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Originally Posted by techgirl
(Post 15045187)
Nobu... their miso black cod has been copied by many higher end Japanese/Asian fusion joints around but is still one of my favorite entrees around.
I like the Grand Lux Cafe owned by The Cheesecake Factory. In Texas, Mi Cocina and Pappadeaux are two I enjoy (and a Pappadeaux just opened in DFW at Terminal A... I now know where I'm spending my flight delays!) Yogurtland has become my new dessert stop of choice in towns that have one. |
After not eating at one for a couple of years, over the past couple of months I've eaten twice at Islands. The burgers are just as good as ever (no charge either if you want turkey or veggie) and now having endless fries is nice. Love that salt, pepper, garlic combo shaker! The Kona pie dessert is always great also.
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Originally Posted by ainternational
(Post 15045159)
Please, no offense meant, but I tried the Giraffe near the London Eye in central London and found it horrific - even the burgers. But I thought maybe it was just that day/location so I tried it again about a year later in Heathrow. Even worse. I'm not blaming the Giraffe. Kind of think of it, I've rarely found good food in the UK IMHO. Although one of the best meals I can recall WAS in London, it was the rare occasion and it was at L'Atalier de Joel Robuchon in Covent Garden. Fantastic lunch. On par with the same restaurant in Paris and Tokyo in fact. Now, if one considers that place a "chain", it is one amazing "chain" restaurant!
Still, there's always Pret-a-Manger. ;-) They now do toasties! |
I'm really surprised that nobody's mentioned Marché yet... the Swiss chain, not one of the US restaurants I saw when I Googled the name. It's healthy, nutritious, tasty, yet fast - you find them at airports, train stations, even a few Autobahn rest stops. I sure miss the one at Zürich Hauptbahnhof!
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I'm not anti-chain but I don't seek them out. I only go to the ones that are near where I live or near where I'm staying. To me, a good chain is never expected to have a visionary chef or pursue culinary excellence. The chain restaurant experience is very different, so my expectations are different. Good food that you can depend on for consistency. I hit a chain rarely though, so some of these get only a single annual visit from me. My favorites:
Expensive food & wine: Morton's Capital Grille Ruth's Cris (closest steakhouse to my driveway, too) Ethnic: (I guess) Maggioan's Macaroni Grill PF Chang's Burgers/Fast: Five Guys Fudruckers Chipotle Breakfast: IHOP, baby Silver Diner One day I really must try: In & Out Burger |
Originally Posted by shaggy_mutt
(Post 15047466)
I'm really surprised that nobody's mentioned Marché yet... the Swiss chain, not one of the US restaurants I saw when I Googled the name. It's healthy, nutritious, tasty, yet fast - you find them at airports, train stations, even a few Autobahn rest stops. I sure miss the one at Zürich Hauptbahnhof!
Amici's East Coast Pizzeria and ZPizza are two other chains I enjoy in California. |
Originally Posted by ainternational
(Post 15048387)
Marche is fun... yeah, only found them in Canada and Europe/Asia, never in the US...
Amici's East Coast Pizzeria and ZPizza are two other chains I enjoy in California. Speaking of international chains, Bon-Ga (also called Bong-Ga, Born-Ga etc) has a bunch of restaurants in Korea and a bunch more in China - plus one in Diamond Bar. Enjoyed it both times I was there, it's not very easy to find but I thought it worth the hassle. ^ |
Originally Posted by DullesJason
(Post 15048082)
I'm not anti-chain but I don't seek them out. I only go to the ones that are near where I live or near where I'm staying. To me, a good chain is never expected to have a visionary chef or pursue culinary excellence. The chain restaurant experience is very different, so my expectations are different. Good food that you can depend on for consistency. I hit a chain rarely though, so some of these get only a single annual visit from me. My favorites:
Expensive food & wine: Morton's Capital Grille Ruth's Cris (closest steakhouse to my driveway, too) Ethnic: (I guess) Maggioan's Macaroni Grill PF Chang's Burgers/Fast: Five Guys Fudruckers Chipotle Breakfast: IHOP, baby Silver Diner One day I really must try: In & Out Burger Johnny Rockets Cheesecake Factory Popeyes If you like Five Guys you will like In-n-Out. |
Originally Posted by Nugget_Oz
(Post 15049076)
Add:
Johnny Rockets Cheesecake Factory Popeyes If you like Five Guys you will like In-n-Out. |
Originally Posted by DullesJason
(Post 15063886)
Yeah, I figured as much . . . no locations around here and I just haven't been to one in any of my trips to California. Yeah, Popeye's is nice.
http://www.badmouth.net/graphics/inout/Secret_Menu.pdf |
Tried Capital Grille a few weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised. I thought the prices were a little steep, but the food quality and service was solid. I still like Ted's Montana Grill better (I think the food's a better value), but certainly Capital Grille tries to be a little more upscale.
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Originally Posted by Nugget_Oz
(Post 15066481)
Also you will need the secret menu if you want anything other than a meat, cheese, lettuce, tomato and bun.
http://www.badmouth.net/graphics/inout/Secret_Menu.pdf Tried Capital Grille a few weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised. I thought the prices were a little steep, but the food quality and service was solid. I still like Ted's Montana Grill better (I think the food's a better value), but certainly Capital Grille tries to be a little more upscale. |
I think these are pretty good...
Cap Grille Nobu R Chris 5 Guys Sushi samba |
When I'm in the south, I always make a stop at Chick Fil-a. My partner loves them for breakfast too.
When I'm in California, I'm all about In 'n' Out. |
Originally Posted by SWCPHX
(Post 15045308)
After not eating at one for a couple of years, over the past couple of months I've eaten twice at Islands. The burgers are just as good as ever (no charge either if you want turkey or veggie) and now having endless fries is nice. Love that salt, pepper, garlic combo shaker! The Kona pie dessert is always great also.
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