Jamaican ownership reflects a style both Caribbean and Southern Unites States. Potato salad is wonderful as is the corn bread. BBQ ribs, chicken, beef, and links all Very smoky.

IN MILPITAS

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IN San Jose

Chinese Food

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Chinese Food - Fremont

SEASON BUFFET - Chinese and Sushi. Busy every day. Very busy on Friday. For a Buffet, quality is way above average. If you like Sushi, at $6.99 this is a real bargain. Cookies and pastries are dessert
Across from the Hilton, east of 880 at the Stevenson exit of 880.
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Chinese Food - San Jose

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Thai Food

Ala Carte Food is for flavor and taste.
If presentation was fancier, this would be a five star restaurant. Service is excellent and the people are so polite that you feel that you should be on your best behavior. Low cost. Very highly recommended. Pad Thai is my favorite.

Colorado Springs

Virginia

Location is 25 minutes from Dulles Airport and a free parking building is across the street.
Although this is a chain, it is superior to most of them.
A very big menu includes fresh oyster varieties and clams on the half shell, 10+ fresh catch of the day, Lobster thermador. Good crusty bread, many wines by the glass, good wine list. Good friendly service. Decent dessert tray.

Cherry_Hill_NJ

White linen tablecloth, upscale. In the Ritz shopping center. Excellent Sushi and also Asian/Chinese. Elean is the owner. If you sweet talk her they will even make you something not quite on the menu. Honey Walnut Prawns a specialty. Highly recommended.

Philadelphia

NEW ORLEANS

HOURS: Dinner only, Monday to Thursday, 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

"Many loyalists declare Irene's Cuisine a well-kept secret, though you'd never know it given the often tremendous wait for a table. All parties are seated first-come, first-served. On a particularly crowded night, you might start off the wait in the garage, which is set with a few candlelit tables. Music is piped in from the restaurant, and a waiter serves drinks. Don't be put off, though. Soon you'll be moved into the roomy and inviting bar, where the pianist usually succeeds in entertaining to distraction. Finally, you'll make it into the dining room, where the ceilings are high and the walls are dark wood and lined with bottles of wine."

"Locals consider Irene's to be the best Italian restaurant in the city, though the cuisine is infused with a bit of French country and, of course, laced with a New Orleans spice. Italian-influenced specialties like Veal Sorrentina (medallions of veal served on top of fried eggplant and topped with mozzarella and a tomato sauce) and Pollo di Parma share the menu with Lamb à la Provence and New Orleans soft-shell crabs served on a crawfish fettuccine. The limited menu is abundant with fresh, carefully prepared, locally grown vegetables and pristine seafood, augmented by seasonal specials. All dishes are rich and tasty — if a little salty — and the service is professional, yet warm and accommodating."

Oysters Irene; Escargot aux Champignons; Soft-Shell Crabs (seasonal); Veal Sorrentina; Pecan Praline Bread Pudding.

My comments: Don't go if in a hurry. This is leisure dining. Plan for engaging conversation over a drink before dinner. "The garage" is a bit weird but the food is worth the wait. Wine list is good. Very highly recommended.

As small dinner chains go, Houston's is about as unobjectionable a place as you'll find, even if you'll have to cool your heels until a beeper on your belt signals that your table's ready. Seconds after you're inside the large, split- level dining room, with its fern-bar feel, a perky server will appear. In a few minutes you might be digging into a thick, creamy spinach-and- artichoke dip or munching on big, meaty ribs dripping with a good sauce. The hickory-grilled burgers are a cut or two above average, as are the chili, iron-skillet beans and five-nut brownie. Very highly recommended.

Mothers is where tourists line up by the dozen for its down-home southern style eats. Mother's specialties delicious baked ham and roast-beef po'boys (ask for "debris" on the beef sandwich and the bread will be slathered with meat juices and shreds of meat), home-style biscuits and jambalaya, and a very good chicken gumbo in a couple of noisy crowded dining rooms. Cleanliness is not an obsession, but that doesn't seem to repel the hordes fighting for seats at peak meal times. Food is served up by robust black southers ladies than look like the enjoy the food too. Food is cafeteria style, with a counter or two augmenting the tables. Reservations not accepted. No credit cards. My favorite soft-shell crab with chips. Highly recommended.

Monterey

Pacific Grove, Monterey

Friendly bit out of the way place with excellent food. Wine List is rather extraordinary and diverse from affordable to some of the worlds best wines but leaning a bit toward the more recognizable names rather than best buys. Very highly recommended.

Old Bath House   

The most romantic location in Monterey. Serve is Tops. Executive Chef:Boris Ilabaca. Four course Early dining (before 6) more affordable at under $30. Bath house has a somalie (wine steward) who will help navigate an ample wine list. Wines are offered that are better buys rather than just a name at all price ranges. The food and service are impeccable. Make reversatione well in advance - ask for a view window seat for your sepecial occasion. Very highly recommended.

Downtown Wharf and Cannery Row, Monterey

Best Wine List in the World" award from Wine Spectator for 21 years running. $30 ~ $10,000. Giovanni Sercia somalie (wine steward). Favorites include "Hog Island" Oysters from Tomales Bay, Grilled Abalone Medallions on Ginger Scallion Sauce. Reservations a must well in advances. Four dining rooms my favorite is the garden (The Conservatory)

Mendocino

Originally run by two retired French Chefs, the food was sometimes rustic but always superb. At that time it had seven tables, alas, today it is been commecialized and lacks the original charm that was its inception. Its still in the old house but now features many rooms

Today this is a popular destination with a well thought out wine list that is modestly priced. Not rated recently

Over the years, many little Restaurants have occupied the tiny space behind the post office at Little River. The space is essentially 3 1/2 tables and a kitchen. I have had some incredible meals there probably for a number of reasons:

1. High attention to detail by the current chef concentrating on a small menu for few people
2. The stiff competive nature of the area being loaded with good places to eat.

Unfortunately, chefs and owners come and go. Don't expect to see this place advertised. If you think your ready for a culinary experience, go by to look at the current owner's menu. In the past, I have rated this experience four stars!

Warm, inviting, especially in the winter when the warmth of the fire place is so welcome. Noisy and lively. Food is good.

Sunnyvale

Maui

Mama's Fish House

(Just out of town past Paia toward Hana on the Hana Road.)
"Mama opened her picturesque beach home in 1973 as Hawaii's first fresh fish house, right on the beach with a spectacular view. Mama serves fresh fish caught by her own fishermen, steaks and seafood prepared Maui-style. Her beach house is a romantic memory of old Maui." Dinner Menu and Lunch Menu Let me say this is the most romatic spot ever and the food is truely 5 stars. The Ahi Sashimi was the best I ever had. The open view ( no windows) is breath taking. Valet parking was free. Very highly recommended!

Sea Watch Restaurant

Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar

Bistro Molokini

Near the pool of the Grand Wailea Hotel, Bistro Molokini offers a relaxing, open-air ambience with breathtaking views of the Pacific and distant islands with an demonstration kitchen and kiawe wood-burning oven. Features a harmony of new California and Island cuisine. Open for lunch and dinner. The Calamari and Kalamata Olive Salad was a TEN! I also enjoyed the local birds flying in and out. Highly recomended. Reservations: (808) 875-1234 x 4900

Rome

Request a table in the arbor-covered courtyard near the fountain where the fruit and fresh vegetables announce their perfection. A stone corridor set back from the street leads into the restaurant. Authentic Roman food. Menu is superb. Favorites of mine include:
Putarelle in Salsa di alici (chicory Salad), Vitello Tonnato, Sancer Torte con panna.

Refreshing simple with excellent food this affordable tratoria is a favorite. Menu is very large and they have an excellent grill if you manage to get but the pizza. House wine is cheap and quite drinkable. Other specialties include il fritto misto GAUDI' e le melanzane alla sorrentina. (7:30 PM to midnight.)

Orvietto

Restaurants with a good wine List

A good wine list suggest a number of things about the restaurant. A large diverse wine list means they are successful and they recognize the importance of catering to the varied taste of their customers. When the markup is modest, it tells me they want to encourage consumption knowing a great meal is incomplete without a great wine to set it off. I often decide to try a new restaurant purely on the basis of them having a discerning wine list on the rational (right or wrong) that if they don't "get it" with the wine then its unlikely that the food will be anything special. One the other hand, if the wine list includes those better buys from small wineries that feature Hand-crafted superior wines, then somebody has the ability to taste the difference and taken the time to learn what is available and offer their customers the best at a good price. If they apply that care in the wine, it usually follows that the attention to details is to be found in the food and presentation.

Zuñi Cafe, 1658 Market Street San Francisco, CA , (415)552-2522

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Mobiles 5 and 4 star List

Mobil Five-Star Restaurants
The French Laundry, Yountville
Gary Danko, San Francisco
The Dining Room, San Francisco

Mobil Four-Star Restaurants
Aqua, San Francisco
Aqua, Dana Point
Auberge du Soleil, St. Helena
The Belvedere, Beverly Hills
Bastide, Los Angeles
Campton Place Dining Room,San Francisco
Diaghilev,
West Hollywood
The Dining Room,
Laguna Beach
Erna's Elderberry House,Oakhurst
Fifth Floor, San Francisco

Fleur De Lys, San Francisco
French
Nob Hill, Sutter
San Francisco
777 Sutter & Jones
673-7779

This is a very fancy, highly acclaimed restaurant with Euro-Indian decor and a flower theme. In the center of the dining room stands a tent, with a Venetian glass chandelier hanging over a table of beautiful flowers. The red and gold paisley walls are then displayed with paintings of flowers. The menu consists of classic and California inspired dishes and tasting is available. Four course tasting menu ($62.50), such as Norwegian salmon and mussel soup, additionally with three wines ($15.50). They have recently added a popular vegetarian tasting menu ($50) - one such meal was a sweet onion tart, followed by corn and goat cheese pancakes, parsnip flan and lentil salad, ragout of wild mushrooms in a potato skin shell with caramelized vegetable au jus and ratatouille in strudel dough. All this a tomato consommŽ and finally ending with fresh homemade fruit sorbets and miniature pastries. The menu changes daily but is always a pleasant surprise. Excellent service here. Jacket required

The Restaurant at Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles
La Folie, San Francisco
Laurel,
San Diego
L'Orangerie, Los Angeles
Masa's, San Francisco
Melisse, Santa Monica
Patina, Los Angeles
Sierra Mar Restaurant,Big Sur
Terra, St. Helena
The Village Pub, Woodside

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Ivy Award Winner Resturants

Ivy Award Winner Resturants - San Francisco
Aqua, San Francisco
Blue Boar Inn, San Francisco
Bon Appétit Management Co., San Francisco
Campton Place, San Francisco
China Moon Cafe, San Francisco
Doros, San Francisco
Ernie's Restaurant, San Francisco
Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco
Fleur de Lys, San Francisco
Four Seasons Clift Hotel, The, San Francisco
La Bourgogne, San Francisco
Mandarin, San Francisco
Rubicon, San Francisco
Square One, San Francisco
St. Francis Hotel, San Francisco
Stanford Court Hotel, San Francisco
Stars, San Francisco


Ivy Award Winner Resturants - California
Auberge du Soleil, Rutherford, Calif.
Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Beverly Hills, Calif.
Border Grill, Santa Monica, Calif.
Chez Panisse, Berkeley, Calif.
French Laundry, The, Yountville, Calif.
Michael's Restaurant, Santa Monica, Calif.
Nut Tree, The, Vacaville, Calif.
Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, The, Dana Point, Calif.
Sardine Factory, Monterey, Calif.
Swedish Medical Center, SeattleTerra, St. Helena, Calif.
Tra Vigne, St. Helena, Calif.
Valentino, Santa Monica, Calif.
The Culinary Institute of America, St. Helena, Calif.


Ivy Award Winner Resturants - New Orleans
Antoine's, New Orleans
Bayona, New Orleans
Brennan's, New Orleans
Brigtsen's, New Orleans
Broussard's, New Orleans
Commander's Palace, New Orleans
Emeril's, New Orleans
Galatoire's Restaurant, New Orleans
K-Paul's Louisiana Kitchen, New Orleans
Masson's, New Orleans
Mr. B's, New Orleans
Palace Café, New Orleans
Ponchartrain Café, New Orleans
Royal Orleans Hotel, New Orleans
Ruth's Chris Steak House, New Orleans
Windsor Court Hotel, New Orleans


Ivy Award Winner Resturants - New York
‘21’ Club, The, New York

An American Place, New York

Aquavit, New York

Aureole, New York

Aurora, New York

Beth Israel Medical Center, New York

Bouley, New York

Cafe des Artistes, New York

Carlyle Hotel, New York

Chemical Bank, New York

Coach House, The, New York

Daniel, New York

Four Seasons Hotel - New York

Four Seasons, The, New York

Gotham Bar & Grill, New York

Gramercy Tavern, New York

Jean Georges, New York

La Côte Basque, New York

La Grenouille, New York

Le Cirque, New York

Lespinasse, New York

Lutèce, New York

Mamma Leone's Ristorante, New York

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York

Montrachet, New York

Mount Sinai Hospital, New York

New York University Medical Center, New York

Nobu, New York

Quilted Giraffe, The, New York

Rainbow Room, The, New York

San Domenico NY, New York

Smith & Wollensky, New York

Tribeca Grill, New York

Union Square Café, New York

Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York

Windows on the World, New York





Ivy Award Winner Resturants - BOSTON
Anthony's Pier IV, Boston
Biba, Boston
Cafe Budapest, Boston
Dana-Farber Institute and Creative Gourmets Ltd., Boston
Four Seasons Hotel - Boston
Jasper's, Boston
Jimmy's Harborside Restaurant, Boston
Locke-Ober Café, Boston
Olives, Boston
Ritz-Carlton, Boston

Ivy Award Winner Resturants - Philadelphia
Bookbinders Seafood House, Philadelphia

City Tavern, Philadelphia

Le Bec Fin, Philadelphia


Ivy Award Winner Resturants - Los Angeles
Citrus City Grill
122 North Glassell St, Orange, CA 92866-1407
714 639 9600

Lawry's The Prime Rib, Los Angeles
Ma Maison
3179 Los Feliz Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039
323 906-9000

Patina, Los Angeles
Scandia Restaurant, Los Angeles
Spago, Los Angeles

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Los Gatos

Forbes Mill Steakhouse
206 North Santa Cruz Ave.
Los Gatos, CA 95030
408.395.6434 (Phone)
Not yet rated

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Places to Try

Danville Blackhawk

Blue Footed Booby Canoe Club
3483 Blackhawk Plaza Circle
Danville, California 94506
Telephone: (925) 736-2233
Blackhawk Grille
Danville, CA
3540 Blackhawk Plaza Circle
Danville, CA 94506
925.736.4295

The menu is innovative and eclectic, emphasizing seasonally-inspired cuisine. Selections include a variety of "small plates," pizzas and other dishes from the wood-fired oven, fresh seafood, nature-fed meats, poultry and game from the hardwood grill; salads; special luncheon sandwiches.

Forbes Mill Steakhouse
200 Sycamore Valley Road West, Danville, CA. 94526
877-863-6594
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12-03-00
Steven Salkow , Pleasanton, CA 94588,(925) 462-1075
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