kturkey88

Anyone been recently?

Couldn't find a thread but it looks like some people enjoyed it a few years ago (for cheap eats, even a rehearsal dinner)...

BLT Steak has had them as well. Good stuff.

It is a hotel, but the Tabard Inn might qualify - great food, great location, and charming/cozy.

I've gone to 2 holiday parties there and even looked into it for a small wedding. They've got the upstairs rooms (divided but they give you both), and would probably stage you and the bar in one (for your HH) and set the sit down dinner in the other.

We and our wedding guests just spent a nice long weekend at the Mandalay Bay and I think most of us ended up eating completely within the hotel the whole time (being too busy to venture out). StripSteak was the go-to late night spot...great bar and great apps (along the same lines of those at Bourbon Steak here). The bartender's cool...somehow having recognized me from months ago and then - in a separate instance - recognizing my family from their visit months ago...for a place that turns so many, I was impressed.

I really like Burger Bar. Fantastic beer list, busy (but was always able to get a spot at the) bar (although there's been a wait to sit at tables almost everytime I've been in there) and even a memorably juicy, chicken hawaiian sandwich if you're not in the mood for beef at the Burger Bar (gasp).

Raffles was the place to be for all breakfast/brunch/lunch meals with HUGE portions that really pleased our masses. It's not the cheapest, but excellent hangover food and open 24 hours...it was really nice to have.

Our rehearsal dinner was at Lupo and they did an excellent job. Service was outstanding as were the apps. Meatballs were awesome and the pizzas were delicious. A mozza and tomato salad was really nice too.

Excellent trip and while I don't intend to stay within one hotel an entire visit the next time I go, MB worked out really well for those of us who did this time around.

Just returned from a wonderful honeymoon in Napa.

We stayed at the beautiful Carneros Inn and ate at the FARM twice. We stuck to the bar menu but had the most delicious chilled corn soup and a very nice flatbread - arugula, fig and point reyes blue. We liked them so much we ended up getting the exact same thing (plus an eh charcuterie plate) the second time we went.

Very much enjoyed the atmosphere of Bottega (although the outside - the little strip of restaurants/shops in Yountville felt kindof Disney-ish with its perfectly manicured "town" setup) - a nice, suprisingly local feel to the bar as everyone knew each other on Monday night. Michael C was sitting at the bar when we walked in and seemed to know a lot of the regulars as he popped in and out. An app of shoot peas and corn salad was refreshing and light and the pasta bolognese was very, very meaty. I didn't love it, as the "sweet 100" tomatoes didn't really sweeten it enough for me, but when I added the cheese spread (romano and oil?) that comes out with the bread in lieu of butter, I liked it more.

We went back to the bar for lunch later that week and really enjoed the polenta with mushrooms and balsamic, and the burrata-filled arancini.

Cindy's Backyard Kitchen was a nice meal. The feel of the spot is very "lunch with the ladies" but the menu wasn't really restricted to that type of food - although sandwiches (shrimp salad, a grilled cheese, etc.) looked delicious and felt like they fit in there, the duck tosdada was awesome (and big) - even though it's totally not what I would have expected from the look of the place. I had a really nice fromage blanc ravioli (in brown butter) and another special app I can't remember and didn't have room for the white wine braised short ribs I wish I could have tried.

Dinner at the French Laundry was as people have previously described. It was a once in a lifetime meal that I guess I'm glad I experienced. The service was excellent - the wine list recommendations were extremely pricy though and while I enjoyed the wines, I probably would have been just as happy if we had reigned that in a bit. ($200+ for a half bottle of red...zoinks!)

My favorite meal was at the Martini House in St Helena. They had a really nice outside patio area and an eclectic dining room that was dark and kindof odd but awesome at the same time...a native-american decorated medieval castle with an open kitchen...(?) The cream of mushroom soup was fantastic - just creamy enough and served with a light froth on top - so, so good. My duck breast with cannellini beans (with some rigatoni stuffed with duck and fennel sausage) was excellent. Might have been the best plate I ate the whole trip.

An excellent trip, perfect weather, stellar food and for the most part, surprisingly reasonable prices for the meals we had. I can't wait to go back.

Anyone know if you can get the full dinner menu - the a la carte - at the bar or would/should we get a table?

Thanks everyone. Italian Store did have them, but they had them in their deli case and (I should have probably mentioned that) I'm looking to mail them as she's not local. They said they may be able to order them in smaller, sealed packs though, I just haven't followed up (yet) today and I may not have to now given Zora's post about BlackSalt. Thanks again.

My soon-to-be mother-in-law can't find white anchovies - ideally in vinegar instead of oil - where she lives. Does anyone know where I can get them? FWIW - not looking to buy them in bulk. I mention it because she was offered like 2 lbs worth, but that's not what she's looking for.

Thanks!

Hit tons of wineries as well. Found several small producers I will add to my rotation.

Any you'd recommend we hit during our honeymoon trip next month? I'm very much looking forward to returning to Van der Heyden, but would love a couple of other small producer suggestions. Thanks!

I'm pretty sure we tried the butter poached lobster at Adour and it was good but since we're going to the Oval Room next month anyway with my MIL, we might try it there as well. Question regarding their preparation with young coconut, cassia, pearls of peach and wasabi - what is the dominant flavor? Is it sweet? fruity like coconut? fruity like peach?

To be honest, I don't think I've had it with the peach...maybe the fruit changes seasonally. (If I had to guess - it may have been prepared with grapefruit at the times I've had it...?)

Either way though, I don't remember it being sweet. I remember it having the richness of a butter poaching, but being refreshing at the same time because of the broth. (I'll have to go back to try this peach version and if I do, I'll report back.)

The butter poached lobster at Oval Room - not sure if it qualifies as "interesting" but it is oh so good.

Does anyone know the specifics on the happy hour here? I'm looking for what's offered and for what times. Thx.

I attended a rehersal dinner at the Chart House a few years ago. I remember the location more than the food, but the view was very nice. They put us in a semi-private rm overlooking the water.

R.I.P. Washington's best happy hour. Cocktails, Tuna Slider, Hot Dogs all no longer discounted prior to 7pm.

The menu I had last night still said that happy hours were M-F, 4-7. Were you told something different b/c we were planning on trying to hit it sometime this week...?

So thinking about going back to Central soon, have only been once a long time ago, but am trying to not over do it on the wallet and the waist line (the portions are huge). What do people think about ordering some of their apps as entrees? Which apps are worth it in terms of taste and portion to qualify as entree replacements? Or another idea is which entrees are best to share for 2?

I do have to admit that I'm also trying to save room for dessert - which I know are rich and large.

Went last week and two of us ended up splitting the lamb shank entree (after a few apps). The lamb was excellent and the portion size ended up being perfect for us, so I'd recommend that route.

I think Ceiba and Beck have semi-private spaces about that size.

Might be slightly off-topic, but I saw Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) for the first time the other day...is the oyster bar in the movie supposed to be Old Ebbitt? I couldn't help but think so...

Any movie buffs out there?

Sorry I didn't see these posts eariler since I went to JMU.

I fondly remember Thai Cafe, Dave's Taverna (beer and sandwiches), Mr J's and Little Grill (veggie options).

Joshua Wilton was the fancy option, but I haven't been there in 10 years. If a date took me there...giddyup.

In Staunton, Mill St Grill was pretty popular.

Haven't been in a few months, but I loved the tuna tartare with avacado app.

For breakfast, we braved the lines at the Gazebo. It was cheap, good and genuine. The owners work the floor of the tiny place and it hit the spot when we wanted a greasy, easy breakfast.

http://www.mauihawaii.org/restaurants/gazebo.htm

Mark and Orlandos is close and the upstairs might work.

How was it? I live close by and have been curious about it.

On Maui:
My favorite place was Sansei. The small bar was packed, but the food was awesome and the bartenders were really cool. We didn't get there until our last night (we happened to overhear a local talking about the date he took there), but that'll be the first place we hit when we go back.

Mama's Fish House was delicious but expensive. Entrees hovered around the $50+ mark but I still remember the macadamian-crusted mahi-mahi stuffed with lobster I had.

Spats - Italian in the Hyatt Regency at Kaanipali. No view - the restaurant is underground (very Filomena-ish) - but very cozy. A decently priced wine list and great food if you want to get away from fish for a night.

Just had Acadiana's last weekend and really enjoyed them. (And the roasted sweet corn and crab soup was delicious - creamy, sweet and crabby.)

An Auto Protect pop-up happens when I go to the main page. It tells me it's acted on the "Bloodhound.Exploit.109Risk".