All-Time Fave Dining Experiences

First a couple of notes: The best places have cool dishes, and I mean the actual dishes. You see art in the hardware and in the presentation as a whole. And don't let anyone tell you atmosphere is not important!

OK, here are the tops:

1. Mama's Fish House in Maui (See my profile photo) - An upscale piece of paradise, with a slice of Gilligan's Island. The food is amazing..from the fresh, local fish to "The Black Pearl" --a dessert not to be missed.
2. La Palme d'Or - No, not the Cannes film prize, but the restaurant in the Hotel Martinez in Cannes.

Try the turbot (pronounced tur-bett) fresh from the Atlantic, the ginormous asparagus and three courses of desserts, including the denouement, a charming carousel of calories! The chef graciously prepared a special order of fresh G-free petite baguettes to our delight! Fair warning: If they have a separate chair for your purse, the bill will not be for the faint of heart.
3. The Grape Leaf Inn - Healdsburg, California.  Best gourmet breakfast ever, and cooked by a recovering lawyer and his charming wife. The heart-shaped cheesecake with a hint of goat cheese was my favorite! The fresh ingredients from local sources are endless!! Also, don't miss the speakeasy in the cellar, accessible through the hidden door behind the bookcase.
4. Villa Antinori Abbey and Winery - Tuscany, Italy. Everything we ordered was delish! The atmosphere is magical.
5. Gibson's, Chicago - Family style (and sized) Australian lobster dinner, with filet mignon "on the side"!!!
6. Hula Grill - Whaler's Village in Maui - Just about any seafood dish is amazing. Go when dinner begins to catch the sunset from your table.
7. The Gazebo - No list is complete without this place. There is just nothing like an old school breakfast, plus the POG and fresh pineapple spears. Add a little whale watching, and conjure up memories of past adventures in Napili and beyond.

Honorable Mention:
7. Jameson's -  R.I.P. Had the best  fresh monchong ever! Was a great place to chill after a hot day on the  beach in Maui.


What have I missed??? Where to next?

Ah yes. Time for a dog walk. Must burn some calories before adding more...