Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with dining

Downtown Houstonfilter: Feed us fast and cheap

desuetude — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 09:24:02 -0800

Where are the cheap, quick, delicious eats in downtown Houston? I'm staying at the Hilton Americas Houston for a conference and need some alternatives to the overpriced hotel dining options. Part of the reason I'm at this conference (other than the awesome perk of meeting Mefites, of course) is to oversee a travel awards program for my organization, and I know my awardees are going to want to stretch their stipend as far as possible. However, there is very limited time for lunch in between sessions.

Where can people grab inexpensive but good lunches and dinners very close to the hotel?

I saw this AskMe about Vietnamese in downtown, but I'd like more downtown recommendations.

What's with all the Raclette?

Hands of Manos — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:10:43 -0800

I'm looking for a decent Raclette grill around the 60 dollar mark. Can anyone make a recommendation? My girlfriend's birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks and I'd considered having a fun dining experience for her and her kids. A German friend of mine said she liked using her Raclette grill for parties.

It'd only be the 4 of us so a smaller raclette grill would work but before I buy one, I wanted to know if someone recommends one over another.

Also, do you have to use Raclette cheese or can you use another type (it's in short supply where I live).

Semi-romantic, awesome places to eat in Boston's North End?

bondcliff — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:37:33 -0800

Where in Boston's North End should my wife and I have our anniversary dinner? Twelfth anniversary is next week and we've decided on the North End because we love it and don't eat there enough. I've seen this thread and I've looked at other Boston food threads but found nothing. We don't need to break the bank but want something more than pizza.

Money isn't an issue. We'll eat anything, we love most things, and we want more than spaghetti and red sauce. We prefer "really fucking good" more than trendy though trendy AND really fucking good is fine. I'd prefer decent sized portions to "this single walnut is infused with saffron oil and the tears from orphaned Italian children"

They'll need to accept reservations and not be so popular they'll be booked a week in advance.

So? Semi-romantic, awesome places to eat in Boston's North End?

Beyond pumpkin pie, cider and turkey - your favorite autumn party recipes?

librarianamy — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 06:26:17 -0800

Autumn is almost here where I live! Tell me your favorite autumn party recipes, with some restrictions listed inside. I will be the hostess of a small (less than 15) gathering of friends in a few weeks. By then, autumn will be in full swing here (Western PA in late Oct-early Nov), and I'd like to have a seasonally themed and delicious menu.

Our monthly gatherings usually include one large main dish, a variety of finger-food-esque or salad-ish sides, some snacks, and at least one dessert. And drinks. Both alcoholic and non.

The restrictions are that one of the group has celiac's and at least two others are doing South Beach. So wheat is an issue, though I do have access to a great gluten free bakery, if I had to.

Delicious, mid-range downtown Calgary restaurant

ageispolis — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 15:12:02 -0800

What are some of your favourite places to go for lunch in downtown Calgary?

What's the best Toronto can offer a couple this weekend?

Anonymous — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 07:12:49 -0800

Romantic getaway this weekend in Toronto, staying at Sutton Place Hotel near university. What's the coolest stuff to do relatively nearby when we're outside the room? We'll be in Friday night and Saturday. Can you help us pick the best Toronto has to offer within walking distance, or 20-30 minutes by public transportation? (Anonymous because it's a surprise.)

Particular interests:

Good ethnic eats. Recommendations for nearest good Chinese, including must-hit Chinatown dumpling shop, or other great cheap ethnic food? Arab, Indian, Asian, what have you?

Value dining. Not the most expensive restaurants in town, but one where you can have a fine romantic meal without getting skinned.

Gardens. Botanical, hobbyist, public, what have you.

Waterfront attractions. Looks like there's lots to do along the waterfront. Which places have something particularly interesting this weekend? Are there any boat tours you'd recommend?

And anything else you want to suggest. Thank you kindly.

Portland, OR restaurant recommendations

ga$money — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 18:17:32 -0800

Looking for Portland, OR restaurant recommendations (I've read the previous posts on this topic). I've read through the other posts on restaurants and dining in Portland, but they're either fairly old or not specific to what I'm looking for. Mrs. Ga$money and I are going to spend a long weekend in Portland in October for our first year anniversary, and I'm looking for a few good restaurant recommendations, particularly places with exciting newer chefs working with local or seasonal ingredients. I'm definitely not looking for something snooty or where I'm paying for setting and attitude. To give a sense of what I'm talking about, in Seattle it would be the Corson Building, Restaurant Zoe, or one of Tom Douglas's restaurants, but definitely not the Canlis. I'm looking for a night that's memorable because we had great food, not because we bled money pretending we're part of the aristocracy.

Breakfast In Corvallis

metadave — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 10:38:26 -0800

Can anyone tell me of a good place to have breakfast in or around Corvallis, Oregon ? Some place quiet and warm with wood tables, maybe slightly on the natural foods side of dining but not extremely so. I'll be in Corvallis tomorrow morning and I have searched on the web some. So far I have found:

Darrell's
Melmac
Sunnyside Up

But iI can't get much of a feel online for any of these places and of course there may be others that I am missing out on.

I would really appreciate any suggestions that anyone has.
Thank you.

Wheat-optional for 21 people in Pittsburgh?

ardgedee — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 07:35:20 -0800

Where can two dozen people enjoy a good gluten-optional dinner in Pittsburgh? My family's gathering in Pittsburgh this coming weekend to mark my parents' fiftieth anniversary, and we need grandkids-friendly places that can host us all for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights. The catch is that one of my parents has to avoid gluten, so many obvious choices are ruled out (and the consensus first choice -- Mad Mex in Oakland -- can't fit us all). Proximal to Station Square, Oakland or Squirrel Hill is preferred, but if a second choice requires driving somewhere else we can manage.

As a bonus tip -- A recommendation for a bakery in the area where we can order a modest-sized gluten-free cake in advance for Saturday's dinner?

Low rent, yet smooth

Anonymous — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 07:02:24 -0800

How can I gracefully take the first date down a notch? I asked someone great out. She said yes! She suggested a place to meet. It's out of my price range*. From what I read online, it is also really loud, and features a menu made up primarily of things I can't eat! Along with this, it basically has the vibe that to me would feel like a special place to go with someone I had an established relationship with - not someone I'm jut getting to know.

Since I AM just getting to know this person, I want to put out an agreeable, positive, initial vibe, but I'm also anxious about trying to keep cool while taking her somewhere I can't afford, with food I can't eat, while I struggle to hear what she's saying.

Would the hive mind suggest I just go along with her suggestion, and work on a better (for me) venue for a second date - if a second date happens? Or is there some smooth way to make a counter-suggestion of a place that's a bit more low-key?

*I offered to take her out, so I'm planning to pay.

What places in the Bay Area have buy-one-get-one-free meal deals?

joseph conrad is fully awesome — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:42:35 -0800

BOGOFilter: What restaurants in the Bay Area offer buy-one, get-one-free coupons? We're in a recession, but I still like to eat out. One of my favorite places is Sweet Tomatoes, because they have an online club you can join where they email you buy-one-get-one-free offers (BOGO).

Usually I receive an email from them about twice a month, and I really like the convenience of the print-coupon-at-home dealio.

Are there any other restaurants that have this type of offer in the San Francisco Bay Area?

yes, we eat like paula deen

kidsleepy — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 09:04:31 -0800

If your best friend was going to Savannah, GA, where would you tell them to eat? As a follow-up to this question, SO and I will be in Savannah soon. We will arrive in time for Saturday dinner, and leaving Sunday afternoon. I perused these two previous questions, and there's a lot of good info there; however it's almost 3 years old, so if anyone has any new advice, we'd love to hear it!

Where should we go for dinner on Saturday? Breakfast on Sunday? and lunch on Sunday?

Things we love: meat (no vegetarians here), cheese, seafood, great southern home cookin', and good beer. Willing to pay more for good food, but love those hole-in-the-wall joints as well. Can be formal or need reservations, or it can be paper napkins and plastic silverware.

Best cheese in Paris?

ransom — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 10:10:01 -0800

What cheese shops should not be missed in Paris? We're in Paris in early April and want to have great cheese experiences. Where should we go?

NYC eats and coffee shops near 44West 44th Street Manhattan

docpops — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 11:47:15 -0800

Looking for ideas for food/diversion close to 44 W 44th St, NYNY... I'll be staying at the Royalton Hotel next week for 5 days for a short vacation. My wife likes to sleep in and I like to hit the streets when I'm in a city. I'd love for any natives to recommend:

1: a good hangout open for coffee, pref. w/ wifi nearby (Starbucks is OK but local color better)

2: good eats nearby, and to that end, is Hell's Kitchen "walkable" from that area, as I hear they have some good restaurants.

3: any other advice you would give

Thanks.

Help me decorate my dining room

seekingsimplicity — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:53:08 -0800

Help me decorate my 1920s craftsman bungalow dining room. I have my grandmothers kinda beat up table, hutch and buffet from the 1940s. They are veneer medium wood and either need to go or need paint. I donated the chairs because they were rickety and not comfy. I would like to have a dining room that is casual and comfortable and looks like the pieces were collected over time. I am open to painting some of the pieces or getting rid of them and starting over. The hutch is in good condition and has inlaid wood detail. But I am not attached to it. I would only keep it if it helps me get the "collected over time" look in the room. It is hard for me to picture how I can mix and match. The walls in the dining room are a blue green or teal but I can easily change that if need be. Black looks really good up next to the walls however, so I have thought of painting the buffet black.. I am into contemporary abstract art so I could see a mix of that type art with old and new furniture. I live in a small town and so shopping for furniture is limited. We have a Pier One, Target, Costco and some rather tacky furniture stores. But I will leave no retail stone unturned. I can do this shopping online. The room gets used for kids homework as well as dinner parties and family holiday dinners. It is in the center of our house so it is well used and not a "roped off room" in the house. I wonder about anything painted black getting easily scratched with use. My budget is probably $3000 or less. Any help is GREATLY appreciated!

What are the best delis in Boston?

gregb1007 — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 15:28:16 -0800

What are the best delis in Boston? I am looking for tips on good delis in Boston. Not full-scale restaurants mind you, but the sort of places that don't have waiters and serve you at the counter. I am obviously looking for a place with high quality fare and not just something to grab on the go and forget about. (Note: By Boston I mostly mean the city core which would exclude Allston, Brighton, and Jamaica Plain, unless of course there is a really great deli there that would merit special consideration.)

Math - Word Problem

viva viola — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 14:53:37 -0800

Math word problem inside. There must be a better way to figure this out. A group of people want to do a "Dining Around" club. There are 12 couples. Each couple will host 1 dinner with 2 guest couples, and each couple will be a guest at 2 dinners, all on different dates. The goal is to not dine with the same couples more than once.

What we did: We wrote each couples' name on index cards 3 times. We placed 1 name card on the table for each couple as host. Then we shuffled around and randomly paired the remaining guest names with hosts. It took quite a long time to get it right.

Is there a formula (or better yet software, Excel perhaps) to make arranging easier?

Pick my restaurant, not my nose

galimatias — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 08:07:33 -0800

Philly Restaurant Filter: I need your advice in picking one for an outing this weekend! Creativity is welcome! I'm a fairly adventurous eater and have sampled and enjoyed cuisines from around the world. My friend is a little more conservative with food choices, but is still open to trying new things. She's a Philly native and normally picks the places (we usually go out for something new each week). This weekend, we are going out and she is letting me pick the place (hooray)! Being a transplant to the city, I am still learning the neighborhoods and have exhausted my limited knowledge of the city. I want to pick something that is a little more adventurous and unique - a true hidden gem. I'm open to pretty much anything, so fire away! What are your favorite places and locals-only hangouts? Some additional info:

1) I'm open to pretty much all cuisines and price ranges. While I would lean more toward a casual dining experience, I'm just as happy in a two-table neighborhood locale or a fine dining establishment.
2) I very much dislike the Stephen Starr restaurants. I'll keep things civil by not going into more detail.
3) I have a car, so transportation is not a limiting factor.
4) I'm open to places outside of the city, provided that they are not too far of a trip.
5) I am quite partial to creole and southern comfort food, so any ideas there are a plus!

Thanks everyone!

Dining solo in the Big Apple

bill the tinman — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 19:55:49 -0800

Where are the best places for dining solo in Manhattan? I'll be in the city for a few days starting tomorrow and was wondering if anyone could suggest good places for when you're eating alone? I'll mostly be on the east side (from 1st to about 80th) and would love to find some great, cheaper ($10-15) places to grab a quick lunch or dinner. I'm open to any ethnicity and just mostly looking for anything that's a step from pizza or hot dogs, though sitting a lunch counter or bar is perfectly fine.

Also, a big plus if at least one of the places will be open tomorrow (New Year's Day).

Where in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro can we still find a reservation for Christmas dinner?

nathan_teske — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 06:59:56 -0800

Where in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro can we still find a reservation for Christmas dinner? Googling turned up a recent article in the Strib, but that list doesn't look too promising. Ideally we're looking for a traditional Christmas dinner which is priced somewhere between Old Country Buffet and the St. Paul Grill.

Where to eat dinner in Melbourne Christmas day?

nomis — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 16:35:51 -0800

Please suggest a cafe or restaurant that's open for Christmas day dinner in Melbourne (Australia)? Four people wanting to meet in the evening Christmas day to eat and drink. Nothing too fancy (or expensive...). We're coming from Bundoora and St Kilda Rd, so somewhere on that kind of north-south axis would be ideal, preferably halfwayish (e.g. Brunswick St). Most importantly this place has to be OPEN on the evening of the 25th!

Its my birthday... where should I eat in Seattle?

bamassippi — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:29:27 -0800

It's my birthday... where should I eat in Seattle? I'm looking for insight into some of Seattle's nicest restaurants which I may not have yet eaten at. Chain restaurants are ok... though my wife and I usually prefer Seattle's unique restaurants.

Money is no big deal, though I'd prefer to have options which didn't break the bank.

Any suggestions?

Nice place for anniversary dinner in Miami?

UMDirector — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:28:34 -0800

Can anyone recommend a nice restaurant in Miami for my anniversary that wouldn't make me look silly if I wore a jacket? My wife and I are going to my college homecoming in Miami at the end of October, which is also our anniversary and would like to go to a nice dinner. I never did much real dining while going to undergrad so this is a new experience and I am short on restaurants...South Beach would be ideal, but would also consider the Gables or Grove.

I don't necessarily want to go to a place that requires a jacket, but at least one that I wouldn't look like a goofball wearing one. Not sure if any hip or fun places require jackets or if that is an oxymoron.

Hoping to spend no more than $200 for the two of us.

The American Bar at The Savoy in London is closed - help!

Anonymous — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:31:44 -0800

Wedding anniversary in London - need suggestions for a classy place providing after dinner drinks, entertainment. Tomorrow is our first wedding anniversary, and while I've already got dinner booked at a Marco Pierre White restaurant we both like, I urgently need some ideas for for after dinner drinks and live music.

I was planning on taking my wife to The American Bar, but managed to totally overlook the fact that The Savoy Hotel is closed for renovations.

Can someone recommend an alternative, preferably in Central London near Piccadilly Circus?

Dancing not at all essential, and a piano & singer is much preferred to canned music. I'll be wearing a suit and she'll be suitably attired as well if that matters.

Dining in Myrtle Beach

flarbuse — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 12:21:14 -0800

My wife and I are meeting my sister for dinner tomorrow in Myrtle Beach. She is coming from Texas, and I would like to find something that might be a bit unique for her. We would like to keep it at 20 or less for entrees. Sandwich places and seafood buffets are okay, too. Any suggestions?