Joe H

Spiaggia is the Maestro of the Midwest although I think a short step below. http://www.levyrestaurants.com/levy/dining...p4/spiaggia.htm For one dinner, one blowout Best of Chicago dinner, I would take Tru over Trotter. Reservations are extremely difficult but try. It is a GREAT restaurant and worth the effort.

It's really interesting reading through this thread and the differing opinions on Elevation Burger. My second burger WAS better than the first and the second time I had their fries these too were better. But the first visit was still really good. I believe it is fair to say that there really is inconsistency in the preparation of these. I suspect it also varies depending on who cooks them and who does the french fries. It would seem that when Kobe beef is smashed a few times too many or cooked a bit too long it makes greater difference in the finished product than, say, ground chuck which has much more fat to begin with. The french fries-at their best-are really good, though. I personally think they are better than Five Guys. But I also believe that the original Thrasher's on the south end of the boardwalk in Ocean City are FAR superior to any that I have ever had at Five Guys including the original near Bailey's Cross Roads ten years ago. I know that the couple who own Elevation Burger follow this board and care very deeply about the opinions of everyone. I would suspect that timers will show up near the fryer that the potatoes are cooked in (similar to McDonald's) and that much more attention will be paid to the consistency of how the burgers are cooked. I've probably been quite fortunate since I haven't had a dried out burger or overcooked fries-yet. Still, I really like this place and with their only being open a month or so I would expect their consistency to dramatically improve.

My wife and I came very close to moving to Clearwater Beach, one of my favorite places on the face of the earth. Having a fried grouper sandwich at Frenchy's on the Beach-behind a white sand dune perhaps 50 yards from the lapping clear water (!) on the white sands of the Gulf of Mexico at sunset is a memory that can last until retirement. The Beach Bistro at Holmes Beach , on Anna Maria Island, a barrier island outside of Bradenton, is considered by many to be one of the very best of Florida's restaurants. It is also one of it's most romantic. Perhaps one of the world's most romantic. With its softly lit location literally on the beach, after sunset it is a special place, more than worth the one hour drive out from Tampa. This is their website: http://www.beachbistro.com/ Closer to Tampa, the Lobster Pot at Reddington Shores has long been considered to be one of the state's best seafood restaurants. This is their website: http://www.lobsterpotrestaurant.com/ An outstanding bouillibasse along with several exemplery grouper and red snapper presentations this is a difficult reservation but worth the effort. Also an excellent effort with escargot and, for those who have never had snails, about as good as you will find. At least a half dozen times over the past ten years I have driven out from Tampa for dinner and every time it was more than worth the drive. Tampa's Cuban restaurants are interesting. The Columbia is the most famous. I'm not so sure that they are really any better than the old Omega but their menus are much more varied. A traditional visit for anyone travelling to Tampa. Many consider Tampa's overall best restaurant to be Mise en Place. Zagat is among them. This is their website: http://www.miseonline.com/dinner.html This lacks the charm, personality and national reputation of Bern's; but for locals it is the hardest reservation in the city. This is probably as close as one can come to a serious meal in the Tampa Bay area. For myself Tampa and the surrounding area are more about sunsets, intracoastal waterways and fresh grouper; even "grouper and friends" which is now off the menu at Nick's in Tarpon Springs. B 21 is a great (and cheap) wine/liquor store on highway 19 that has the best prices in America on Reidel (I'm serious about this and, yes, they advertise on the internet.) I don't really remember a great meal in the Tampa Bay area-but I do remember a number of great experiences of which dining was only a small part.

Water Grill is the best seafood restaurant in all of Southern CA. Serious. And, it's in downtown L. A. a couple of blocks from the Bonaventure. Unfortunately, it's not cheap. Probably comparable to Kinkead's in price.

Niall, Vincent's on Camelback is, for lack of a better description, the definitive Phoenix dining experience if you only have one restaurant to go to. This is the link to their website: http://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/index.shtml Ranked 24th by an English publication in the world. This is the link: http://www.vincentsoncamelback.com/reviews2.shtml I don't think it's THAT good but it is an outstanding experience. There's also (don't laugh) great pizza there, too!

Well, as long as you insist. But confirm that your Gordon Ramsey dinner is his "Hospital Road" location which is the three Michelin star. He has a second which I have not been to but does not-yet-share the same reputation. Arguably, the "El Bulli" of England is The Fat Duck which also has three Michelin stars. If you google you'll find many links for this; it is somewhat notorious with long threads on eG from people debating its merits. I have not been to the Fat Duck so I do not have a personal opinion. For many, the real "challenger" to Gordon Ramsey is this: Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons Church Rd. Great Milton, United Kingdom 01844 278881 This is the link to their website: http://www.manoir.com/web/olem/olem_a2a_home.jsp Two Michelin stars, much more traditional than the Fat Duck (which is not that far away) and for a nearby comparison I would suggest this is the English version of the Inn at Little Washington-at its best. Approximately one hundred miles west of central London at the "entrance" to the Cotswolds which are a whole different discussion. I am not a fan of Le Gavroche nor several other top end London restaurants. Personally, I believe it is a huge step down from Gordon Ramsey to other aspiring London restaurants. I DO like the River Cafe and Zafferano. Vineet Bhatia is an experience that you should NOT miss, or a great fish and chips place like North Sea. If you're not into high end Indian fusian give serious consideration to Vama on Kings Road or Chutney Mary for more traditional. Both are superior to Heritage of India-far superior-here. For me I cannot imagine going to England without having either Indian or fish and chips. (Coincidentally, I'll be in Manchester in two weeks and will have three out of four meals on Wilmslow road, at Shere Khan. The fourth meal will be in Blackpool at a great fish and chips place, Seniors. With all due respect to Gordon Ramsey and The Manoir aux Quatre Saisons the tandoori shrimp at Vama, Shere Khan's tikka masala (don't laugh; it's the national dish of England and the best in the entire U. K. is at Shere Khan on Wilmslow road) any of four or five fish at Seniors-all of this is far superior to anything, anywhere on this side of the Atlantic! Even better than Shere Khan is Shezan about 25 miles north of Manchester in the countryside.

Rasoi Vineet Bhatia 10 Lincoln St. London, United Kingdom 020-7225 1881 Vineet Bhatia was the chef at Zaika in Knightsbridge. This was the first Indian restaurant in the world to receive a Michelin star. A year and a half ago he left to open this restaurant near Kings Road which some have called the best in the world. I would describe it as interpretive, even Indian fusian. It is absolutely outstanding, unlike anything in America or elsewhere in England for that matter. Zagat even gives it a 27 for food. This is the link to approximately 15 reviews of it including some comments from Sietsema: http://www.vineetbhatia.com/reviews.htm This is the link to part of his menu and prices: http://www.vineetbhatia.com/menu.htm Note that this is expensive: 69 pounds sterling is a nine course prix fixe of about $125. For more traditional Indian Vama on Kings road is considered by many to be second best in London. North Sea is a fish and chips "shop" near the British museum, also considered among London's best. Visits to Zafferano and the River Cafe have found both to be excellent. Gordon Ramsey on Hospital road has three stars and is considered the best overall restaurant in the U. K. along with the Fat Duck, about 75 miles west. These last two and Vineet Bhatia are difficult reservations. Good luck!

Steve, thanks for sharing your experiences. Carol and I will visit Enoteca next year. I'm glad you liked Sostanza and Il Pizzaiola-I think the latter is as good as anything in Naples and Sostanza, well, there is just nothing like it in the States. Also, for all of the places in Tuscany that the guide books claim have great bisteca this and Vescovino in Panzano are the only two (out of maybe 10 or more) that we have been to which really lived up to my expectations. A number of years ago a place called di Vinus on the "other" side of the Arno had the best steak I've ever had but it was sold a year later and changed. It's former owner opened Parione behind the Excelsior but, on two visits, was not the same. In truth I prefer Sostanza's ambience (and meringue cake) and the overall experience is better. We'll also try Neri. Florence really is like Disney World. or New York. Restaurants like Il Latini which are written about in every guidebook and English is the common language. I much prefer going somewhere where locals outnumber tourists and English is rarely heard. Thanks again.

If it's like the 2004 Marquis Phillips (their last year) whose cab, shiraz and Sarah's Blend have screw tops you may be disappointed. 2003 Elderton Barossa (about $20) is excellent also; 2003 Morambro Creek Shiraz was very good, too and there are a few stores that still carry it. I'm not a fan of Smoking Loon at any price. If you like 2002 Shotfire Ridge consider these: J. Bookwalter Lot 18 or Lot 19 (WA) Joel Gott 2003 Cab (CA) Delicious Gracia Porqueno, 2004 (Chile) carried by Wegman's (remarkable complexity for $18; a much heavier wine than the Shotfire Ridge but, I think, an equal value) Casa Lapostolle Cuvee Alexandre 2003 Cab (Chili) Luigi Bosca D. O. C. 2002 mentioned by me above (another fairly complex wine that needs at least 30 minutes before drinking)

Interesting thread. I thought that I had done my best to eat my way through Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's counties yet have not heard of or been to this restaurant. Has this been reviewed anywhere? This seems like an excellent excuse for my wife and I to venture back to North Beach, a summer destination for Washingtonians when we grew up....many years ago.

Shouldn't this be a separate topic? Burying it inside of a general thread on New York does not seem like a way to attract a lot of interest to Michelin's first ever rating of American restaurants. Four American restaurants receiving three Michelin stars is worthy of its own topic. Huge implications for D. C. Especially Maestro, Citronelle, The Inn and Laboratorio, possibly CityZen. I realize the philosophy of this board is to have one continuous thread about a very general topic but I think this merits its own thread. I am just certain that a lot of people who typically would not read out of town posts will have an opinion r comment on this. From the Times article: "Mario Batali, whose restaurant, Babbo, received one star, doesn't think the guide will get much traction with New Yorkers. He was not happy with his ranking, which put him on the same level with the Spotted Pig, a small gastro-pub in the Village." Shades of Gayot/Gault-Millau!

Perhaps only Las Vegas could have this: a thirty minute television show at midnight from the world's best car salesman. Serious. His name is Chopper and he owns a dealership called Towbin Dodge in Henderson. For anyone who suspects that once again I'm indulging in hyperbole this is the link to watch the actual 30 minute weekly broadcast: http://www.choppercars.com/ChopperTV/choppershow.html I sat up watching this show one night, not believing that I was watching someone sell cars! He's entertaining, really entertaining. And funny. And he gets away with a LOT of stuff that would never work here or most anywhere else. Before you dismiss this give the show five minutes.

Maestro with 14, Per Se is not listed as one of New York's ten best....

The pizza pantry closed? My wife, who grew up eating there, is going to be devastated. First Tops, then Brenner's, now the Pizza Pantry....

Industrial road in Vegas, based on three trips, is not as good as what I've had in three or four stops in Henderson and, recently, in Laughlin. Could be coincidence but I probably stop at In 'n Out five or six times a year and generally find the ones in Southern CA to be more consistent than either northern CA and the three stops at the one nearest the Strip. I should also point out that Industrial road in Las Vegas is their highest grossing unit in the entire chain; this may play some role. Also, In 'n Out was run by a woman in her '80's with, I believe, a grandaughter pegged to take the company over. There is actually quite a bit of tragedy associated with the family that owns this. But, honestly, I remember when In 'n Out first spread into Northern CA I'd run into disappointing experiences there too. I used to wonder if there was more consistency in Southern CA since those working there probably grew up with it and KNEW what it was suppose to taste like. Many in Northern Ca, Arizona and Nevada may not even have seen an In 'n Out before. Anyway, just speculation. But In'n Out is not franchised-the family has long wanted control. The double double I had in Henderson two weeks ago was as good as any I've ever had.

In three visits to Industrial road including several weeks ago I've left In 'n Out disappointed. On the last trip my wife was with me and we just felt that whoever was on one of their three grills just didn't care. The next day we stopped in Henderson and it was so good I wanted to go back in and get another double double for dessert. But again: you must get a double double with grilled onions and extra spread. Animal style is this plus a swab of mustard. There's something about the way that spread, cheese and grilled onions come together with ground chuck that is just ambrosial. When properly grilled and assembled. Fat Burger in Redondo Beach was excellent. Excellent! But I've run into some real inconsistency in other outposts.

To amend my opinion from above. Based on a visit tonight with my wife I now view Elevation Burger's fries superior (yes, superior) to In 'n Out. I would also place their cheeseburger at 95% of In 'n Out (up from 90%).

You should really scrap the Burger Bar in favor of a 4 X 4 Animal Style at In 'n Out.

Five Guys in Reston has huge lines lasting until two on weekday afternoons; even lines almost out the door on weekends. I've stood in this line and wondered if anyone in it really knew what a seriously good hamburger tasted like? Once upon a time in Bailey's Cross Roads Five Guys made a legitimately excellent burger and exemplery fries that would do Thresher's proud. Today, I think they succeed because most people either never knew or just forgot what a really good hamburger was suppose to taste like. Still, my hope, is that one of the franchisees will care enough to grill a burger that will approach the excellence that Five Guys exemplified. Apparently, enough of them do-even if only a handful and at that, only occasionally-to carry the name. I would note that I haven't been back to the Reston Five Guys. One of these days I or someone else will successfully talk the owner of Milwaukee's Kopp's into selling a franchise for D. C..... There's a very real market here for a good burger and serious frozen custard...

Apple has a great deal of credibility. This is personally especially frustrating since I ate at Robuchon in the mid '90's as well as his L'Atalier only a week after it opened. Two weeks ago my wife and I were in Vegas.....and went to Alex thinking that Robuchon at Caesar's would be a North American version of L'Atalier. Still, I would like to console myself with Apple's curiously restrictive comment about "this continent." John? Are you going to Robuchon in a month? I cannot tell you how jealous I am!!!

Could Ziebold-who wore a French Laundry chef's jacket (chef de cuisine) at CityZen-eventually leave there for a Per Se level Keller intro in D. C.? Especially near where Jean Louis brought Washington onto the national stage. Hmm.......... Just speculating....

"Dreamery" is a play on words that implies but doesn't specify cream, ice cream or frozen custard. I believe this allowed flexibility for something else on the menu such as "brats" noted above. "That custard place," for me, has a very narrow focus that doesn't seem to allow as much in the public's perception. Regardless, of my opinion, they've done it. Brats and cheese curds not withstanding it's the name they liked and decided to go with. I should also note that I would have a similar criticism of Neilsen's in Vienna as well as Milwaukee Frozen Custard. The formal name is "Neilsen's Frozen Custard" yet they also sell sandwiches. In Milwaukee a number of frozen custard stands also sold sandwiches and, for many of them, at some point they dropped the words "frozen custard" from their formal name. Kopp's is a primary example of this. Abbott's and Anderson's in upstate New York are similar, too. Both are known for frozen custard yet both sell a lot more. Point being that they may have started as frozen custard stands yet, at some point they needed to survive off season and introduced hot dogs, hamburgers, beef on weck, etc. To successfully pull this off they had to drop the exclusive frozen custard identity. In the D. C. area Gifford's would have lines 100+ long in the summer in their four outposts in the summer. Yet in the winter they were a empty. Many nights I drove by their store in Silver Spring and on a cold January night there wasn't a person inside other than a lonely counterman. In the summer the line stretched out the door and down the block. Gifford's closed all of their stores, one by one ending a 50+ year history as the D. C. area's greatest ice cream shop. Even with lines out the door in the summer you still have to pay bills in the winter. This they couldn't do. Tastee Freeze, Dairy Queen and local ice cream and frozen custard stands like Polar Bear (Georgia Avenue north of Piney Branch), Reindeer (across from Sears on Colesville road at Second ave), Frozen Dairy Bar (Falls Church), Martin's Dairy (on Georgia Avenue in Olney) all completely closed in mid November and reopened in the spring. A lot if not most local custard stands did this then. Twin Kiss (LaPlata, route 40 west) also comes to mind as does Carvel in New Jersey. Carl's still does this in Fredericksburg continuing their own fifty + year tradition. But to remain open all year round requires more than just custard or ice cream. Even for the best.

There is no better reason for "That Custard Place" being a terrible name than the announcement of Brat Nite noted above. Why would anyone assume "that custard place" would sell brats, baked goods, etc.? I also agree with Shitch that most people around here will NOT think of frozen custard when they hear the singular word "custard." Frankly, when I first heard about this my assumption was that it had been sold and the new owner wanted to change the name. To say "that custard place" really does not specify which custard place. Or which frozen custard place. Even a Ben and Jerry's-for some-could be thought of as "that custard place" in Del Rey. In fact isn't there already ANOTHER ice cream place in Del Rey? I really think this was a very bad decision that will limit the public's perception of what they sell as well as not give them the individual identity they need.

The Seattle Dick's have a lot of 50's ambience but have nothing in common with the Spokane Dick's which has McDonald's original fries. Seattles are entirely DIFFERENT. Two different owners, two completely different operations with totally different food. Thanks for the info about Flying Fish. I've been to the Dahlia Lounge twice, Etta's once and left both somewhat disappointed. When Flying Fish first opened it became a regular annual stop for me. Here there is a restaurant called Black Salt which is very similar.

The 2004 Marquis Phillips has a screw top and, according to reports is the last year for the partnership that produces these wines. The '04 shiraz is a bit "thinner" than the '03 and available for $11.99 in a number of stores. A REAL FIND: 2002 Gracia Porqueno is a Chilean red that Wegmans (Sterling) is selling for $17.99. Retails for the low 20's. This is the link to their website: http://www.gracia.cl/en/detalle.asp?id_pro...Id_Categoria=69 This is a big wine that AFTER 30 MINUTES drinks like a $40+ cab. On the label is a reproduction of the Gold Medal it won at the International Wine and Spriit Competition in the UK last year (for this wine, 2002 vintage). It is in the style of Marquis Phillips Shiraz 9 which sells for the mid to high 30's and rated 93 points by the Wine Spectator. This is very, very close to its equal. For $17.99 it is awesome. But the MP Shiraz 9 is an important comparison since it has a "unique" taste. Porqueno is very similar. Some will absoluely love this wine; others will not. But at this price it is well worth a taste. Give it at least 30 minutes after you open it! Another comparison is the Luigi Bosca DOC; if you tried that and liked it you will like this also.