Kiriko

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***** (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

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***** (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

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**** (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

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***** (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

Creperie Saint Germain

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**** (4 stars)

This is a very authentic creperie. That is to say, it is French. So don’t expect to find American-style overstuffed crepes that resemble burritos. The crepes here are thin, light, and filled with mostly excellent savory or sweet items. The salad is also extremely authentic, with a Dijon vinaigrette you don’t see many places in the US. I was not particularly impressed with the onion soup, but I like mine with a touch of sweetness, so that’s just me. Cozy, cafe ambiance, and some outdoor sidewalk dining available as well. Owned by the same people as Bistro Bordeaux, a few blocks away.

Creperie Saint Germain
1512 Sherman Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 859-2647
http://www.yelp.com/biz/creperie-saint-germain-evanston

Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar

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**** (4 stars)

The interior of this place is gorgeous, with a trendy bar and bustling dining area. And–what a concept–a Sand Lake Road restaurant that takes advantage of the lake view! The food is good, not necessarily inventive or inspired. There are the usual Americanized taco and enchilada offerings, but some of the stuffings are quite tasty. I particularly liked the seasoned pork. They also have several kinds of Molcajete, which you don’t see in that many Mexican restaurants in Orlando. Molcajete actually means mortar and pestle, but on menus it’s a sort of stew served in a pot that usually looks nothing like a mortar. It is quite succulent. Table-side guacamole is a very generous serving, and contains a tremendous amount of lime juice, the predominant flavor. The tortilla chips are very heavily seasoned, which makes it a bit hard to tell what the guacamole tastes like. A couple of tacos at $4 each make a reasonable lunch, so it’s not as expensive as that neat decor might suggest. Add on that table-side guacamole and some drinks, though, and it’s not the cheapest Mexican restaurant in town.

Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar
7468 W Sandlake Rd
Orlando, FL 32836
(407) 226-0550
http://www.yelp.com/biz/roccos-tacos-and-tequila-bar-orlando

The Bristol

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**** (4 stars)

The Bristol is an upscale restaurant that manages to avoid being too crowded and too noisy while still achieving a trendy vibe. The narrow, brick-lined space is lit sparingly, making it good choice for intimate conversation and romantic dinners. While the tables are fairly close, they are aligned in a way that doesn’t seem invasive.

There’s a reason everyone talks about the duck fat fries. They’re surprisingly un-greasy, perfectly crisp on the outside, tender inside, and nicely seasoned, served with a wonderful garlic aioli.

We also really enjoyed the wagyu beef, which was just the right mix of meat and fat, charred yet still perfectly medium rare on the inside, and served with a delicious red pepper sauce. The trout and the tempura broccoli were just okay.

Dishes are served family style, so go with people who enjoy sharing and tasting lots of different things.

One member of our party had many allergies, and the chef marked up a menu for her, showing her what she could have and what he could modify. Very nice.

The wine list is extensive, and prices are fair, although there are no bargains.

Service was friendly, and the bus boys were particularly on the ball with plate removal and water refills. In fact, I’d go so far as to say the service was impressive. This is a very good restaurant, flirting with great. Definitely worth a visit.

The Bristol
2152 N Damen Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 862-5555
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-bristol-chicago

Union Pizzeria

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**** (4 stars)

This place serves thin crust pizza with an almost burnt crust, which is my favorite style. Unfortunately they are very inflexible about ingredients, so your only option is to order something and have them leave stuff off. Good selection of beers, and the Caesar salad is excellent. The really neat thing about the place is that SPACE, the world’s best intimate live performance venue is attached. You can have a pizza before the show, or even take it back with you and eat it on one of the cocktail tables while watching the show. Because SPACE is such a great audio environment, it attracts the top small acts. SPACE plus Union Pizza and a nice stout is a definite win.

Union Pizzeria
1245 Chicago Ave
Evanston, IL 60202
(847) 475-2400
http://www.yelp.com/biz/union-pizzeria-evanston

Edzo’s Burger Shop

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**** (4 stars)

Edzo’s makes a very good burger. Will it change your life? No. Is it the best burger in Chicago? Probably not. In fact, we think the burgers at the nearby Whole Foods are actually just as good. But what is great here are the french fries. I’m not a fan of limp, greasy fries like they serve at Five Guys. Edzo’s are crisp and always freshly made. They also have something called Old Fries that are left in the fryer for a REALLY long time, and they’re crunchy and great. There’s also a lot of exotic flavors of pop by the bottle, and some great shakes.

Edzo’s Burger Shop
1571 Sherman Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 864-3396
http://www.yelp.com/biz/edzos-burger-shop-evanston

Sarpino’s Pizza

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**** (4 stars)

This might not be the fastest delivery place in the world, but the pizza is excellent. I’ll admit it, I’m not a fan of Chicago style pizza, with its thick, saltine tasting pie crust. Sarpino’s offers a thin crust pizza, and an extra done option that makes it slightly crispy. The toppings are tasty and in the correct proportions. We like the basil pesto pizza and the veggie pizza. Allow 45 minutes to an hour for delivery. Check online for deals like two for ones.

Sarpino’s Pizza
2428 Main St
Evanston, IL 60202
(847) 869-5555
http://www.yelp.com/biz/sarpinos-pizza-evanston