573152 Mon Nov 17 21:56:53 -0800 2008 24 6 Southwest 0 4182059 For the umpteenth time, looking for some input on where to make a reservation for a friend's birthday. Here's my shortlist: +Noca +Binkley's +Quiessence +Kai No firm criteria other than, of course, a great meal...interesting/different dishes, high quality, worth the bill, nice atmosphere (can range from quiet/"romantic" to fun and casual). Also open to other suggestions, of course, but these are just a few I've been waiting for an opportunity to try recently. Thanks... Note: as I know the first question will be regarding location..all range from ~20-35 min. If we're driving 20, my as well do 35, right? Location not a significant factor. Mon Nov 17 21:56:53 -0800 2008 24418 crsin 1 4183860 I say Noca or Quiessence. Follow-up questions: is friend a 'hound? will there be romantic overtones? are you drinking wine? Actually, no matter what the answers are, I still say Noca or Quiessence. Tue Nov 18 13:26:12 -0800 2008 4182059 95577 yamalam 2 4184010 Hm, interesting picks. I sort of assumed the other two would be overwhelming favororites. No romanic overtones and, yes, they are into food. Thanks for your thoughts. Tue Nov 18 14:40:41 -0800 2008 4183860 24418 crsin 1 4184287 We've only eaten at Noca, but we had a great time. The food was amazing and presentation was top-notch. Kai and Binkley's are on our to-do list as soon as we have a chance. Tue Nov 18 16:26:55 -0800 2008 4182059 21290 Firenza00 2 4184901 While I am eager to try Noca, I'm slightly hesitant for this go-round simply because the menu doesn't seem like it would have the "wow factor" (as much as I despise that term) in terms of doing something new and different. It looks like it really focuses on doing simple dishes (classic preparations with some unique twists) really well and with very high quality. This is, of course, a great thing. However, I'm kind of hoping for something unique and a little more uninhibited. Am I way off on my assessment of the menu? Tue Nov 18 20:37:03 -0800 2008 4184287 24418 crsin 3 4184911 i think there is such a sense of fun and whimsy with everything on the menu, from the fun neutral pop-rock amuse bouche to the eggplant caviar to the bowl of cotton candy and cookies for the car..its a wow factor for me, all the way around...i can't get enough of noca.. i went there 4 times in one week. do i need a support group? hello my name is winedubar and i am addicted to noca. :D Tue Nov 18 20:42:49 -0800 2008 4184901 60025 winedubar 4 4184981 Haha, that does sound like your edging dangerously close to an unhealthy relationship. However, stacked up against the other options, would you think it's the best for a birthday celebration? Granted, these are all very different restaurant, but I guess try to normalize them somehow for comparisson. Tue Nov 18 21:25:41 -0800 2008 4184911 24418 crsin 5 4185892 this one is hard because i keep trying to put my tastes in your recommendation :D but after i thought about it over coffee, i think it comes down to experience. if you want a tasting menu, i think binkley's is your best shot. if you want lively and fun, i think noca is your best shot. if you want 'holy moly, is this phoenix? it feels like a farm', i'd say pick quiessence. because really, with all 3, and even kai, the food is amazing. you've picked the best of the best for restaurants in town. i'd vote for setting ;) are you more confused or less confused than when you asked the question? lol Wed Nov 19 08:48:36 -0800 2008 4184981 60025 winedubar 6 4186146 Um...all of the above, please? No, that is helpful to strip it down, thanks. Ideally, they could all morph into a restaurant superpower, but I guess that's not likely to happen in the next two weeks. I'm not reading any votes for Kai...maybe that should be moved to the bottom of the list. Wed Nov 19 10:08:35 -0800 2008 4185892 24418 crsin 7 4186845 Kai is, in my opinion and without any personal knowledge of noca, the best restaurant in the Valley. However, I am not sure I would see myself celebrating a birthday there. It is just a little to laid back for that, IMO. Binkley's, I think, would be great. Fun, experimental, novel. Wed Nov 19 13:43:10 -0800 2008 4186146 10633 Seth Chadwick 8 4186867 We really need to fill that Noca knowledge gap for you. :) Wed Nov 19 13:48:43 -0800 2008 4186845 21290 Firenza00 4 4186454 I'm with you on NOCA. Wonderful service. Food is amazing. No missteps. No one sources better ingredients. No one. I would eat there every day if I could. Wed Nov 19 11:42:03 -0800 2008 4184911 14338 bonita 3 4185084 based on this criteria, the answer in my view would be Binkley's. Tue Nov 18 23:00:17 -0800 2008 4184901 13373 Molto E 1 4184997 Based just on your list ... Quiessence. And it's not even close. Tue Nov 18 21:36:35 -0800 2008 4182059 11583 ipsedixit 1 4186773 My 2 cents: Binkley's all the way. I'd call ahead and let them know its a bday, they usually have some nice extras for special occasion. Wed Nov 19 13:20:43 -0800 2008 4182059 137248 danieli10 1 4187082 Binkley's would be my first choice. Kevin Binkley is an artist and the place is a lot of fun. Only other place i've been is Kai though. Happy hunting Wed Nov 19 14:49:04 -0800 2008 4182059 162348 eatmedrinkme 1 4194756 Thanks for all of the input. I'm thinking Binkley's. I stare at the egullet photos like food porn, and it looks like too much fun for me to pass up for another restaurant yet again. Quick question: do you still get the amuses if ordering a la carte? Also, what is the difference in food quantity? Sat Nov 22 16:14:26 -0800 2008 4182059 24418 crsin 2 4195306 When ordering a la carte the portion size is larger than when ordering a tasting menu. The quantity of the amuses does correlate to the length of the tasting menu...I would strongly suggest doing even the four course tasting rather than ordering a la carte for the experience. Sat Nov 22 23:36:41 -0800 2008 4194756 13373 Molto E 3 4196043 Thanks. I knew that tasting portions were smaller, and I will definitely be doing a tasting menu. I was just posing both questions to guage if I should encourage anyone who I'm going with to do that over a la carte, which they may prefer to do, not knowing what to expect. Sun Nov 23 12:27:03 -0800 2008 4195306 24418 crsin 4 4197895 The tasting menu portions were actually quit large compared to other places I've experienced. Our party of 4 were all in agreement that the 5 course menu was more than enough food and that next time the 4 course menu would be just fine. Mon Nov 24 08:46:56 -0800 2008 4196043 162348 eatmedrinkme 5 4198125 We did the 6 course tasting and it was very good but I was very full by the time I left. My uncle enjoyed it so much he ended up booking a reservation for Christmas when he'll be back in town for the whole family. Six courses were plenty, by the time we hit the meat plate as the 4th course I was starting to feel plenty satisfied. Although to give credit to Binkley's, the courses were perfectly paced and portioned so by the time I started to get the tiniest little bit hungry again an amuse or another course was put in front of me. Mon Nov 24 10:16:37 -0800 2008 4197895 125986 AnonymousWaitress 6 4198337 Very true the meal was masterfully planned and courses perfectly timed. Mon Nov 24 11:28:22 -0800 2008 4198125 162348 eatmedrinkme 4 4198813 I believe with a 4-course tasting menu we received 4 amuses; we did split a fifth cheese course before dessert, but that was because I couldn't pass up the white truffle fondue. I would encourage the whole table to go with all a la carte or all prix fixe, one or the other, just because it makes the pacing and the service go so much smoother. That way one person does not wind up with a gap in courses and sit with a small amuse while everyone is raving over their entree, or some such. Mon Nov 24 14:09:48 -0800 2008 4196043 10846 themis 1 4211061 Wanted to report back: We stuck with Binkley's, and it was fantastic. Going in with a lot of personal anticipation and "hype," it truly matched or exceeded it in every way. The five of us all did a 5-course tasting, without a single disappointing dish. The amuses were all really delicious, humorous, and a lot of fun. Service was impeccable, and everything very well timed. We were all in agreement that it was much more than a really nice meal, but a dining/cullinary "experience." Great fun...thanks for the input. Mon Dec 01 00:27:06 -0800 2008 4182059 24418 crsin 2 4325669 DEATH BY AMUSE BOUCHE! Gotta love it. Wed Jan 14 10:19:27 -0800 2009 4211061 162348 eatmedrinkme