# The BEST restaurant I've ever been to is... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 21, 2007, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-restaurant-ive-ever-been-to-is/416370 "2007-08-21T15:03:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2007, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-restaurant-ive-ever-been-to-is/416370/41 "2007-08-21T21:46:07Z")
[QUOTE=Hello Again] > **[Tapawingo.net is for sale | HugeDomains](https://www.hugedomains.com/domain_profile.cfm?d=tapawingo.net)** > > Since 2005, we have helped thousands of people get the perfect domain name. We got lost in a blizzard on our way there, called 27 billion times for directions, arrived 1/2 hour late for the last seating, completely wrongly dressed (we didn’t realize it was a formal setting and pretty much came in our ski clothes) and received divine food and some of the best service I’ve had anywhere. They did this thing with shaved daikon radish and smoked whitefish that I still think of fondly from time to time. [/QUOTE] I came in this thread to talk about Tapawingo! I’ve eaten all over the world… been to some pretty damn fine restaurants in France and in the US. Tapawingo rates as one of the best few, and may be the best ever. It certainly is the best I’ve been to in the past several years. I’m stunned they’re #1) in Michigan and #2) in the middle of fookin’ nowhere. Seriously. They’re in a town where there’s really nothing but Tapawingo, another nice restaurant, and a couple B&Bs that cater the foodies who come to the restaurants. ---
**Author:** ![Fact\_of\_the\_Matter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Fact\_of\_the\_Matter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fact_of_the_Matter)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2007, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-restaurant-ive-ever-been-to-is/416370/42 "2007-08-21T21:49:11Z")
I have been to many fine restaurants but only one still sticks in my mind and that would be the [Firehouse](http://www.firehouseoldsac.com) in Old Sacramento. ---
**Author:** ![Wonderwall6129](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@Wonderwall6129](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wonderwall6129)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2007, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-restaurant-ive-ever-been-to-is/416370/43 "2007-08-21T21:52:44Z")
[QUOTE=beowulff] I don’t live there anymore, but I’ll ask my folks if they’ve heard of it. [/QUOTE] I think she said it was by the National Cathedral (or Chapel or whatever), if that helps. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_Bowe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@Doug\_Bowe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_Bowe)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2007, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-restaurant-ive-ever-been-to-is/416370/44 "2007-08-21T22:37:18Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace] I was fortunate enough to eat at [The French Laundry](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Laundry) in Yountville (Napa) last year, and it really does live up to its hype. I didn’t time it, but the meal lasted several hours, and everything tasted like something you’d never had before. It’s also the most expensive restaurant\* I’ve ever eaten in, so that needs to be taken into consideration, too. \*I’ve probably eaten at more expensive restaurants in Asia (particularly in Japan), but I wasn’t paying and never saw the bill (thankfully). [/QUOTE] For what it’s worth…the kitchen at The French Laundry was used for the floor plan in the film Ratatouille. ---
**Author:** ![psycat90](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@psycat90](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psycat90)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2007, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-restaurant-ive-ever-been-to-is/416370/45 "2007-08-21T22:41:38Z")
This thread is definitely making my mouth water. [QUOTE=Fact of the Matter] I have been to many fine restaurants but only one still sticks in my mind and that would be the [Firehouse](http://www.firehouseoldsac.com) in Old Sacramento. [/QUOTE] The Firehouse made it into my Top Ten (at #9.) The food and service were excellent, and the atmosphere was nice, but the wine list was what really impressed me. It was literally a book. I haven’t seen anything like it before or since. ---
**Author:** ![Labtrash](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/labtrash/32/528_2.png) [@Labtrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labtrash)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2007, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-restaurant-ive-ever-been-to-is/416370/46 "2007-08-21T22:56:55Z")
[QUOTE=Wonderwall6129] Drunken Jack’s, hands down. If you live in or near Myrtle Beach you probably know what I mean. OK, so maybe it was the fact that my mom and I vacationed to Myrtle Beach when I was thirteen, and then I was absolutely enchanted by anything having to do with the ocean. Fish, sailing, pirates…LOVED it. Drunken Jack’s had that ambience that I pretty much flipped out over. And maybe it was the fact that scallops were at the time and still are my favorite food, and they know how to make a damn good bacon-wrapped scallops dish (I peeled the bacon off, but still). And IT’S NOT A FREAKIN’ CHAIN!!! We didn’t eat at one single chain for an entire week and it was one of the best spring breaks I’ve ever had. What restaurants do you love? [/QUOTE] Seconded, but I love T-Bones, too. And I can go to either any time! woohoo! ---
**Author:** ![Labtrash](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/labtrash/32/528_2.png) [@Labtrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labtrash)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2007, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-restaurant-ive-ever-been-to-is/416370/47 "2007-08-21T23:05:39Z")
[QUOTE=Drain Bead] [Lockkeepers in Valley View, OH](http://www.lockkeepers.com/dinner.htm) [Mistral in Charleston, SC](http://yp.bellsouth.com/sites/mistralrestaurant/index.html) [Flo’s Place in Murrell’s Inlet, SC](http://www.flosplace.com/) [/QUOTE] When did you go to Flo’s, 'cuz I can’t stand that place. The scallops I ordered were NOT scallops, but punched out something or other. The sweet tea was rancid, and the service was horrible. YMMV, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Necros](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/necros/32/11086_2.png) [@Necros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Necros)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2007, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-restaurant-ive-ever-been-to-is/416370/48 "2007-08-21T23:07:07Z")
[QUOTE=psycat90] The French Laundry, no doubt about it. [/QUOTE] This is number one on my list, as well, though not by a landslide. Top four would probably be: -The French Laundry (Yountville) -Alinea (Chicago) Close second to TFL and winner of most expensive meal -L’Atelier in Paris -Another tiny little restaurant in Paris I don’t remember the name of. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2007, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-restaurant-ive-ever-been-to-is/416370/49 "2007-08-21T23:11:07Z")
[QUOTE=Wonderwall6129] AMEN!! Katz’s is part of the reason I’m going to college in New York. Seriously, I love them. I hate Quizno’s and every sub I get at Subway looks like it’s been run over by a truck, so ever since then I haven’t eaten another sub from a chain. Good Lord. It’s like a food-orgasm. [/QUOTE] Would you mind e-mailing me? (saxman2 AT hotmail DOT com) I have a bit of a favor to ask regarding Katz’s, and I’ll make it worth your while, but if you don’t want to do it I will totally understand. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2007, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-restaurant-ive-ever-been-to-is/416370/50 "2007-08-21T23:24:00Z")
An Italian restaurant called Trattoria Stefano in Sheboygan, Wisconsin - though it fell from its height at a future visit. My husband and I had dined in various cities in Italy - Rome, Genoa, Bellagio, Rapallo, Siena, etc., and when we heard friends who lived in Sheboygan saying how amazing the food was at Stefano’s, we kind of scoffed. We first went there probably around 1998 or so, and ate our words. Happily. The wine list was interesting and varied, and the food was creative and delicious. I remember my husband raved about his boar bolognese. The owner makes regular trips back to Italy to search for good ingredients and new ideas. We thought it was better than anything we’d eaten in Italy. However, our second visit a year or so later was… disappointing. It was still good, sure, even great - but no longer the delightful, amazing experience we’d had at our first visit. It wasn’t just our perception, either; the friends we went with who lived in the area weren’t as impressed as at previous visits, and they’d been there a number of times, just not recently. We haven’t been back, but perhaps next visit we’ll give it another try. ---
**Author:** ![xanthous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/53a042/32.png) [@xanthous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xanthous)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2007, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-restaurant-ive-ever-been-to-is/416370/51 "2007-08-21T23:38:59Z")
**Lula** in Venice, CA. They have a Oaxacan tamale that makes me cry (tears of joy). **Fogo de Chao**. My first experience was in Atlanta. Now that I’m in LA, I’ll get to do it again someday! Meat, meat, meat! **Nora** in D.C. I had smoked trout on a green salad as an appetizer that blew my mind. **Starliner Diner** in Hilliard, OH. Their Chiliquiles are awesome, and plantains, cuban toast, and a bloody mary alongside make it an unforgettable breakfast. That’s all I can think of for now! ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2007, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-restaurant-ive-ever-been-to-is/416370/52 "2007-08-22T00:05:28Z")
[QUOTE=Wonderwall6129] I’ll have to looks around for that when I go there again. I’m not sure when that will be, but I know I will, because I LOVE DC with a passion. Have you ever been to a restaurant there called the Cactus Cantina? My sister’s friend reccommended it to me befroe I went last year but we never got to go there. Is it good? [/QUOTE] It’s okay - nothing special, though. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2007, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-restaurant-ive-ever-been-to-is/416370/53 "2007-08-22T00:11:27Z")
[QUOTE=labtrash] When did you go to Flo’s, 'cuz I can’t stand that place. The scallops I ordered were NOT scallops, but punched out something or other. The sweet tea was rancid, and the service was horrible. YMMV, of course. [/QUOTE] Summer of 2003? I had a pile of raw oysters and steamed clams, and some delicious fried green tomatoes. ---
**Author:** ![TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/51bf81/32.png) [@TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2007, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-restaurant-ive-ever-been-to-is/416370/54 "2007-08-22T00:11:27Z")
[Alinea](http://www.alinea-restaurant.com/). “Life-changing” does not begin to describe the experience. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2007, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-restaurant-ive-ever-been-to-is/416370/55 "2007-08-22T00:14:20Z")
**Meskerem** , in Washington, DC. Ethiopian food - inexpensive, delicious, Ethiopian food. Mostly spicy meat stews, served on a communal circle of injera bread. You rip off a bit of bread, use it to pick up the stew, and eat. I can’t say enough good things about this place - the good, the atmosphere - Ethiopian-style furniture! - the fact I’ve never had to wait more than 20 minutes for a table, and the most expensive anything is there is about $15 - the place is incredible. If you’re ever in Washington, go to Meskerem. Hell, if you’re even in North America, go to Meskerem. Just go, damnit! And after dinner, head across the street to Tryst for drinks. I like them - they have free wifi. Or, go down the street a little farther to “Prince Cafe” for Turkish Coffee and hookah. I love this city. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2007, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-restaurant-ive-ever-been-to-is/416370/56 "2007-08-22T00:18:02Z")
[QUOTE=Mr. Excellent] **Meskerem** , in Washington, DC. Ethiopian food - inexpensive, delicious, Ethiopian food. Mostly spicy meat stews, served on a communal circle of injera bread. You rip off a bit of bread, use it to pick up the stew, and eat. I can’t say enough good things about this place - the good, the atmosphere - Ethiopian-style furniture! - the fact I’ve never had to wait more than 20 minutes for a table, and the most expensive anything is there is about $15 - the place is incredible. If you’re ever in Washington, go to Meskerem. Hell, if you’re even in North America, go to Meskerem. Just go, damnit! And after dinner, head across the street to Tryst for drinks. I like them - they have free wifi. Or, go down the street a little farther to “Prince Cafe” for Turkish Coffee and hookah. I love this city. 😃 [/QUOTE] _The Red Sea_ was better, but I think they’re gone (I’m a big Ethiopian fan). ---
**Author:** ![lobstermobster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobstermobster/32/10033_2.png) [@lobstermobster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lobstermobster)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2007, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-restaurant-ive-ever-been-to-is/416370/57 "2007-08-22T00:32:30Z")
New Orleans: Bella Luna Jacques-Imos Tokyo Bistro (seriously…I would get my death row meal from here) Dick and Jennys Port of Call Nashville: Mambu Virago Chicago: Japonais Does anyone have anywhere AWESOME I should go in San Francisco?? Somewhere where I won’t have to sell a kidney to pay for is preferable. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2007, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-restaurant-ive-ever-been-to-is/416370/58 "2007-08-22T00:54:59Z")
[QUOTE=lobstermobster] Does anyone have anywhere AWESOME I should go in San Francisco?? Somewhere where I won’t have to sell a kidney to pay for is preferable. [/QUOTE] Yes, if you like breakfast. (And who doesn’t?) [Dottie’s True Blue Cafe](http://www.meshsf.com/blogs/2005/06/going-dottie-dotties-true-blue-cafe.html) They have got the best freaking pancakes I have ever had in my life. I’m normally not a huge pancake fan, but these made a convert of me. I spent most of this summer in an apartment building right next to Dottie’s, and my friends would laugh from _their_ apartment as I spent an hour or so in line, every Saturday, waiting for delicious pancakes. But, you see, I got pancakes (with real maple syrup!), and they did not. So, “hah!” to them, I say. Get the two-stack, it’s something like five bucks, and you’ll leave stuffed. The pancakes are gigantic, as well as delicious. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2007, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-restaurant-ive-ever-been-to-is/416370/59 "2007-08-22T01:25:38Z")
Oh, and not a restaurant, per se, but [Jeni’s Ice Cream](http://www.jenisicecreams.com/) has ruined me for all other ice cream shops. ---
**Author:** ![Key\_Lime\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/48db29/32.png) [@Key\_Lime\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Key_Lime_Guy)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2007, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-restaurant-ive-ever-been-to-is/416370/60 "2007-08-22T01:56:42Z")
I’ve had some great meals at pretty high-end places, but my enjoyment is usually muted at such places because formality is just kind of uncomfortable to me. My responses would be: Langer’s Deli in LA Mother’s in New Orleans Hali’imaile General Store on Maui Arthur Bryant’s in KC [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-restaurant-ive-ever-been-to-is/416370.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-best-restaurant-ive-ever-been-to-is/416370.md?page=4)