Free Wilma

When in both Austin and Oklahoma City we like to swing by County Line for BBQ. In Austin I've only been to the location on the lake...which is a beautiful drive and a terrific setting on the water.

(edited to add stuff cuz I keep thinking of new things)

If you have the chance, check out Central Market which is an amazing grocery store. It makes Wegman's and Whole Food look like slackers.

We spent about 10 days in the Austin area last summer for my brother's wedding. We enjoyed Shady Grove for basic American w/ a Texas flair food, as well as Chuy's for Tex-Mex. It's not the most authentic Mexican...but it hits the spot for when you're craving the more americanized version. I believe Shady Grove and Chuy's are owned by the same group and are located along the same stretch of Barton Springs Road. Also in that area is Green Mesquite BBQ which has a great outdoor dining (drinking) patio. Avoid the Spaghetti Warehouse unless you're in the mood for incredibly pedestrian overcooked pasta fare. We tried to go to recommended Kerbey Lane for brunch one Sunday but the wait was over an hour and I decided that I couldn't handle that with two kids.

I think Breadline has changed hands as well.  With regard to the breads sold by  Dean and Deluca, I understand that they are baked by Gold Crust Baking at the corner of Rt. 1 and Monroe Avenue in Alexandria.  I understand that GCB also supplies the White House mess.

Does Gold Crust have a retail store-front? I remember trying to go one time and being confused about where to go.

I've used All Recipes over the years from time to time. They have a specific section entitled Healthy Recipes. It should be noted these are user submitted recipes; not those out of a magazine test kitchen. It pays to read the reviews.

somehow i got lost at the hard rock cafe on the way to the river that would carry me to the multiplex at universal city where i couldn't find anything better to do than watch a popular torture movie that actually didn't give up all hope, a sop to the teenagers who populate the malls and line up at the boxoffice these days. (people are even losing their toes on television, in a south american series, epitaphios, which i have been watching to learn spanish, without much success, except that some of my nightmares now have spanish in them.) anyway, against my better judgment i entered the back of the hotel through an employee entrance and breezed through security but soon found i couldn't find my way back. i ended up on the lobby floor and in the changing room at the palm, and just as it looked like i was going to have to go through the kitchen and dining room to make my escape i found someone who was able to lead me to a safer route. i ended up in the kitchen, the name of the hotel's restaurant, which someone up above me has faintly praised. the mushroom risotto there was not bad. the wine was pretty good, and overpriced, by the glass. jerry garcia was being offered as a chard and cabernet; i am unsure if this vineyard is as distinctive as the music. fearing that possibility, i ordered something else. that famous rock star barbara streisand loomed over my table protectively throughout the entire meal, and this is a good place, when you find yourself alone, for dysfunctional family watching.

Just wonderful. I leave in the morning for Orlando and I'm staying at the Hard Rock. I hope someone isn't watching MY family's dysfunctional behavior. That said, I'm glad to hear Kitchen is an acceptable option....or at least the risotto.

Shuman's Bakery on S. Washington St. in Alexandria...been there forever, great for Sunday brunch, lazy paper reading and relaxing.

Alexandria Pastry Shop in Brad-Lee Shopping Center (next to the wine shop. Two temptations within easy shopping distance)

I think that Shuman's has become the latest addition to the Firehook family.

Any hope they will ever have a "real" website? I've been itching to give Komi a try but stand little chance of convincing my 1+ without giving him an opportunity to review the menu in advance.

I've never even seen "Instant" grits for sale anywhere.  Is it like "Instant Oatmeal?"

Sold at peapod.com and thus, I assume, at your local Giant Foods.

We went last summer but I don't think we went anywere "new". Here's a report I made on Chowhound shortly after returning.....

Just returned from the Outer Banks and had three good-great dining experiences. We went to Meridian 42 for an evening out without the kids. It's a lovely space with a Mediterranian flair....but their AC could use a little help. It was pretty steamy. We started off with the White truffle foudue which was decadant and everyone was surprised how much they enjoyed. Perfect for sharing. The table also had two orders of the tuna sashimi, which was raved about by all. All three salad options were quite tasty and had lovely presentation. For entrees, a couple had the crabcake special. They enjoyed both the crabcake and the monster stuffed pastas as a side, but felt the crabcake would have been better if served a little more simply. The sea scallops were big and plump, but slightly over seared, in my opinion. The shrimp on the side out-shined the scallops. The rest of the table ordered the Pistachio crusted white fish (I think it was halibut??) and enjoyed it greatly. Desserts were ordered...but I can't remember any expect the lemon-buttermild gelato, which was refreshing and lovely.

The next evening we took the kids and headed to long-time favorite Tortuga's Lie. The restaurant has such a great beachy feel; without feeling touisty. The staff was terrific; especially when dealing with a group of 13! There were plenty of options on the regular menu for the kids (who got to sit alone and order for themselves!) Two of the adults had the steamed seafood platters (Shrimp, clams and Alaskan King Crab Legs). I was sorry I hadn't gotten the same. I had the grilled pineapple shrimp kabobs with black beans and rice. Quite tasty but slightly over cooked.

Our last evening we stopped in to the Kill Devil Grill for dinner with the kids. Several in our group had been before and had been itching to return. We all had the steak and cheese eggrolls for starters. They were rich and cheesy with an unnecessary marinara sacue on the side for dipping. The kids menu was terrific with VERY generous servings. I had the shrimp and cheese grits which were terrific! It was the first time during the week that the seafood I'd ordered hadn't been slightly overcooked. Two at the table had the ribs which were absolutely fall-off-the-bone tender. YUM! Two ordered a couple of their entree salads which looked fresh and nicely topped with tuna and a crabcake, respectively. While the menu at the Kill Devil Grill is somewhat more narrow (and not as beachy), the quality of the food was somewhat higher and cheaper than that at Tortuga's Lie.

All three restaurants come with solid recommendations and the hopes of returning in the future.

Edited to add: I decided to take a quick gander at Meridian 42's menu to see if I could remember any more about our dinner there. They have obviously updated their menu for winter seasonality and it sounds great. So my comments in regards to the August dinner may no longer be relevant. But I'd still happily give it another try based on my positive experience.

I have a sorta first date with a beautiful women on Saturday night (yeah me!).  I am picking her up in Centerville and driving to a party in Springfield. Any suggestions for a moderate price place at either one or those places or somewhere in between?

Searching the site I only came up with a new site of local chain San Vito Restorante Italian and Dixie Bones in Springfield.

I thought Dixie Bones was in Woodbridge.

The Flying Scottsman closed!?!?  When did that happen?

The former restaurant where Eamonn's is to be located is Scotland Yard (728 King St.), not The Flying Scottsman. It's located just west of Washington Street (GW Parkway) in Old Town.

The Reliable Source has the latest on the Segway scandal.

How about Tutto Bene in Ballston? I was there once about a year ago before catching a movie and thought it was pretty solid. And, I think I remember something about them having Bolivian food for weekend lunches.

When's Rustico opening in Old Town (ish)? Mel? Rabbi?

A La Lucia in Alexandria, VA

Review:

http://www.washingtonian.com/dining/Profiles/alalucia.html

And here's their website if you'd like to view the menu.

Thanks so much! I knew someone would come to my rescue!

The Baltimore Sun story link (requires (free) registration with the Sun): Farm Aid

That's what I understand...

Local rumor has it that their new location will be in the current Cafe Marianna spot - north old town, near the Metrostage theater.

Does that mean Cafe Marianna is closing?

I was in the mood for Mexican last night so my husband I decided to give Andale a whirl. We had a 5:45 reservation and hoped to make it for the start of the 7:00 hockey game. We let our waiter know we were under a time constraint when we sat down and were assured it would be no problem......and it wasn't.

Our waiter recommended the Hibiscus margarita which I happily ordered and enjoyed. If we hadn't been on the clock I'd have definitely ordered another. We shared the Queso Fundido con Chorizo as an appetizer. It was warm, gooey and spicy with the Chorizo. I could have easily eaten the whole thing myself! My husband had the Enchiladas Verdes and inhaled them so fast I couldn't get a bite! It was a cold night and I was craving soup. The Caldo de mariscos absolutely hit the spot. It was a piping hot spicy fish stew loaded with scallops, shrimp and other mystery fish. The serving was so generous I could only eat about half. It was occasionally difficult to get the attention of our waiter. However, when he was around, he was very helpful. We will definitely keep it in our rotation of pre-game dining options.

One of our favorite cookies at the ancestral Chen homestead is the lemon cookie, made with one box of lemon cake mix, one egg, and one eight-ounce block of cream cheese. Drop on a cookie sheet, bake til you see a tiny hint of brown. You frost them with the juice from a couple lemons mixed up with confectioner's sugar til it looks about right. Easy peasy.

We used to make "Cool Lemon Softies" with a box of Lemon Cake Mix and a small container of cool whip. Roll balls of the VERY sticky dough in powered sugar and bake. YUM!

Anyone been recently? Trying to sneak in a quick dinner before the Caps game tonight.

Wouldn't a better solution for everyone be that the mother takes along a bottle for the baby when planning to be dining in public?

-Camille

Went for dinner last night with two other couples. Our reservation was at 8:30 and the place was packed. We were a little early and enjoyed some wine in the adjacent "wine bar". I didn't really know what to think of bar space. There was a bar structure.....but a wine steward was coming around to each group individually taking orders. He was lots of fun and extraordinarily helpful. But it didn't seem a typical restaurant bar.

The food isn't cutting edge, but they've got the basics down cold. We had beautifully light fried calamari and salads to start. I had their Linguine with Seafood and it was terrific. A couple of folks had the Cannelloni special and raved about it. After 4 bottles of wine, I'm a little fuzzy on the rest of the details in regards to what others ate. We skipped dessert but look forward to trying it again.

The most expensive entrée on the menu is $23. Appetizers and salads are all under $8. And the atmosphere was much more upscale than a "Pines of Wherever" type joint. I would be very comfortable bringing my 10 year old to dine there anytime (although I saw no children last night). I'd probably consider bringing our 5 year old for lunch. The service was spot on and VERY personable. All in all, it's a nice, hidden addition to the Alexandria dining scene and definitely recommended.

What he said! Plus, their fried plantains are faboo -- I crave them nearly constantly! -- and their tamal is the best I've ever had...yum.