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nmorrell

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  1. While reviewing the last few pages of this thread before posting, I was reminded why I love this forum and Don Rocks for starting it so much... "...once you get into a pissing contest with the sommelier in a French restaurant, the evening is over." This really says it all! I'm putting together a list of things to do and see and eat in Paris for my brother in law and his new wife who are heading over in March. I'm all set with activities but I'm lost with restaurants. Its been a few years since I've last been Paris and post pandemic I realize many places may not be there anymore. We had a very expensive and rather disappointing experience on our "nice night out" last time which is the only thing sticking in my head and other than the wonderful little neighborhood bistro that I love and am recommending, I'm at a loss. I'm not sure where they are staying yet, I've recommended a sweet little hotel in the 7th behind the Assembly National and a larger but still nice hotel in the 2nd that I also like. I imagine they'd like at least a couple of higher end options to consider for a celebratory dinner but mostly I'd love ideas of more intimate bistro type restaurants that feel neighborhoody and less big city commercial. The only area they've said they particularly want to explore is the Latin Quarter so that's another area of interest. thank you for any recommendations!
  2. As a follow up, thank you again for the family dinner suggestion, I think that’s the perfect style for this occasion. And it will come as no surprise to anyone that has been to Tail Up Goat that they were extremely accommodating and always go the extra mile to make you feel like you’re part of their family.
  3. Does anyone know if the good folks at Tail Up Goat ever accommodate a party of six? I’ve been many times with 2 and 4 but was surprised I couldn’t make a reservation for 6. I certainly understand wanting to keep the intimate feel if that’s the purpose but had hoped to host a going away dinner for a close friend who is moving and loves TUG (almost) as much as I do. I was going to call today but didn’t want to sound pushy by asking.
  4. We were there on a Saturday a month or so ago and noticed two things. The first is that there were significantly more professional line standers than I've ever seen there before. Not really a judgment on that just something I noticed. One was even passing out his business cards. Second, most people in line at 4:15/:30 were actually going for the 7:30 seating. I arrived at 4:30 and there were 12 people in front of me and only two wanted the 5:30 seating. I was given the 9:30 seating due to a large number of parties of 4 and in one case 5! And despite the 9:30 time slot we actually sat down closer to 8 which was perfect for us! Its really hit or miss but in general I agree with what Marty said above! And honestly, I'm happy to eat there at any time.
  5. Thank you, I love the bicycling idea! And that Michelin guide list is outstanding! Thank you. I just pulled up every one of them, nothing near Saumur but plenty to consider for one of our nights in Paris!
  6. I'm heading to Paris and the Loire Valley this July with a group of five girlfriends for a week and am hoping for a few restaurant recommendations! I can check the Paris thread for ideas, though if you want to share here, I won't mind! We've rented a house in Saumur and we're looking to book a "once in a life time" type dinner for one of the nights. There is a driver available to us so realistically the restaurant could be with in an hours drive of Saumur. Are there vineyards anyone has visited or would recommend we visit?? And of course if anyone has other "must see" suggestions in the Loire Valley I'd be very grateful! Thank you!!
  7. This mister and I celebrated our anniversary this week at Tail Up Goat. It had been way too long since our last visit but it was like no time had passed. I sincerely try not to unabashedly gush about this restaurant because it makes me feel like a blatant advertisement but I just can't help myself. This continues to be my favorite restaurant in town because, beyond killing it with their creative and delicious menu, the wine list, staff and overall experience is unparalleled by comparison to any other restaurant I've been to, in DC or elsewhere. We ordered and shared... brown rice bread, house-made ricotta, shoot salad and granola Vouvray Sec, Clos de Rougement Sancerre, Les Quarterons carrot ravioli-apricots, ramps greens, and pistachio breadcrumbs pici carbonara, pancetta, chive egg yolk, and black pepper breadcrumbs Gewurztraminer Blend, Miscreant Pinot Gris, Dragone Ramato lamb ribs, oregano, grilled lemon, fig, olive, and fennel onion yogurt We tried two different reds that I'm blanking on and there might have been a tasting of Rosé somewhere in there as well but I know one of the reds was from the Canary Islands. I think I've had a glass of that one at every visit, its obviously outstanding! We really wanted to order the carrot and pineapple cake after the rave reviews but there was no way we could eat another bite, so we ended the night with a glass of medeira and "forced" ourselves to devour the bite of chocolate mouse that arrived at the end of the meal. I would highly recommend everything we ordered, but honestly you simply can't go wrong with anything on this menu. If this is your first time visiting, please start with the salt cod, its a personal favorite but we wanted to try new dishes this time. And you would be remiss if you don't try at least one of the breads/toasts. It continues to surprise me how well these are executed! I think honestly we come back for the wine as much as we do for the food. My best piece of advice is skip ordering a bottle and instead let Bill pick your wines with each course. There are likely wine connoisseurs on this listserv who know all the wines on this list but I am not one of them. Instead, having Bill pour and talk through two of his recommendations for each course further elevated the already outstanding experience we've come to expect.
  8. I'm delighted for Tail Up Goat and selfishly a little sad for myself. I've been here several times and with each visit I fall more in love with the whole experience. I've never had a hard time booking two weeks out. I think those days are behind us. Again, yay for them! It couldn't happen to better people or a more deserving restaurant. Tried for an early dinner reservations for 5 guests, a little over a month out and they weren't booking yet, totally forgot to check back and then tried at the two week mark and nothing. I'm not upset at all, totally get it. Just want folks to know they should look to book closer to the 4 week mark if they have a specific date in mind.
  9. Just wanted to say thanks to all those that gave us recommendations!! The one thing I can say about the trip is, it won't be the last for my kids. I was thrilled that they loved the City as much as I'd hoped. We ate at the following spots... Sunday Brunch at Isabella's (Next door to the Natural History Museum)- I had the huevos rancheros and my friend had the breakfast burrito (we're both Texans). Food fine and service was ok. Nothing bad but noting outstanding either. Its worth a stop if you're going to the museum but I wouldn't go out of my way for it. Note for non-NewYorkers: The city is still under blue laws. Who knew!?!? So we drew out our 11am reservation so that we could enjoy one mimosa at 12:01pm before departing. Sunday dinner at Campagnola (UES). A friend recommended it and it was darling. An old school tiny little Italian spot. They were very accommodating to our kids and the food and wine was great. Nothing groundbreaking or earth shattering but great classic Italian dishes. I might not cross town for dinner here but if you're in the UES, its definitely worth it. Monday Breakfast at Serafina (CPS location). I'd heard from several friends to try this spot. And I wish we'd made the effort to go to the UES location instead of the CPS location but it was literally next door to our hotel so it seemed silly not to try the CPS location. Their four flowers juice was delicious and I'm not really a fan of breakfast juice. The benedicts were outstanding and again they were great with our kids, which was appreciated. Service was a little slow but nothing to really complain about.
  10. I'm taking my kids to NYC for a quick trip later this month. I think I've got our schedule roughly mapped out, making our meals my next step. I'm looking for any recommendations y'all can offer! I'll be with my 6 and 8 year old boys who are, on the whole well behaved and fairly adventurous eaters for their age but we won't be at Le Bernardin. 1. Sunday Brunch, either near our hotel in the Upper East Side or near One World Trade. I was thinking maybe Balthazar's. I used to love this spot in the late 90s/early '00s but 20 years later, is it still worth a stop or is my nostalgia getting the better of me? 2. Sunday dinner. No real restrictions in location here but I'd like somewhere with great food since its our only dinner. We may go see a show that night so perhaps somewhere near Central Park South? I don't want to eat in Times Square. 3. Monday morning Best NYC Bagels. The kids haven't really had bagels (other than Bodo's in Charlottesville) because we don't really eat them around here so I'd like to introduce them to a really great bagel. I greatly appreciate any recommendations! Many Thanks!!
  11. Noticed an update on this long awaited opening last month and thought I'd post it here, incase anyone is wondering. Looks like 2019 is the latest target opening date... Jul 22, 2016 - "What's the Deal with Anthony Bourdain's NYC Food Market?" by Whitney Filloon on eater.com
  12. I took my two kids (8 & 6) to lunch at Hawwi yesterday and had such a delicious meal and wonderful overall experience, I knew immediately that I needed to do a post on this little gem. This was my second time visiting and both times were outstanding! I couldn't love this little family owned restaurant more. From the moment you walk in, you are treated with such warmth and genuine friendliness that you can't help but feel like an extended part of the family. I was glad to see a large group of 10 near the window, maybe an office outing? Other than that there were a couple of groups of two that came in and/or finished while we were there. It definitely wasn't packed but I'm hoping as more and more people give it a try the business will pick up. My kids are pretty great about trying new restaurants with us but I'll be honest, they basically order a version of chicken kabobs and rice with any mango drink on the menu. I appreciated that the owner suggested that instead of two orders of chicken kabobs, we order one kabob and try an order of Kaywat, prime beef cubes in a red pepper sauce with spices, peas, green beans and injera. He even offered to make the sauce a bit more mild. As it turns out I think they would have been fine with the hotter sauce but he even separated the sliced jalapeños when the platter arrived. The boys downed the kabobs first and after hesitantly trying the kaywat, declared it "awesome." At one point my youngest even asked me to take it away from him because he was stuffed but couldn't make himself stop eating. I hear you son, I hear you! Both times I've been here, I order the Kitfo and both times it was outstanding! It comes with a side of greens that are delicious and I appreciated the two sauces and dried spice blend that accompanied the dish as well. My only complaint, is that its simply too much for one person to eat. I hated not finishing it but just couldn't. This is definitely worth a visit, whether you're in the neighborhood or not! And I love that its one more place that I can take my kids and hopefully broaden their palates.
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