erikv

Is the Lickety Split lunch offered on the weekends?

I believe it is only offered during the week...

Picked up the MINT chocolate chip gelato. It punches you in the face with an almost overpowering sensation of fresh mint leaves, and then lets you recover with some small fragmented chocolate chips. Definatey a must for any mint fans!

I would love any recommendations to help make my honeymoon a relaxing, foodie vacation. I've got until next June to plan it, and we are trying to avoid Europe and are currently thinking of Belize or Costa Rica, but would welcome any other suggestions. Thanks!

I once went to the Applebees next to the State Theatre in Falls Church....We hoped to have a couple beers and some appetizers prior to a concert We placed an initial orderfor a round of beers and some wings, then our "waiter" disappeared (along with any other staff). After admiring the stylish decor for over 20minutes we decided to leave. Maybe the curbside pickup is the way to eat good in the neighborhood....

Bistro at Restaurant Eve or the bar at Citronelle or Palena...not too creative as suggestions, but definately delicious

I'm (fiancee-willing) heading to Ray's this week (it'll be my fourth time). I'm thinking about trying something new. I've already had the scallops, bisque, and the house special. My desserts have always been chocolate in nature. I prefer that my steaks offer something in addition to the actual steak (as with the special - blue cheese and the sauce).

I think based on what I've heard I'd be a fool not to try the key lime (despite not being a super fan).

Aside from that, anyone have any recommendations for what my next step should be?

Chateaubriand or Steak Salad would get my vote. But then again, so would just about the entire menu. Cajun Ribeye? Au Poivre? I could go on for a while....enjoy

Brew on Premises is a great alternative/addendum to home brewing and one I used to take advantage of frequently when I lived in New York. Unfortunately, I ditched my 5 cases of 22-ounce bottles when I moved here, so if I did this again I'd be starting from scratch. Usually I'd get together with 4 other guys/girls and we'd each choose a recipe to make, and then evenly swap our cases so we all had 5 different beers.

I have Brewed a batch there and it was terrific. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is remotely interested in beer and looking for something new and fun to do!

beware... it is no ordinary salad

Um, that is not a normal salad. No that is a salad on steroids. It shouldn't be called a salad. It should be called a devilly delicious treat of a salad. First, the steak is really good. The mushrooms and onions along with the blue cheese on top of the salad make for an excellent combination.

The service is great. I can't wait to go back. Looking forward to scallops and scampi.

OH and how do people have room for dessert???????

This is not your average wimpy salad with 3 strips of scraps on top, no, this salad is a delicious beast that will mock those who think they can get away with eating a lighter meal. I walked out of Ray's in disbelief that I could not finish a salad...it may have won the battle, but the war is just beginning...

Does anyone have any ceviche recipes to share? I would love to prepare some for an upcoming dinner party, but have no good recipes at home. Thanks!

Woahh Erikv, you're talking big leagues now.

I recently signed up for Arrowine's email list and bought the cheapest Bordeaux futures they offered to help me get started. Or do you feel it is more risky to do so for a novice?

Are there any resources online where I can get wine futures? Thanks

I think its great that you two waited until after your engagement to start dining together. That shows real commitment.

Well, I did have plenty of meals with her when she was my girlfriend.

My first meal with my fiance took place tonight at Ray's (we were too excited to eat after getting engaged last night and opted for a champagne meal instead) and it went fantastic as usual. I had the Buffalo Mozzerella salad for the first time and must say that I have been missing out for quite a while. The mozerella was delecious and proved to be perfectly balanced for my tastes with the dressing greens, and tomatoes. My fiance started with her usual bowl of the crab bisque and it didn't disappoint. I followed my salad with a 2nd glass of the new Malbec on the menu, which paired perfectly with the cajun ribeye. In terms of heat/spice/sweetness, the cajun seasoning was much more subtle than the diablo. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love the diablo sauce, but tonight the subliminal seasoning hit the spot. Delicious. Luckily for me, my fiance was called by a best friend and had to leave the restaurant to spread the good news of our engagement and I finished her remaining bits and pieces of the Shrimp Scampi and scallops(with her permission). Wonderful!

Michael, a thousand thanks to your great hospitality, you do too much! (fyi, my fiance passed on the wine at dinner since she had been drinking a bit too much over the weekend at her sister's graduation...that whole topic is several years away, but good joking nonetheless!) Thank you!

It makes me sad that this conversation has to even occur.  The fact that Michael has to ask people to be nice when they come to his restaurant is a sad commentary on what our society has become.

As for the computers, I like that he doesn't use them.  When you go to Ray's, you go with the understanding that you will get a simply prepared but excellent meal in an environment where food is the focus. 

Just my two cents.

Ditto. Well said.

As for any signs, I'd say try to keep it simple if using one. Try and get it down to the essence of any message. "Please be kind," "Rude People Not Welcome," "I will wave my private parts at your Aunty if you are not civil," "Set a Good Example for Your Children," "Patience is Appreicated," yada yada yada....whatever works for you and the general message you'd like to convey.

Has anyone else noticed that DC area residents seem to have becoming somehow increasingly more rude over the last several years, or am I just realizing it more as I age?

Alert

Chateaubriand for Two with Fresh Brocolli, Saute`ed Champignons and Red Onions Grille` and Choice of Sauce

Wow. Why have I never had Chateaubriand before?! Un-friggin-believable, to the point of erasing all concerns from my mind (except the dimminishing portions on my plate). Usually I get a bit of a food high/buzz after eating at Ray's, but tonight's meal was so delecious that my glowing/ecstatic sensation of glutton glory was taken into a new league. I now know what I will ask for if I were to ever need to order a last meal.

I am very new to "getting into" wine and was wondering if any good websites exist to order from?

I am not looking to spend a ton, and have been particularly fond of Malbecs lately.

Thanks

Whitlow's on Wilson has a Bloody Mary Bar.  My favorite is at Ragtime in Courthouse Sat/Sun - pickled green beans and a ton of other terrific fixings.

I second Ragtime, they also have a killer breakfast burrito

What was lost in Tom's chat and the resulting discussion of prices is how ridiculously hard Cathal works to provide astonishing value in all of his offerings--so far beyond what a lesser chef and person of lesser character with some degree of hype and trumped-up success to his name would ever even bother to do.  An example to us all, and a true lagniappe considering the excellence of his work which makes such value unnecessary.

Ignorance reveals itself most when confronted with real quality.

Agreed 100%. I've yet to had the opportunity to go to the tasting room, but saying the Lickety Split Lunch is a steal doesn't do justice. If the same quality, service, and atmosphere are applied to the Tasting Room the poster to Tom's chat should serious look into some medication.

Frankly, Tom's chats seem to have deteriorated into a gripe fest and provide little value other than providing me a means to become flabergasted at how ignorant, selfish, and nitt-picky people can potentially behaive.

Sounds like a great idea

I'm debtaing trying Mendocino or Bistro Lepic tonight for a romantic dinner with my gf. I haven't been to either, but have heard great things about both, I would greatly appreicate any input to help make my indecisiveness less a factor. Thanks

Simply Amazing.

I am going to Rosa Mexicano with friends on Friday night for dinner and drinks.  I have tried the pomegranate margaritas on at least three occasions and have been consistently underwhelmed.  That ends Friday I hope.  Can anyone recommend any other specialty drinks at Rosa?  Are their regular margaritas any good? 

And while we're talking about margaritas, someone tell me where to find the best ones in town, please!

I totally agree that Rosa's margaritas are underwhelming, but A for effort.

I remember enjoying (way too many) frozen margaritas at Lauriol Plaza...my judgement might have been impaired though

Sadly I only got around to trying 2 of the 4 cocktails offered at the "Boom Boom Bar" - the 2 mentioned by Porcupine.  Anyone else try the others? 

A great event for a great cause!

I tried some sort of mint/chocolate/tequila with crushed chocolate covered pretzel drink that was surprisingly good, but not in the same league as the other cocktails mentioned.

The event was wonderfully planned, and judging by the high attendence, raised quite a bit of money for a terrific cause!

Did anyone actually pay the $20 to get into the oh-so-cool Indebleu Lounge last night?

Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou to porcupine (and mr. porcupine) for helping out at the TWG booth (and erikv for holding down the fort at the beginning as well).  A great time seemed to be had by all, and we poured out most all the wine we brought!  Yay!

I had fun holding down the fort! It was great to meet you, Porcupine(+1), and MelGold. I would highly recommend anyone to go again next year. The VIP ticket definately proved worthwhile since there was much more food and space compared to the somewhat cramped conditions later in the evening.

I left before the "iron chef" event was completed, who won?