From Highway 99 To Pais Vasco In One Exit
DESCRIPTION: If you're driving through the San Joaquin Valley and find yourself really, really hungry, get off at the Stockdale Highway exit of Highway 99, and go east one light, go north on Oak, and plant yourself at a table inside Chalet Basque. What's Basque, you ask? Well, it's a food atypical of a region emcompassing Northern Spain, Andorra and Southwestern France. Basque food includes chicken, lamb, beef and seafood, and traditional Basque dinners involve three courses and tons to eat. At Chalet Basque, one gets a good introductory lesson to Basque. Bakersfield natives say the place is mediocre at best and that there's no place like Wool Growers. If you can find it and don't mind traveling in an unsavory area of town, go for it. If you don't have much time to spare and only have an hour to chow down, head straight to Chalet Basque. The interior is nothing fancy -- straight out of the 1960s with a noisy bar adjacent to the dining room. But who cares, as you came for the food. One starts with a soup course, and you're served a huge portion of cabbage-vegetable soup -- good for three bowls full! The bread is French and damn good, too. Then comes the salad, and you'll get a big portion of shredded iceberg lettuce, a plate of marinated tomatoes and a most interesting dish: pickled tongue. It's cow tongue, but prepared much different than a Jewish deli would. It's dark and it's tasty but pickled. After noshing on all of that food, you'll still have a main course awaiting. I ordered the Chicken a la Basque, a French concoction that involves a boneless chicken breast covered in a layer of melted cheese and marinara sauce. Mmmm good. The green beans didn't look too appetizing and I avoided them until late. Big mistake. They were marinated in the same broth as my soup, and they were very tasty. The french fries (yes -- patate frites!) served with my chicken were great, too. If you're dining solo, as I did, come prepared. Don't eat lunch and drink plenty to wash down all the food. It's a gut bomb, but a real good one that won't make you ill and running to the toilet in an hour. Chalet Basque caters to couples and large groups, and that seems to be more fun when eating this kind of food. Also, Chalet Basque is a "traditional" restaurant as opposed to the family-style, sit with a stranger stories I've heard from other places. The total price for my three-course extravaganza, plus ice tea, tax and 20% tip: $20.50.
DATE: 2004-06-01
FOODRATING : 6
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 6
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Chicken A La Basque, any lamb dish, pickled tongue

Great Basque Food.
DESCRIPTION: There are good Basque restaurants in Bakersfield. We are so lucky to have them. They are all honestly good but I would have to say Benji's is the best.
DATE: 2004-03-24
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Rack of Lamb, Filet, Salmon

DESCRIPTION: Excellent service.. food is amazing !
DATE: 2003-02-01
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Chicken with rice, or Chicken and garlic sauce

DESCRIPTION: Casa Vasca is a sweet retreat from the worries of the world. Saturday night is filled with the hustle-bustle of people coming here for its scrumptious food. The waiters are courteous and pleasant. The hostess is kind to all. Casa Vasca has the freshest food and the bathrooms are kept pleasantly clean. It is a lovely place for a small party or a nice evening dinner.
DATE: 2003-04-16
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Clams Casino, Spanish Sausage, and any plate with Chicken.

Great Place!
DESCRIPTION: I have been eating at Casa Vasca for twenty years. The food is very good. Over the years I have enjoyed their steaks, chicken and rice and Paella, just to name a few. Everyone that I have sent there has enjoyed the food. I even offer to pay for their meals if they are not happy. I have not had to pay. Maria the owner is great and the staff is on top of things. Go -- you won't be disappointed.
DATE: 2003-10-05
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 8

Outstanding Basque Cuisine in a Casual Setting
DESCRIPTION: Having grown up in the Newark area, I never realized how good things were until I moved away in the early 90's. These days, the highlight of every trip "back home" is a meal at Casa Vasca. Exquisite manchego and chorizo, hearty soups, tangy Sangria and Basque specials make this a must stop when in Newark. Seafood of course is heavily featured, with salt cod being a regular on the specials board. Poultry dishes, and the best rabbit stew I have ever tasted contribute to the varied dishes available here. After working in Newark for several years and sampling several Spanish and Portuguese restaurants; Casa Vasca stands out as simply the best of the lot.
DATE: 2004-02-28
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 10

A Taste of Northern Spain
DESCRIPTION: We have been eating at Casa Vasca for over 15 years. The food is excellent, the service is second to none and the sangria is very good. I always feel welcome here and have never left disappointed.
DATE: 2004-03-26
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Mariscada, Paella and goat

You have to be kidding
DESCRIPTION: Listening to these reviews was a mistake. While the bar area does have a wonderful local ambience, the dining room is a disaster! It is loud with dishes banging, waiters running virtually bumping into one another helter skelter with nary a smile and the impatient unsolicitous wait staff adds to the misery. One of our guests ordered stuffed scallops. They arrived in two large shells, which were each topped with a slice of American cheese. Who does this and since when is American cheese part of Portuguese or Spanish cuisine? Maria is only nice if you slather on compliments and deals with any concerns with a " I am so busy, I do not need your business attitude" One of the worst restaurant experiences... ever.
DATE: 2004-04-17
FOODRATING : 4
SERVICERATING : 2
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 4

A Treasure in Newark's Ironbound Area
DESCRIPTION: We have enjoyed this excellent restaurant for more than 20 years. We have never had less than a top notch meal. The combination of ambience, authentic, well-prepared dishes and top notch wait staff makes us wish we could dine there more often (former Newark boy living at the Jersey Shore). You can't go wrong from the chorizo, to the paella, the shrimp dishes, the spanish potatoes, saffron rice, wonderful sangria, it's a can't-miss great night out!
DATE: 2006-03-04
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Shrimp with Green Sauce, Paella, Mariscada

outstanding
DESCRIPTION: The lamb is incredible, their steaks sublime. Veal parmesan is divine. Great service and wonderful atmosphere. Traditional Basque food with a flair.
DATE: 2005-10-31
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : The rack of lamb

Good Food in Intimate Atmosphere
DESCRIPTION: My wife and I eat at Guernica frequently, despite that fact that it is quite out of the way for us. Be prepared for a slightly off-kilter eating experience. We always feel as though we are guests in someone's home, and the homeowner is taking our order and making the meals. It is almost as though we are intruding. But, the atmosphere is intimate and the food is quite good. Trust your waiter to recommend the dishes... the menu is only a guideline... the actual meals are decided upon that day and made with fresh ingredients.
DATE: 2002-03-06
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 6
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : french onion soup

DAMN GOOD!
DESCRIPTION: Gary has good food at a good price. (which is hard to find in touristy Sausalito) worth a visit!!!!
DATE: 2005-01-28
FOODRATING : 6
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 6
RECOMMENDED DISHES : lamb shank

Great atmosphere, creative food
DESCRIPTION: Food was wonderful, staff was wonderful. Salads are the best, Everything I've gotten there is wonderful. Ambiance is cozy and ecletic - very creative.
DATE: 2005-12-07
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10

Wonderful French Cuisine
DESCRIPTION: Truly enjoyable. Having visited this establishment several times I can honestly say that I have not had a bad meal yet. The waitstaff is very attentive, as well as the maitre d'. There was no rushing and the food was prepared well.
DATE: 2003-04-17
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Chocolate souffl

Magnifique!
DESCRIPTION: We had a very enjoyable dining experience for our first time at La Bergerie, delighted with the Special Easter menu (great Souffl s!), a professional-and-friendly service (lovely French accent!). We loved it! Truly recommend it! A special note for the wine list: impressive choice at very affordable prices (compare to most equivalent places in the DC area!).
DATE: 2004-04-14
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : The Souffl ! Grand Marnier

Fabulous Dining
DESCRIPTION: My husband and I went to La Bergerie for our 1 month wedding anniversary. The food was simple, delicious and fantastic! The service was impeccable. It's not a quaint, small bistro that you would expect from a French restaurant, but the dining experience was fabulous. We will return to this place for sure!
DATE: 2004-05-24
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : beef tenderloin

Superb
DESCRIPTION: I dined at La Bergerie for prom last year. With most high end restaurants, teenagers would have been served reluctantly in a condescending manner, but that wasn't the case with La Bergerie. We were served personally by the charming owner himself, Laurent Janowsky, he was very helpful and personable. The atmosphere was elegant and romantic: dim lights, luxurious booths, french country decor. The food was exquisite, the foie gras chaud was succulent and the duck was delicious. No complaints about the La Bergerie experience, it was absolutely wonderful. If you're looking for a romantic place to take your loved one for a special event, La Bergerie is a sure thing to please.
DATE: 2004-06-24
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Foie gras chaud

Excellent Experience
DESCRIPTION: Alison By The Beach, located in Bridgehampton, replaces the former popular restaurant 95 School Street. The place is owned by the same lady who owned the highly-regarded Alison on Dominick Street in Manhattan, which closed its doors in 2002. Upon entering, a large dining room is visible on your left and a medium-sized bar with copper accents is on your right. Further to the right, through a doorway, is another dining area that has nice white bunting hanging from the ceiling and more windows, creating a light and airy feel. The menu features cuisine which might be best termed "American with European influences," with dishes that take advantage of the superb produce and fish available on Long Island. Our party enjoyed the following appetizers - Chilled sweet corn soup, scallop ceviche, black truffle risotto, orange-scented mussels and pan seared foie gras. Entrees that our party ordered, which were uniformly excellent, were the grilled angus shell steak, grilled rack of lamb, pan roasted free range chicken, oven roasted halibut, and pan seared scallops. We opted for dessert at the Candy Kitchen, so I can't comment on that part of the meal. The service was pleasant and professional. The wine list is well thought-out, with reasonably priced bottlings from all the major areas. Apps are in the $8-13 range, entrees $23-33. Not inexpensive, but in line with other top Hamptons restaurants, and fair given the quality of the experience. We enjoyed ourselves and will certainly be headed back.
DATE: 2004-07-26
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 6
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Chilled Sweet Corn Soup with lobster, beets and chives; Scallop Ceviche with tomato, avocado, lime and tarragon; Black Truffle Risotto with mushrooms and parmesan; Orange Scented Mussels with shallots and white wine; Pan Seared Foie Gras with almond chutney; Oven-roasted halibut with potato puree, braised fennel, and snap peas; Pan Seared Scallops with chanterelles and asparagus; Pan Roasted Free Range Chicken with mashed potatoes, organic carrots and baby greens; Grilled Rack of Lamb with new potatoes, cippolini onions, and pencil asparagus; Grilled Angus Shell Steak with bordelaise sauce and arugala salad.

The Best Dining in the hamptons
DESCRIPTION: Alison restaurant is still going strong. She has added some fun things like movie nights, paella nights. It's warm, charming - a great place to eat well and enjoy some terrific wines. We also had a private party there and had a private room with a large banquette table, it was fabulous, the best place to do a party. The menu planning was easy and they were really flexible and creative.
DATE: 2006-02-11
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : pan roasted red snapper, steak, all the desserts, goat chesese tart

fabulous fun, great food
DESCRIPTION: Yummy Basque influenced food. Great tapas at the bar. Nice feeling. All in all a perfect restaurant experience.
DATE: 2005-07-20
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8