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Fodor's Choice Winter 2006 List
Tuesday November 1, 6:00 am ET
Fodor's list answers the question -- What makes a truly unique winter travel experience?


NEW YORK, Nov. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- When asked to name the world's best hotels, restaurants and experiences, travelers almost reflexively name the world's most expensive lodgings, restaurants owned and operated by famous chefs, and traditionally popular tourist destinations. One can hardly begrudge the status and grandeur of the world's Four Seasons, the 21 Club or the Eiffel Tower -- But does being luxurious and popular necessarily make an experience the best? Or the best choice for you?
The Fodor's Choice winter 2006 list is the annual round up of the Fodor's editors' and writers' top picks for hotels, restaurants and sites/experiences that receive the Fodor's Choice designation in our Gold Guides. This designation is reserved for hotels, restaurants, sights and experiences so wonderful and so special that words don't do them justice -- you just have to experience them to know. The editors culled through the thousands of picks to come up with this list of their top choices for winter travel. The selections are unique, unusual, and not-to-be-missed; and you're sure to have a one-of-a-kind experience.

Unlike the many "best-of" lists top-heavy with the ostentatious, the expensive and the familiar, this winter's Fodor's Choice list offers travelers a variety of options in a variety of price ranges. If dining on a cliff at sunset overlooking the waves of the Pacific, kayaking in a bio-luminescent lake in the moonlight or staying in a private bungalow nestled between a beautiful beach and a tropical jungle sounds appealing, then this list is for you.


Fodor's Choice 2006 List:

Hotels:
* Blue Jay Lodge, Malpais, Costa Rica
* Chakrabongse Villas, Bangkok, Thailand
* Coral Reef Club, St. James, Barbados
* Esperanza, Los Cabos, Mexico
* Faena Hotel + Universe, Buenos Aires, Argentina
* Ho'oilo House, Maui, Hawai'i
* Mala Mala, Mpumalanga, South Africa
* Morgan's Rock Hacienda and Ecolodge, Playa Ocotal, Nicaragua
* Parador de Malaga Gibralfaro, Malaga, Spain
* Red Setter Inn, Greer, AZ

Sights/Experiences:
* Carnaval de Quebec, Quebec City, Canada
* Diving in St. Eustatius, St. Eustatius, Caribbean
* Kayaking in Bahia Mosquito, Vieques, Puerto Rico
* Mardi Gras, New Orleans, Louisiana
* Poas Volcano National Park, Costa Rica
* Recoleta Cemetery, Buenos Aires, Argentina
* Skiing at Cortina d'Ampezzo, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy
* Stargazing atop Mauna Kea, Big Island, Hawai'i
* Uluru & Kata Tjuta, Red Centre, Australia
* Valley of the Temples, Sicily, Italy

Restaurants:
* Bukhara, Delhi, India
* Casa da Feijoada, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
* Casa Picasso, Ambergris Caye, Belize
* Chef Mavro, O'ahu, Hawai'i
* Chez Pascal, Antigua, Caribbean
* Findlerhof, Zermatt, Switzerland
* George's at the Cove, La Jolla, California
* Hunter's Vineyard Restaurant, Blenheim, New Zealand
* Per Se, New York, New York
* Wahso, Park City, Utah


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Source: Fodor's Travel Guide

WOW - Congratulations! (It was number 1 on my list to visit just based on the rave reviews on this site anyway!)

Wow...what a honor .go casa picasso go..I always new it was a special super place...now all will know...good for them,they worked hard to earn it...Was on my top ten list..

You go Beachy!!!!! One of the coolest guys on the island!

SIN

KUDOS to Jenn and Chris!!!!!!!! I've said for several years it was my fave restaurant in the world---!!!! (Sure wish I had some Creme Brulee!)
Miss you guys TONS!

CONGRATULATIONS TO CASA PICASSO!! From the martini's to the desserts to the eclectic music it's a wonderful place to relax & make memories with family & friends.

Scott

Awesome videos too!

Simply stunned here. After calling my mom & dad, I have to thank my fantastic staff and of course my amazingly talented wife, our chef Jennifer.
[She's wandering around the house muttering, "I'm on a webpage with Thomas Keller...I'm on a webpage with Thomas Keller...."]
Thanks so much to everyone who has made this restaurant what it is, and we look forward to seeing all of you soon!

Congratulations Chris and Jennifer! An outstanding accomplishment!

...but I'm afraid I now have to become an insufferable snob since I've actually eaten in a place that's Fordor's Choice... :p

AWESOME AWESOME

Hooray! This is the coolest thing!

"Casa Picasso, Ambergris Caye, Belize
Picasso-inspired art created by native Belizeans adorns the walls of this Spanish-influence restaurant, which specializes in tapas-like gamas a la plancha (sauteed shrimp with red pepper). You might have a hard time deciding what to order with such a dizzying variety of food and the island's largest selection of desserts."

Wow! Can I come paint the bathrooms at one of THE BEST RESTAURANTS IN THE WORLD? I promise I won't be quite as drunk.

Do you get a plaque and a heaping helpin' of some pretension with this? You're gonna need it with this honor, my friend.

This is incredible. Most love to you, Batman and your Beloved Bat-chef.

Congratulations! How exciting.

I used to live across the street from George's, and I never went. Now I am a few blocks from Casa Picasso, and I *will* go there.

Great news! A trip to AC would not be complete without a meal at Casa Picasso. I always walk out of there completely satiated. Congrats and keep it coming!

KUDOS to Chris & Jen ! How are ya gonna follow this?

Nice to see the "powers that be" recognize what many of us have known for a long time! CasaPicasso and its adorable owners and excellent staff are the best!
Gee Chris, hope we'll still be able to get our favorite table each September! Congrats to you, Jen and the crew!

I am definitley going to make it to this rest. during my next visit!!! I keep saying that but I will make it a point, next visit!!!

Hey Law!!

Hey back at ya, TQ!

Hey to both you chicks !

E !

Well deserved!

Gela, I wholeheartedly agree - I have been well-deserving of a Hey from E for quite some time - he's been lagging

Oh crap! does this mean we need a reservation now? just kiddin congrats jen and chris ..well deserved, great place!!

A big toast to Chris & Jen - that would be with a Shinner, of course

Chris and Jen - you rock! No wonder I have my birthday dinner at Casa every year. See you in January. D&G

Just want to add our congrats to the list. Just cancelled Mexico and will be in Belize in a month.... Jean & Bruce

Wow!!! Congrats you guys!!!!!! Very well deserved! mo

My wife and I just returned from a wonderful two week trip on AC and the vacation was capped off by a great meal at Casa Picasso on our last night on the island. Chris warmly greeted us at the door, James did a great job of serving and the kitchen prepared some outstanding dishes.

Casa Picasso was on our list of restaurants to try on the island and, while none disappointed, this was our favourite. Congrats to Chris and Jenn and the rest of the staff.

FYI, the decision on recommending Casa Picasso for the Fodor's Choice Winter List was one my editor at Fodor's and I made a few weeks ago.

(I do the Belize part of Fodor's Belize & Guatemala and am doing the all-new Fodor's Belize, which will be out next year. This is the first time Belize will get its own Fodor's guide.)

--Lan Sluder

Thanks Lan
The tourists seem to enjoy this establishment and your shared recommendation will help keep it in the top most enjoyed

Thanks Lan, good news for Belize all-round.

Best Tapir in Belize!!! Er...best Tapas in Belize. :rolleyes:

Been busy and did not see this before now!
Mo: We've always been happy to know that you and Irm and all of our dear customers were happy,that was enough for us. This is just an amazing,"career pinnacle" addition to all of the (looking for the right word(s)) ....encouraging?.... comments that all of you have bestowed upon us over the last years, Our doors will always be open to all of you, To all of our faithful amigos: YOU made it happen! Thanks for your love!
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Chris and Jen
Casa Picasso Restaurant
(our friends [new and old] make us who we are)

My first stop when we arrive in june or july will be BC"s then The Picasso!!!

lacy / My bet is your first "pit-stop" in Belize will be Jet's!
Am I right?

You know what I want? Jen's spicy grilled shrimp with a side of toasty warm sunshine.

Sigh...

A mango margarita wouldn't be amiss either come to think of it.

A haiku seems to be in order:

six spicy shrimpies
are all aglow on my plate
in my sunny dream

I did get a chance to revisit Casa Piccaso a few days ago on behalf of Fodor's.

--Lan Sluder

Another couple of fine meals enjoyed last week at casa piccaso. Thanks jenn for the great food and it was great to speak to you chris as always.
see you end of february (hiding from that egg / paint throwing thing)...jay , Loved those metropolitans I wonder who drove home :p

Okay, that's it. When I get back to AC, thats the first place I'm eating !!!!!

Congratulations on the honor!! That's so fantastic!

I just have to comment on Casa Picasso!! I know this thread was started last yr but I didn't want to start a new one.

It is ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS. Wonderful place. Not only is the atmosphere pretty, everthing I had was amazing. Definately one of my favorites here. The drinks were outstanding. An absolute must is their Mojito. Mojitos are pretty good, but these are now my favorite drink here!! The watermellon-tini was great as well. Try the scallops, lobster crepes, and papaya brushetta type things. All beautiful and very tasty. Had the pleasure of meeting some people everyone on the board knows and will probably hear about in their trip report.

The owners really have a place to be proud of.

Just to add to Krazk's.. comment.. the food was awesome.. I'll write more in my trip report..

the only thing better than the food were the two drunk hotties who were keeping me from concentrating on my food

You mean pedro1 and pedro I ?

I know who you mean, Phillytood. Drinks just kept coming, fun night though!!

Yes, I too echo these comments... phillytodd, hotties perhaps but drunk? Shhhhhhh!!

I made it a point to meet Chris (because I promised the "happy couple" that I'd say hello for them). Great guy (of course, he's from TX!!!) and I will make it a point to return during my next visit.

Oh, I almost forgot, he say's "hello!" to you, HAPPY COUPLE!!

We ate there last Thurs. for the first time,WOW!! One of the best meals we had there, I had two newbies with me & had a great nite out.
Didn't have resv. but Chris took care of us.
The food is just as great as the martini's.
The desert was a killer also.
Chris & his staff are the best!
Can't wait to go back in April & this time I'll have resv.
Jerry & Stef Lowell & Martha

I can't stop thinking about Casa Picasso now!! The comfortable environment, mojitos, martinis,tapas(appetizers)... SEVEN more days until I go back there and counting down!!

k.. you wear that short skirt again, and bring TQ with you and the drinks are on me all night

lol, that would be on Valentine's day so I think I will not take TQ just this once-And drinks on you might end up a violent night lol. Hey, my skirt was not that short, was it?!

TQ - thanks for the delivery

k.. you seemed to be able to handle your drinks.. all 15 of them

just kidding... you're a lot of fun to be with .

skirt wasn't thattttt short.. let's just say that pink looks great on you

thanks..for the second line. I did not mean drinks on you would make ME violent, lol... GEE, your eyes can see through things.

does anyone know if chris/beachy is around? I PM'd him 5 days ago about having our rehearsal dinner at CP and haven't heard back.

Benny, great place for rehersal dinner. I will be there on Valentine's Day and give him a message. Do you want to PM me your email address or other contact info I should give him?
Again, I like your choice of Rojo for the reception place. How beautiful.