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Simply put, Olives is a fantastic restaurant. It exceeded my expectations in almost every regard. We visited Olives during October, and thus the temperature outside in Las Vegas was beautiful. We requested a seat on the outdoor patio so we could watch the fountains during our meal. The atmosphere outdoors was a lot of fun! Olives is possibly the only location where you can view the Bellagio fountain show from a seated location. Every 15 minutes when a fountain show started, everyone paused to watch the fountains.

The food itself was also quite good. I was slightly surprised at the portion size – the food portions were larger than I thought they would be for a restaurant of this quality. The main entree I ordered, chestnut raviloi, was excellent. It was a unique combination, and the ravioli tasted rich and buttery. I was slightly disappointed in the dessert I ordered. The quality was good, but it cost $12, and wasn’t quite up to par with the rest of the meal.

Reservations are required at Olives, but strangely enough, they outsource their reservations, so you can’t make them simply by walking to the desk at the Bellagio. They have a phone number you can call to make reservations. Before you do, double check the fountain schedule so you can make sure the fountains will be operating while you are dining. If possible, definitely sit outside on the patio. Although it is quieter indoors, the atmosphere outdoors is really unique, and it’s just great to be able to watch the fountain show while enjoying your dinner.

More about Olives at the Bellagio -
http://myworldreviews.com/reviews/Olives_at_the_Bellagio-99.html at http://myworldreviews.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Wasik

On a lazy Sunday afternoon with a craving for Chinese food gnawing at our insides, my girlfriend and I decided to make a jump over to Buford Highway and try out yet another new spot for lunch (new to us).

So I took her to Chef Liu’s. It’s on Buford Highway, about a mile ITP.

As we got closer and I pointed out where we were going to be eating, my girlfriend made it clear to me that she did not want to eat at this shack in the middle of a parking lot! After some heated convincing, we opened the sliding glass door (sliding as in, like the one you have going your backyard) and sat at a table closest to the kitchen. Not that we could see through the bamboo shade hanging down and dividing the trailer.

Ambiance? It’s so awesome here. With six or seven plain tables set inside a trailer and little decoration other than the strip mall you see on the other side of the parking lot through the glass walls, Chef Liu’s is closer to what you might find in other countries that allow food to be sold from run down shacks on the side of the street – at least closer than most places you’ll find here in Atlanta.

Cold Noodle dishes, dumplings and soups are the main offerings here, although we also ordered a leek pie – absolutely delicious and we ate it long before our actual meals arrived. The pan fried pork dumplings are beautiful and look exactly like the picture in the overhead wall menu. You won’t find these at P.F. Chang’s.

You can’t compare Chef Liu’s to a regular restaurant or most other places. It’s simply different and unique. Of course they don’t use the highest quality ingredients, of course it’s not food you would find at a ‘finer’ establishment – this is food for the masses, cheap food done well. Your food comes out fast and hot and you feel like you’re eating at some secret spot that only the best know about – no matter how many people eat here on a regular basis. About as quick as ordering food at Burger King or Wendy’s, but not as bland and generic as Panda Express – this is good, different fast food.

Sitting there with your limited basic mandarin you picked up from pimsleur during your morning commute, you over hear the waitresses talking to each other and with the customers – people who aren’t foodies obsessed with finding the most authentic any thing. Just a spot to get good food reminiscent of their homeland while living in the deep south. This place is great and will always be near the top on the list of choices when I get that gnawing feeling for some dumplings and a slightly different menu offering.

Review Summary: 4.6

5221 Buford Hwy NE
Atlanta, GA, 30340
(770) 936-0532

Gato Bizco Cafe – How come I’ve never heard of this place? Why haven’t any of my friends ever so much as uttered it’s name in passing? During all the times I’ve eaten at the Flying Biscuit, how come I’ve never looked out the windows and across the street and seen Gato Bizco? I don’t know, but that’s really too bad. I would trade a breakfast at Gato Bizco any day over one at Radial, and maybe even over one at the ‘biscuit’.

A row of approximately eight booths line one wall, and then you have counter seating in the middle with the cook stations against the other wall. It’s an awesomely small, dark space that seems to feel like everyone who comes in is just waking up for the day. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t ever get busy. However, I think you can avoid anything near the wait you’ll find across the street.

We sat at the counter, right in front of the flat top skillet where they cook/prepare nearly all of the food. If you ever get the chance, sit here because you’re in for a show. Cooking is an art, and blah blah blah all that. What I find masterful and great are the line cooks or can prepare six or seven orders at once and keep going, ultimately multi-tasking better than any automaton could. Some people can’t handle one pan in their kitchen, try four pans with omlettes going, a flat skillet in the middle with various toast, biscuits, sausages. You name it, all of it cooking with different start and stop times, and then coordinating their plating schedules. It’s always a great scene to watch. As I sat there eating my delicious omlette, with buttered biscuits (which actually rival the ones as the Flying B), and a cup of coffee, I wished to myself that more orders would come in – just so the show could continue.

I’m not sure if this is a regular thing. Maybe they only have two people working the station sometimes. Maybe the person usually isn’t so great at cooking seven orders at once. Who knows? I just know that my girlfriend and I both agreed that it was an awesomely good spot to observe the slinging hash.

The food? It’s on part with most of the better brunch spots in Atlanta. The atmosphere is more quiet, more neighborhood cafe, and less full blown chain-restaurant. It’s good here and should definitely hold a spot in your rotation of regular breakfast stops.

Review Summary: 4.6 out of 5

1660 McLendon Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30307
(404) 371-0889

Gato Bizco Cafe
Originally from Phoenix, AZ. Mark Tioxon is a Freelance writer in Atlanta, Georgia.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Tioxon

I eat dead animals for breakfast, lunch, dinner and everything in between. I eat them awake, asleep, while driving – I’d eat them in the shower if I could get away with it. Few things are better than having your food look back at you, the entire head, roasted with a frozen grin; while someone saws off a slice of cheek and passes it around the table.

Once I went vegetarian for six months straight. You know what I ate? French fries, cake, bread, cheese pizza – everything that was neither meat, nor vegetable. Without that muscle, that fat, and sometimes the crunching bones, legumes just didn’t give me what I needed, what I craved. Vegetables don’t properly get stuck in my teeth. Muscle fibers hang on for dear life, wedging themselves between molars to avoid that final acid digestion. Sure I can fill my stomach with plants but I won’t be satisfied. I’m a freakin samurai and something needs to die in order for me to feel content. (Well… only when I lose my Zen.)

Green Sprout does not serve meat.

Sure, their menu ‘says’ beef, or chicken, or fish – but no. Green Sprout does not serve meat. So go ahead, order your orange chicken. Order your sesame beef. Order as if they actually do serve meat. Pretend like the fake tofu is going to give you that feeling of dead animal. Pretend like the texture is going to come close, as if tofu could ever mimic meat from the best rice fed cows drunk on saki.

Give up. Make your vegetarian girlfriend happy for once and actually go to a ‘vegetarian’ restaurant. Oh, when the food arrives after a short wait, take that bite. Push the vegetables aside and go for that fake meat. Come on, it can’t touch the real stuff, why even pretend? Just get it over with. Pop one of those chik-pattie wannabes into your mouth and move on.

Okay, I’ll admit it, the fake meat is pretty good here. It’s so good that it doesn’t even taste like meat. In fact, considering that many vegetarians are vegetarian not for ethical reasons, but because they just don’t like the taste and texture of meat, this is perfect – for them. Sure it’s not kobe beef, or free range fowl, or Alaskan wild salmon, but that’s okay. We’re giving the wildlife a break today.

Come here often enough and they’ll remember you. Something Green Sprout has over Top Spice and Ru-Sans (the other two restaurants above and next door) is that the people here will get to know you if give them a chance, if you want to know them. Overhearing the server talk to the other tables, half of the menu should be off limits. Stick with the basics. Stick with stuff you’ll find at nearly every other regular chinese restaurant. The fake meat here is made up of different types of tofu, prepared in several ways using simple tricks such as freezing, and drying and switching with pork (in my dreams). Giving it less of a tofu texture and more of a… meat substitute texture.

Green Sprout is an odd restaurant to me. I understand what they’re doing, but why do it? I just don’t get it. But don’t get me wrong, the food here is good, I just wish it had been something that could fight back. Pigs can fight back right? Chickens? Salmon? Sure they can. Um. Nevermind.

Review Summary: 4.2 out of 5

Green Sprout

1529 Piedmont Ave

Atlanta, GA, 30324

(404) 874-7373

Originally from Phoenix, Az. Mark Tioxon is a freelance writer living in Atlanta, Ga.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Tioxon

Winter Restaurant Week 2008 launches in New York City this week, and provides a great opportunity to discover new restaurants or to experience pricier places you’ve been longing to try. Started in 1992 by legendary restaurateur, Joe Baum, and founder of the Zagat Guides, Tim Zagat, the Restaurant Week concept is more popular than ever.

Participating restaurants in this popular two-week event typically offer three-course meals for a set price; this year it’s a three-course lunch prix fixe for $24.07, a play on New York as the city that never sleeps (open 24/7), and a three-course dinner prix fixe for $35.00, most served Monday – Friday. Not every restaurant participates for both lunch and dinner, so be sure to check when making a reservation. Restaurant Week runs Jan. 21st – 25th and Jan. 28th – Feb. 1.

Here are my picks for a perfect Winter Restaurant Week 2008. And don’t forget to make reservations early, since many places book up quickly.

21 Club

Once a glamorous speakeasy, the venerable 21 Club has generated renewed interest and respect since its acquisition by Orient-Express Hotels, Trains & Cruises. If you’ve never experienced what Bloomberg News calls “the most New York of New York restaurants,” you can’t afford to miss this great opportunity to see what’s kept 21 going for 80 years.

Telepan

This popular Upper West Side restaurant is the creation of Chef Bill Telepan, who previously garnered three stars in the New York Times for JUdson Grill. This time out, the Times said Telepan’s eponymous restaurant “will warm hearts and sate appetites.” Discover that for yourself with the Restaurant Week three-course lunch for $24.07, served both weeks, Wed. – Fri.

JoJo

Celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s first New York restaurant, JoJo, was awarded three stars from the New York Times when it opened it ’91, and is still going strong following an extensive renovation. The Timesnow calls the space “sumptuous” with the “heart of a bistro.” For Restaurant Week, JoJo’s is serving its regular lunch prix fixe menu with two small plates and a dessert for $24.07, and a 3-course dinner menu for $35.00.

David Burke & Donatella

Acclaimed Chef David Burke and his partner, restaurateur Donatella Arpaia, are (happily for us) participating in Winter Restaurant Week again this year for lunch at their east side restaurant. Located just steps away from Bloomingdale’s, this is a great place to lunch before an afternoon of shopping, and the special prix fixe menu provides a great opportunity to experience Burke’s cuisine and have a few dollars left for Bloomie’s. The lunch menu features three courses with lots of choices, and we’re told not to miss the whimsical Cheesecake Lollipop Tree with raspberries and bubblegum whipped cream.

Blue Smoke

If you city folk have a hankerin’ for some authentic pit barbecue, head for this very popular Union Square Hospitality Group restaurant in Murray Hill. This is the real deal, so get your fix during Restaurant Week for both lunch and dinner.

Amma

A two star review in the New York Timesdistinguishes this Indian restaurant, which, according to the Times’William Grimes,by “taking the back roads, and steering clear of the tired tourist sites, shows diners a different India, so old that it seems fresh.” Check out this winner during the Restaurant Week event for the lunch menu ($24.07), which includes choice of soup, appetizer, entree and dessert, or dinner ($35.00), which includes choice of soup, two appetizers, entree and dessert.

Le Cirque

The legendary Le Cirque restaurant in its latest incarnation in Midtown’s Bloomberg corporate headquarters is described in the New York Magazine review as a “great, polished cruise ship of a restaurant.” Dine under the “big top” for Le Cirque’s Restaurant Week 2008 lunch menu, or in the cafe for dinner, which is served on a first come, first served basis (no reservations).

The Post House

“Possibly New York City’s most civilized steak house,” according to the New York Times, The Post Houseis perfect for “people who want their porterhouse with pomp and ceremony.” From the team behind a host of upscale restaurants including Smith & Wollensky, Park Avenue Winter, and Quality Meats, Post House has received its share of accolades from the press and foodies alike. A three-course prix fixe will be served at lunch for Winter Restaurant Week 2008.

Tamarind

Tamarindinvites you to “take a culinary journey through India,” providing cuisine that is a welcome departure from the norm. Dishes from cities throughout India, including Punjab, Madras and Calcutta, distinguish the extensive menus. For Restaurant Week, a three-course menu is a great value at $24.07, offered for lunch only.

Gusto Ristorante e Bar Americano

Restaurant Week is a great opportunity to sample some of Chef Anne Burrell’s cuisine, since Burrell, the chef of Gusto’s sister restaurant, Centro Vinoteca, has just taken over for Amanda Freitag at this popular West Village venue. Gusto will be offering special Restaurant Week menus for both lunch and dinner, and one can only hope the menus include the famous fried artichokes!

City Crab & Seafood Company

One of the cornerstones of Park Avenue South’s restaurant row, City Crab & Seafood Company specializes in seafood and steaks, in addition to a large raw bar and full service sushi bar. Come to this New York City restaurant which is “in its heart,” according to New York Magazine, “really a Maryland Crab Shack with an expanded menu,” for the Restaurant Week lunch and dinner prix fixes.

Brasserie Ruhlmann

Named for Art Deco designer Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann and helmed by Executive Chef Laurent Tourondel of the BLT group of restaurants, Brasserie Ruhlmann has the added plus of sitting in the heart of Rockefeller Plaza across from the skating rink. Grab your skates or just ask for a seat by the window and enjoy the best of New York in winter, and take advantage of Brasserie Ruhlmann’s

Restaurant Week menus.

Bread Bar at Tabla

Tabla’s more affordable, casual counterpart, theBread Bar, is participating in Restaurant Week for both lunch and dinner. This Union Square Hospitality Group’s foray into “homestyle Indian cuisine” has been delighting neighborhood regulars for years, and just might make you join that group with an even more affordable introduction during Winter Restaurant Week.

Mesa Grill

Celebrity Chef Bobby Flay’s first restaurant and flagship, Mesa Grill, has been serving Flay’s signature Southwestern cuisine since 1991. The lunch and dinner Restaurant Week menus weren’t finalized at press time, but Mesa usually includes some of the restaurant’s signature dishes in its Restaurant Week choices.

Amy Arthur is the content editor of the website, blog and newsletter of DiningFever, the ultimate free source for the best and most attractive dining offers in New York City.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_Arthur

Start the new year with a new dining experience in Puerto Rico. The following are the top ten popular restaurants for January 2008. Try someplace new this week!

1. El Charro – This small restaurant tucked away in the Puerta de Tierra neighborhood of San Juan offers well-made traditional Mexican food. Enjoy queso fundido (melted cheese fondue) or pico de gallo with your chips and salsa while drinking a great-tasting margarita or cold beer. Select from enchiladas, burritos, tacos, fajitas, ceviche and more. El Charro is closed on the weekends, so you’ll need to treat yourself during the week.

2. Terra Campestre – Serving their creative style of authentic Puerto Rican food in Guaynabo, Terra Campestre offers classic appetizers (like meats and cheeses) and salads to start you off right. Chicken, pork and fish make up the main entrees, but there are also grilled churrasco, mofongo and other traditional country foods. Be sure to make room for some fresh dessert.

3. El Mariachi – Located in the Condado district in San Juan, this Mexican / Puerto Rican restaurant serves a wide variety of authentic dishes. Start with tasty nachos or fresh fish ceviche before moving on to traditional tacos, burritos, or fajitas. Or try their take on chicken cordon bleu (chicken stuffed with Serrano ham and manchego cheese), Mahi Mahi in chutney of banana and white wine sauce, or even a seafood paella. Many choices and flavors for everyone.

4. Good Four Seasons – Also located in Condado, San Juan, this Chinese / Japanese restaurant offers a good variety of traditional dishes. From spring rolls to hot and sour soup, fried rice to lo mein, and numerous pork, chicken, beef and seafood dishes on their Chinese menu, combined with sushi and tempura from the Japanese side, you will find many ways to satisfy your Asian food desires. As one reviewer states, “Good chinese food, but the best is that they deliver!”

5. Danny’s International – An Italian and pizza restaurant in the Condado area of San Juan, Danny’s International always draws a crowd. Come early for breakfast (they open at 7:00 am) for pancakes, eggs, omelets or just a bagel and coffee. Enjoy lunch and dinner from their pizza menu with over 30 toppings and many unique combinations, hot and cold sub sandwiches, cheesesteaks, burgers, and a whole lot more.

6. Metropol – This popular Cuban restaurant has several locations in Puerto Rico, including Isla Verde (Carolina), Hato Rey (San Juan), and Fajardo. They offer a wide selection of chicken, pork, seafood and beef dishes. If you can’t decide, there is always the Fiesta Cubana, which is a selection of typical Cuban dishes: congri, tamale, pork, cassava, pot roast and shredded beef. Daily specials, tortillas, great desserts and a kid’s menu round out their menu. A reviewer states that “It’s a great place for cuban food, my family and I go there quite often. The congri is the best.”

7. Jibia by Chef Frank Maldonado – Serving Puerto Rican and International dishes in the Caparra Terrace of Rio Piedras. Start with a Caesar salad or even escargot, then move on to salmon, pork cops, or one of their risottos. Daily specials and sushi on Monday’s and Saturday’s ensure that every day you can try something different. Also available for birthday, wedding, and anniversary parties, as well as orders to go.

8. Faccio Pizza – With numerous locations around Puerto Rico, Faccio Pizza is always popular. Over 20 toppings available (including uncommon ones like octopus and tuna), or try one of their combinations. Non-pizza eaters will find a large selection of pasta or classics such as chicken parmesan. Finish with a cold cerveza and some desert. Great for the whole family.

9. Mejico Lindo y Que… Rico – Mexican food served deliciously in the Puerto Nuevo area of San Juan. Begin with what a reviewer calls “excellent soup” or a plate of nachos with the works. Select from numerous versions of burritos, chimichangas, salads, fajitas or combinations of tacos, enchiladas or flautas. Try something a little different with a steak or shrimp dish, and finish with a flan, fried bananas, or fried ice cream. A kid’s menu is available.

10. Paellas y Algo Mas Catering and Take Out – Located in Caparra Terrace, this restaurant delivers fine catered dishes, focusing on Puerto Rican style. Choose from traditional dishes such as mofongo, croquetas or one of their many styles of paella (they have more than a dozen varieties). Additionally, other dishes are available like pastas, sandwiches, salads and even deserts. You are sure to find something you like, whether you are buying for one, for a family dinner, or to cater a party.

These restaurants are ranked based on popularity (number of hits) and results were tallied in January of 2008 from the website http://www.restaurantsinpr.com The best place to find a restaurant in Puerto Rico. Search menus, read reviews, or leave your thoughts. Also available on your web-enabled mobile phone. Search.Eat.Enjoy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_P_Young

San Diego is a big tourist destination to say the least. While there are more than a few restaurants designed to cater to the tourist, the locals eat at the best places and so can you.

San Diego is, obviously, located close to the border with Mexico. While illegal immigration is a hot political issue, there is no doubt that most San Diegans thoroughly enjoy the authentic Mexican food on can get in San Diego.

There are tons of drive and walk up joints along the street that server deep fried food. They usually end in “bertos”. The first was a place called Robertos. It was a legend and a favorite of many during the late hours after the entertainment for the evening had died down.

Robertos, however, was quickly hit with competition. If you can add “bertos” to a name, it exists as a Mexican walk up eatery in San Diego. To name only a few, there are Aldebertos, Albertos, Mobertos and…well, you get the idea. While they are great for deep friend food that would make your doctor faint, they really don’t offer the quality most are looking for.

So, where can you go to get the best Mexican food in San Diego on your trip? While it is obviously a subjective issue, few would argue with La Especial Norte in Leucadia. Leucadia is located on the coast in what is known as the north county of San Diego. It is between Carlsbad and Encinitas, about five minutes north of Del Mar.

Regardless, La Especial is very authentic. The food is tremendous, but the specialty of the house is the soup. Many a San Diegan has driven for 30 minutes or more to get the Chicken Soup when faced with the flu. It is a guaranteed cure. The Tortilla Soup with melted cheese is also a swooner. Overall, there are 16 different soups on the menu at La Especial. You really can’t go wrong with any of them.

A quick note for those in a hurry. La Especial is very authentic and the pace of things in the restaurant is slow. It may be half an hour before you see the waiter after ordering. If you are in a rush, this is not the place for you. If you have time, it is!

Rick Chapo is with NomadJournals.com – makers of travel journals to memorialize your travels with.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Chapo

When you make your vacation visit to Orlando you will probably want to sample the best cuisine you can. To make it easier for you to choose from all the restaurants on offer in Orlando, I have selected five restaurants which users of a popular restaurant directory have chosen as their favorites. So, read on and take note in case you are in Orlando now or are visiting there soon.

Jack’s Place Restaurant

Jack’s Place is a steakhouse located at the Rosen Plaza Hotel, on International Drive, in Orlando. Its menu features gourmet food and seafood and a three course meal costs $45 per person. According to the restaurant’s website, this is a place where celebrities hang out and this is proven by the décor in the restaurant which features autographed star caricatures ranging from Bertrand Russell to Yogi Berra. You can get a 50% discount coupon on the restaurant’s website or contact them at these numbers: Local: 407.996.1787, Toll-Free: 1.800.366.9700

A Land Remembered

This is another steakhouse and its distinctive name is taken from Patrick Smith’s rich novel featuring Florida’s historical moments and landscapes. Their featured dishes include: Slow Roasted Prime Rib, Punta Rassa Pompano, Tobias Braised Short Ribs, and Gator Creek Stew. The restaurant is located in the golf clubhouse and is open nightly for dinner. Evening resort attire and reservations are recommended. For reservations, call (407) 996-FOOD (3663) and for more information visit their website.

Calla Bella

As its name suggests, this is an Italian restaurant that brings authentic Tuscan cuisine to Orlando. Its menu features crisp salads, rich seafood, steaks, fresh pastas and fine wines. This is a moderately priced restaurant it offers offer special dining packages during major Holidays. In case you were wondering, the name Cala Bella, or “Beautiful Creek” as it translates to English, comes from Mr. Rosen’s celebration of Florida’s history and the unique history of Shingle Creek itself. Cala Bella’s is located inside the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel at 9939 Universal Blvd Orlando, FL 32819 and you can reach them at: (407) 996-3663 Fax: (407) 996-3322.

Everglades

Here is an authentic Florida restaurant dedicated to the Everglades. It’s menu features prime steaks, fresh Florida seafood, and unique regional specialties. This is another restaurant inspired by Orlando hotelier Harris Rosen. According to their website, “The Everglades Restaurant pays homage to the vast expanse of threatened wetlands in south Florida. Both the interior design and menu reflect a respect for the native flora and fauna of the Everglades.” The restaurant is located at the Rosen Centre Hotel on International Drive and you can contact them by phone at: 1-800-800-9840 Ext. 3610 or 407-996-2385.

Volcano’s Coffee Bar

We round out the top five with a popular franchise coffee bar featuring volcanically grown coffees. According to their website, the best coffees are grown in volcanic soils and that is where their gourmet coffee comes from. The chain has several locations in central Florida and here is one in Orlando: “The Plaza”, 133 S. Orange Ave., (407) 404-6491.

This just starts the list, there are many more great dining opportunities awaiting you in Orlando and you can find out more about the cuisine in this area by visiting the directory of Orlando websites located at http://www.orlandosrestaurants.com

Mark Whichard is a frequent writer on Orlando vacations. He is an expert in the field of Orlando vacation rentals with experience dating to 1998. Visit his website: http://www.disneyhomerentals.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Whichard

At the cross-roads of East and West, a modern city melds with an irrepressible past. Quebec City is proudly French, eternally lively, and endlessly charming. These attributes translate to really, really great food. From corner shops with fresh baguettes, to spicy and authentic Thai, Quebec City has it all, and after a day of exploring its shops, galleries, and historic streets, you’re sure to enjoy diving in.

Casual eats with great atmosphere:

More refined than your average pizza parlour, La Piazzetta (several locations, 63 rue St-Paul in the Vieux Port, 418.692.2962) offers up tasty, fresh pies in a casual and comfortable environment. The salads, sandwiches, and breakfasts are equally tasty.

Le Cochon Dingue (several locations, 1326 ave Maguire, 418.684.2013) is a popular Quebec chain, with reasonably-priced meat and pasta dishes in a lively (if sometimes noisy) atmosphere.

Discover the best sugar pie (Quebec’s favorite dessert), at Aux Anciens Canadiens (34 rue St-Louise, 418.692.1627). The entrees are good, but the real draw is the smooth maple sugar of this traditional treat.

For any night of the week:

In a city that specializes in the informal bistro tradition, L’Echaudé, (73 rue Sault-au-Matelot, 418.692.1299) is a star. Discover classic French Canadian dishes like steak frites and duck confit on a dining terrace on a pedestrian-only street.

For delicious and fresh seafood, discover the charming bistro of Le Marie-Clarisse (12 rue du Petit-Champlain, 418.692.0857). Just-off-the-boat seafood is personally selected by the chef and owner, and served in traditional and innovative ways in a charming space (choose between the fireplace inside or the terrace outside, depending on the weather)

Le Casse Crepe Breton (1136 rue St-Jean, 418.692.0438) is a great place to take a hungry family, with pizza-sized crepes on offer. Pack ‘em with your choice of meats, eggs, peppers, cheese, or, for a sweet treat, jams, fruits, and chocolate, and watch them come together before your eyes.

Fine dining for celebrations and the best of gourmet local fare:

Although the thought of an all-red design scheme may put some people off, Toast (17 rue Sault-au-Matelot, 418.692.4331) somehow makes it work. It’s small, it’s trendy, and the food is delicious.

Panache (8, Saint Antoine St, 418.692.2211) is chic, charming, and romantic. With stone walls, terrific views of the St Lawrence, and innovative twists on traditional French Canadian fare, this restaurant tucked away in the Auberge Saint-Antoine is great for a cozy dinner for two.

There is no better place for a romantic dinner than Le Saint-Amour (48 rue Ste-Ursule, 418.694.0667) with great French fare, a beautiful room illuminated by candlelight, and unobtrusive service.

Utopie (226 rue St-Joseph, 418.523.7878) may be new, but it stands out amongst many and promises to give established venues a run for their money. A few steps away from the Old Center, Utopie has an dining room that is at once sleek and warm, and offers a great four-course tasting menu.

For great Canada Vacations, look no further than Fresh Tracks. Since 1992, Fresh Tracks has been creating customized Quebec vacations for the traveler looking to explore off the beaten path.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_Rowley

New Jersey, one of the smallest states in the nation, is packed with an exceptional variety of attractions including; beaches, boardwalks, amusement piers, bed and breakfasts, beautiful hills and mountains, charming Victorian towns, casinos, and of course great restaurants.

The dining experience in New Jersey can run the gamut from the Jersey shore family restaurants that serve up fried sea food, burgers, and pizza, to the many fine dining restaurants that can be found in most of the major cities and towns.

The best romantic restaurants offering exceptional dining to celebrate your anniversary, Valentine’s Day, or an intimate occasion with a loved one.

Amanda’s Restaurant in Hoboken is set in a beautiful converted brownstone building, with the dining area adorned with embroidered linen, a fireplace, and pine-planked flooring, all balanced to set the mood for a memorable, romantic eating. 908 Washington St. 201-798-0101

The High lawn Pavilion in West Orange, with its striking view of Manhattan, is only the beginning of an extraordinary dining experience. The impressive grand vistas are matched by High lawn Pavilion’s well prepared American Fare. Eagle Rock Reservation, 973-731-3463

The Frenchtown Inn in Frenchtown is a charming romantic restaurant in a scenic, historic location with 19th century white-columned building on the banks of the Delaware River. The restaurant decor is attractive with high ceilings, dark moldings, and carpeting that muffles the sound. 7 Bridge St. 908-996-3300

Panico’s in New Brunswick is a modern day version of an old world fine dining restaurant. Its elegant, with mirrored walls, earth peach tones, soft lighting, and a flower at each table. 103 Church Street (732) 545-6100

The Ebbit Room in Cape May is located in the charming Virginia bed and breakfast hotel. Stay overnight and enjoy a romantic getaway with new an American menu and piano music to complete that special romantic getaway. 25 Jackson St. 609-884-5700

Are the Best Romantic Restaurants too pricey for your budget?

Here is a list of the best of the less expensive, or affordable romantic restaurants in New Jersey that can be enjoyed by a couple looking for a cozy dining experience in a romantic setting at an affordable price.

Creole Cafe in Sewell If you enjoy the popular Cajun dishes like crawfish, jambalaya, muffaletta, and Po Boys, or are the adventuresome type willing to try Alligator, Ostrich or Elk, then you will enjoy this place. The location is in an old Victorian home converted into a restaurant with three attractive dining areas done up in soft sponge painted peach and coral tones with a down home, Southern feeling. 288 Egg Harbor Rd 856-582-7222

La Griglia Sea Food Grill and Wine Bar in Kenilworth offers good Northern Italian dishes and sea food selections and an award winning wine list. The decor is contemporary and attractively done up with colorful prints, candle-lit tables, and soft recessed lighting. 740 Boulevard 908-241-0031

Sergeantsville Inn in Sergeantsville offers fireside dining in a 1700′s stone building; ask for a cozy table for two by the large stone, open wood burning fireplace. The atmosphere is attractively done up in colonial period decor. They offer a nice menu of traditional country American selections and exotic wild game dishes. 601 Rosemont-Ringoes Rd. 609-397-3700

Frank Dalotto is a freelance writer and travel consultant and is the owner and editor of New Jersey Leisure Guide and a travel consultant for Leisure Travel Mart.

He is a member of ASTA (American Association of Travel Agents) and CLIA (Cruise Line International Association).

His academic credentials are:

MBA, Pace University

BSEE, University of Missouri

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