Foodie-Girl

Though our blow-out trip to Vegas isn't until October I'm already driving myself nuts trying to decide on our BIG DINNER. We have a reservation at Guy Savoy but hearing the costs for the tasting menu/drinks, etc. I don't see this as a possibility. Looking around online it seems Joel Robuchon has a smaller tasting menu that might be affordable if we're careful with the wine selection... Has anyone been to both and can give a comparison in costs/ food/service/overall experience? I've read conflicting accounts of the costs... Our goal is to sqeak by at about $500 total for two and perhaps that's just not possible and we should cancel GS and just forget about those two places. I know I'm making this even more difficult by saying I'm not thrilled with the idea of having to order a la carte and having a short-evening at either restaurant. I'd much rather go back to Bradley Ogden where I've had great tasting menu experiences and know we're not going to go over about $400 for two...unless the price has gone up dramatically since last year. This meal will be my 'birthday dinner' and I'm trying to find the balance of going somewhere new and special versus having to worry about what it's costing. I really, really enjoy the tasting menu approach..so that's part of the dilemna. I looked at L'Atelier and that's not an option. Thanks for any advice! -------------------- Char Never let the fear of striking out get in your way. Babe Ruth

I've been there 3 times...most recently a few months ago and I really enjoy it. I would stick to straight-forward preparations...I think that's where they do best. For me it's a fun place, consistent food and good service. No, not 'cutting edge' but for what it is I think they do a good job.

Foodie-Girl, fear not. There are some really great places to eat that are relatively inexpensive, and I don't mean In-N-Out or Fatburger. Based on the LA Times article (17 May 2006) noted above ^, I suspect there is an a la carte menu. The article mentions one dish, Perhaps, there is someone who may be able to answer your question more thoroughly. ← Hi Russell, I wasn't suggesting a jump to the opposite end of the price spectrum to "inexpensive"...just curious as to anyone else who might have dined at Guy Savoy or has access to menu information/prices. Our 'usual suspects' in LV are Bradley Ogden/Il Molino/Daniel Boulud, etc...so we're not exactly unacquainted with costs for great meals...but even a foodie-girl has her limits.......

OK, I'm starting to get a little queasy. We are going to LV in October for 6 nights and have reservations as Guy Savoy. Is there an ala carte' or smaller tasting menu? I think our comfort limit stops at about $500 for dinner for two so maybe we're out of our league? charcoop

I've been to Mistral twice. First time was to celebrate my birthday 3 years ago and again a few nights ago when my L.A. food-friend came to town for the weekend. First time I thought WOW this is a fantastic restaurant...After Saturday night all I can say is that it was not only one of the best meals of the life but also the entire experience was phenomenal in terms of quality, imagination, presentation, taste, atmosphere, service ...interaction with the chef. I simple can't say enough. Some of our courses were the same or very similar to what is pictured here (thanks for the GREAT photos) Chef William offered a kitchen tour (damn the ferry schedules - we had to leave after a mere 4 1/2 hour meal) and told me all about his stove and how he does a great deal of cooking ON the stovetop rather than moving items such as lamb ribs into the oven. I learned a lot that night.... My birthday comes around again in September and I'm telling my husband I know the perfect gift...though just going to Mistral any night is a special experience.

Hey Abra...next time I see you I'll show you my 'technique'. I haven't had to do it very often in restaurants but almost always when I check into a hotel. My success rate at getting a better room is probably about 90%...((-:

Not hitting Jar this trip but I have been on a Monday...also love La Terza by the way.

Bingo ! Just what I was looking for. Thanks so much !

Great photos! I lived in CA for most of my life and have been to Border Grill and Chinois many, many times. Joe's sounds interesting but might not be quite right for my guest. Thanks for your suggestions, Russell !

I have a quick trip down to L.A. scheduled and my host has asked me to pick a place in Santa Monica for one of our dinners. We're also going to Spago, A.O.C. and Jar...so that might give you an idea of the type of food I enjoy. Any suggestions are appreciated!

Hey Duck! More great ideas...thanks so much. Good to know Kihei is so close.

In the Wailea Resort area, there's also Joe's Bar & Grill. It's owned by Bev Gannon (of Haliimaile General Store fame) and her husband. (131 Wailea Ike Place-875 7767). I haven't eaten there yet, but it's gotten decent reviews. If you get tired of the resort, head into Kihei town and go to these places which have good food: Sansei Seafood & Sushi Restaurant (Kihei Town Center (near Foodland, 808-879-0004)--excellent sushi and they have late night specials. If you want to eat like the locals do, go to Da Kitchen ( 2439 S Kihei Rd-875 7782). They're in a small strip mall just north of the larger mall with Denny's in it). Their plate lunches are huge (enough food for 2 meals) and great to take to the beach for lunch. Around the corner from Da Kitchen (in the same mall, around the corner on the right hand side--you have to pass by it because it's a one way street) has an excellent Thai restaurant. I can't remember the name of it, but besides the Thai place in Wailuku, this has the best Thai food on Maui. If you want to sit on a patio and sip a Mai Tai and watch the sun set, go to KKO Kitchen (2511 Kihei Rd., 879-1954). They're across the road from Kamaole Beach (Beach 1, I think). The food's OK, but the sunset is awesome. I think they also serve breakfast there, too. If you want some nightlife, go to Hapa's Brewhouse (down the road by Star Market and Azeka Place) 41 East Lipoa St-879-9001. On most Monday nights, Hawaii's treasure Willie K jams there. Other nights they have karaoke and a DJ. Have fun! Miulang ← Hi Miulang! Thanks for all the great ideas. Can you tell me about how long the drive from Wailea to the Kihei area is? THANKS

We'll be staying at the Four Seasons and so far these are the places I've come up with: Spago Humuhumunukunukuapua's (miracle if I spelled that correctly !) Ferraro's Nick's Fish Market Kincha Capische Pacific Grill Though we'll have a car we want to stay within a 10 minute or so drive of the hotel...We've seen most of the island and just want to celebrate our anniversary by moving as little as possible...LOL Thanks for any suggestions...

In my experience taking the time to complain to the right person (Chef Sear in this case) can turn a disappointing experience to many great ones in the future....

I would definitely contact Chef Kerry Sear personally and report on this unhappy evening. I know I've recommended Cascadia numerous times and this is not a typical Cascadia experience. (at least at the 10+ times we've dined there) I've also taken cooking classes at the restaurant I found Chef Sear to be very much interested in feedback from both class attendees and diners.

I've not been to Fix, but I have been to Daniel Boulud twice and LOVED IT. It's pricey but I thought worth every penny. If at all possible get a table outside (I am guessing they have heat lamps during the winter) as the "show" is wonderful. You can still see it from inside the restaurant if you can snag a table next to the window. As I recall the Beef Short Rib entree was out of this world. Everything was great which is why I went there twice in one week...LOL Have a great time ! Char

Ooooo Philadelphia is one of my favorite cities to visit and eat great food! Here are my suggestions for great dining experiences: High End: Mistral, Lampreia and Rover's have the most creative menus IMHO For more casual but still very good dinners: Restaurant Zoe, Lark, Cascadia and Lola. Haven't been to Icon Grille and didn't eat at Dragonfish (just a few step inside the door sent me running. It was extremely hot, noisy, with a "pungent" smell of food being cooked.

***Yeah, I caught that too!

Another vote for West. Had a phenomenal dinner recently and David is just the tyipe of guy who would make the effort to adjust the menu as needed to accommodate an allergy. I don't tolerate black pepper very well (coughing/choking/sneezing) and he had no problem doing a tasting menu for me.

RE: The Las Vegas episode. Geez, poor Tony was SO out of his element...it was almost painful to watch his suffering. The Travel Channel better stick to what Tony does best...explore the world on his terms and forget about 'theme park' locations. His distaste for Vegas was palpable in most every scene.

***I would add Bearfoot Bistro to your list. Two fantastic dinners there this summer.

Looking forward to your impressions of your dinners at Lumiere and West last weekend. Hope you post soon ((-:

***We had delicious goat (tagine-style) at Lola the other night and I would say it tasted very similar to beef short ribs. No bone but the same melt-in-your-mouth flavor. Loved it, bye the way.

Sorry about the octopus - as a breakfast with eggs and toast it was great - and the pork belly was completely different - looked like a couple of slabs of fried potato - only to bite in and realize they were toasty pork belly. Love that pie. Happy B. ← ***Apparently pork belly can be prepared many different ways with equally varied tastes/textures. I had "Spinach-Stuffed Pork Belly" in an L.A. restaurant last week and it was the most tender pork you could imagine surrounded by the fat....sort of a spiral-effect. YUM YUM Seems what I had at Lola was more the pork-fat than pork-meat. It was definitely a "bacon" rather than "meat" in my view.

Happy to report back that we had a great dinner ! Started with the Lola Sampler which included the Salty Chick Peas...yummy! Garlic-Scented Skordalia: Our waitperson explained what Skordalia is (I admitted to being clueless) and the variations in preparations...It was also tasty Octopus and Pork Belly: This was the only disappointment. The octopus was very tender but rather "flat". I've had Pork Belly prepared several ways and this presentation was more or less a few strips of "bacon" across the bowl. Goat Tangine: Well everyone who told me to order this was right on the mark. The meat was so flavorful and the accompanying "sticks" of sliced apple and currents were a perfect balance. The sauce...wow, what a sauce. I wanted a vat to take home. We did ask a few times for some "house bread" but that seemed to be a problem for reasons I can't figure out. We did get extra servings of grilled bread when I asked for bread to sop of the sauce...but grilled bread isn't really appropriate for this job. I would have preferred something soft and more likely to absorb. This is a very small thing to even complain about given how much we enjoyed the entire meal. For desserts we shared a Goat's Milk Pie with Huckleberrys and a bowl of Turkish Coffee Ice Cream with Cocoa Crisps. PERFECT desserts... It was a great birthday dinner and, again, thanks to everyone who gave me suggestions on what to order.