Jonathan

my favorite meal EVER... fettucinni alfredo. enjoyed in the company of 6 other people, at 12000' elevation at about 35 degrees in the pitch dark in the sierra nevada. we had just hiked 16 miles with 70 lb. packs from 4:30 am till about 5 or 6 at night over the highest pass in the whole sierra nevada range. the food was hot, full of fat, and tasted amazing. the company was good, the conversation perfect. in another setting, another mood, it wouldnt have been the same. but it truly was the best meal of my life.

I cook for a living, I talk about food around my friends and my family all the time, and I cook on my free time. but I have to say, nothing kills a nice meal, out or in, with people you truly care about, than being over critical or over intellectual about the food. i save those conversations for days after the meal, or keep them to myself. Eating is something that incorporates all the senses, but we would be foolish to think it doesnt include expectations, environment, mood etc...maybe this is for another thread....but the people that annoy me the most are the ones that ruin a perfectly good meal with good people by picking apart the food, the wine, the decor, etc..."oh, i'd give this a 22 out of 30, the risotto was a bit dry...." just makes me want to respond, "i'd give my company a 15 out of 30, they're a little judgmental for my taste..."

i go to sette on occassion, after getting off of work late on friday or saturday nights. you can usually only order pizza, but its pretty good, especially after a long day, and considering the limited options around. in fact,the last time i went, i ordered the pizza that has an ungodly mound of arucula on it, just to see what it was like, because it just looked so strange to me, and honestly, it was delicious.

the pho 75 in arlington (next to some obscure steak joint named Rays) is the best I've had so far....the one in cleveland park, pho 79 is dreadfiul for pho, but for other stuff is ok. nother vietnamese soup that is a must try is the shrimp and tamariond soup with tomatoes and pineapples....it is a delicious sweet and sour soup.