100 Restaurants to Eat at Before You Die...

What restaurants (either local or not-so-local) are on your lifetime dream list? Where would you spend any amount for a meal? Don't worry if it isn't in the budget right now...let's dream of best meals ever....

PS> I'm going to one of mine next week...Cyrus. I went a couple of years ago, but this time I'm doing it large.

Cuistot in Palm Desert

Casanova's in Carmel, CA. Not just a fabulous meal, but excellent service, extensive wine list (varietals from all over the world). Quaint little place that may not seem appealing from the front...but you get taken back to this atrium/old world style dining area...it's GEORGEOUS! Brunch (Sunday) Lunch & Dinner daily. Try the seafood linguni (OMG!!!) it's served in an authentic french copper pot, and it's scrumptious! Do NOT go to Monterey/Carmel and pass up this dining gem!

Mankas in Inverness cant wait for them to open again

Absinthe in SF - go before the symphony or a play or the ballet - excellent on Hayes Street (near Davies Hall) Try the scallops or the beef cheeks. . .

The Banyan Tree at the Ritz Carlton in Kapalua, Maui. Hopefully this year : ) They have a sesame, macadamia nut, salted crumbly mixture to dip your bread in with the most devine olive oil in addition to a spectacular menu. Between that and the view you'd think you were in heaven.

French Laundry - I know it is hard to get into, but so much worth the experience. I sniffled and within one second (literally), there was someone next to me with a tissue. 6 different kinds of butter (from all over US) with your bread and quite possibly the most amazing service and wait staff anywhere! Worth the mortgage payment you will miss due to the cost of the meal! :) :) I would definitely go there again, should the occasion arise!

BTW, Michelle - I have been to Casanovas and definitely agree that it is awesome! :)

For some of the finest meals I have had, it would be Aqua in San Francisco. The food and service were excellent. The desserts and the presentation were to die for. It has been many years since I have been there but I assume it has not changed. If anyone has gone there lately, would love some feedback.

I know it is hard to believe but Jack in the Box in San Diego was serving Kangaroo back in the 80's when I was going to the University of California down there.......best burgers I have ever had.......if you ever get a chance to eat the Kangaroo do it.

Brother's Korean BBQ on Geary in San Francisco. There is an actual BBQ pit at every table. They fill the pit with coals and you BBQ the night away right at your table.

Uptown: Farmhouse - Forestville. Don't know if they still have Rabbit,Rabbit,Rabbit, but if they do. Get it. Also, great(yet compact)wine list.

Midtown: Melting Pot - Larkspur. You can do fondue at home, but I don't have a chef, a server and a dishwasher...Or for that matter 3-4 fondue pots.

Downtown: Charlie Brown's fried chicken fridays at The Tradewind's in Cotati. At around $10 you can even get it to go with some heart stopping mashers and gravy if you're not into the bar scene.

Havest Moon Cafe in Sonoma. One of the best meals I've ever had!

Pappasitos in Dallas, Houston or San Antonio. Best Tex Mex period. Ive worked at Dry Creek Kitchen, Martini House and Eldorado Kitchen in Sonoma. Im a foodie and this is what I crave.

Jeff

The Hot Grill, Clifton NJ: The absolute best Texas Weiners-ask for them "all the way". Typical NJ fast food.

Frank Pepe's Pizza, New Haven, CT: classic true NY thin crust fold-in-1/2 without the NYC hassle. One hour wait at lunchtime.

Rein's Deli, Vernon, CT: pastrami in rural CT???-yes! Family run for 40+years. Try the brisket,too. Just off I84.

O'Rouke's Diner, Middletown, CT. Wow! Looks like a dump, but breakfast is terrific, albeit $20. Duck hash!!!

Mancuso's, Fairfield, CT: new owners, but the soups are still great-chicken veg/noodle and pasta fagioli. Eat at the bar.

NoName, Boston: Legal Seafood is OK, but a chain. Anthony's is OK but touristy. This is the real deal. The fish 'chowda' is from that day's catch. Tough to find-ask a local. Unique atmosphere. Memorable.

Downeys on State Street in Santa Barbara. John and Liz Downey own the resturant. John is the chef, and Liz handles the dining room with exceptional grace. She also selects the wine, and has an excellent list with some moderately priced exceptional wines, mostly local.
The dishes for the most part are expensive, but a feeling of value received.
We have been going there for years, and never have been even slightly disappointed. There may be a better restaurant, and we look forward to finding it someday, but for now this is the one.

Just had a very great dining experience at Gary Danko's to celebrate my birthday last Monday. The place was packed to the bar....even had to wair with reservations. (But the blinis w/caviar made it worthwhile!). The food was outstanding, considerably less "prescious" than at Cyrus. Or at French Laundry.
p.s. Glad to hear the wonderful Downey's is still around. We used to drive there from Malibu for years.

Ritz Carlton dining room in San Francisco. Ron Siegel is absolutely amazing...I have to say, this blew Cyrus AND French Laundry (yes, you heard me) out of the water. French Laundry was good, but not as good as it once was years ago. The food was innovative and spectacular. The sommelier was on his game and paired wines with our meal that normally are bottle purchases only, but did them by the glass because he realized our passion for food and wine. It was simply mind-blowing amazing.

The Pink Elephant in Monte Rio. All roads lead to it.

The Pink Elephant in Monte Rio. All roads lead to it.

Pork Chop Johns in Butte MT. If you've never had one, you are missing out. The original uptown location has the better of the 2 shops in Butte, but this past Christmas when we were there, Peppermint Patties in Anaconda has a real close second.

Loaded Delux baby!

For a great burger in San Diego go to Nicky Rottens Bar and Burger joint. Huge burgers, you'll want to split one. The fries are crispy and perfect!

The Bracebridge Christmas Dinner at Yosemite.

El Bulli, in Catalonia, Spain. My mouth waters just thinking about it.

Rosso's Pizzeria and Wine Bar in Santa Rosa. The yummiest wood oven baked pizza I've ever tasted. They make their own mozzarella on the premises and their daily specials and soups are totally out of this world. I recommend going in on a Thursday for their fish special which right now is whole Dungeness Crab that has been sauteed in LOTS of garlic, butter and some peppers. Everything is seasonal so the menu rotates and the food is made from local ingredients. Their wine list is pretty extensive and features many organic and biodynamic selections. They have a kids menu that is fantastic and features the best mac and cheese you've ever tasted. Most items on the menu are about $14 except the specials which are usually about $20 and worth every penny!

The Brickskellar in Washington, DC- greatest beer selection ever put together, in a stone, underground cellar. Also, Firefly in the same city (get the table under the tree). The Starlight in Sebastopol for deco ambiance, Presti's in Little Italy in Cleveland, OH for the best baked goods. Abe's deli in Los Angeles, The Union Oyster House in Mass for seafood.

Vij's in Vancouver BC. The very best Indian restaurant outside of India.

Zuni in SF. The gnocchi are like clouds!

Bacco is New Orleans. THe Bacco bbq shrimp are to die for.

Locally: Cyrus & Dry Creek Kitchen & Willi's Seafood Bar & Nick's Cove & Central Market
City: among many good ones already mentioned, we've enjoyed Bacar & Sutro's & Rubicon
Yosemite: Ahwahnee Hotel
La Jolla: Crabcatcher for Lunch
Carmel: liked Casanova a lot, loved Pacific Edge
Big Sur: Post Ranch Inn & Ventana
Jackson,Wyo: Spring Creek
Santa Fe: Anazazi & Santacafe & Coyote Cafe
Taos: El Monte Sagura

The Red Grape in Sonoma---a stone's throw off the Plaza and the food is terrific! Very friendly, laid back atmosphere.....I don't live in the area anymore and miss it more than I can say!

Agree with Bob about Viji's in Vancover. We ate there on our honeymoon, and I dreamed about it for years. We returned on our 8th anniversary, included Vancover on a trip just to be able to eat there. The owner laughed and said we should have called to make sure they were still in business. They were, the food was as good as we remembered, and I dream about the next time we'll be able to go.

I agree w/ the following places:

1. Cyrus- Healdsburg
2. TraVigne- St. Helena
3. French Laundry- Rutherford
4. Brother's Korean BBQ- San Francisco
5. Willie's Wine Bar- Healdsburg

1. Martini House St. Helena

2. Redd Yountville

3. Hitchin' Post Casmalia

4. Chef Rick's Santa Maria

5. Charcuterie Healdsburg

Vivace at the Four Seasons Aviara (Carlsbad, CA)

El Bizcocho at the Rancho Bernardo Inn (San Diego/RB)

Donovan's (La Jolla, CA)

All have wonderful menus and excellent service.

Cochon in New Orleans
Al Forno in Providence, RI
Loveless Cafe in Nashville

Bookbinders in Philadelphia. Best restaurant for food and service on the east coast. O'Donnells in DC a close second. Have the snapper turtle soup at Bookbinders with sherry...deeeeeelicous.....

Willi's Wine Bar in Santa Rosa, Martini House in St. Helena, the House of Prime Rib in San Francisco, Anchor Oyster Bar in San Francisco, 50 Plates in Portland, Oregon, Toro Bravo in Portland, Oregon...all of my favorite places that I would be happy to eat at for the rest of my life!

L'Auberge in Carmel. Amazing meal on the scale of French Laundry but easier to get to.

Some exquisite food memories

sammies cowboy bistro ashland. Or
Post Ranch Inn Big Sur
Excelsior Boston
Le Grizzile Paris
Martini House St Helena
Underwood Graton
Albion River Inn Little River
Gary Danko's
Hana Rohnert Park
Best Fish sandwich in downtown Paia, Maui...name???

Some exquisite food memories

sammies cowboy bistro ashland. Or
Post Ranch Inn Big Sur
Excelsior Boston
Le Grizzile Paris
Martini House St Helena
Underwood Graton
Albion River Inn Little River
Gary Danko's
Hana Rohnert Park
Best Fish sandwich in downtown Paia, Maui...name???