plunk

Good suggestions - thanks!

We may actually look into renting one of those giant party tents and heaters. Hopefully it won't be too cold!

My wife and I love to cook and host Thanksgiving dinner. Unfortunately, we live in a house that is less than 1,000 square feet (no dining room either - just an eat-in kitchen). We've managed to make-do with small guest lists in the past, but this year the list has ballooned to what appears to be an unmanageable amount. Word of our always-outstanding menu has obviously spread.

Anyway, any ideas on how to accomodate a large crowd? Our initial thoughts are as follows:

1. Everybody can just suck it up and eat off their laps

2. Hope for a balmy Virginia Thanksgiving day, set up the outdoor heaters and fireplace and do it outside - just like the Pilgrims!

3. Rent a space at a VFW, church, community center, etc., that will allow us to bring food in (is this even possible? anybody ever do this?)

Any thoughts that you might have will be appreciated. Oh, we're in the Del Ray / Rosemont area of Alexandria. Thanks!

Delia's was a success. Grandma felt like breakfast and was quite pleased with her waffle. I went with the meatball sub, and my wife got the peruvian chicken sub. Not enough sauce on the meatball sub for my tastes, but it was still pretty good. The chicken sub was the clear winner, especially since it came with both the white and green sauces on the side. Thank you all for the advice!

Brewdog is great stuff. Recently just enjoyed that 18% a.b.v.-er. Can't remember the name, though (thanks, no doubt, to its 18% abv).

I've seen 'em at Total Wine (Alexandria and Springfield) and individual bottles at Unwined in the Bradlee Center on Rt. 7/King Street.

All of these sound great - thank you for the suggestions.

Kibbee - say we end up at Delia's. What should I get? I'd probably be looking towards something sandwichy, rather than an "entree".

Any suggestions on where we can take my 85 year old Grandmother for lunch in the Springfield / Burke / Annandale area? Grandma is not adventurous at all (baked ziti is about as exotic as she gets), so we're not about to take her to Pho Hot or Gom Ba Woo. We're sick of Spartans and San Vito's and are looking to branch out. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Huh. I've definitely been to the Ravensworth shop on the weekends. Haven't been since May, though. Maybe its a seasonal thing?

Yeah, too bad. I've really been enjoying Del Merei's tap selection of late.

I'd definitely make the trip out to Guavate if you can. The lechon is pretty darn good, but the atmosphere is even better.

Thanks for the objective review, GennaroE.

Thanks, Zora. Maybe I'll go ahead and stick with the original plan: pork-haters be damned!

I've never done a brisket before (I'm not much of a fan; and I've had some of the best served up at Smittys and Louis Mueller's in Texas), so I'm a little reluctant to make my first attempt prior to 20 people coming over to my house. Though your suggestion has me thinking that maybe I'll do a couple of tri-tips...

This might be more appropriately filed under “Help Needed,” or “Barbecue” but I’ll try here first. We’re hosting a casual get-together for about 20 this weekend. No vegetarians (*phew*).

For proteins, I was going to smoke a boston butt and some chickens. I’ve since learned that at least 5 guests won’t eat pork. I’m wary about making a dish that over 20% of the guests won’t eat, and feel bad leaving them with chicken as their only option (although my smoked chicken is pretty good, chicken is still…well, chicken, and doesn’t really blow up my skirt, you know?). Strangely, its quite possible that all 20 may be beef-eaters.

I’m torn as to what I should do. Do I go with the original plan? Substitute a beef dish for the pork? If so, what? Something more unexpected like lamb? Do I do three proteins? Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated.

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P.J. Clarke's? Nothing fancy, but a good place for a nightcap and solid fare.

Sounds good, thanks. Any must have pizza in midtown?

Any suggestions for late night eats (after 11 p.m.), preferably in the mid-town area?

Wiviott used to have his "course" available for free on-line before turning it into a book. I always like his laid-back approach, which I feel is more in the spirit with the whole concept of barbecue. In contrast, some other websites and books are little too scientific and exacting in their approach, in my opinion.

Wasn't somebody kind enough to create a "wallet size" pdf of the dining guide a little while ago? I can't seem to find it.

I've got a weber smokey mountain, and am a fan of the overnight cook when entertaining. Just much less to worry about the day of the get-together. I keep it wrapped in foil and towels until serving.

Before I serve, I usually pull the pork right within the disposable aluminum tray, while basting with a light finishing sauce (chicken broth, vinegar, and some rub) to keep it moist while reheating in the oven. Tray goes into the oven and then out on the counter top for folks to serve themselves. Easy clean up.

As a general rule for life, I always err on the side of too much pork. Leftovers work great in things like tostadas, white bean stew, sandwiches with broccoli rabe and provolone, etc.

Let me know if you'd like to steal some chunks of smokewood - I'd be happy to give you some. I've got hickory, cherry and apple. I like a combo of all three for pork.

Weird. I thought this was supposed to be the Pork Barrell BBQ location. Anybody know if this three-part concept was the idea from the beginning?

Here's some food for thought:

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/04/26/attention_whole_foods_shoppers

"In Europe and the United States, a new line of thinking has emerged in elite circles that opposes bringing improved seeds and fertilizers to traditional farmers and opposes linking those farmers more closely to international markets. Influential food writers, advocates, and celebrity restaurant owners are repeating the mantra that "sustainable food" in the future must be organic, local, and slow. But guess what: Rural Africa already has such a system, and it doesn't work. Few smallholder farmers in Africa use any synthetic chemicals, so their food is de facto organic. High transportation costs force them to purchase and sell almost all of their food locally. And food preparation is painfully slow. The result is nothing to celebrate: average income levels of only $1 a day and a one-in-three chance of being malnourished.

If we are going to get serious about solving global hunger, we need to de-romanticize our view of preindustrial food and farming. And that means learning to appreciate the modern, science-intensive, and highly capitalized agricultural system we've developed in the West. Without it, our food would be more expensive and less safe. In other words, a lot like the hunger-plagued rest of the world."

This is very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

From the Urban Daddy report on this place:

The DJs will play nothing but headbanging classics, treating you and your (possibly fishnet-clad) date to nonstop power chords while you choose between the Pink Floyd (salmon ceviche with cucumber salad) and the Dream On Roll (bacon, kimchi and sundried tomato).

Put me down as doubtful

I have a bit of a problem referring to Aerosmith, AC/DC and Pink Floyd as "metal," but that is for another board, I suppose...

I wasn't as lucky as agm at this event last year.

We arrived right on time, though were unable to taste any of Chef Cooper's food, because there was simply none left by the time our turn on line came up. There certainly were some delicious offerings by the other chefs, but the extended wait times in line for both food and wine are what I remember most about this event. Perhaps they'll have worked out some of the kinks this year.

I was there in October 09, as well, and agree with jiveturk: I thought Ubuntu was extemely disappointing. I recall getting their "magical fairy eco-salad" or whatever they called it. It was a plate of (admittedly pretty looking) vegetables and leaves, with nary a drop of salt, vinegar, or lemon juice. I never thought eating vegetables could be so....dry. I nearly had to chug my all-organic, locally-sourced well water. All this for $20+, too.

i have noticed that they are using paper wine bags at whole foods much more sparingly, even though they are allowed to provide them under the law tax-free. as a result, i have had to endure clinking.

Trader Joe's in Foggy Bottom charged me for my paper wine bags. Selective (or simply wrong) application of this tax is another reason why I don't like it.

Will be near Columbia University very briefly this weekend. Anybody have any favorites for the area? Could be anything: a great cup of coffee, slice of pizza, beer joint, specialty store, etc. Thanks!