The original Javiers in Laguna was a great place to people watch, grab a beer and eat vey good Mexican food at good prices. The original Laguna Beach location is closed, replaced by large, upscale spots in Irvine and nearby Crystal Cove. The food is still excellent as is the people watching, but the prices are higher and the cuisine a bit more refined.

Get their Carnitas plate, mole, crispy tacos (I like the beef), and any of their Margaritas. Check their website for hours and other locations.

 


- Posted by fork on the road

 

This American Bistro has valet parking and excellent service. You will find a good selection of standard fare here and some with a little twist. The steak and frites are quite good as are the flatbread pizzas. I enjoyed the proscutto and pesto flatbread, and rotisserie chicken entree. They have a large bar where you can order the complete menu, and a comfortable main dining room with decent noise level even when crowded.

Palomino has valet parking which is a must for Westwood. Check out their website for hours, happy hour specials,and more.

UPDATE: I just found out they are a national chain. We’ll award them extra points for being a chain and being damn good :)

- Posted by fork on the road

Location:10877 Wilshire Blvd,Los Angeles,United States

Comments (0)
Feb
04
2011

Brodard Chateau


by · Comments (2)

A few decades ago Garden Grove officially received the nickname Little Saigon to recognize the Vietnam influence on the community. One beneficial outcome for us foodies is the plethora of good Asian eateries, Brodard Chateau being one of the nicest ones.

This weeks lunch coincided with Chinese New Year which explained this shrine on display in the restaurant foyer.

The actual lunch was wonderful and included the mouth watering duck spring roll, shrimp crepe appetizer, and salt and pepper calamari. Next trip I would get the salt and pepper shrimp and bring more friends so I can share more dishes!

Visit their website for hours and location

- Posted by fork on the road

Location:San Diego Fwy,Inglewood,United States

Oct
04
2007

Border Grill


by · Comments (0)

This place I really like – The southwestern menu is great, the atmosphere is casual and hip. The web site features information about the chefs, the restaurant, cookbooks and radio show. Also has a listing of upcoming special events at the restaurant with a recipe or two.

Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger create the “world cuisine” featured at The Border Grill and their other restaurant, Ciudad.

House made Guacamole, Ceviche, and Green Corn Tamales are all great starters. Grilled Skirt Steak, Pork Chops and Pescado Veracruzano are mouth watering.

Originally reviewed in 5/31/1998
What To Order: Ceviche


Border Grill
This information was accurate at the time of posting, but it’s always a good idea to call ahead or visit the website to confirm hours, location and other details.

http://www.bordergrill.com
1445 4th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
310.451.1655

Average Cost Per Person, excluding drinks: $20 to $30
Bar dining, Private room, Reservations, Late night, Bar, Beer and wine
Dinner: Mon 5 pm to 10 pm
Lunch and Dinner: Tue-Thu 11:30 am to 10 pm
Lunch and Dinner: Fri-Sat 11:30 am to 11 pm
Lunch and Dinner: Sun 11:30 am to 10 pm

Aug
30
2007

Maverick Eatery and Wine Bar


by · Comments (0)

Americana cuisine cook expertly in a fun atmosphere. Friendly service (heck, my Nephew Mike is a partner in the place), with a menu that is very conducive to plate swapping!

Creative names and ingredients make the menu irresistible – Baltimore crab puffs, and beet carpaccio salad (balsamic braised red beets with beef carpaccio), and the grilled flat iron steak are all good choices.

The wine list reflects Mikes love and knowledge of the vines. Enjoy his guidance and suggestions when selecting one of the boutique winery offerings.

The location is questionable and nearby street parking is not likely so my recommendation to take a taxi.

Get on their mailing list and get invited to their fried chicken feast, guest chef and winemaker dinners, and more!
Notable Staff: Scott Youkillis


Maverick Eatery and Wine Bar
This information was accurate at the time of posting, but it’s always a good idea to call ahead or visit the website to confirm hours, location and other details.

sfmaverick.com
3316 17th Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
Between Mission and Valencia
415-863-3061

Average Cost Per Person, excluding drinks: $20 to $30
Table seating, Community seating, Credit cards, Beer and wine, Exceptional wine list, Snappy Casual, Non-smoking, Tasting menu, Prix fixe menu available, Street Parking, Catering

Aug
19
2007

La Fourmi Ailee


by · Comments (0)

La Fourmi Ailee (the mosquito I presume), get the specialty of the house, Demi Canard en croüte de sel, duck cooked in a salted dough cask – very tasty and a good value too (19.80 E) – enough for two if you get a salad or a appetizer. The beef carpaccio or one of their salads would be a good choice.

Their wine list is short but has adequate selection to accompany the meal.

The menu is formatted like a Trader Joe’s newsletter, including education sidebars. Visit their website for an entertaining story on the history of the Latin Quarter area of Paris.

(initially reviewed 06/02)
What To Order: Demi canard en croute


La Fourmi Ailee
This information was accurate at the time of posting, but it’s always a good idea to call ahead or visit the website to confirm hours, location and other details.http://www.premiumwanadoo.com/parisresto/VAng/Fourmi/index.php
8, Rue De Fouarre
Paris 75005 France
Near Notre Dame
01.43.29.40.99

Average Cost Per Person, excluding drinks: $20 to $30
Table seating, Late night, Open Every Day, Credit cards, Beer and wine, Casual, Prix fixe menu available
Lunch: 11:30 am to 2 pm
Dinner: 7 pm to 12 midnight

Aug
19
2007

L’Entrecote de Paris


by · Comments (0)

If you are craving for the traditional steak entrecote with au pavore skip this place. The prices are high ($ 8 sodas), portions small, and service poor.


L’Entrecote de Paris
This information was accurate at the time of posting, but it’s always a good idea to call ahead or visit the website to confirm hours, location and other details.

29, rue de Marignan
Paris 75008 France
50 yards off Champ De’ Eyses
01.42.25.28.60

Average Cost Per Person, excluding drinks: $20 to $30
Table seating, Credit cards, Beer and wine, Casual
Lunch and Dinner: 11:30 am to 1 am

Aug
19
2007

Chez Andre


by · Comments (0)

A busy bistro in the gold triangle of Paris. Like most bistros the menu is filled with French standards, and in this case, very well executed. The endive salad with roquefort dressing (as in Roquefort, France) was a standout. The rib eye steak and rotisserie chicken are both good choices.

This was my first experience with Paris taxis being called by a restaurant, and to my surprise, finding that the meter started when the cab made it’s way to the restaurant – making for a doubly expensive fare.
What To Order: Endive salad


Chez Andre
This information was accurate at the time of posting, but it’s always a good idea to call ahead or visit the website to confirm hours, location and other details.

www.rest-gj.com
12, rue Marbeuf
Paris 75008 France
01.47.20.59.57

Average Cost Per Person, excluding drinks: $20 to $30
Table seating, Patio, Open Every Day, Late night, Credit cards, Bar, Casual, Smoking on patio, Smoking section, Street Parking
Daily:

Aug
11
2007

Fish La Boissonnerie


by · Comments (0)

Enroute to another restaurant sometimes you have to go with your instincts and change plans. That is what happened when I discovered Fish La Boissonnerie, a bistro buzzing with locals and foreigners alike. The host was helpful and forecast a quick wait, and the large selection of wines by the glass made the time pass quickly. The nearby tables and decent acoustics were conducive to meeting and chatting with your companions or other diners. The wine list is extensive and extra ordinary featuring wines from all over Europe at fair prices. The chalkboard specials and the seasonal menu cause for some tough decisions. Heavingly chilled gazpacho with fresh, blanched vegitables and plate of infused rissotto. Luckily the staff is very accommodating and were able to ퟙenhanceퟘ the pri-fix menu and added a well executed entree of smoked salmon, caviar and oyster beignets. Though this is a fish restaurant, the salmon entree was the only fish that made it to the table. The other wonderful dishes include roast lamb and potato pancake, and duck confit with julienned cabbage slaw. The bottle of bordeux lasted just long enough to add to the enjoyment of the creme brullee and chocolate glacee (ice cream).


Fish La Boissonnerie
This information was accurate at the time of posting, but it’s always a good idea to call ahead or visit the website to confirm hours, location and other details.69 rue de Seine
Paris France
01.43.54.34.69Average Cost Per Person, excluding drinks: $20 to $30
Counter, Table seating, Credit cards, Exceptional wine list, Beer and wine, Snappy Casual, Non-smoking, Prix fixe menu available, Street Parking

Jul
24
2007

D’Amato’s Restaurant


by · Comments (0)

Sometimes you just luck out and dine with the right people at the right time at the right place with the right server. Tonight it all came to together a wonderful spot in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. A suburb of Detroit. What could have been an ordinary Italian meal turned out to be a extraordinary experience. Apps included perfectly done flash fried calamari with zesty marinara sauce and a dish of bruschetta with fresh tomatoes and fresh buffalo mozzarella. The later was served on fresh, hearty hand cut toast with a touch of olive oil, basil and garlic. A tasty white wine flight completed the first courses.

By now we already appreciated the professionalism and guidance of our waiter Brad, but he kicked up the service throughout the rest of the meal with intuitiveness and guidance seldom experienced by me. Let me explain. A friend and I were discussing the idea of one of us getting the lamb chops with basil pesto risotto, creamy basil sauce and marinated oranges and the other getting the chili rubbed Ahi tuna with basmati rice and arugula salad. Almost forgetting to order salads, we decided to order family style and choose the arugula salads with Laura Chanel chevre and an order of the green beans with a salad of mixed greens. Our waiter Brad surprised us with stealthily serving small plates of each salad to each diner. Additionally, he produced plates with equal portions of lamb chops and ahi on each.

Featuring a great wine list with a selection of half bottles, and varieties by the glass, D’amato’s is a great space with great food and wonderful service. Enjoy!

Alternate spellings: Damatos D’amatos


What To Order: Featured wine flights – a great value


D’Amato’s Restaurant

This information was accurate at the time of posting, but it’s always a good idea to call ahead or visit the website to confirm hours, location and other details.

http://www.damatos.com/
222 S Sherman Dr
Royal Oak, MI 48067
Near 11 Mile and Washington
(248)584-7400

Average Cost Per Person, excluding drinks: $20 to $30
Table seating, Patio, Reservations, Credit cards, Exceptional wine list, Snappy Casual, Smoking, Entertainment, Catering
Dinner: Mon-Wed 5 pm to 10 pm
Dinner: Thu-Sat 5 pm to 11 pm
Dinner: Sun 4 pm to 9 pm