Keithstg

There are always private clubs, which are exempt from the ban.

In the internet era, most of the time all you need is the time to sign up online. Some of the more luddite wineries use Fax. Typically once the list fills up, there is a waiting list, and so on. In the most extreme cases (Screagle, maybe) you may have to know someone, but I don't think cash ever figures into the equation, until you buy the wine, of course.

If you decide to try the three course menu, the spring pea/lobster bisque is fantastic, and breakfast at citronelle is an incredibly tasty and fun dessert. I've had the tasting and the ala carte menu and loved both - I don't think you can go wrong either way. Seeing as most less-than glowing reports about Citronelle come from four years ago (or so), and are vague, I don't think you have anything to worry about. My wife and I had a fabulous meal there over Memorial Day weekend, and I'm sure you will too - Citronelle is certainly on par with all of the others you mention. Happy Anniversary!

My Luger's patronage has to do with growing up in NYC with a family of red meat eaters, which led to many, many trips to Brooklyn. All I'll add to the topic is that the past few times I have been to Luger's the porterhouses have been overcooked, and sent back. This seems to happen at PL frequently, for the reasons that Jake described.Anyway, back to topic. I'm sure you've had to wait in line for stuff before, that didn't end up half as good as Ray's. Head over and enjoy! eta: Luger's takes cash, but also accepts it's own credit cards, FWIW.

Having just been to Luger's last week, for about the 40th time, I can assure you that Ray's would not want to be compared to Luger's. Ray's is putting out much, much better food right now - AND has a much better winelist.

Agreed, but the $100 price point makes it irrelevant for some. Personally, I'm just glad to be on the KB list. CPS does have some good bargains if you take the time to look. Ditto the comments on Corduroy - Chef Power has put together a great list.

I agree with your assessment, but I'd blame it more squarely on population density in the District. Locals (and by locals in this instance I mean those living within city limits) number around 550,000, the majority of which probably don't regularly support mid-priced, chef-driven restaurants like the ones you mention. The remaning folks who do support such establishments aren't around in sufficent number to support a huge amount of these places, as in NYC (where I am originally from) or SF. I realize that a large segment of the population exists in the suburbs to support these establishments, but I would bet that the majority of folks coming in to DC on the weekend are looking for a "big night out in the city", and typically overlook mid-priced, chef-driven places for either more expense account (or as Tom S. would say, "Big Deal") restaurants, flasier chains (Zengo!) or maybe upscale chains, like ruth's chris, etc.I don't say any of this to offend, or to raise the completely played-out "DC vs. Suburbs" debate. I wonder what others think on this topic, and it would be interesting to see/hear what folks in these chef driven restaurants think, or where their customers typically come from. To me, places like Corduroy, Palena Cafe, Firefly, etc. are treasures, and having more of them around would benefit everyone, inside DC and out.

If $100 can ever be considered a "good deal", Kosta Brown Kanzler is available at Charlie Palmer Steak. Not a steal, but pretty fair considering how scarce it is in these parts...

Well, at least one of them is an actual chef....

Although I am just now posting a week later, my wife and I had a wonderful meal at Citronelle over Memorial Day weekend - a much required break from Home Improvements. Many, many, many thanks to Mark for his gracious service, and for the wonderful table! We had a blast, and the highlights included: Caviar Penguin: A wonderful way to start of a meal. I could eat the homemade blini all day as a snack (the caviar too, come to think of it)! A glass or two of champagne went extremely well with this, as well as the amuse bouche (thanks Mark!) Lobster and Pea Bisque (me): The past few times we have been to Citronelle I've ordered the Begula pasta, and almost did this time out - I'm glad I didn't - this dish was superb! Michel's Begula Pasta (my wife): Nothing more can be said about this dish than has already been said. It's fantastic, and I'm sure that the imitations now floating around are not as good as the original! My wife really enjoyed this dish. Softshell Crab Compote (both): This dish was a wonderful surprise. The tempura batter was perfect, and the softshells were sublime. This was paired with a very nice riesling - thanks Mark! Colorado Rack of Lamb (me): Superbly prepared, with excellent depth of flavor. Halibut (my wife): My wife really, really enjoyed the halibut. She made a split decision at the time she placed her order, and I know that she loved the result, because the Halibut was gone before I could even ask for a taste! We finished the meal with an orange souffle and the chocolate three ways. Just a wonderful meal (and experience) overall, and we can't wait to return. Thanks so much to Mark, and the rest of the staff, for a great time to recount over some (more) brickpointing the following day!

Thanks for this - we'll be going to Citronelle this weekend, and it's been a while. Now I know what to look out for!

For the theater district, I'd say DB Bistro Moderne (a bit on the high end, but the much talked about burger is worth it), Amarone (47th and 9th) for a nice, relaxed Italian meal, or Bistro du Vent, which is on 42nd and 10th IIRC, and is a neighborhoody bistro - part of the Batali stable of restaurants. I think that BduV would be my pick overall. Then there's always Siberia for a drink afterward if you are in the mood for a really eclectic scene, to say the least, and have time before the show. PM me for details if you want.

I agree 100% about Chrissie. Incidentally, someone did mention Vermillion, which is in NOVA (I think, I don't cross the river much!)

I was at Gerard's place for dinner last Friday, and can concur with you on the escargot profiteroles - I split the escargot appetizer and the lobster appetizer with my wife and we both enjoyed them. Although it's a pricey supplement, Gerard's signature lobster dish looked very good, although my wife finished it before I could try to steal a bite. I ordered the shortribs, and found them to be overcooked and bland. I like the concept of the Sheperd's pie, however both the beef and the potato top were overdone, which took away from my enjoyment of the dish. There was enough sauce on the plate to make it edible, however.One point about the wine list - it's still not great, and wines are served waaay too warm, although that applies to many restaurants in town. All in all, we'd definitely return to Gerard's, and I'll give the short ribs a try again - hopefully my experience will be more like yours!

Dan, you are certainly entitled to your opinion, although I do think it a bit unseemly to state it online four or five years after the fact (especially without acknowledging the time passage). That said, I've been to Citronelle three times in the past five months or so. One visit I had the tasting menu with wine pairings, while the other two I dined ala carte. Each time, without exception, I had gracious service, and really wonderful food, from Michel's Begula Pasta, to Breakfast at Citronelle, to a very nice sous vide dish. The wine pairings with the tasting menu were excellent, and if I were to have any criticism it would be that the pours were too generous ! Each time that we dined ala carte, Mr.Slater was very professional and worked within our budget to find things that we liked. In the end, I'm sorry that your experiences haven't been as good as mine were, but I'd try it again and see if they don't prove you wrong.

Gotcha. After further thought, I'd change my description from "similar" to "all out theft".

I'm fairly certain that all of the original chefs for Iron Chef Japan were well known in Japan prior to being selected. As for the American version, I agree about Cat Cora, she's awful, and they could have done so much better with their selection. Even just looking here in DC, Ris Lacoste would have been much better - or Carole Greenwood, just to see what would happen!Watching the match on tivo last night, I'm surprised no one has remarked on Roberto making what for all intents and purposes was "Michel's Begula Pasta"...

And, does this mean that all the rumors we have been hearing about the Watergate getting a new restaurant are more or less true?

Hear, Hear!

Good point. Masa in the US would certainly be right up there as well...

Although there is a Bobby Van's in New York, there are also two in the District, where this episode ocurred.

I disagree. A response like "you'll have to wait", if delivered in the manner suggested, would have elicited the exact same response from me. A simple answer, and a trip out the door. No need to be dramatic about things, but that attitude from the maitre'd goes beyond what would deserve a chance to make it right. I don't know where the manager suggested that the incident was a minor inconvenience - he seemed to think it was a very poor display on his restaurants behalf. Say what you will about people whining in Tom's column, but in this case I think the complaint had merit.

Somewhat off topic, but the spring allocation of R-C arrived at my door yesterday! Eric Sussman is a great winemaker, and not necessarily in the Turley mold...

Whoops. The wine was consumed at Vidalia. Sadly, Mr.Mortet ended his own life.

This weekend at dinner: Denis Mortet "En Champs", Gevrey Chambertin, 2001: Really great wine, and a truly tragic situation. Mr. Mortet will be missed. The wine was consumed during a really nice dinner at Vidalia. Littorai "Cerise Vineyard", 2002: a good Anderson Valley pinot noir, although it did remind me a bit of Beaux freres for some reason-I don't know why. This wine would be a good example of an Anderson Valley pinot. Had it at Sonoma, on 50% off wine night - a really nice promotion!