Red Mosquito

For some reason I found myself thinking about this today :shrug:

I have two:

Tacos Sonorita Olas Altas (Puerto Vallarta, Mexico)
- Casual, cash only tacos and margaritas. Two blocks off the beach. Amazing.

All’Antico Vinaio (Florence, Italy)
- Not so much a restaurant, but a to-go sandwich shop. You’ve possibly seen it featured on TV. Unreal. I would eat at this place every day.

You’re a real stand and eat kinda fella, huh?

Commander's Palace, New Orleans

BurtReynolds wrote: Wed July 08, 2026 9:11 am Commander's Palace, New Orleans

Nice choice. Great food, and the staff knows to let guests pass first instead of cutting them off etc to get to wherever they’re going. Huge pet peeve at a lot of restaurants.

On that note, I was at the fancy pants new market at the mall today, and I started towards a bagelry to see what I might have for lunch. As I approached, I could sense a dude with a cart tailgating me and fully ready to run me down if needed. I stepped aside to let him pass, and he had a shirt with the bagelry’s name on it. I immediately eliminated it from my options.

spike wrote: Wed July 08, 2026 8:26 am You’re a real stand and eat kinda fella, huh?

The taco place is an actual restaurant.

First time going there, I had to leave my ID there overnight as collateral and bring cash back the next day.

No dine and dash for you.

spike wrote: Wed July 08, 2026 11:17 am

BurtReynolds wrote: Wed July 08, 2026 9:11 am Commander's Palace, New Orleans

Nice choice. Great food, and the staff knows to let guests pass first instead of cutting them off etc to get to wherever they’re going. Huge pet peeve at a lot of restaurants.

The maître d' was super friendly as well.

Bammer wrote: Wed July 08, 2026 3:27 am All’Antico Vinaio (Florence, Italy)
- Not so much a restaurant, but a to-go sandwich shop. You’ve possibly seen it featured on TV. Unreal. I would eat at this place every day.

you know that this is a franchise, right?

Chris_H_2 wrote: Wed July 08, 2026 5:36 pm

Bammer wrote: Wed July 08, 2026 3:27 am All’Antico Vinaio (Florence, Italy)
- Not so much a restaurant, but a to-go sandwich shop. You’ve possibly seen it featured on TV. Unreal. I would eat at this place every day.

you know that this is a franchise, right?

It is now. Florence is the original location and it’s fkn awesome.

Bammer wrote: Wed July 08, 2026 8:04 pm

Chris_H_2 wrote: Wed July 08, 2026 5:36 pm

Bammer wrote: Wed July 08, 2026 3:27 am All’Antico Vinaio (Florence, Italy)
- Not so much a restaurant, but a to-go sandwich shop. You’ve possibly seen it featured on TV. Unreal. I would eat at this place every day.

you know that this is a franchise, right?

It is now. Florence is the original location and it’s fkn awesome.

that's cool.

I actually prefer a couple of other sandwich places a little further north -- at the very least, you don't have to wait in line for an hour.

Imagine finding out your favorite restaurant in the world is Italian Subway.

spike wrote: Thu July 09, 2026 2:41 am Imagine finding out your favorite restaurant in the world is Italian Subway.

*the original* Italian Subway

The best pizza is Pizza Hut circa 1987 so let's not shit on chains.

*chef kiss*

as a 10 year kid it was Casa Bonita in Denver...as an adult I choose Chez Georges and Paul Bert in Paris...

doug rr wrote: Thu July 09, 2026 6:16 pm as a 10 year kid it was Casa Bonita in Denver...as an adult I choose Chez Georges and Paul Bert in Paris...

eating the steak au poivre at Paul Bert was absolutely worth the meat sweats I got from it.

Speaking of Paris, I really love Bistro Instinct. We’ve been twice in the two times we’ve been to Paris, and we’ll likely go again the next visit.

I’m still shocked that a mall cop could make such amazing steaks

Fugaz in Mexico City. Small space with lots of open windows and patio seating, most delicious seafood, impeccable service.

Olmsted in Brooklyn (closed forever). This one is sentimental.. ate there for my one year wedding anniversary, was totally at home as a southerner. Not particularly a southern menu, but it felt like the hospitality I'm used to. I don't even remember what we had, but I still think about that space.

The Gristmill in Gruene, TX. Been going here my whole life. Right on the Guadalupe River. Get a seat on the patio and take in the trees and river views while eating a grist burger, which is simply a classic flat top burger smothered in queso. You'll always wait for a table, but the waiting area has a giant live oak tree, a bar, and usually someone performing acoustic country songs.

Liuzzas by the Track in New Orleans. Best oyster po-boy you'll ever have. My grandpa grew up in a small duplex across the street, so another sentimental pick. Small divey spot away from the tourist traps. Red beans and rice are a go-to as well.