Foodie-Girl

Hmm. I can't imagine that. It's an elegant and gracious place with amazing food. But everyone has a bad night now and then. It would be fun to hear your Herbfarm cancellation policy insights, if you care to share. I apologize, MsRamsey...I didn't reply to you promptly re Herbfarm. I first time we went we made the reservations well in advance. We worried the entire time that IF we had to cancel we would lose a king's ransom. So...for the second time...I waited until Friday for a Saturday reservation. I booked a room at Willows Lodge that could be cancelled by 4PM on Friday (as I recall). I then called Herbfarm and 'begged' for a table for the following night. I reminded them that I had dined there previously...and that I realized this was VERY last-minute...but we'd had a very difficult week and I really needed to 'surprise' my husband with something special. They not only 'found room' for us...but gave us a table for two..which is what I prefer and wasn't able to get on our first dinner. I think the point is to wait until the very last minute...where you are 99% sure you can actually GO...and try to get in. To book way ahead of time is way too stressful for me..and they are simply not going to change that cancellation policy. I can understand those who simply won't put up with their attitude..but I've eaten in a few good restaurants in my lifetime....from Le Cirque and Jean George in New York to Charlie Trotters in Chicago and French Laundry in California.....and, for what it's worth...I find The Herbfarm experience a lot of fun and great food. Yes, of course it's ridiculously over-priced...especially when we add on the cost of the room at the inn across the driveway...but we think it's a great "twice a year" adventure. We live in Poulsbo...and great dining experiences do not exisit over here...We love going to Seattle on the ferry...and an overnight trip is another treat....same reason we go to Cafe' Juanita. The Herbfarm certainly has it's flaws...but sue me...I like it....LOL

FANTASTIC DINNER !!! Mistral was all I had hoped for and much more. A brief recap...... Chef William arranged for complimentary glasses of champagne to begin our evening. We chose the Chef's Tasting Menu with paired wines...the names of which I couldn't bring to mind in a million years...but I will say that they were all great....a Hungarian sherry-like drink with the fois gras...but, wait, let's start from the top: Amouse Bouche was a tiny and delicate lobster salad with mango and watercress Diver Scallop with Chanterelle mushroom and the smallest brussels sprouts I've ever seen (they must keep peeling them until they are tiny) served in a butternut squash broth-type soup (This course was the star of the evening!) Seared Fois Fras with perfectly diced pineapple, slivers of prunes and cloaked in a Tahitian Vanilla sauce (for me, the vanilla made the overall taste just a little too sweet...especially with the pineapple). Fois gras is one of my favorite morsals..but I'm just being finicky..it was great..just not the way I most enjoy it. Rack of Lamb of beyond perfect... The Cheese course combined the delicate with the really stinky...two of each...and served with (always tiny and beautifully cut fruits and vegetables, by the way) figs (as well as bread) Dessert was warm chocolate cake framed with ice cream and sorbets. What I've written does not begin to do justice to the overall quality, presentation and ambience of the evening. This is a classy place that runs so smoothly you're barely aware of all the little extra things the staff does to make the evening enjoyable. For instance...and older couple came in separately, the woman afraid they'd be late and she came in while her husband parked the car. A few minutes later an elderly gentleman can hurrying in and asked if they had change for the parking meter. The waiter quietly asked which stall he was parked in....offered the gentleman and chair...and said he would take care of it. These little nice-ities seem to have disappeared for the most part...but are still very evident at Mistral. We'll be back....and I thank all of you for the recommendation. So are Mistral is heads above any of the other restaurants we've visited since moving close to Seattle.

Well, he called to reconfirm our dining time and I gave my regards from the group here...He was very happy to know that you all hold him in such high regard...oh, and he's out of town for a few days and won't be cooking tonight. Hey, doesn't he know it's my birthday?....LOL He assured me I won't be disappointed... I'll write a review tomorow....Thanks again for all the advice !

Boulevard is great..been there a few times. We have reservations at Gary Danko...can't wait !

Mankas was very over-rated based on our one visit. Hard to find, luke-warm service to match the food..

Foodzealot/Carolyn....I think we're on the right track...and will definitely run a couple ideas past my friends. They know all the good places but wanted to know our thoughts. Campanile...We were there the first month it opened (used to live in CA). Yeah, great stuff. Also to Patina...very esoteric cooking..loved it. I'm actually reading up on the last four you mentioned...Many we know in LA go to AOC so that's on the list. Sona sounds interesting as do the others. A couple more days of research and I'll narrow it to two and let my friends voice their opinions. The tough part of LA restaurants has always been the noise level. We just call the SCREAMERS...LOL. A few rare exceptions like L'Orangerie...but not too many. So, if any on your list are a bit more quiet, that would be a consideration. We haven't seen our friends in several months...be nice to talk a little. Best food is still very important though. Thanks...

Thanks for the suggestions....Spago or AOL are more the type of restaurants I was thinking of...but appreciate your input! (-:

Well, you've all been great in helping me with San Francisco/Sonoma....Confirmed my thoughts that nothing new has sprouted up in Burbank...but now I need an L.A. restaurant. We're meeting up with friends who live on Mulholland Drive...so anything in Hollywood, West Hollywood is an easy drive. Haven't been to L.A. in awhile but love Spago and that sort of cooking...Any thoughts? THANKS !!!! charcoop@yahoo.com

We do have reservations at Le Poste and La Haye...Sure hope the weather cools down a little by the time we get there ( about October 10)

Thanks for the suggestion!

Hey, at my advanced age if I DON'T take notes I'll barely remember what I ate! Rover's will be for my husband's birthday in December. Looking forward to Mistral...it's always fun to try new places. Thanks again!

I'm sticking with Mistral for the big B-Day dinner. I actually walked past it a few days ago and it looked smallish enough to be intimate and all your comments about the food/service have settled it for me. Dinner is set for 9/27 and I'll be happy to report back if any one is interested. Thanks again for all the wonderful suggestions! charcoop@yahoo.com

The dim sum field is narrowing. Hey, Gary Soup...between Mayflower and Yang Sing (sorry my choice is coming down to location) which would you recommend?

I'm sticking with Mistral for my birthday feat...but Rover's it will be for my husband's in December. Thanks for all the well-spoken advice...this group rocks!

tighe....well, we'll have to break-up then....too much sauce on a plate is a deal-breaker for me....LOL

Thanks for all the good info., homechef...but I have a bit of a time crunch and need it to be somewhere relatively close to Union Square. I can take a cab....and I can arrive early..but it needs to be right there in the city. So...given that infor...what say you?? Thanks!!!!

I've been to Cafe Juanita once...after Holly Smith took over. I thought it was great...from the service to the quality of the meal. I said 'hello' to Holly and she is a charming woman. I highly recommend Cafe Juanita!

Yes, all the bets are riding on Tighe's recommendation...LOL Hey, it's just DINNER...don't sweat it...LOL

Tighe...your photos closed the deal for me! Painful though it is....I think turning 55 (it's probably a mistake..I know I'm a lot younger!!) our evening at Mistral should do the trick! What I especially like is the presentation and portion size. I'm not a big fan of globs of sauces on a plate. It just ain't right...LOL Thanks again Tighe..I'm about to make my reservation!!!!

Tighe...that's so cool...THANKS!!!

OK...you've narrowed the field for me. Rover's or Mistral...as I do enjoy a slightly more sophisticated style than bistro....at least for this dinner that's what I'm seeking... THANKS

The birthday dinner is to celebrate (????) my 55th and I'm still kicking *** It's all in your attitude (((-:

Well, I guess that puts me in the OLD category.....LOL

OK...testing my aging memory here...but I seem to remember reading/hearing something negative about the service/attitude at Mistral (when we first moved here last year) and it wasn't on my list. But, if you've had positive experiences I'm open to the idea. It does look lovely... I guess I want a "sure thing" as this is my birthday and want the best food/service/atmosphere possible. Picky, picky, picky...LOL Also, it's fun to try new places....We've been to Herbfarm twice(yes, we love it and think we've figured out a way around the ridiculous cancellation policy). We've been to Lamphreia too...also very good.

I've only been to Farallon once (for lunch) was was definitely happy. Also, my husband loves the raw oyster bar sort of stuff...so that makes it appealing also.