Not the fanciest, although it does have quite wonderful ambiance, but the best food I have had in years was at Acqua Al 2 at Eastern Mrket in Washington DC. The original restaurant is in Florence. Their balsamic steak is unbelievable-think of that scene from "When Harry Met Sally"-hehheh.

I'll have to think about the fanciest. Probably Le Bec Fin in Philadelphia. That place had it all, but it has been many years since I've been there.

My all-time favorite though is the Old Guardhouse Inn in Gladwyne, PA outside Philadelphia. The restaurant is in a Revolutionary era building. Charming. Albert Breuers is the owner/chef (if he hasn't retired). Never had a bad meal. The best Dover sole and softshell crabs I have ever eaten. It was our go-to place when I lived there (which was most of my life). Amazing to have someplace like that so close by.

Cyn427 the Old Guardhouse Inn sounds divine, Dover Sole and softshell crab, yummy.

Has anyone ever eaten at Antoine's in New Orleans? It's suppose to be the oldest restaurant in the U.S. If so, was it wonderful?

Cyn, I can walk to the Guard House from my home. I grew up around here -- maybe we know each other. Albert is still there although his son Mark is taking over more and more. My favorite meal is the weiner schnitzel. I go there at least once a month.

I'd also list Le Bec Fin as my fanciest restaurant, followed closely by The Fountain Room at the Four Seasons and then Lacroix on Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia.

i got engaged at antoine's quite a few years ago! it was lovely...i think it still is, but haven't eaten there recently. (my husb gave me a nice watercolor painting of antoine's done by a n.o. street artist for our anniversary ~ 8yrs ago-it's hanging in our dining room!)

recently ate at commander's and mr. b's in n.o. during a recent trip - i'd say they're both equal to antoine's food wise, but i do think antoine's is abit more elegant.

Thanks Busybee, how romantic. I've eaten at Mr. B's and it was delicious. Although, there is something wonderful IMO about eating at the famed Antoine's, which I will do one day.

I'll probably think of another once I hit "submit" but the first one that comes to my mind is Paul Bocuse in Lyon, France. Paul Bocuse

I was lucky enough to have a meal there in 1989. I don't recall the specifics, without checking my travel journal, but I do remember it was the fanciest place & food I had ever experienced at that point in my life.

Hmmm, now I need to think: where is the fanciest place that I have been able to enjoy more than once?

I think the fanciest place was The Whitney in Detroit. Old, historical....expensive. The food was wonderful! Before kids came along, my DH and I used to explore a lot of restaurants. Now, we frequent Applebee's for dinner out. LOL.

HB&G is always good. I like the atmosphere too.

Ocean on 20th has good food... or did, haven't been in several years. Loud when full and in main dining room.

Satterfield's is over-rated and LOUD.

Bottega is fun, semi-loud when full and the food is good.

I think Hot & Hot is good, but I really dislike their location.

Mt Laurel (on Hwy 41) has Stones Throw Bar and Grill. Really good food. They have a website.

Thanks Allison, I may stick to HB&G since I love the atmosphere and I heard it is a five star restaurant.

I have never been to Bottega's but that building is just beautiful.

AMJ0517 The Wittney is just gorgeous. I went there for drinks before going down the street to The Fox to see Frank Sinatra. I grew up in Royal Oak, do you know it?

I know Royal Oak, I was there just the other day!! I love the downtown there.

La Caravelle in Manhattan - unfortunately it closed in 2004.

Alain Ducasse at the Essex House - also closed. Maybe I'm the kiss of death?

Le Bec Fin in Philadelphia is always excellent but it's no longer the fanciest. I usually eat there 4 or 5 times a year and sad to say it upsets me to see customers in blue jeans and polo shirts.

My last visit in April was rather novel. My neighbor and I go for lunch every year after our mammograms at Jefferson and the weather was chilly and wet. There were only 6 tables occupied and Georges was dining at one of them with 2 individuals and it looked like he was going over health plans. He was in a fine mood, stopping and chatting as he often does.

One of the patrons asked him to open to a bottle of champagne- at first I was confused. Until he went into the back and reappeared with a 'sabre a Champagne' and proceeded to pop the cork....and the neck of the bottle.

We were duly impressed and he received a round of applause. I like it so much better now that it's more relaxed however I'd still prefer diners to at least dress more appropiately.

Here is a link that might be useful: slightly cheesy video of Sabrage

Yes, I'm familiar with Royal Oak. Grew up in Oakland County. Now I live in Livingston. I also love the Fox Theater. I remember my mom taking me there as a kid to see Kenny Rogers. I felt so... fancy!

Another restaurant I love is Blue Heaven in Key West. We used to go there a lot when I lived there. I suppose it is considered "fancy" by the Key's standard. I always wore my nice flip-flops when we went there!

Lukk, I love downtown too or uptown as I use to call it as a kid. Gosh I would sit at the soda fountain in Kresges and Woolworth's and suck on a coke forever. A nice place to grow up.

Small world amj0517 isn't it? Yes, the Fox was great after they renovated it. Before that, they use to have the Motown Review when I was a kid. Little Stevie Wonder, Areatha Franklin, Marvin Gayle, Smokie Robinson, Martha and the Vandellas, Diana Ross, Four Tops. Your too young to remember that, but I bet your parents do.

I have a feeling it's changed a lot since then, but it's a trendy hot spot now, especially with the college being there. What I love is all the homes are so adorable. Birmingham too...very lovely areas.

I know those names...Diana Ross and the Supreme's played at Disneyland once when we were there as kids. Back then Disney was a once in a blue moon experience.

Newdawn, Kimball or Dondero?

Kimball!!!!

Hmm.. I was Dondero.

Since we are talking restaurants. Does anyone remember the restaurant in Savannah that serves the wonderful She Crab Soup? I hope I spelled and pronounced that correctly.

Best, probably Charlie Trotter's in Chicago, for dinner.

Best Brunch, Lacroix

Best Stuff yourself Brunch, The Fountain

Fanciest Le Bec Fin, some time ago. It was also excellent, but I think I was expecting something beyond excellent.
They had a real downturn in business when companies really cut back on people's expense accounts. It was a mostly business and special occasion place. He was going to close it, and there was an outcry. Or perhaps he threatened to do so to spur people to return. They went casual to increase business.

Best high concept sushi, POD, Philadelphia.

Best and fanciest corporate, Capital Grille, Philadelphia

Boy, Le Bec Fin must be the bomb. It's been mentioned about four times in the thread.

I am one of the people in Philly who is not into Le Bec Fin. Have been several times, the formality feels very contrived. I've had better meals elsewhere. I think the place is riding on its reputation at this point. For exciting, fresher, more delicious food I'd look elsewhere. I eat out quite a bit and was a food critic for an area publication for a couple of years. I second the Lacroix vote though.

Gramercy Tavern in NYC stands out in my mind as a most memorable meal and I crave to return, the setting is pretty without being too formal. Cafe Boulud in Palm Beach is another favorite.

chow.com is a website I love to read to get a feel for the restaurants of certain areas.

OMG, I grew up in Michigan outside Detroit and was just there for two weeks. Have never eaten at the Whitney, but will definitely try to make it there next trip, as we usually have a few days there (before and after) we head up to our cottages in Lexington on Lake Huron.

Locally, our favorite "fancy" restaurant is Geronimo's in Santa Fe on Canyon Road. Excellent food, atmosphere and service!

When we travel we LOVE to eat out and our hands-down fav is The Sugar Mill on Tortola, BVI. It's housed in a 370 year old stone sugar mill overlooking the Caribbean. Conde Nast named it one of the 12 most romantic dining rooms in the world, and I totally agree! But, the food and service are fabulous, as well. The owners/chefs are Jinx & Jefferson Morgan who have written for Bon Appetit for many years now. BTW, their attached award-winning boutique hotel is wonderful, too!
Lynn

In Detroit's hay day they had some of the most wonderful restaurants. In fact, The London Chop House is still there and probably doing great. That was the best steak I ever had in my life and I could of cut it with a butter knife. The only time I was at the LCH I was probably twenty two and I walked past Henry Ford's II table.

There was a restaurant called Little Harry's on Jefferson but it closed up and I heard Anita Baker bought it and turned it into her residence. But, that was many years ago and it's probably been bulldozed down now.