KeithA

Well thanks so much to everyone for the recipes and the great tips. I will be doing a bunch of tests this weekend, before the actual pancake breakfast the following weekend. I also wanted to get people's take on using buttermilk vs. regular milk (without the added vinegar/acid to make it like buttermilk)? Most recipes call for buttermilk and sing its praises, but when you use it the hotcakes can turn out a bit more sour taste - especially for the eaters like my wife who eat them plain without syrup or butter. So please chime in on why you use one vs. the other?

I've been tasked with cooking a special, pancake birthday breakfast. After an recent, awful experience with a Trader Joe's mix, I'm going to try making them from scratch. Please share your best, no-fail pancake recipes. Thanks.

This thread shows how much people eat out. It sounds like Don's kitchen must be filled with cob webs

Went for lunch yesterday for the first time. We ordered 2 burgers cooked medium rare and got one med-well and one medium, so 0-2. I wasn't surprised that they were overcooked though because the patties are pretty thin making it tough to get the right temperature. The buns were good, except one was sopping in grease, while the other was fine. My wife got hers plain and added toppings from the fixin bar which was fine. I got the garlic mushrooms which were ok, but probably would skip next time. The fries were also pretty weak and limp. The one completely positive note was the good onion rings - crispy, properly fried with the right amount of thick breading, but not too much and thick cut pieces of onions. The spicy remoulade that comes on the side was pretty good too. If I was in the area again I'd stop by for onion rings and skip the rest.

Thanks Dean for a nice meal last night and for your detailed explanations on your suppliers. We started with the vegetable and cheese antipasti plate which was alright. It is one large plate that could be an big app for one or small app for 2. The pecorino and mozzarella cheese slices, roasted mushrooms, and funky berries (like big capers) were very good. The rest (bean salad, roasted squash, artichokes, red peppers, and olive-caper salad) were just ok. We also had the always good, we order every time, misticanza salad of greens mixed with cheese. 2 of us also tried the puntarella salad - I liked it, but my buddy didn't. It is a bunch of very large leafy green stalks with a bitter flavor, which I thought went well with the anchovy dressing. My friend thought the anchovy was too strong (and he likes anchovies), maybe some lemon to cut it would be good. For an entree, I had the porcini-truffle flan app. After reading so much about this dish, I had to try it. I always seem to try unusual and new things at Dino which one reason it is so much fun. The flan was pretty good and its texture being like a normal caramel flan worked but was odd to have the earthy savory flavors with. The aged balsamic drizzled around it was great and really complemented the dish nicely. I do have to say it is not a pretty looking dish - basically a gray gelationous blob with pale cheese shaving on top and dark balsmic on the side. Its ugly duckling appearance was a shame because it turned off my fellow diners who despite my hmmm and ahhs wouldn't try it. I'm not sure how to pretty up this tasty, yet gray dish, but maybe a garnish or two. We also had the veggie pasta which was eaten so fast and joyfully that I didn't get a bite, and the 3-bean risotto app as an entree portion which was very good and light tasting. The last entree was the lamb pasta which I tasted and was even better than the last time I had it a few months ago. Very flavorful lamb. I thought the gramigna shape was better this time, but my friend who ordered the dish had the same thought I originally had that the pasta is too long and it curves make it not go as well with the lamb and sauce. Still a very enjoyable dish. I would definitely recommend Dino with its current menu to any vegetarians, as you can see 4 of us shared 3 apps/salas and 4 entrees and only 1 was meat, and we didn't even order any of the handful of cheese polenta dishes that I've enjoyed in the past.

Last night - Teatro Goldoni for a disappointing happy hour. Good half-price deal for bottle listed $150 or under, but weak on the free apps. Some folks got a little calamari, our party ended up with one plate of homemade potato chips and bread. Ordered the 3 bruschetta appetizer which was good, followed by a magherita pizza with weak tomatos and no basil in sight. Also it was way overpriced for the food. Don't plan on heading back anytime soon.

Coming to Dino tonight and hearing good things about this dish I wanted to know if this is how the chef is preparing the puntarella - sounds good, but some of in my group don't eat pork so wanted to be sure. Also curious if the sturgeon is in yet? Artichokes in early by any chance? Anyone try the veggie pasta dish I see on the menu? It seems more and more I'm eating with vegetarians and so I'm always on the look out for good dishes for them. Thanks.

This weekend we had dinner at Mesa Grill which was only so-so. The appetizers were alright (oysters, blue corn pancake with bbq duck, and goat cheese fundido), but the entrees were hit and miss. Seared tuna steak with coucous was very good with a really nice sauce that complemented the dish while the grouper with a bbq-like sauce was a bad pairing. We also had an pretty good brunch at Good in the west village - big portions of the usuals (pancakes, eggs, breakfast burritos, and baked goods). The best food though was from revived 2nd Ave Deli that for the time being delivers to all of Manhattan. Good pickles, alright potato knish, and excellent corned beef. If they only delivered to DC...but it is probably good they don't or I'd gain a zillion pounds (but it might be worth it ;-)

As I always I appreciate the recommendations. The veggie diners wanted italian so we tried Centro after checking out their menu online and seeing a good range of veggie-friendly options. For starters there were 3 salads and I had the tuna tartar with roasted beet special which was pretty good. Teh salads were alright except the belgian endive salads was too sour despite its add ons of pear, candided walnuts. It probably needed a fruiter dressing to cut the sourness. For entrees we had 3 vegetarian choices and 1 seafood. I had the Mafalde con Funghi Selvatici e Tartufo Nero - Thin Ribbon pasta with wild mushrooms, Umbrian black winter truffles, sage and parmesan cheese, which was decent. I like mushrooms and thought it would have this great woodsy flavor which often goes well with sage, but it lacked oomph. It was also a huge portion that could easily be shared by two. My wife had the very good Paccheri di Gragnano con Zucca e Bufaline -The classic Paccheri pasta with butternut squash and cherry buffalo mozzarella finished with aromatic extra virgin olive oil and basil. This was the best dish I tasted with a good pink sauce. The others had and enjoyed (but I didn't taste) the Capelli D'Angelo con filetto di Pomodoro e Burrata - Angel hair pasta, sauteed with fresh peeled cherry tomato sauce, finished with Burrata mozzarella cheese and the Linguine Integrali ai Frutti di Mare -Thin whole wheat linguine with shrimp, scallops, baby clams and mussels in a fresh spicy tomato and white wine. We finished with sharing two desserts - an ok, but not great classic cheesecake (not italian-style) and a couple of big tennis ball sized and really good profiteroles filled with vanilla ice cream and topped with very dark, thick chocolate sauce. Overall, it was a nice place. I don't think I'll run back because the food had some hits and misses and was a little pricey (but most italian places in the area are IMHO). The service started off well with a friendly waiter and getting a great table in one of the two alcoves by the front windows. These 6 or so tables are much better than the rest of the restaurant because they are spaced nicely and you are not on top of your neighbors. The downside was we hat table that backed up to a partition with the door on the other side, which when opened sent cold drafts our way (I didn't mind, but others with me did). The service eventually became neglectful as it got later, especially when our entree plates weren't cleared for about 30 minutes. We weren't in a rush though so I didn't track down anyone. As for the Indian/Afghan lovers, I'm with you as well as with the carnivores, but you have to make accomodations for others. I have enjoyed Passage to India when I've been and if we had been up for Asian, I would have gone to Raku which I always enjoy including there veggie-friendly soft tofu salad that is big enough to be an entree.

Going to NY this weekend. My brother made reservations on Friday night at Mesa Grill (Bobby Flay's place) - anyone been lately and have dish recommendations? We'll be staying in Chelsea, any good restaurant recommendations not too far away?

Please help, I need recommendations for restaurants in Bethesda that have good vegetarian options for a dinner tomorrow night. There will be carnivores, a fish-eating vegetarian, and a no-fish vegetarian (but not vegan). Also, you can skip recs for Indian places, because one of the guests, but not me, is not a fan. Thanks for your help.

See the Washington Deli thread - http://www.donrockwell.com/index.php?showtopic=8675 it is at 20th and K. Around $3 for an oversize slice.

I concur the pizza is very good. NY-style with crispy bottom, but more doughy crust and some good toppings like portabella mushrooms or greek style plus all of the usual suspects. The slices are also pretty big - 2 is enough for a big lunch for me.

I've been going to the Nicholson Lane and Rockville branches for years (although it has been several months since my last visit) and I think they are a good quality for a less expensive place. The sushi is the amazing, but it is good and definitely on the cheaper side. The chinese food is alright. The big noodle soups are really good, the Americanized stuff is ok. The Rockville branch used to have Chinese specialty items on the weekends that always brought in people of Chinese descent, which I usually take as a good sign. The best part of the price point is these places are counter service, but with ample tables, so you can save on the tip. The Rockville branch has much nicer decor, the Nicholson one is getting a bit ragged.

For cheap and good, my vote goes to Juice Joint (try the freshly grilled salmon salad with mango salsa and a smoothie) and the Roasting House (fresh turkey and big salads). Another cheap sit-down option that is only ok but is different is Bangkok One on L street east of Vermont. Sadly, Julia's Empanadas is closed now. For a pricier and longer lunches, DC Coast (which I think is great) is around the corner and Georgia Browns is across the small park.

Awhile back someone asked for an update on Nam Viet in Cleveland Park. FWIW, I live behind it and have eaten there almost weekly for the past 3 years. Overall the place is good. Some dishes better than others (the vegetable garden rolls and the lemograss-flavored skewered beef are my favorites). The pho is good, but not great. Lots of different options from seafood, spicy Hue beef, vegetable, etc, but the regular beef pho has only thin slices of beef (not the tendon or other more authentic cuts - which I don't really like anyways) and could use more depth of flavor. Sometimes it is spot on, but more often it requires some helpings of condiments to add umph. I usually don't get the pho when I go, because the other items are better, but my wife loves the vegetable pho and gets it everytime. It is still the only decent pho place I know of in the city and since it is near a metro, it definitely wins for accessibility for the city dwellers. My recommendation is go, have a small bowl of pho as an appetizer to see if you like it and then order some of grilled meats or stir fried noodle dishes - the vegetarian Nam-Viet special stir-fried noodles are great (kind of like a vietnamese take on Pad Thai).

Went last night for a work happy hour. We shared a bunch of bar appetizers which are select items lifted from the regular menu. The magherita pizza were good, crispy crust with light tomatoey flavor and good fresh basil accents. The roasted, not fired wings were pretty tasty with a sticky, not hot, but also not too sweet sauce on them. The wings come with two sauces which seemed a waste to me, neither added much flavor. Also, tried the combo of slider burgers. The tuna was bland, but the steak tenderloin was good. (I didn't try the turkey). The fries that came with the sliders were not my style -super thin sticks. Overall a nice place, but prices seem high and some portions are small. The sliders were only about 2-3 bites each with so so fries for $14. If they dropped their prices, it would be a go to place, but they are seeking to capitalize on the expense accounts like their also overpriced neighboring restaurants.

Chef Greenwood, Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions. Earlier in your responses you said your sauce went well with your crispy, salty crust. I've found your crust to be more like a cracker than a typical pizza crust. It is clear that you are very deliberate in your cooking process, so I was wondering why you chose to make the crust the way you do?

I've been a few times for lunch which is always busy on weekdays. I've mostly stuck to the Chinese American fare like sesame chicken and lo mein which have all been very good with good quality ingredients (which I find is saying alot for most Chinese places in the city). The few items I've had off the traditional menu have likewise been good too. The decor is nice too having been fixed up and reopened only for a few months now.

I've gone to the store near Olney at Leisure World plaza several times over the past few years including once last month. The chicken is great. The skin not always crisp, but the chicken is very juicy and flavorful with hints of smoke. I also like the spicy mayo-like sauces they give you, although I can only handle the "mild" which is pretty spicy. I haven't been too impressed with the sides, but the chicken makes up for it.

Had a pretty nice meal here last night. Despite the change in chefs, the menu appears to be identical. The good: black bean soup with swirl of sour cream was a big portion which the 2 of us split leaving each of us with a large "cup" portion and wild mushroom quesadillas were really good. The so so: lamb taquitos are really braised lamb soft tacos which were ok but could use some more seasoning and beef empanadas had a nice crispy shell, but the beef lacked flavor. This is still a pretty nice setting with good prices for some items that are pretty generous portions - see the good items above and pretty heavy pours of wine. Happy to have them in the neighborhood, but they need to mx up the menu and add some more good options and get rid of the weak ones. Anyone else been lately and have good menu items to recommend?

The Oval Room really does have some good complex dishes. I had a very nice roasted mini beets salad with tiny cubes of passion fruit reduction/jelly, shaved fresh horseradish (that has a real kick), and a lovely vinegarete at lunch a few weeks ago. Sometimes the complexity is alittle overkill though. As a chocolate lover, I couldn't resist trying the Riccota ravioli with sweet potato, cocoa, and chestnut broth. I liked the dish, but the cocoa didn't meld well with the rest of the dish. The cocoa is in a semi-liquid form placed in small dots around the bowl and I found myself trying to not let it mix in with the broth and other ingredients. But I give them credit for innovation and getting me to try new things.

I've recently seen dried porcini in small packets at Whole Foods in Tenleytown FWIW

Haven't been in awhile, but I know from working nearby that the price was raised awhile ago to above $10, I think $11.95 - still a nice bargain.

I second the praise for the cafe salad. Got one last time we were there a few weeks ago and it was divine. Perfectly complementary blend of great ingredients - beets, greens, walnuts? (or some other nut) with a similar nutty dressing and small pieces of mango. Just lovely and a pretty big portion for one (more like a side salad if plated for 2 -which they'll do if you tell them you are sharing).