whiner 
Second star to the right, and straight on till morning
Wine Thief
Posts: 2875
 | | 05-07-2005 09:15 AM |
| The World's Best Restaurants thread got me thinking, what are our favorite restaurants?
For me: Vila Joya (Algarve, Portugal) - Very casual for what may be the best restaurant on the Iberian peninnsula, and is probably the best restaurant I've ever been to; but it is in a resort location, so that explains the casual quality. You eat on a covered, open air, patio overlooking the ocean. It is suggested that you start with a Portugese white (there is only one) for the first few courses and move on to a dry Portugese red (again, no option) for the next few courses. But they do have a wine cellar (I didn't examine it) and I'm nearly positive BYO is allowed. Menu changes daily - 8 course meal with virtually no options (some courses have one option, some do not) so you need to like lots of different foods. The chef is smart about it, though, and if you eat seafood, white meat fish, and either poultry or mammal, you are good to go. The food is Alcasian with some Austrian influence and an occasional interest in Thai food.
The restaurant is located in a 17 room beautiful luxury Inn away from the more touristy parts of the Algarve. People staying at the Inn are required to stay, iirc, for at least 5 days; and with no real restauarants around, most eat at the hotel every night. There are about 25-30 tables.
FWIW, the only ** Michelin in Portugal. The only *** Michelin I've been to has been downgraded to **, but I've been in several ** and this is my favorite.
a
P.S. I just happened upon the Inn's website | | | I can't listen to that much Wagner. I start getting the urge to conquer Poland. <br>-- Woody Allen |
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Pool Boy
Laurl, MD (DC suburb)
Master of Wine
Posts: 13802
| | 03-24-2005 02:59 PM |
| Bean bag 'chairs'
Apple II+ computers
dirt clod wars with my friends
sledding in the early morning when school was delayed 2 hours due to weather
wishing I lived in Loudon County, VA when I was a kid since they ALWAYS got off school days for snow, etc
riding my bike *everywhere*
trick or treating with a lawn and leaf sized trashbag and nearly filling it (and not worrying about creeps/wackos) | | | www.roguefood.com -- www.cellartracker.com | |
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David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
VinoCellar.com Extraordinaire
Posts: 30986
| | 05-07-2005 07:07 PM |
| I've eaten in a few restaurants around the world. When I think where was the best food/dining experience I have ever had I have to hand it to Marinus Restaurant in the Bernardus Lodge, Carmel Valley, CA. And best of all it is only about 60 miles from my home.
I have been challanged by one of our "lurkers" Country Mike though. He wants us to go to The Post Ranch just south of Carmel and give it a try. He and his wife live in Carmel Valley and have been to both restaurants several times and they like Post Ranch alot. Sometime soon I want to go with them to both restaurants one the day after the other. When we do I'm sure I will report back.
Let's set it up soon Country Mike! | | | |
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Pool Boy
Laurl, MD (DC suburb)
Master of Wine
Posts: 13802
| | 05-08-2005 03:32 AM |
| Best restaurants and best meals ever often have to do not only with the restaurant and the setting, but also who we are with for the experience and under what circumstances. Some truly memorable meals for me may not have been the 'best'. An example is the old lahaina luau on Maui. Tacky and touristy, it was fun as anything and delicious and wonderful the time my wife and I were there on our honeymoon. Far from the best food I have ever eaten, but truly memorable. | | | www.roguefood.com -- www.cellartracker.com | |
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Edward Bowers
Palm Beach Gardens
Barrel Sampler
Posts: 2072
| | 05-10-2005 02:56 PM |
| Bellegio Italy at the Villa de Seraboni. [Thnk I got that wrong].
Over looking Lake Como, the alps, great service, some of the best veal I ever had. Was there for three nights [six meals all told]. This was before my 'wine snob' years, but liked what was served.
Have no idea what any rating is, but its my personal best. | | | |
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juggernt
Tampa, FL, USA
Wine Labeler
Posts: 3504
| | 05-11-2005 07:24 PM |
| Antrim 1844 in Taneytown, MD. | | | Leave the gun. Take the cannolis. | |
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ChangeMe
Master of Wine
Posts: 11169
| | 05-11-2005 09:29 PM |
| juggsy, we stayed at Antrim and had two dinners there. The food was excellent and we shared a 1971 Petrus with the TJs on the second night. I wouldn't call it my favorite restaurant, but I had no complaints.
The best meals I've ever had were at La Cote Basque in NYC. Since its downsizing to LCB Bistro we haven't been back. Other top restaurants were The Inn at Blackberry Farm in Tennessee, The Dining Room at The Ritz-Carlton in Chicago, The Four Seasons Resort on Nevis, Cafe L'Europe in Palm Beach (thanks, Rothko), La Colombe d'Or in NYC, and my all-time #2 favorite, Casa Brasil in NYC which closed in the late 1980s. | | | |
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ChangeMe
Barrel Filler
Posts: 1371
| | 05-11-2005 09:51 PM |
| Wow, strong company for Cafe L'Europe. We are looking forward to a possible return visit with the Rothkos (and other South Florida and anyone else) for an off-line again this summer. | | | |
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ChangeMe
Master of Wine
Posts: 11169
| | 05-11-2005 09:56 PM |
| WE're hoping to make it down there sometime this Summer. It'll all depend on my wife's recuperation from spinal surgery. | | | |
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ChangeMe
Barrel Filler
Posts: 1371
| | 05-11-2005 10:02 PM |
| Please wish her our best for a speedy and complete recovery. | | | |
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ChangeMe
Master of Wine
Posts: 11169
| | 05-11-2005 10:20 PM |
| Thanks. It won't be speedy but it should relieve her pain (no, not me). | | | |
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Sacred Cow
Wine Thief
Posts: 2764
| | 05-11-2005 11:43 PM |
| Quote:
Thanks. It won't be speedy but it should relieve her pain (no, not me).
Typical doctors. Deal with the easy symptoms, and don't address the long-term problem, or root cause.
Mike | | | |
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ChangeMe
Master of Wine
Posts: 11169
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ChangeMe
Grape Stomper
Posts: 190
| | 05-12-2005 12:26 AM |
| Wow this is a tough one. IMO I would say Le Grille in Monte Carlo was amazing;(part of our honeymoon in 97). Citronelle in Washington D.C. is maybe the best dining expereince I've ever had. Locally, two come to mind, Normans in Coral Gables, and Casa Tua in Miami Beach. | | | |
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ChangeMe
Grape Stomper
Posts: 190
| | 05-12-2005 12:29 AM |
| Quote:
I've eaten in a few restaurants around the world. When I think where was the best food/dining experience I have ever had I have to hand it to Marinus Restaurant in the Bernardus Lodge, Carmel Valley, CA. And best of all it is only about 60 miles from my home.
I have been challanged by one of our "lurkers" Country Mike though. He wants us to go to The Post Ranch just south of Carmel and give it a try. He and his wife live in Carmel Valley and have been to both restaurants several times and they like Post Ranch alot. Sometime soon I want to go with them to both restaurants one the day after the other. When we do I'm sure I will report back.
Let's set it up soon Country Mike!
My wife and I had a trip planned to go out to wine country late May, and one of our stops was The Highlands Inn and we had reservations at Bernadus, but we had to cancel our trip because we found out she was pregnant. I've heard Bernadus is an amazing dining experience. Hopefully in about 18 months we can get out there. | | | |
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JonesWineNo1
Sommelier
Posts: 8568
| | 05-12-2005 01:11 AM |
| My personal top 25 list all aspects considered (the first two in order with the other 23 not):
Pierre Gagnaire
The French Laundry
Amanpuri
Pre Catalan
Fifth Floor
Masa's
Le Chapeau Rouge
Valentino's
The Ritz London
Jean Georges
Chez Panisse
Restaurant Alain Ducasse (NY)
The Oriental Bangkok
Enoteca Pinchiorri
Emperor
Temple Club
Terra
Mansion at Turtle Creek
Babbo
Craft
Daniel
Cibreo
Grappolo D'oro
Marinus
La Casalinga
***
Having forgotten Manka's I need to make this a top 26 list. | | | |
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David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
VinoCellar.com Extraordinaire
Posts: 30986
| | 05-12-2005 01:53 AM |
| Quote:
My personal top 25 list all aspects considered (the first two in order with the other 23 not):
Pierre Gagnaire
The French Laundry
Amanpuri
Pre Catalan
Fifth Floor
Masa's
Le Chapeau Rouge
Valentino's
The Ritz London
Jean Georges
Chez Panisse
Restaurant Alain Ducasse (NY)
The Oriental Bangkok
Enoteca Pinchiorri
Emperor
Temple Club
Terra
Mansion at Turtle Creek
Babbo
Craft
Daniel
Cibreo
Grappolo D'oro
Marinus
La Casalinga
Two of these would be in my top 25 list also:
The Oriental Bangkok.
Mansion at Turtle Creek (one of the few restaurants with a view and great food too)
And three additional restaurants that are right up there:
Downstaires steak and salad buffet in the Shangri-La Hotel, Hong Kong.
The grand restaurant at the top of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Hong Kong
And I would also add a real tourist place: Harry's Bar in Venice. There were 20 of us and we just told the Captain to "bring it on". | | | |
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Pool Boy
Laurl, MD (DC suburb)
Master of Wine
Posts: 13802
| | 05-12-2005 01:55 AM |
| Quote:
My personal top 25 list all aspects considered (the first two in order with the other 23 not):
Pierre Gagnaire
The French Laundry
Amanpuri
Pre Catalan
Fifth Floor
Masa's
Le Chapeau Rouge
Valentino's
The Ritz London
Jean Georges
Chez Panisse
Restaurant Alain Ducasse (NY)
The Oriental Bangkok
Enoteca Pinchiorri
Emperor
Temple Club
Terra
Mansion at Turtle Creek
Babbo
Craft
Daniel
Cibreo
Grappolo D'oro
Marinus
La Casalinga
Hey! I've been to two of those!   | | | www.roguefood.com -- www.cellartracker.com | |
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love_cab_chard
Master of Wine
Posts: 12782
| | 05-12-2005 03:03 AM |
| 5 of the places you listed, Jones. | | | |
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ChangeMe
Barrel Filler
Posts: 1371
| | 05-12-2005 12:47 PM |
| Relentless - I had not seen you post before. A belated welcome to VC. I see you live in Miami, you should try to come to our next off-line. Emilio is another Miami resident and we are just accross the Broward line. | | | |
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