erikv

Picked up some monkfish last night, but when I got home I realized that I have no idea how to cook it. Does anyone have any good recipes to recommend? Thanks

Cannot wait! Is it wrong that I get sad when I walk by RTS? Maybe I need a new hobby other than coveting the food of Michael and Michael

Bring back the Gold Rush Sandwhich!

Roy's on River Rd (by Talbert's) provided many a memory in High School...

I vote for the sunny and 80 degree day

Went to Tabaq on Saturday night for dinner with a few friends. The table on the rooftop provided a great view of DC, and made for an intimate setting...however, it was almost impossible to read the menu without holding it directly above the candles on the table. Yes, the drinks were expensive, but they offered some more unusual cocktail selections, which were nice to try out. (on a side note, plates of empty glasses by the bar must have broken very loudly all over the floor at least three times throughout the night. Once is a mistake, but 3 times!!)

Either our table all really really enjoyed the bread with basil olive oil dipping sauce, or we were starving; not quite sure since we had to sit for a while (around 20min) before having our orders taken. 3 of us all shared various tapas plates (shrimp, eggplant wrap, and a few other forgettable ones) that all more or less had the same temperature and texture. One of my friends ordered the kabab entree and loved it. It was also a very generous portion, so he offered some tastes to the rest of us. The kebab entree was by far the highlight of the night (other than the setting of the meal).

Would I go there again? Eventually. Anytime soon? Not likely. Overall impression? Average food meets "club" setting/vibe.

I believe Michael might serve the plastic deer in the window as the "mystery meat".....but it will be delicious

Regarding strange ingredients, see how some of the favorites are mixed and marketed in Prepared Foods Magazine.  Seriously scary stuff.

Wow, not so good stuff to be eating/drinking. Thanks for the enlightening link

Does anyone know if the Brickskellar is currently well-stocked? Or am I better off going to Pizzaria Paradiso to get some good drafts (would like to avoid RFD this weekend due to the bball, etc)?

The point is that occasionally they might mention that they need a table back in 90 minutes, particulary for a 6:00 reservation when the restaurant if full the rest of the evening, but there is no enforcement mechanism that anyone has been able to identify.  I'm on Landrum's side on this.

I completely agree. I have never felt rushed by Michael or anyone else at RTS. In my experience I have been able to enjoy the wine, food, and the company at my table at a leisurely pace (even when being told before sitting at a 6pm slot that I would have to make room by 7ish). He is definately doing the best he can with the situation.

I took my parents to Ray's last night for their first time there and we all had a wonderful experience! I can't remember the last time they even ate red meat, but they both commented on how flavorful, perfectly cooked, and glad they were that they ordered the hanger steak. I have been trying to introduce my parents to good places to eat for the past few years, and they said that the service, hospitality, and food at RTS really surprised them (I think they were a bit skeptical regarding the decor at first, but they quickly got over it). Both didn't leave a single scrap on their plates. I on the other hand brought home a good chunk of my delicious house ribeye (any recommendations on reheating it for tonight?).

I won't be able to attend the Mystery dinner (unless about 40 people decide not to go ), but I look forward to hearing all about it from everyone. Have a great time!

I stopped into the District Chophouse for a post-hockey beer this week, and I'm aghast that I'd never been there before. I didn't realize they brewed their own beer, and the menu looks to be good steakhouse fare at a much lower cost than most steakhouses.

But all I had the chance to try was beer.* Who's been in to eat? I'm thinking of taking dad there next week when he's in town. Advisable? Recommendations?
*The bourbon stout was very interesting, but two of us thought it got pretty tired and overwhelming about a half pint in. The ale was terrific, and there are a lot of other interesting brews I'm interested in trying.

In my experience the beer has vastly outperformed the food (their mashed potatoes being an exception)

The new waiting list:

62 mhberk (2) 5:30

18 johnb (1) 5:30

52 Xochitl10 (2) *5:30 8:00

58 nashman1975 (2) *5:30 8:00

12 jparrott (1) 5:30 *8:00

49 dcpolicywonk (2) 5:30 8:00

29 Demetrius (2) 5:30 8:00

56 lizzie (2) 5:30 8:00

34 Barbara (2) 5:30 *8:00

28 hannah (2) 5:30 8:00

38 mtpleasanteater (2) 5:30 8:00

21 cooter (2) *5:30 8:00

8 DanielK (1) 5:30 8:00

45 MBK (2) 5:30 *8:00

3 ustreetguy (1) 5:30 *8:00

26 Erikv (2) 5:30 8:00

If you are in the top three-four and cannot join us let me know asap please?  Otherwise hang in there, you never know what may happen.

So you're telling me there's a chance? Have a good time everyone

If you're OK with not using the whole $$ allotment, I bet you could have a grand and festive old time in the private room at Dino, which holds 20. Diverse menu and plenty of courses to try out. And wine. So much wine.

My first instinct was also Corduroy but depending on how loud you get, the other diners might get all evil-eye on you.

Can someone who's been to Rasika chime in with whether it's appropriate? Or maybe Ceiba, Acadiana, something in the Tunks empire?

I appreciate everyone's advice! I am compiling a list of potential places and will then get feedback from co-workers to help narrow things down a bit. I think I am going to steer clear from Rasika, Ceiba, Acadiana, or anything that might have too much emphasis on spice to the palates of some of my co-workers.

Hoegaarden's been increasingly available in the US over the last 10 years or so, in this area it's pretty common for places to get the tap package with Stella, Hoegaarden, and Leffe (all owned by Interbrew).

You might also like the pretty widely available Allagash White, other less common ones worth seeking out are Vuuve, Blanc de Bruges, Wittekerke, and Dentergem (which was briefly on tap at Saint-Ex last year).

Love Allagash White, thanks for the other recs, I will definately keep an eye out for them.

Does anyone know if Hoegaarden was bought out by another company? It seems that it is now becoming more available (not that I'm complaining about that) and I was wondering what it might be attributable to?

Additionally, any other Belgian White Ale recommendations would be welcomed...

What I want to know is why was this even allowed to make it to the chat?!  I think it is rather irresponsible and provides nothing of value.

How does such an irresponsible and ungrateful person even have friends who would trust and like him/her enough to invite them to a soft opening....or anything else for that matter....yikes

I'm just waiting for Michael to announce the 10:30pm seating...

Sounds good to me...or any other time of the day or night....seriously

Are you kidding?  Someone posts on DR for a nice dinner at $200 a person and you recommend Fogo de Chao?  Especially since they need veggie and pasta options. 

Citronelle has private rooms of multiple sizes which could accomodate your group.  The menu easily accomodates your needs.

Corduroy has great food and would probably prepare a special tasting menu for your group.  The menu itself is fabulous and suits your needs.

I haven't been but people rave about Eve on this board and again the menu should accomodate your requests.  It is in Old Town so a bit of a different geography than in DC. 

Overall when I am planning events as you have been asked to do, I look for consistent food and service.  I don't think you can go wrong with Citronelle, Eve or Corduroy. 

Let us know where you choose.

I wish it were entirely up to me, but I am going to ask for feedback from my team and try to do things democratically....But I'll let everyone know where we decide.

Hi,

  I'm going to an office lunch at Daily Grill 18th st.  What's good there?

Best,

Ed

They make great screwdrivers, but perhaps that wouldn't go over too well for an office lunch

Here are the final results.  I'm sorry everyone couldn't get in 

26 Erikv (2) 5:30 8:00

I guess someone had to come in last Have a good time everyone!

Location?  And you've gotta give us a little bit of a price view--there's a big gap between Oyamel and Vidalia...

The consensus seems to be that people want to celebrate with "a night on the town" in either DC or Old Town. While the date has not been set, we anticipate trying to go on a Friday or Saturday within the next 6 weeks (once we can coordinate everyone's schedule). There are no special needs of anyone in the party other than wanting to be able to select between fish/meat and possibly pasta. We have a budget of around 4k for the night, so that comes out to around $222/person. Ideally, I'd like to stay perhaps a tad under this range while finding a place with excellent food that has an atmosphere that isn't too "stuffy" where my team can celebrate (ie: be possibly slightly overserved and loud at times).

Thanks

I have been put in charge to find a place to take 9 co-workers (plus dates, 18 total). Price isn't too much of an issue, but having a diverse menu would be important. I apologize if this isn't the correct venue for this post, but I know I would get some great recommendations here. Thanks!

I'm going to have to disagree with Porcupine here.  Last year, for the first time ever, I attempted to grow herbs on my balcony and was successful.  I picked up a container with organic herbs already started for me.  The flower vender at Dupont on the north end sells them.  I grew two types of basil, parsley and oregano.  The purple basil didn't last very long but the rest of the plants flurished into the fall. 

My trick was to put it in the corner where the last of the sunlight will linger.  I have a brown thumb and usually kill everything  I try to grow.  Even with the lack of attention, forgetting to water, and anything else I could have done wrong those things did their damndest to grow

Thanks! I have the brown thumb disease as well, but think I will follow your advice and stop by that flower vendor and copy you.

Does anyone have recommendations for starting a small herb garden on the balcony of an apartment building? It will likely only get a few hours of direct sunlight per day. Thanks!

I am by no means a wing afficionado, but the one's served at Hooter's are pretty good. I'm sorry I know this. Even sorrier I shared. 

I respectfully disagree and think that the wings there are the worst I've ever had. They're practically fried mini-drumsticks oozing with oil. That being said, I've rarely come across a place with even decent wings in DC....

Best wings I've ever had were at Quaker Steak (which I believe is unfortunately a Western PA and Ohio chain)