Per capita, Yountville, CA is by far the winner in that category. Official population is around 3,500, and they have French Laundry, Bouchon, Bouchon Bakery, Ad Hoc, and Bistro Jeanty all on the same street.
Well, it's a high wealth vacation playground in a french country side setting with beautiful weather. It's the perfect storm scenario for that nich. I'd argue it's easier to make it as a high end restaurant there than some of the bigger food cities. Less competition, less dependency on loyal customers, and a perfect setting.jh0400 said:
Per capita, Yountville, CA is by far the winner in that category. Official population is around 3,500, and they have French Laundry, Bouchon, Bouchon Baker, Ad Hoc, and Bistro Jeanty all on the same street.
I'm in the industry. Add New Orleans and Southern California and you've hit the nail on the head.Fall92 said:
I'd have to agree with you. I've had plenty of overpriced meals in Manhattan that were just meh. Not to say there aren't some fine restaurants, but overall Charleston and Houston, among others, are better food towns IMO.
jh0400 said:
Per capita, Yountville, CA is by far the winner in that category. Official population is around 3,500, and they have French Laundry, Bouchon, Bouchon Baker, Ad Hoc, and Bistro Jeanty all on the same street.
Yes and No.YouBet said:jh0400 said:
Per capita, Yountville, CA is by far the winner in that category. Official population is around 3,500, and they have French Laundry, Bouchon, Bouchon Baker, Ad Hoc, and Bistro Jeanty all on the same street.
Good example.
Another per capita candidate is Santa Fe, NM. There are some badass restaurants there and many of them.
The rest of the state isn't relevant to my opinion though. I'm comparing it to all of the other food scenes we've been to (Yountville, Vegas, New Orleans, NY, San Franciso, Dallas, Houston, etc) and Santa Fe is up there from a per capita standpoint.AgLA06 said:Yes and No.YouBet said:jh0400 said:
Per capita, Yountville, CA is by far the winner in that category. Official population is around 3,500, and they have French Laundry, Bouchon, Bouchon Baker, Ad Hoc, and Bistro Jeanty all on the same street.
Good example.
Another per capita candidate is Santa Fe, NM. There are some badass restaurants there and many of them.
There are some really great places there.
Santa Fe also is falsely put on a pedestal because the rest of the food in the state is really bad. And boosted by the fact wealthy people correlate a unique setting and high price for quality.
The Santa Fe School of cooking is worth a visit and booking walking tours. They'll open your eyes to local places not on the top 20 lists that are really great.
I'd personally rather eat at Coyote Cafe than many of the top 20 places if i'm not looking to spend a lot of money. Spent a lot of time at the rooftop cafe waiting for the afternoon heat to subside.
Santa Fe is fantastic for food and yes, the rest of the state is a dumpster for food. The lifestyle and quality of life in Santa Fe attracts so much good food talent. I don't agree NYC is overrated...overwhelming sure, but not overrated IMHO. Having been on the luxury side of dining and travel for many years now, NYC is one of my top choices for domestic foodie destinations. Yountville is almost a class of its own. If I had f you money, I'd take my jet there for dinner once a week.YouBet said:The rest of the state isn't relevant to my opinion though. I'm comparing it to all of the other food scenes we've been to (Yountville, Vegas, New Orleans, NY, San Franciso, Dallas, Houston, etc) and Santa Fe is up there from a per capita standpoint.AgLA06 said:Yes and No.YouBet said:jh0400 said:
Per capita, Yountville, CA is by far the winner in that category. Official population is around 3,500, and they have French Laundry, Bouchon, Bouchon Baker, Ad Hoc, and Bistro Jeanty all on the same street.
Good example.
Another per capita candidate is Santa Fe, NM. There are some badass restaurants there and many of them.
There are some really great places there.
Santa Fe also is falsely put on a pedestal because the rest of the food in the state is really bad. And boosted by the fact wealthy people correlate a unique setting and high price for quality.
The Santa Fe School of cooking is worth a visit and booking walking tours. They'll open your eyes to local places not on the top 20 lists that are really great.
I'd personally rather eat at Coyote Cafe than many of the top 20 places if i'm not looking to spend a lot of money. Spent a lot of time at the rooftop cafe waiting for the afternoon heat to subside.
Brushed finishes remind me of cheap sidewalks.jh0400 said:
Automatic chronograph under $1,500 is going to be tough. It looks like you could get a 3511.50 from Japan for around there. For a new watch, Le Jour makes a nice looking chrono that runs off of an SW-500 movement.
I like that watch, but man the le jour logo is tough to likeAgLA06 said:Brushed finishes remind me of cheap sidewalks.jh0400 said:
Automatic chronograph under $1,500 is going to be tough. It looks like you could get a 3511.50 from Japan for around there. For a new watch, Le Jour makes a nice looking chrono that runs off of an SW-500 movement.
Really like their styling otherwise.
https://www.lejourwatches.ch/collections/le-mans-chrono/products/lj-lm-006
LPHA said:
Back to watches...
What would be a good nicer chronograph, with budgets in mind, maybe 850-1500? I have an old quartz one that I don't really like, and would prefer an automatic from a nice mid-tier maker. I'm sure there are going to be a ton of suggestions, so fire away.
I currently have a Hamilton field watch and Mido diver.
ETA: And why did you suggest what you did?
nealan said:
I like it too, but the question was about a $1,500 watch. Not a $6,700 watch
jh0400 said:
https://www.ashford.com/baume-and-mercier-a10001.html
Bulova Lunar PilotLPHA said:
Back to watches...
What would be a good nicer chronograph, with budgets in mind, maybe 850-1500? I have an old quartz one that I don't really like, and would prefer an automatic from a nice mid-tier maker. I'm sure there are going to be a ton of suggestions, so fire away.
I currently have a Hamilton field watch and Mido diver.
ETA: And why did you suggest what you did?