I realize that this is a useless entertainment-type thread, but I'm curious, what are the best five restaurant meals (or six, or whatever) you've eaten. I realize that this thread will probably quickly descend to self-aggrandizing debates on whether Alain Ducasse deserves to be Alice Waters' dishwasher. But, at great risk and peril (most I've ever spent on a meal is about 100 bucks, w/out wine), here are the best restaurant meals I've eaten in my life, from nicer to funkier:
1. Las Mañanitas, Cuernavaca, MX. Sublime Mexican food. I ate there about a half dozen times in a month-long stay in the area, and from the peacock patrolled gardens to the impecable service, just amazing.
2. Tavola di Tosa (defunct). A 100% authentic Italian place in Indianapolis, that went under a few years ago (bad location). I'm friends with the chef, so might have gotten a bit of extra attention, but everything I ate there was stupid-good. Nothing else in Indy (with the exception of R Bistro) comes close.
3. Kyoto Japanese restaurant, Eureka, CA. The owners are friends of friends, and while I've only eaten there once, it was hands down, the best Japanese/sushi I've had. Great service, and amazing flair with presentation. FYI-don't go if you're a red-stater.
4. Silver Wing, Cupertino, CA. Only ate there a few times, in the mid-90s, but had several Yang Chow style items that made me realize how good Chinese food can be. I googled them, and the quality slipped so far that they went out of business, but I'll always remember them.
5. El Farolito, San Francisco. If your normal Sunday routine is turning the Kenny G up in your Z4 while cruising the PCH with the office hottie who's about to graduate high school with your granddaughter, you'll be clutching you purse/wallet the second you step in this Mission district greasy spoon. But, the veggie taco or burrito, plus avocado and horchata to drink, is one of the best things I've eaten, ever. Makes La Taqueria up the street taste like Taco Bell.
5 1/2. Blueberry and Strawberry tall stack at IHOP, plus whipped cream, when I was 5. Nothing could have been better.
Cheers,
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