Foodie-Girl

***Thanks for the great suggestion, Ben! Kirkland was one of our little expeditions when we first moved here. We did visit the art galleries...had a great seafood lunch right on the water (can't remember the name of the restaurant) and then dinner at Cafe Juanita (?) unless I'm mixing it up with another little trip. But, yes, the town is charming and we really enjoyed it! Thanks again.

Thanks for reminding me about Station House Cafe, Carolyn. I'm originally from CA and spent many years taking driving trips up and down the coast. Point Reyes Station.....fond memories. Vladimir's...yes, another memory jogged! Thanks again!

Strangely, TiVo just taped an episode of Epicurious for us which featured "American Rustic Cuisine" and the lovely folks at Manka's. http://www.epicurious.com/features/tv/episodes/episode92 My wife and I have stayed and eaten there a couple times over the last 10 years or so and have never had anything less than fabulous food. Not sure when you were there; but, the rooms always seem to me to be painfully perfect. Thick fur rugs on the floor, Kiehl's sampler in the bathroom, beautiful furnishings and fixtures. Unfortunately, (for us) the last time was in 2002. Since then, I believe they have expanded the inn to include some cabins down on the Tomales Bay. We think it is a great, albeit quite expensive, special occasion getaway. ← ***Thanks so much! Well, Manka's is back on the list. We're thinking of a few days in late spring. Appreciate your comments!

***We went to BRASA last night and had a great meal and service to match. Yes, the offerings were as expansive as you mention. Portions were definitely full-size and our server was terrific. What a steal at $25pp.

Or is there a recent thread? We were there once...like a hundred years ago, and it was sort of falling-apart and not fabulous food.... Just read a nice write-up in Town and Country Travel Magazine and it sparked our interest. Any recent info would be much appreciated. THANKS

***Great review and certainly a turn-of-phrase I've never heard before....

I agree with Abra re Cafe Nola...in addition to the poor service the food (based on 3 visits) isn't anything to write home about either. Though not a water-view location I think the food at BI Sushi is terrific and the service is top-notch...even when they're busy at lunchtime.

Well, all this Brasa-bad-news is rather diheartening. We have reservations to go...but now I'm having reservations about going. Did anyone have a GOOD time during 25/$25 ?????

Foodie-Girl -- if you can manage enjoyable meals during the promo, you've accomplished a feat. but if you really want to see these places in their best light, i'd wait and go on a regular night. ←

***Thanks Wendy...oh yes, we always make reservations as traveling to Seattle is a little trek for us.

Hey, Wendy. OK...I think we'll do that. We usually go to Seattle during the week for dinners every so often...maybe it won't be as crowded as on weekends. Table in the front...gotcha!

Cascadia (which we happen to LOVE) has a $25 menu every month but we'll be taking friends in mid-March. There are so many restaurants I've not tried and for me, being fairly new on the block, it's a good introduction. Zoe is definitely on my list. I do try to eliminate those that are not smoke-free so I realize that rules out a few. Much as I want to try Le Pichet the thought of being in that small space with smoke scares me off... OK, I did go to Brasa but to see Tony Bourdain it was a small sacrifice...LOL (plus the meal was wonderful)

***I've heard great things about AOC..thanks for helping put this whole plan together. I'm thinking we stay at The Orlando...eat at La Terza one night and then A.O.C. the other. We won't even have to do any driving...let the kids come to us...LOL Sound good??

***Campanile...boy that brings back memories. When we lived in CA we went...about 2 weeks after it opened. Had a 8 or 8:30PM reservation and finally got our table about 10. Thank goodness we stuck it out...what a fantastic meal!!

***I must admit that I'm old enought to remember singing along to "hey there geogie girl"...which, of course also makes me old enough to remember when LAWRY's was the new kid on the block...LOL Thanks for the suggestions...I'm going to look-up those restaurants right now. Though I'm enjoying our stint in the PNW I will ALWAYS be a Valley-girl at heart. I was actually BORN in Glendale ! Thanks again for the recs.

Going for a short family visit and need to stay somewhere between "The Grove" and Beverly Center. It's fun to take our foodie-kids to places they can't usually afford on their own..so we try to make these visits memorable for them and us too. To avoid driving all over L.A. I'm hoping for something in the location mentioned above...and also need a place to stay for 2 nights in this area. Hope someone can help me out!....Thanks!

Thanks Malarkey! Boy, I've got so many great suggestions now! As for weekend lines...well, the good part of being free during the week is that we avoid much of the crowds...the bad part is that we miss many of the cook-alongs )-: Can't have it all.....or can I??....LOL

Sisefrome...what happened to you at Pomme Frittes? We ate there last week and have been several time...never problem. We also ate at The Falls and, despite it looking 'touristy' it was GREAT food. Took a look at Citron but the menu was so short..and, well, the room..SO yellow...I just wasn't sure so we went to Pomme Frites. Claremont lunch was sushi....dang I can't remember the name of the restaurant...it was fine...plenty of variety and room for the high chair. THANKS to all who gave thought to my request

Hey Wendy thanks for all the suggestions! That's a whole lotta eatin' for one day but we'll just work our way through QA until we reach maximum capacity....LOL

***Hi tsquare..thanks for the great start. With a weekend work schedule to contend with, our Seattle visits will be during the week... Ballard sounds like a good starting-place. Fun shops/good restaurants...yeah! I'll check-out Cafe Besalu and Dandeliion...THANKS

Now that we've lived in WA for 3 years I've decided it's time to see (EAT) a little more of Seattle than what is walking distance from the ferry. As the days (finally!) are starting to get a little longer we're thinking of bringing the car over on the ferry so that we can explore some of the neighborhoods and end with dinner at restaurants that will be new to us. I'm starting from scratch and only have a vague idea of places like Fremont, Ballard, etc. So, thinking of me as a tourist, what are some of the areas that might be fun for us to investigate. THANKS! Foodie-Girl Char

Thanks Brie...that's one I haven't heard about.

Hey everyone...thanks so much for all your thoughts. Yes, as a former-California Girl I can agree..Palm Springs is not the culinary capital of anything...LOL. We do go every few years and the restaurant scene hasn't changed much. I've added notes from all your posts to my files...and I truely appreciate everyone's help with this little trip!!

Well, on to the more important part trip (as far as restaurants are concerned) We're staying in Rancho Mirage for 4 nights so it's an easy drive to either Palm Springs or Palm Desert. Haven't been in 2 or 3 years so I'm not up to date on great places for dinner. Thanks...

I know I missed a fantastic party...Can't wait to see the pictures!