Free Wilma

The roast chicken salad is one of my all time favorites. And yes, you can get it at any Great American restaurant.

I'm fairly certain there's an open bin of unshelled nuts, including walnuts, at my local Safeway. It should be noted that it is a larger Safeway. I'm not sure if the little neighborhood ones have these as well. The bin is in the fresh fruit and vegetable section. Near the onion and potato bins.

The folks at my husband's firm regularly want to hold dinners at restaurants that have private dining areas. It's always a bit of struggle to find the places that have rooms with doors that close and are genuinely private. They always seem to fall back on the steak house standards. I'm trying desperately to get them out of this rut and on to more innovative cuisine....especially since I'm often with them for yet another steak and creamed spinach night. If folks could make suggestions it would be terrific. Also, it's nice if you know specifically how many people the room will seat. DR.com Members in the restaurant business PLEASE speak up and have your establishment included in this list! Thanks! edited to add: Generally, price is not a big deal for these folks. They're not looking for a CityZen, Citronelle or Maestro at every meal....but occasionally that level of service is nice if they have the private facilities. Also, the group sizes can range from 8 - 45 depending on the occasion.

Tallula?

If you want unfinished wood furniture, there's a place called Saah Furniture located just off of 395 and Edsall Road, in the office park behind Marlo Furniture. You can check out their website to see if they have anything to your liking. You might want to consider Crate and Barrel as well.

I'm so glad you posted this. That is the exact experience I had with their scallops when I ate there in August. I just chalked it up to a dirty grill or an unexerinced hand. But it seems like it's a continuing issue, unfortunately. It wasn't bad enought that I wouldn't go back. But, like you, I plan to stick to the grilled meats in the future.

Gobble Gobble! Happy Turkey Day!

Lulu's is bye-bye too. From the Post article

Four-Way, half Cincinatti - half Texas with the onions on the side. I can only eat it occasionally.......but when I do I'm happy! And it's great with the kids as well as my no-carb husband.

I was living in Del Ray when Evening Star was just getting off the ground. Mt. Vermon Avenue was a VERY different place back then. If memory serves (PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG Rabbi1969), the Mt. Vernon Avenue area was designated an "Enterprise Zone" and small businesses were eligible for a variety of very attractive tax breaks and small business support / loans. This situation made it a favorable environement for a number of privately owned restaurants, coffee shops and retail businesses to find success. The area was just beginning to move from it's history as a rail-yard community to a transistioning yupppie neighborbood. The Evening Star partnership had perfect timing and a business plan that really seems to have worked.

What about someplace like Lebanese Taverna or other restaurants that do catering. Depending on what you want, they may be more expensive than a Costco platter....but significantly less generic in style and potentially better food. Lebanese Taverna Catering Menu

Boy I hope you're right. That spot has had terrible restaurant karma as long as I can remember. I am somewhat heartened that it's being fronted by folks that have shown some measure of business success over the years. Of course that doesn't mean the food doesn't become dumbed-down tourist fare. But I'll certainly give them a try!

The informational blub on the Target site refers to the glassware as "Tyrol crystal". Tyrol's in Austria, correct? Of course, I'm sure bad glassware can be made just as easily as the good stuff in Austria. I did open up on of the boxes and check out the glasses.....but I don't know enough about the qualities of fine glassware to know how these measure up.

Target is now selling Riedel glassware. I've got no idea how they compare to the "real" Riedel. I'd love to hear from someone who knows more about their products than do I. Target Riedel Glassware

She DID have a column in the most recent issue. Her topic was relationships she has built thru online communities. It's a terrific read!

It is about 5 miles south of Old Town in Alexandria just off Fort Hunt Road; close to the Parkway. Via Veneto Ristorante Italiano 1309 Shenandoah Road Alexandria, VA 22308-1117 Phone: (703) 765-6661 Having eaten at both, I MUCH prefer Tosca. But it's not even a fair compairson. As described earlier, Via Veneto is a family-run hole in the wall.

Another great article Monica! My daughter has been involved with Lanette Doran and her "Flavors for Kids" program for more than two years. I'm just thrilled you got to talk with her and highlight such a terrific program. She has been a great inspiration and roll model for my 10-year old. Thanks for including her in the article!

It's nice that they provide links to the restaurants' websites as well. It has the potential to be very useful! Thanks!

I've always been unreasonably attached to the "Roast Chicken Salad" at Carlyle in Shirlington. I think some of the other "Great American Restaurants" serve it as well. But Carlyle is closest to DC. From their menu...... Roast Chicken fresh corn, grape tomatoes, dates, sun dried cranberries, pine nuts goat cheese & champagne vinaigrette

Good idea....as long as it's not on a Monday or Tuesday. They're closed both days.

How about Ceiba? Convenient location (similar to that of Old Ebbit) but less touristy and a fun atmosphere. Here's their lunch menu...... Ceiba Lunch Menu

How many bottles of beer on the wall? It's gonna be an awfully long song!

Honest to goodness Dean, I'm going to print out your instuctions and put them to good use on Turkey day. I'm never completely thilled with the birds I roast. But your description has my mouth watering. Thanks for sharing your secrets.

Has anyone tried the Moe's Southwest Grille? I went to one in Alabama this summer that was a stand-alone establishment and thought it was fine, in a Baja Fresh sort of way. They're also putting one in in my 'hood of Mt. Vernon / South Alexandria. I was wondering what other folks had experienced.

How's the service these days? We used to go there about once a month since it was so great with the kids. But the last two times we went the service wasn't the friendly quality we had experienced in years past. As a result, we haven't been back in more than year. I'd love to add it back to the rotation.The Six Way BBQ Pasta has always been my entree of choice.