QOTD: Texas Longhorn in Stockholm. Ribs, corn, slaw and some fries that were unlike any i have ever had before. Next level!

QOTD: At this little restaurant near me called Cafe Juanita. I go there three times a year with my family and its always a great experience. A small home converted into a restaurant that isnt pretenious at all, even though theyre always in the top 10 Seattle lists. Great service and food. Cant wait until April when I go again.

I can't believe this guy 3 comments down- how can anybody eat fois gras and not care in this day and age??
Gary- I hope you never ever eat stuff like that!
I presume you know what the deal is with fois gras.
Look it up if you don't!
It's disgusting and barbaric.
The funny thing is that the un-empathetic morons who eat it actually think they're sophisticated in some way!
It's absolutely rIdiculous, and a huge problem, especially amongst the type of people who are into wine. (Presumably because of their strong connection with French culture!)
I think you should speak out against stuff like that on the show!

Can't wait to taste that 3rd wine-
Better still be able to get it! haha

GV - Had to post again on this episode. Just had another bottle this evening (Mar 23, 2008)
2 hrs decanted in the cellar - very old world, barnyard, mushrooms & a bit of hard boiled eggs on nose, earthy, smooth, a bit of sweetness, strawberries, red fruits & bacon mid-palete, a long finish but not a profoundly long finish, smooth tannins, lacks a focus point to take it that next level - something that captivates & fascinates that separates it from other wines (what I think of in a 95 pt or higher wine) very good, but not quite a 95 in my book, more like a 93 -still an exceptional value.

Bummer - I am too late for the drawing.
My best meal was in the Restaurant Jules Vernes, which is located mid-way up the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
It was a several course tasting meal with Terrine de Foie Gras with a Sauternes, scallops and Puligny Montrachet, Bordeaux and beef, port and cheese.
We followed up with a single malt (Dalwhinnie) while overlooking the city and smoking a Cuban cigar.

Well said. I would be happy to read anything else you might contribute on this subject.

QOTD: Best meal ever......Guy Savoy Paris.......12 courses, 6 wines......check the WAYD forum under 6 wines at Guy Savoy ;)

Parker is a WHORE!!

Getting caught up on eps, missed the drawing...crap!

Well, too late to win the wine, but this QOTD is an easy one for me to answer.

I've had great meals in Paris, but it was my last little breakfast in Paris at six in the morning that I remember the best, and out of that meal -- ham and eggs with tea -- I can still taste the fresh baguette. The French bakers use different flour and yeast than we do, and of course they have their own magic techniques. The crust, the crunch, the texture -- perfection.

My second favorite meal was a cassoulet in -- guess where -- Paris.

My third favorite meal was a duck in -- guess where -- Paris.

I don't remember what wines I had with the cassoulet or the duck -- maybe Cahors -- but I don't think I left an empty bottle in either restaurant.

The greatest meal I've ever had was a meal put together by my own family. I am blessed to live in a family with three great gourmet cooks, so I have had the pleasure of particpating in many many great meals. The one that is the most memorable was one that we had about five years back. The salad course, prepared by my mother, was a arugula, pear and asiago cheese salad(http://finedinings.com/arugulapearasiago.htm on my mother's web site). My brother is the "soup master" and he served a squash soup for the next course that was made with a stock that took three days to prepare (!). The pasta course, prepared by my wife, was a linguine with shiitake mushrooms in a garlic cream sauce. The entree prepared by my mother was rack of lamb encrusted with mustard and crushed hazelnuts (http://www.finedinings.com/rack_of_lamb_with_he...). Dessert (my wife's specialty) was a dense chocolate orange cake she calls "decadence." As Homer Simpson would say, "Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..." :)

I guess I missed it. Just in case.....
Chantrelle in NYC. It launched my passion for sharing wine and cooking great foods for friends. So many great meals have followed. As with wine, my tasted have changed since then, but that one wins on sentiment alone.

Holy crap! A commercial!

QOTD: Knackwurst with kraut and german potato salad. Good donw home German love.

QOTD: Roquefort pear tart with a walnut crust

Damn! That's what I get for falling behind in my WLTV viewing. Oh well. I ordered 6 of the Cote du Ventoux because you were so blown away by it. QOTD: Even though it's late, the greatest meal I ever had was in a little town in France about 20 minutes outside of Geneva, Switzerland called Saint-Jean-de-Gaunville. The restaurant was basically the first floor of a farmhouse and was called Fortune du Pot. It was run by this lovely older French couple. The husband did the cooking and the wife was the waitress and sommelier. It only held about 20 people maximum for dinner and I had an incredible five course meal. The main course was roasted duckling in a wild cherry and red wine reduction sauce that was to die for. The whole meal was incredible. The wine was great, too. We started with a Vouvray recommended by the sommelier and then had several bottles of a superb grand cru Beaujelais, a Fleurie I think, and finished with a nice Sauterne with our cheese course and dessert. Just an awesome meal and experience that I will never forget. The restaurant is no longer there, but it will live on in my memories for the rest of my life.

GV -

Just got my bottle of the Saint Jean and let me just say that this is one pretty bottle. I'm gonna feel real guilty opening this one....for about as long as it takes to give it that first sniffy-sniff.

Thanks.

You hit the Barroux on the head! Great, great stuff . . . unfortunately, a butt-ugly label.

I found it slightly tannic/acidic on the finish but really, really good.

QOTD: Oh, there have been many. Most recently was a Birthday dinner for myself and my very good friend (his B-day is Nov 4 and mine is Nov 19) at Restaurant Resturant in Los Gatos. Will certainly be a meal I will remember.

From our September trip to New Zealand

Into our second week and now it’s back to the North Island and 3 days of living like corporate rockstars at the finest resort you can imagine. Known as Wharekauhau (pr. Furry-ko-ho) it is a 5000 acre country estate with our own chef and wine steward. The Quest is now in the hands of people much better equipped than I to fulfill the mission. Last night may have been the Valhalla of culinary delight and sophisticated decadence. For appetizers we started with another nice Chardonnay, (unknown) and canapés followed by Persian feta wontons (r u kidding me?). This really rocked our palates. Next, a smooth and light Riesling (n2) with crispy prawn entrée, and then it came: the Pinot Noir (n3) that released its assault on what you thought was real wine. Holy smokes, what a fat bomb. Thick and dark as black blood, huge nose. In fact, we just took in the aroma for several minutes before having the nerve to taste such a beast. If the scent of this wine would be every human’s first exposure to wine, conversion would be a certainty no matter what you’re selling. Could not finish a whole glass, it was that good. Possibly criminal, I know, but it will be gone by tomorrow, I promise. The teammate of the wine was the rack of local (and I mean like right here from the estate) lamb, – the best thing to pair, of course. Oh, and the decadence? That came later when dessert was introduced by our host. Accompanying our caramelized lemon tart with limoncello ice cream was a Sauvignon Blanc/Riesling late harvest spirit (n4) that worked so, so well. In the Quest, you are blessed by revelations. Here was one. Probably the best dessert experience either one of us could remember.

The Pinot Noir was 2004 Alana Estate Tuapapa, Martinborough

saltinbocca alla romana made by my grandmother who lives in Italy (for 20 years)

Too late, but I had to mention it was Picasso in Las Vegas. Period.

QOTD: The best meal I've ever had was in a small town outside of Nevers, France. It was chicken in a wine sauce (of course), with pearl onions and potatos. My first bite of the chicken was so shockingly delicious that I stopped chewing - not on purpose. I was then both very excited, and fearful of the end of that meal. If the people in my party weren't laughing (they were from there, and kind of used to it I guess) I would have shed tears over it. I'm glad they distracted me, to avoid embarrassement. I don't remember the wine, other than it was "good", as was the cheese we ate.

I'm also trying to find some of that Saint du Barroux nearby. $13 for shipping a $23 bottle of wine doesn't make sense to me. But I really do want to try it!

In response to Gary's question what was the best meal ever - my response-

Filet mignon at St. Jauque's in Montreal.

FILET MIGNON WITH LOBSTER-BOTH MADE AT HOME ON THE GRILLE

The best meal I ever had was my Mom's homemade chicken pot pie. The pastry was homemade and the pie was filled with meat and vegetable and a wonderful creamy sauce. But most of all it was made with Love :)

missed the contest I guess. Best meal is at home with my parents, either my mom or my dad.

Meatloaf and my wife can not remember how she made it.

Am I too late for the Masseto?

My greatest meals were my mother's meal when I was little. I have eaten at three star restaurants but no matter how good it can never beat my mother's cooking.

QOTD: SHIiiznickle, too late for the contest but gotta put in my two cents. Best meal ever was a dinner at a local sushi restaurant with my dad and my wife the night before we got married. It's about family and it's about ammaaazing sushi.

The best meal I ever had was at my wedding at Chateau Des Charmes in Niagara on the lake and it was cetered by the wellington in St. Catherines Onatario. Panzanella salad, roasted tomatos soup, roasted tenderloin and the best madagasgar vanilla cake with chocolate ganache I have ever tasted. Just beautiful@!!!!

QOTD: Greatest meal was a steak dinner at The Golden Lamb in Lebanon, Ohio, probably 30 years ago. We sure missed the great American steak houses when we returned to Canada. liked the beef a lot pinker in those days, too. Was pretty much a red wine newbie at the time, and gracious knows, you couldn't have anything but red wine with a steak, could you? So it was probably a Gallo something-or-other, but if Grandpa was visiting and buying the wine, coulda been a Chat du Pape.

A Thanksgiving dinner in my home. It was organized by my then 15-15 year old daughter and her boyfriend at the time. Everyone prepared great versions of traditional Thanksgiving fixings. It was accompanied by some nice Long Island wine. The combination of the food and atmosphere made it wonderful.

Of many fabulous meals with our families, the best of the best had to be our 30th anniversary dinner at the Sierra Mar of The Post Ranch Inn overlooking Big Sur. Fabulous food, unbelievable view, and the perfect company!

Greatest meal was a steak with 1971 Chateau Latour this year.

Redskin Lurker, Bob

the best meal i ever had would have to be a fresh-catch grilled spiny lobster at fish friday in Gouyave, Grenada. Fish friday is a weekly event that takes place in the fishing capitol of Grenada. There is a couple there that grills the biggest and best spiny lobster (Caribbean lobster with no claws) for the best value. I want everyone reading this to follow along... look at your out-stretched arm from elbow to fingertips and imagine a lobster that big. Next, make an 'O' with your thumbtips and fingertips put together. Not only was this the best lobster I have ever had, but it was also the biggest and fattest I have ever eaten. It was so big that i could hardly finish it. The smokey flavor from the grill with the velvety texture of the meat was out of this world. It was served halved with the fixings poured on top and cost a mere $100 EC. Just divide that by 2.67 and you get the US equivalent. $37 bucks for what had to be a 12 lb lobster. If ever you travel to Grenada, head up to Gouyave on a friday night and prepare to be wowed.

QOTD: Peninsula Grill to celebrate my Master's is probably it. That food was delicious.

g,
just one ? the best meal ever ? can't do it. !! there are THREE that come to mind: #1,most recently a terrific dinner with the boys only at Flemmings steakhouse in Boston, a fabulous rib eye, garlic mashed, creamed spinach with garlic and a massive cabernet. #2, another rib eye, this time in new Orleans at Emeril's, with the best onion rings and again , garlic mashed, and of course, another huge cabernet sauvignon. and #3, in Carcassone in southwestern France, a cassoulet of confit de canard (duck casserole) with steamed veggies and a wine that the chef recommended. a true gustatory experience of french cuisine. there you have it, the lurker's contribution. now may i please have that bottle of red italian wine ?

The best meal that comes quickly to mind our first meal as a married couple. We honeymooned in Nashville and had not eaten for about half the day when we arrived at our hotel. The concierge recommended Morton's which was within walking distance from the hotel. My wife had an excellent lamb chop and I had a swordfish steak, or first time having both. The waiter matched an excellent wine and we finished out the evening with desserts and coffee.

Between the excellent food and the natural buzz of being a newly wed, it was a very memorable meal.


While the $500 wine did draw me out, I have only been lurking for a few weeks. I have been slowly catching up on the archived episodes, more for the commentary and tips than the wines of course, but thank you for a interesting and informative show.

QOTD: I know I'm too late, damn work! But, the best meal I've ever had...

Christmas Dinner with my father in 2005. Paris

We started with a dozen Fines de claire Marennes-Oléron oysters with a lovely Vouvray and baguette

Foie Gras, toast and a 98 Sancerre

Pheasant which we seared and then slow roasted over leeks carrots and red wine with a 96 Don Melchor

Finished off with two pastries from La Maison du Chocolat and two glasses of Woodford Reserve Bourbon.

A perfect night, great food, wine, a slight scent of xmas tree, candles from the tree and great music with my dad. Awesome.

Whoaaaaa ... I hope a regular and NOT a lurker gets the great bottle of wine! But, whatever ...

QOTD: The greatest meal I ever had was a multi-course presentation offered by a small restaurant in Peterborough, NH called "Latacarta" ... it was a Valentine's day special and worth every penny. Every mouthful was exquisite, every single item cooked to perfection, and every course looked as beautiful as it tasted. These same chefs used to own two restaurants in the Boston and Cambridge areas called "The Seventh Inn," I believe, on Newbury street in Boston and "Latacarta" in Cambridge, somewhere in the mid 1980's. I have searched but see they are no longer in Peterborough, NH now ... I hope someday I can find them again.

Thanks, as always, Gary V-N-Ch for all that you do.

You have certainly changed Darcey's and my wine worlds!