ALB

Yes, while introducing the dish, Art Smith said that there was chocolate drizzled on the brittle.

Decent episode. I'm not so sure about the Top Chef claim that Good Stuff Eatery is a "favorite" of Michelle Obama's. She has eaten there. That's about as much as we know, I think. But a little exaggeration on Bravo never killed anybody.

Incidentally, given the nature of the challenge, was I the only one who didn't understand why all the chefs didn't want to do dessert? Vegan, no-soy, no-gluten would seem easiest to do with dessert when fruit and chocolate can both be options. Then again, Art Smith managed to screw it up.

she was there yesterday. I was searched by the Secret Service when I went to pick up lunch.

Anyone been here of late? Anyone have any better suggestions for sushi in Bethesda? Is Matuba still nay good?

I don't spend a lot on sushi- some rolls, maybe a few nigiri- and almost always take-out.. so you can take that as you will. but I think that Tako is definitely the superior sushi restaurant in Bethesda. I've had wonderful tuna.. salmon. I think the quality has always been higher than Matuba. For cheap eats sushi- I also really like Hinata. but that's take-out only and closes at 7.

Is there a place in DC that sells tuscan style bread?

My friend that lived in Florence has told me that the tuscan bread at wegmans is pretty close.

If you want to learn to make the same macarons as Laduree I would be please to teach you (for free).

I love macarons and I often make them for myself.

It is in fact very simple.

Two keys for the success; don't whip too much the egg whites and an accurate electric oven.

The reason for the price of macarons in a store is teh fact that only 2/3 are good enough to be sold.Even made by an expert.

At home even if they are not perfect they taste as good.

If wouldn't mind another pupil- I would LOVE to attend this lesson.

I'm looking for macarons, particularly pistachio, in the DC area, similar to those from Fouchon or Ladurée. Do you know of any local bakeries that make them or someplace I can order them that will ship them?

I really like the ones at Fancy Cakes by Leslie in Bethesda. The best I've found around here.

Hi everyone,

I wanted to bump this up because I am heading to Chicago for Memorial Day weekend and would love some suggestions. I am meeting a friend there and are looking for dinners along with some inexpensive lunches and bakeries/snack shops. For dinner we would be looking for restaurants at price points up to that of Central. I looked through the thread and sola looks promising. Has anyone eaten there lately? My friend doesn't eat red meat or pork so that restricts us somewhat. Its our first trip to Chicago and we are both really excited to visit (and eat!)

Thanks everyone for recent reviews/suggestions!

ALB, there you go again . see guys I havent even opened yet.. and you just cut my check average in half, and now I need to double the amount of customers to come by each day, so instead of seating for say 40 at lunch I now need it for 80, so my rent went up as well ....

What if I promised to come twice as much?

Jewish Deli's arghhhhhhh. the only way an authentic jewish deli can survive, is by charging 15-20 bucks a sandwich for unbelievably awesome 16oz sandwiches. Wait... yes.. that's it.......................... the ghost of Carnegie Deli in tysons yelling... "Stay away from DC, they dont get it, they wont pay for the huge high quality portions" Lets run down the list Duke's, never did understand the popularity, Too Jays in tenley ( was great, but gone) wolfs, its successor.. Bah Bye, krupins, EEEK, me think not. Celebrity Deli (old location in rockville), yup did it well, once they moved they lost the mojo, now its sold and, far from its glory days. Booeymongers, eghh , doesnt count. Find me a space with rent in the 20's, ample parking and I sware, ill bring down the manager of harolds in NJ (exit 10 on the turnpike LOOK IT UP!) and open one up, you all need to place your credit cards on file itll be expensive, and if I dont hit breakeven on any given month, well spread the loss amongst you all ............ I kid about the losees, but serious about bringing THE MAN to DC. BTW any deli that gets its meats from SAVAL is automatically eliminated from contention. It has to be made in house! Attmans in Balt, a legit place!

How about $12 for an 8 oz sandwich (throw in some house-made chips or a pickle?) I'd be VERY excited about a place like this opening. It would be nice to not have to cart deli home from Baltimore.

Thanks for all your responses. I got a little more clarification from her- probably anything under $25 for entrees. I appreciate everyone's help, its her one meal away from a stressful wedding weekend!

Hi Everyone,

I am looking for a good (but affordable) recommendation for a friend for Dallas. Does anyone know of any hole-in the wall great places? Below the Stephen Pyles price point level.

Thanks all!

This place got ripped to shreds last summer on Chowhound, so I hadn't given a shot yet, but maybe I'll swing by some time.

Truly annoying - the Gazette review does not include any restaurant info on the review page - no website, phone number, address, hours, NOTHING.

Also, my recollection of this corner is that there's no way to get to that shopping center coming East on Rte 28? You actually have to wait at that ages-long light, make the left on to Georgia Ave, go up a half mile, make a u-turn, and then come back.

Did they take over the spot of that Jamaican place that closed a couple of years ago - Grandma Cooking, or something like that?

I think you can make a left around 28- rather than going up georgia, but I'm not positive. and I believe its the grandma's cooking spot. but really the tex mex is good! I often think about driving there from bethesda when I'm in the mood for tex-mex. I don't always make it- but not in favor of another tex-mex joint.

Last night, my wife and I eat at Tabasco's in Rockville, on Norbeck Rd. It's a small, fairly new family-owned tex-mex restaurant located in a small strip shopping mall as you approach the Georgia Ave intersection. I tried their steak fajitas - they were excellent, waay better than Mi Rancho/Uncle Julio's variety. In fact, I thought they were better than the ones I've had at Guapo's, Austin Grill, and even El Mariachi. My wife had the shrimp and chicken fajitas - again both were delicious. Dessert was a surprise - very good tres leches - a huge portion, definitely to be shared.

Downside is that the place is small and lack of room for you to wait for a table, which is what you will do on a Friday/Saturday night. However, if you secure a seat at the small bar, you'll quickly be served a decent margarita with warm thin chips and hot salsa.

Overall excellent value for the quality of the food. We definitely will return to try other things on the menu.

A published review can be found here

I want to second this review. My family is in Olney and Tabasco is now our go-to dinner place. Yes its small, but it is really delicious. My favorite is the beef enchiladas. That space hasn't had the best of luck in the past- so please spread the word to keep this nice little restaurant in business!

I just finished reading a fascinating book, *The Fortune Cookie Chronicles* by Jennifer 8. Lee, about the origins and evolution of American Chinese food. The dishes on the menu at Chen's Gourmet are exactly the same as the ones found at just about any "Mom and Pop" Chinese carry-out restaurant anywhere in the U.S. And there are more of these carry-outs than there are McDonald's. Chen's is in my neighborhood and I am so bored by their food that it is my last choice option for an inexpensive meal when I don't feel like cooking.

I thought that book was fantastic also. I always wondered how Chinese families opened restaurants in small out of the way towns and how American Chinese food evolved to such a definite inauthentic list.. I highly recommend it.

I didnt know PitaPlus was opened whenever i stop in at the greek place next door Pita Plus is always closed and it has an abandoned look.

 
Do you stop by on friday nights or saturdays? They are closed then to observe Shabbat. Speaking of I should visit my friends over there.. falafel laffa... yum.

I got everything I needed at the store in Wheaton. Thanks everyone!

Hi everyone,

I'm sorry if this is a repeat on the board- I am looking for a baking supply shop. I would like to get some sheet gelatin and gel food coloring. Maryland preferred but DC or VA would be alright as well.

Thanks all!

Are there signs up on when the Pret will open? I am VERY eagerly anticipating its opening but I don't work in the neighborhood to keep tabs on their progress.

Bumping up for this year -

I just ordered a fresh Maple Lawn turkey to pick up on Sunday. I have always done frozen Giant turkeys but really excited to see the difference. Planning on brining - Probably do Alton Brown's brine or similar.

http://www.maplelawn.com

I did that exact combo last year- it turned out fantastically. I'll be doing it again this year.

Heading up to Olney Theatre on Sat night. I am taking my wife to the ballet up there for her birthday and am looking for the top 2 or 3 options for dining close to their or between Wheaton and Olney (if there is something better on the way). Thanks in advance.

Tabasco at the corner of Norbeck and Georgia is a great tex mex place- love the enchiladas and tres leches cake.

We absolutely would have replaced the burger, thrown in a dessert and probbably a t shirt and I might have cut off the grill cooks hand in my rage. (I kid about the hand, not the rage) Sorry that happened. Track me or Nate down next time and the BGR's on me. Also for those curious McCain 862, Obama 834. Results a bit skewed for the Obama fans buying the Mccain, but not wanting the vote tallied. We had no way to seprate that out on the POS system. Anyway DC Central Kitchen got a $2,000 check and we had a blast with it. And for those anticipating this month, it's Thanksgiving on a Bun ( couldn't resist and THX MS for the suggestion) Turkey BGR, homemade cornbread stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce . ITS HUGE AND MESSY BE WARNED (same price as normal turkey BGR). And Yes ALB, your Bgr is coming soon!!! Also the shake is Pumpkin Spice...

Looking forward to it Mark!!

Le Mannequin Pis on Georgia Ave just south of Rte 108 is by far the best dining option in the area. Call now for a table.

My family is in Olney so I have gone to Mannequin Pis on 2 occasions- both for their monday price fix menu. Is the quality considerably lower then than the other nights/menu items? I have found the mussels to be perfectly fine but it never knocked my socks off- so I haven't been back for the full menu. Should we try another night? We've been hesitant to do so.

I love sushi king. I have the number in my cell for any occasion where I am heading down 95 and thinking about takeout. Really reasonable prices for great sushi. very creative and tasty rolls.

Hi All-

I'll have to join you sometime. Until I do I have a question to throw to the group. I usually go to HEOTB at noonish for dim sum; what am I missing that is available early but not when I get there? I need to branch out anyway- we keep ordering the same things. what are your favorites?

Thanks!

Hi all-

I just wanted to share the name of a great pho place [Hao Binh] I just tried in rockville (on Nickelson on the left past the shopping center with the Rodmans). The pho was rich and not greasy at all. and the shrimp summer rolls were very nice as well- though oddly contained beef.. but great dipping sause.

If you are near by- its definitely worth a trip. we had a pho craving and it definitely hit the spot.

Hi Everyone-

I am a new canner. I had mild success with jam earlier in the summer (who was it that said jam is easy to make and hard to make well?) I am looking for a peach salsa recipe that includes tomatoes and is safe for hot water bath canning. Does anyone out there have a recipe? I'd be most appreciative!!