ON THE ROAD

Camillia Grill in the River Bend area?

 

There's a place in uptown New Orleans I like called Pascale's Manale. Famous for its BBQ shrimp. Of course, it probably also should be noted a guy died there in the mid-90s, I think, after eating raw oysters. Court found Manale's was 25 percent responsible, the health department 75 percent. But don't let that discourage you. 8)

 

I offer the opposite opinion. It's horrible. It tastes like the really cheap frozen pizzas but four times as expensive.

 

I know I probably shouldn't be, but I've always been way partial to Mother's in Nawlins. Not far from the downtown hotels, counter service, take out or eat in... Good shrimp po'boy, and buckets of all that other shit that'll kill you soon as look at you.

 

Hokie,

Somewhere in Portland there is a restaurant called the Kennedy School. It's set in an old school, with different classrooms for different eating/drinking.

Jerseygirl,

Should you find yourself tempted to enter the Denny's on the Strip sometime after 6 a.m., go against that instinct. There is a 40-something waiter there, Gene, who is bitter about being a 40-something waiter in a Denny's at 6 a.m. He can become downright nasty if you politely remind him to bring a chocolate milk he forgot a half-hour ago.

 

I like Mother's a lot. Also, Jacquemo's in the Garden District (an easy trolley ride from the Quarter), is pretty good as well. Get there early, however; it's first come, first served and they get busy pretty quickly.

 

If I'm in a Denny's at 6 a.m. ordering a chocolate milk, that would be a good sign, since I'd be at the tail end of a long and great evening. But I'll do my best to steer clear of Gene.

 

I know most of us think it's sacrilegious to stay anywhere other than a Marriott, but those new beds at Westins are just unbelievable...

 

Something I say often. I had planned to start eating better and exercising more after New Year's, but realized that with this trip on the horizon, it was pointless.

 

Well, you must not have had St. Louis Imo's, or just ran into a bad one. Trust me folks, food of the gods.

And Ace, thanks for the reminder. There's a casino on the riverfront, tho the one across the river in East St. Loo is better. And has well-guarded, lit lot.

 

Yes. The Heavenly Bed. Very nice touch. I accumulate Starwood points and try to stay at Westins as much as possible. Westin is also upgrading dozens of its hotel gyms nationwide. I must say, however, that the Heavenly Shower is kind of stupid.

 

Let the great Chicago pizza debate begin.

I'd say my preference depends on geography.

Downtown: the original Uno's (no, not that chain crap) and across the street, Due's.

Evanston: Carmen's.

North Shore: Piero's (Highland Park): .

Anywhere else, I settle for Giordano's.

Now I'm hungry.