View Full Version : What's your favorite restaurant?
NousDefionsDoc
04-01-2004, 18:03
For fine dining - I like the Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse in Denver, Colorado (there are others I'm sure are just as good.)
For grazing - I like the Pappas' family restaurants - Pappasitos, Pappadeauxs, etc.
Only one?
Icon Grill in Seattle.
Rosebud, Bob Chins, Heaven on Seven (owned by a friend of mine) in Chicago. Sneaky you like Pappadeux you'd love Heaven on Seven...
If you ever get to Tampa, go to Burns Steakhouse. You will be impressed.
The Reaper
04-01-2004, 19:55
The DFAC at Camp Mackall, or the one at SFUWO, Key West.
TR
Conroy Grill, Schofield Barracks. This was an AAFES facility, but when you walked in you saw a typical glass door refer unit that most stores put beer and soda in, this one had sides of beef hanging in it. The best burgers I ever had, the best breakfast ever(the sausage was unfriggin real), and the best pizza I ever had outside of NY. Those ladies could cook in that place.
"The Fort" in Morrison CO (outside of Denver). Great Buffalo Steaks.
Also ANY Itailian Resturants in Chicago.
The Claim Jumper.
In Fayetteville: Bella Villa
shadowflyer
04-01-2004, 20:43
The Dining Room at the Ritz Carlton Buckhead here in Atlanta. Hands down the best restaurant I have ever had the pleasure of eating at.
Mortons of Chicago for steaks and OUTSTANDING wine selection.
Best Mexican--Miguels in Coronado on Orange Ave, best Mexican food I have ever eaten.
Corfu and Rhodes Greece, best Gyros on the planet.
Almost forgot .....Carmines on 42nd and Broadway in New York City, best Italian food I have ever eaten.
Hmmm...I don't know the name of it, but it was a restaurant in Stockholm that served me the first real meal I had after taking the train from Beijing to St. Petersburg. Best food I ever ate.
Best shwarma ever is at Bahrain House near the souk.
But for overall fine dining it a tie between L'Espalier in Boston's Back Bay or whatever Ritz my cousin is working at at the time.
Originally posted by shadowflyer
Mortons of Chicago for steaks and OUTSTANDING wine selection.
Excellent choice...but next time try Gibson's. Simply fabulous.
Ghostrider
04-01-2004, 21:41
Originally posted by Gypsy
Excellent choice...but next time try Gibson's. Simply fabulous.
Gypsy, I like your choices.
When I'm in Chicago, I make it a point to go to Rosebud (awesome fusilli ala carbonara), Gibsons (for steak of course and you gotta like their dessert portions:eek: ), and Carsons (for ribs, the outstanding potatoes au gratin, and the Chocolate Blackout cake) . Getting hungry just thinking about it!
Smokin Joe
04-01-2004, 22:15
Mastro's---Scottsdale, AZ best filet I have EVER had. Shrimp thicker than my thumb, longer than my middle finger
and tender as warm butter.
Ghostrider...you had to bring up the desserts didn't you? :D Seems we have the same tastes! Carson's is great but there is another place...as soon as I can remember the name I'll post or pm you. It's awesome...their baby back ribs are finger lickin' good!
ghuinness
04-01-2004, 22:39
Dos Amigos - Melbourne FL.
Couldn't tell you anything about the food, other than they
have some. The Tequila is great :D
Heading to a Tequila tasting event this week. 100 different kinds.
Wonder if I will remember any of them?
Originally posted by ghuinness
Heading to a Tequila tasting saturday. 100 different kinds.
Wonder if I will remember any of them?
Mmm tequila! Maybe they'll have a program or "menu"? Would look forward to hearing more...if you remember that is. :D
Originally posted by Ghostrider
Carsons (for ribs, the outstanding potatoes au gratin, and the Chocolate Blackout cake) . Getting hungry just thinking about it!
I finally remembered the name of the rib place Ghostrider! It's Famous Dave's. Mmm mmm good! But alas...they don't have the Chocolate Blackout cake.
Radar Rider
04-02-2004, 00:38
I am a great fan of Korean style barbeque ribs. To that end, I believe that the best restaurant is in Pyongtaek, Korea. It is called "Urijong". There is not a direct english translation, but the GIs have coined a name for it. It is well known as "The Happy Cow". The signs outside the restaurant have a cartoonish picture of a smiling cow; hence the nickname.
In addition to the fabulous food that they serve, it's one of those places where the food is cooked at your table. They have a place in the center of the table where the charcoal is placed, and either the patron can cook (which is what I like to do), or one of the waitresses will take care of it. Therefore, the food is fresh, hot as you want it, and cooked to one's exact taste. As well, as is with traditional Korean cooking, there are about thirty little extra bowls that come with the meal. Rice, Kimchi (four to six variants), fresh cut garlic, fresh cut green peppers, spiced vegetables, Korean style salad, hot pepper paste, and lots more.
It is a great place to eat and a fine night out. I've found a couple of places in the States that come close, but none so good as Urijong.
Psywar1-0
04-02-2004, 02:03
That all you can eat Chineese place on Yadkin/Ponderosa Shopping Center. 3 years later Im still having cravings for their Pork Fried Rice.
2d place is the Papa Chano's chain restaurants in California. Great Fajitas.
3d is Chicken and Rice MRE.
In case you couldnt tell, Food is not something I like to spend alot of money on.
*grins at Psywar*
Hey man. Ham (slice) is where the heart is. :)
--Dan, philistine
Originally posted by Radar Rider
It is well known as "The Happy Cow". The signs outside the restaurant have a cartoonish picture of a smiling cow; hence the nickname.
There were two Korean barbecue places straight out of the front gate at Atsugi NAS: the Red Cow (red sign) and the Blue Cow (blue sign). The Blue Cow was better, but occasionally off limits to military.
Any place Italian. Bella Isola in Anacortes, WA is one of my favorites.
Any Mexican place that makes their own flour tortillas. My favorite in San Antonio was Tios on Bandera. I love their chicken chili rellenos and they do great breakfasts.
The best steak I ever had was down in the stockyards in Kansas City.
It's hard to pick just one because I love food in general, but one of the most unique has to be the Garlic Restaurant in Tokyo. Everything on the menu has garlic. They do two seatings a night, the whole restaurant orders, and then they start cooking. Whatever gets ordered the most gets cooked first. Note: if you don't like garlic, don't go.;)
Originally posted by Gypsy
Excellent choice...but next time try Gibson's. Simply fabulous.
I went to both Morton's and Gibson's in Chicago, and I have to say that was the best food that I have had so far on this planet. The service was superb, and the food.....ah, well. I can't wait to go back.
Also, Gene and Georgetti's - Chicago. I wonder if that is still there.
We stayed at the Omni Hotel and visited these establishments in three consecutive nights.
Simply heaven.
Johnny's Steakhouse in Cleveland comes a close second.
The Reaper
04-02-2004, 06:48
Originally posted by lrd
The best steak I ever had was down in the stockyards in Kansas City.
That would be the Golden Ox, you can see the Kemper Arena from the parking lot.
Agreed, a GREAT steak.
TR
Minamoto Sushi Restaurant, Kyoto. If you tell them what you want in Japanese and prove that a white devil can consume a massive amount of fish, they give you amazing prices, food, and presents at the end.
The sushi there was amazing. The Nigiri-Toro melts in the mouth.
Solid
Originally posted by The Reaper
That would be the Golden Ox, you can see the Kemper Arena from the parking lot.
Agreed, a GREAT steak.
TR That's it. I couldn't remember the name, but I know how to get there. They used to let you choose your steak. I don't know it they still do -- I haven't been for a few years.
I went to Morton's in Palm Desert. I was not impressed whatsoever. I am all for good food regardless of the price, but I have eaten far better food for 1/3 the price. Don't ask me to pay those prices because it's trendy and "the place to be".
DunbarFC
04-02-2004, 08:56
The Border Cafe - amazing Tex-Mex and Cajun food
or
Artu in the North End of Boston for great Italian
Originally posted by Radar Rider
I am a great fan of Korean style barbeque ribs.
In addition to the fabulous food that they serve, it's one of those places where the food is cooked at your table
We have a Korean here set up the same way in the 'burbs that an old friend of mine took me to...it was awesome. He was former Army and spent a bit of time in Korea. I loved it.
Sigi...yes G and G's is still here...on Franklin.
eyes...I've been to St. Elmo's the filet there is very good. Gibson's would still be my fav though.
Here in Fort Worth, Boi Na Braza is a great place for all-you can eat portions of great cuts of meat. In Dallas, Tokyo One is a good sushi place. My favorite Hole in the wall is a place called Benito's in the Diamond Hill part of north FTW. They have great Lengua burritos and other Mexican dishes that are hard to find.
No Fish sauce to be found :D
Originally posted by DunbarFC
The Border Cafe - amazing Tex-Mex and Cajun food
Uhhh, no offense bro, but there is no good Tex-Mex where you are.
For Tex-Mex: Chuys - steak burrito with hatch green chile sauce or 911-Plate.
For Cajun: Ragin' Cajun
:D
DunbarFC
04-02-2004, 15:51
Originally posted by D9
Uhhh, no offense bro, but there is no good Tex-Mex where you are.
For Tex-Mex: Chuys - steak burrito with hatch green chile sauce or 911-Plate.
For Cajun: Ragin' Cajun
:D
LOL true but for Boston it isn't bad
I will say that no one has seafood like we do. Barking Crab, the No Name, Jimmy's Harborside....the list is endless
brewmonkey
04-02-2004, 18:09
For breakfast- The Delectable Egg in LODO (Denver)
For beer- Falling Rock Tap Room in LODO
For Dinner- Cleveland Chop House
Roguish Lawyer
04-06-2004, 11:53
My favorite is Morimoto. It's on Chestnut Street in Philadelphia.
RL,
All that talk about steaks reminded me of the Golden Ox, my favorite steak place, which reminded me of this thread.
(Should we move this over to The Gourmet Guerrilla?)
The Reaper
07-08-2004, 19:54
Originally posted by lrd
RL,
All that talk about steaks reminded me of the Golden Ox, my favorite steak place, which reminded me of this thread.
(Should we move this over to The Gourmet Guerrilla?)
The Golden Ox down by the stockyards and Kemper Arena in KC?
TR
Originally posted by The Reaper
The Golden Ox down by the stockyards and Kemper Arena in KC?
TR The one and only. It really spoiled me for steak places...and the surrounding atmosphere is very unique.
Roguish Lawyer
07-08-2004, 20:05
Originally posted by The Reaper
The Golden Ox down by the stockyards and Kemper Arena in KC?
TR
I am told that there is a place near that arena that has the second best BBQ ribs on earth. Is this the place?
The Reaper
07-08-2004, 20:10
Originally posted by Roguish Lawyer
I am told that there is a place near that arena that has the second best BBQ ribs on earth. Is this the place?
Not sure about the ribs, but they serve one heck of a steak. brewmonkey might be able to answer that.
One of our very favorite places in KC regardless.
TR
Originally posted by Roguish Lawyer
I am told that there is a place near that arena that has the second best BBQ ribs on earth. Is this the place? They wouldn't let BBQ sauce near their beef. :D
They have racks of beef aging, and you can either choose your own or give them your preferences and let them choose.
Now, there are some great BBQ places in KC...
Sacamuelas
07-08-2004, 20:25
Not all ribs have bbq sauce on them Lrd. Rendezvous in Memphis,Tn has incredible 'dry' rubbed ribs... no sauce. :cool:
Originally posted by Sacamuelas
Not all ribs have bbq sauce on them Lrd. Rendezvous in Memphis,Tn has incredible 'dry' rubbed ribs... no sauce. :cool: I have a running argu...discussion going with my father-in-law. He's from KC, and thinks KC BBQ is the best. I like my brisket, ribs, etc., rubbed and smoked Texas-style. We have a Red, Hot, and Blue Memphis-style barbecue north of here that is about as close to TX-style as I can find in So.MD. Sounds like I need to stop to eat in Memphis next time I go to my Mom's. :)
Sacamuelas
07-08-2004, 20:38
yep.. it would be worth your while. And then walk down the street to the 'flyin saucer' for a few draft beers..... I can't remember exactly how many types they keep on tap, but I think it is around 50-60 or something like that.
myclearcreek
07-08-2004, 21:35
Steak - Saltgrass Steakhouse anywhere in Texas
Mexican - Don Pablos in Fort Worth
Italian - Alfredo's in Lewisville or Houston
Brisket, smoked sausage, etc - The Smokehouse in Lindsay, Texas
Harbor Light's on the Tacoma waterfront-awesome 41lb bucket of clams.
Nicks Fishmarket-Honolulu (Rack of Lamb and Tristan Lobster)
Originally posted by Sacamuelas
yep.. it would be worth your while. And then walk down the street to the 'flyin saucer' for a few draft beers..... I can't remember exactly how many types they keep on tap, but I think it is around 50-60 or something like that. If you're ever in San Antonio, there's an icehouse off of 1604 (over by UTSA) called Hill's and Dale's that is like that, but not all are on tap. If you partake in enough varieties, you get to put a plack on the ceiling. Since I'm a two-beer date, I never quite got close enough to get a plack...but I did get a hat. :D
The Brown Lantern in Anacortes, WA, has some really nice micro-brews and very tasty Penn Cove mussels. (Toby's in Coupeville, WA, has great mussels, too.)
Originally posted by myclearcreek
Steak - Saltgrass Steakhouse anywhere in Texas
Mexican - Don Pablos in Fort Worth
Italian - Alfredo's in Lewisville or Houston
Brisket, smoked sausage, etc - The Smokehouse in Lindsay, Texas
Don Pablos?????
Let me know next time you are in DFW, I'll take you to some real Mexican places. Don pablos is decent Tex Mex, But there are better places out there. Esparza's in Grapevine, for example
Also, The Blue Dolphin and the Green Van Fish Taco Stand in Hanalei Kauai. Blue Dolphin:Awesome Ceviche and Beer Battered Swordfish & Chips. Green Van: Awesome Fish Tacos and homemade Hot sauce.
Roguish Lawyer
07-09-2004, 13:40
For steaks, I like Harris' in San Francisco.
myclearcreek
07-09-2004, 13:59
Originally posted by Air.177
Don Pablos?????
Let me know next time you are in DFW, I'll take you to some real Mexican places. Don pablos is decent Tex Mex, But there are better places out there. Esparza's in Grapevine, for example
Don Pablos was introduced to me by one of my Mexican friends. She and her husband go there several times a year. And yes, she calls it Tex-Mex. No one makes enchiladas or salsa like my friend Lolly. I am always open to finding new and better dining, so will let you know.
Believe it or not, the best meal I ever had was in the UK. The meal was at the Warren House in Northumberland. It far surpassed anything I ever had while in France. Below is a link to one of their menus.
http://www.warenhousehotel.co.uk/dining.htm
Well now, I owe an apology to all here for misinformation. I was eating a tasty steak last night (medium rare, cracked pepper), mentioned our discussion of steak places and my endorsement of The Golden Ox, and received a look of such astonishment that I almost spilled my wine (but, of course, I didn't spill a drop).
The steak place that I was describing is not The Golden Ox (which does prepare an excellent steak), but The Black Angus located down in the stockyards (thus the interesting atmosphere). I had the right place but the wrong name.
Once again, my deapest apologies for my error.
Either one will beat any other steak place I've been to.
The Reaper
07-11-2004, 10:01
The Hereford House in KC is pretty good for steaks as well.
TR
Roguish Lawyer
07-11-2004, 12:16
Originally posted by The Reaper
The Hereford House in KC is pretty good for steaks as well.
TR
Interesting name. Boats nearby?
The Reaper
07-11-2004, 12:24
Originally posted by Roguish Lawyer
Interesting name. Boats nearby?
Can you eat a boat?
http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/cattle/hereford/
TR
Roguish Lawyer
07-11-2004, 13:30
Originally posted by The Reaper
Can you eat a boat?
http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/cattle/hereford/
TR
No, and I don't know what color it is either. :)
The Reaper
07-11-2004, 13:49
Originally posted by Roguish Lawyer
No, and I don't know what color it is either. :)
Not the boats where you are thinking of, it is the boathouse.
TR
Roguish Lawyer
07-11-2004, 14:19
Originally posted by The Reaper
Not the boats where you are thinking of, it is the boathouse.
TR
This wasn't taken on a boat?
brewmonkey
07-11-2004, 14:57
Originally posted by Roguish Lawyer
Interesting name. Boats nearby?
Yes there are several boats nearby if you are thinking what I am. There also used to be several Hereford House's in the KC area but they have closed a few of them. You thinking of a KC trip?
magician
07-11-2004, 15:04
For wicked asparagus casserole, and to watch the Flyers on Easter Sunday, Ex Wife Numba 2's Nana Jean's house. She puts hardboiled eggs in there, with the asparagus, and it is freakin' amazing.
For Italian food, period, Desafiamos' Pop's house. His mom makes this lasagne that will rock your world. His sister makes the best tomato sauce in the universe.
For sandwiches, Cavazzinis in Wilmington, DE.
For burgers....this place....can't remember the name of it....across from the Wawa off Kirkwood Highway in Elsemere, DE. The guy who runs it, and it is a rugged looking place, used to be a catering chef. Every once in awhile he will get a wild hair and make Monster Burgers. I stole his idea, and make them now myself, albeit on a somewhat smaller scale. The dude has to use at least a pound of ground beef. Really good.
For seafood.....this place I cannot remember in Seaside, Oregon. I remember sitting outside on a deck, drinking massive amounts of beer, and pulling clams out of a bucket and dipping them in butter. Amazing. We drove UP THE BEACH at 100 mph to get to town, and that is no shit. This was back in 1985, so hopefully their local environmental consciousness has been raised. Beautiful beaches. Totally deserted.
For sushi, Fuji's at the Emporium in Bangkok. There are other Fuji restaurants at Seri Center, and Central BangNa, and other places I have not yet tried, but the one at the Emporium is markedly the best one, so far. They make this one avocado thing that looks like a big green worm. The fish is SO fresh.
For prime rib, no doubt about it, Walters on Union Street in Wilmington, DE. The cut they gave me was monstrous, it was pink, it was beautifully marbled, and it was so juicy and soft that you could cut it with your fork. No need for a knife. Des and I ate there one time. I took my son a few times. I also went by myself when I was swinging solo.
For pizza.....believe it or not, I like Pizza Hut. There are a million places that make bitchin' pie in Philly.....and the debate over the "best place" can be cause for throwing punches around there....but I just LOVE a nice, hot Pepperoni Lover's pizza, deep dish, with extra fucking cheese. Now THIS will blow you away: you can GET IT HERE IN BANGKOK. They will deliver to your HOUSE! You have to get lucky, and hope that they have an English speaker to take your order.....if not, it is a pizza roulette. No way to predict what kind of assed up pizza they will bring. It could have FISH or chicken on it....even fucking HOT DOGs.
Al just turned me on to this other pizza joint here.....you literally just call 1112 on your cell phone, and an English speaking Thai chick will take your order. The pizza is ok. Not as good as Pizza Hut. But you have the security of knowing that you will not get Vienna Sausages and fucking tomatos on your pizza when you open your door.
For Tex-Mex.....my grandma Lola's house in Segundo, Colorado. She used to make tortillas fresh from scratch in the morning for my great-grandfather, Richard, and she would make real thin eggs like you would use for an omelet, except she would pour green chili onto it, layer it on the fresh tortilla, and then put a little layer of mayonnaise on it. He and I would put them in aluminum foil, then go fishing. When we got to the water and opened them up, they would still be warm.
Best shit in the world, and made with love.
Rest in Peace.
Roguish Lawyer
07-11-2004, 21:09
Originally posted by brewmonkey
You thinking of a KC trip?
No, I'm just making inane remarks. :)
Roguish Lawyer
07-11-2004, 21:11
I highly recommend La Serenada de Garibaldi here in LA for what I would call gourmet Mexican food. The original is in East LA, but I believe they now have three locations, including one very close to my house on Pico in West LA.
Roguish Lawyer
07-11-2004, 21:12
I've only been there once, but I really like Blue Fin in NYC. Midtown, I want to say Times Square but not so sure about that . . .
Roguish Lawyer
07-11-2004, 21:13
For deep dish pizza, Giordano's in Chicago. The one we ordered from is near Northwestern, but I think it is a chain.
Roguish Lawyer
07-11-2004, 21:21
I don't know that it's the best or anything, but I really liked Niki's West in Birmingham. Awesome Southern home cookin' (like I would know, LOL).
Originally posted by Roguish Lawyer
For deep dish pizza, Giordano's in Chicago. The one we ordered from is near Northwestern, but I think it is a chain.
Yes it's a chain. Next time you're in town try Salerno's in Oak Park, of all the pizza I have tried here I keep going back to what I consider the best. Alternatively my second fav is a place called Taylor Street (a few locations around town)
stschmidt
07-12-2004, 03:03
Burger the size of a plate and a pound of curly fries......Effies Tavern in Lewiston, Idaho. I suppose I am showing my true culture here :D
brownapple
07-16-2004, 19:21
In the Village of New York City, there was (and hopefully still is) a little Italian place called Villa Mosconi. It's just above the basketball court on Houston (can't remember which of the North-South running streets it's on, whichever one runs along that basketball courts east edge). Great Italian food. Picture of Sophia Loren and Onafrio Paccione in the front window.
CPTAUSRET
01-08-2006, 00:59
This is one of mine.
http://www.thebestraffaello.com/uk/it.htm
Spartan359
01-08-2006, 01:39
"Main Street USA" in Stanley market, Hong Kong. Damn good steaks.
El Tapatio (Mexican)
The "specials" are the best.
In Chicago 3400 N Ashland Ave.
Gold Canyon Saloon in Dayton NV...
Brophy's on the pier in Santa Barbara, I think the food was good; I know the Ramos fizzes were.
Trip_Wire (RIP)
01-08-2006, 13:11
Here is my favorite in Seattle! I'll be there on 15 Jan w/wife for our own little Birthday Party!
http://www.themetropolitangrill.com/ :lifter
Roguish Lawyer
01-08-2006, 13:23
Here is my favorite in Seattle! I'll be there on 15 Jan w/wife for our own little Birthday Party!
http://www.themetropolitangrill.com/ :lifter
I took a client there to celebrate winning a case I tried. Nice place with good wine list, IIRC.
I dunno... it's hard to beat Waffle House...
Trip_Wire (RIP)
01-08-2006, 17:51
I took a client there to celebrate winning a case I tried. Nice place with good wine list, IIRC.
Yes! They do have a great wine list, in fact their bar is well stocked with a lot of good choices! The have a lot of single malt's there!
We always start things off with a double Gin Martini (with Sapphire Bombay Gin.)
We then share a Spinach salad (There to big for one person.)
We know the wine steward, so about this time he will approach us with suggestions based on our entree. (Usually a good red wine. We both prefer reds.)
On the 15 Jan we plan on ordering the Chateaubriand with Cliff sauce for two prepared at our table. (We always have enough meat left in our doggie bag (?) for another dinner.) Of course, either the double baked mashed (extra) or the big Idaho baked potato with all the usual goodies!.
Dessert will be their special dessert that they serve free to Birthday people! Its a cake/ice cream thing. covered with a thin chocolate cover.
I'll finish this all off with a Brandy snifter with Metoxa Brandy and hot coffee! :lifter
BTW: This place is pretty pricey; however, great meat and excellent service! (Especially with the men waiters.)
The lunch buffet at The Homestead in Warm Springs, VA. Served only in the winter months. Also the year round breakfast buffet for best breakfast.
Ray's on the River in Atlanta for seafood.
Don't remember the name of the place in New London, CT for Italian but it was owned by an ex-professional wrestler who was also the chef. His daughter waited tables. Linguini with White Clam Sauce made with fresh clams (bellies too if you want them). Great guy and would come out to your table to check on you, make sure the food was alright. He was gargantuan. Had to turn sideways to walk through the door to the kitchen. His daughter was gorgeous. Great view of the river and town.
VelociMorte
01-09-2006, 08:26
My favorite, and the best restaurant in the Southeast:
http://www.woodlandsinn.com/dining.cfm
Michelle
01-09-2006, 11:02
Carnelian Room, San Francisco. Incredible food and incredible view.
Also Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles.
m1
Ghostrider
01-09-2006, 16:30
Coffeepot Cafe in Sedona, AZ....great b'fasts....101 omelets.
If you guys end up down this way, DON'T go to the Loaded Hog chain of restaurants. We went there the other night and the whole family felt sick afterward. We went there 2 years ago and the same thing.
I quite like Nando's grilled chicken. Very nice and a couple of hot waitresses from time to time.
magician
01-09-2006, 16:53
I have become a great fan of a Thai dish called Som Tam Thai.
It is distinct from the Issan version, Som Tam Lao, which uses a lot of fish sauce and smells foul as hell.
In English, Som Tam Thai is papaya salad. It is more than just thin sliced strings of papaya, however. The secret is in the sauce, and in the garlic. Somehow, Thais succeed in making Som Tam Thai sweet, sour, garlicky, and spicy, all at the same time. It is spectacular. It is also very good for you.
You can find recipes for it by googling, if you are curious.
Thais typically buy their Som Tom Thai from carts on the soi. I do not eat food from the soi. I have learned the hard way. I buy my Som Tam Thai from a little booth in the Robinson's Department Store complex on Ratchadapisek Road in Bangkok. The guy who makes it is a katoey, meaning a transvestite. He invariably calls me "handsome man" when I go, and he tries to flirt with me, though I do not speak enough Thai for him to succeed. I just smile, say thank you in Thai, and tell him "mai kao jai krup," which politely means that I do not understand. He just chatters on, apparently admiring my beard, or something. I do not know. I do not want to know.
I was initially nervous about buying food prepared by hand by a man with large arms wearing earrings and make up....but I got over it. The guy makes it great.
Som Tam Thai typically includes small dried shrimp. I tell the guy "gung mai ao," which means "no shrimp," and I tell him "nam blah mai ao," which means "no fish sauce, please."
I get mine with two perfect red Thai peppers chopped into the mix. The typical Thai gets his with ten or twenty peppers. If you are not acclimated to it, eating Som Tom like that can kill you. It is spicy enough for me with just two peppers.
It is freakin' delicious.
There are a ton of beautiful girls at that Robinson's, too.
:)
Trip_Wire (RIP)
01-21-2006, 18:48
Yes! They do have a great wine list, in fact their bar is well stocked with a lot of good choices! The have a lot of single malt's there!
We always start things off with a double Gin Martini (with Sapphire Bombay Gin.)
We then share a Spinach salad (There to big for one person.)
We know the wine steward, so about this time he will approach us with suggestions based on our entree. (Usually a good red wine. We both prefer reds.)
On the 15 Jan we plan on ordering the Chateaubriand with Cliff sauce for two prepared at our table. (We always have enough meat left in our doggie bag (?) for another dinner.) Of course, either the double baked mashed (extra) or the big Idaho baked potato with all the usual goodies!.
Dessert will be their special dessert that they serve free to Birthday people! Its a cake/ice cream thing. covered with a thin chocolate cover.
I'll finish this all off with a Brandy snifter with Metoxa Brandy and hot coffee! :lifter
BTW: This place is pretty pricey; however, great meat and excellent service! (Especially with the men waiters.)
We had a wonderful dinner on the 15 Jan! We had the Chateaubriand, as planned; however, our favorite waiter Bruno decided to upgrade the free dessert to a "Bananas Foster" cooked up at our table by the same one as cooked the meat. We had enough meat to have a second dinner at home. Pics below:
Bill Harsey
01-21-2006, 19:59
Any of you kids pick up on the clothes that guy is wearing while at dinner?
I'm not even allowed to get close to that grade of rigging in a store, let alone eat in it!
Very impressive.
Any of you kids pick up on the clothes that guy is wearing while at dinner?
Part of what makes the Special Forces Soldiers 'Special' I think. I don't think I would have trouble 'adapting and overcoming' that meal though, very nice.
Go For Broke
01-30-2006, 20:55
Hawai'i - Can't beat Ono's on Kapahulu (Get there early for the Chicken Lau Lau and the 3-day old poi)
Chicken Schwarma - 5 Star down in Schwarma Alley, Doha, Qatar
Cheap Hot Wings - Gallaghers, near Sugarbush, VT
Greasy Spoon - The Red Kettle, Northfield, VT
Boston Baked Beans & Boston Cream Pie - Durgin Park, Boston, MA
History - Union Oyster House, Boston, MA
Cart food - That cart off Sukumvit, by the bank
Larb Nuer / Gai - Either the Big Apple in Fayetteville, NC or Royal Palace Thai in Tampa, FL
NW Seafood - Three Crabs...can't remember the city, but on the coast in WA
Favorite restaurants by city:
Dallas - Nick & Sam's
San Francisco - Frascati
Boston - Trattoria a Scalinatella
Nick & Sam's is my favorite steak joint in Dallas. They serve a bone-in filet which has the flavor of a good ribeye with the texture of a filet. Unbelievable.
Frascati is a new favorite. They treated me like an old friend the first time I visited, knowing from my comments on OpenTable that I was a new customer. We got the best table in the house, looking down on the dining room and kitchen. I had the roast duck with chanterelle mushroom risotto. A very memorable evening.
Finally, Trattoria a Scalinatella is my favorite Italian restaurant anywhere. The food is exceptional but the real reason is that, as a poor grad student, some friends and I had saved our pennies so that we could go to celebrate one of our birthdays. The patrons ahead of us were slow leaving, and we had to wait an hour in the tiny stairwell outside before our table was ready. When we were finally seated, the owner came to our table and asked if it would be okay for him to "take care of us" that night. We later walked out having been comped something like $1,500 in food and wine. I now return every time that I'm in Boston.
Roguish Lawyer
01-31-2006, 12:16
Nick & Sam's is my favorite steak joint in Dallas. They serve a bone-in filet which has the flavor of a good ribeye with the texture of a filet. Unbelievable.
I ate there a few months ago when I was in Dallas. I liked it. I wouldn't say it's the best steakhouse I've been to, but it was very good. They have Blanton's at the bar. Good scenery too.
On the same trip, Air.177 took me to a divey Vietnamese place that I liked. Air, what's the name of that place?
I ate there a few months ago when I was in Dallas. I liked it. I wouldn't say it's the best steakhouse I've been to, but it was very good. They have Blanton's at the bar. Good scenery too.
On the same trip, Air.177 took me to a divey Vietnamese place that I liked. Air, what's the name of that place?
Just a Haltom City hole in the wall called "Pho Nam" (I would say probably 40% of the viet places in the continental US are called something very similar LOL) They have good food at a reasonable price and it's 10 minutes from work.
RL: You may like to know that their other 3 locations are in CA 2 in Sunnyvale, 1 in Milipitas.
Good times,
Blake
Roguish Lawyer
01-31-2006, 13:15
RL: You may like to know that their other 3 locations are in CA 2 in Sunnyvale, 1 in Milipitas.
Good times,
Blake
Hmm, I'll have to try to get there next time I'm in the area. Both of those cities are in Northern CA.
...I would say probably 40% of the viet places in the continental US are called something very similar LOL...
LOL. Did you guys smell funny when you walked out? Every pho joint I go into, the smell of onions permeates the place, and it just clings to you.
Babbo in NYC. My sister-in-law and her husband took us there a couple of years ago, and my wife still raves about it. The gnocchi and sweetbreads were memorable. My wife has a trade show there in April, so we will go back, hopefully it's still as good. We've eaten at The Inn at Little Washington, and the meal was not as memorable.
"Main Street USA" in Stanley market, Hong Kong. Damn good steaks.
The American Club was pretty good in the mid-90s. The complimentary after-dinner cigars in the cigar bar didn't hurt... ;)
MogMechanic
02-01-2006, 10:05
If I was looking at Chain places Texas Roadhouse has some pretty good steaks and not a bad place to go. I've also found a nice place here that is not big chain and that is Pinnacle PEak in Tucson the steaks there are great and the place is alwyy packed. Not to mention it does not cost a lot of $$
I've also found a nice place here that is not big chain and that is Pinnacle Peak in Tucson the steaks there are great and the place is alwyy packed. Not to mention it does not cost a lot of $$ Is there one near Phoenix? Be sure and wear a tie!
Roguish Lawyer
02-01-2006, 13:43
Is there one near Phoenix? Be sure and wear a tie!
There used to be one at the Pointe Hilton South Mountain. Not sure if it's still there.
hands down....Don Pepe's Vesuvio -
from a web site....Old-school Southern Italian in the shadows of Kennedy Airport in South Ozone Park, Queens. They just don't make ’em like this anymore. Platters of sizzling baked clams, linguine with white clam sauce with more whole garlic cloves than you could possibly imagine, veal chops so thick they split them in half before broiling, lobster Fra Diavolo served with spaghetti cooked in the lobster sauce, steak pizzaiola made from a double New York strip steak, and last but not least, Chinese chicken (chicken cacciatore) with homemade sausage that is served in the single greatest red sauce known to mankind. And you get to dine with the ’dese, ’dem and ’dose crowd—a combination of Queens locals, stragglers to and from the Five Towns, and transients like me who have made it out from Manhattan. Plus there always seems to be a group of people who look like cast members from The Sopranos. Don Pepe's served as the inspiration for the Manhattan restaurant Carmine's, as well as Long Island's La Parma chain. A one-of-a-kind place. Wear your big hair and you will feel right at home. A
Almost forgot, but reminded yesterday for the 1000th time, lunch in just about any mid-town Manhattan deli is a culinary safari and damn good!:
Yesterday at the "Crowne Deli," 52nd & Broadway.
Roguish Lawyer
02-18-2006, 10:39
hands down....Don Pepe's Vesuvio -
from a web site....Old-school Southern Italian in the shadows of Kennedy Airport in South Ozone Park, Queens. They just don't make ’em like this anymore. Platters of sizzling baked clams, linguine with white clam sauce with more whole garlic cloves than you could possibly imagine, veal chops so thick they split them in half before broiling, lobster Fra Diavolo served with spaghetti cooked in the lobster sauce, steak pizzaiola made from a double New York strip steak, and last but not least, Chinese chicken (chicken cacciatore) with homemade sausage that is served in the single greatest red sauce known to mankind. And you get to dine with the ’dese, ’dem and ’dose crowd—a combination of Queens locals, stragglers to and from the Five Towns, and transients like me who have made it out from Manhattan. Plus there always seems to be a group of people who look like cast members from The Sopranos. Don Pepe's served as the inspiration for the Manhattan restaurant Carmine's, as well as Long Island's La Parma chain. A one-of-a-kind place. Wear your big hair and you will feel right at home. A
Thanks, Doc. I'll have to try it.
aiki ins
02-18-2006, 12:18
My wife enjoys dessert more then main courses of meals...
Hands down the best dessert she has ever tasted is the chocolate souffle at Roys Restaurant in Tampa/ Bonita Springs. Roys features Hawiian Fusion cuisine and the food, by the way, is quite excellent. Make sure to order the souffle when ordering the main course because it is prepared fresh each time.
American -- Musso and Frank Grill
Deli / breakfast -- Billy's Deli
Middle Eastern -- Zankou Chicken
Cuban (sit down) -- Mambos (those who rave about Versailles are often pleasantly surprised)
Cuban (on the go) -- Porto's Bakery (the one in Burbank over the original in Glendale)
Mexican -- Poquito Mas or El Tepeyac Cafe
Italian -- Anna's but the Olive Bistro is a hidden gem.
Bakery -- the Beverlywood Bakery
Chili -- Chili John's
Dimsum -- Empress Pavilion
mojaveman
06-03-2009, 23:35
Here in Socal we don't have any of the authentic redneck southern fried restaurants. There used to be a place in Fayetteville called Chasons Southern Barbeque (?) if I remember correctly. It looked like an old red barn or farmhouse. They had it all, chicken fried steak, fried chicken, fried catfish, fried shrimp, fried crab, fried okra, french fries, hush puppies, etc. Your cholesterol count could go up by merely reading the menu. The place wasn't anything special but I do miss the traditional Southern cooking that we don't have here on the West Coast.
Because your question only asks for one - mine is the H3 Ranch over at the Fort Worth Stockyards next to Booger Red's Saloon - best chicken-fried steaks, cut fries, salsa, and beer (Buffalo Butt) in the AO.
Richard's $.02 :munchin
Doc T...
Oh yeah, hands down...Don Pepes...right outside of the back gates of Aquaduct racetrack...best Italian in NYC. Favorite steakhouse...Peter Lugers in Brooklyn (there are others, but the one in Brooklyn is the original and the best!). But if you go to Peter Lugers, be prepared to wait if you don't have a reservation and DON'T ask to see a menu, the response would be, "what would you come here for for anything BUT steak!?". Their steak is WELL WORTH the wait!
Slantwire
06-04-2009, 08:28
Sandwiches - Lost Dog Cafe, Arlington VA. If I lived closer to it, I'd be closer to 300 pounds.
Burgers - Five Guys. At least, in the DC area - I've heard that the quality isn't as good in the newer franchised locations.
Vietnamese - Present Restaurant. In a tired old shopping center next to a tire store, but it's a whole other world inside. Food is fantastic.
Thai - Neisha Thai in the DC area, but I do love real Thai street food. Unlike Magician, I never had a bad meal off the soi, but he's spent more time there than I have.
Steak - Texas Roadhouse (chain). I've never brought myself to pay for the Morton's or Ruth Chris types of places.
Tex / Mex - I have fond memories of Anita's (local chain), but it doesn't measure up when I go back now. Need to find a new place.
2018commo
06-04-2009, 09:40
Bethany Blues, Bethany Beach, Delaware. Outstanding BBQ, COLD beer, what more is needed?
Annie's Paramount Steak & Seafood on Kent Island (MD Eastern Shore). They have the largest raw oysters I've ever had. The food/service was excellent, and the beer was cold. I don't drink wine, but they have an extensive/expensive wine list also. I won't pay that much for rotten grapes :p
Wilbur's Barbeque, Hwy 70 East, Goldsboro, NC.
Samurai Japanese Restaurant
979 Lomas Santa Fe Dr
Solana Beach, CA 92075
Incredibly fresh sushi and sashimi, and with serious attention to detail!
Do yourself and your geusts the favor of sitting at the sushi bar, which extends down the row of chefs, and wraps around!
(The Chef's take very good care of you!)
Always, and I do mean always, order a "Chef's Special Roll!" Just tell him what, if anything, you do not like, and go for it!
A little pricey with a couple bottles of Sake, but well worth it!:lifter
Holly
69harley
06-11-2009, 09:41
Gringos Tacos in Virginia Beach
ZonieDiver
06-12-2009, 20:23
Right now, my fav is "Cheaters" - on Queen's Highway (everything is on Queen's Highway) between George Town and Rolle Town, Great Exuma, Bahamas. When no one else had cracked conch - Cheater did. (It seems fishing isn't as popular with Bahamians as it once was.)
My wife enjoys dessert more then main courses of meals...
Hands down the best dessert she has ever tasted is the chocolate souffle at Roys Restaurant in Tampa/ Bonita Springs. Roys features Hawiian Fusion cuisine and the food, by the way, is quite excellent. Make sure to order the souffle when ordering the main course because it is prepared fresh each time.
Have you taken her to the Harry Waugh Dessert Room at Bern's Steakhouse?
http://www.bernssteakhouse.com/BottomMenu/HarryWaughDessertRoom/tabid/59/Default.aspx
My wife and I love the "Cappuccino Bern’s Steak House"
This long-time specialty features a marriage of our
very-finely-ground, freshly-roasted coffee marinated
in Kahlúa and flavored liqueurs for an average of
ten weeks. Your cappuccino is topped with a float
of vanilla cream and finely-ground coffee.
TrapLine
10-15-2009, 21:06
The Golden Ox down by the stockyards and Kemper Arena in KC?
TR
At the risk of responding to an old post, I visited the Golden Ox this past week as a result of this thread. I was served a superb Kansas City Strip, medium rare. Well worth the visit.
If you happen to be traveling through the FL Keys, the Square Grouper serves an excellent fish stew. In case one happens to find themself in Ljubljana, the Pizzeria Ljubjanski Dvor serves an excellent pie on the banks of the Ljubljanica river.
Tatonka316
10-16-2009, 06:13
Duke's Barefoot Bar and Resturant on Waikiki Beach ... and not just because I met THE Warrior-Mentor there! The macadamia-nut crusted opakapaka is easily the best meal I have EVER had!!!:lifter
greenberetTFS
10-16-2009, 13:03
Have you taken her to the Harry Waugh Dessert Room at Bern's Steakhouse?
http://www.bernssteakhouse.com/BottomMenu/HarryWaughDessertRoom/tabid/59/Default.aspx
My wife and I love the "Cappuccino Bern’s Steak House"
This long-time specialty features a marriage of our
very-finely-ground, freshly-roasted coffee marinated
in Kahlúa and flavored liqueurs for an average of
ten weeks. Your cappuccino is topped with a float
of vanilla cream and finely-ground coffee.
WCH,
Great dessert menu......:D Will definitely have to visit whenever in that area....:D
My wife loves dessert better than the meals..........:D
Big Teddy :munchin
Steak: Texas De Brazil in Orlando, FL
Spanish: Lechonera Latina #2 in Orlando, FL
Seafood: The Chart House in Alexandria, VA or Captain Eddie's in Venice, FL
Italian: La Fontana in Ocean City, NJ
...all fall second to mom's kitchen though :lifter
Doe's Eats, Greenville Ms. Winner of a Beard Award as one of ten best steakhouses in the US.
greenberetTFS
10-16-2009, 13:54
There is a place in Arlington Heights or Mt. Prospect Ill called The Kampai,not sure since I've been away a while ,that is a Japanese restaurant that serves a grilled lobster that they smother in an egg york sauce under a steamed cover on a hibachi grill.....:D It's very expensive but well worth the dough......:D Wish I could find a place here in Mississippi that could be as good.....:(
Big Teddy :munchin
chapollin
10-16-2009, 18:19
have anybody tried the brazilian rodizio? picanha the best steak ever:p
Slantwire
10-19-2009, 13:46
The Chart House in Alexandria, VA
I must have been there on the wrong day, or ordered the wrong thing. I've only been once, and was very underwhelmed.
The Reaper
10-19-2009, 14:39
I must have been there on the wrong day, or ordered the wrong thing. I've only been once, and was very underwhelmed.
Mud Pie.
TR
Seafood: The Chart HouseI must have been there on the wrong day, or ordered the wrong thing. I've only been once, and was very underwhelmed.FWIW, I experienced a similar sense of disappointment the one time I ate at the Chart House located in Marina Del Rey, CA.:confused:
Then again, my idea of outstanding seafood is a generous serving of southern fried catfish, some hot sauce, and a couple of cans of Coca Cola.
I remember having a pecan crusted grouper that happened to be REAL grouper. Not the center cut of a big portion of cod. Also had a cream of crab soup.
You never know, it could have gotten bad. The last time I was there was a little less than a year ago and it was good.
Nothing compares to blasting a hog or a gag and having it fresh with some fresh beer batter......:lifter
Roguish Lawyer
10-19-2009, 17:27
Duke's Barefoot Bar and Resturant on Waikiki Beach ... and not just because I met THE Warrior-Mentor there! The macadamia-nut crusted opakapaka is easily the best meal I have EVER had!!!:lifter
Then you need to try Alan Wong's
Roguish Lawyer
10-19-2009, 17:27
FWIW, I experienced a similar sense of disappointment the one time I ate at the Chart House located in Marina Del Rey, CA.:confused:
Then again, my idea of outstanding seafood is a generous serving of southern fried catfish, some hot sauce, and a couple of cans of Coca Cola.
M&M's at Crenshaw and Rodeo