lvk

I have to attend an event at the Fresno Convention Center in June. I'm hoping Fodorites can help me out with some hotel and dining recommendations.

Hotels: I would rather not stay at the Radisson at the Convention Center. So far I have it narrowed down to the Residence Inn, the Four Points Sheraton, and the Courtyard. Any comments? Are there particular neighborhoods I should steer clear of?

I would love any restaurant suggestions for the area- any cuisine or price range.

Any other Fresno suggestions will be most welcome.

Thanks!

TTess

First of all, my condolences for having to visit Fresno. June will be hotter than hades. Kimamom lives in the area, I'm sure she can help.

I've heard good things about Upstairs/Downstairs. The Old Fig Garden area is a good place to explore, too.

BillJ

C'mon TTess, we're not that bad. Actually June can be very pleasant indeed. Yes, lvk, you should not stay at the Radisson CC if you can get out of downtown conveniently.
Before I give you a whole raft of ideas and restaurants, may I ask how long you will be in our fair city, how many nites/days do you have free time? What is your general budget for dinner meals? Do you have an extra day for a daytrip to the mountains? This would help me give you some ideas, and I will be glad to answer any questions.

TTess

Sorry BillJ but as you know weather is all relative. Average highs of 91 degrees isn't "pleasant" to me but I'm glad it is for you. D'frnt strokes, you know? At least there's a video store and a 7-ll on every corner to Ivk can cool off with a movie and a cold one.
Bad Tess, bad!

BillJ

Boy this thing is sinking fast. OK, lvk, if you¡¦re still checking in, here are a few ideas.
Sheraton is not the best area. I would opt for the Courtyard.
Downtown, where you¡¦ll be: Previously mentioned, ¡§Upstairs Downtown¡¨ (not downstairs) is indeed a very good suggestion from Ttess for nearby fine dining and a great atmosphere. They have a web site; very close to the convention center. Also, if you like baseball, The Fresno Grizzlies, our triple a team plays at a new stadium downtown. Good food, family atmosphere, fun place, if they are at home at the time of your visit. I hear that lunch at Club One, a card room near the convention center is excellent, but have not eaten there myself. Hardly ever go downtown.
Other than that, GO NORTH.
Fig Garden Shopping Center, NE corner of Shaw and Palm. Fine shopping / stores, La Boulangerie bakery (excellent pastries), and The Elbow Room Restaurant and Bar. Popular with professionals.
River Park is a grand shopping and dining complex located on North Blackstone between Alluvial and Nees. There are shops, stores and bunches of restaurants on both sides of Blackstone. Borders, Barnes&Noble, 21 screen Edwards Movie complex, etc. Outback Steakhouse, Mac Grill, Marie¡¦s, In and Out Burger (the best burgers), you get the picture.
Italian: ¡¥Course everyone has their favorite, but mine is Bella Pasta, informal, NW corner of Herndon and Cedar. Also popular: Giulia¡¦s.
Seafood: Pacific Seafood, SE corner Herndon and First.
Fashion Fair Mall: Classic mall, with Flemings Prime Steakhouse, a wonderful higher end restaurant.
Manchester Center Mall: No reason that I know of to go there.
Mexican Restaurants: Dozens and dozens. Take your pick. Popular is Rosa¡¦s at the Pavillion Center, Marks & Bullard. Sal¡¦s NE corner Nees & Fresno St. Salazar¡¦s near Campagna¡¦s, Champlain & Perrin.
Sushi and Teppan Yaki; Sakanaya way north to Friant and Ft Washington Dr.
Pizza: I grew up with Me & Eds, a local, still my favorite, but all the majors are here.
Popular watering holes: Elbow Room, Campagna¡¦s.
Fine dining: Lantana, Slate¡¦s, Bentleys Bistro, Five, Campagna¡¦s, Elbow Room, Giulia¡¦s (Italian), Upstairs Downtown.
A few hours to kill: Drive north on 41 to Bass Lake for dinner www.basslake.com , or Chukchansi casino.
Though this is a lot, anyone would list many different eateries and activities. Just my effort to help you find a little happiness in your forced time in Fresno ƒº . It¡¦s not that bad here, you¡¦ll see. Glad to answer any questions.

lvk

BillJ,

We will only be there from Friday aft. to Sunday aft. Will be spending all day Sat. and most of the day Sun. in the Convention Ctr. No time for side trips. Need dinner suggestions for Friday night and Sat. night. We might be dining in a group with parents and teens. Any suggestions?

Also, that Residence Inn looks like it is in the middle of an industrial park of some type? Would the Four Points be a better choice for location and amenities?

Thanks!

BillJ

Ttess: Of course, we always say, "Yes but it's dry heat!" and anyway, 91, phooey, not hot.


All those little squigglies in my post above are supposed to be 's. Uhmmm!

Gotta love Fresno!

lvk

oops, Bill, we were posting at the same time!

Thanks for the suggestion of the Courtyard. Now that you know my parameters, any further suggestions?

OJudy

There are two Courtyards in Fresno. One on Shaw Avenue and one near the airport. The one on Shaw has a much better location, just a short drive to the River Park area.

Kal

I always stayed at the C'yard on Shaw but haven't had to go to Fresno in years.
PITA to get in/out of but much better location and near the Hiway so you can make it D'town.

Ditto the Elbow Room. Great steak sammy out on the patio.

Is the traffic still horrbile in Fresberg?

Didn't "K-Fed" used to work at the Me and Eds in Fres/Clovis?

We better sne dout a search aprty for ***Kimmer***. It's not like her to miss an opportutiny to comment on the yummylisciousness of Fresno?

BillJ

Yes, "k-fed" is from Fresno. Grew up and went to high school here. 'nuff said.
Yes, Courtyard on Shaw just off 41.
Yes, traffic is bad, but probably the same as all bigger cities. Northbound 41 at rush hour is very unpleasant.
lvk, with a family group, reiterate the ball park if you like baseball and the boys are in town. They have an in-the-park tailgate with good food and picnic style tables with view of the field. Check out the Fresno Grizzlies web site.
Also, with a group like that, we like the Beni Hana style Japanese restaurants with the chef cooking at your table of 8. See Sakanaya mentioned.
Fri and Sat you will need reservations.
If you took the teens to the Edwards Movie complex at River Park, there are a few restaurants adjacent, including a sports bar and grill that's pretty good. Owned by Tim McDonald of 49er fame.
As I said numerous restaurants in the general vicinity of River Park. Macaroni Grill is good for a big group and near the theater.

TTess

Fresburg is blessed with such historical names as K-Fed, ***Syrahgirl*** , remember when Anne Heche, Ellen's old girlfriend, was found in a psychotic state in Fresno? You can't forget Jeffrey Dahlmer's mother lives there. Marcus Wesson - he killed 9 of his family members while living a life of polygamy.

The brownest air north of Mexico City.
But hey, it's a dry heat

BillJ - you're chill, as my kids say. Thanks for hanging in there with our humor.

OJudy

Fig Garden Village and the Elbow Room cater to an older clientele. River Park area is where the younger crowd hangs out. Macaroni Grill is a good suggestion for a group with teenagers.

Kal

There was a pizza place on Shaw near Blackstone that made some of thee best pizza I've ever had.

Had a palm tree in it's logo. I think a friend said the owners sold and it may be out of business now?

The funky Silver Dollar Hof Brau still open?
Cold beer..decent grub.

There was a really good Mexican resty somewhere between Hwy 41 and the Courthouse. Ring a bell? :-?

BillJ

Nah, Kal. The Hof Brau is history, along with Fagan's Irish Pub
The folks that work downtown have little to choose from as to restaurants. There are several cafe's a block or two toward the court house from the conv. center, or as I said, the cafe in Club One card room is supposed to be pretty good for lunch.

OJudy

The hofbrau downtown is closed, but I think the Silver Dollar on Shaw is still open. I haven't been to Fresno in a while, but I still follow the news in the local paper. As far as the good family-run Mexican restaurant between 41 and the courthouse on Tulare Street, I remember it too, although I've forgotten its name. It was closed by the health department, if I remember correctly. Cucarachas in the kitchen.

Kal

At least they didn't find el gato carcasses!

Scarlett

LOL, this is too funny.
The brownest air outside of Mexico City..
Kal, did you stay at that Courtyard or did you just check out the lobby and take photos?

Seriously, is Clovis just a "burb" of Fresno?

lvk

Gee, and all this time I was thinking that Bakersfield had the brownest air outside of Mexico City. I learn so much from this board!

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I will share them with the rest of our group.

beachbum

Oh, but you haven't heard from ***kim*** yet, lvk! ;-) Maybe she'll make it here when she finishes posting about Portland and all the other places she visits for a day or two every other year.