Lola007

Actually, based on my experience at Tonic today, FF is more reasonably priced (at least for lunch). Our mediocre salads at Tonic were $15. I've had sandwiches and soups at FF for less. My impression was that Tonic was chosen solely on the basis of its location. I didn't care for it as it was very noisy, the food wasn't anything special for the price, and service wasn't good (we saw our server twice --once to take our order and then to deliver the food. Had to find someone else to straighten out order mix-ups and bring the check).

Thanks, Daniel. I'll definitely steer clear of the burgers I somehow think Blue Duck or Founding Farmers would have been a better choice for this lunch, but will try to keep an open mind.

I second the recommendation for Keens. Just had dinner there last week, in fact. It's a fabulous old school NYC steakhouse experience, service is great (none of the attitude you'll find at Lugers), and the food (go for the porterhouse) is excellent. P.S. Lugers is definitely worth experiencing (I love the bacon appetizer), but given the occasion (and a group event), I'd go with Keens.

I believe Fiamma closed on January 14, 2009. Such a shame. I had some really memorable dinners there, including an awesome birthday celebration for an Italian friend, Fiamma la romana.

You really need help.... Oh well, chalk one more up for the felines and add another photo to: this. "I am a cat and I'll sleep where I want."

Of the restaurants mentioned, I've been to Il Mulino and more recently to Peasant. I really enjoyed Peasant as the food reminded me of some of some of the dishes I ate in Florence. We had great service, but then again, we were there on a weeknight and not a week-end when it's usually packed. Another recommendation--though not on your list--is Pylos (Greek restaurant in the East Village) I had dinner there last Friday and it was phenomenal. Great ambiance, comfort food, and wine list (if you like Greek wine, that is). Will post more about Pylos later. Hope you have a great time. . P.S. For ramen, I like Ippudo and also Ramen Setagaya. I don't like Momofuku Noodle bar at all. I once had an extremely salty ramen there that was absolutely inedible.

This is AWESOME. Thanks, goodeats. I've just signed up to join the site, and Bryan and Michael have automatically become my first "friends".

I completely agree about La Chaumiere being under rated. I've eaten there dozens of times over the years mostly with out-of-town relatives who love the ambiance, and have had consistently excellent experiences. Most recently, I was there for a business lunch yesterday. The place was completely packed, which I was happy to see. My client had the pumpkin soup, steak minute with pommes frites, and the chocolate soufflee. I had the same thing except for the soup (I had the French onion soup). It was a fabulous, leisurely meal with the soufflee being the highlight. I highly recommend La Chaumiere to anyone who appreciates classic French cuisine at a reasonable price. Am pleased to see that it's on the list for January Restaurant Week.

I haven't done peep jousting since I was in college. Love it.

I picked up a package last weekend. They were delicious--crunchy, sweet, and incredibly juicy! EDIT: Warning: Those HUGE Korean Shingo pears seem to be highly addictive...

I bought a few boxes at the downtown TJ's last weekend. However, I was disappointed. IMHO, the caramels aren't chewy or thick enough. I also don't like the dead sea salt on top or even the chocolate. I much prefer fleur de sel caramels. I really do like TJ's round box of fleur de sel caramels (not covered in chocolate, I know). Most recently, the best fleur de sel caramels I've had are the individually wrapped ones in the big jar at Dean & DeLuca. To me, they have the right balance of salt, butter, and chewiness.

St. Martin +1. Grand Case in St. Martin has many excellent restaurants and what I consider to be among the best French restaurants outside of France. I've also enjoyed a few French restaurants in Marigot (St. Martin) as well. The French side of the island also has some amazing beaches. And if you stay in St. Martin, you can easily take a day trip to St. Barth's and/or Anguilla.

I know that Helen used to dine there pretty often, but don't believe that she eats there almost every night either. Years ago (over 10) when I used to go to Mama Ayesha's fairly regularly, I did see her having dinner there on two occasions. Anyway, even if she did eat there every night, it wouldn't influence my opinion (or motivate me to go there more often). Now if we were talking about NBC's Brian Wiliams (who I once saw at Bistro Bis), that would be a different story.

I know what you mean. Every dinner entree and side dish that my dining companions and I have ordered have been served family style. I haven't had salads there, but I agree it would be odd to have an appetizer salad served that way. BDT should do something about this. I know that some people hesitate going there for business dinners precisely because they don't feel comfortable with the family style presentation of dishes. I myself am a fan of BDT's food and ambiance, but think they should look into the issue.

Sorriso in Cleveland Park has a very good traditional lasagne (and excellent pasta dishes, in general). But I believe it's only open for lunch on Saturdays.

It's been a few years since I visited, but I do recall that the Yavapai Restaurant at the Enchantment resort was outstanding. Maybe the best part is the incredible view of Boynton Canyon--where your friend should go horseback riding if he/she likes to ride. http://www.enchantmentresort.com/sedona-restaurants +1. The Pink Jeep tour is worth doing.

I love the iced coffee and cappuccino here. They're pretty much on par with the coffee drinks I've had at Abraco in NYC. Chinatown Coffee would be my regular go-to coffee place if it were closer to where I work/live.

I had my first Vapiano experience yesterday. Went to the 18th & M location for lunch with a friend, and we both thought the food was mediocre and overpriced. We both had a pasta dish. Mine was ricotta and spinach ravioli with sauce. Add a diet coke, and the total came to $14.50. Expensive for what it is. The pasta was good, but the sauce was watery and tasted worse than Ragu IMHO. Definitely it wasn't worth the price. Another thing we disliked was the ordering system and the gimmicky card thing. I really disliked the whole vibe of this place.

Has anyone tried the jumbo Korean Shingo pears from TJ's? I was tempted to pick up a package the other day, but hesitated...Was also wondering where else I might find them...Thanks in advance.

foodtrip, I'm glad to hear that you had a good Thanksgiving experience at 1789. I spent the holiday there a few years ago and also thoroughly enjoyed it as well. I'm not sure why I don't go there more often--maybe because I end up at either the Tabard Inn or Blue Duck Tavern, which are also cozy with reliable food and service. And that is TOO funny about the Tombs! I was in college the last time I was there...many moons ago.

That may be. I can only go on what I personally experienced. FYI, Grand Case in St. Martin is also known around the world for gourmet dining. When I visited Anguilla a few years back, friends of mine were building a house there and were of the opinion that the restaurants in Grand Case far surpassed those of Anguilla. They've lived on both islands for over 15 years (and one of them is a chef who trained in France), so I trusted their recommendations.

I like Caribou Coffee's iced coffee. I also recommend Chinatown Coffee Company's iced coffee and especially their cappuccino.

I highly recommend Harry and David's fruit-of-the-month club. I especially enjoyed the pears and cherries. http://www.harryanddavid.com/gifts/store/gift__10455_10002_shop-gifts-by-type_fruit-of-the-month-club-gifts?storeId=10455&mpe_id=23748&cm_sp=footerbanner-_-fb3-_-fsdfomc&intv_id=25745&evtype=CpgnClick&catalogId=10002&ddkey=http:ClickInfo P.S. Harry and David's offers 3-,6-, 9-, and 12-month options. P.P.S. And don't forget to order some Moose Munch.

Anguilla has some of the most beautiful white sand beaches I've ever seen. I took a day trip over there from St. Martin a few years ago and visited the Cuisinart resort. I took a tour and had lunch at the outdoor restaurant. The resort has its own hyrdoponic farm, so the menu features salads and veggies grown there. It was good, but not outstanding IMHO. http://www.cuisinartresort.com/view.php?catID=22&pID=234. But I did enjoy the beautiful surroundings as the Cuisinart Resort and Spa, which is modelled after Mykonos, Greece. I can't recommend any other places in Anguilla, but if you have the chance, take the ferry over to St. Martin (port of Marigot). Then take a cab to Grand Case where you'll find many excellent restaurants (especially French--in my opinion, this is the place to find the most authentic French restaurants outside of France) I also tend to think there is more to see and do on St. Martin as opposed to Anguilla (except for the resorts and beaches)--my opinion, based on my experince, of course. There are some nice shops in Marigot and gambling/casinos on the Dutch side (although I tend to avoid the Dutch side; there is a significant difference between the French and Dutch sides). There's a butterfly farm on the French side of the island (la Ferme des Papillons). And if you have the time, take another ferry or quick flight over to St. Barth's.

Hot chocolate spiked with Bailey's Irish Cream. I was going to make it with Frangelico instead of Bailey's, but I couldn't (and still can't) get the damn bottle open!