Free Wilma

I believe this is going to be in the Fairfax County section of Alexandria, south on Rt. 1 past Beacon Mall. Its an existing restaurant space where some ofther kind of buffet used to be, I think. If I drive by there later today I'll check it out.

I make a very similar dish about 3 times a week in late July / August. One difference is I will use any good tomato available, not just cherry. I also crush a couple cloves of garlic and let them steep some of their oil into the dish for about 15 minutes. Then, just before serving, I remove the crushed cloves so there's just a hint of garlic flavor left behind. I also use red pepper flakes...occasionally too much to the chagrin of my 11 year old who is a tomato freak.

We've had Silestone countertops for years and, honestly, they look as good as the day we got them. the downside is they have a slightly more manufactured look than the natural graining of granite. But they're EASY and indestructable.

Anyone been to the OBX this summer? Any new places to recommend? General we do at least one night out without kids. We're staying in Nags Head so I'm not as interested in driving all the way up to Corolla. We enjoyed Meridan 42, Tortugas Lie and Kill Devil Grill greatly last summer.

Ceiba is right in you priceline.

Grits taste like whatever you put on or in them. If you want them sweet, add maple syrup. If you want them savory, add bacon or cheese or green onion or garlic or combination thereof. Either way, significant amounts of butter are a requirement, but keep it simple - the artisanal cheese grits souffle-type preparations may taste good, but at the same time they're Wrong.

The problem with the Alton Brown recipe is that it doesn't use actual grits, although the liquid to solid proportions sound workable, and I don't see any reason it wouldn't work with regular grits. I suspect if he tried to serve that recipe to his grandmother without substituting real grits, he'd hear about it; I wouldn't dare try to serve it to mine.

This recipe from Threadgill's in Austin is pretty good (and you can substitute other cheese for Velveeta, although that might affect the texture a little.) I'd also recommend checking out any of Bill Neal's cookbooks, although his shrimp and grits recipe is online here.

I find really good tomatos too dear to possible blend up and go straight for the juice route. Roasted red pepper, cuke, onion, garlic blended with good tomato juice, sherry vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, hot pepper and a dash of Worchestershire and salt. Throw in finely diced cukes and onions at the end. Either serve w/ croutons in a bowl or mix 3/4 gazpacho and 1/4 red wine (Pinot, Rioja, anything really) and serve it in a red wine glass. The wine thins it enough to make it drinkable and is great first on a hot night that you only need one hand for while you're manning the grill.

I saw recently there's going to be (already is??) a zpizza outpost on Duke Street. I couldn't tell from the website exactly. But it looks like it'll be in the shopping center where the Giant and Panera are located.

Having been to both the Water Mine and the Great Waves on Eisenhower, I'd definitely recommend the Water Mine for 7 year olds. Great Waves has a big wave pool that could easily get too intense for a 7 year old that isn't a great swimmer. The water mine is a good bit tamer and it seems easier to find a child there. They have a great bunch of picnic tables and the park outside has a merrygoround, IIRC. The lazy river is fun....but not overwhelming.

All that said, have you thought about a nice game of toss the water ballon and a squirt gun battle at the local park? Rent a picnic shelter and set up a water obstical course? I saw some got great slinghots you could use with wet sponges. 25 kids, even with help, is a LOT to keep track of at a water park. Unless you are VERY familiar with all of their swimming abilites and have 8-10 parents with you, I'd be a more than a bit nervous. I have a tough time keeping track of three kids at one of those places.

Has anyone ever eaten at Pierce's Pit BBQ in Williamsburg. A friend was raving about it and I thought we might check it out this weekend during out annual sojourn.

The Post has a link on their dining page (toward the bottom left of the page) of restaurants that have private dining rooms. You may find just what you're looking for there.

FWIW, La Colline is no longer. http://www.donrockwell.com/index.php?showt...1&hl=La+Colline

We went tonight with the two kids to Rustico. We got there early at 5:45 and got the last unreserved table for 4. The Mac and Cheese was the resounding hit of the evening. It was perfect for a rainy night. The serving was MUCH more than enough for one person. There'd have been leftovers if everyone hadn't been picking off my plate. I had the flight of soups and enjoyed all three in their own ways. I think I'd choose the tomato bisque for a whole bowl. The Rotissary Chicken and Meatloaf were both well recieved and generous servings. Strangely, for us, there was really nothing on the dessert menu that tempted us. My husband very much enjoyed the skull splitter ale and whatever the open cask was. I tried the red sangria and found it fine; but not extraordinary. My daughter pronounced the cream soda one of the best things she'd ever tried...and she tries them all! We will be back.

Hmmm. Now this is news. Since I'm here in the 'hood I'll try to swing by sometime this week to check it out. Could be a nice quick dinner before the rookie t-ball game tomorrow night.

I think all of the Jose Andres restaurants are open on Sunday. Also, the Majestic Cafe in Old Town is open as well.

We stopped by last night for some post-dinner drinks and the joint was hoppin'! At 10:00 pm every table in the dining and bar section was full. We were able to snag a sofa by the fireplace and hung out for a couple of drinks. The beer was cold and tasty. The food that came by made me want to hurry back and give the menu a whirl one night when things are a little quieter. And it was definitely NOT quiet last night, both in regards to volume and level of business. At least three people in our group commented separately how much they liked the artichture / design and, particularly, the cool mosiac. If last night was any indication, Rustico is going to be a hit in the 'hood.

It's been several years, but the Crystal City Sports Pub used to have some great wings. Absolutely the hottest "traditional" style wings I've ever had....but so good.

Any show with Sarah Moulton. I expecially loved the ones she did with Jacques Pepin. He and Julia Child were her early mentors.

Cantina Marina down on the waterfront. You REALLY feel like you've escaped Washington....but only for the drinks. The food is somewhat institutional.

I'm a little late to the party here, but this is a quick, simple, and easy recipe (yes, it's a Rachael Ray 30 minute meal, but a good one) for Cuban Spiced Pork Tenderloin.  I've made this many times for many different people and always get raves about it.  (never made the accompanying rice)

It's perfect for those skinny, 2-in-a-pack tenderloins, and makes for great leftovers (Cuban sandwiches....).  It's also been the only use for the Montreal steak seasoning in the jumbo Costco-size container that found its way into my cabinets after a family visit....

Have ingredients. Will be trying this evening. It sounds YUMMY!

Palm Beach

So we're planning to be in Palm Beach at the Breakers a couple of nights for a conference. Unfortunately only one night is available for non-hotel dining. There's a chance we'll be entertaining a client that evening so quality is more important than price. It doesn't have to be a quiet working dinner...but I'd like to be able to hear each other speak. I'd prefer to NOT eat at a steakhouse...which is where we'll end up if my +1 is in charge. Seafood always makes me happy at the beach. Probably not ethnic since I'm unsure of the client likes and dislikes.

I also hope to be out and about solo some during the days and would love quick and easy lunch ideas.

TIA.

The Let's Dish website shows an Alexandria location coming in the spring. I believe it will be in the old Whole Foods location at Little River Turnpike and Braddock Road.

I'm offically wiping the drool off my keyboard. I can't wait to hear about the experience. I hope someone bring a camera!

Yes, but rumors are that it (Founders) is going to be moving to the north end of Old Town to the space now occupied by Cafe Marianna, and presumably the adjoining antique/gift shop.

Here's a list from Open Table of restaurants that have space for larger events.

Okay, how about:

La Bergerie

The Wharf

Landini Brothers

Tempo

100 King

MieN'Yu

Chez Andree

Bistrot Lafayette

Bilbo Baggins

Del Merie Grille

Some of these are excellent, some are better forgotten...

And some of them have their own threads already.....

100 King

Del Merei Grille