~Where are your favorite upscale restaurants and bars ?

Old-T's Avatar
  • Old-T
  • 06-09-2015, 01:08 PM
Philly - Buddakhan....though I'm sure it's no longer as good as it was when it used to visit it years ago.

DC - Vidalia. Again I speak as someone who hasn't been in far too long.

San Antonio - Chama Guacha. Mainly for the always amazing service. Originally Posted by SA Angel
Dear lady, if you know Vidalia we may well have walked past each other on the street.
TravelingGentleman's Avatar
My favorites In Vegas:

https://www.caesars.com/paris-las-ve...wer-restaurant Originally Posted by HelenaIriepalomino
Great restaurant! I have a terrible Vegas story that I can only share because of anonymity.

When I go to Vegas, I call ahead - you get free drinks in Casinos, but I'm particular about what I drink, and I typically want to gamble in the high stakes room with modified rules. IE, I won't play American Roulette, I want "En Prison" in effect, and I want at least three zeros separating the table min and max.

Anyway - so my last trip to Vegas, I'm $30k up at Caesar's Palace, exquisitely drunk on my favorite booze. No one else has come into the room except the server, so it's a pit-boss, rotating dealer, myself, and the room bartender. I suggest that I'd like to share some evening entertainment with someone (and Vegas has advertisements for escorts/companions everywhere). 30 minutes later, a tiny little strawberry blonde vixen wanders in and joins me at the table. I game for a bit more, but it's been 5-6 hours without a break, and I wanted to break for dinner.

We go to dinner, she's a reasonable conversationalist. She keeps checking her phone - I'd never done, or ever tried doing anything like this before, so I'm presuming that she's checking in with her agency to assure that she's safe. Her companionship is $3,000 an hour, $10,000 for an overnight stay. I'm thinking, "Eh - I'm $30k up." Keep in mind that I knew nothing about this hobby, rates, or anything else.

I give her $10k, and we retire to my room to have a drink. She smells like cigarettes, which was a complete bummer, doesn't want any TOUCHING of either party on the other party in ANY fashion that isn't covered by something (no kissing), and the complete impersonal and cold nature of the entire thing was so...strange...that I ended up telling her to go. I probably should have asked for a partial refund since nothing was happening (I do mean nothing), but I was too embarrassed.

Morale of the story: Good food, terrible memory.
La Grenouille, NYC

Bar La Terrazza dell'Eden (Hotel Eden, Rome). An amazing roof top terrace; with stunning views of Rome. Note to travelers: Evening cocktails or morning breakfast only. Skip the dinner dining - better choices for less abound in Rome. This place is all about the vibe of a fine bar with jaw dropping views.


Galatoire's, New Orleans

Great pics Whirlaway!!!
Slitlikr's Avatar
It seems like most of the steakhouses these days are formulaic. Same meat, price & service.
Next time you're in Houston, check out Amerigo's in The Woodlands. Not a steakhouse but ask for Alejandro and you will not be disappointed!

http://amerigos.com/m/
Salon de Ning at the Peninsula in NYC is my favorite. Great bar, nice crowd, great views on NYC both up and downtown plus a nice selection of providers on most nights

Second choice would be Harrys at the Waldorf - nice bar, can vary from mid to upper level folks and have been there on weeknights and there were literally 10-20 providers hanging around
Dear lady, if you know Vidalia we may well have walked past each other on the street. Originally Posted by Old-T
It is a small world....especially when your friends are foodies. If you ever sneaked of to EPR for an early lunch then you had a good chance of running into me as well. Not high-end by any means but that place is one of my favorite food memories of DC.
Headed to NYC in 9 days.... Can't wait to try out your recommendations! Any others for the sexy city of Manhttan????
Moonlight Graham's Avatar
In NYC, try Becco, part of the Bastianich clan of restaurants, at 355 West 46th Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues). http://becco-nyc.com/

In Houston, Pappas Bros. Steakhouse on Westheimer is primed for perfection.

For total romance, I'm partial to the Whataburger in Columbus, TX. For many Texans, it's better than any In-N-Out Burger.

Becco in NYC is pictured below.
When visiting San Antonio, the best upscale and intimate restaurant is Gwendolyn. Amazing every time. Originally Posted by Camille Fox
Thanks, Camille, I'll have to check it out. A couple times, I've taken my fave to Bliss in the 900 Block of S. Presa St. The cuisine is fabulous, but the atmosphere, although somewhat intimate, is not as quiet and private as I'd like.
82luke's Avatar
My favorite is Bohanan's in San Antonio. Escargot is the best. Bar is downstairs and is kind of like a dark speakeasy. Restaurant is upstairs and is brighter.

http://www.bohanans.com
In NYC, try Becco, part of the Bastianich clan of restaurants, at 355 West 46th Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues). http://becco-nyc.com/

In Houston, Pappas Bros. Steakhouse on Westheimer is primed for perfection.

For total romance, I'm partial to the Whataburger in Columbus, TX. For many Texans, it's better than any In-N-Out Burger.

Becco in NYC is pictured below. Originally Posted by Moonlight Graham
Reservations made....