I saw a thread form 3 years ago that was talking about how PA was a tough place to find great dining... is that still so?

someone mentioned Vin Vino Wine. I will be staying a few blocks from there this weekend... anyone been recently? still a good place to grab some wine?

thanks

Lavanda was one of my favorites before I moved, and judging from DavidN's notes from last week, it's still GREAT. Other favorite wasEvvia, but I'd walk away bloated after every meal.

Palo Alto has loads of restaurants but the only place I've eaten recently is Lavanda. It's definitely recommended.

If you're shopping for wine, you're not far from K&L or Beltramos up in Menlo Park/Redwood City, or The Wine Club down in San Jose.

If you're staying near VVW, it's definitely worth a stop. You can check out the tasting bar schedule on their web-site at www.vinvinowine.com . It's smaller than the other stores mentioned, hand sells lot of wine and the staff tends to be very knowledgeable about most of the bottlings they sell (emphasize service rather than low margin, high volume sales). They offer more European wine than domestic, including a lot of Kermit Lynch imports.

-Al

thanks for the recommendations.

Lavanda is imo the best place in Palo Alto. If you go there ask for Bruce (a managing partner) and tell him you know me.

Seriously, this place is as wine-friendly as a restaurant can get. One of the owners is a partner in August West. They have a very nice wine list.

And, really, ask for Bruce.

well. if we make it there i will definitely ask for Bruce... it looks like it is only 2.5 miles from my wife's sister's house.

i've been trying to get my brother in law to join up with your tasting group... but he has been dragging his feet.

Gosh, Palo Alto has a ton of great restaurants in a small area. It is pricey... and where the pretty people live. If you run into my pal Steve, say hi.

I talked to Steve yesterday evening. Sorry I hadn't read your post yet so I didn't say "hi" from you.

well, we went to Lavanda on monday night before flying back to the east coast.

when we got there around 6:30pm it looked like they were wrapping up a tasting over to the area left of the bar.

Julie had the Sea Bass and I had the flank steak. we had some of the shared plates as well. the mushrooms, the peppers and capers, and the manchego and quince preserves...

both were quite tasty, i would have to give the honor to my wife though for best dish.

had the 2003 Londer Keefer Ranch pinot. it was good. not as good as i was expecting though... a little on the tangy side.

sorry, Davidn, didn't ask for bruce. like i mentioned in the other thread, maybe once i actually meet you i will feel ok about throwing your name out there.

played pool, had some Pabts and chomped on some peanuts at the Nut House on sunday.

"Throwing my name" out there is not designed to get you "better" service. It is strictly meant to impress them and give ME better service.

So please... throw!

LOL @ DavidN!!!

I had dinner at Izzy's (Steak and Chop House) in San Carlos last night. I've never heard of the place let alone been there. Apparantly they have one in SF also.

I had a bone-in rib eye (iirc $27 including two good and rather large sides). The biggest problem was that this piece of meat could have easily served two, maybe three people. Usually places like this equate quantity to quality but here it was really a nice piece of meat. Also had creamed spinach (so-so) and Izzy's potatoes (a variation on scalloped potatoes but a little more cheese than cream and fried up with just the right amount of caramalization--really good). The starter of deep-fried oysters was delicious but once again if I had to eat the whole thing by myself I would have had to pogo stick home .

It also looked like a pretty hot singles bar. I'll bet the oysters were popular in there.