Free Wilma

Lunch a la Madeline (that's my 10 year old daughter) Quinoa topped with grilled veggies and "Mama Maddie's Zesty Vinegrette". she's quite the mix master. She used three kinds of fresh herbs, two types of vinegar, lemon, lime and pineapple juice. And you know what, it awesome! But I'm a little biased!

Pasta with "raw" heirloom tomato sauce and a fist full of fresh grated reggiano. I could eat this every day....and sometimes I do this time of year!

Thanks to all for the DIY menu! Everything sounds amazing. You guys are a wealth of culinary information. If the new "offical" one comes on line, I'd love to pass it along to my husband, as well. Thanks again for the help!

My husband works across the street and has been trying to stop by the 5 guys. He said the lines have been outrageous. However, one day he was ready for a late lunch and noticed there was no line. He gets over there....and they're closed because they've run out of food (or so the sign says!).

Is there a website for Corduroy? I trying to get my husband to agree to go for our anniversary. However, he's always hesitant if he can't see the menu first. Silly boy should just do what I tell him without quibbling after 17 years.

Went last night with a group to Tallula for the first time. At the waitress's suggestion we all started off with their "Five O'Clock Somewhere" speciality drink. The consensus opinion was that it tasted like something out of one of our kids' juice box. We switched to a chardonay at that point. For some reason we decided to skip the "Amuse Yourself" selections and go straight to the appetizers and mains. Several had the butter lettuce salad with goat cheese and cashews. It seemed serviable and everyone ate it without complaint. I ordered the Tuna Tartar (I've become a bit obsessed with the dish in recent months). It was nice and tart with chunky bites of tuna and avacado. However, black pepper seemed to somewhat overwhelm the dish. It came with lightly fried sweet potato chips on the side that were tasty! For the entree I had the Ricotta Gnocchi with Forest Mushrooms and truffle butter. I'm no Gnocchi expert, but I thought they were great. The mushrooms were incredibly rich and nicely paired with the fluffy Gnocchi. Others at the table had the Walnut crusted rack of Lamb and Halibut with Lemon Risotto. Both were very well recieved. The lamb looked amazing...but alas, I didn't get to sample. For dessert we split the Chocolate, Caramel Cashew Bar and the Cappucdino Creme Brulee. Frankly we were not impressed with either. The Chocolate Bar seemed like it had been sitting on the plate in the fridge for a day (and maybe it had since it was Sunday night?)and wasn't particularly flavorful or rich as we had all hoped. The Creme Brulee was served in a coffee cup and had a very thick coating of whipped cream on top. Thus it was impossible to enjoy the crispy carmelized top on the dish. After dinner we went to the lounge and enjoyed some more wine and chatted. It was fun to be back in the part of the restaurant that had retained the old "Whitey's" feel. Service was wonderful all thru the evening. The restaurant section of Tallula's was fairly noisy, even on a less hectic Sunday night. There were times when I strained to hear my companion on the other end of a table for 6 people. I would love to go back soon and try several of the "Amuse Yourself' choices and the scallops. I think Tallula is a charming and much needed addition to the NOVA dining seen.

And Tom gives it........ two stars

Oh my! Burrata is simply decadant. I MUST get to Del Ray soon!

This morning, Mt. Vernon market had the first peaches of the season at Westmoreland Berry Farm; along with the last strawberries, sweet and sour cherries, blackberries and raspberries. I see in my near future pies, crumbles and cobblers. Oh my!

From this week's "Ask Tom"......... Arlington, Va.: Any early intel on the new Shirlington haunt, Extra Virgin? I saw the WSJ gave it a plug. Since you probably haven't been, any chatters who have gone? Thanks. Tom Sietsema: The place seems disorganized. Earlier this week: Would-be diner: Are you open for lunch this week? Receptionist at Extra Virgin: Um, um, I'm not sure. Would-be diner: Could you ask someone who might know? Receptionist: Hold on. Male voice: We aren't sure if we'll be serving lunch this week. We're still training the crew. Would-be diner: Should I call back later this week then? Male voice: Yes, we'll know by then. HUH?

Brenner's has actually been sold in the past year or so. The new ownership is fine....but it's just not quite the same. I went to get a birthday cake a while back and they couldn't accomodate my request because their decorator wasn't going to be in that day. Maybe they've worked out some of the kinks since then.

I've used the Trader Joes dough numerous times with measured success. It's awfully convenient and can be frozen if you don't use it in a couple of days. I've also used it for quick calzones. However, if there was someplace like Vace near by, I'd certainly choose it over TJs.

Here's your legislative update on this issue........ WASHINGTON -- The House voted Wednesday to stop the slaughter of American horses to feed diners in European and Asian nations where the meat is considered gourmet fare.

Today at the Mt. Vernon / Sherwood Library Farmer's Market Westmoreland Berry Farm had sweet cherries for sale. Unfortunately, I was a little pressed for time and wasn't able to sample. Sigh. I'm sure next week's will be even better! Right?

Almost 17 years ago, several of my mother's friends threw a wedding shower for me and this exact delicacy was served. I also received a copy of the recipe, along with about a dozen others that the ladies were asked to write from memory since they were "tried and true man-pleasers" that they knew by heart. I still have all of the recipes; not because I've made them often (or EVER) to please my man. I have them because of the lovely ladies who gave them to me, many of whom are gone today. I'll never forget all the women oooohing and ahhhhing over the veggie pizza! And no, I've never made it....well maybe once when I was 22 and had NO cooking skills, experience or TASTE!

At Cherry Hill Farm they had signs posted saying sweet cherries would be available for picking starting June 11, while supplies last.

We went on a trip to the "country" this morning to go strawberry picking at Cherry Hill Farm in PG county. The berries were sweet and ripe on a hot morning. There were lots of families and an bounty still available for picking at $1.49 a pound. It is a quick, 20 minute trip from Old Town, Alexandria and you're transported to a beautiful little valley farm that feels hours removed from the hectic pace of DC. There is a small market at the farm with other local produce, baked good, jams and jellies as wells as soft serve ice cream. It was a terrific way to spend what felt like the first real day of summer.

Today was strawberry day at the Mt. Vernon market...and they were beautiful! Asapargus was $3.00 and I got a bunch of Twin Springs tomatoes. Granted, they're not as perfect (or cheap) as heirlooms in August.....but for the end of May, they make a pretty tasty BLT (wiping the crumbs from the corner of my mouth!). The Buffalo meat guy was back again. He wasn't there the last time I went two weeks ago. I was sorely tempted by his cilantro chorizo pork sausages. I'll have to plan my spending better next week and include him in the budget!

The Washingtonian gave A la Lucia one of the their "Critic's Choice" awards in this year's Cheap Eats edition. They say it's owned by the longtime maitre d' at Galileo. Has anyone been? Is it deserving of attention? Older kid friendly? Thanks in advance.

I bought some tomatoes last week at the Mt. Vermon / Sherwood Hall market. They really surprised me with their quality. I'm sick that I didn't get back over there yesterday to restock.

I was in just yesterday and saw the meat cooler. For the life of me I can't remember what they had other an a pork tenderloin. Clearly that's what caught my eye. There were several other items as well. I bought a Cypress Grove Chevre called "Purple Haze". It's made with lavender and fennel pollen. I can't wait to try it tomorrow evening.

I didn't see an Oyamel thread so my apologies if I'm being duplicative. I visited last night with a group of friends for the first time. While we had terrific service, the consensus opinion was that the food was good, but not great. This same group had recently been to the Crystal City Jaleo and Zaytinya and left Oyamel feeling just a bit disappointed. The restaurant was moderately full for a Sunday night, with no wait. We ordered 10 small plates and 3 desserts and shared them all. We had: two kinds of tacos Tacos de pescado frito al estilo San Cristí³bal de las casas Fried Tilapia Chiapas style with a light tomato sauce, Mexican salsa and hand made tortilla $5.95 Rabo de buey al pastor con lí¡minas de pií±a Ox tail marinated in spices with shaved pineapple, onions and cilantro $7.95 The Ox tail was the preferred of the two. Very flavorful. Three CEVICHES Cí³ctel de camarí³n y jaiba* Traditional shrimp and crab cocktail with tomato sauce, red onion, avocado and "˜totopos' $9.50 Ceviche de salmí³n con maracuyí¡ y epazote* Salmon ceviche with passion fruit dressing and epazote oil $6.95 Ceviche de cayo de hacha con naranja agria* Scallop ceviche with citrus-roe dressing, jicama, orange, guajillo oil and chile piquí­n $7.95 Hands-down the shrimp and crab ceviche was the favorite. The scallop ceviche is served on three shells and thus was a bit difficult to share amongst five people. The salmon was sent to us accidentally....but was enjoyed greatly by all. ANTOJITOS' FROM THE GARDEN Alabanuxtzotzil Native Tzotzil salad of pork rinds with serrano chile, tomato, onion and radish $4.95 Ensalada de palmitos Hearts of palm, orange, radish and avocado with tamarind dressing $5.95 Enmoladas al queso fresco de Chiapas con cebollitas Cambray y rabanitos Mole enchiladas with fresh cheese from Chiapas, Cambray onions and radish $4.95 Gorditas de hojas de aguacate rellenas con queso Oaxaca y guacamole Masa puffs seasoned with avocado leaves and stuffed with guacamole $6.95 Of these four "from the garden", the group was most impressed with the masa puffs and the hearts of palm salad. The mole enchilada was disappointing with the mole overwhelming the tortillas and the seeming lack of cheese. The pork rinds received mixed reviews with some comments that the rinds themselves were too tough. MEAT "˜ANTOJITOS' Conejo con huitlacoche y maí­z Braised rabbit with huitlacoche sauce and fresh corn $6.95 There was also a special steak antojito that was terrific. It was cooked rare (as requested) and very well flavored. The rabbit was quite good, despite some of group being a bit squeemish about dining on flopsy, mopsy or cotton-tail. For dessert we had: Mole Poblano caliente de crema de chocolate con helado de vainilla Warm Chocolate cake with mole crema, spiced hot chocolate and vanilla ice cream $ 6.95 Cajeta tradicional y moderna Goat milk Cajeta with crumbled shortbread, cinnamon and mango $ 6.95 Café de Olla Milk Chocolate Flan with espresso, piloncillo and spice $ 6.95 The Cajeta had some passionflower sorbet which made me incredibly sorry I hadn't just ordered that instead. The Chocolate cake was decadent and the serving dish was licked clean. The flan was lovely but a bit over-powered by the anise flavored ice cream which accompanied it. Two at the table had coffee but complained that the pitchers it was served in do not keep the coffee hot enough. Also, one of the coffee cups (a glass mug held together by a metal, detachable handle) basically fell apart on one of our party and caused coffee to be spilled all over the table. Our engaged and knowledgeable server indicated that they are in the process of correcting both the mug and pitcher problems. A good experience in total, but I'm not sure I'll be rushing back when Jaleo, which I much prefer, is right next door.