are correct about getting the restaurants we derserve. Only Far Niente seems immune, and its virtues are disputable. Fortunately, one has only to go as far as Padadena for some real options.

La Fontana... I’ve been going to Far Niente and I’m always underwhelmed but continue to go because I never knew of another decent italian place in Glendale. My litmus test for a good italian place is their red sauce, a...

Cakebread is pretty good, but I find it to be a little bit overpriced. If you like Oakville cabs, try Duckhorn, Far Niente, Nickel & Nickel, and my personal favorite, Ramey. The Ramey Claret in particular is a great value...

Also try Soul of the Vine (downstairs at Far Niente) at King & Bay

-20 and their wine list is amazingly inexpensive expecially if you go to the top end of the list (Far Niente Chard for $55!) The service can be a bit spotty (IMHO) but then again I’ve been a professional waiter most of my...

Try Monsoon, 100 Simcoe Street. West of University, just north of King St. See the link below. Soul of the Vine is a good lunch place too. It is at Wellington/Bay Street, downstairs from Far Niente. If it is a nice day, you have a...

FOUR restaurant at Wellington and Bay (below Far Niente) has some decent food. Their service is fast, just let them know you are going to the game. You can make a resy at opentable I think.

My favorite wine labels are on Far Niente wines. Never had their wines, they are expensive for my budget but if I ever see their wines in stores can’t keep my eyes off their labels. I suspect if I ever purchased their wine...

There is one random place that I used to go to just for their Osso Bucco...FAR NIENTE on Brand Blvd in Glendale. It’s been about a year since I’ve been, but I’ve always loved it and they serve it with the best...

my favorite Sav. Blanc are White Haven or Kim Crawford, both from New Zealand. From Cali I would reccomend, Franciscan or Folie a Deux. All of these are $20 or less. If you want to go a bit crazy, Provenance, Far Niente, or Napa...

'll bring it to you. So, we settled in with a nice bottle of Far Niente and began to enjoy the cold tapas appetizer. For $18, a huge plate with hummos, baba ganoush, bruchetta, black beans, tabouleh and something else arrives...

Yes, I’ve tried Petit Four, and it’s a nice change from the downtown take-out joints. It’s run by the pastry chef at Far Niente, and specializes in a vareity of different kinds of foccacia. The sandwiches were...

are the usual haunts – tell me what I’m missing? Canoe, Reds, Vertical, Rosewater, Biagio, Ki, Bymark, Beerbistro, Far Niente. Places that I’ve been to but don’t make the cut for regular lunching:...

's -Far Niente -Red’s -Ki -Ta Ke Sushi (more casual) A bit further of a walk: -Beer Bistro -JK Wine Bar

include Penfolds, Clo Du Bois, Far Niente If you’ve got a favorite that’s in the same ballpark as the above...would love to compile a listing to take with me...nothing more than $30-40 tops.