JLK

I thought last night's dinner was fine, nothing great. But today its leftovers tasted so good as lunch! I made a recipe from Epicurious' quick and easy section, Peppered Beef Stroganoff. It was in fact very easy and very quick which was exactly what I needed when I finally got home at 8 pm last night. I subbed a flavorful rib eye for the filet based on both taste and cost (almost $17 a pound at Safeway in McLean).

My office tends to get a few holiday gifts of popcorn each year. Most of them are average, fine for a midafternoon snack, but nothing that makes me say "GOOOOD!" Today Dale and Thomas Popcorn sent us an assortment of their wares. Isiah Thomas is a co owner of this popcorn company and I work for a sports company so I think we were targeted for sampling. I wanted to hate it because I'm no fan of Isiah Thomas-the-exec-and-coach (while respecting his legacy as a player), but I am really enjoying this popcorn. And it's serving its purpose because I'm very tempted to send a bunch of the sampler packs to some of my clients. We received flavors including white cheddar with black peppercorn (my personal favorite right now), sweet Georgia pecan, twice as nice chocolate drizzle, and butter toffee and walnut crunch. One bit of funny business: their brochure of nutritional information is highly misleading. A coworker and I were trying to guess if our favorites were the most caloric. Well, it's hard to tell because although all flavors are broken down in terms of calories and fat, the serving size for each one varies. The range is a 2 1/2 cup serving size (large) all the way down to a 1/2 cup serving size (that's not a lot of popcorn).

At that price, it had better be!

$32 for a pie?

I talked two tourists out of eating at La Tasca downtown, pointing out Jaleo, Oyamel and Zaytinya as alternatives. Felt like I did my civic duty for the day. As for Las Tapas, I had a nice lunch there once, at least a year to 18 months ago. I don't get to Alexandria all that often, but when I'm there, Las Tapas is definitely a place I consider for dining.

I have driven past Mayur Kebab House lots of times and wondered about the food. Now that I live nearby, I'll have to check it out. Does anyone know if they offer delivery?

Another post that begins "I wanted to like it, but..." The service was completely absent, the dining room was freezing (and we were nowhere near the door) and the space, too cramped. Like a previous poster, I was surprised to see a stray wine or two from California show up under New World wines. Also like the previous poster, I am no wine expert so maybe I'm just confused. Our server, a very nice young woman who tried, disappeared for long, long stretches and was a bit too BFF when she did come around, sitting next to my friend on the banquette. Our four-top, near the front of what I think is the main dining room, was soon climbed over by the large party (6? 7? 8? people) that crammed into the seating area around the table in the window. My friend nearest that table was uncomfortable and frequently elbowed, but there was nowhere for us to move. The bar was packed. We enjoyed three pieces of cheese ($2 each), but quickly ran out of bread. With no one to serve us more, we helped ourself to the service table in the middle of the room after ten minutes with no employee sightings. We contemplated ordering more food, but decided to head elsewhere lest that process take another two hours. The menu wasn't all that veg-friendly either and one of my two companions is ovo-lacto, no seafood or fish whatsoever. Although the web site says happy hour takes place Tuesday through Friday nights, we were told that is not the case. Instead HH at Vinoteca is Sun through Thursday. I may go back, but I'm not in any hurry to do so.

Chicken burrito with hot salsa and guacamole from Chipotle. Oh the shame!!

Just one resolution in the food realm: continue the process of reforming myself from being a picky eater. Last night alone, I tried two new things, one of which were trotters prepared by my two lovely NYE hosts. I quite surprised myself by enjoying them so Waitman/Heather, let me know next time you're cooking some up.

Thanks! I have been meaning to try Peapod. Maybe now's the time.

I just moved downtown (near the Verizon Center). No more Uptown. There is a Safeway coming soon (in the City Vista building), but where should I do my grocery shopping in the meantime? I go to the P Street Whole Foods for produce and specialty items, but for the staples, I have no idea where to go. I think the Giant (?) on 9th Street is closed for renovations, but I could be wrong about that.

I ate a lot of delicious food at Proof tonight, but I had a few bites of a new tasty thing: ham risotto. That isn't, of course, how the menu describes it exactly, but the rice, simmered with ham hocks, tastes so purely of not just pork, but ham. It was my mother's first trip to Proof so I tried not to hog (pun intended) her dish, which also included pork tenderloin. She also ate every last bite of her cauliflower soup which I didn't try.

My new kitchen (I move in 12/27) has an open kitchen so I'm looking forward to being able to listen to music while I cook.

More than two years after the last post re: Red Ginger, Tom Sietsema notes that it is for sale.

I hate you. Last year, my company party was at Sequoia. This year, the atrium at Meadowlark (which was fine, but not worth the drive).

No! Wait! Stop! Although the two places share ownership, the food couldn't be more different. Stick with Glover Park.

Any plans to re-visit Mehak?

Any schmuck could make this.

A friend's father made a gang of us Swedish pancakes with rasperry sauce, bacon, coffee and mimosas. It was the morning after my friend's bachelorette party (which I missed because I was sore from a car accident Friday ) so we had a fun time catching up, looking through photos from the night before, etc.

Really cool, Bill. Keep up the good work! Just think how much more you'll enjoy golf as a lighter fellow.

I love Proof, just everything about the place. When I dined there last night with two friends, I returned to some old favorites like the gnocchi, but did order the new (?) wagyu beef sashimi. I have no idea if it was the 'real deal' but man, that was rich and delicious. I'll definitely order it again. The cheese program continues to be fantastic. We had six and they were all enjoyable, however the standout was a pecorino tartufo studded with truffles. Divine. Another highlight was the sparkling rose I drank. Mark - details please?? Our server was an interesting guy. At first, I found him to be a bit aloof (which is fine), however when we engaged him in discussion regarding the cheese selection and later dessert wines, he spoke very passionately on the subjects.

I have often wondered why you don't see skirt steak in more restaurants (I'm cooking some right now). I'll have to check this place out.

In spite of the good advice received within, guess where I ended up last Tuesday night? Yep, the Cheesecake Factory at KOP. Ugh.

I grew up drinking 50/50 grapefruit soda and now I have such a craving!!

Why in the world would a vegetable-phobe order a soup described as containing the puree of kale, turnip greens, mustard greens and probably even more green stuff? She would do so because the soup, caldo verde, was highly recommended by the lovely and talented barman Billy. I didn't just eat my vegetables, I thoroughly enjoyed them. With chicken stock as a base, this wonderful winter creation is rich with garlic and flecked with fatty bits of ham and garlic croutons. I was so happy I didn't order the salad I had considered before deciding on the soup. My friend's goat cheese and leek tart was also very compelling, if seriously rich. Upon ordering the dish, Billy noted that the tart was NOT vegetarian and contained bits of ham. For us, this was a plus, but I have to wonder if the rest of the staff is as diligent about pointing this out (pork isn't noted on the menu). The tart arrives, looking petite and demure, but the rich goat cheese and buttery pastry crust packs a wallop. The small pile of greens that accompanies the tart is a welcome foil for the lusciousness of the cheese, ham and pastry. For our mains, we ordered the seared tuna (my friend) and the veal cheek confit. My first bite made me swoon (perhaps a bit too loudly--apologies to the neighbors). What's a synonym for rich? Screw it, the veal and its accompanying lentils were richly fantastic. I loved the bit of frisee on top. We shared a half bottle of Champagne (Taittenger...something or other), but were too full for dessert this visit. My share of the bill including 20% tip was $72 and worth every damn penny. Two or three weeks ago, I visited Cashion's with two friends, eating in the dining room. Although some of the details have faded, we left feeling that same sense of "wow, that was GOOD." I have previously described Cashion's as potentially an expensive mistake, something that doesn't hold true based on my last two visit. It's just two meals I'm writing about now, but they give me lots of hope that Cashion's is heading in a great direction.