JLK

I was excited to try lunch at Proof after many dinners there. Good thing I called because Proof is closed tomorrow at lunch for a private event.

Went for a tour of the private rooms and kitchen after dinner. People who do corporate events/dinners in the Tysons area should take note of this- nice space and cool amenities. One room had a TV and an iPod dock. (JLK - I'm looking at you and your clients!)

I just got around to reading this! Thanks for the tip, but you know my guys: easily freaked out by "interesting" menus.

The terrific arugula salad is no longer on the menu.

Real coffee and Bakeshop DC cupcakes will available a block from home!?!? YAY! A welcome addition the neighborhood. I hope no one tries to order an iced espresso . . .

Sounds like we're neighbors. I'm excited to check it out once it opens. Can't picture which building they're moving into.

The layout is very odd though.

Food doesn't get much space on this basketball blog unless it's to discuss athletes' love for The Cheesecake Factory so this caught my eye.

Starbucks has changed suppliers (apparently) for the classic coffee cake which is a shame, and not a shame. The coffee cake now contains nuts (to me, yuck - YMMV). Interesting to have a company go in that direction versus eliminating products with nuts. Anyway, I don't like the new coffee cake and crave the old, but I'm spending less money and eating healthier. Whatever.

Arugula salad a la Matchbox minus the oven-dried tomatoes, plus two heaping spoonfuls of brown rice. Arugula, mozzarella cheese, pesto, olive oil, salt, pine nuts.

Just ordered delivery from New Big Wong. I'll be sure to report back.

If anyone tries CS32 ("Sauteed Pig Navel in Black Bean Sauce") from the Chef's Suggestions part of the menu, I'd like to hear about it.

I had a similar experience recently upon ordering "a sparkling rose" not realizing that there were three on the menu. I had glanced at it quickly and only saw one. The bartender picked the most expensive which I believe was $18 per glass. The issue was resolved, but I'll be more careful in the future.

According to NBC4, Mar de Plata is closing in May. The manager cited the economic downturn.

Any recent visits? I'm heading there tonight. The ham steak from the online menu sounds tempting.

I love Vace and miss living close to it. Beyond the pizza (which personally, I think is simple and delicious), I enjoy the cavatelli, the veal tortelloni and sliced to order prosciutto.

Addresses?

Don, you can delete the "Glover Park" from the headline because the space has quickly been turned over. It's now a place called Kitchen.

Walking over to Heritage India, I thought that perhaps it was a menu tasting (the space looked unfinished to me), but no, Kitchen is open and advertising Super Bowl specials.

If you can ignore the stupid headline, this might be of value to those of you with food allergies.

Chef's Facebook status says something positive about the fire marshall.

I like the baby arugula served in restaurants way better than the "baby" arugula found in bags at Whole Foods and other grocery stores. Smaller, paler leaves. Slightly less assertive flavor. Anyone know where I can find the good stuff?

Is this open yet? I am looking for an interesting spot for a casual meeting with two contacts tomorrow in the Dupont vicinity.

Matchbox is one of my favorite spots and I'm glad to have it my 'hood. That said, today's pizza was disappointing. After briefly considering trying a new brunch dish, I ordered a spicy meatball pizza. Unfortunately it was weighed down with about twice the cheese as usual. While the edge of the crust was its normal crisp, tasty self, the middle was a soggy mess. I didn't raise the issue, figuring "too much cheese" would be met with a quizzical look.

I only ate two and a half of the pieces and the rest is in my fridge. I'm hoping to crisp it up in the oven, try to salvage it.

I, on the other hand, am counting the minutes until the Starbucks at the Shops at Montage Mountain reopens. I can almost feel the cold cup of my iced venti skim latte against my hand.

They are closed and Good Guys is indeed expanding into that space.

Cheers,

Rocks.

I am heading to Scottsdale tomorrow, and the rest of my colleagues don't arrive until Monday so I'm looking forward to a relaxing (and indulgent!) solo meal tomorrow night. Would Cowboy Ciao be a good choice? Is there a bar at which I can dine?