What is your favorite restaurant?

[NJmaverick]

what makes it your favorite?

[Strong Atheist]

1. I have two, both family-run. Vinnie's is a local restaurant where all the

food is great, especially the veal

http://www.yelp.com/biz/vinnies-restaurant-fairfax


and the Westchester Inn has the best bohemian food.

http://chicago.metromix.com/restaurants/czech/westchester-inn-westchester/147874/content

[NJmaverick]

2. What exactly is bohemian food?

never really heard of this before

[AwakeAtLast]

3. The Nile in Anderson, IN

http://www.the-nile.com/menu0.htm

Wonderful Middle Eastern food in the middle of INDIANA.

The owners are so friendly and the food is outstanding. My parents and I were just there this past Friday evening.

Their hummous is plate-licking good and of course they light cheese on fire (OPA!). They even make Dolmades (stuffed grape leaves)!

We have never been disappointed.

[Patiod]

4. One local, two expense-account/tourist

My local favorite smells like garlic when you walk in, and a friend from Arizona says it's what she misses most living out there. The only problem is that it is CROWDED and there are always lines - even on a hot Tuesday night in the middle of the summer. I should note that it's cheap, comfort-food Italian, BYOB and nearby. Would I consider it a favorite if it were expensive, with a bar, and we had to drive far to get there? Probably not.
http://www.fromtheboot.com/

My tourist favorite is in Scottsdale - the appetizers actually made my SO stomp his feet. Don't know what the entrees are like - I only ever order appetizers
http://www.cowboyciao.com/

In New York, Sushi Sen-Nin. It's never crowded (I always seem to be there on Sunday night, though), the staff is pleasant, the sashimi is excellent (and reasonable for NYC), and they have some interesting appetizers.
http://www.sushisennin.com/

[azmouse]

5. Ajo Al's

Best chips and salsa in town, and everything on the menu is delicious.

[CBR]

6. Love this place....

Casablanca Moroccan Restaurant in New Castle, DE.

http://www.thecasablancarestaurant.com/id17.htm

7 course meal... great atmosphere, great wine

[av8rdave]

7. A couple...

Baja Grille in Grapevine, Tx. No atmosphere whatsoever, but family run with great mexican food and even greater Margaritas.

Blue Mesa cafe, North Dallas/Addison, Tx. Great food, great atmosphere, great drinks. 'nuff said.

Zuroma Italian restaurant, Grapevine, Tx: Again, no atmosphere, but outstanding food (the steamed crab claw appetizers and the "build your own" pasta are awesome). The ownership/staff are friendly, and there's always a game on. Oh, and the house chianti is good.

[Arugula Latte]

8. In Portland, Ore., one of them is Lucy's Table

Nice atmosphere, incredible food, great service. I don't eat red meat and they are very accommodating to that, or if you're vegan, or have other food "issues." Here is a current menu. The entrees are more expensive than I remember, but I often just get a few "small plates" as my meal.

Small Plates
Goat Cheese Ravioli $9
Brown Butter Sauce, Pecorino Romano, Crispy Shallots & Pancetta

Pomegranate Glazed Baby Back Ribs $9
Topped with Manchego Cheese

Roasted Beet Salad $10
Pear, Spinach, Red Onion, Cilantro, and Feta with Cider Vinaigrette

Oysters on the Half Shell $10
Half Dozen Fresh Oysters with Apple Ginger & Wasabi Granita

Seared Foie Gras & Peach $14
Crispy Chicken wine, Chicken and Foie Terrin, Peach and Muzuna Salad

Lucy’s Bruschetta Sampler $12
Chef’s Daily Mix of Selected Toppings

Arugula Salad $10
Apple Vinaigrette, Butter Braised Cipollini Onions, Garlic Croutons and a Poached Egg

Heirloom Tomato and Butter Lettuce Salad $10
Blue Cheese Vinaigrette, Lardons and Rogue Creamery Blue Cheese

Dungeness Crab Fritters $12
Orange-Fennel Salad and Scallion Cream

House Marinaded Imported Olives $6

Large Plates
Grilled Garlic and Herb Marinated “Carlton Farm” Pork Tenderloin $26
Sweet Corn, Cheddar, & Jalapeno Polenta with Cilantro Vinaigrette

Apple Cinnamon Brined Chicken Breast $20
Savory Cherry Strudel and Portland Baked Beans with Sherry Cream

Pomegranate Glazed Baby Back Ribs $18
Mascarpone Whipped Potatoes, Manchego Cheese and Orange Salad

Pan-Seared Scallops $30
Beluga Lentil and Spring Vegetable Salad, Red Pepper Coulis and Mango Chutney

Butter Poached Halibut $32
Spinach Potato Salad in a Stone Ground Mustard and Dill Emulsion

Pepper Crusted ”Natural” Ribeye Steak $30
Crushed Yukon Gold Potatoes with Horseradish, Arugula and Spinach Stuffed Tomato, Roasted Shallot Demi

Vegetarian Meatloaf $16
Mascarpone Mashed Potatoes, House-Made Ketchup, Pecorino Romano Crust, Mushroom Jus

Wild Boar Ravioli $18
Braised Wild Boar, Bing Cherries and Chevre, Hazelnuts and Boar Braising sauce

Chilled Dungeness Crab and Oregon Bay Shrimp Timbale $32
Melon, Shallots and Cucumber Yogurt Sauce

Jasmine Dusted Spring Lamb Chop $36
Caramelized Onion Tart and Minted Sweet Pea Puree