What is the best (in your humble opinion) but least well known restaurant you know of where you live/travel? Thanks.

Well? (No wonder he's "shy.")

In Las Vegas, the Pasta Shop. It's in a shopping plaza, small, very casual. But the food--unbelievable. For the ambience, a little expensive, but still not over the top at all. And well worth every penny.

On the near west side of Chicago, the Wishbone has great southern cooking; Naniwa is great sushi in River North; II Jacks is great Italian in a mobbed up atmophere on Grand Ave.

I am being a bit nostalgic about Il Buco on Bond St.in NYC. Sadly it is now known, but for several years it was a hidden gem that went unnoticed by most.

The restaurant doubled as an antique shop and had one of the coolest decors of any restaurant in the city.
The food was Medditerraenean with great dishes like whole roasted fish and to-die-for risotto cakes. A perfect place to share a few simple, yet elegant dishes.

The staff was all European which added to the experience. In the basement they had the BEST room in NY. It was an old stone wine cellar with a few tables and some candles where those who asked could have desert and coffee.

Unfortunately, the orginal owner sold out to some Hampton's restaurant owner and the crowd went from the downtown hip to the Upper East Side/Connecticut types. He has also changed he look of the room and turned the lights UP. I haven't been since 1998 as it was a much different place than two or 3 years earlier.

I realize it is more popular today. But for a few years, it was remarkable.

The lobster and crab shack on the town dock of Bailey's Island, Me. Not very well known, unless you live in Bailey's Island, Maine.

In Cambridge, Ma. The Central Kitchen in Central Square. Mussels, oysters and blackboard daily menus are all tempting. Such a welcome relief from all the other ethnic restaurants that we have in my neighborhood. If only I could afford to go often!

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The Tillerman restaurant on Flamingo is great, the natives go there.

Libby's Bistro in Gorham, NH

The Stinking Rose, a garlic restaurant in San Francisco's North Beach; Five Happiness (Chinese) in SF's Richmond District; and the Thai House, off Telegraph Avenue in Berkeley.

The Rivers Inn, Gloucester Point, VA. On the water in a beautiful marina, both a crab deck and inside dining. The seafood is unbeleivable, surpassed only by the desserts....even in winter it is great with a 2-sided fireplace....wonderful wonderful.....

Nancy. Where exactly is Gloucester, VA. We're going to Virginia later this month and it sounds wonderful. I LOVE seafood.

The Pine Island Grille in Bayville Long Island. Best view of Long Island Sound, right on the beach.

My grandmas house.

1. Hamburger Henry on 2nd St. in Belmont Shores (Long Beach CA.) Order the wristwatch burger (comes with a watch) and a milkshake, and be proud you're an American.

2. Panos Kleftiko a couple of blocks from the Space Needle. If it was any more Greek you'd have to pay in Drachmas.

3. Jestine's in Charleston SC. Not unknown for sure, but not well enough known. Ditto Bread and Ink in Portland OR.