Lola’s Restaurant
3312 Esplanade Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70119
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A unique Faubourg St. John Restaurant with local art decorating the walls. This small, special place doesn’t take reservations. Try to arrive 15 to 30 minutes before opening time and wait in line. If you come later and there’s a mob, don’t be discouraged: Service is attentive and food comes quickly, so your wait shouldn’t be too long, though we’d either not bother on the weekends or bring a book. …click here to read more

Etoile Restaurant
407 N. Columbia St.,
Covington, LA 70433
985-892-4578

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Voted one of the top 50 bars in New Orleans, as listed on their website. This should tell you that their food is not their bread and butter. Etoile once had a great diner menu. It also came with a good chef. Now it is just above bar food. For example I ordered the Hamburger the other day at the bar and it came with a white bun. I can get a white bun at McDonald’s. I also said medium rare and it came way over cooked. The only thing well done at this point was the meat. Ok, bad joke!

I do have to say it is a great bar though. I love the wine list and the bartender Chris is great. Tell him Brent and Tracy sent you and he will take care of you. The atmosphere is right out of a Michalapolous painting. This is because it was designed like a Michalapolous painting because he is the owner. If you like his paintings you will love this place. If you see him, tell him to bring back that good New Orleans food they once had.

I recommend this place as a great wine bar that has food if you are hungry!

Ristorante del Porto 205 N. New Hampshire St.,
Covington,70433
(985) 875-1006
Lunch and dinner Tuesday through Friday and dinner Saturday
Credit Cards
Reservations Accepted
Cuisine Italian

Authentic Italian food in Covington, Louisiana. Who would have guessed it? This great little restaurant on the corner of New Hampshire and Boston street is a little gem. From atmosphere to the food, it captures it all. My wife Tracy and I spent the summer in Italy and fell in love with the food. We cried when we had to come home but Del Porto was here for our rescue. …click here to read more

K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen
416 Chartres St.
New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 524-7394

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This is my home away from home. I was a waiter here for one year but it felt like forever. This is the best restaurant in New Orleans. If you are looking for some home town cooking that will make you want to spank your grandma then this is the place. Not only will the food excite you but the atmosphere will make you fell like you are eating at your Mamma’s house. …click here to read more

Chakra Cuisine
Irvine, California
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I didn’t know Indian food was this good. Wow, Chakra Chakra, this food was electric. Seasoned to perfection. I love seasoned food. I had the lamb chops and it was seasoned with these flavors that tasted like fried chicken. It was put on top of this rice and spinach emulsion. To start we had these lentil seed chips with different Indian sauces that were better than any Mexican chips and salsa I have ever had. …click here to read more

Villa Nova Restaurant
Newport, California
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This restaurant is in a great location. Right at the head of the bay in Newport, CA. The view is right out of “The Love Boat.” I wish I could say that the food was as good as the view. I ordered the fish of the day. It was Halibut. It had sautéed vegetables on top. I learned quickly that this was to cover up the over cooked fish. It was like tuna out of the can. I started with the Caprese, it was descent and for the desert I had the crème brulee. This was very traditional and delicious. The desert saved the day. …click here to read more

The God Father Restaurant
7878 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
San Diego , CA 92111
858-560-1747

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This restaurant is a little deceiving. Stuck in a shopping center built in the 70’s, you may wonder what you are doing. Don’t worry because after you walk inside you will think you are in The God Father. The decor is right from the movie and there is memorabilia all over the walls. …click here to read more

Dolce Vita
22741 Lambert St.
Lake Forest, CA. 92630

This is a local neighborhood restaurant that we visit often. They serve classic Italian food. I always order the Pollo Piccata. The Piccate sauce is very traditional and delicious. It comes with a side of paste and a red sauce. The wine list is above average because not only do they have a nice selection but the prices are excellent. …click here to read more

BRUSSELS BISTRO
222 Forest Avenue
Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Phone: 1 949 376-7955
Fax: 1 949 376-7965
- info@brusselsbistro.com
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A little taste of Belgium. I found this restaurant hidden underground in Laguna Beach. It reminded me of my time spent in Belgium. I lived in Antwerp, not Brussels, which is so much better. Brussels is full of tourist and Antwerp is not. That should tell you everything. …click here to read more

Ti Amo Restaurant
31727 South Coast Hwy.
Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Telephone: 949-499-5350
Fax: 949-499-9760
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This restaurant exudes richness, from the decor to the cuisine, it is almost on the cusp of nauseating. If a color or a flavor exists, you will find it here. …click here to read more