Bella Tuscany Ristorante Italiano

**** (4 stars)

This is the best of the three restaurants that have occupied the same spot. Layered eggplant parmesan was delicious, as was the smoked salmon appetizer. The flatbreads are better than the pizza, and aren’t really flatbreads, just a thinner crusted pizza. Interesting wines by the glass. Service is well intentioned. I still hate the lighting in this otherwise beautiful space, as it glares. All the fixtures should be lowered or the globes painted black.

Bella Tuscany Ristorante Italiano
13424 Summerport Village Pkwy
Windermere, FL 34786
(407) 656-2355
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bella-tuscany-ristorante-italiano-windermere

Firenze Osteria

**** (4 stars)

A very good restaurant that, with a little work, could be great. The best way to experience it is with the Chef’s Table Menu (a confusing name, since you don’t have to be at the chef’s table to order it). The seven course meal is assembled to your preferences, and at $75 is a bargain. The night we were there, the standouts were the spinach starter, the squash ravioli (which would have been better as a dessert because of its sweetness) and the fish and beef main courses. Seven matching wines for $50 was also a good deal, although the wines weren’t perfect matches to the food, and were all rather pedestrian.

Service was a bit uneven, with water refills hard to come by and some wines showing up after the course was finished.

Chef Ken was extremely personable, and his visits to present each course were the highlight of the meal. Unfortunately the room is so loud it was hard for everyone at our table to hear him. I would return, but only if I didn’t want to have an intimate conversation with my fellow diners.

Firenze Osteria
4212 Lankershim Blvd
Toluca Lake, CA 91602
(818) 760-7081
http://www.yelp.com/biz/firenze-osteria-toluca-lake-2

Saddle Peak Lodge

saddlepeak1 saddlepeak2

**** (4 stars)

Back in the 80s we somehow accidentally stumbled upon this place in the dark one night. Once you visit, you’ll realize how unlikely an event this was, given how it’s tucked away in a little canyon. That night, even though the restaurant had only been open a couple of weeks, we had a delightful meal, with fresh game and attentive service in an exotic hunting lodge setting. We’ve been going here ever since.

Saddle Peak Lodge is perhaps LA’s most unique restaurant, given its colorful history and unique decor. If you’re put off by mounted hunting trophies, this isn’t the place for you. But if great elk, quail or other game is your thing, this is the place.

It’s a particularly good ambiance for holiday dinners, and has become our Thanksgiving standard. Brunch is also popular, with outside seating that can be zipped up when the weather doesn’t cooperate.

Saddle Peak Lodge
419 Cold Canyon Rd
Calabasas, CA 91302
(818) 222-3888
http://www.yelp.com/biz/saddle-peak-lodge-calabasas

Meet in Paris

**** (4 stars)

A very authentic French bistro in a charming neighborhood. Great for outdoor dining, a bit bustling inside. Many varieties of mussel preparation, a house specialty, with great flavors. The tomato tart is unique and delicious. Authentic dijon dressing on the salad, crusty French bread. Superb assortment of authentic cheeses, no so superb assortment of wines. Fabulous creme brulee with a wonderfully caramelized crust. Reasonably priced.

Meet in Paris
9727 Culver Blvd
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 815-8222
http://www.yelp.com/biz/meet-in-paris-culver-city

Kiriko

***** (5 stars)

I’ve had sushi all over the world, and this is as good as it gets. The omakase is the way to go. At dinner it was $84. The sashimi was a particular standout, combining extraordinary freshness and garnishes that added wonderful textural and flavor complexity. Friendly service that provided just a bit of guidance as to what not to put soy sauce on, without the didactic pushiness of the other high end sushi places in LA. Definitely a favorite.

Kiriko
11301 W Olympic Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(310) 478-7769
http://www.yelp.com/biz/kiriko-los-angeles

L’Ermitage Beverly Hills

***** (5 stars)

If you like hotels that make you feel like you’re coming home, this is the place to stay. Great friendly staff, huge rooms, nice view. It can be pricey, but sometimes there is a stay 3 nights get one free deal that makes it more attractive. Nice gym facility. Convenient location. Includes free wifi (I’m always annoyed that the cheap places give it for free, the expensive ones tend to charge, so this is a plus.) We used to stay at the Four Seasons because of its homey atmosphere, but this place tops it, so we’ve stayed here three years in a row.

L’Ermitage Beverly Hills
9291 Burton Way
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 278-3344
http://www.yelp.com/biz/l-ermitage-beverly-hills-beverly-hills

Burger 21

**** (4 stars)

Had the 4.5 oz BBQ Bacon burger. Perfectly cooked burger with plenty of accompaniments. I also liked the condiment bar. Fries are thin, served very hot, and have a good flavor. A large was enough for six of us. Lots of interesting choices.

Service here was very friendly, from the greeter at the front door to the person who delivered the food. One of our party claimed the wrong burger when they were delivered (his error) and they wasted no time in making another one for the person who ordered it. Definitely a candidate for top burger in Orlando.

Burger 21
4192 Conroy Rd
Orlando, FL 32839
(407) 203-2848
http://www.yelp.com/biz/burger-21-orlando

My French Cafe

***** (5 stars)

This is it, Orlandoans! At last we have a truly authentic patisserie just like you’d find in Paris. In fact, on my first visit, I was accompanied by a friend who just flew in from Paris, and we both pronounced the croissants here to be “the real deal.” Light, almost empty, with a multi-layered flaky crust that threatens to explode in your fingertips.

The plain croissant is indistinguishable from the Parisian version, and the chocolate croissant might even be a bit better than the best “pain au chocolate” I’ve had in France.

The baguette is authentic, but might have a bit sturdier crust than would make a good sandwich; I’m certainly going to check that out on my next visit.

Service was friendly but seemed inexperienced, and it’s definitely an “order at the counter, bus your own table” kind of place.

I can’t speak to the sandwiches, soups and salads yet, but it’s about time Orlando had a spectacular place for breakfast pastry, and THIS IS IT!

My French Cafe
7782 Winter Garden Vineland Rd
Windermere, FL 34786
(407) 347-8945
http://www.yelp.com/biz/my-french-cafe-windermere