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RESTAURANTS
The Daily Planet / 2*
121 I W WISHON AVE, FRESNO; 559/266-4259
Mahogany paneling, velvet drapes, Art Deco wall sconces, and a period
mural on the ceiling take diners back to an era long past in this alluring
eatery situated next to the historic Tower Theater. The menu, atmos- phere,
and bar also reflect the decadence of an earlier time, before we discovered
cholesterol and the adverse effects of smoking and drinking. Here, as
the faint strains of a piano player echo over the crowd, patrons swill
cocktails like the Daily Planet's signature Stockholm 75 (citrus vodka,
lemon juice, and champagne), sip Glen-morangie's single malt, smoke cigars,
and sup on entrees with fat-gram counts in the triple digits. Start with
oyster shooters with a zesty chipotle cream sauce, a bowl of fresh corn
bisque with basil, or shrimp spiedini, tender skewered shrimp and prosciutto
glazed with a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. For the main course, the hearty
rack of lamb with a light basil-honey marinade and the homey pot roast
with creamy garlic mashed potatoes take comfort food to new levels. If
you can't decide what to order, go with the prix-fixe menu, which changes
every three weeks to make the most of seasonal ingredients. Be sure, however,
to save room for the decadent chocolate praline taco stuffed with white
chocolate mousse and fresh fruit, or the chocolate apricot torte served
with a rich brandy whipped cream. $$$;
MC, V; local checks only; lunch Mon-Fri, dinner every day; full bar; reser-
vations recommended; wivw.tower2000.com; corner of Olive Ave.
Echo Restaurant / 2.5*
609 E OLIVE AVE, FRESNO; 559/442-3246
Opened in 1995, this charming French-California eatery changes its menu
daily to make the most of chef Tim Woods's daily shopping trips to local
farms and ranches in the neighboring San Joaquin Valley. Once he has selected
the freshest seasonal ingredients possible, Woods returns to the kitchen
to create such specialties as grilled Madera County quail marinated in
Dijon mustard and herbs, creamy summer squash and garlic soup, savory
roasted pork loin with a fennel-seed-and-black pepper crust, and succulent
grilled filet of Harris Ranch beef with apple- wood-smoked bacon and rosemary.
Enjoy a glass of wine from the restaurant's impressive wine list, lauded
with an award of excellence from Wine Spectator, sink into the comfy Frank
Lloyd Wright-designed chairs at your white linen-covered table, and watch
the action in the open kitchen—it's all a part of the dining experience
here. Chocolate lovers shouldn't skip a slice of dense, moist bittersweet
chocolate cake, but McGuinness straw-berries with a rich white chocolate
cream and champagne also score points on the decadence scale. $$$; AE,
DIS, MC, V; checks OK; lunch Mon-Fri, dinner every day; beer and wine;
reser- vations recommended; www.echomenu.com; corner of Echo St.
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