Heidelberg Restaurant

The Heidelberg restaurant has been in business since 1936. They offer excellent German food and great beer. Enjoy Octoberfest specials such as Filet Stroganoff with rice and red cabbage or Sauerkraut Goulash, all year long.

Brunch is served between 12 and 4pm with Potato pancake and smoked Salmon-sour cream and capers as one of the choices. Lunch specials, soup and sandwiches and entrees are available Monday thru Saturday 11:30am to 3:30 pm. For dinner enjoy an appetizer of baked Camembert cheese, the soup of the day, followed by a delicious entrée of Bratwurst, Potato pancakes or Schweineshaxe (roasted pork shank with sauerkraut and boiled potato), to name a few.

Finish off with a desert and your favorite non alcoholic beverage or German beer. Expect to spend between $10 to $20 dollars per entrée. Take out is also available.

Heidelberg Restaurant is located at 1648 2 nd Ave., New York, NY. 10028. (212) 628-2332.

Silver Swan

The Silver Swan is open daily between 12pm and 11pm. Appetizers include Ochsenmaul salad, Mushroom toast and duck plate with truffles, each for a price of $8.95. Enjoy a warm soup bowl of lentil, Pea or Barley soup, Goulash or Chicken Consomme with dumplings. Each priced between $4 and $7 dollars a bowl.

Cucumber, German potato and pickled red beets, are a few of the available salads. Sausages include Jagerwurst and Weisswurst, among others. Have Muscoy duck or roast chicken or turkey.

There are many entrée's to choose from including Roast pork, German meatloaf, Sauerbraten and much more. Entrée's range between $14 and $25 dollars each. Enjoy a Schnitzel plate of Paprika Schnitzel or Rahmschnitzel to name a few. Apple Strudel, cheesecake and Rote Grutze with vanilla sauce are a few desserts to pick from. Don't forget about the old world bar and very large beer selection.

The Silver Swan is located at 41 E. 20 th Street, New York, NY. 10003. (212) 254-3611

Hallo Berlin

Hallo Berlin has a full at of imported German draft and bottled beers and special imported beer such as Schneider Weiss beer and October Fest beer. Along with beer, all kinds of soda and beverages are available.

Enjoy appetizers such as Roll mops (stuffed marinated herring), cucumber and string bean salad and a jumbo German pretzel. Have fresh soup of Split Pea, Lentil, Deal potato, White bean, Cauliflower and chicken vegetable. All soups are made daily.

There are many choices of sausages, sandwiches, lunch specials, German fish dishes and lunch and dinner plates, as well as dessert. Try a plate of Two Roll Mops (vegetable stuffed marinated herring), Koenigsberge Klopse (white meatballs with mashed potatoes, caper sauce, red cabbage and wine sauerkraut or Jaeger schnitzel (huntersteak with spaetzle). For desert have a slice of German cheesecake, Black Forest cake or Apfelstrudel with a scoop of ice cream. Expect to spend around $20 dollars per entrée.

Hallo Berlin is located at 626 Tenth Ave., New York, NY. 10036. (212) 977-1944

Dining and San Francisco's Neighborhoods

There are so many different restaurants to choose from in San Francisco that you will likely have a hard time trying to decide which of the many places to select for your meals. One of the best ways to narrow down the options is to choose the San Francisco neighborhoods that appeal to you most. Then look for the best restaurants in those neighborhoods.

For example, if you're a fan of Chinatown, seek out great dim sum there. If you thrive on the buoyant energy of the Castro, plan to dig into some of the terrific fusion food to be found in that neighborhood. If North Beach calls your name, you know that it's probably Italian food that you're going to want on your plate. Each San Francisco neighborhood is very distinct and each offers its own taste of the city. Doing some research into which areas you like best will help you find the foods that you're craving while you're there.

8 Great San Francisco Restaurants

There are literally hundreds of restaurants to choose from in San Francisco so you aren't going to be able to try them all. If you're interested in checking out a variety of tastes from around the city, place your bets on these eight unique restaurants:

1. Estia

   
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   This restaurant is located in North Beach (San Francisco's “Little Italy”) so you'd expect it to be an Italian joint just like every other restaurant to be found there. You'd be wrong. This food comes from the Mediterranean all right but it's Greek dishes that you'll be enjoying. Estia is a family-owned restaurant where the Old World ambiance is as crucial to the experience as the delectable Greek foods on the menu are. Make sure to order the saganaki which will be lit on fire at your table for an en flambé treat.

2. Kennedy's

   
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   Also located in North Beach is a restaurant so unique that you'd be hard pressed to find anything like it. When you first walk in, you'll immediately notice that this is an Irish sports bar. Pool tables, video games, a jukebox and plenty of beer will clue you in if the sports on TV screens fail to do so. However, if you walk to the back of the bar, you'll find that there's also a fine dining Indian food restaurant here. Serving not only North Indian food but also South Indian cuisine, this restaurant is one of the best Indian food spots in the city even though it hides within an Irish sports bar.

3. Boudin Bakery

   
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   Located at Fisherman's Wharf, this is an undeniably touristy restaurant, but it's where San Francisco's famous sourdough bread bowls are made. You won't be able to miss them since the restaurant pipes the sourdough smoke out into the street to draw you in. With outrageous prices and a San Francisco history museum, it's the kind of place that locals shy away from. However, the food is deliciously San Franciscan and if pressed, locals will admit that they always love when houseguests come to visit because they get to enjoy this restaurant under the guise of being a good tour guide. The views of Alcatraz in the bay that you'll enjoy while you're eating here will remind you of why you love San Francisco so much.

4. Asia SF

   
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   San Francisco is known for being many things but one of the most common of those things is that it's a diverse city. That diversity is represented not only racially but also in San Francisco's open acceptance of different sexual orientations. In order to truly understand the city, you have to understand this aspect of it. And Asia SF is a restaurant where you can get a taste of that understanding while also enjoying the great tastes of a multiple-course meal. That's because AsiaSF is not just a restaurant; it's dinner-and-a-show where the show is put on by transgender entertainers who will welcome you to the city with dazzling wit and beauty. Reservations are almost always necessary to get into this San Francisco restaurant.

5. Lime

   
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   Seeking a little bit of gay culture without the whole song-and-dance? You'll want to head up to The Castro where the gay bars and pride stores are located. After doing some shopping in the area, head to this restaurant which provides California fusion food that you'll want to write home about. Like any good Castro restaurant, it also offers strong cocktails at a decent price. Unlike many other spots, Lime has awesome heated outdoor seating for you to enjoy.

6. Yank Sing

   
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   This is a dim sum restaurant located in the Financial District of San Francisco. It's the kind of place that is good for people who have never had the dim sum dining experience before because it's considerably less overwhelming than the dim sum restaurants actually located in San Francisco's Chinatown. Of course, there are lots of those, too, so if you're feeling like being authentic then you might check out a different dim sum place. However, this one is guaranteed to have a great selection of different traditional Chinese foods for you to sample and enjoy.

7. Pancho Villa Taqueria

   
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   All of the restaurants on this list are great but most of them are in the “fine dining” (or at least nice casual dining) category. If you're looking for something that's a lot more laidback but tastes just as good as the others, head to The Mission where this large taqueria can be found. The food tastes like it came straight from the kitchen of a great Mexican family household. And the prices are so low you might even think that you're really in Mexico! They don't skimp on selection either - there are so many different types of meats and beans that you'll have trouble figuring out what to order!

8. Bangkok Noodles

   
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   Another casual dining place where you can get great food is Bangkok Noodles located on Powell Street just steps away from the cable car turnaround and right around the corner from Union Square. You would think that a restaurant in this location would be touristy but you'd be wrong about this place. This is just great Thai food at a really low price. Another perk of this restaurant is that it's open late so if you've been wandering around at night and are headed back to your downtown hotel, you can stop here for some great midnight meals.

Editor's Pick: Cafe Claude


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A lovely little French bistro hidden in a rustic alley near Union Square. The French onion soup is a must have starter and the creme brulee is a necessity, so save room. Try the daily special, it's always a great choice. Try to grab a seat outside if it's not to chilly.

Finding Other Great San Francisco Restaurants

It's not difficult to find other great San Francisco restaurants if these aren't quite the ones that you had in mind. Here are some additional resources and tips for locating the dining experience that you're in search of:

• Yelp

  People in San Francisco are active on the Yelp review site so you can search out restaurants by cuisine or neighborhood and read the reviews that others have posted.

• MenuPages San Francisco

  These are professional reviews of local restaurants.

• Citysearch San Francisco

  There are both professional and local reviews listed here.

• Craig's List
  

  Post a note in the “community” section of Craigslist asking for advice on where to dine and random local residents will give you their opinions.

• Consult the cabbies

  San Francisco is a place where you're probably going to want to take public transportation. When you're in a cab, get advice from the driver on where to dine.

• Sniff it out

  You can't go more than a block in most San Francisco neighborhoods without passing a restaurant. Just see what sounds good to you and be daring enough to go in and try it out.

San Francisco has all of the foods that you'd be interested in trying during your trip. It has touristy foods local to the area (like clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl) and culturally diverse foods ranging from Peruvian to Persian. Take the time to really enjoy the meals that the city offers while you're there whether you're on a day trip or living there as a resident.

You might find yourself in Gatlinburg in the near future, sitting in your tri-level chateau or cabin wondering whether you should spend a couple hundred dollars on a night of go-carting or outlet mall shopping when you think, “Am I going to relegated to eating jumbo hot dogs and pepperoni pizza this entire vacation?”

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Far too often when you travel to tourist havens such as Gatlinburg, you're confined to tourist haven food. It seems, overpriced spectacles like helicopter-rides, simulated skydiving, and bungee jumping are always coupled with cheap, unhealthy portable foods and beverages. Keeping this vacationing reality in mind, here's is a look at some of Gatlinburg's finest restaurants and wineries, so the next time you plan a visit to Gatlinburg you'll have good reason to pack a suit.

Feeding the Family

Bear Creek Grill

Sitting atop a beautiful clear water creek with the famous Smokey Mountains within what seems like arm's length, Bear Creek Grill provides the vacationer the luxury and taste of big city dining, yet surrounds you with all the elements of nature.

When you sit down in the dining area you'll notice the large, inviting windows that provide the aura of eating your own catch in the wild. Be sure to try the rainbow trout for a seafood feast and for the beef lovers in your family the Aged Mid-Western Beef (T-bone) will certainly hit the spot. Both are served with Gatlinburg's most famous garlic rolls that you have to try to believe.

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Bear Creek Grill is located at 1654 Parkway (Highway 321).

Legends by max

If choice for the entire family is what you're looking for, Legends has just what you need with tons of variety for the adults in your party and free meals for the little tikes.

Take the Sausage and Peppers Hoagie for instance; spicy sausage smothered with peppers, onions and rich provolone cheese on a toasted hoagie make for a unique $8 sandwich with $15 taste, size and originality.

If you're really hungry go for the Mile High Meatloaf; succulent, juicy beef piled high and topped with garlic mashed potatoes and sautéed and seasoned vegetables. When your vacation ends you'll wish you could have that one delivered.

Legends By Max is located at 650 Parkway (Highway 321).

The Peddler

The Peddler has a down-home style of it's own that makes it a must-stop for any Gatlinburg vacationer. The Peddler is known for its fresh cuts of meat, chosen by the customer, cooked to order and seasoned perfectly before your steak hits the plate.

However, you might not make it to the main course once you feast your eyes on the well-stocked salad bar that seems to stretch the length of the dining room.

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In spite of the all the great food there is to eat at The Peddler what will stick in your memory is the fast and ultra friendly service. Rest assured, with the knowledgeable wait staff, fresh and ample salad bar and a variety of steaks unmatched almost anyplace, The Peddler would be a must-stop spot every time you visit the Smokey's.

The Peddler is located at 820 River Road Gatlinburg, Tenn. 37738

Drinking Wine

Apple barn

It's the classic question: Where can you go to enjoy a great bottle of wine without feeling like a wine snob? Thanks to the Apple Barn Winery this question is finally answered.

When you arrive at the Apple Barn Winery your first thought will not be refined, sophisticated quality wine. However, the believing is in the tasting. Apple Barn offers 10 different wines by the bottle, including dessert wines. The Merlot is excellent and after taking a taste test you'll want to pick up several bottles.

The Apple Barn Winery is located at 230 Apple Valley Road, Sevierville.

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For those who want an intense wine experience, Mountain Valley is the winery for you. Mountain Valley has won multiple national awards for their winemaking skills and offers these wines by the bottles at affordable prices. There are wine tastings daily and you are never charged for your participation. Pick up a bottle of their Cascade White to serve with all your in-cabin meals. It's near perfect.

Mountain Valley Winery is located at 2174 Parkway Pigeon Forge.

Lunch is a good place to start. Hit Tijuana Flats for fresh, zingy Tex-Mex. There are a variety of locations, but the one on SR 436 in Casselberry is nice and roomy. Enjoy the funky décor, watch some sports on the screens. Be sure to sample the Hot Sauce Bar! It ranges from mild and tasty to melt-your-face. Good prices on cervesa. The Ultimate Nachos will feed two as a meal, the burritos are awesome any way you like "em.

After lunch, head over to Harry P. Leu Gardens. This place is packed on nice weekends, so hitting it during the week is a must. It costs a couple of bucks but is worth it for a nice stroll. What sort of plants do you fancy? Roses? Got "em. Bamboo garden? Wetlands? Butterfly garden? They even have a vegetable garden and notes on Florida history. You may be able to catch an event on orchids or potted herbs. This place can take an hour or four, depending on your level of interest.

You are close to downtown, so you might as well head there next. Wander around the ViMi, that is, the Vietnamese District. Have a Bubble Tea. Check out the import stores. You will find the streets downtown a little confusing, once you turn down Orange Avenue. Fortunately, this is the only area in the city navigable by foot (aside from International Drive). So after ViMi, drive over a few blocks to Church Street Station.

Shell out for a decent parking garage, I'm keeping you here for a while. First, check out what is going on at the comedy club, Orlando Improv-see when the show is. But don't plan on eating there! If you want to check out the Church Street Station itself, excellent. Otherwise, there are loads of shops and restaurants off the side streets of downtown and you don't have to pay to access them. You have your options for dinner, Manuel's, White Wolf Café-it all depends on your price range! But avoid the chains in this part of town. No reason to go with familiar when there is all this local fare to choose from!

After a late dinner (or a normal dinner and a comedy show), you'll notice the atmosphere changing. Around 9 and 10, the clubs start to open up. And there are a lot of them! All the way up and down Orange Ave and near Church Street. But it's a Thursday, you say? Yes! The locals love a Thursday downtown, especially the young and the hip! Stay away from Paris Hilton's monstrosity. The kids love Bar-B-Q Bar, Independent Bar, and hanging around wherever has the best drink specials. The little dance floor at Independent Bar (formerly Barbarella's) heats up after midnight with the latest hipster music-poppy, fun stuff. Watch them shake and jerk, admire the hairstyles, or enjoy cheap drinks and awesome bartenders! An alternative to any of the clubs I mention throughout is Parliament House, if you are gay or very, very gay friendly. Additionally, Southern Nights is slightly lower key-both near the downtown area.

Day Two: Friday

After last night, might you be wanting a hangover breakfast? First Watch on 17/92 a.k.a Mills Ave, has great options but can involve a wait any day of the week. Back in Casselberry is a hole in the wall place called Bagel King. Eggs, bagels, pastries, and home-style potatoes for cheap. You'll notice the chatty wait-staff really knows their regulars and they'll treat you just the same!

After getting fueled up, take your coffee over to Park Avenue. On one end is Rollins College, the home of education for the rich and spoiled here, and on the other end the street fades into elegant residential areas once past the Morse Museum which is home of the world's largest Tiffany Glass collection. Park Avenue is shopping heaven! Cute locals stores, art, fashion, a few chains and a collection of eclectic restaurants and wine bars all set in a gorgeous landscape of roses and oak trees dripping with Spanish moss. You've got your work cut out for you. Someone wants to shop and the other doesn't? Plop yourself down somewhere and sample wine. Don't miss out on the specialty chocolate shops, and try something new like chocolate dipped potato chips or lavender truffles. No doubt you'll have to fight it out about where to eat lunch!

*All right, now, I know I said you wouldn't go near a Theme Park. And you're not, really. It just happens to be on the same I-4 exit. You are going, after you finish shopping, to Downtown Disney. From Park Ave, the drive can take a while. This place is a good way to spend the entire rest of your day. Wander the shops, get sucked in to the Virgin Megastore, enjoy the screaming children in the Disney Stores and then eat dinner. After dinner, you are going to make it ON TIME to a show at the Cirque Du Soleil. This is the most expensive thing you'll do all weekend (on this itinerary) and you must get tickets in advance. But it is worth every penny.

Afterward, have a snack. Walk back across and go to Ghirardelli Chocolate. All the ice cream here is fantastic, of course, but don't bother. What you want is a chocolate milk shake. And you will drink more of it than you think you will. Oh, and some McDonald's fries go great with that. Then, be a kid! Play with the Legos for goodness sake! Because we are going to be very adult and dance the night away at Pleasure Island, where a fee gets you in all the clubs and you mingle with people from all over the world.

Alternatively, you may choose to hit Universal Studio's CityWalk and catch the Blue Man Group. There are dining options and a variety of clubs to choose from here, as well.

Day Three: Saturday

I get it. You are exhausted today. But nowhere near as tired as if you had been schlepping around the Attractions all week. May I suggest a leisurely brunch at the Winter Park farmer's market? A small affair for the produce, but inside is a gourmet delight.

Afterward, another leisurely pursuit-high end shopping at the Mall at Millenia. A large mall, artistically decorated, with everything from an Apple store, to Urban Outfitters, to Tiffany's, to Neiman Marcus. You'll have no difficulty finding either a quick lunch or something more upscale at Blue Martini.

Endure that for as long as you can, and then prepare to enjoy some arts. The Orlando Museum of Art and the Science Center (if you have kids or have a little childlike wonder yourself) are a great way to spend some time. The OMA has unique exhibits, and notable traveling shows make their way there all the time. The Science Center is hands on fun for everyone.

Later you may like to check out what is playing at the Enzian, the art house theater of note, and enjoy some delightful dinner dining and wine. And since it is Saturday night, you could always head back downtown if you are up for more clubbing. Saturday is a good night for the nicer clubs. Young professionals, the pretty money, this is when they shine. Which clubs? Heck if I know, not my scene! But meander up and down Orange Avenue will again find you at the perfect spot for your style.

Day Four: Sunday

Today is a day of relaxation. You could head over to the Atlantic, about an hour away, and do a little body boarding. Cocoa Beach, Merritt Island, or for a quieter time, I prefer Canaveral National Seashore where there are fewer people.

Or, stay closer to town and head over to Wekiwa Springs in Apopka. Take your bathing suit, towels, and/or your hiking boots and bug spray! Stop at the Fresh Market or Whole Foods on your way and grab a few things for lunch. A small fee to park gives you access to a range of activities. Sun yourself by the hot springs. Swim in the crystal clear waters. You can rent a canoe (bring cash) for a run down the river-keep an eye out for gators and other wildlife! (Don't worry, the swimming area is protected.) There are also miles of trails. A shorter one is a boardwalk through wetlands and a much longer one leads through pine scrub and saw palmetto forests.

And finally, one last recommendation for dinner. If you like sushi, Fuji Sushi is the place to go for reasonable prices, excellent quality, and truly unique and interesting combinations of flavors. If sushi isn't your thing, Lemoncello is a wonderful Italian place. Or there is Blue Bistro. Reservations are necessary, and the food is to die for with just the right amount of adventurousness.

Further Recommendations for Successful Exploring

Hopefully I have given you a few ideas to get you away from the Theme Parks and into the community. This really is how the locals live! Orlando is filled with opportunities for exploration. Grab a copy of the free paper, the Orlando Weekly, to see what is going on. There are always great music shows, art openings, and new places to eat. Once you get away from Disney, Universal Studios, and International Drive, the real adventure begins! Never hesitate to ask the locals, from your first waitress at Tijuana Flats to the clerk at the boutique shoe store on Park Ave, we all have our favorite places and trust me-we are used to you asking! Enjoy!

1. Ohana at Disney's Polynesian Resort

   For those of you who have never been to Hawaii, this place becomes so close to those tropical islands, I think I'm actually there! The Hawaiian food is absolutely delicious, and it looks good too! There are fun games the staff set up for the kids to play while they wait for the food. After diner, there are the world famous Disney fireworks! It's really nice after a long day of Disney, to just plop down on the beach with the restaurants special dessert, the bucket "o ice, and just watch the fireworks fly.

2. Sci-Fi Diner at MGM Studios

   Disney sure has a way to create atmosphere. This restaurant is themed to be like an old fashioned drive-in movie theater. You watch film clips from old Sci-Fi movies while waiters on roller skates bring you your food. Whilst there is no Fillet Minions at this restaurant, the décor definitely makes up for it.

3. Coral Reef Restaurant, Living Seas Pavilion, Epcot

   Half way down our list is the famous Coral Reef Restaurant. Featured in many T.V. shows, such as Full House and Boy Meets World, this place is more than just a good filming location. I"ve never liked seafood that much this food is scrumptious. The fish swimming beside the dining room will have kids, and some adults, speechless at the vast collection of exotic sea life. When you're there, one question pops into mind, “Am I eating what's swimming right next to me?”

4. Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom

   I haven't been here in a long, long, time. But Disney Dining List would be complete without. Making reservations a long time in advance, gives you the opportunity to dine with Princess Cinderella. Girls will love to dine with a Disney Princess. And little Boys are great with it too! Why, a while back my brother sat down right next to Cinderella and said “Hi Cindy!! My name's Michael! I just got new Velcro shoes! You should try them some time! Then your shoes won't fall off as much!”

5. California Kitchen at the Contemporary Resort

   Not to be confuse with the California Pizza Kitchen. This was my favorite dining experience. Contemporary décor matches the hotel whilst you dine at a high-class establishment. When the fireworks start at the nearby Magic Kingdom, the speakers in the restaurant play the music in sync with them. Even if you don't dine during the fireworks, the give you a ticket so you can come back and watch from the roof of the hotel!

The restaurant is open from 11:00am to 2:00pm every Tuesday through Friday for lunch, 5:30pm to 9:30pm for dinner every Tuesday through Thursday, and 5:30pm to 10:00pm every Friday and Saturday night. It offers a smaller, cheaper meals for lunch and larger, more expensive meals for dinner. All of its meals are fairly reasonable, however. For example, you can get the New York Strip for lunch for only $11.95. You could pay more than that at a lot of chain restaurants and it would not be nearly as good!

Both times I have gone, I have had the "Potato Crusted Flounder With a Beurre Blanc." This is a filet of flounder with a light potato crust and a white wine sauce served with butter and shallots. Not only was it delicious, but it was beautifully presented and remarkably filling. It appeared a small portion, but it ended up being more than sufficient.

The house salads are particularly disappointing, but the soups are very good. It seems that no matter when you go the "soup du jour" is almost always a good choice. The last time I went, they had a delicious shrimp bisk. The other time it was minestrone. They also have an extensive wine list to choose from if you would be interested in that. They do not seem to serve soft drinks, however, so if you are a teetotaler, be prepared to drink water with your meal.

The Garlic Press is a great place to take potential clients or enjoy a nice meal. Although it does not take a particularly long time to get your food, it is a good place to just relax and enjoy the atmosphere and the food. If the weather is good, you might even sit out on the patio. Inside or out, the Garlic Press can accommodate small groups, so remember them for your business party or meeting.

For more information, visit The Garlic Press . I have had some trouble getting a hold of them on the phone, but you can leave a message. Alternatively, you could just stop by the restaurant when you are in the area. They are located at the corner of Wadley & Garfield in Midland.

But Dolce Vita stands out even among these. On Saturday evening, a group of 12 of us had an early reservation. We were seated almost immediately, and offered drinks and bread choices, though our party was not complete. The waiter addressed the table as a whole, giving the feeling of a performance rather that just a recitation of our options. He asked if we would prefer a bruschetta, foccacchia, or just crusty Italian bread. When there was no immediate response, the waiter suggested that he bring a mix of the three. All were fresh and delicious.

After our party was complete, the owner, Franco Graceffa, came to our table and gave a performance of his own, telling us about favored menu items, and that the kitchen would prepare anything requested. Rather than ordering individual appetizers, he suggested we get a couple of family style platters of antipasti. We ordered a large Antipasti Misto, with Italian cold cuts and salad specialties, and my favorite, freshly made mozzarella . As a second platter, they chef did up a vegan-friendly hot and cold platter. Everything was wonderful, and there was more than enough for everyone.

The choice of entrees was difficult as there are so many wonderful-sounding items. I ordered Vitello Grand Marnier ($22.95), veal sautéed in orange liqueur, and my husband had Gamberi Scampi ($19.95), jumbo shrimp sautéed in olive oil, garlic with white wine and lemon. Both were delicious. Others at our table ordered a variety if items, including one vegan and 3 vegetarian plates. The menu is extensive, including pasta, of course, and beef, chicken, veal, and seafood. The vegetarian dishes were inventive and enjoyable. No one was displeased with what they got.

Portions are not enormous like in some Italian restaurants, but this actually pleased me. The portions were reasonable and with the antipasto and bread, more than sufficient. We ordered only 2 desserts, a cheesecake with fresh berries and a classic tiramisu. Both were excellent, but the tiramisu was the star of the show. Light as a cloud, with just the right amount of rum, and not heavy on the chocolate, it was flawless.

There is a wine list, but we left the choices to the waiter, who brought Shiraz and Pinot Grigio, both of which were excellent.

The décor is typical North End Italian, with lively oil paintings and bright colors. The exposed ceiling does nothing to dim the noise, but that seems to be part of the overall atmosphere.

This is such a fun restaurant, and I look forward to going back again. I also intend to get a recipe for the veal with Grand Marnier; it was that good. Dolce Vita was delightful, though noisy - at one point, Mr. Graceffa started singing "Volare", as customers joined in! We felt welcomed by the staff, thrilled with the food, and had an all around wonderful time.

Ruth’s Chris elegant fountain of water at the entrance sounds similar to the steaks you are soon to hear sizzling on the plates as you are being escorted to your throne. The Palms with its big city glitz and colorful, cartoonishly drawn characters of more of the city’s elite drawn throughout reminds you that you are eating at one of the best the city has to offer. But how do these three stacks up to each other? Come along for a journey as I try to cook up my best comparison of the three.

Let us first venture to into the Palm. This place for fine dinning, located down town San Antonio, still has that New York artsy feel to it. As you walk in you see why it is a favorite among the writers and artistic type. There are the cities news makers drawn through out in cartoon fashion on the walls. A sense of playful elegance surrounds you as you take your seat.

As always when I indulge at one of these fine places I order the filet mignon and lobster. The large (4-8 pound) Nova Scotia lobsters simply melt in your mouth. It’s hard to even dip it into the buttery sauce out of fear of losing some of the lobsters’ flavorful taste. The steak however leaves something to be desired. They sear their meat at The Palm. I find the steak to have a bit of a sour tang to it. Although good, I would prefer my steak charred. A little less New York ritz and more Texas ruggedness would suit my palette more.

Ruth’s Chris steak house is next on the royal binge. With its classy southern Louisiana charm this place is better then The Palm. It has more of a classy atmosphere with its fountains and low lighting. Simple classiness I guess you could say. It shows off none of its high class clientèle like most fine dinning establishments. Ruth’s Chris also sears its meat, however it is great.

Nothing is left to be desired here. When your fillet is served it is served sizzling. Your plate screams fresh from the broiler to the table. The taste is mouthwatering! Another of my favorites here at Ruth’s Chris is the dessert. The flourless chocolate cake is like nothing you have ever tasted before. It is a rich chocolate dish that bites at your salivary glands. If you order this dish it is a must you order the King Louis XII cognac to help cut through the mouthwatering experience. When you are eating the finest, drink the finest! For our final endeavor we are dinning at my personal favorite; Morton’s. You are sure to know who the big spenders are eating here. As you walk into this restaurant located next to the Alamo the first thing that you see are the wine lockers. Mahogany and brass shout out the names of former mayors, Spurs players, actors, high powered lawyers, the list goes on. Their personal wine is at the ready. The smell of meat charring shouts out to you 100% USDA PRIME!

This Chicago steak house has plenty of down home Texas ruggedness. The fillet here is simply unbeatable. It is charred to perfection on the outside, with a warm pink center and smothered in Bearnaise sauce. The Bearnaise sauce is a buttery sauce made with egg yoke, butter and tarragon. It brings out the flavor of the meat unparalleled in any other sauce. It is also fantastic poured over the fresh asparagus, asparagus that is colossal in size. If it is your first time eating here you must ask for “the show”. They will bring you a tray and personally show you each cut of meat and vegetable to inspect along with the lobster, still alive of course. It will be a show you surely get and a show you won’t soon forget.

For dessert I suggest you try the chocolate lava cake with a nice cold frosted glass of milk. The whole experience is regal. Simple Midwestern charm at it’s best.

My dad always told me that it only cost a little more to go first class. First class dinning is what all three of these restaurants have to offer. So depending on your style or the occasion there is something for everybody. From east coast glitz and glamor to southern charm and Midwest ruggedness it is all there to be sampled. Weather you like seafood or steak, simple or elegant you are sure to satisfy your taste and desires at one of these three fine dinning establishments. My personal favorite as I mentioned above, Morton’s “The King of Steak House’s” .

Stunning! The Stratosphere Tower rises over 1000ft above the Las Vegas skyline. It is the tallest freestanding observation tower in the USA. The Stratosphere is situated in the older part of the town near Fremont Street (which in itself is an experience!) I haven’t stayed in the hotel but I have visited the “Top of the World” restaurant… and I can safely say it is out of this world.

The Restaurant is reached by an express lift from the ground floor of the tower you travel 800ft up in the central section. Yes… your ears will pop! When you get out of the lift, if you are afraid of heights don’t look down!

As you exit the lift you are greeted with the typical American casino style gift shop – products include T-shirts, Las Vegas maps & skyline at night posters, Fake gaming chips and so on… You can then walk out of the enclosed section out onto a balcony that circles the tower at this point. There are 360 degree views of Las Vegas, stunning at any time but much better when seen at sunset. You can walk all the way round this and there are “pay as you go” telescopes pointed in most directions so you can get a clearer view.

To access the restaurant you need to walk back into the guest shop and up the stairs… once you leave the guest shop and go into the restaurant it is a different world! For the best experience be sure to ask for a table near the windows in the revolving part of the restaurant. Yes, I did say revolving…

Once you have been seated then comes the difficult choice of choosing what to eat and drink, not easy let me assure you. Yes, this restaurant is more expensive than many in Las Vegas, but you are not only paying for stunning, well prepared food, you are also paying for a panoramic view of Las Vegas and the surrounding hill country. The full revolution takes 1hr 20minutes, so it is fairly slow.

The menu consists of an exceptional selection of fresh seafood and steaks, as well as some impressive signature dishes which including a Colorado Rack of Lamb and Chateaubriand 3-course dinner for two. The restaurant features an extensive wine list, which has earned them recognition from recognised American publications such as Wine Spectator. Each entrée (main) comes with a wine suggestion for those of us not so hot on picking our own!

Selection from the menu for example:

Muscovy Duck - $37
Duck breast thinly sliced served with potato Galette, Cipolline onions and Roma artichokes. Finished with roasted fig port reduction.

Wine Suggestion: Renwood, “Jack Rabbit Flat”, Zinfandel, Amador (9.00/glass)

Sea Bass - $39
Encrusted with Porcini mushroom dust, pan seared and served over wilted Romaine Finished with Riviera de Fiori extra virgin olive oil

Wine Suggestion: Chateau Moncontour, Vouvray, Loire (9.00/glass)

Prime Rib - $36
14 oz slow roasted Certified Angus Beef ® crusted with black pepper and herbs.

Wine Suggestion: J. Lohr “Cypress,” Merlot, California (8.50/glass)

Then comes the desert…. OH MY GOD!!
The perfect end to an amazing meal and views to die for… The Chocolate Stratosphere has to be seen, and eaten to be believed! Again each desert comes with a suggested liqueur.

Selection from the menu for example:

The Chocolate Stratosphere
Finish off your evening with our signature Stratosphere Tower filled with rich dark chocolate mousse and garnished tableside with vanilla sauce.

*1995 Dow’s “Quinta do Bomfim”, Porto

Berry Delight
Mixed seasonal berries marinated with Grand Marnier, layered with Zabaglione and garnished with vanilla bean ice cream.

*Godiva White Chocolate Martini

Flourless Chocolate Cake
Served warm and topped with chocolate gelato accompanied with raspberry coulis

*Godiva Dark Chocolate Martini

I would recommend visiting The Top of The World restaurant round about sunset, so that you can watch Las Vegas slowly turn from a relatively normal American cityscape to night when it comes alive.

If the prices above are too rich for your liking, the restaurant also does a lunch menu which is much cheaper. Yes, you get the same stunning views… but you don’t see Vegas at night!

And if you are feeling up to it afterwards, you can go back down to the guest shop and book a ticket for the any of the thrill rides that are on top of the restaurant that you have just eaten in…