Favorite Restaurants!

[tammy]

So Chad and I were talking and one of our common interests are fine dining establishments.

We joked that the first LST meetup will be at Tyler Florence's new restaurant, Wayfare Tavern....they have a room with a pool table...could you imagine 20 or so heavily tattoed diners converging on the restaurant...tyler would FREAK!

Chad mentioned some of the places he is hitting up soon...

so i thought I would start a thread for other gourmands....what are some of your favorite places to go.

we hit up spruce alot in san francisco. mainly because it is a quick commute for us and parking is a breeze. the service is also impeccable and i LOVE the beignets. the apps and salads are better than their entrees, but i heard the burger there is amazing.

we haven't gone out alot in the last 2-3 years because we keep on popping out babies, but i really want to hit morimoto's new place soon...

what are your favorite restaurants and places you want to go.

[Julio Avila]

ok if you are in milwaukee.....

honeypiecafe.com this place is THE SHIT!!!!!!!! im there like 3 times a week. its actually across the street from the shop. if you are on a diet, stay away. once every four months they do this thing called SECRET SUPPER CLUB. they make a 5 course meal and pair a beer or wine with each course. they are small portions but by the time dessert rolls around you are STUFFED!!!!!!!!!!

cometcafe.com same owners as honeypie. the meatloaf is way better than your mamas

kopps its a jumbo burger and frozen custard joint. burgers are awesome! frozen custard is a midwest thing. its like ice cream but with eggs. its much creamier and richer than ice cream. that shits all over milwaukee. and they will deliver within the continental US. you just gotta order a shitload.

nite owl its closed during the winter. the burgers are THE BEST BURGERS I HAVE EVER HAD. i love burgers. all of them! this shit is the king!!!!!!!!!!!

ok thats enough.

[Barbie Doll]

One of my favorite meals this year had to be at Ad Hoc in Napa. It is the famed Thomas Kellers latest venture and it is definitely worthy of his reputation. It is a prix fixe meal for $49 and it is worth every penny. You start out with an appetizer, then entree, then cheese course and then dessert. Everything is served family style and you can even ask for seconds! It is comfort food with fresh, locally sourced ingredients including vegetables from The French Laundry garden! Mondays are known to have his famous buttermilk fried chicken. If you are in Napa, you have to go. But try to make resos a month in advance as this place is small and books out well in advance.

Since there are too many restaurants to cover in one post, I shall bless this thread with a new restaurant every week! Stay tuned!!!

[Lochlan]

Great idea Tammy and have enjoyed reading everyones post.

As Tammy and Barbara know I love eating especially good tasty food!! Barbara, I look forward to your new weekly post....mmmm!

I'd agree with Barbara that one of my more favorite meals was at Adhoc, a must eat at if you love food and are in Napa!! I can still taste that meal when I think about it.

Morimoto's new spot in Napa looks good especially the Toro Tartar.......mmmmmmm

I am always in search of the best burger and/or steak but mostly burger. It is a meal so many attempt but few can actually execute it like fuck yes I will take another one of those even though I'm not hungry!! With that being said this is the list of burger that come to mind right now:

-"Any" burger in New Mexico with fresh green chiles oozing out of it. If I remember correctly the chain is called Blake's that is on every few blocks and they do it right especially for a chain.

-Burger Bar in the Macy's in San Francisco

-The Four seasons in San Francisco. Barbara, what's the name of this spot?

-Mine! The Sam-Vong sisters may enjoy playing foreman as I try to make them but bottom line I love my burgers that are way too big for the bun and look like a steak full of various flavors depending on my mood. hmmmmmm, I think I just realized what I'm making for dinner tonight!

Keep the food conversation coming..............

[Jake]

Great idea Tammy and have enjoyed reading everyones post.

As Tammy and Barbara know I love eating especially good tasty food!! Barbara, I look forward to your new weekly post....mmmm!

I'd agree with Barbara that one of my more favorite meals was at Adhoc, a must eat at if you love food and are in Napa!! I can still taste that meal when I think about it.

Morimoto's new spot in Napa looks good especially the Toro Tartar.......mmmmmmm

I am always in search of the best burger and/or steak but mostly burger. It is a meal so many attempt but few can actually execute it like fuck yes I will take another one of those even though I'm not hungry!! With that being said this is the list of burger that come to mind right now:

-"Any" burger in New Mexico with fresh green chiles oozing out of it. If I remember correctly the chain is called Blake's that is on every few blocks and they do it right especially for a chain.

-Burger Bar in the Macy's in San Francisco

-The Four seasons in San Francisco. Barbara, what's the name of this spot?

-Mine! The Sam-Vong sisters may enjoy playing foreman as I try to make them but bottom line I love my burgers that are way too big for the bun and look like a steak full of various flavors depending on my mood. hmmmmmm, I think I just realized what I'm making for dinner tonight!

Keep the food conversation coming..............

I'm coming home tonight. Make the taco burgers!!! mmmmmmm

PS-

oops. forgot to share. taco burgers are burgers Lochlan makes with taco seasoning and diced serrano peppers in em. topped with pepper jack or cheddar cheese. soooo tasty!

Edited September 23, 2010 by Jake
Ps note

[Nick Colella]

im not sure of other spots but Chicago I know pretty well, my wife and are try to get out for an amazing meal well it used to be once a month then it was onc in a while and now since we have a family its once a year or whenever we can fit it. So here is a list of my favorite spots that we have been to

the first ones are the heavy hitters and then ill go into the local spots.

Alinea-Head Chef Grant Achatz www.alinea-restaurant.com it just retarded 29 course 5 hour amazement!

Spiagia-Head Chef Tony Mantuana http://www.spiaggiarestaurant.com/ amazing tasting menu from a 4 star non mom and pop italian restaurant

Schwa-Head Chef Michael Carlson http://schwarestaurant.com/ its like punk rock meets fine dining intense

David Burke Steakhouse-Head Chef David Burke http://www.davidburke.com/ old style steakhouse with steaks aged in a room lined with Himalayan rock salt harvested once a year

Craftsteak - Head Chef Tom Choliccio http://www.mgmgrand.com/restaurants/craftsteak-steak-house.aspx we where amazed at the food had a feast with 6 of us and it was some of the best cut and cooked steak we have ever had

Joel Robuchon-Head Chef Joel Robuchon http://www.joel-robuchon.net/ voted Chef of the Century and he lived up to it

Hot Chocolate- Head Chef Mindy Segal http://www.hotchocolatechicago.com/ a good friend and a 4 time James Beard Award pastry chef nominee

L2O - Head Chef Laurent Gras http://www.l2orestaurant.com/ amazing food with a great room, the service was awesome

so heres some local spots there are always Chicago spots that ive been going to for years that have great food whether it be a hotdog or a beef sandwich (you can ask the guys at Blackheart about my love of those two things) so these are a few of my favorite spots for Chicago food

this spot is number one for a reason its a great place and the owner is an amazing guy who just gets it, my wife and I had our rehearsal dinner here, there is a line no matter when to get his food he is open from 10:30 to 4pm Monday through Saturday there are no other spots than the one and wen he goes on vacation he closes the doors

Hot Dougs- Owner Doug Sohn http://www.hotdougs.com/ Hands down the best hotdogs and gourmet sausages in the city if not the country, he is listed on Anthony Bourdains top 13 places to eat before you die!

Johnnie Beef-Owner Johnnie http://www.yelp.com/biz/johnnies-beef-elmwood-park as the review says "some people do to church on sundays i go for the italian beef combo at johnnies

Pita Inn http://pita-inn.com/ amazing Mediterranean food

Bari http://www.yelp.com/biz/bari-chicago a perfect Italian deli with fantastic sandwiches made to order

Sabatinos http://www.sabatinoschicago.com/ the pasta is ridiculous and the breaded clams are nuts plus you get the guys playing the guitar and violin coming to your table and it looks like a mob hit can happen at any time

Los Napales http://www.losnopalesrestaurant.com/ The spot for legit authentic Mexican food in Chicago

Gale Street Inn http://www.galestreet.com Best rib spot around and the have amazing jambalaya

Bongo Room http://www.thebongoroom.com/ an OG boutique breakfast spot with retarded specialty pancakes

Longman and Eagle http://www.longmanandeagle.com/ a new gastro pub that opened not to long ago the sweatbreads and Pork belly are intense

Pizza D.O.C. http://www.mypizzadoc.com/ Brick oven pizza and amazing food Emiliano Libertori used to love this place when he lived in Chicago

Pizza Metro http://www.pizzametro.com/ Everything here is so good super small sit at the bar and wait for a square!

ok and now for the Pizza

so theres always this debate on the pizza and as far as i see it Chicago has three different types and and all beat out NY and i dont care what anyone says, so the 3 styles are

Thin Crust

Dagastinos http://www.dagsdelivers.com/zgrid/themes/753/portal/index.jsp;jsessionid=a-pSGbUxXw34

Deep Dish

Art of Pizza http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-art-of-pizza-chicago

Bakery Style

D'amato's http://www.yelp.com/biz/d-amatos-bakery-chicago

im sure i missed a ton but thats all i got for you tonight

[tammy]

Julio, thanks for the references. I have yet to do a secret supper club but would love to...i would love to host so maybe when the babies are bigger.

Nick, those places sound amazing and such a good resource for those visiting chicago.

Joel Robuchon is a legend!! i heard he is slated to open a restaurtant in san francisco and I cannot wait.

Edited September 24, 2010 by tammy

[Lochlan]

Nick, that is a list and a much appreciated one to the Windy City, thanks! It takes me back to my adolescence with my Father. He grew up by the old Chicago Bulls arena and relocated to San Diego many many years ago but when we'd go back and visit he used to love to take me all over the place and tell me the rich history of that city. I haven't been in awhile and he and I have spoke of going back but it is not in the budget right now so one day.

Anyways this could go on and on but what I wanted to say other than thanks was if you ever find your way to San Diego give me a heads up and I can let you know of some great Chicago style restaurant down there. It is rather odd but San Diego host a shit load of Chicago transplants, cubbies hats everywhere! Back to San Diego and food...he took me to two of them about a year ago when I was visiting. At one I had to do the Chicago dog before the rest of our food came out cause I miss them that much. Then at the other location I did the meat sandwich (a sausage surrounded by meat and peppers) mmmm.

As for the pizza, when you're out here have Scott get you Zachary's Pizza. My dad says it competes with the pizza out that way.?!?!.

Thanks again and keep the food and other post coming!!!

Edited September 24, 2010 by Lochlan

[mario desa]

okay, favorite spots in chicago. some are the same as nicks, but....

-HOT CHOCOLATE

-DAVID BURKE

-SCHWA

-BONGO ROOM

-GALE STREET INN

-11 CITY DINER

-GLEN'S DINER

-PICK ME UP CAFE

-HOT DOUG'S

-TANK SUSHI

-SUSHI WABI

-PANES

-ART OF PIZZA

-PEQUOD'S PIZZA

-PIECE PIZZA

-KUMA'S CORNER

-OPART THAI

-LOS NOPALES MEXICAN

-NUEVO LEON MEXCIAN

-FOGO DE CHAO

-THE HOPLEAF

-CAFE BABAREEBA TAPAS

-ARCO DE CUCHILLEROS TAPAS

and in milwaukee...COMET and HONEYPIE!

[Jake]

Alinea-Head Chef Grant Achatz www.alinea-restaurant.com it just retarded 29 course 5 hour amazement!

29 courses?!?!?! I can't even imagine what that's like. That's just over $6 a course at $185 which considering the quality (or so I'm guessing by looking at that photo gallery) really isn't that bad. Crazy

[mario desa]

had dinner at a new (to me) place called NIGHTWOOD here in chicago. it was awesome. http://www.nightwoodrestaurant.com

[Lochlan]

had dinner at a new (to me) place called NIGHTWOOD here in chicago. it was awesome. http://www.nightwoodrestaurant.com

Thanks for the link and new spot to check out next time out that way. The menu looks really good and saw they have Banyul's Vinaigrette on the first appetizer, do you get this by chance? I just had this for the first time and fell in love on a salad at Baker and Banker in San Francisco ( here's the link if anyone cares to look Baker and Banker )

[Tight-Lines]

Oakland, CA:

Taqueria El Gordo (Trailer on 42nd and International)

Brown Sugar Kitchen (Great soul food/breakfast's)

Blue Bottle Coffee (Probably some of the best coffee in the SFBA)

Genova's Deli (Awesome Italian deli... just a little pricey)

Nation's Giant Burger (Fucking awesome/cheap breakfasts, and incredible burgers)

Bakesale Betty's (Fresh chicken sandwiches, pies, and cookies)

Fat Slice Pizza (Cheap Pizza in Berkeley)

Taqueria La Gualalajara(SP?) Great 1.10 tacos in San Leandro.

Red Buffalo Wings (New hot wings in West Oakland... really good)

Any BBQ place in East Oakland is good...

[Lochlan]

Anyone see this article? Thought it may be fitting for this thread.

http://insidescoopsf.sfgate.com/paololucchesi/2010/10/26/michelin-guide-bay-area-2011-meadowood-elevated-to-three-stars-chez-panisse-loses-its-star/

The Michelin Guide San Francisco storylines were shared yesterday, and today, the stars are finally out.

The big news is that at long last, a Bay Area restaurant has joined the French Laundry at the three-star pinnacle: Sincere congrats to Christopher Kostow and The Restaurant at Meadowood for being upgraded to three stars from two stars.

The full list is below, but the remaining two stars are Coi, Cyrus and Manresa.

There are 39 one-star restaurants, with the 11 newcomers being Alexander’s Steakhouse (Cupertino), Applewood (Guerneville), Baumé (Palo Alto), Campton Place, Dio Deka (Los Gatos), Frances, Madera (Menlo Park), Mirepoix (Windsor), Saison, Spruce, and Wakuriya (San Mateo). Of those 11, seven are outside of San Francisco and five are on the Peninsula or in the South Bay. Congrats to all.

The two notable restaurants that lost their only stars are Chez Panisse and Range. The others — El Paseo, Michael Mina, Trevese – either closed, relocated or had chef changes. Fifth Floor lost one, too.

Much more commentary and color is on the way this morning, but first, here’s the full list:

Three stars:

French Laundry (The)

Restaurant at Meadowood (The) (New)

Two stars:

Coi

Cyrus

Manresa

One star:

Acquerello

Alexander’s Steakhouse (New)

Ame

Applewood (New)

Auberge de Soleil

Aziza

Baumé (New)

Bouchon

Boulevard

Campton Place (New)

Chez TJ

Commis

Dining Room at the Ritz Carlton (The)

Dio Deka (New)

étoile

Farmhouse Inn & Restaurant

Fleur de Lys

Frances (New)

Gary Danko

La Folie

La Toque

Luce

Madera (New)

Madrona Manor

Masa’s

Mirepoix (New)

Murray Circle

One Market

Plumed Horse

Quince

Redd

Saison (New)

Santé

Solbar

Spruce (New)

Terra

Ubuntu

Village Pub (The)

Wakuriya (New

[AlannaCA]

Nick, i love your post and it makes me want to go out and try all those places right now!!

if your ever in Toronto my favorite places to go are:

Bymark - www.bymark.ca - owned by chef mark mcewan - every visit to this restaurant has been amazing from beginning to end!

Chiado - www.chiadorestaurant.com - amazing portuguese food! this is portuguese fine dinning at its best. the service is impecable and the food is just like you would get if you took a trip to Portugal. they fly their fresh fish in from Portugal and its always amazing!

sassafraz - www.sassafraz.ca/- great seasonal food and i was really impressed with the dessert

The black hoof- best brunch ive had to date!! they specialize in pork and different organ meats. i had banana and bacon waffles and i cant wait to go back for more!

the sweet escape patisserie - thesweetescapedistillery.com/- michelle edgar is a dear friend of mine and she has a lovely little bakery in the distillery district and if you go you must get a flourless chocolate cake, cupcakes, or macaroons. she has a selection of sammies and salads that are great too!

clafouti - www.dine.to/clafouti- AMAZING croissants!!

Live organic food bar- www.livefoodbar.com/ - now what kind of a dessert chef would i be if i didnt plug my own restaurant! for those that are vegan and raw foodist this is the place to be! even if your not vegan the food will still blow you away! all the desserts i make are raw and if your looking for something tastey you must get the tira misu or the black forest cake. those are my favs!

hmmm im pretty sure thats all i wanted to reccomend! if you get a chance to go let me know what you think!

[tammy]

Bakesale Betty's (Fresh chicken sandwiches, pies, and cookies)

i have the recipe for the fried chicken sandwich if you want it...it is really easy to make

[Tight-Lines]

That's a big yes. If I made bakesale betty's sandwiches at my station, everyone would go insane.

Thank you!

[tammy]

That's a big yes. If I made bakesale betty's sandwiches at my station, everyone would go insane.

Thank you!

here you go:

Bakesale Betty's Fried Chicken Sandwich

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS:

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 6 ounces each

Kosher salt to taste

1 quart buttermilk

The vinaigrette

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

3 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

The coleslaw

1 small red onion, very thinly sliced

1 cup red wine vinegar

2 jalapenos, seeded, cut in half and sliced crosswise

1/4 cup chopped parsley

1/2 green cabbage, core and outer leaves removed, and very thinly sliced

Kosher salt

The breading

1 pound all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon cayenne pepper

1 tablespoon kosher salt + more to taste

11/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

2 quarts vegetable oil, for frying

4 Acme Bakery torpedo rolls, sliced lengthwise

Instructions: Season chicken breasts with kosher salt. Let sit at least 5 minutes. Fill a wide, shallow nonreactive bowl or casserole dish with buttermilk. Add the chicken and soak in the refrigerator for 1 hour up to overnight.

For the vinaigrette: Combine mustard, vinegar and salt in a bowl. Slowly whisk in olive oil until well blended.

For the coleslaw: Macerate onions in red wine vinegar, and let sit at least 20 minutes. Remove onions and discard vinegar. Toss onions with jalapeno, parsley, cabbage and salt. Toss with vinaigrette until evenly coated.

To fry chicken: Pour vegetable oil into a large stockpot. Do not fill up more than halfway, or the oil could splatter. Bring oil up to 365°, using a digital thermometer/candy thermometer to monitor the heat. Prepare the the breading while waiting for oil to heat up.

In a wide shallow bowl, mix flour, cayenne, salt and pepper. Pull a chicken breast out of the buttermilk one by one, letting excess drip off, and dredge completely in flour. To create a thick crust, place in buttermilk and dredge in flour a second time. Do not drain or shake off excess buttermilk or flour during the breading process.

When the oil is at 365°, carefully place chicken pieces into oil one by one. Let it cook for a minute before disturbing chicken, then help it "swim" in the oil with tongs, until it is evenly cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from oil and drain on paper towels. Season immediately with salt.

For the sandwich: Place fried chicken breast on bottom of torpedo roll and top generously with coleslaw.

[Tight-Lines]

alot more simple than I thought. Thanks again. Ill let you know how it goes over on monday.

[tammy]

alot more simple than I thought. Thanks again. Ill let you know how it goes over on monday.

just be sure to give enough time to marinate in the buttermilk....it is easy to make but the longer it is in the buttermilk, the better.

i like to get the thin chicken breasts just so i can get a better crunchy coating to chicken ratio.

also, the jalapeno in the coleslaw REALLY makes it.

[dari]

I'm currently having a love affair with Gather in Berkeley.

http://www.gatherrestaurant.com/

[MsRad]

I'm currently having a love affair with Gather in Berkeley.

http://www.gatherrestaurant.com/

Jackson and i are trying to make this an anniversary tradition now. thank god they're open on NYE

[Tight-Lines]

I've only heard good things about that place. Has anyone tried that mozie place on telegraph and durant? Not sure if that's the right corner or not. Its a falafel place. Overpriced but good.

[MsRad]

I've only heard good things about that place. Has anyone tried that mozie place on telegraph and durant? Not sure if that's the right corner or not. Its a falafel place. Overpriced but good.

i haven't been to Moaz yet, though i've heard nothing but good things from the blog-o-sphere about them. personally, my favorite falafel comes from Sunrise Deli on Bancroft across from campus. if you get the combo falafel, you get potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplant in it. bonus, you can add avocado. best falafel ever.

[Tight-Lines]

Ill have to try that one. There is nothing better than avocado on anything.

They do have sweet potato fries at Moaz. They are delicious.