Would strongly recommend against Redd myself. The place is noisy, the food average at best and considering the area it is in, very disappointing. The waiters have at best a passing knowledge of a wine list that while fair is not astounding. Presentation of the food is also very pedestrian. Bread provision was spotty and the water was refilled with the glass on the table.

Overall it was highly recommended to me and I cannot for the life of me understand why. If you are in the area, spend the 20 minutes driving and skip over to Sonoma and get to the Girl and the Fig. Far superior. Redd is a total waste of money and time.

Anything on the Bund in Shanghai and most other non-Chinese restaurants in the city. Only several Japanese and Korean places manage to keep quality levels high and offer reliable tasty food.

I was unimpressed with La Table de Joel Robuchon in Paris (it felt quite 'basic' and the food wasn't particularly tasty, although not horrible), but I enjoyed L'Atelier in London much more.

Actually, I am adding La Table de Joel Robuchon in Paris to my 'over-rated' list.

French Laundry
L'Atelier Joel Robuchon Paris
Alex at Wynn
Commis - only Michelin star-rated restaurant in the SF East Bay - also

I agree. Now, you aren't the only one to say this. The price, however, makes it not a big deal.

With respect to a few others already mentioned:

(1) Chez Panisse. I don't think it is overrated. I think people expect more than it is. I do not think it ever made itself into something it isn't, but people expect some sort of artisan fare. I have had some delicious meals there, which have included eating vegetables I normally would never eat, but when they are from some fresh and excellent garden, why they are actually tasty. Also, the maximum is $95 for the weekend, and includes 4 courses plus an aperitivo. The wine list is also quite reasonable given the quality - much can be had for the $50 range (and many, for less, and of course, many for more).

(2) Commis. It is interesting and not that expensive for what it is. If it cost more, I'd call it overrated. It certainly isn't "meal of a lifetime" caliber, but it is quite enjoyable.

(3) Tadich. Another "it is what it is" and that is, a decent piece of fish in a place that doesn't change much. I also don't think they've tried to make themselves into something they aren't. But all the guide books do.

(4) Anyone from elsewhere with a Vegas restaurant is probably way overrated.

Burger King.

"Have it your way"? Please.

Emeril's in Orlando. Service was mediocre, particularly on a slow weekday. But when I ordered half a duck as entree, I didn't expect to get 2 hindquarters on the plate. :rolleyes: This was totally contrarary to our experience at New Orleans, Miami Beach, and Delmonico's in LV.

+1 for Ruth's Chris. I'm surprised no one mentioned Morton's yet. We had a 10pm reservation at the Chicago restaurant. They were late seating us by 30 minutes, and our waiter promptly told us that we must order everything at once because the kitchen is closing. :mad:

I personally like Redd. Didn't know refilling outer with glass on the table makes it overrated.

McAllisters? Seriously? Indy isn't the culinary capital of the world, but if you're using McAllister's deli and Wolfgang Puck's as your benchmarks, you really need to get out more.

Here are some starters (just off the top of my head) for good eats in Indy:

Downtown/Mass Ave/Fountain Square

Euphoria/Creations Cafe, 14 West, Zest, Zing, R Bistro, Scholars Inn, Santorinis, The Bosphrous, Yats, Papa Roux. For more Chain like, there's Fogo De Chao, Adobo, Barcelona Tapas, and Harry & Izzy's (Not St Elmos). I also like the Circle City Grill in the Marriott of all places. Really good.


Broad Ripple

Meridian, Binkley's, Usual Suspects, Midtown Grill, Canal Bistro, the Brugge, Mama Carrollas. For pizza, Binkley's, Bazbeaux, Some Guys, or Union Jacks.

North Side

Shanghai Lil's, Peterson's, Oakley's, Istanbul Cafe.

Indy is addicted to chain restaurants. But there are good places out there.

Burger King may be poor, but when is it ever highly-rated?

Agreed that Chez Panisse does not claim to be anything other than what it really is.

On the other hand, Chez Panisse does not rate itself, and it does currently have a 28 rating in the Zagat's and 1 star in the Michelin Guide, both of which are far in excess of the rating having some nice, fresh, bland and tasteless vegetables should merit, even if the wine list is fairly priced (although I would hardly call $50 bottles of wine a bargain, even at a fine restaurant).

Every time I have eaten at Chez Panisse I feel like I'm eating at the home of an acquaintance who is a very enthusiastic gourmet but never really pulls it off quite right.

It's awkward to admit that the temple and high-priestess of California cuisine just don't do a very good job of preparing the wonderfully fresh ingredients, but they just don't.

Agreed, if it is from a bottle opened for you. This was a large steel pitcher.:rolleyes:

Overrated comment is based on supposed quality of food per many reviews I have read and the actual product and its fairly middle of the road ambiance.

Just not on a par with many, many restaurants in the area, and very far in performance and presentation from many reviews I had read that had made me very keen to go. As it turns out the ratings were way off base.

I've never been to Broad Ripple and probably never will go. Just a place that never really interested me. Being on the south side the north side is an unlikely dining location for me. Downtown is doable. 14 West caught my eye and I've considered checking it out. Have you actually been to it or are you basing listing it on what other people have said? I don't know how many times I've heard a place was great just to find out they stink. McAllister's stinks. I've been told Sisters Place was a great place for breakfast. Turns out that place is bland and boring and tastes like any other breakfast joint. I tried Jimmy John's a few times based on recommendations. Bland and flavorless just like every other sub shop.

There was a place I used to go to and that was the New Bethel Ordinary. The place is famous for their pizza but I quit going. The dining area was often filthy and the bathroom area was nasty with an open pipe venting sewer gas right out into the open. I cannot believe they'd keep the public area looking like that. Cannot imagine what the kitchen looks like.

There was the press about the problems with City Market. I've eaten there twice. Horrible food. Horrible and expensive. Had what was supposed to be a Philly cheese steak sandwich. Apparently these people have never seen a real Philly cheese steak sandwich.

Seems everywhere you eat around here tastes like every other place around town. Like they all get their same food from the same cans from the same suppliers. No imagination. There are other places I've tried but almost without exception it has been nothing but disappointments. The Polo Club restaurant was a big disappointment too. Very uninspired menu.

So if the "Downtown/Mass Ave/Fountain Square" recommendations are places you've been to and know are seriously good eats (sorry had to say it lol) I'd certainly give one or two a try. 14 West still being probably top of my list.

BTW is Buca di Beppo any good?

Jimmy Johns? Buca? Are you pulling my leg? I don't want to come across as condescending, but are you in your teens? Early 20's?

I've been to and enjoyed every place I've listed. They all have their pros and cons, but each one is good. Each one has at least one outstanding something.

I've left a bunch of places off the list. They include just about every chain restaurant in town. There's nothing outstanding on the southside, with the possible exception of Byrd's Cafeteria in Greenwood.

Back on topic: Really underwhelmed with Patina in Los Angeles when I went last year. I'm a fan of Joachim Splichal and the Pinot Brasserie in the Venetian in Las Vegas, so I had high hopes. It may just have been an off night, but nothing the four of us had blew us away. Service was really good, as was the setting in the Disney Concert Hall. The wine list was outstanding. Wish the food was as good as everything else. in other words: overrated.

Actually I'm 40. And I think Jimmy Johns is bland and I've never been to Buca. Is that such a shock? What is so out there that you think I'm pulling your leg?

I've never been to Byrd's either. I've never gone because with a name like that I think bland cafeteria food like Old Fart (Country) Buffet.

I know it is out of season right now but is the rooftop restaurant in Fountain Square any good?