Keithstg

Out of curiosity - why is that important? The bidding feature that has inspired such pearl clutching is an optional feature - again, as someone who has actually used the app in question paying a premium is not necessary to request or make a reservation - at ANY reserve restaurant. For example, I've requested a reservation, been presented with the option to pay more for a table, and have declined each time. Each time my reservation and meal went off without a hitch. If anything, I would rather restaurants be able to experiment with more dynamic and market driven pricing models (let's face it, an 8pm reservation at Fiola Mare on Saturday is more valuable than 8pm on a Wednesday) if it allows them to maxmize profit and therefore (a) survive, and potentially (b) expand staff benefits, hours etc etc.

That is correct. There is a world of difference between having the option of paying a premium to obtain a reservation and needing to pay a premium for a reservation, however. Having actually used the app in question I can confirm that there is no need to pay a premium. In fact, I was always a little fuzzy on how that would work. Currently you have the option of selecting a percentage above menu pricing that you are willing to pay. What was unclear to me is how this works - just for food, or for wine as well? Who knows. Anyway, reserve operates as kind of a middle ground between open table and Resy. I'm a fan.

Reserve gives you the option of paying a premium to secure a reservation, but it isn't required. I've used reserve in New York, Boston and Washington without paying a premium for any reservation. Did pay the meal through my card on file with reserve though. In that respect its not much different than OpenTable's pay service now.

I've had lunch at Jules Verne a few times - most recently about 5 years ago, so take this with a grain of salt...the views are obviously incredible and food and wine list are very good. That said, if you want a michelin starred lunch and not just the view, I'd try one of the other classic one/ two stars - like Tour d'Argent (which also has its detractors) or Taillevent.

Totally Agree. Don, you may be able to transfer your points to Virgin America by transferring your Chase points to a hotel program, then transferring those points through to Elevate. Haven't ever done it though, and would be wary of any transfer fees...

For what it's worth, Field & Main is VERY kid-friendly. They have housemade pla-dough and a wall with sheets of paper to write on, along with a considerable kid's menu. The Whole Ox is the best butcher in Virginia, and personally I don't find it pricey at all. In addition, the "little" counter is now substantially larger and they are a full blown restaurant from Wed - Sat evenings.

To Arnold Palmer and Jose Fernandez. Two transcendent talents.

To Richard Keane and Bill Meehan.

Was there on Saturday evening, will be back this coming Saturday evening as well. Shocking that the restaurant had only had two "official" dinner services prior to our dinner - things ran extremely smoothly. Everyone in our party enjoyed their meals - and the four children in our party really enjoyed the thoughtful touches that Field & Main has included for little ones. I'm scant on notes since it was our first trip in (and am unabashedly biased ) but hugely enjoyed our meal and look forward to heading there often. Also, for fans of the Ashby Inn - Bernie and Brian are among the Field and Main wait staff!

I believe it was the great Nate Diaz who said it best - "LOL, Mother*&$%#^ !". Maybe I will be completely wrong but everything about this restaurant, from the marketing to the comments re: menu to the ridiculous wine "discussions" leads me to believe that one will be able to eat twice as well for half as much at any number of DC restaurants. I both entertain for business frequently and enjoy going out to dinner with friends and have no issue spending to do so. That said, opening a first restaurant and pricing things squarely in P&P, Komi, Metier territory is going to invite some derision. Will be very interesting a couple months after opening once the bloggers have come through and posted their pics, made the typical raves, etc etc to see what the real result is...

I took the 8pm Acela almost every Sunday for a year and a half - it was generally on time and I was in my hotel room by 11:30, same time that the bus (might) have been arriving at wherever the bus arrives - port authority or canal street? I'd gladly pay $100 for an additional hour late on a Sunday night when all is said and done - that is a significant time save. That said, didn't think about the difference between getting to Union Station and to a garage in Tysons or Bethesda. Definitely some food for thought on bus re: regional train.

Some quick thoughts from the last month up here in Maine... Northeast Harbor: The Docksider has been totally redone, and now features a bar, whitewashed interior and new entry. Food is pretty much the same. Solid lobster stew and simply prepared seafood. Same prickly servers. Saw a woman complain that she had been waiting to order for 10 minutes. Promptly set my watch and watched her wait for another 12 minutes! The Asticou restaurant has been taken over by Acadia Corp, as they lost the concession for the Jordan Pond house. Lunch here was fair, with popovers coming out lukewarm, although balanced out by a very solid lobster stew and perfectly fried fish sandwich. Very nice selection of local brews on tap and you can't beat the view. The Tan Turtle is back in a new location in the Kimball Terrace Inn, and is just as bad as it was when it was at 151 main street. Unmitigated disaster. The Colonel's continues to have the best donuts and is solid if unspectacular. Islesford: The Islesford Dock Restaurant is closing after 24 years and Cynthia and Dan are going out in style. Best meal I have ever had there, even back when I worked there (my first job was 24 summers ago in their snack bar), so if you are in the area get there before labor day. Highlights included paccheri pasta with a spicy lobster sauce (had to be 3/4 lb of lobster in there) and a great chicken dish with creamed corn and a pesto sauce that would not have been out of place at the Ashby Inn. I will miss this place like the dickens. Southwest Harbor: Red Sky continues to be the best restaurant in SW Harbor. Just a great spot. Claremont continues to coast, although a nice setting for dressier dinner - great arctic char and grilled halibut. Less interesting appetizers though. Bar Harbor: Went to sweet peas only to find that they are no longer open for lunch. Total bummer, although my parents could have done me a solid and pointed that out or I could have checked online so no big deal and totally my fault, although would have been great to get there as I have heard great things from this season...

I can't imagine taking the bus to NY in any situation, even nicer options like the Sprinter Bus (http://royaltraveler.com/), although one of our board members took the sprinter from Tysons after the last Amtrak derailment and enjoyed the trip. I can't imagine that the bus (any bus) is faster than the train, even the regional. And, with heavy discounts available on the regional trains (AAA, AARP, student, etc) and 14 day advance purchases, probably not much cheaper.

Some quick updates from several recent trips to Boston: First, No. 9 Park. Went for two visits, once for the tasting menu, once for the a la carte menu. In short, No. 9 continues to be my favorite restaurant in Boston. Intimate feel, staff who really "get it" and are very interested in the food and wine being served. Highlights from my visits were corn agnolotti and a really fantastic halibut dish, the details of which I've lost to time. Wine highlights were a Puffeney Poulsard, Paolo Bea Sagrantino, and a Monthelie for the a la carte dinner, producer forgotten. If you find yourself in Boston you could do much worse than booking a celebratory meal here. Also hit Menton, Barbara Lynch's "other" flagship restaurant. Much larger than No. 9 and consequently less personal feeling - also a stellar wine list (had an Overnoy Trousseau) and service. Great meal, although I found the "Butter Soup" pretty shamelessly derivative of Keller's "Oysters and Pearls". Another great meal, although for the money I much prefer No. 9. Sportello: Right next to Menton is another Barbara Lynch spot, Sportello. Sportello is a lunch counter set up that serves pasta and a few entrees and appetizers in more of a "quick serve fine dining" atmosphere. There is a $55 "Let us Cook for you" option - I highly suggest taking advantage of this. I had a full portion of pasta, one glass of rose and some bread and my bill, plus tip was around $55. I think letting them cook for me would have provided more value, though I did enjoy my bolognese with grilled peach. Of all the Lynch places, this will be an easy pass next time around, but was nice for a quick business lunch. Bar Mezzana: This relatively new spot is in the relatively new Ink Block area, which seems like it may be Boston proper's Clarendon. Despite this, had a great meal - really reminded me of the late, great Bar Milano, which in between Gramercy and Murray Hill and run by the 'inoteca guys. Great casual feel and excellent, simple italian cuisine. This is a must for me the next couple times I am in Boston (note, they only use Reserve for reservations at present). Started with a grilled octopus app, with potato, salsa verde and pole bean. The octopus was prefectly charred, the salsa verde added a nice bite to the dish - i believe that there was also some lemon rind and celery added as well. Followed up with Paccheri pasta in a lobster cream sauce with some cherry tomatoes and green onion added in. The lobster was perfectly cooked and a generous portion. Truly enjoyed this lively spot, and they were great to a solo diner, giving me the option of eating at a table or at the bar. Can't wait to return. Ocean Prime: Had a work dinner at this giant upscale chain restaurant in the seaport. Think Capital Grille applied to seafood. That said, our group enjoyed everything we ate and the place was filled to the gills at 6:45 on a Wednesday so clearly they are on to something. Worth a mention only for the sheer mediocrity of their wine list and the very professional service - if you'd like seafood in Boston there are many other places to seek out that are more unique.

Hey Bart, I guess from my perspective the short answer is that it's not really possible to have any of the classic Citronelle dishes at Central, but I'd argue that some of the Central dishes are Michel Richard classics (fried chicken and lobster burger), just in a different vein. Not as groundbreaking and no trompe l'oeil like at Citronelle, but fun just the same and representative of his thought process. WRT Citronelle in 2016 it's hard to tell. I'd assume that the restaurant would have continued to evolve, but you never know. There was some serious talent in house.

If you like the studio albums, check out "The Final Tour" - released posthumously. It's fantastic, and Strange Conversation is on it as well.

What a huge loss. Citronelle was one of the first restaurants I went to (and could be considered a "regular" at)where I always left feeling that the cuisine really embodied who the chef was as a person. Rest in Peace, Michel.

I stopped ordering from PC in 2012 or 2013, based pretty much solely off of scuttlebutt on Wineberserkers. They filled most of my orders, though took a LONG time to credit me back for cancelled ones. Grey market sites like PC are high risk, high reward. I don't know of many who were so aggressive with pre arrivals though. My guess is that more schemes like PC are out there though - caveat emptor.

Hey Don, if you had wines on hold with them you likely would have received a notice from their bankruptcy trustee. Hopefully you are in the clear. Wineberserkers has an exhaustive thread on this mess.

So sorry to hear - what a wonderful man. Will keep Michel in my thoughts.

Quill, then Plume? Both are quiet, if expensive.

Abel's is hit or miss - the hits coming mainly if you are a long-time regular - shouldn't be that way, but that's the way things go. While it is expensive, it's the closest "nicer" lobster pound to NE Harbor. For what it's worth, I've been going there for at least 30 years and haven't had bad service. Next time try the Docksider in NE Harbor for great lobster stew. As to takeaway lobsters, I buy direct from the guys in our harbor, but if they are short, Beal's is a good bet, as is the fisherman's co-op on Islesford.

Sweet Pea's remains fantastic. I haven't been yet this year, but my parents have and really enjoyed the meal especially the crab risotto. While I (selfishly) wish that Edan and Co were still on the Southwest Harbor waterfront, I look forward to getting there a bunch of times between the end of this month and labor day.

Definitely good for them! I went once to AV, and it was well past its prime.

Looking back, this post sort of typifies 2007...