I have an idea. Why don't we start a thread dedicated to those great iDine spots, the ones that are so good you would go to them even if they didn't award miles? <yeah right>
I will volunteer to edit this first post periodically to add restaurants. You FTers need to tell me which restaraunts that you have been to are worthy of inclusion.
Code:
ABE - PA Other, Lehigh - Aladdin Restaurant - Middle Eastern (gardener's contribution and still #1 alphabetically!)
ACK - MA - Cape Cod/South Shore - Outer Cape and Islands - Cambridge St.
AUS - Hickory St. (downtown, opens 6:30 AM, $1 breakfast menu on Mondays)
AUS - TX, Austin --Capitol Brasserie. Three-course prix fixe
BDL - Northampton - Union Station - American
BDL - Springfield - L'uva - Wine Bar
BNA - Bistro 215 (Green Hills, next to mall)
BNA - Nashville - Sole Mio - Italian
BOS - South End - Pho Republique - Trendy Vietnamese
BOS - Boston, Back Bay/Theatre District - Avila - Modern Mediterranean
BOS - Boston, Back Bay - Davio's - upscale Italian
BOS - Cambridge, Harvard Square - Grafton Street - Harvard Square's version of an Irish Pub
BOS - Boston, Ladder District - Ivy - American.
BOS - Boston, South End - Masa - southwestern
BOS - Boston, South End - Union - American
BUR / LAX Studio City: Bistro Gardens
LAX/BUR- CA, Los Angeles (Hancock Park), PRADO
DCA - DC Downtown - Andale - Mayan/Mexican
DCA - DC Downtown - Capitol Q - BBQ
DCA - DC Downtown - Galileo - N. Italian
DCA - DC Downtown - Les Halles - French
DCA - DC Downtown - Old Europe - German
DCA - Clarendon (Arlington) - Sala Thai (thai, of course!)
DCA - Red Sage (21)
DCA - Teatro Goldini (24)
DCA - Bombay Palace (22)
DCA - Corduroy (23)
DCA - Restaurant Kolumbia (23)
DCA - Spezie (22)
DCA - Bacchus (22)
DCA - Sam & Harry's (24)
DCA - Ortanique (22)
DCA - Heritage India (25)
DCA Signatures Washington DC/Downtown (21)
DCA - Pentagon City - Oyamel is a great hip latin american
DCA - Tara Thai
DCA - National Grille
DCA - Jaleo, a Spanish Tapas place in Crystal City. Convenient enough on the way to/from National Airport
DCA - Falls Church - Idylwood Wine Bar and Grill
DFW – TX, Dallas - Chez Gerard , Knox-Henderson area, great French Bistro
DFW – TX, Dallas - Rouge, W. Lover's Lane, Spanish - tapas, paella, truly authentic! Don't ask "Why is it called 'Rouge' and not 'Tinto'!?"
DFW – TX, Dallas - Tramontana, Park Cities area, Spanish-French eclectic.
DFW - TX, Dallas - Nero's, old world Italian, family run, dark and classy.
DFW - TX, Dallas - Blue Fish, Lower Greenville Ave cafe/nightclub area, upscale sushi
DFW - TX, Dallas - Daddy Jack's Wood Grill, Deep Ellum nightclub area
EWR - NY, NYC/Manhattan - Firebird - Russian
HHH Hilton Head Island SC Aunt Chiladas
IAD - Reston,Herndon,Chantilly - Thai Luang - Thai
IAD - Centreville - Bangkok City - Thai
IND - IN, Bloomington/Columbus - The Uptown Cafe - American, Eclectic
JFK - NY, NYC/Manhattan - Firebird - Russian
JFK - financial district - Romi - lounge bar - not truly a restaurant but great for afterwork drinks.
JFK - Lower East Side - Teany - vegeterian - great selection of teas and nice sandwiches and salads
JFK - Tribeca - Mocca Espresso lounge - european - very nice lunch place - good cocktails after work too
JFK- Tribeca - Viet Cafe - Vietnamese - nice and comtemporary decor/ tasty vietnamese cuisine with a modern touch
JFK - Upper East Side - Inase - Sushi
JFK -- Upper West Side -- SIP bar and lunge
Excellent coffee (though no decaf) and very good fresh squeezed drinks and cocktails. Good place to hang out all day and night. Dines post fast -- no min on the CC in my experience.
JFK -- New York City, Upper West Side -- Makor Cafe
Good selection of kosher dairy food and lots of drinks, desserts and snacks in a pleasant setting. Conveniently located for Lincoln Center.
JFK -- New York City, midtown -- The Antique Cafe
(55 W26th St, between 6th Ave and Bdwy)
Good food and fresh tasting, but a little pricey and the restaurant is rather crowded.
JFK -- New York City, Greenwich Village -- Borgo Antico (really stellar Italian food)
LAS - NV, Las Vegas, West of the Strip, Mama Jo's - Italian
LAS - NV, Las Vegas, Mayflower Cuisiner, gourmet Chinese
LAX - CA, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills/West Los Angeles - Bourbon Street Shrimp & Grill - Cajun / Creole
LAX - CA, Los Angeles, Downtown/Hollywood/E of Highland - R23 - Sushi
LAX - CA, Los Angeles, South Bay/Long Beach/Central LA - Madison
LAX - CA, Los Angeles, West Hollywood/Sunset Plaza/N of Beverly - Pearl
LAX - CA, Los Angeles, Downtown/Hollywood E of La Brea - Paladar - Cuban
LAX - CA, Los Angeles, Glendale/Pasadena - Delacey's Club 44
LAX - CA, Los Angeles, South Bay/Long Beach/Central LA - Alegria - Tapas
LAX - CA, Los Angeles, South Bay/Long Beach/Central LA - L'Opera Ristorante - Italian
LAX - CA, Los Angeles, South Bay/Long Beach/Central LA - Lasher's - American
LAX - CA, Los Angeles, West Hollywood - Central
LAX - CA, Los Angeles, West Hollywood - Blowfish Sushi to Die For
LAX -- Drago -- excellent Italian
LAX -- Enoteca Drago -- amazing wines by the glass
LAX -- Vermont -- beautiful space
LAX -- Panzanella -- in the San Fernando Valley
MCI - Downtown/Rivermarket - Delaware Market Cafe (weekdays lunch only) - Soup / Salad / Sandwiches, cookie included with lunch, a tad bit pricey, but not too bad, especially during iDine promotions
MCI - Margarita's - Multiple Locations - Good Mexican Food, Tuesday hard taco special and Wednesay soft taco special I would particularly recommend for a good deal
MCI - Smokin' Joe's BBQ - Multiple Locations - Good BBQ at a good price
MCI - Stroud's - Multiple Locations - Great family style fried chicken place
MCI - Vivace - Downtown/Rivermarket - Italian - Very classy and well priced dining experience, my new favorite lunch spot
MCO - FL, Orlando, Alta. Springs/Casselberry/Ovieto, Aubergine Bistro-French
MCO - FL, Orlando, Alta. Springs/Casselberry/Ovieto, Colorado Fondue Company-American
MCO - Orlando - Town Center Boulevard - Thai/Japanese
MCO - Orlando - Frontera Mexican Cuisine - Mexican
MCO - Orlando - Gohyang Gip Korean Cuisine - Asian
MCO - Orlando - La Hacienda Tavern & Restaurant - Latin
MCO - Orlando - Saucy Bella - Italian, Pizza, Deli
MCO - Orlando - Sushi House Of Orlando - Japanese, Sushi
MCO - Orlando - Thai City Restaurant - Thai
MCO - Lake Mary/Longwood - Ali Baba - Middle Eastern
MIA - South Beach - Cafeteria - American
MIA - South Beach - Front Porch Cafe - Continental
MIA - South Beach - Gourmet Carrot - Kosher, Vegetarian, American
MIA - South Beach - Thai House - Thai, Vegetarian
MIA - South Beach - Van Dyke - American
MIA - Aventura/N Miami Bch/ N Miami - Chifa Perú
MIA - South Beach - Hakan Turkish Grill
MKE - Downtown, Eastside - Twisted Fork - Eclectic
MKE - Downtown, Eastside - John Hawk's Pub - American
MKE - Downtown, Eastside - Mo's Irish Pub - Irish
MKE - Downtown, Eastside - Joey Buona's Pizzeria & Restaurant - Italian
MKE - Downtown, Eastside - County Clare - Irish
MKE - West Side - Bjonda - Eclectic
MKE - West Side - Balistreri's Italian-American Ristorante - Italian
MRY - CA, Monterey - Blue Fin - Cafe/Billiards
MSP - MN, Minneapolis - Axel's Bonfire - Eagan & other locations - woodfired food - cool bar (no miles on w.ends)
MSP - MN, Minneapolis - Minneapolis - 5-8 Club - great little burger dive
MSP - MN, Minneapolis - St Paul - Celts Irish Pub & Grill - used to go their all the time and now they are on idine - what a bonus!
MSP - MN, Minneapolis - Minneapolis - JD Hoyt's - I have not been but have heard they have great food
MSP- The Mediterranean Cruise Cafe , Eagan, MN
OAK: Milano
OAK: Il Porcelino
OAK: Citron
OAK: Khana Peena
OAK: Mezze
OMA - Nebraska - Johnny's Cafe - Steak
ORD - IL, Chicago - Chicago City, River North - Rumba - Latin
ORD - IL, Chicago - Chicago City -Loop, Downtown Area/Monk's Pub - American, Burgers
ORD/MDW Chicago, IL --Tsunami - Japanese
ORD - IL, Chicago - Chicago City, River North - Sugar - American
ORD/MDW - Chicago, River North - Bice - Italian
ORD/MDW - Chicago, Loop (and River North) - Oysy - Sushi/Japanese
ORD - MAZA on LIncoln Avenue in Chicago - bonus miles, 40% off with Diner's Club. Lebanese, excellent food and nice atmosphere.
ORD - Westmont - Emmy's - great breakfasts
PDX – OR, Portland - MONTEGO BAY - Jamaican
PDX – OR, Portland - VOO DOO LOUNGE - Cajun(ish)
PHX - Phoenix, West Valley - First Watch - American/Breakfast
PHX - Phoenix, West Valley - Bobby Q - Barbecue. Baby back ribs are excellent as is the pecan cole slaw and shoestring fries.
PKB - WV, Parkersburg - "Island View Restaurant"
PSP (Palm Springs) - La Casita Restaurant - Mexicain
PSP -- SUPREME DRAGON SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
RDU - North Carolina - Triangle - Q-Shack - BBQ/Ribs
SAN - San Diego North County, Coastal - Le Passage French Bistro - French
(good, food - though the portions are small, very european)
SAN - San Diego North County, Coastal - Pizza Port - Pizza & Wings
(love the Pizza - no its not like Domino's or crud like that) And the award winning beer is great!!
SAN - San Diego Downtown, Coronado - Red Circle Cafe - European, Russian
(Great Vodka & caviar selection)
SAN (uptown/Hillstown/Pacific Beach) - Da Kine's plate lunch for those who like Hawaiian.
SAN - Downtown - Rama thai in the gaslamp.
SAN-- Rancho Bernardo (north county) Stir Fresh - Mongolian-style stir fry
SAN: UMI Sushi
SAN: St Tropez
SAT - TX, San Antonio (Downtown) - Biga on the Banks - Eclectic
SAT - TX, San Antonio - Boardwalk Bistro - Mediterranean
SAT - TX, San Antonio - Casarita - Mexican
SAT-TX, San Antonio, Downtown - Acenar - Upscale Mexican
SAT-TX, San Antonio, Quarry Market - Cementville - New American
SAT-TX, San Antonio, Alamo Heights - Cibal - International
SAT-TX, San Antonio, North Side - Goomba's - Italian (this place is a hole in the wall with great food, reasonably priced)
SAT-TX, San Antonio, NE Side - Pompeii
SAT - TX, San Antonio, NW - Fujiya Japenese Garden - Japenese
SAT - TX, San Antonio - Habaneros Grill - Mexican
SAT - TX, San Antonio - Los Barrios - Mexican
SAT - TX, San Antonio, downtown - Luciano's - Italian
SAT - TX, San Antonio - Picante Grill - Mexican
SEA - WA, Seattle, Federal Way- Pac Island Grill - Hawaiian plate lunch
SEA - WA, Seattle -- O'Asian Kitchen. Upscale dim sum
SFO - CA, San Francisco - Marin County - ThaiHouse
SFO - Downtown (Union Square) - Sontano Grill- Californian / Mexicain
SFO - Downtown (Union Square) - Roxeanne Cafe- American / Mediteranean
SFO - HONG KONG FLOWER LOUNGE- very good dim sum 10 minutes from airport!
SJC - CA, San Jose & Area, Monterey - Old Bath House, The - American
SJC - CA, San Jose/airport, Silicon Valley, Steak and Seafood with a Carribbean/Hawaiian tilt
SJC - CA, San Jose (JapanTown) Cuban
SJC- Santana Row - Blowfish Sushi
SJC/OAK/SFO - Santa Clara, Palo Alto, San Mateo, Walnut Creek, Dublin - Taxi's Hamburgers
SJC/SFO - Peninsula - John Bentley's - New American (25)
SJC: 19 Market - great vietnamese
SMF - CA, Sacramento - Sacramento - 55 Degrees (Continental – excellent!)
SMF - CA, Sacramento - Sacramento - Bali Wine Bar and Grill (Balinese)
SMF - CA, Sacramento - Sacramento - Bridges On The River (Cali-Cajun)
SMF - CA, Sacramento - Sacramento Area - Carvers steakhouse (Roseville)
SMF - CA, Sacramento - Sacramento - Capitol Garage Coffee Company (deli)
SMF - CA, Sacramento - Sacramento - Gönül’s J Street Café (Mediterranean) – Continental)
SMF - CA, Sacramento - Sacramento - JR's Texas Barbecue (A dump with good barbecue)
SMF - CA, Sacramento - Sacramento Area (Davis) - Osaka Sushi (Japanese, no awards on AMEX)
SMF - CA, Sacramento - Sacramento, Area - Pho Bac Hoa Viet (Vietnamese, several locations)
SMF - CA, Sacramento - Sacramento, Surrounding Area - Sweetwater Bar & Grill (American)
SMF - CA, Sacramento - Sacramento - Three Sisters (Mexican)
SNA - CA, Orange County, OC North/Central - Anaheim White House - Italian (northern)
SNA - CA, Orange County, OC South/Coastal - Spark Woodfire Cooking
- Italian
SNA - CA, Orange County, OC South/Coastal - Amelia's Seafood & Italian Restaurant - Italian
SNA - CA, Orange County, OC South/Coastal - Inka Grill - Peruvian
SNA - CA, Orange County, OC North/Central - Anaheim White House - Italian
SNA - CA, Orange County, OC North/Central - Café Chin Chin - Asian
SNA - Russell's Seafood Palace
STL-Clayton & Kirkwood (2 locations)-Cafe Provencal-French
STL-Downtown-Kemolls-Italian
STL-St Louis County(University City): Momo's; Greek
TUS -Tucson - Downtown and East side - El Charro Mexican Restaurant
TUL - OK, Tulsa & Vicinity - Full Moon Cafe- Southwestern
YVR - Downtown/Vancouver - Kingshead Pub - Bar/Club/Lounge