reasonable Italian. They have this great warm olive and rosemary olive oil concoction that they bring out, along with great bread for dipping while you look at the menu. No liquor license, but great food. And, I believe they will blow away anyone else in town as far as Pizza is concerned. Welshie's wings are great, and they're open til late (3AM?) Giovanni's Deli is great, good home made cutlets and such; everything you'd find in a South Philly neighborhood market. Braca Cafe' has gotten some good reviews; we haven't tried it - a little too pricey and high brow for us while we're tooling around in flip flops... We stay away from the local seafood places, as they tend to be ridiculously overpriced. If you're willing to shell (no pun intended, well maybe) out the bucks - Mikes, and Marie's are both good. Stay away from Busch's - very tourist trappy.

This is a different Nobu. In the new Hard Rock hotel there is an outpost of teh famous Nobu (of Nobu Matsuhisa/Drew Neioporent) not the local SD place. For casual Japanees you might consider Taka (which is what you might be talking about Octabeman). ← Correct Swicks. Been to the Nobu in Manhattan, and Morimoto in Philly. Nobu in SD would be good - Nobu anywhere would be good. So far, it's a toss up between Mama Testa, Chilango's, or Miguel's Cocina (last choice) for lunch tomorrow. Porkyland in La Jolla or Mariscos German truck for lunch Friday. Dinners will be either Oceanaire or Nobu. One more question about Coronado: Is there a nice place for lunch near the beach? I know there is the Hotel, but is there a lunch spot with a good vibe and scenery? Coronado will be our 1st stop before tide pools. I've been to Coronado and it is beautiful with a capital B. I think if there were a great place with great food and local scenery, we'd probably wind up there. Then I'll catch up my missed Mexican lunch on Saturday...

The best Mexican food in the city is not close to where you're going to be and would require going into areas that might make a non-local a little uncomfortable. ← So, just in case we don't mind discomfort, what is this place you speak of?

Thank you all. This is exactly the info I was looking for. Maybe we can score some local uni at Tin Fish? We'll see. Thanks again.

Hey folks, I've read through gobs of posts here, as well as various food blogs by San Diegans. My head is spinning as a result. Hopefully, my posting the questions will be a better bet... 4 of us will be arriving Thursday morning and wish to eat lunch before a trip to Cabrillo National Monument and Coronado Island. I live in South Philly, where 30% of our population hails from Puebla, Veracruz, and other points of Mexico. I'd love to sample San Diego Mexican, but not if it's something I can get at home. Any quintessential Mexican places in the vicinity of where I'll be going? We do not wish to eat like tourists, but would like comfortable surroundings, i.e., no taco trucks. That night, around 12 of us, with varying tastes, would like a semi upscale business dinner downtown. I was thinking Nobu at the Hard Rock, but I am way open to suggestions, especially those on the basis of "you can only get this here". There is the strong possibility of Friday lunch recs needed as well. On Friday, our group will be scaled down quite significantly. There is also the possibility of a bit of travel out of the downtown area on Friday, as far north as La Jolla...same culinary basis; quintessential Mexican or San Diegan. Thanks in advance.

My family and I go to the Fallingwater area every summer. My friend owns a small farm near Somerset. Lovely area. Fallingwater is excellent. If you are up for getting even farther away from Pittsburgh, I would recommend the River's Edge restaurant and Bed & Breakfast in Confluence, PA. It's about 20 miles southeast of Fallingwater. We went there a few years back and had a very nice meal. The owners are interesting world travelers and the food was very up to par. Fahn dahnin' is slim pickins in them there part of the woods, but this place is nice. Click here for the link. It's the 3rd place down on the page. You'll also travel through Ohiopyle state park to get there. Ohiopyle is a really beautiful place. The restaurant looks out over a stream. Enjoy your visit!

I'm stoked that it's finally open. I have been eyeing these 2 places up for what seems to be a small eternity. Can't wait to try Laos, especially if it is owned by the Vientiane folks. Wonder who the Porky&Porkie owners are. I vote for their big outdoor sign as one of the coolest in Philly. Thanks for the review, cinghiale

Hi Mario, It's great to have you here... I have admired your books and TV shows for many years. Way back when, I recall you mentioning on one of your shows that you started your illustrious career in my old stomping grounds, New Brunswick, New Jersey. Was I hallucinating? If I wasn't, care to elaborate? Thanks, and the best to you and your future. -Dan

I was just in Edison/Iselin, NJ this past weekend. Words cannot describe the place, you pretty much have to just make the trip and explorer. I'm pretty sure it is the if not one of the largest Indian/Pak areas on the East Coast. My wife and I went to Moghul express for a Chicken Dosa and Kheema Dosa. Tremendous. You'll probably find Gujarati somewhere in this area of NJ.

Ellen, Here are a few useful links to hopefully get you and your friend started. This one has umpteen links to endless resources for supplies, recipes, etc. This one is a great magazine that is another endless resource. Their website has some pretty good recipies, as do the actual magazines. Good luck and have fun!

At first it sounded like your experience was bunk due to bad service, crappy sushi plates, and sketchy seating policies (not to mention your fall; I hope you're on the mend...). After re-reading your post it appears that most of the disappointment for you may have been the food itself?! I'm sorry to hear that. I really enjoyed my experiences there, except that the first time was stellar, the 2nd not so stellar. The 2nd visit's omakase was excellent, not as good as the first, but the servers were total robots. While telling you what they were serving you, they read through the ingredients like reading a teleprompter at an awards show they never wanted to be at. But again, the food was great. Wasn't there a thread somewhere recently on the Gullet about Steven Starr stating he couldn't find any good help in Philly and needing to dip into the NYC employee pool? Overall I don't think I would go back unless I hit the lottery...too many other great places in Philly (or Cinnaminson) to try for far less $$$.

Not to disparage it because of sour grapes or anything since my father was briefly an owner of LHF, but comments from friends of mine indicate that the food quality and tastiness have gone down. This seems plausible to me because the former owner who was the primary chef is retired and is no longer in the kitchen, and we are still on relatively good terms with the family. (In fact, I just saw the former owner-chef last week.) And yes, Penang's success is due at least partly to the fact that they present an interesting decor to go with prices that are slightly above standard Chinatown prices. Mr. -Acidal, I believe it was you who briefly posted about a recent visit to Indonesia. Can I trouble you to elaborate on your experience there? Thanks

A group of 8 would like to go to Chinatown for a nice birthday dinner. We all love exotic flavors, hot-n-spicy is very much welcomed. Some atmosphere would be great, but not that important. Budget is fairly low; $13-18 per person not including drinks, byob would be great. I've been pondering 3 places: Indonesia, Penang and Rangoon. I also had pondered Tai Lake or Lee How Fook, but opted to go with one of the less conventional cuisines. I've been to Rangoon and loved it minus the MSG hangover, but don't know how Indonesia or Penang stack up other than the one or 2 reviews here and at citysearch.com. Slightly off this topic, but still appreciated: any decent pool halls in the surrounding area? We would love to play some pool afterwards. (note: not willing to pay $15 per person and wait 60 mins to get a table at Buffalo Billiards...) Help me pick my birthday destination! Thanks

I will never again add 3/4 cup ground cayenne pepper to an already toasting dry spice mix in a very hot pan, creating hot pepper gas (or mace); blinding and sending house guests fleeing out the front door gasping for a breath on a freezing cold winter's day...

I don't know if these 2 qualify as "dumb" because I like them so damn much. But, they are peculiar and on topic. One is The Gilligan's Island cookbook written by Maryann. Tons of coconut and lobster, coconut cream pie, banana and coconut pancakes, etc. recipies. Might make for a good theme party someday (yikes). The other is the gem of my collection, A Treasury of Great Recipes by Vincent and Mary Price. A delight that I'm sure has been noted somewhere in the depths of the egullet forums.