Comments on: Manresa (Los Gatos, CA) – A Spring Birthday Meal

By: ChuckEats blog » The Sportsman (Seasalter, UK) - Give a Man A Few Miles

ChuckEats blog » The Sportsman (Seasalter, UK) - Give a Man A Few Miles — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:17:30 +0000

[...] delivered this dish and said it was influenced by Manresa’s tidal pool. It is interesting to note the connection, as Manresa has been forging a path similar to The [...]

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 05:40:33 +0000

Manresa was one of the best meals in recent memory, and maybe the best I’ve ever eaten. (L’Astrance is the only other meal I’ve had that compares.) It’s tough to return to L.A. and think about what I’m missing. Providence last Sat. was inedible by comparison, save the Santa Barbara spot prawns and sea urchin. Thanks again for recommending Manresa.

By: Trojanman

Trojanman — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:11:47 +0000

Chuck, you’ve been an inspiration to me and have forced me to broaden my horizons and try all sorts of things I would never let pass my lips. I was incredibly excited to try Manresa for the first time last week (with a party of 5). Perhaps it was the hype…perhaps it was all the foam…perhaps it was complete lack of hospitality on behalf of the servers & sommelier, but all 5 of us agreed the restaurant was ho-hum and none of us would return. Yes we did the tasting menu and yes we did the premium wine pairing. Can you recommend any other USA restaurants with perhaps some more approachable food and nicer service? Price and location don’t matter. We live in So Cal, but we’re more than willing to take “food vacations”.

By: A Girl Has to Eat

A Girl Has to Eat — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:23:57 +0000

The goat sounds amazing. I have been wanting to try Manresa for a while and will hopefully plan a foodie trip to california at some point.

It’s interesting that you have compared its approach to Noma. I am planning to go to Noma August or September and am looking forward to it very much.

By: cleanrat

cleanrat — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 06:13:27 +0000

Chuck – thanks so much for your recs! Will definitely try to make it to one of the top sushi places you suggested, or at least something similar. Nodaiwa sounds really promising too. Hopefully Tsukiji doesn’t enforce another tourist ban while I’m there. It would be understandable, but unfortunate for me.

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:18:13 +0000

Thankfully, I’ll be there in three weeks for my first visit.

By: Jimmie

Jimmie — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:15:03 +0000

Most of the photographs are interesting to observe. The first, Parmesan churro and crispy kale, has the appearance of a collection of turds from a variety of animals.

What gives?

By: chuckeats

chuckeats — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:57:14 +0000

cleanrat – i would dedicate one meal to one of the top sushi places – sushiso masa, kanesaka, or sawada. mitzutani is usually mentioned as the best but it sounds too sterile (and unpleasant) for one meal. i’ve heard, since my trip, that sawada actually has the best fish. overall, sushi at every price point was markedly better than comparable places in the US.

as for random things – eat an ice cream cone at the ice cream place in roppongi hills (you’ll know it by the fake cow, with functional utters, in front.) pure pure milk taste. Nodaiwa is *the* place to go for eel but it was closed when i was there. Ramen Menya Musashi had great ramen, once you figure out the vending machine. Obviously, go to the fish market early one morning – quite a site!

By: cleanrat

cleanrat — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:24:54 +0000

Great review once again, I would love to try the goat and vegetable dishes. You’re making me wish I lived in the US!

It looks like a short Tokyo trip might be happening for me in August, any recommendations from your previous Japan trip? Doesn’t have to be fine-dining or flashy stuff. Solid, honest food (especially sushi and soba!)

I would love nothing more than to go to someplace like Sushiso Masa, but unfortunately I don’t speak Japanese, or know anyone that does. Guess I’ll have to wait till I’m there and ask the concierge and hope for the best. Ryugin looks super, but probably is a touch too expensive.

Best

By: chuckeats

chuckeats — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 07:46:32 +0000

Felix – it’s a fuji e900

Carolyn – oh yes it is