mr food

I love Black Salt and Christine, as noted, takes very good care of you. I haven't been to BMB but I'm sure she will only improve overall operations.

I'm looking forward to (finally) dining there this Sunday. Thanks for the coupon-not necessary to lure me there but a nice touch.

Interesting thread. At least we have plenty of choices. My parents retired to a small community and you have to drive quite a ways to be able to buy anything beyond plonk. MC is a funny place. I deplore dining there as restaurants wines are marked way up and no corkage is allowed. Yet, their booze prices can be the best around especially on malt scotch and other higher end spirits. Given all of this, this area is still one of the best in the country for wine and spirit lovers. If Maryland would only allow direct shipping of wine.

My number 1 choice for a seafood meal in the area. I really enjoy lunch there as the pace is a bit slower.

Interesting post, Joe. I well remember buying Theise champagnes from you years ago. BTW, Terry is a true raconteur (sp) of the wine world. I once attended a dinner he hosted which was a hilarious, instructive evening. He ranks with Kacher for educational entertainment in my book. I only wish there was more degorgement info a la Egly on producer's labels. Champagne is a delicate creature. Too long on a warm retailer's shelf spoils the magic, IMO.

Speaking of New Zealand, the buzz is that 2005 is a much better vintage than previous years for SB. I've had the basic 05 Nobilo and thought it indeed was better than its predecessors. Joe, you've probably tasted the 05 SBs, what's your take?

​Bethany, Rehoboth

Eden remains the best beach meal I've had with a good wine list and they were kind enough to waive corkage-good stemware so no need to BYOGs. The last time I ate at Blue Moon, it was pretty bad (brunch-I mean how do you screw up brunch?) . BBQ blues in Bethany is a pretty good value with decent BBQ and a good place if the kids are along. Sonoma (also BB) ain't worth it. LaLa Land has been around for many years so they must be doing something right. Dish was hit and miss and kind of diner like decor. We liked Fusion and again corkage was waived. Celesius was also pretty good but its been a few years since our last visit. There's a Chinese place across from these two places that we picked up some good carryout. Sidneys (sp) has great bands and the back room can turn into a pickup joint for every persuasion as the night goes on. We used to like Cloud 9 but the last few times, I've ordered a steak-$5 corkage but their list is ok. Overall, the more I eat at the beach, the more I prefer to dine in-get some spiced shrimp and a couple of steamed lobsters and you're good to go. Of course , there's always Nicola-mediocre za but those nicobolis!

Armagnac Special Purchase

Castarede XO Bas-Armagnac............... Reg:$49.99......................Sale:$19.99

Buy a case of 6 bottles for 107.94 (that's 17.99 a bottle for XO Armagnac!!!)

The House of Castarede, founded in 1832, is the oldest of all Armagnac trading houses. It is still family owned and operated with Florence Castarede overseeing the company.

I've drunk a few bottles of the XO-good value. they also sell older bottlings. Ask for Terry who will open moderately priced bottles for you to taste. Rick Gunderson (co-owner with brother Jon) is a nice guy and I've managed to get some good deals by spending 3 figures at a time. They have a warehouse full of older wines which I've visted once-walked away with a 66 Cos for a song for example.

thanks everyone. Plans have changed so it doesn't look like I'll be in GTown this evening.

My recent meals at Black Salt were outstanding. I don't think anyone else in the area does seafood better.. I found the dining guide less than thrilling. He's done it better in the past, IMO

Always enjoyed my meals at BF and will be in the area this evening so I thought I might dine there. Any recent visitors?

Hi Joe,

I remember buying wine from you at Bottom Line in Georgetown. What ever happened to that lawyer who owned it? I think I came into Ace a few years ago and spoke with you there.

thanks everyone. At this point, I think we're leaning towards Le Gaulois as it has a lunch menu.

All knowing board members, we need a restaurant to have Sunday lunch with my aunt. Something on the nicer side would be the preference. thanks

Salt river is a good place. Fridays they're across from NIH on Old Georgetown and Saturdays in Kensington. Quality overall is good and prices are fair. they have a website.

I've been doing quite a bit of shopping at Sniders lately. Buy their specials and you get good prices. They've featured MD backfin crabmeat recently for $13 a pound and I've produced some tremedous crabcakes using it. Lots of lumps. I like their meats as well and if it's near lunchtime try one of their $4 sandwiches. I also like the atmosphere-everyone is so friendly and helpful.

Hey Jake,

what a guy you are! At least it wasn't too hot. Was Veritas there? I liked their wines when I visted a couple of years ago.

hmmm....thanks for the update. I'll take a pepcid before I go.

We're dining there this Friday. Any recent reports?

I signed up for this. Not sure how useful it will be if you look at other sites but it's free.

Good list. A couple of comments (since you asked): Cicrcle has a good selection but Kumar is not concerned about temperature control. We had a "discussion" after I brought several bottles back that had been heated and he initially resisted replacing them. Later I noticed he had purchased a chiller in which he keeps some of his higher end wines but the store is still quite warm so be careful about buying bottles that have been on the shelf for a while. I don't find the staff that knowledgeable about wine. Schneiders is quite good about opening bottles for you to try and if Rick Gunderson(co-owner with his brother) is in the house sometimes you get the chance to taste something special-a 70 year Armagnac comes to mind. Terri is also a good guy to talk to about wine, I been generally pleased with his recommendations. Pearsons also will open wines to try-ask for the email price (and get on the list-lots of everyday wines at good prices). I would not recommend having out of region wine delivered in Maryland as I know of deliveries that have been confiscated. DC is fine as the city has more important issues than determining whether you are exceeeding your limits and now VA ok as well. MacArthurs good but wait for the sales; their staff overall may be the best in town as far as wine knowledge. CW good-get the online coupon for great discounts on all the items they sell. Magruders was much more competitive before they moved to their new location. VA has several good stores and half the sales tax of DC, I just don't get out there much. Arrowwine has an excellent reputation, again get on the email list. In fact, almost all the stores have regular emails with sale information and specials so that's a good way to get the best prices.

Sorry to hear about the meal. I usually recommend Coppis for decent food and good service. Last time we were there the owner came over and poured us wine from his collection.

how Tom S. could give Opera two stars is beyond me. The food was pretty bad as I remember and we were quite limited as the table next to us steered us away from the pasta dishes. Best U street meal has been at Coppies Organic.

glad to hear this. I'm sure it will be better than Opera.

how's the stemware?