In no particular order:
Playa Del Carmen - Antojitos Sandra
a hole-in-the-wall open-air restaurant with a faded sign right in the town. They sat us down and the cooking is all done on a raised area right in front of us. The waiter told us to relax and he would take care of us. what happened next was 2 hours of delicious heaven. Dish after dish of traditional Yucatan Mexican food cooked over a wood fire and plenty of cervezas. It cost around $320 for 8 of us and we still talk about it years later. So damn good and such a fun time with great service!
Craftsteak, MGM Grand - Las Vegas
One key aspect for a fun memorable meal is the ambiance and the company you keep on top of the excellent food. I and three Aussies I do work with took a break from a job site to go to Vegas for 3 days. Our first meal was at Tom Colicchio's Craftsteak. Each of us ordered the domestic Wagyu Ribeye and the damn thing took an hour to eat. It was so delicious all you wanted to do was slice off a sliver and savior it. Add to that Diver Scallops and Beef Tartare appetizers and it was amazing and a great time by all.
Jackson Hole, Wy - Friends house
What a meal! Elk Ribeyes, Venison Backstraps wrapped in Bacon, Buffalo Plate Ribs, and his homemade Boar Hotlinks. Add to that ice-cold Alaskan Amber beer, great friends you haven't seen in a while, and you have the makings of a day of food for the ages.
I love these food threads!
I am plain Jane, Haha.
A distant second but still good was the tasting menu at Scott Conant’s restaurant. Forget the name (and it’s gone anyway, I believe) but it was close to Chelsea Market.
Third is the Buffett (I know it sounds silly) at Nordic Lodge in Rhode Island. Expensive as hell for a buffet but all you can eat lobster.
Would love to go there & I know flights are cheap. But isn't it expensive as hell once there? A beer is like $20?
A little place in Rutherford, NJ- Cafe Matisse- many wonderful meals at this place, always a culinary masterpiece.
A night at Peter Lugers in Brooklyn- lamb chops, shrimp and bacon for an appetizer and the porterhouse as the main course- creamed spinach and hash browns as sides. Went their many times as a trader on the street.
Nobu was really cool. Went there when it first opened. I had the opportunity to dine in all the hot spots in New York, Boston, San Francisco, Chicago and other cities as I visited accounts across the U.S. Those were the days, and some of the meals I just forget.
1) An Italian Restaurant in Heidenheim, Germnay. The owner sat us down and said, "I cook for you tonight. No menu", then he proceeded to bring out about 10 different courses, served family style. Then before leaving, he gave my boss a framed painting of Padre Pio, another guy in our group a bottle of pickled peppers and he gave me a gallon of olive oil that was pressed on his Mother's land in Italy.
2) A meal at a seafood restaurant in Shenzhen, China. The first floor was a seafood market. You picked out what you wanted and they sent it to the kitchen to cook. Like a traditional meal, we sat at a spinning table and had several dishes come out and passed along. Razor clams, whole steamed fish, prawns, crab and a couple other dishes along with several plates of steamed vegetables. Fantastic
3) A meal in Rome with my wife and I in a hole in the wall restaurant. This was more circumstance than anything else. We had brought my parents and sister to Italy and after spending a few days in Rome, we rented a car to go inland to my Grandmother's hometown, Macchia Valfortore. When we went to pick the car up, it was a 15 minute train ride to the airport. We get the car, realize we don't have GPS and then go on a 3 hour drive back to the apartment we rented in Rome. We get back about 10PM and haven't eaten, so we see a restaurant down the street from the apartment and have a meal. The most delicious bucatini amatraciani ever. The pasta had a light sauce and then was swirled in a giant cheese rind and tossed with pancetta. Combined with the ordeal of the car and getting a romantic dinner with my wife over excellent food was amazing.
We get back to the apartment and my parents were waiting up for us and pissed we didn't call. We didn't have a cellphone that worked internationally! I felt like a teenager breaking curfew.
Quote:
Definitely go to Reykjavik. It’s cheap (at least to fly there) and beautiful. But just go for the tasting menu at The Fish market.
Would love to go there & I know flights are cheap. But isn't it expensive as hell once there? A beer is like $20?
It’s been a few years but it didn’t seem extraordinary at the time. We split the trip in half and went to London in the middle and that didn’t seem much different I cost. If anything, a little more expensive IIRC
Dinner
I had a pork loin medallions on mashed potatoes meal in Dresden that was fabulous.
2 - Backyard BBQ (that's the name of the place) - Arkansas - enough said
3 - Had dinner in Cinderella's castle in Disney World. That was just really cool
The only qualifier brother is it needs to be memorable. The complete experience! One of mine is at a buddies house
Quote:
I'm gonna have to give it some thought and I'm not sure something in the top 3 isn't something I've made at home
The only qualifier brother is it needs to be memorable. The complete experience! One of mine is at a buddies house
Hey, I've got 50 years to reflect on. It's gonna take some time :)
2. Sushi Kashiba, Seattle, WA. Did omakase that was trancedent.
3. Bateau, Seattle, WA. While I was there before for the steaks, the time after they open after COVID with a tasting menu was once in a lifetime. Having a 120 day aged steak was incredible.
1) An Italian Restaurant in Heidenheim, Germnay. The owner sat us down and said, "I cook for you tonight. No menu", then he proceeded to bring out about 10 different courses, served family style. Then before leaving, he gave my boss a framed painting of Padre Pio, another guy in our group a bottle of pickled peppers and he gave me a gallon of olive oil that was pressed on his Mother's land in Italy.
2) A meal at a seafood restaurant in Shenzhen, China. The first floor was a seafood market. You picked out what you wanted and they sent it to the kitchen to cook. Like a traditional meal, we sat at a spinning table and had several dishes come out and passed along. Razor clams, whole steamed fish, prawns, crab and a couple other dishes along with several plates of steamed vegetables. Fantastic
3) A meal in Rome with my wife and I in a hole in the wall restaurant. This was more circumstance than anything else. We had brought my parents and sister to Italy and after spending a few days in Rome, we rented a car to go inland to my Grandmother's hometown, Macchia Valfortore. When we went to pick the car up, it was a 15 minute train ride to the airport. We get the car, realize we don't have GPS and then go on a 3 hour drive back to the apartment we rented in Rome. We get back about 10PM and haven't eaten, so we see a restaurant down the street from the apartment and have a meal. The most delicious bucatini amatraciani ever. The pasta had a light sauce and then was swirled in a giant cheese rind and tossed with pancetta. Combined with the ordeal of the car and getting a romantic dinner with my wife over excellent food was amazing.
We get back to the apartment and my parents were waiting up for us and pissed we didn't call. We didn't have a cellphone that worked internationally! I felt like a teenager breaking curfew.
Primo. Rockland ME
Villa Igeia, Palermo Sicily.
Thai treats, al terrace Lebanese, Doha Qatar.
Edos Squid, Richmond VA
L'Opossum Richmond VA
Sobrino de Botín, Madrid, Spain
Eleven Madison Park - now it is vegan. But, when we went they had a wonderful menu , including some items and cocktails prepared tableside. It is a real dining experience.
Blue in the Ritz Carlton in Grand Cayman. It's an Eric Riepert restaurant (of Le Bernadin fame). Another true experience.
Honorable mentions:
Danube - now closed
Daniel - We met Daniel Bouloud. He wnet into the kitchen and thinly sliced cucumber for our 2 year old son and gave him a Daniel bib for being so wonderfully behaved.
Aquavit in the original location in Manhattan. Sat next to an indoor waterfall, had amazing infused vodkas and the food was amazing.
Vong
Wayan - Son of Jean-Georges Vongerichten
Villa Verdi - Capri - Best bufala mozzarella I've ever tasted.
No clue of the name of the place - We hired a small boat in Lipari of the Aeolian Islands to visit Vulcano and natural hot springs/mud baths. Leonardo, the captain, insisted on taking us to a restaurant only accessible by boat that only the locals really went to. He spoke no English and we spoke no Italian. He ordered everything and somehow we had the most amazing meal, full of vibrant "conversation".
Quote:
tough to narrow it down because of some fantastic dining experiences.
1) An Italian Restaurant in Heidenheim, Germnay. The owner sat us down and said, "I cook for you tonight. No menu", then he proceeded to bring out about 10 different courses, served family style. Then before leaving, he gave my boss a framed painting of Padre Pio, another guy in our group a bottle of pickled peppers and he gave me a gallon of olive oil that was pressed on his Mother's land in Italy.
2) A meal at a seafood restaurant in Shenzhen, China. The first floor was a seafood market. You picked out what you wanted and they sent it to the kitchen to cook. Like a traditional meal, we sat at a spinning table and had several dishes come out and passed along. Razor clams, whole steamed fish, prawns, crab and a couple other dishes along with several plates of steamed vegetables. Fantastic
3) A meal in Rome with my wife and I in a hole in the wall restaurant. This was more circumstance than anything else. We had brought my parents and sister to Italy and after spending a few days in Rome, we rented a car to go inland to my Grandmother's hometown, Macchia Valfortore. When we went to pick the car up, it was a 15 minute train ride to the airport. We get the car, realize we don't have GPS and then go on a 3 hour drive back to the apartment we rented in Rome. We get back about 10PM and haven't eaten, so we see a restaurant down the street from the apartment and have a meal. The most delicious bucatini amatraciani ever. The pasta had a light sauce and then was swirled in a giant cheese rind and tossed with pancetta. Combined with the ordeal of the car and getting a romantic dinner with my wife over excellent food was amazing.
We get back to the apartment and my parents were waiting up for us and pissed we didn't call. We didn't have a cellphone that worked internationally! I felt like a teenager breaking curfew.
Ironically, we had one of the worst bucatini amatraciani dishes in Rome. We were going out to Campo de Fiori for drinks and just went to a restaurant in the square. Our worst meal in Italy.
That sucks.
Quote:
In comment 15322738 FatMan in Charlotte said:
Quote:
tough to narrow it down because of some fantastic dining experiences.
1) An Italian Restaurant in Heidenheim, Germnay. The owner sat us down and said, "I cook for you tonight. No menu", then he proceeded to bring out about 10 different courses, served family style. Then before leaving, he gave my boss a framed painting of Padre Pio, another guy in our group a bottle of pickled peppers and he gave me a gallon of olive oil that was pressed on his Mother's land in Italy.
2) A meal at a seafood restaurant in Shenzhen, China. The first floor was a seafood market. You picked out what you wanted and they sent it to the kitchen to cook. Like a traditional meal, we sat at a spinning table and had several dishes come out and passed along. Razor clams, whole steamed fish, prawns, crab and a couple other dishes along with several plates of steamed vegetables. Fantastic
3) A meal in Rome with my wife and I in a hole in the wall restaurant. This was more circumstance than anything else. We had brought my parents and sister to Italy and after spending a few days in Rome, we rented a car to go inland to my Grandmother's hometown, Macchia Valfortore. When we went to pick the car up, it was a 15 minute train ride to the airport. We get the car, realize we don't have GPS and then go on a 3 hour drive back to the apartment we rented in Rome. We get back about 10PM and haven't eaten, so we see a restaurant down the street from the apartment and have a meal. The most delicious bucatini amatraciani ever. The pasta had a light sauce and then was swirled in a giant cheese rind and tossed with pancetta. Combined with the ordeal of the car and getting a romantic dinner with my wife over excellent food was amazing.
We get back to the apartment and my parents were waiting up for us and pissed we didn't call. We didn't have a cellphone that worked internationally! I felt like a teenager breaking curfew.
Ironically, we had one of the worst bucatini amatraciani dishes in Rome. We were going out to Campo de Fiori for drinks and just went to a restaurant in the square. Our worst meal in Italy.
That sucks.
It was a very fortuitous trip. We planned well and then lucked into some things too. One night, we saw people lining the streets and we saw a procession. It was a group of Cardinals walking and at the end was a galls cubicle being carried, but it was empty. Behind it was the Pope, walking instead of being toted. And cries from the people "Papa! Papa!". Completely unplanned on our part to see it.
It was a very fortuitous trip. We planned well and then lucked into some things too. One night, we saw people lining the streets and we saw a procession. It was a group of Cardinals walking and at the end was a galls cubicle being carried, but it was empty. Behind it was the Pope, walking instead of being toted. And cries from the people "Papa! Papa!". Completely unplanned on our part to see it.
I love memorable events like that, especially when there are random people involved
I love memorable events like that, especially when there are random people involved
Same trip...You could ski into Italy from the Swiss side...so we all stop for lunch on the Italian side. The Chef was the bartender...so the herb shots were flowing...I order Jugged Venison and Polenta...the Chef brings out dish after dish that are perfect...then comes mine
My plate looks like someone in the kitchen puked up food...
Everyone is cracking up over my food...It was perfection
2) Roasted eggplant with watermelon and pomegranates at Aubergine in Ibaza, Spain
3) Enchiladas at Hamberguesa in Old Town San Diego
Honorable mention — tasting menu at 11 Madison Park, the vegetarian selection of the day at House of Nanking, San Francisco
Tiburon- Sandy, UT. Our favorite restaurant in UT, we're going back there in 3 weeks when we visit. We always have the seared ahi and usually the elk tenderloin, and share. The bread is great and they always have a delicious compound butter with it. Intermezzo.
Park City, UT- My first experience with osso bucco, at Grappa's. They've since raised prices to where I didn't feel there was value anymore. I've made it many times at home, since, and it's one of my favorites.
Jackson Hole, WY- Mustard crusted rack of lamb at The Blue Lion. I've had many racks of lamb, but the meat was just incredible there.
We decided to make soup.
The councilors brought in an intact raw cow's stomach and hung it from a tripod made of three cut branches from trees. In was huge and stunk like hell.
We then proceeded to fill it 1/2 way with water, add local wild skunk cabbage, corn off the cob and whatever canned vegetables our councilors thought were likely available to native Americans, apparently.
Rocks larger than grapefruits were heated in a nearby fire and added to the liquid in the hanging tripe bag to get the contents boiling. I have a memory of one exploding as it hit the cold veg mixture. The stench was overwhelming, absolutely memorable to this day.
We kept adding rocks for quite a while.
Eventually we called it done and actually tried to eat it. The amazing thing is I don't remember anyone going hungry or getting sick.
That was 56 years ago. Right about this time in the summer. Undoubtedly the most memorable meal of my life.
One would have to be a meal that I had in Santorini Greece while on a booze cruise.
The other two would have to be big meals with lots of entrees that were home cooked
Chef Michael's in Islamorada for a some of the best fish I've ever had. Honorable mention to Morada Bay for another great meal, but come to find out that was where Bloodline was filmed. Pretty cool.
Beacon Room in Orleans, MA. Best surf and turf I can remember, and it blew away any expectations since it was the only place we could get into that night. Highly recommend.
Chèvre d' Or in Eze France
The (now long gone) sister restaurant of Commander's Palace when it was near the Aladdin hotel in Las Vegas.
2) Omekase at Kame in Las Vegas
3) Spaghetti Carbonara at Domo94 in London
Some honorable mentions:
Someone mentioned Matisse in Rutherford - totally agree
Spaghetti from Scarpetta
The steak sandwich from Helmers' in Hoboken (mostly memorable because it doesn't exist anymore)
2) Montpelier Plantation Inn, Nevis. Their grotto meal is only your table, in a cave, candlelight, seafood caught that day...you have to supply the very hot girl...I did..then married her.
3) Tailgating before a Monday Night Football Cowboys game about 15 yrs ago. Was a guest of Shop-Rite executives in a luxury box, but the pre-game was incredible...70-80 people, 3 guys grilling filet mignon, clams, you name it, we ate and drank like kings, the whole atmosphere was amazing...and we won!
That brings back memories! The fettucini alfredo there was my favorite growing up.
A distant second but still good was the tasting menu at Scott Conant’s restaurant. Forget the name (and it’s gone anyway, I believe) but it was close to Chelsea Market.
Third is the Buffett (I know it sounds silly) at Nordic Lodge in Rhode Island. Expensive as hell for a buffet but all you can eat lobster.
Scarpetta, which I wold agree is an amazing restaurant. The Mrs and I shared the shared the spaghetti with Tomato an Basil, which sounds awfully plain, but it was the best spaghetti and red sauce I've ever eaten, Wagyu Strip, which I could have eaten 2 of.
Ha!
I'm sure he could get more than three meals out of you, but only three would really be most memorable.
2. Twist at the Mandarin Oriental (now Waldorf Astoria) in Las Vegas
3. Trattoria dal Billy in Manarola, Italy
Asturian Fabada - My grandmothers farm Northern Spain
Sea bass Cuban style - my signature dish.
And yes I really appreciate these threads, keep 'em coming guys!
Second - An Oyster Loaf at K-Paul's in New Orleans. I went on one of the old Big Blue Travel (?) away games in 1993. First day we went straight to K-Paul's for lunch. Incredible sandwich. Fresh housemate yeast bread, hollowed out, and stuffed with fried oysters, and garlic mayonnaise. It was served with 'Fringers' on the side. Thin cut Onion Rings, and Shoestring Potatoes. One of my friends ordered Meatloaf, and the rest of us laughed at him, because he was a basic food eater. It was the best meatloaf I have ever tried. Lucky we went too, as we went back the next day for dinner, and they were closed for Christmas break. Giants win 24-14. Great trip.
Third - We did say memorable right? I was on a liquid diet called optimist. It was protein shakes only. For 6 weeks all I had was vanilla, or chocolate shakes. I had some health issues six weeks in, and they said I needed salt, so they told me to drink some instant broth. So after 6 weeks, a cup of MBT Chicken broth was the first savory flavor I had in 42 days. Yes, it was fucking fantastic, and that is no exaggeration.
Tapas crawl, or should I say Pintxos crawl in San Sebastian, Spain with the wife was probably my most memorable culinary experience. Also ordering half the menu at Ramiro in Lisbon, and plates of fish fry piled high with my parents when visiting Alhambra at Grenada. Can't forget eating robustly for a week at Florence until I got gout and had to be wheeled into customs at JFK.....good times.