Jump to content

Foodie-Girl

participating member
  • Posts

    721
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by Foodie-Girl

  1. Yes, that's it !

    Since Venice was only about 10 minutes away we went to Joe's which is always great (my opinion) and had lunch at a hot new spot, the name of which I simply can't recall and spell correctly.  "Gjemina"?...something like that..maybe someone can help me out.  It was great.

    A chef/friend told me about Gjelina in Venice. Good food made with top ingredients. I should try this place whenever I get over to the Westside.

    LA Times food critic gave Gjelina 2 and 1/2 stars.

  2. Here's a quickie report and, again, many thanks for all the suggestions:

    Beacon was good but I have a thing about the server removing the dirty fork/knife from my appetizer plate and putting it back on the table for me to re-use when the main course comes. OK, maybe I'm too finicky...But, the chicken wings were covered in a delicious sticky-sweet sauce and really left a mess on the silverware.

    Akasha, beautiful space, nice food

    Father's Office: Had a drink or two before dinner..it's a great place for the younger set but they didn't kick us out for being geezers... :biggrin:

    Since Venice was only about 10 minutes away we went to Joe's which is always great (my opinion) and had lunch at a hot new spot, the name of which I simply can't recall and spell correctly. "Gjemina"?...something like that..maybe someone can help me out. It was great.

    The hightlight of the trip was dinner at Bazaar (Jose Andres rest. in Beverly Hills). It was FANTASTIC and amazingly affordable...Went with another couple and with 2 cocktails (not a bargain at $16 each) several shared plates and dessert our half came to $135. It was a lot of food and there were no clunkers.

    Sorry I didn't take notes at any of the meals...just getting too old I guess.

    On to Las Vegas tomorrow....sticking with old (not so old really) favorites...B&B, Daniel Boulud and Restaurant Charlie.

    quote=rjwong,Feb 25 2009, 08:26 PM]

    On my list but haven't made it yet (so not an endorsement - maybe a local could help - Russ?) is Ford's Filling Station.

    I ate at FFS once a while back. It's okay. Nothing to write home about, unless you're into Harrison Ford's son as chef.

    Please give us a report, Char.

  3. Absolutely !  Las Vegas has become one of our primary destinations over the past several years.  And, yes, we've been to New York and San Francisco numerous times as well.

    We're going again in a month or so and hope to hit the new places at The Palazzo.  What's with their website?  Down for months )-:

    Try this link for The Palazzo. I am also anxious to try the restaurants at The Palazzo. We have a couple of open nights when we go for the Vegas Uncork'd events in May and one of my choices for dinner is Charlie Trotter's new place at The Palazzo:

    http://www.palazzolasvegas.com/PINT.aspx?KNC-PAGOOGLESEARCH

    ***I did try and got the same "Internet Explorer is unable to open this web page". I don't think it's my computer as I've gotten the same response on other computers.

    Oh yes, we're hoping to try Charlie Trotter's new place as well. We dined twice at his place when he had one in the MGM Grand several years ago. Amazing meals as I recall.

  4. If you decide on Lampreia, consider ordering everything but the entrees. There is a great deal of interesting fare, but not in that course.

    I still haven't been to Mistral, so I can't weigh in.

    Union has some great food.

    You might consider Cafe Juanita - though maybe not the same food experience.

    I know I will get roasted, but I love Tilth - you can get some fabulous food there - but it isn't all that fancy.

    Veil? Anyone been lately?

    Ask for the corner table facing the sound at Steelhead Diner, and ask Kevin to make you a special dinner. It's not perfect, but they really try to please and I love the appetizers and desserts.

    ***Veil is one of our 'pre theatre' restaurants so we never really have the time for a long dinner. But, every meal has been wonderful.

  5. I grew up in Burbank and practically LIVED at Bob's through my teen years!

    Though now in WA I still visit family and manage to get to Bob's every so often. Great memories!

    Bob's Big Boy and The Smoke House were my haunts and still revisited as often as possible.

  6. David,

    What are your most memorable dishes from Guy Savoy? Any pictures or more details review about your private dinner? How often does Guy Savoy come to LV and when?

    Foodie-Girl,

    It seems that Robuchon was quite bad for you, what's the main issue? Had the service been fine, how would you rate the food there? When does Robuchon himself come and cook at the restaurant?

    The report from everyone makes me curious to find the service there comparing to another great maitre d'hotel like Denis Courtiade (ADPA - he's very good in running the team) or Laurent Lapaire (L'Arpege - the best manager to run a restaurant - very warm, friendly and full sense of humour) or the most famous one - Jean-Claude Vrinat (Many claim Taillevent's hospitality as the world's best)

    ***I don't know when Robuchon is at the restaurant.

    The main issue was the cold, unwelcoming service. Several people served us at various times and other than one young American woman no one ever cracked a smile let alone inquire as to our enjoyment of the meal. The atmosphere was sterile in my opinion.

    The food was very good but the atmosphere spoiled it. Overall I would have to rate our meal at Guy Savoy much, much higher.

    I have been to Taillevent in the past...many years ago...and I still remember how warmly we were welcomed.

    When spending hundreds of dollars for dinner my expectation is some level of "we're so happy to have you dine with us" along with excellent food.

  7. Guy Savoy -  The full-on tasting menu/worth every penny!  Class and service beyond great.  I know, I thought we'd go on the cheap but couldn't resist once we sat down and felt the amazing warmth of Franck Savoy and the rest of the staff.

    Foodie-Girl, I'm so glad you went all out. Guy Savoy is one of the best dining experiences I have ever had. Question: Franck Savoy, would you consider him one of the best maitre d'/host you have ever encountered at a restaurant? I'm imagining him as a maitre d' from yesteryear, from a previous age ... What do you think?

    Going to Vegas with a friend for Labor Day weekend -- first time ever for me, first time for her since we turned 21. (Trips to Vegas before you're 21 don't really count...)

    Read most of the Vegas threads, and got recommendations, so we are DEFINITELY doing the following:

    - Dinners at L'Atelier, Bartolotta and Lotus of Siam

    - Brunch buffet at the Bellagio

    - Something at JP Patisserie (everything looks good)

    Also on my list are Border Grill and Bouchon (maybe -- ate at the one in Yountville and liked it but have been hearing mixed things about the Vegas version... cash cow for Keller? frozen frites? etc.). I would like to try Wing Lei and Guy Savoy but we only have three dinners.

    Diann, if you eat LUNCH at Lotus of Siam and order from the regular menu and NOT from the lunch buffet, you will have room for one more dinner. I can't speak about Wing Lei since I haven't eaten there yet. If you really want to splurge, go for Guy Savoy.

    ***Franck Savoy is definitely one of the warmest more charismatic hosts I've enountered..definitely not 'old world style' as he's a young and handsome guy. He's the perfect combination of welcoming and highly efficient.

  8. Cook sounds great.  I'm not so sure about Brix.  I do love eating outdoors.  We'll see how the weather is (last week Sept for 12 days).  I'm kinda cranky on outdoor dining when people start turning on the heaters the minute the temperature drops below 75...LOL.   For me it's like dining under a broiler...... :angry:

    If memory serves, the last week in September will hardly be a call for heaters -- if anything, it might be too hot to sit outside, even in the evening; you'll prefer to be inside where there are air-conditioners.

    Yes, I think you're right.

  9. not sure if anyone has mentioned Cook or Cindy's Back Street Kitchen in St Helena for light lunches... casual and good food.

    also, martini house is open for lunch fri - sun and has a great kobe beef buger.

    Thanks, dvs. I do have Cindy's Back Street on the 'lunch list' as well as Martini House.

    Is COOK also in St. Helena?

    Cooks, is on main st St Helena,

    Very tight seating small restaurant and with good italian style food.

    Jude is the hard working chef owner, and is on hand cooking in the open kitchen.

    The chef has worked in the valley for a number of years, (as a sous chef),

    including with Chiarello. A great late hangout for restaurant people getting off their shifts.

    Brix is a very busy restaurant, cranking out big numbers. Second to Rutherford Grill. I do understand why some people are not fans, but I,ve never had a bad meal(but,not insperational) and the patio dining draws me back.

    I must admit, I do like Sattui as well. Can't beat a picnic.

    We've decided to skip most lunches on this trip though we used to go to a fantastic winery (now I'm going back about 20 years) where we had to make reservations for a "place" months in advance. My most distinct memory is of the geese pecking away at us...LOL.

    Cook sounds great. I'm not so sure about Brix. I do love eating outdoors. We'll see how the weather is (last week Sept for 12 days). I'm kinda cranky on outdoor dining when people start turning on the heaters the minute the temperature drops below 75...LOL. For me it's like dining under a broiler...... :angry:

  10. Thanks, Swicks.

    Gee, suddenly an 11-night trip seems barely enough.....LOL

    You'll seriously get tired of eating this way for 11 days strait... Living in Napa for four years, I got so tired of the ubiquitous Sonoma Valley Duck Breast with [insert fruit of choice] and reduced [insert wine of choice] glaze, and wilted [insert greens of choice] and [insert carb of choice].

    You'll start having great meals of simple cheese, bread, and wine (maybe a sausage or cut meat) and craving something ethnic...

    Carolyn,

    I couldn't agree with you more. On my own I've been looking for a few casual places...maybe Mexican, Thai...spaghetti and meatballs, etc.

    Your prediction came through on my Big Birthday Trip to NY 8 years ago where we ended up cancelling the last 4 nights of high-end dinners. Too much of a good thing and it's hard to sit down and face those Tasting Menus...LOL.

    Thanks for your comments..!

  11. Loved Wing Lei...as I mentioned..the Peking Duck Tasting menu is fantastic...the room lovely, service great. I can't wait to return and ask for a tasting menu. Sorry I don't remember if both me and my husband needed to order the same tasting menu....

    Two dinners at Daniel Boulud last year and we're returning in the fall. I think it's sensational.

    Don't start throwing rocks at me but I was hugely disappointed in dinner at Bouchon. Very loud...terrible service and out of 3 diners none of us were thrilled with anything we ate and we did sample many dishes. I realize this is a minority opinion on these boards.

    L'Atalier...WONDERFUL

    Robuchon...Icy service took away from the experience

    Guy Savoy...we had planned on the less costly TGV dinner but when we saw the choices for main course (filet of beef or red snapper) we quickly decided to go-for-broke and were not disappointed.

    For a less costly dinner I always suggest Fiamma (MGM) or Sensi (Bellagio). Of course 'less costly' is subjective.... :raz:

  12. not sure if anyone has mentioned Cook or Cindy's Back Street Kitchen in St Helena for light lunches... casual and good food.

    also, martini house is open for lunch fri - sun and has a great kobe beef buger.

    Thanks, dvs. I do have Cindy's Back Street on the 'lunch list' as well as Martini House.

    Is COOK also in St. Helena?

  13. yeah i agree brix is ok eaten there several times,,,, and each time i do, i wonder to myself why is it that i came back here??? its not bad but but there are better options. has anyone mentioned terra restaurant? ive always been happy w hiros food, if you want a great place to eat outside you cant beat travigna they have one of the best patios in nor cal, the food is simple but tastes good, also for simple fare the mendicino brewing company has that brewpub place in hopland, foods good, the beer is even better, they have a nice tour set up at the brewery, in case you get tired of the wine thing

    Our focus these days is definitely geared more toward light-eating during the day and saving our calories for dinner. In our younger days we did lots of wine-tasting during the day but, somehow we don't burn-up the calories the way we used to....LOL

    Terra and Tra Vigne are both on the short-list for this trip. We've been to both many times in past years and I remember Terra being especially good.

×
×
  • Create New...