Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with restaurants

Vancouver BC restaurant recommendations, please

rabinowitz — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:45:17 -0800

We're going to be in Vancouver BC in late December, and would love your restaurant recommendations. For the most part, we tend to like the same places as those "foodie" folks, especially places that concentrate on local, seasonal ingredients, but we love all good food. Nothing too snooty (Mr. Rabinowitz won't be bringing a jacket and tie), but we're open to (almost) all cuisines and price ranges as long as there's deliciousness involved. We'll be there for several days, and we'd like to experience a range of Vancouver's food offerings-- but we definitely want to have at least one GREAT Chinese meal, as that's one of the few things not available to us at home in Portland.

As to geography, we'll probably be staying at a hotel downtown (any opinions on Sutton Place vs. Fairmont Vancouver vs. Wedgewood, by the way?), but we'll have a car so we figure we can get just about anywhere we need to.

Thanks so much, Metafilter.

Restaurants in Brooklyn Open on Xmas?

Falconetti — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:36:45 -0800

My family is staying with me in Brooklyn this year for Christmas. If we don't murder each other before Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, does anyone have any recommendations for good restaurants that are open on Christmas Day in Brooklyn? For Christmas Eve, we were thinking about cooking at home but also ordering in, so any recommendations for that (I live in North Park Slope, so it would have to be somewhere close by)?

No chowda please.

Behemoth — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:12:14 -0800

Please recommend romantic restaurants/cafes in Boston/Cambridge. I'd like to hear about anything you feel is exceptional and possibly off the beaten path.

Where to go for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner in NYC this Thursday?

Pontius Pilate — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:16:24 -0800

Where to go for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner in NYC this Thursday? A couple of friends and I live and work in NYC and decided against going back to our various respective families for Thanksgiving. We'd still like to have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner this Thursday, but alas, none of us has anything close to the requisite cooking skills - so we are wondering how feasible it is to find a restaurant in Manhattan that does a good Thanksgiving dinner.

I have looked through various guides online, and it does look like there are many restaurants that do in fact offer this. However, the reviews are fairly sparse, and I'd love to get some first-hand recommendations from those who have done something like this in the past - or even anecdotal, second-hand suggestions. Any input would be much appreciated!

Pass me that menu Stat!

mary8nne — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:15:14 -0800

Quick! need a restaurant recommendation for London City / Shoreditch area, for tonight. Casual but not too casual. Was thinking St Johns Bread and Wine but I left it too late to get a table. Everywhere decent will probably be booked out I guess. Its for two, kind of a 'date'. I'm thinking not a curry obviously.

S&M / Canteen seem a bit clinical. I coudl do Viet on Kingsland Road but its a little obvious.

What should I do in Boston this weekend?

LouMac — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:31:26 -0800

What non-Halloween things should I do this weekend in Boston? I'm taking my fiancee to Boston for the weekend as an early birthday present. We'll be there from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon, staying at the Hilton in the Financial District. Saturday night we're going to the Guster concert at the Orpheum, but what should I do the rest of the time? Neither of us are crazy about Halloween-type activities, but prefer quainter, quieter spots.

I've read the previous threads about restaurants and museums, and I've been to Boston a bunch of times, but never for a semi-romantic weekend. I'm leaning towards dinner in the North End on Friday night, but willing to be persuaded otherwise.

1) What restaurants/bars/lounges/etc. do you recommend in the Financial District?
2) What do you recommend for after-dinner drinks/music/fun on Friday night in the Financial District, Fanueil Hall or North End areas?

Rochester NY Restaurants for Thanksgiving Dinner?

14580 — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:42:24 -0800

I'm looking for a good restaurant near Rochester NY where we can go for Thanksgiving dinner. I can't see us cooking for hours when there's only going to be four of us this year. My wife is going to want to eat a traditional turkey dinner, although I wouldn't mind eating a steak if I can get one.

language/culturally-specific cribsheets explaining the basics of foreign foods.

jjjjjjjijjjjjjj — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:26:45 -0800

The folks over at Evil Mad Scientist Labs made a pretty comprehensive wallet-sized cheat sheet to help the uninitiated navigate Southern Indian menu items. I think it's well done, useful, and quite clever. I'd like to have something similar for all the world's cuisines. I got no idea where to start with this; I'm quite inept with names for foods--which is precisely why this concept appeals to me as much as it does. I have a forgiving palate, so it's not like I'm needing to avoid anything, but I'd like to be more savvy with what I pick.

I'm not joking about the remedial nature of where I'm starting from, here... f'real. If my momma didn't make it, I don't know the name of it. I almost always love the taste of it, though, so it's time I figured it out.

Can someone point me to other quick, index-card-able summaries that are designed to act as this one is--that is to say, streamlined but reasonably comprehensive, well-arranged, and specific? I feel like I should stress that this is what I feel would be the most useful. A bunch of people giving single factoids (eg. " 'boeuf' is a beef dish in a French restaurant") is probably not the best way to compile this sort of thing.

Western/Eastern Europe, Southern Asian, East Asian, African, North African, Middle Eastern, South American... I want a cheat sheet for every cuisine I might reasonably find in a restaurant in a large U.S. city. Please point me to where this information lives. Many thanks.

BYOB in Charlotte, NC

mgrimm — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:41:58 -0800

Looking for a BYOB (bring your own beer) restaurant in Charlotte, NC. I have searched AskMeFi for Charlotte eateries so I have a few ideas, but no mention of BYOB. This is for a bachelor party and the groom would prefer a BBQ joint but is open to other suggestions. Thanks.

How do restaurants cook rice?

judytaos — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:07:57 -0800

How do restaurants cook rice?

Good hotels in Baton Rouge?

exolstice — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:42:30 -0800

Going near Baton Rouge, LA for work. I need suggestions of good hotels to stay in the $80-$100 a night range. I also need suggestions of things to do in the evenings. Thanks! I'll be working about 30-45 minute drive South of the city, if that helps with the suggestions for areas. I'd prefer something not too close to a highway. I'd prefer to be able to walk to as many places as possible, but this is not required. Definitely non-smoking. Oh and if you can tell me anything about the breakfast, that would be a plus.

As for suggestions of things to do, looking for restaurants (with vegetarian options if possible) and any attractions that can be experienced in the evenings. Thanks!

Wedding Day +365

santojulieta — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 18:59:43 -0800

Help us find a great first anniversary restaurant in Chicago! Next Sunday is our first anniversary. We'd really like to do a super nice (but not terribly formal) dinner on Saturday night for about $100 total.

Here are some things I could use some help with:

1. I will eat nearly anything (except shrimp and hot oatmeal and a few other things) but my husband will not. He is a meat-cheese-bread-and-potatoes sort of dude and that is not exactly negotiable (and certainly not on our first anniversary). We love trying new restaurants, but I feel terrible if there's nothing for him to eat. So, the ideal place should have something adventurous for me and something safe for him.

2. We don't really drink so I don't particularly care if a restaurant has an awesome wine selection or a super sommalier or ten thousand champagnes. Plus, alcohol would eat up a bit too much of our budget, I think.

3. We're not really planning on dressing up, so the place doesn't need to be fancy. Intimate, yes, but fancy no. The perfect example of this was the Crusting Pipe in Covent Garden on our honeymoon. We found it randomly the night we got into London, and loved it. It was small and intimate but not fussy.

4. He's suggested we look for something on a rooftop for the view, but that obviously depends on October weather.

Party time... in midtown?

roomthreeseventeen — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:08:50 -0800

NYC party-filter: I need a private-ish room for an after-party in November. Caveats inside. My SO is having a reading of his show on a Tuesday night in November, and we’d like to have a little get-together drinkfest for the cast afterwards. We wouldn’t get there till about 9:30 or 10pm, probably 30-40 of us, and should be within walking distance of Times Square/Midtown west. I’ve looked through the Metatalk questions for NYC Meetup Places, but you guys always hang out in the East Village. :)

Bonus points if we don’t have to pay a charge for a private room, or can get sone kind of drink deal.

Eat, Drink, Man, Austin

mcstayinskool — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 20:25:32 -0800

Austin TX restaurant recommendations for a group of eight guys getting together for the weekend, esp. BBQ and Mexican. I have an annual trip that brings together a group of guys from around the country to a different spot every year. This year it's Austin TX. We've got a group of eight renting a house outside of town, but will definitely be heading into town for eats and nightlife.

The group tends to lean towards the boisterous, so any recommendations on restaurants? BBQ and Mexican are my preferred Austin cuisine, but open to anything, provided booze can be ordered.

note: I did do my due diligence and found a previous related question, but there's enough turnover in the restaurant biz that I think my Q is still worth asking...

Why is the chef picking up my steak with his bare hands?

teg4rvn — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:40:17 -0800

What's an acceptable level of prodding and poking (with one's bare hands) and tasting by a chef? My wife and I recently went to a popular restaurant in a major city where they had seating at a counter overlooking their open kitchen. We thought it would be fun to have dinner and at the same time watch them prepare dishes.

What we observed, however, was the main chef presumably going over the line into ickiness. Examples:

1) Testing the doneness of pork chops by picking them up between his bare fingers and squeezing. When he wasn't doing this he was simply prodding them with his bare fingers while on the skillet.

2) Sauteing potato chunks in a pan and grabbing one with his bare hands to taste. Apparently, they need more seasoning, cuz he then threw in some spices.

3) Using the white cloth he had tucked into his apron to clean of a plated dish prior to serving (to get off stray sauce marks). Problem was he was also wiping down his work surface with the same cloth.

4) Placing a meat thermometer like device into a steak (it was extremely thin and didn't seem to have anything more than a thin handle) and then withdrawing it and placing directly up to his nostrils. After doing that he'd return the device to a bowl with multiple spoons and then he use the same device on the next steak. Frankly, I couldn't see if he was putting this thing up to his nose or in his mouth.

These are just a few of the examples. Paradoxically, being in an "open kitchen" I assumed that things like this would not be seen, but it was that paradox that led us to believe that maybe this was standard chef-ing.

This was no greasy spoon. This restaurant was featured on Iron Chef America within the past month. The owner was a contestant on the show.

Culinary folk...what did we see? a usual day at the office? or a gross violation of public health laws?

blah mein

ijoyner — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 23:25:21 -0800

Why do all strip mall chinese restaurants taste the same? Is there some kind of turnkey Chinese restaurant package from the foodservice provider (Sysco, US Foods, etc)? Do they all just happen to order the same red-colored cubed pork (for PFR), breaded chicken (Sweet & Sour) and eggrolls?
They all appear to have the same Americanized menus with the same price points and the same food pictures on a backlit menu board. Are there any clues to finding an authentic Chinese place in anywhere, USA?

We are looking for non-chain restaurants in Orlando & Miami for a family with young kids (2 & 4)

rdurbin — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 12:09:21 -0800

We are looking for non-chain restaurants in Orlando & Miami for a family with young kids We are traveling to Florida soon and are looking for recommendations for dining out with kids (2 year old and 4 year old).

Most of our meals will probably be lunches (if that matters). Assume that they both aren't too picky of eaters (so we don't need to do the diner/mac cheese/corndog route).

Cuisine - We would be most interested in non chain type restaurants. examples: authentic cuban food, fresh seafood, italian, mexican

Price - not too expensive since we are with younger kids although we would be willing to splurge a couple of times.

Location - Orlando/Miami although we have a rental so we will be all over the state really.

Thanks!

The economics of free bread

nayrb5 — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 02:09:15 -0800

What's the business benefit of free bread at restaurants? I've been to several restaurants that offer free bread / rolls / tortilla chips / etc. in unlimited quantities to patrons as soon as they sit down. How does this make sense from a business perspective?

It seems to me that eating a bunch of free bread upon sitting down will take away the initial pangs of hunger and reduce the amount of food that one is likely to order. In addition, if a customer fills up on free bread at the beginning of the meal, that customer will be less hungry for dessert at the end.

Clearly I'm missing something, otherwise restaurants wouldn't do this. So what makes this practice worthwhile?

Quebec City restaurant recommendation

JamesWilson123 — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 19:08:35 -0800

My parents are celebrating their 10th anniversary in Quebec City. They are staying in Sainte-Foy, on Hochelaga Blvd. I want to get them a gift certificate for a nice but not too fancy restaurant; nice enough so it's special, but not over-the-top, five-star nice. I want $200 to cover it. Thoughts? Thanks!

Places to eat in Philly

Aanidaani — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:15:12 -0800

I just moved to Philly and I want to know what some of the best places to eat around town are. I've checked Philly Magazine, but a lot of those restaurants seem to be upscale and out of my price range. What are some affordable, good places that I should check out? I'm interested in all varieties of food, so any suggestions are welcome.

South Bend, IN restaurants

cainiarb — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:01:01 -0800

I need suggestions for South Bend, Indiana restaurants. This will be for a group of ladies meeting for lunch on a Friday. We'd like a place that is local and non-franchised. Mid-range lunch price. No jungle gyms for kids to play on. WiFi would be nice. Easy parking. Plus we don't want to be rushed out in 30 minutes. Ideas?

Le nom nom nom.

IWoudDie4U — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:02:09 -0800

Where can we make out with French boys, what foodie things can I not miss in Paris, and what is the Kampa Park of Brussels? In two weeks, I will be in Paris for the first time, with
my family. Then Bruges, Brussels and Amsterdam. I will be on vacation with my parents and my sister. We love seafood and wine and meat and salty snacks and cocktail hour. And cheese. I am obsessed with France/ French cuisine/Food and cooking in general. I spent all winter baking macarons in my tiny Chicago apartment. I have Pierre Herme and Laduree already mapped out for macaron gluttony, and Stohler's for éclairs. My parents are graciously picking up the tab, so being thrifty isn't necessary. We're not looking to have dinner at any Michelin star restaurants- but what foods/restaurants/bakeries/shops should we not miss?

We'll probably have a nightcap after dinner with my parents, but my sister and I would like to go out a few nights. We're both in our mid-20s, both single. She's more mainstream sports bar/ beer/ frat boys, and I'm more offbeat hipster bar/ gin martinis/ hipsters. We will both begrudgingly put up with the other's choice for at least a night. We're staying in the city centers at all locations, and are transit-savvy. Any suggestions?

When we were in Prague, my mother, sister and I had dinner at Kampa Park. We ate outside on the patio right on the river, overlooking the Charles bridge. The food was exquisite, we watched the sunset, and when it got a little chilly, the waiter draped us with
warm blankets. Blankets! It was perfect. It'll be just the ladies for two nights in Brussels, and we'd like to repeat the experience- breathtaking views, superb service, and delicious food. Where should we go?

Where to take my grandparents to Lunch in Seattle?

evinrude — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 10:03:08 -0800

Where can I take my grandparents out to lunch in North Seattle that isn't Marie Callendar's? They're roughly 90 and are understandably not adventurous in their food choices. I've gone to the Marie Callendar's up by Northgate twice with them before, and once to Ray's Boathouse Cafe, and those were successful, but I'd really like to try someplace new.

Requirements: must either have handicapped parking, or a door I can drive right up to and let them out at. (No wheelchairs involved, but mobility is limited.) No hills to walk up or down! Nothing spicy or unfamiliar. Ideally not too far of a drive from Wallingford. No loud music playing. The interior should be not-too-crowded so they don't have to squeeze their way through tables. (This rules out The Dish in Fremont, which I love, but is probably just too cramped.)

Breakfast and ice cream spots near Hotel Andra, Seattle?

DakotaPaul — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:38:23 -0800

I would like to have great breakfast and ice cream in Seattle. Can you help? Nearer to Hotel Andra the better. The family is taking a road trip to Seattle soon and we are looking for great breakfast and ice cream spots. We're staying at Hotel Andra, so walking/Monorail/short drive distance from there would be preferable. Bonus points if the breakfast place is 21-month-old-toddler-friendly. If you have a to-die-for breakfast recommendation we could hit on the way out of town we'd be up for it, too. Thank you!

Silicon Valley Girl

bread-eater — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 13:13:16 -0800

San Jose/Silicon valley recommendations for spas *or* veggie restaurants for getting a gift certificate. Please help me! I am trying to get a gift certificate for a friend leaving the east coast to work in Santa Clara. She's vegetarian and from India, so one idea was to get a gift certificate at an Indian restaurant (don't worry, she won't find it offensive). I'm having trouble figuring out which ones are actually good. And it would have to be one that actually bothers to do gift certificates (by mail, no less).

An alternative is to get her a spa gift certificate. Any recommendations for spas with good service? We want it to be a treat!

Other information: She'll be working in industry research, is generally proud of her nerdiness, is really really looking forward to the good weather but isn't a particularly outdoorsy person.

I would really appreciate any recommendations for Indian restaurants or spas or any other things that you can think of for me! Thanks!