Where and when have you had your most memorable meal (anywhere in the U.S. and mostly for the food itself (atmosphere too!))

So far, for me, it would have to be at Blackbird in Chicago this past spring.

no contest..."Gabrielle's Grand" at Gabrielle's at Richmond Hill Inn - Asheville - this must be how royalty feels!

Oh - I almost forgot! I should have said my meal at Bayona in New Orleans!! Blackbird is a close 2nd!

at the Equinox in Washington DC. A six course meal with wine pairings - expensive, but amazing - well worth every dollar.

At Hugo's in Portland, Maine, just 4 days ago. Thirteen courses, with wine pairings--beyond amazing! I'm not exaggerating when I say that one of the courses brought tears to my eyes. (OK, DH and I are obviously VERY passionate about food.)

In the US? Le Bernardin in New York. Three times now. Probably the three best meals I've ever had in the US -- everything is perfect there, not just the food.

Skylon overlooking Niagara Falls. I took my Mom to Niagara the first year after Dad passed away. (They had been divorced for many years) she told me stories of how much they enjoyed their time there and because she had never been out of Arkansas, she was terrified.
They had never eaten at the Skylon, it was not built in 1955, but that is where I heard the stories. Food wasn't bad either.

It was many years ago on our honeymoon and our first visit to New York City. Dinner was in the Pool Room at the Four Seasons Restaurant.

We asked the waiter for a recommendation and without hesitation he said the crispy skinned Long Island roast duck with apple sauce. It was a perfect meal together with great service, a classic atmosphere and being a happy occasion makes this stand out in my memory.

Gabrielles in the Richmond Hill Inn is wonderful but we were not able to sit inside.. the inside looked beautiful from the windows..and we stayed at the Inn too.

I loved K Paul in New Orleans.

In the US the most memorable meal was at Citronelle in Georgetown (DC). Gorgeous, delicious, inventive, sensational food and atmosphere.

Jean Goerge in NYC was quite memorable too, although more for the intensity and unusualness of the flavors, not so much because I loved it.

We have a reservation at Blackbird for our trip to Chicago in September. Really looking forward to that! We'll be doing Charlie Trotters this trip too!

Fogo de Chão in Washington DC! Great Brazilian restaurant, 6 locations in US & 3 in Brazil. The meats are seasoned & slow cooked over open flame then brought to your table & cut right there as it falls onto your plate. The service & food was top notch! It's all you can eat meats, sides, etc so make sure you go hungry! Around $50 per person. www.fogodechao.com

I've had some food that was just off the charts good, but the really memorable meals involve 'the whole picture'.
A dinner at Paleys in Portland Oregon with some friends and family was that. Excellent food and service, wonderful drinks, all of us in fun attitudes, and just one of those nights where everything was 'perfect'.

Not in the US, but a weekend of Kaiseki meals at Sumiya Ryokan in Kyoto had to some of my most memorable food. Dish after dish of fabulous items served to us in our room.

This week - George's on the Cove in La Jolla.

I'm from New Orleans...so I'll skip those spots...

Without a doubt....the most memorable has to be the dinner we had at Gallileo's in Wash DC about 8 or 9 years ago. Everything about the meal was spectacular....from the wine to the food to the cheese and fruit plate we had for dessert. My husband can still recall everything we ate that night! And striking up a conversation with several circuit court judges (sitting the wine tasting room) was an added bonus.

Unfortunately - I have heard that Gallileo's has gone downhill of late. Does anyone know if that is true?

For me - last October - our 10th wedding anniversary dinner @ the Enchantments Resort in Sedona. Five courses paired with lovely wines overlooking the canyon. Beautiful and most delicious

Perhaps the occasion added to the ambiance, but we had a fantastic meal at Topolomombo in Chicago on our Wedding Anniversary several years ago.

Alain Ducasse at the Essex House, most recently in June, but several times prior.

Not only the food, but the service as well was impeccable. Just enough, but not fawning.

Superbe!

Most memorable meal for food-The Hastings House on Salt Spring Island. When you enter your presented with a personal copy of the menu for the night. Waitstaff-1 waiter for every 2 tables, impeccable service. Sommelier, totally Mr. Wine guy, nothing elluded his wine knowledge. The view, beautiful manicured lawn sloping down to the harbor. The food, totally fresh, seasonal ingredients,beautifully presented. A bonus-after the meal the chef came out and presented me with a basket of local produce. He vaguely knew of me through the chef grapevine.That really ticked off the loud mouthed American with the 2 trophy blondes at the table behind us. It was like sweet revenge for having to listen to his big mouth our whole meal.
Most memorable experience beside the food. The old Julians in the New Sheridan, Telluride, Co Film Fest Weekend.2 tables away, Jimmy Stewart, across the room the great Spanish director Pedro Almadovar, Robin Williams, Daryl Hannah, Roger Ebert,Candy Bergen and a bunch of actors whose names I forget. (not all sitting together)Next to us-Jerry Stiller and Ann Meara, with whom we struck up a great conversation, shared our food and Jerry, much to our astonishment, picked up our 300 buck tab-a tax write off perhaps. The next day he got us tickets to 2 sold out shows. We were so awe struck, couldnt tell you what we ate.
There've been other wondrous meals-the Wickaninnish on Tofino, The Inn at Little Washington, Gibraltar in Lancaster Pa, 3 lb. lobster at Halls Harbor in NS, dinner at the Pacific Culinary Institute in Vancouver and a meal put together entirely from vendor food from the floating market in Thailand.
Gotta go now and eat my not so memorable Weight Watchers lunch.
PS-am going back to Asheville next month.Gabrielle's has been on my to eat list and after these great reviews, I'm making reservations as soon as I'm done here.

Le Cirque, Las Vegas, 2000
The White Barn, Kennebunkport, 2001
Bayona, New Orleans, 2002
Le Palm D'or, Cannes, 2004
Restaurant de Bacon, Antibe, 2004
Spago, Maui, 2006

Sigh.

La Choza in Santa Fe, NM. It was the first place I ever tasted New Mexican chile. My mouth was on fire, my eyes were watering, and beads of sweat were popping up all over the place. That was almost 10 years - I survived it (several glasses of sangria helped!) and now my motto is 'the hotter, the better'. I am constantly craving chile, and sadly, it's not too common here in Michigan - gives me a good excuse to go back!