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To quote the non-Oscar award-winning movie, Elf... "I'm in love! I'm in love, and I don't care who knows it!!!" -- (Will Ferrell in tights) So glad to have Peregrine in the neighborhood. Light, airy, free wi-fi and general happiness. Great coffee to boot. I drank a lot of mediocre coffee in the hood while awaiting Peregrine's re-opening. A ranking of Peregrine-alternatives (Peregrine taking over the top spot upon opening, of course) 1. Marvelous Market - friendly service and a nice frothy whip. 2. Dunkin' - who doesn't love the DD, but I feel generally non-plussed about seeing Rachael Ray's enlarged face before noon. Or ever. Also, an extra 1.5 blocks to walk from the Market. 3. Port Java Cafe - too much of a cardboard box feel and they don't allow wi-fi on weekends. What's the point. 4. the coffee at the bakery inside Eastern Market is nothing more than dark brown liquid acting as a means of getting caffeine into the system. I opted for the sweet tea at the bakery or at Market Lunch to awaken the senses. 5. bread and chocolate - I've boycotted it since 2005 so i couldn't tell you. but this list is unnecessary now that salvation has returned. Welcome back, Kotter! We're glad to have you.

All month long, Addie's is featuring half-priced wine at lunch and dinner. That means EVERY DAY in September. (Available for half and full bottles). Go visit Chef Arra, sit on the porch and enjoy.

Cork on Friday night -- a juicy French glass or three from Bin 28 (Domaine la Manarine - Cote du Rhone) with the chicken liver pate w/shallot marmalade - I could devour this morning, noon and night. Mesclun salad was a refreshing complement to a trio of cheeses, moist lamb w/pomegranate, brilliant fries w/homemade sweet & spicy ketchup (love the lemon/parsley/garlic zest) and smooth and creamyt Goat Cheesecake perfectly fit for the three people. Kudos to our server for being new and having a solid understanding of the wine list from experience. Still crowded there, but every seat is a good one and service isn't slowed because of the crowds.

PSA: Let there be Brunch. Westend is now open for Saturday lunch and Sunday Brunch, which includes Lamb, Potato, Artichoke Hash in a baked egg casserole; Stuffed French Toast with roasted apple & mascarpone and a Croque Madame with truffle essences among other a la carte brunch items. 11:30AM to 2:30PM.

I finally sat down for dinner at Central - a much over do experience. Therefore, my first-time companion and I ordered "Central 101" - gougeres, lobster burger, short ribs w/garlic mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese and the Kit Kat bar. Not that my comments will vary so much from most, but. - Gougeres hardly compare to my mom's cheese straws - a staple at every event thrown in my family. - off the bone medallions of beef short ribs were tender, PERFECT with smoky seasoning. Curiously, I was not alone in my peculiar notion that one of the flavors in my short ribs reminded of the scent of marijuana. (Maybe that's why the Kit Kat Bar was so eagerly devoured by both of us). - Macaroni and Cheese and Lobster Burger were met with overwhelming raves, but the french fries were left on the plate. Not great (I've had Cork and Marvin's french fries this week, so I am biased as they're two of the cities' best. ) Our service was just right. Friendly, not too intrusive, great timing. My only gripe was the atmosphere. It seemed the coat check was either full or not an option (we were not asked, so our winter coats hung on the backs of our chairs). The dining room and front lounge looked like a ski lodge cafeteria - coats, hats and scarves everywhere, dripping off chairs, stuffed above the wall booths. It made the dining room look cluttered. Took away from my "ooh la la Michel Richard" expectations. I read the comment about the hairplugged William Shatner types and laughed out loud. My date and I noticed the crowd was either massive groups of post-graduate women or "hairplug Shatners." Not that there's anything wrong with that. Very amusing, though. Of course I'll be back to try more of your recommendations. Perhaps in the spring when coats aren't so intrusive.

I dare say that Cork's fries are the best fries in the city. I was surprised how much I enjoyed the fries' lemon zest flavoring (a mix of garlic, parsley and lemon, i'm told.) Just heavenly. The Chicken Liver Bruscetta - with a caramelized shallot side sweetly cut the marrow-ish flavor of the chicken livers. The distinct creamy bacon flavor in the Celeriac salad hit the spot, too. I can't wait to go back and try more.

Malia was, for a brief time, a refreshing person to meet. I went to The Source (upstairs) witha gaggle of girlfriends who admittedly weren't wine experts, but anxious to learn. Mali was not only helpful but patient, unpretentious and let us try a variety of suggested pairings for our meals. She made everyone at the table feel so comfortable. My friends came away discussing wine, how they'd come back to The Source merely for her guidance/camaraderie. The duckling helped, too. She is a gem who will be missed.

As a native, I highly recommend/second the nod for Steinhilber's. Quintessential family restaurant, but in the middle of the Thalia Acres neighborhood, so mapquest ahead of time. OneFish TwoFish is a fantastic recommendation. Norfolk is experiencing a culinary boom - but it's a hike from the Oceanfront (15-20 minutes). Should you decide to head that way, Todd Jurich's Bistro or better yet the Vintage Kitchen are brilliant choices.

1. take a culinary roadtrip/vacation (place based on restaurants) 2. I second the 20 year-old bourbon - a tour of the Maker's distillery to boot is in order. 3. regularly buy SOL produce/products 4. learn to use my knives like a pro 5. Host a mini-Oyster riot for friends. Get shuckin'! 6. Create a signature sauce/marinade for summer grilling 7. Keep a wine journal with labels. 8. Dine for pleasure...not (just) for work. Speaking of dining for pleasure...In 2007, I enjoyed "first time" dining from coast to coast - my Top 7 restaurants: (in no specific order): - Minibar (DC) - Bistro Maison - McMinnville, OR - Robin's - Cambria, CA - Vintage Kitchen - Norfolk, VA - The Source (DC) - House of Nanking - San Francisco, CA - The Edgewater Inn - Seattle, WA I was very lucky to work with some delicious local restaurants, dining frequently at the Occidental, Westend Bistro and BlackSalt among others... 2007 was good to my belly. Perhaps my 9th resolution should involve exercise of some sort. Happy New Year - may it be a delicious year for all of you.

Yes, the roasted duckling dish is one of the largest entrees I've enjoyed in 9 years of Washington (non-chain) dining. I'm a big fan of The Source's sommelier, bar menu and upbeat vibe, although I've noted to friends that it would be a very cold and corporate room if the lighting were brighter. The "filled with tourists" notion is a curious one. Pennsylvania Avenue is now armed with noteworthy dining from The Source to Occidental, but not many people consider that strip their "neighborhood;" It's a destination. Name recognition, location and ease of valet lends The Source to a tourist and regional/suburban crowd. Is that necessarily a bad thing? They will sustain Penn Ave restaurants' success as their novelty fades, especially as so many neighborhood places like Kemble Park, Veritas and Locanda open.

I love Restaurant Eve's fireplace - and Iron Gate Inn is a classic. The new Tasting Room at BlackSalt has a very cozy banquette right next to a stretched out fireplace.

Westend Bistro by Eric Ripert is opening Thursday, November 8 for dinner service.

That's the spirit, Wine Guy. Please note that Westend Bistro by Eric Ripert - a casual American bistro - will officially open for dinner on Thursday, November 1. And, yes, chances are very good to see the man himself in the kitchen. www.WestendBistroDC.com. I'm so intrigued by the Fabio in Falls Church lead...

Phew - I was surprised to read the first few entries when i saw the header tonight. So quick to judge - funny & entertaining, but v unlike most posts on this site. I've been consulting for Vapiano since February (event planning and translating/creating U.S. materials) and Don, if its okay, I'd love to provide an update... 1. Now available-- www.vapiano.com for menus, testimonials and background...in english. They read this very site for tips on how they should design their website. (thank you!) No crazy flash, menus on .pdf. quick to load. You can look it up on YouTube, too. I finally entered the 21st century and used YouTube. I leave myspace to the younger LRAers, though. 2. C'mon now - what happened to "don't knock it til you try it?" - the tuna-based pasta dish has an olive oil base, fresh dill and vegetables and while not an everyday recipe for Americans, tastes mahhhvelous, dahhhling. we did a mega-tasting as you can imagine - personal likes were pizza with proscuitto and figs and pasta with lime butter & mint. Something new, fresh, different. It's your tongue, though, right? 3. When a new concept popular in Europe ventures to the States, its impossible to foresee how it will succeed as our cultures differ on so many levels - your feedback about the food and the chipcard process will help them translate the concept here in the best way. So bring it on! Since the VIP party and opening on Thurs., I've received dozens of encouraging/postiive emails (almost a hundred) from press, residents, neighbors, et al. The late night eating (til midnight) is extremely attractive to the neighborhood thus far. And yes, if it must be compared to another concept, Wagamama is probably closest to the mark. Le Madeleine (its been since '99 for me) doesn't carry the same modern vibe and Mitsitam is more cafeteria-esque than Vapiano (but i agree the irfood is superior to most museum dining). And yes, Vapiano is opening at 18th and M in just a few weeks - Memorial Day at the very latest. If you're curious and live/work in the area, send me your (street) address and I'll send you an invite to the DC vip pre-opening. RSVP is required. carrie@lindarothpr.com My intention here is not to shamelessly promote, but to respond to some of the doubts posted here before it opened. All's fair in love and dining - perhaps that's more catchy than true. Thanks for the time. and p.s. german lesson of the day -- it will suck can best be said "Es saugt" tschus!

bullet bourbon and branch, slight squeeze of fresh lime juice, on the rocks. 63 degrees and sunny = a bourbon afternoon in the backyard. should have made cucumber sandwiches. ha. attended a tasting on friday (not related to F&W festival) and kept coming back to Profile bordeaux vareital by Merryvale (Napa) - i'm hooked. delish.

welll....talking outloud -- Jeff and barbara black, one of my favorite couples in the business, just sunk a bunch of money into Black's Bar and Kitchen...and Passion Hospitality (DC Coast...) did the same for Acadiana. Maestro has the luxury of being financially backed by an amazing hotel group...which isn't why it thrives, but why it exists. With Michel, Cathal and Robert Wiedmaier expanding...up and comers like Barton Seaver and Michael Babin's crew...I'm hopeful for the independent operator. it depends on who has the dollars... I personally worry about the public's tastebuds being mentally oversalted by chains Granted, we opened 3 Krispy Kreme stores in DC (c'mon, who doesn't love an original glazed!?) and we're going to aid in the opening of Il Fornaio later this year (a v small company - this is their first east coast expansion). They have their place - and I think in such a transient city, regional/national brands are a source of comfort for newcomers. ...but if the rise in chains stumps the public's taste for culinary adventure - well that would be a crazy shame. I think the hope lies in the growing culture of foodies and an interest in cuisine, et al. Boards like this, blogs like Metrocurean, Best Bites, The List, allowing chefs on radio shows and morning TV shows (which is growing more popular despite the conglomeration of radio)...i've heard that Food Network is the new MTV for Generation...um...whoever watches MTV now - high schoolers? Great restaurants are popping up in Tidewater, Richmond, Eastern Shore, etc...these are good signs! But i don't know what's going to get one person to give up Outback for Ray's, or Olive Garden (ew) for Al Crostino...or to get the readers polls to support more independents than chains (albeit that's a numbers game). It's why brands that are new to the area hire us. To ensure that people hear about them! But in a cluttered city, it's still a challenge. Like all things, learning begins at home! in other news, right on the mark with Mon Ami in Reston. will keep you updated on the rest. Thanks for reading...Cheers.

ha - thanks much. just you wait - i'll look into those shoe shining, dry cleaning, errand boy-esque services...now if there was a restaurant that offered that (metropolitan club anyone?), well i'd probably ask for order-in delivery service. and a massage therapist. sorry got lost in a daydream for a second. Appreciate the feedback. on a sidenote, i didn't realize until today how difficult is to name a restaurant. unless you have children with fantastic names, of course, i find it quite a challenge. I consulted on a 'naming/branding brainstorm' today and after 2 hours and 150+ ideas, my brain never turned off. I knew we were hitting the giddy point when "Relaxation Without Representation" and "The Freudian Slip" sounded good to us...nonetheless, if you ever need a couple of silly creative naming bandits, just holler. And now i want to open a 9-hole luxury mini-golf bar and bistro named PAR...rooftop. 21+; half-enclosed. premium liquor signature drinks and a glorious american bistro menu. tables throughout but anyone can play through. Venture Capitolists, are you listening? Think Tiger is still in town? Have a good one.

Monmarte and Bistro d'Oc. two of my absolute favorites. Cozy French Food with authentic service and delicious food. not too extravagant, but perfectly presented. I never hear enough about Tune Inn. I think we should start a Tune Inn haiku post. I'll think a couple up in my spare time...

Let it snow! I'm working with two clients that offer lunchtime Valet - Morton's in Reston and the Occidental Restaurant at 1475 Penn Ave. NW. Do you know of other restaurants in the area that provide this service? I am trying to figure out how typical this practice is in the greater Washington area...and if its a worthwhile practice? Thanks for your input. Carrie

And to follow up Danielle's post, Il Mulino New York will open for LUNCH on Monday, March 19. Smaller then the dinner menu, the lunch menu will be available soon. We will let you know. Cheers, Carrie

(unsure about my signature? it should show up on this response - this has nothing to do with my work, though.) Ooh, i had no idea about the egullet thread -- I can't wait to read it. I am so amused by the topic. (perhaps i should trademark the word - ha) I've already received some PRICELESS stories. This should be fun. (and a compilation, definitely. i shouldn't let on as to how many of the stories are from my own experiences.) Dean, that story is a riot - and unbelievable. I guess the overriding dealbreaker is "unexpected orgies" - wow. Scares me that people like that even exist.

In March, I am launching a blog for your amusement, my amusement and hopefully for many others...and could use your help. What's the premise, you ask? Simply...I like good food. I like dining out. I like eating in general. I also like to date - I have dated fairly steadily for 15 years and running... But sometimes when these two universal practices - eating and dating - coincide, one's quirks and behavior can surprise the other. or disgust. or absolutely outrage! ...hence the evolution of the MEALBREAKER. and my blog...(drum roll please) MEALBREAKERS.com: A compliation of meal-related dating "dealbreakers" - that peculiar thing that turns you off from another person - taken from personal experience, tales from friends (male & female!) and 3rd party observations. The point: none. The effect: hopefully laughter. Someone may learn something, too? Start flossing more regularly? who knows. The content: Each post will list a MEALBREAKER, whether its simply "eating with your mouth full" or "considering Olive Garden gourmet"...followed by a real person's brief vignette of why its a mealbreaker (why it drives you nuts) - or simply a time when you saw it happen. No names will be used, just initials (i.e. C., Washington, DC) unless clever nicknames (i.e. Flossing in Boston or EscarGO Get Some Manners) are provided. Why do i need your help? Because YOU love food - or you wouldn't be here - which means you probably have a mealbreaker. OR you're a server, a restaurant owner, a cook in the back, a maitre d' in the front, an eavesdropping diner who has observed dating behavior at the dinner table that you find odd, peculiar or downright ridiculous. Content will be edited to keep cruelty to a minimum. True, it doesn't have to be nice to be funny, but I'm not here to judge or offer my opinion on your mealbreaker. The collaboration will be funny in itself! I will collect a number of mealbreaker/vignettes before I publish the site. Therefore, if I've sparked your memory or a mealbreaker crosses your path in the future, please share your story with me at clfoster75@yahoo.com with the title "DR.Com - MEALBREAKER" Please do not post your responses to this Topic Item - I will share the link when I publish! Thank you! Cheers, Carrie p.s. my mealbreakers include - licking fingers when eating movie popcorn and then diving back for more; being rude or condescending to waiters (universal, yes?); and being taken to Chi-Chis, even with a group - luckily it hasn't happened since 10th grade. Ay yay yay, that dirty sombrero!

Bread and Chocolate on the Hill? i live near there and wonder how, why, who would ever go there. (yet it's always packed) I challenge you to walk past B&C to either Murky (great coffee and seating!) or a bench at Eastern Market while you graze on the 100s of fresh morsels available there, especially the blueberry buckwheat pancakes. I wish they'd take out B&C and expand montmarte to the corner. Then again, if every restaurant on the Hill could just be montmarte, I'd be in french paradise.

You've all proven yourselves as brilliantly descriptive writers and admirers of food, wine and the industry. If you've ever thought about getting out of the kitchen, touting the industry to the press and the public...perhaps its your lucky moment. I'm looking for a PR manager - someone with respect and knowledge of the Washington-area hospitality industry, and the VERVE and passion to ignite BUZZ among fellow Washingtonians. Linda Roth Associates, LLC is seeking a “Publicist & Manager” position for our boutique, high-energy public relations & marketing agency specializing in the hospitality industry in the greater Washington, DC market. Total account management: media relations, promotions, marketing strategy, event coordination. Ideal candidate will be comfortable and excited about media/public interaction – and moreover will be creative, well-spoken, resourceful and fearless in every situation! The Publicist & Manager position offers vast responsibility and autonomy for an enthusiastic and pro-active candidate who likes a challenge, loves to brainstorm and wants to grow as a mentor and team player. At least 3 to 4 years of PR agency or hospitality experience preferred - concise & creative writing skills a must - alternate experience backed by passion for the industry/area will be considered, too. Salary commensurate with experience. Health/dental package & 401K, distinctive office space and a vibrant variety of day-to-day opportunities! Let your friends and colleagues know! Send cover letter, resume and writing sample to: Carrie Foster, Publicist & Vice President, Linda Roth Associates, LLC, Reagan National Airport, Hangar 11, Room 204, Washington, DC 20001; 703.417.2705; 703.417.2707 (fax); carrie@lindarothpr.com. For more information on Linda Roth Associates, LLC, and current cast, clients and NEWS, visit www.lindarothpr.com.

My quick favorites from last week were all things carpaccio (fish and beef) and the osso bucco - tender, moist, elegant atop saffron rice - and a grand ending of Lemon Profiteroles with Port. MAGNIFICO!