Guys what is your favorite restaurant?

[Hairdude1]

Piccolo Songo here in chicago

[Kingair]

If it was still open . . . elBulli in Roses, Spain

Stunning food prepared by Ferran Adria

But with my Belgian roots I have to go for Comme Chez Soi in Brussels

Previously Le Dome in LA run by Eddy Kerkhofs but those days are sadly enough over

So now Il Piccolino

Eddy is a real great guy

Love his food

[subtona]

I'm sure most do not know, but the lower east side of manhattan is chock full of some of the greatest old school eateries. It is in fact a food Mecca.

This is a must if you're in the hood

Caviar

[subtona]

And this matzoh ball soup

[subtona]

And
Potato latkes

[Rockrolex]

Best and most expensive meal ever, by far: Alinea in Chicago.

Most memorable dish: Grapefruit Mousse at Guy Savoy in Paris. It's been over 15 years and I still remember it fondly.

[Globule]

Best for consistency is the Yorke Arms, Ramsgill, North Yorkshire. Most memorable meal was at the Moat House, Acton Trussell in Staffordshire. Totally superb for food, service and ambiance.

[Mishon]

Too many to name, really. Off the top of my head, the Mrs. and I had some great meals at the following places:

NYC:
Jean-Georges
LA:
Go's Mart
Madrid:
Botin
Taberna Maceiras
Washington, D.C.:
Citronelle (before the flood)
Sushi Taro
Tosca
Moscow:
Cafe Pushkin
Chicago:
Riccardo Trattoria
Paris:
Le Cinq
Montreal:
Au Pied de Cochon
Liverpool House
Tampa:
Bern's Steakhouse...

and on and on, and on....

[Bakasana]

Jean-Georges is so overrated. You guys get mesmerized by the "big names" LOL...

Roberta's in Brooklyn -- a must check out with friends!

[gulfstream69xr7]

Ai Fiori, NYC

Vetri, Philadelphia

The Ledbury, London.

Ondine, Edinburgh

Redd, Napa Valley

[Mishon]

Originally Posted by Bakasana

Jean-Georges is so overrated. You guys get mesmerized by the "big names" LOL...

Roberta's in Brooklyn -- a must check out with friends!

You know what they say about opinions... I have dined at plenty Michelin starred restaurants in the world and the meal at J-G was a very good one, especially the foie gras dumplings which is one of the best dishes I ever had.

[Tri-Tip]

When I want a gooood steak (not often), it can only be the Filet at Mastro's in Beverly Hills.

[Ferdelious]

I'm sure there are so many great ones I haven't had the pleasure of eating. This is a biased pick because of its proximity to me but Bern's Steakhouse in Tampa is such a great dining experience. I can't say its the best meal I've ever had but it's the whole package; largest wine list, dessert room, storied history...

For my favorite meal would have to be sushi. The best I have found stateside is Yasuda in New York City but my dream is to make it to Tokyo and have a seat at Jiro's bar.

[jot_]

For those of you in the Toronto area, check out a little Italian restaurant called Pomodoro's in Mississauga. It's not particularly fancy or expensive, but do they ever do good lasagna.

[Mishon]

Originally Posted by Ferdelious

I'm sure there are so many great ones I haven't had the pleasure of eating. This is a biased pick because of its proximity to me but Bern's Steakhouse in Tampa is such a great dining experience. I can't say its the best meal I've ever had but it's the whole package; largest wine list, dessert room, storied history....

One of the best overall dining experiences for sure, Matt, even though the place inside looks like a bordello. The wine list alone is mind blowing and one of the largest in the world, methinks.

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by tfly212

Love both...Eataly hit an amazing balance as a place that draws tourists but locals like too. We do wine and cheese in the middle...put our names on the list for the pasta restaurant and by the time the wine and cheese is done, its pizza/pasta time. Their cacio y pepe pasta is fantastic.

This is exactly what I do! Cacio y Pepe and a star pizza is it a zoo most times? Yeah but the food is great, price is right and its casual and fun

[rr-nyc]

Originally Posted by subtona

I'm sure most do not know, but the lower east side of manhattan is chock full of some of the greatest old school eateries. It is in fact a food Mecca.

This is a must if you're in the hood

Caviar

The cafe isn't really old school but a perfect addition to the store and neighborhood. The original shop on Houston, while nostalgic, smells like hell and you couldn't pay me to sit inside for more than 5 minutes

[rr-nyc]

Originally Posted by Bakasana

Jean-Georges is so overrated. You guys get mesmerized by the "big names" LOL...

Roberta's in Brooklyn -- a must check out with friends!

You ate at Jean Georges and think its over rated? I could understand if you said Daniel or Le Bernadin because those two are arguably not worth the hype. Maybe you just don't like that type of food?

Are you talking about Roberta's pizza or Blanca? While I haven't been to Blanca, I've heard a lot of mixed reviews.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by rr-nyc

The cafe isn't really old school but a perfect addition to the store and neighborhood. The original shop on Houston, while nostalgic, smells like hell and you couldn't pay me to sit inside for more than 5 minutes

[arinsd]

Originally Posted by AS1

Cracker Barrel

HA! I love this damn place but the problem is there aren't any in California When I lived in Georgia we would go there all the time.

My fav place here in San Diego would be Island Prime or Lou and Mickeys.

[jhe888]

Well, Olive Garden is fabulous, but for a special treat, Red Lobster.

Day in and day out, Arbys.

[Zuger]

Lived in NYC, Zurich and London before moving to Washington DC. Still trying to find my favorite watering hole in DC, but the favorites so far are:

Nobu in NYC
Zuma in London
Bindella in Zurich

[Tri-Tip]

One place I'd really like to eat is Gerardo's. I've seen many photos, and the food looks great!

[BNA/LION]

Originally Posted by Tri-Tip

One place I'd really like to eat is Gerardo's. I've seen many photos, and the food looks great!

X2
Not easy to find, I heard they have a secret entrance too...

[Keith1]

Flemings for a great steak.

[JRolex]

There a little Italian place in the Monterey area in California in Pacific Grove that serves some of the best - homemade - Italian food. It's called Il Vecchio and the owner is there nearly everyday serving a small menu that always changes to new tastes and new ventures - they make you feel like family.

You should try their Prince dessert - homemade vanilla ice cream with a strawberry 12-year- balsamic reduction. It's to die for.

[Cubeistan]

Ristorante Europa. Renamed Trattoria Europa some years ago. Eschersheimer Landstr. 142 60322 Frankfurt. When in Frankfurt, go there.

[Mishon]

Originally Posted by Zuger

Lived in NYC, Zurich and London before moving to Washington DC. Still trying to find my favorite watering hole in DC, but the favorites so far are:

Nobu in NYC
Zuma in London
Bindella in Zurich

Define what you mean by a "watering hole." Wife and I eat and drink out a few times a week all over the DC/VA/MD map and would be happy to recommend something that you may like.

[wantonebad]

I think the comments about Bern's steak-house are spot on, the wine list is like no other and the "experience" of going at least once is worth it. However it is not the best meal I've ever had.

As for Jean George, I've been to five of his restaurants from very casual to fine dinning and find his food and his staff's execution of that food the most consistent and inventive of all the named chef's who have transitioned to major restaurant groups. I would gladly eat at any of his establishments. What he has done in the Bahamas alone never mind world wide is remarkable.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Zuger

Lived in NYC, Zurich and London before moving to Washington DC. Still trying to find my favorite watering hole in DC, but the favorites so far are:

Nobu in NYC
Zuma in London
Bindella in Zurich

Really like Nobu in London, Black Cod and Wagyu steak were both excellent. When I went to Zuma it was a little too full of loud model types and their louder sponsors.