Capital Icebox

That said, I have a 100% hit ratio to this point.

Rocks.

I don't doubt it -- I'm just a sucker for perfect roast chicken. I look forward to a full-throated Bouchon debunking in the future.

Now I can go watch Batman Begins... the real Dark Wing.

I would hope you have something more than this backing up your disdain for Bouchon (or is it just the Vegas location?). Just because a guy used to work at Neyla doesn't make Bouchon Neyla, does it?

Been to Bouchon (Vegas) twice, and can't wait to go back -- the waitstaff is stellar, the food spot on and offered at a much fairer price than other Vegas "celebrity chef" establishments, and the waiters wear tablecloths as aprons. How cute is that?

I think the word chain has connnotations of franchise as well. Again though chan can be equated with corporate sturctures and soulless cooking.  I wouldn't characterize Bouchon as a chain, more of an "outpost", besides its really good.

Oh and by the way, all though I'm sure it will never be an option for me, any chefs who write books, cookbooks, novellas, a collection of disconnected vignettes musing on the pitfalls of being in the trenches, please don't display them at your front door, it makes me feel as though your cooks are using it as a reference manual. Find a more gracious place in the restaurant for them.

But doesn't Bouchon display the Thomas Keller Bouchon Cookbook right up front at their hostess stand? (Not to say I don't love Bouchon, either the restaurant or the cookbook, which I do.)

I better say something about Olives for this to be relevant, so here it is: Upper-Crust Cheesecake Factory.

The pumpkin custard ginger cookie sandwich is a treat -- had one last night and it was so good I picked one up for the road.

But "That Custard Place in Del Ray?" Why not "We Don't Give A Shit (Just Custard)" instead?

I know that Oyamel has a all day Tuesday Happy Hour that started a few weeks back.

And it's pretty damn good, too. Starting at 11:30 am til 10 pm every Tuesday, saddle up the bar for $3 beer, $4 margaritas (a must with the sal de gusana) and drinks, and a slightly smaller version of any of their tacos for $1.50 each, as well as some other promising appetizers.

We had a change of heart and decided to max out the credit cards in Spain, so I'll look forward to hearing more recommendations in the Spain thread, and will be sure to report back as well.

Thank you all for the many suggestions and advice.

There is a bartender there who is the worst bartender I have ever encountered in my life, except for one of his colleagues, now thankfully departed, who insulted my pregnant wife when she ordered a non-alcoholic drink. If Kafka joined up with Dr. Caligari to open a restaurant, the result would be the 600. If only Notti Bianche were open late.

Ah, one of these has to be Ulysses (not "Moses"), the surliest man in the business. People have been so offended by this guy that they've moved next door to Cup A Cup A for drinks, and that says a lot.

We used to go to 600 for happy hour, but then the Gods gave us Circle Bistro.

Edited to add: Mistakenly remembered this guy as Moses, when it is in fact Ulysess. Bible, Epic, what's the dif?

Screw it, we're going to Spain.

We also have open cases on the floor which are all priced as marked.

There are also liquor close-outs, those products which simply don't sell, at least in our store, which are just taking up room.

We also have beer close-outs, where all standard-sized beers are $0.75, or a 6-pack for $4.  Larger-sized beers are $3.99.

A question for Joe (and, I guess, Don): would it be possible to post about these closeouts as they occur, or are they pretty much an everyday thing? Or does Ace have a mailing list?

Many thanks.

I haven't been in years, which is probably why I always get this place confused with Le Madeleine.  I prefer Cafe La Ruche and it's fantastic back patio for my middling Georgetowne french food.

Actually, I would put Francais well over La Ruche, but I've only been to La Ruche once.

I'd recommend getting to Bistro Francais before 7 (or after 10:30) to get the "Early Bird Special:" soup, entree, dessert and a glass of house wine for twenty bones. Dishes that stick out in my memory are carrot soup, steak tartare, and the rotisserie chicken, but the menu doesn't seem to change much here, so I think it will be pretty similar to what you've experienced in the past.

Bistro Francais

Most emailed story of the day from NYTimes -- 'Being Rachel Ray: How Cool Is That'

Which is actually a great article. It's a shame that the Post doesn't do more profiles like these.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't these typically duck spring rolls? Did the recipe change or did the WP just screw up?

It probably doesn't come up because most people, like me, have never heard of it.

Or have actually eaten there, like me, and dread the thought of going back.

I think he's being sarcastic.

And hilarious.

Tom's Dining Guide chat from today

hmm, maybe you guys should think of something near firefly and toast the name (if not the current affiliation) of our newest member...?

I'd be up for stopping by there

"Meatless Meal" is a contradiction in terms, isn't it? And why no Corduroy?

Drinx, maybe? Never been.

There are DC celebrities (a boozy Tom Delay, a speeding Sandy Berger) and then there are the real deal types who grace the pages of US Weekly. For the former, go to the Palm, Signatures, or Milano.

For the latter, head West.

Edited to add: If you had been at Milano last night, you would've had the best of both worlds: Mick Jagger and Howard Dean partied together well into the evening.

If they still have the BLT, go for it.

Where is the McLean location, exactly?

Anyone else note the sarcasm in this post (on the part of the poster)?

"Dino Review: Just wanted to say that your review of Dino was excellent. Just a great piece of writing and restaurant reviewing.

Tom Sietsema: Thanks, but I think its many fans will disagree with you."

We had the Grappler there last month and really enjoyed it. Our waitress said it was a popular choice, and I can see why.

I'm actually looking forward to this one to see if it;s got some authenticity, but that's not likely considering your average movie goer would be baffled by all the restaurant lingo and obscure references.  I'm expecting it to be way overblown, but I know that when I was working on the floor there were some days that would have provided the plot for a damn funny movie.

I guess I was hoping it would be set in a restaurant that actually believed in its cuisine, like the new TV show 'Kitchen Confidential' based on Bourdain's book (which still isn't all that funny or entertaining). This movie is set in the "generic chain restaurant"' Shennanigans, a non-copyrighted imitation of Bennigans.

I feel it safe to say that one film that won't be on this list if the forthcoming 'Waiting' starring Ryan Reynolds (last notable film: Van Wilder or Blade Trinity, depending on who you ask).

The film's "synopsis" says it all (without saying anything about the plot, assuming there is one):

"Featuring crazy busboys, unsanitary kitchen antics, and lots of talk about sex, WAITING... is a hysterical, behind-the-scenes look at the restaurant industry, and an affectionate ode to those lost, and thoroughly unproductive, days of youth."