Rieux

Thanks all for the ideas so far. I will definitely do some sort of grain salad (probably something from Jerusalem, Plenty, or River Cottage Veg). Leaning using the America's Test Kitchen Pork Butt recipe (on grill in the AM, then finished in oven and kept warm in crock pot) with potato rolls and BBQ sauce, served with pickles and close slaw, and baked beans (Thanks for the idea DC Deb). For the Vegetarians, I need to come up with another idea to go with the salad. Maybe stuffed onions? Spanish Tortilla and gazpacho? Still open to other ideas! Not headed to Costco until after the Mexico WC game!

All, I could use some help. I've got about 30 people coming for the 4th, and am trying to come up with something other than burgers and dogs to make. I'd like something that is all or mostly make ahead (if I'm doing some finishing touches during the party its O.K.) so, for once, I'm not chained to the grill. Mixed meat eaters and vegetarians. Pluses if I can get the main ingredients at Costco. I came up with the idea of a taco bar with a smoked or crock pot pork butt, some chicken, and tortillas, etc, but that seems contrary to the patriotic fourth spirit. Otherwise, I thought of pulled pork. Other ideas? No ribs. I'd like to hit Costco tomorrow afternoon, so quick replies really appreciated! Also ideas for sides

I had the best jerk chicken of my life last night at Scotchie's in Montego Bay Jamaica. It's like sitting outside at a friend's back yard, filled with locals. You order white or dark meat by the pound. It's really great with a smoky heat.

It would help to know the name and location of the place from the beginning. It's not worth it if the location is inconvenient (downtown can mean a lot of different things) and if I'm not a fan of the type of cuisine (i.e. I'm not a fan of, for example, sushi).

Chilequiles do not need to be a casserole. In Mexico you can get them where they are basically just corn chips tossed with your choice of green or red salsa, cotija cheese, cilantro, and maybe some cooked chicken or ham. They are basically a tossed "salad" of chips.

I was buying Roquefort today at the Harris Teeter on Kalorama in DC (my normal grocery store) and noticed that they had both Societe and Papillon brands now. Just FYI in case you happen to be near there.

I've posted this in another thread, but I have to share a little hole in the wall place: Machiavelli's Club (horrible name, great food). We visited it last year, as it was recommended by a Roman friend -- his friend, Mauro, owns the restaurant. Small - maybe 6 tables. Not too much in the way of decor or ambience, and in a strange location down an alley near the Victor Emmanuel park. But, the food and wine was among the best we had in two weeks in Italy. Mauro and the chef really care about the customers and the food, put together a nice menu, and have fair prices. Looking later, it seems this place is a hit on tripadvisor, but, as I said, we found out about it from a local. Edited to add link to tripadvisor, as the restuarant has no website: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187791-d1916453-Reviews-Machiavelli_s_Club-Rome_Lazio.html

Blue cheese is perhaps my favorite food in the world. I can't think of anything better than slices of baguette with a stinky roquefort on it.

That was fast. This was just announced on the Mt. P listserv. Could be interesting if done right. A new restaurant, called Goodall's Bistro, will be opening in Mt Pleasant. This eatery will take over the commercial spaces currently known as Tonic and Last Exit, at 3155 Mt Pleasant Street. Tonic and Last Exit will be closing in early June, giving way to this new venture in organic, locally sourced cuisine. We are hoping to open later this summer, with an estimated opening date in late August, or early September. Will Warren, who is the founder of Goodall's Bistro, has lived in Mt Pleasant for the last eight years, in a historic row house on Kilbourne Place. Having resided in the area for so long, he craved the kind of place where he could bring friends that had their own dietary interests, whether they be carnivores looking for a healthier meal, or a vegetarian / vegan that needed more than one option on a menu, or someone with a food sensitivity like gluten intolerance. Will wanted to create that *one* place where people could convene for a joint meal, and no one would feel like they had to sacrifice their own food preferences for an evening with their social group. With so many of Will's friends working at some of the most respected fine dining establishments in the city, and with several friends having even started their own restaurants, he became inspired to learn from the best, to create something wonderful in his own back yard. Knowing that so many of his neighbors in Mt Pleasant congregate at the Farmer's Market on Saturday mornings, he observed just how much this community appreciates locally sourced, ethically raised food products. From there, he started to connect the dots, that his own interest in healthier food preparation, coupled with the bustling Farmer's Market, and Each Peach Market's recent opening, to deliver many of these same food items on a permanent basis "“ Mt Pleasant was ready for his organic bistro concept. For the last fifteen years, Will has been a Small Business Consultant for entrepreneurs from many industries, including Real Estate, Home Improvement Contractors, and Media Firms. Prior to his move to DC, he managed a Cafe in New England, and started his own Catering Company. This new restaurant marries Will's love of incredible food, wine, and craft cocktails, with his deep interest in architecture and design. He has compiled a top team of both business and culinary advisers from some of the best restaurants in Washington's metro area. Chef Dave Duffy, formerly of Great Sage, and Dannielle Sharkey, formerly of the Tabard Inn and Girard's, are acting as culinary advisers to the menu. Nick Pimental, one of the Founders, and the Designer for Room 11, (amongst other restaurants, such as Petworth Citizen) is working closely with Will on the interior design for the new space. They are excited about the opportunity to give each of the three dining rooms their own personalities, and are hoping to have a preview of one of the spaces by early July. Goodall's Bistro will feature a seasonally rotating menu of the freshest foods from locally sourced organic farms, and free range ranches in the Mid-Atlantic region. We will serve dinner seven days a week from 5-10pm, and brunch on Saturday's and Sunday's from 10-3pm, with the option of expanding our services down the line. Our drink menu will highlight organic spirits as frequently as possible, craft microbrew beers from our region, and a phenomenal wine list recommended by the top Wine Director in the city. While emphasizing a healthy approach to food, we would be remiss if we forgot to include scrumptious desserts in our mix. Despite having a slightly more refined menu, Goodall's promises to still celebrate the gregarious, family-friendly nature of this wonderful neighborhood. For more information, feel free to contact us at: Will Warren Founder Goodall's Bistro Goodallsbistro@gmail.com

According to Facebook, Tonic (and Last Exit) have closed. Sad about last exit, tonic was always mediocre. Now that the space is available, please let a good place take it over!

They've built a really nice patio out back. Visited it last night for drinks and it was a welcome respite from the rowdy and noise of the other places nearby. A really solid place for a drink or two with friends.

So, to report back - Joe, your post was so helpful, informative, and great. We had no internet or phone at the house, so I took photos of your post on my phone so I could refer to it! In the end, food-wise, we decided to take advantage of the Wegman's on the way and picked up burgers, etc. for the grill. We decided that once we were in each afternoon we would not want to drive out again for dinner, so we lived on burgers, dogs, maytag blue cheese, and Aperol spritzs. However, Joe, the passion you showed for Glen Manor made us feel like we had to try it. (Also, since we had no internet, and Early Mountain was not on the map we had, logistics made the winery decision for us!) We got up Sunday, drove Skyline Drive (where a bear crossed the road in front of my Mini) stopped for a hike at Stony Man, had a late totally boring lunch at the Mill in Front Royal, and then went to Glen Manor. While it was mobbed, the tasting staff were simply fantastic, attentive, interesting, and full of knowledge. The winemaker's wife was also working the bar, and her husband, the winemaker stopped in during our time there. We really liked their wines. I think they are the best I have had in VA (until now I had reserved that for Barboursville and Otium). We thought the 2010 Hodder Hill was magnificent, and I loved the unfiltered body it had. For once I really felt that velvet tongue that you always read about. I also really liked the Rose, and thought the sweeter white was good, and I usually hate sweet wines. Post-tasting we each took a glass out to the Adirondack chairs outside, looked at the mountains, and life was good. I also really appreciate the heads up on the Shack - My partner's parents live outside of Staunton, so I will make sure we go there next time we are down there!

Thanks so much, Joe! We will check out some of the vineyards!

Headed out to a friend's cabin for the weekend in Castleton, VA. Any suggestions on good places to hit (not looking for super fancy/expensive, but a good casual place, or even ice cream stands, etc). Also, any activity or sightseeing suggestions welcome too! Thanks!

I love eat your books. I've been using it about six months now and it simplifies my weekly decisions on what to make and reminds me of recipes I might not have thought of when searching an ingredient.

I love eat your books. I've been using it about six months now and it simplifies my weekly decisions on what to make and reminds me of recipes I might not have thought of when searching an ingredient.

I still dream of the dinner I had at The Wine Cask, and the wines from the associated Margerum winery. We liked the wine so much, especially the M5, we joined the wine club.

Here are a few: As a 13-18 year old I used to help my father cook Sunday dinner (usually something complex) on Sunday nights while he drank a glass of wine and we listened to the NPR music program Echoes (which played really interesting, out-there music). I vividly remember the fun and closeness we shared on those Sunday evenings. As any Italian-American kid can tell you, we all remember our Mom's breaded chicken cutlets with lemon, and no matter what the skill of our mom was, we think hers were the best. Still, a breaded chicken cutlet instantly makes me feel safe, cozy, and loved. If I have a really bad day and need to feel better, this is a food I will go to. Also, I remember huge feasts at my grandmother's with lasagne, eggplant rollatini, tons of chicken, pork chops, and sunday gravy, bread, cannoli, cookies, etc. An Italian-American's dream. When I lived in Spain on my junior year our program took us to the Rioja region and we had a multi-hour, multi course meal at the CUNE winery after a VIP tour of the cellar. We ate a ton of things that day, with copious amounts of wine, cigars, and brandy. It was the first time I felt like a real grown up in my own bacchanalia, and it instilled in me a desire to have this experience again and again. And, finally, while it may not be the best food in the world, I can think of nothing better than sitting around one of the round tables at Bistrot du Coin with 7 friends, drinking wine, eating too much, talking and joking. That's the type of thing that cements an urban family (of friends) and that reminds you that it is good to be alive.

I always think modified chicken Marbella is great for a crowd. There are lots of recipes on the net' here's one: http://apassionateplate.com/chicken-breast-marbella/

Corrado's in Mt. Pleasant is Guatemalan. You might try calling them.

Just had some very nice fish tacos for lunch from the Surfside food truck in Franklin park.

I got tamarind paste at the bestworld in Mt. P some time ago. Not sure if they still have it.

I should also have mentioned, that cuí±ape is the Spanish name for this (they are eaten in Bolivia and Paraguay) or they are called Pan de Queso in Uruguay and Argentina. The original, though is from Brazil.

I'd actually call that a pí£o de queijo which is a tapioca-flour cheese bread. You can make them at home, either from scratch (just google and you will find several recipes) or from a mix (the Yoki brand is good and can be found online and in local Brazilian markets). If you want to just buy them they have them at my workplace cafeteria in the mornings (The Inter-American Development Bank - I'd be happy to let you in), or at the new Cafe Lia that I just posted about in Mount Pleasant. They also have them at Fogo de Chí£o, but I am not impressed by theirs, and you probably don't want to spend $50 for meat just to get the cheese bread. I used to see them sold frozen at the Brazilian Market in Wheaton, which is no longer there, but I bet they have them at the Portuguese Food Store (which sells Brazilian foods). I have one of these each morning for breakfast at work (which necessitates my strict gym schedule) - and shhhh, it's not traditional, but they are excellent with a tiny dab of ketchup (a trick I learned while living in Brazil with an ex).

Tried it yesterday - excellent Pao de Queijo (tapioca cheese bread), Excellent Coxinha de frango (chicken in a fried croquette shell), not so good kibbe. Still, I'd go back for the first two items over and over again.