Dinning Out What are the best places you have been out to eat-- A few of my favorite higher end spots: 1. Deux Chemisse--i am totally misspelling the name but it is a great french resturant in philly downtown. in two joined old federal townhouses. very old fashioned and incredible service. 2. Crows Nest--the greatest view at the top of the capt. cook hotel in anchorage. impressive wine cellar, had one of our best there and a very tasty meal. 3. Bistro Bis--my favorite place in DC. Incredible kitchen, beautiful food, well prepared. nice wine cellar, excellent service. 4. industrial--in amsterdam, far from the central city, great food, cool atomoshpere--i had a white-asparagus dish that remains one of my all time favorites.
Installment #1: Nurnburger Bratwürst Glöckl Munich, Germany Simply the best simple and traditional German fare I've ever had. The small Nurnburgerartz sausages are to die for. All of the embellishments are excellent. They serve the Augustiner beers from wooden casks. Jaleo Washington, DC This is my favorite DC restarant. Tapas is a style that I really enjoy, getting to sample many different tastes and textures rings my bell. The quality here can not be denied. The worst meal I've ever had here was really good. The bread is excellent. The cheese platter and Gambas are recommended. The Sangria is quite nice too. Drummoland Castle Newmarket-on-Fergus, Ireland I list this for the tea. I almost fell over when I saw the cost (I was there on my honeymoon). It was worth every penny. The atmosphere, while almost on the uncomfortably posh side, was very nice, but the sandwiches, good Lord, they were good. Thick slices of real ham, creamy mayonaise, delcious brown bread and homemade jams. If you've ever got too much money go here. Marco's Supperclub Seattle, Washington Could well be the best Italian I've ever eaten. The infused olive oil with bread for the appetizer was worth the price of admission. Grilled radiccio was a rare taste treat, and talk about neat textural experiences. The Witchery Edinburgh, Scotland Fine, fine big money dining. Very expensive, but very good. French/modern cuisine. Atmoshere plays a big part here. Just doon th' way from the Castle. Herbert's Taco Hut San Marcos, TX Lupee's Thousand Oaks, CA Not to resort to hyperboble but these are the two of the best family style Mexican restaurants ever in the history of the known universe. Simple, cheap, delicious. I always use the rice as the indicator of wheather a Mex (or Tex/Mex) joint knows what it's doing. They do. All of the basic dishes are done to prefection. I'm having serious hunger pangs just thinking about 'em. HTH is on the Gaudalupe river so you can go for a nice little swim before or after. Ben's Chili Bowl Washington, DC This is the only place one should go to eat a chili dog. Next topic please.
damn your list was making me hungry. those are some tasty choices. some additions: the arsenal on pico in LA. this is a classic spot, tiny little bar/resturant with great steaks, old school sides and every weapon known to man on the wall. great bar. kabob bazar--near the clarendon metro in arlington, gotta be the best value in the dc area. great kabobs. panchos--playa del carmen mexico--a wild resturant that is sort of outside and you litterally sit in a jungle. one of the most inventive chefs i have encountered--wild fusions of continental and mexican. in fact playa del carmen itself is a food lovers paradise. there are tons of really good resturants (from high end to casual) that are extremely well done and very cheap by US or European standards. jonathon's--trondheim, norway. a funky place where a signature dish is strips of steak you cook yourself over a heated rock. what are your 5 best DC resturants meridian?
Pancho's sound really intriguing. In spite of the fact that I'm a huge fan of the simple homestyle mex-tex/mex cooking, I love the modern "upscale" and "haute cusine" from our southern neighbor. Picking a top 5 is tough, but I'll give it a go: Top 5 DC Jaleo see above District Chophouse 590 7th Street NW Washington, DC I know it's odd to put a chain restaurant on here, but facts is facts. Corbread = excellent, house salad = excellent, steaks = really good - excellent (Au poive = really good, filet mignon = really very good, ny strip = top drawer), appetizer = fair - very good. I know there are some hardcore steak afficiandos who denigrate the beef here, to be honest I'm sure there are better steaks to be had, but for the complete package (atmosphere, drinks selection, embellishments, price etc.) you can't beat it. In the interest of full disclosure I'm a beer snob so they probaby gained some points here. The house beers are solid, occasionally very good, sometimes dull, but the cask burboun stout is a rare treat. If at all possible avoid times right before tip off/drop puck in high MCI Season. Colorado Kitchen 5515 Colorado Ave NW Washington, DC A new edition to the repetoire. I hesitate to put it here because I've only had a few meals here, but so far it's really hitting on almost all cylinders. The style is southern accented but with modern flair. The prices are reasonable unlike some other noveau y'all restaurants. To me a pork chops and okra shouldn't cost $35/plate. That's just me. Everything is fresh, so it can be a bit slow. No alchohol or corking license, but they do have a large selection of boutique sodas. Cafe Asia 19th Street Between L & M Washington, DC Solid pan asian style restaurant. I'm a big fan of their Singapore noodles and spicy chinese ravioli. Not a world beater, but reliable. Thai, some Malayi, Chinese, singapore, etc. As a side note the new McD Corp (so I've been told) chain Penang is just up the street. I'm afraid it's pretty good too. Nora 2132 Florida Ave NW Washington, DC World class, top notch, etc. The tasting menu is your boy here. On the down side I can only eat here about once a year owing to the fact that I'm not stinking rich. On a related note (!) my brother in law works at Asia Nora, which is another top notch joint (wasabi mashed potato!) Others fighting for contention: Cafe Berlin, Polly's, Spices (take out), Tono Sushi, Austin Grill, Malibu Grill, Hard Times (Arlington Location), La Fourchette, the Reef (bar food), DC Coast, Jyoti, etc.
Allow me to add two to DC's list. La Taberna del Alabaldero....Authentic Spanish restuarant with great tapas and probably the best paella in town. (Near the Exchange ) Sam & Harry's.....Great atmosphere and service and some damn tasty steaks.
i have actually had a very, very bad experience at district chophouse, but i love the rest of your list Meridian. I like Jaleo they have some nice dishes. I was very disappointed in the place down the street (Andale?), very bland and uninventive kitchen despite their claims. We had a horrible experience at Vadalia--very disappointing. I like steak so the usual folks--Mortons, Palm, etc. are fun for that. I was disappointed in Smith/Wolensky,though I do like Angelo and Maxi though I don't think it is in Morons class. I have also been to Occidental Grill and they are OK. I think MS Grill is overrated. i thought olives a waste of time, i enjoy cities in adams morgan, i love the cooking at cashions but it is too damn loud in the dining room for me. marios pizza is the greatest place to eat late at night...
Re: Dinning Out Sweet! Nice view, eh? Did you try Simon & Seafort's? That's my favorite restaurant in Anchorage - they will prepare your food any way you want, I have the secret backline reservation number and they have a kickass beer AND a kickass whiskey list. It's on my top 5 all time restaurant list. --I heart Ben's. I am endeavouring to eat a chili half smoke without spilling. I hope to be able to achieve this goal by the end of the year and make Mrs. Ali proud. Wish me luck!
Re: Re: Dinning Out we didn't hear about it until our last day there and we were already booked into a dinner party. we tried to go over in the afternoon but they weren't open yet. i thought with the iditarod it might have opened early but didn't. the crows nest was very special and we got an awesome table.
i ate at some joint in bern, switzerland 2 weeks ago where the beer was cheaper than the soda! i'll have to ask the mrs. if she can remember the name.
Re: Re: Re: Dinning Out Sorry! I guess it closes between lunch and dinner. You went for the Iditarod? That's cool, a lot of people only come up in the summer. If you ever head up there again, let me know and I can give you some more suggestions for places to go and things to do!
In Boise: Asiago's - Italian Saffron's - neo-Asian Bardeny - micro-distillery with high-class bar food Shige - sushi Goldie's - originally just breakfast, now have lunch and dinner In Denver: My Brother's Bar - great beer selection on tap and great burgers (featured on Best Of.. on the Food Network) Sushi Hapa - their Multiple-Orgasm roll is to die for Willie G's - steak and seafood Denver Chop House - steak Giampietro's - Italian Tres Margaritas - Mexican Dot's - hippyish breakfast joint Mustard's Last Stand - hotdog/sausage place
One of my favorite places is a liitle joint that USED to be a well kept secret down at The Outer Banks. Tortugas Lie in Nags Head, NC is a little shack that has the tastiest food anywhere on the Banks. It's a surfer dude kinda hangout, but the food is incredible and fresh. Their jerked tuna steak with saffron rice and pineapple is worth the five hour drive alone. Great atmosphere and cool drinks. I'll be there in six weeks. Mmmmmmmm ps...If you ever make it down there ask for a Shark Attack. Great after beach drink......
- Bub City in Chicago. Don't know if it's still there, but I went there over ten years ago while on vacation, and the ribs and lobster still stick in my mind. - The Yard House in downtown San Diego. I ate there on Sunday night, and it was one of the nicest restaurant experiences I've ever had. Lovely ambience, flattering lighting, and wonderful food at pretty reasonable prices - especially the banana crème brulée which I wanted to take a swan dive into. Gotta figure out how to make that one at home. They also have 110 beers on tap. I'm sure I'd appreciate that a whole lot more if I were much of a drinker. - The Potato Shack in Encinitas, California. Although it's nowhere near a high-end joint, it's a tradition in my family to go here when we have something to celebrate. They serve up potatoes just about any way you can think of, plus ENORMOUS salads, and breakfast classics like biscuits and gravy, waffles, and manhole cover sized pancakes.
Greetings From The Outer Banks!! The weather is spectacular. Been boogie boarding all morning. Came in for a little lunch and a ahem....bevarage. Will be hitting Tortugas for HH.....
Good to hear you are enjoying yourself Chico! By the way, does anyone know of any good Indian Vegeterian in the DC area?
there is a place right by the clarendon metro whose name currently escapes me. it is on wilson just a touch west of the metro station.
I have tried this place quite a few times (mostly for the pepper/cilantro dipping mixture), it is okay. I think Red & Black meant Cafe New Dehli. I tried it today for lunch, it's okay. Aroma in Shirlington (buffet lunch) and Bombay Bistro in Fairfax City (buffet lunch) are two good Indian places at reasonable prices. I will be going to San Diego soon. Does anyone know any good Mexican places there? Thanks in advance.