marsonanne

Someone mentioned Kirsten's Cafe (at 16th and Georgia) to me the other day for good pastries, including some little seen items (in DC) like Paris-Brests. Never heard of this place.

I've been to Kirsten's a few times, and it's been consistently excellent. The food is rock-solid but also a little creative and fun. Great, fresh-tasting salads (try the chunky egg-and-potato salad); good pastries and desserts; hearty sandwiches. Friendly counter service, too. It's a small space but very kid-friendly. (There's a kids' table that used to have a blackboard wall next to it, but I think the wall was down for renovation during my last visit.)

This is not exactly correct. You can order anything on the menu "for later" and then ask for a take out container when you are ready to leave.  Ergo: take out that's not exactly take out.  Of course, you end up paying for something while you are there, and you're sitting down so they get you for some food item or drink and the corresponding tip.  Hmm, I've never tried this at the bar at Mikes, but buying an iced tea at the bar just to order a Santa Fe Chicken Salad to eat at home might be worth the investment.

eah, this is kind of curious to me. have you done this before?

Galileo is by far the most expensive & also the best restaurant on the Take-Out Taxi menu, but I've never ordered from them because the cheap food Ive ordered from them has taken so long.  Ive always wondered who actually does order from them using this service, and how it is.  It might even be worth it as a curiosity if I wasn't so sure it would arrive completely cold.  They have been in the Take-Out Taxi catalogue for at least a couple years, so someone must be getting this stuff delivered.

Edited for spelling.

nteresting that you mention galileo. i actually ordered from them (from the a la carte service), and it was that order that got me to thinking about who might order swanky takeout. the food was neither cold nor overcooked (well, the veggies were a little kaput), but my "smooshed scallop" scenario was a nod in their direction.

Money travels well. 

hat's what's so interesting to me about the few places that won't. thanks for the hints/comments, guys. indian food is undoubtedly one of the best cuisines for takeout, i think. unless they use a crappy clamshell container and you get a spill.

I am a food writer for the Washington City Paper--thanks to mdt for posting my last piece. Even if I did get a YAWN. [WINKING EMOTICON] Anyway, I'm doing a piece on the effects of takeout on food--particularly from upscale places. I know some restaurants won't do to-go orders because they like to control the quality/presentation of their dishes, but I'm fascinated by the fact that most *will* accomodate takeout orders, even though it might mean that a $17 scallop appetizer's dainty portion ends up smooshed against one side of a styrofoam container (or something might get soggy/overcooked in transit).

Anyone out there eat pricey takeout? What are your favorite places to order from? Does the lack of presentation bother you, or is it all about the food? Weird as it sounds, do any of them wrap things particularly well/inventively? Have you ever encountered a place that wouldn't do takeout (I know that none of the Great American Restaurants will do it)? Anyone willing to talk to me specifically for my piece can also reach me directly at the paper at 202-332-2100 x456. Thanks! Anne