Mimi Sheraton had an update on Napa dining a couple of months ago in the Times. She mentioned the obvious choices, Bouchon French Laundry, but I wished she had focuses on more casual dining: Here are my choices for eating in Napa: Terra: 1345 Railroad Ave., St. Helena, Ca. 707-963-8931 Intelligent, graceful, and very tasty California cooking with Asian influences served in a relaxed, low-key setting by chef Hiro Sone and his pastry chef wife Lissa Doumani. Taylor's Refresher: An institution that features excellent burgers (including a very fine Tuna version), shakes, and fries. Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen, 1327 Railroad Avenue, St. Helena, 707-963-1200....
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In this month's Food & Wine Anya Von Bremzen interviewed Francois Simon, Le Figaro's Grand Reporter, who according to Vom Bremzen is a "provocateur who uses his whimsically poisonous prose to shake up the ossified world of French haute cuisine, and the ferocious expense and acrid snobbery that goes with it." My friend Steingarten knows and respects Simon very much, so I tend to trust his judgment as well. Here are a few of his picks: Gaya: 44 rue du Bac, 7th Arr.: 011-33-1-45-44-73-73: Three star chef's inventive, casual new fish restaurant. Le Bistrot Paul Bert: 18 Rue Paul Bert, 11th Arr.: 011-33-1-43-72-24-01. Great insider's bistro. Bakery: Boulangerie Julien (75 Rue St. Honore, 1st Arr., 011-33-1-42-36-24-83. Baguettes and croissants. For...
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When we visited Vancouver a couple of years ago we had a series of good not great meals in what is supposed to be a great food city. The best meal we had there was at Vij's 1480 W. 11th Avenue (604-736-6664), which melds Indian flavors, herbs and spices into an original contemporary cooking style. I hadn't thought about Vij's in awhile, but Sara Dickerman's piece about Vancouver's Indian food in last Sunday's New York Times reminded me that I wish Vij's was located in New York. The closest thing to Vij's in New York is the Bread Bar at Tabla. So if you're not going to Vancouver any time soon, hit the Bread Bar....
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