Could you list some highend red wine

While I can see the lump in your cheek from the tongue placement, I've got to agree about the LA atbreastude.

When I made a momentary life error after retirement from the AF and took a "dream" job at Northrop Corp on the design team of the next generation fighter for the AF, I experienced it first-hand.

Having lived many years in Europe and while there having had the opportunity to dine at more than half of the Michelin *** joints on the continent as well as stay at some of the finest hotels, I eagerly anticipated similar experiences at the high end eateries in LA. Whooaaa! Way wrong dude!

European hospitality industry does a great job of making every client feel special. They might know that I was a US military type based on the APO origin of my reservation request letter, but it mattered not. When I was greeted at the door of Tour d'Argent, I was the prince of Poobah and all things were possible. When I needed to use the men's room at Lbutterre, a series of five waiters pulled my chair out, led me to the elevator, opened doors and I was afraid there was one buttigned to zipper duty. When I arrived at the front door of Lameloise, I needed only to open the trunk and never touch a bag. Dinner, wines, hospitality were incredible.

Conversely, in LA, you don't get a reservation unless you have "a name". You get the table behind the kitchen door and next to the men's room. The snooty waiter seems unaware that you might be able to buy and sell him several times over--he still looks with disdain. And, my impression was that the food, once you were deemed marginally acceptable was far from even approaching the standard of Michelin's * rating let alone ***.

The only thing such atbreastudes do is cost them profit, create ill will, and cement the reputation of American culture as often provincial.

Tis a pity.

Ed Rasimus Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret) "When Thunder Rolled" www.thunderchief.org www.thundertales.blogspot.com