For Boston, MA I'd have to say Legal Seafood.  I know there are Legal Seafoods in other parts of the Northeast but it started here in Boston and their clam chowder is the best I've ever had!

Austin, TX

Chuy's Mexican

Iron Works BBQ

Both are delicious, have to go to both if you ever go there!

Amanda,

I definitely agree with your picks - lots of good restaurants on your list! I love Taqueria del Sol - and I think the food is definitely worh the wait.

I have a hard time naming my favorite places, because there are so many! Some of the places I really like are:

• Krog Bar - a wine bar located in a converted garage - good for tapas/wine
• New York Prime - good steak and good service
  
• Nan - really good Thai food
• Ecco - Mediterranean food and a fun place to meet for drinks

I'm glad you got to experience at the restaurant inside InterContinental Atlanta, Buckhead. What did you end up trying?

It's funny you mentioned Delicious Kabobs in Doraville. Though it was crowded on a recent weekend trip, it is a great find..

Amanda Kehoe

I was at the IC Buckhead this weekend. The XO bar now has a limited menu and no longer has sushi.

Made it to the  Delicious Kabob had the Szechuan Crispy Beef and was very happy with it.

Note: I tried to insert an image but could not make it work.

I am going to focus on my Mexican favorites, none fancy-all good

Austin area: Oaxacan Tamaleo

Austin: El Chilito

Salt Lake City: Red Iguana

Boston Area (Waltham, MA): Taqueria Mexico

I am always interested in learning about Mom-and-Pop mexican restuarants where the recipies are generations old, and especially like Mole

One of the best and most unique Mole sauces that I have ever had was from the Oaxacan Tamaleo (www.tamaleo.com), it is even available by phone or throuugh the website. The Tamales there are fantastic, but not available on-line (website needs updating on this item) which is too bad since I would have a supply in my freezer if I could.

If in the area, it is about 15 minutes east of the Austin airport on RT 71

Amanda-Thank you kindly for the information, I appreciate it. I had a long conversation with a rep from the Ambassador service group this morning and was told by him that Ambassador status would have no effect on any of my non-Intercontinental Hotel stays. Since my company prefers that we stay at HI and associated non-Intercontinental brands, I guess that I would not gain any value at all by joining at this time (with the possible exception of my wife gaining some benefit on the points-stay that I booked for her later this month at IC Chicago).

If anyone knows of benefits that I might receive at HI, HIX Group hotels by gaining Ambassador status, please fee free to respond and I will reconsider my decision not to upgrade at this time.

Thank you-Scott

For New york City, pick up a Zagat directory, listing thousands of restaurants rated by the locals.   Restaurants are listed alphabetically, and indexed as to neighborhood,  types of food, brunch, best in town, etc.  It's the bible of restaurant guides, and though many cities also have a Zagat,  I understand the NYC is the most comprhensive.

Subway

I'm so cheesy...I'm addicted to those Japanese places where they cook in front of you..hibatchi style

Amanda Kehoe

I guess it depends on what you call 'good' restaurants. In OH for something quick and delicious, I go to Skyline Chili! Nothing like a 3-way and a couple of coneys.

where in Ohio.  I live in Ohio and I can give you a few good places

Fogo de Chao for the best steak and salad bar.  They have restaurants in several cities in the U.S.  Service and food are excellent at the three I have visited, Atlanta, GA;  Dallas, TX;  Chicago, IL.

What does the Chicken Coop serve? I

The Chicken Coop serves everything from diner type foods to primo steaks, and seafood.  Yes, you'll find chicken on the menu. 

The wonderful surprise is finding a restaurant like this in Mexico, Maine of all places.  Beyond location, it's outward appearance might make you think of a dive roadhouse.  Once inside you'll be very satisfied.

If you're lost in the woods, this is the place to find yourself.

SRWOmaha

Hi Amanda!

Sorry for the long delay in response to your offer to suggest some spots in the Atlanta area.  I've been awfully busy with travel and ramping up some new contracts.  Two of which are in Georgia.  One in Atlanta and the other in Columbus.  I'll be heading that way frequently over the next three years.

If I'm not too late, please do share your suggestions there.  I've been to Atlanta a quite a bit over the years, but have generally been in and out and staying near the airport (Crowne Plaza of course!)

Here's where I've been in regards to eats that stand out in my memory...  Houston's (Buckhead area and also off of one those Ferry roads that you have so many of there), Bones (steakhouse), a mom and pop Cuban joint in Forest Park, and cool little cinema draft house in the Buckhead area.  Oh yeah, and the obligatory Chik-Fil-A!

I should have added Houston's to my earlier list.   Never a bad meal there in Atlanta, Memphis and Scottsdale, AZ.

Please fire away with any recommendations you may have.  Any microbrew restaurants recommendations?

Many Thanks!

Steve

Steve,

Microbreweries:

5 Seasons Brewery (Sandy Springs location)

Gordon Biersch Brewery  (chain)

Terrapin Beer (Athens, GA about an hour and 15 minute drive) (See the Tour Times to see the Brewery)

Chateau Elan (Full Production Winery) (30 minute drive from Atlanta)

Great Selection of Beers & Open Late:

Taco Mac (Perimeter)

Vortex Bar & Grille (Midtown location)

Brick Store Pub in Decatur (unique beer selection)

Leons Full Service in Decatur (unique beer selection/owned by Brick Store Pub

Hotels:

Ritz Carlton Atlanta Downtown Lumen Lobby Bar

Hotel Palomar AltoRex Rooftop Lounge

Dive Bars:

Clermont Lounge (adult entertainment dive bar)

Northside Tavern (dive blues bar and my favorite)

The Earl (East Atlanta dive bar)

Best Steak:

Chops Restaurant (Buckhead)

Adult Entertainment:

1.Cheetah

2.Pink Pony

3.Follies

Theatre That Serves Beer:

AMC Fork & Screen Buckhead

I could go on and on, but here's just a little that may be of interest. When coming to Atlanta? Let's plan to meet up..

Amanda Kehoe

Steve,

You can email me..Most members email addresses are private (some choose to display it). Mine is amandakehoe@att.net

Amanda

Manhattan:

Churrascaria Plataforma

221 W Broadway

New York, NY 10013-2909

Mr. Toads is alive and well.  Never eaten there and its still the eclectic art set crowd hanging out to listen to some jazz.

The Old Market still has the greatest collection of excellent restaurants in Omaha, all within a few square blocks of one another.  The French Quarter like vibe is always there, although most of the nightclubs are just outside of the immediate district.

I have found that the Priority Club Reward Network Restaurants have been very good.  http://priorityclub.rewardsnetwork.com/

If I'm in a city I don't know much about I look for  them to eat at. I tend to avoid the chain restaurants.  Even the cities where I live these tend to be good (& sometimes unique) restaurants & pubs with good food at really good rates.  The points are nice but the food is better     I have found so many neat little places in so many cities, it adds to the adventure.

Paul,

Are you saying that there is no dining rewards program in the UK? Some time ok I read about the Midweek Dining Club, I don't think you receive points but they give you good discounts and the money save you can use for travel.

there is a dining rewards program linked to Priority club. I don't know if it exists  outside of the US. Check out priorityclub.rewardsnetwork.com.

This is how it works:

+ Sign up - free, register your credit card(s)

+ they have hundreds of restaurants in the NYC area, and probably thousands in total across the country that are on this program

+When you eat at a restaurant  on the program, and pay with the registered credit card, you are awarded PC points. I receive 8 points per  dollar spent on the total bill, including tip and tax. There are always promotions to double  the   points.

there are some limitations.

For example,

+some resaturants don't honor points on Friday and Saturday, though most do.

+some restaurants  go off the program, and if you haven't checked on line to see , you might find you ate at Ptomaine Cafe, because of points only to  learn they  no longer give points.

+The website is not as user friendly as it ought to be.

Nevertheless, there are many restaurants at all levels that are on the program right in my own neighborhood and I do rack up points each month.  My bonanza, was in San Diego, when I invited friends for dinner.  I asked them to choose a  fine restaurant, as  they live there and I don't... What a surprise when I later discovered  almost 2,500 PC points awarded for that restaurant (16 points per dollar on total bill)

Bon apetit

There seems to have been a Renaissance in the English Country pub Menus, Better food, better choice , better service and reduced prices. That ticks all my boxes.

Bubble and squeak was a  meal made up of left over potatoes, mashed with left over cabbage, both traditional; Sunday Lunch food  from less well of families . It was mashed together and  fried  looking rather like a veggie burger of today,

Surprisingly it has re appeared in some better pub restaurants as a starter, but with added bits like bacon, poached egg and a sauce like eggs benedict.

Thanks for adding new places! I love your idea of grabbing a book of matches to remember a special spot..

Anybody else collect matchbooks???

Thank you,

Amanda Kehoe

Keith,

How many matchbooks do you think you have? Best guess? Yeah the College Park Spondivitis is still open. I have eaten there. Do you like the Oysters?"

Amanda Kehoe

Keith,

: ) Yummy!

Amanda

Ronald,

I've checked matches, and carried them on. I've never had issues.

Amanda

I have..but never had issues with matches or lighters.

I suppose where you live  influences your choice of eateries as well as your mood. There are still many places in Europe that require suites and ties for gentlemen but I would feel that it would be a rather special occasion. That being said I often prefer a more relaxed  restaraunt.  The move to much better pub grub in rent months means that  around my town there are now to many to mention. The price with wine works out  usually at under £20 ($32) a person

In Florida we often feel a more relaxed approach to dining but in an upmarket establishment in a cooler climate I feel rather underdressed without a jacket and tie. Horses for courses as they say.

I do hope you can find some fine dining in Europe. It is a case of trusting the IC concierges in a lot of cases. They have in Cannes some excellent recommendations and although jacket and tie not required jeans and sweat shirts may not get you the best table or service.

Concierge at the IC Frankfurt was great. Helped greatly with getting me a rental car. Had made reservations in advance and the rental car agency had canceled it, so the concierge  got me a nice car on short notice.

Dinner recommendations were great. Unfortunately only had dinner once in the Frankfurt area. Holbein's restaurant is across the river Main in the Museums district and has great food options. Casual dressing was no problem at all.

Hey if you are ever in Balimar (Baltimore, MD) they also have a "three..." http://www.pattersonpark3.com/  neat little place off Patterson Park.  Altho there an another well kept secret for good food at a bar, it is called the "Laughing Pint"  http://www.laughingpint.com/  Humm website is a bit behind the times but the food list is up to date  & it is down the road from "three..."

I have not been over the pond in a while but if & when I do I'll remember to come here for advice  

Ronald - you couldn't have said it better! The opportunity to come here and get advice on all things travel related is AWESOME! Glad to have access to this site and all of the wisdom available!!!!!

I don't have time to go into all of the great restaurants I've been to, but I live in Columbus, OH, and frequent in Cincinnati and Cleveland, as well as travel for work all over Texas, Colorado, California, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, and Utah.  If anyone wants to know a good spot in those places, let me know, and I'll try to accommodate.  On a more negative note, I just ate at the Holiday Inn at Fisherman's Wharf.  Do yourself a favor, don't ever do that.

there are plenty of good places to eat, I just occasionally don't want to leave the hotel.

I believe it is very touristy there   If you come to the US, I'd just check out the restaurants listed in iDine  http://priorityclub.rewardsnetwork.com/  I put them in my GPS & then when I get there I know where to eat

it is touristy...but it's San Francisco..a place to make an exception and do/eat all places 'touristy'  :  )

Amanda

Yes, a Michelin Star Rated restaurant are diamonds in the culinary world, and for us foodies!

Amanda Kehoe

Marlene,

waddled??? lol

Totally Jealous...La Rive

Amanda Kehoe

Ramsay's at Claridges in London.  Went there in a family group of 5 for a (bargain) fixed price (£30) Sunday lunch as a birthday treat.  Quite out of the blue, we were invited to eat at the Chef''s table in the kitchen!  Fabulous food - three courses in the menu and three extra courses/ amusee bouches thrown in.  The staff were friendly, explained what was going on, introduced us to all the staff, and recommended various choices.  It was fascinating to see the effort that went into every single plate. We went in at 12.45 and didn't leave until 4.30 pm.  Wine was a little expensive but worth every penny as the whole occasion was a fantastic experience.  Although not a fan of some of the more foul-mouthed TV programmes of 'Chef Ramsay' this restaurant is a gem.  So if in London, do go there but remember to go for the fixed price menu.

Happy Christmas to everyone and a Prosperous New Year.

Dave