Keithstg

Prior to COVID they also had a pescatarian menu for a while, and also had an "Enduring Classics" menu in addition to the "Gastronaut's Menu", and the Good Earth... Since Covid I've only seen the two.

You may absolutely pick and choose from either tasting menu. I went shortly after the inn re-opened and I don’t believe that the menus have changed since, so the online versions are likely pretty current. I’ve not done the wine pairings before, and would consider asking the somm to pair a bottle/ half bottle each of red and white wine with your meal instead. For me the can’t miss dishes on the menus are the lamb carpaccio and the garganelli from the vegetarian menu...

Yep. Totally carryout. There are picnic benches available behind the community center and on the Hill School's campus, both of which are an easy walk, fyi. Agreed on the wine - a fine selection, as you'd expect. The best in the area aside from Locke Store, which is all the way over the mountain.

Aldie store was sold three years ago, and totally de-loused. Very nice and clean space now. Brassicas has also been closed for two years - that was the original Middleburg Juice Company store, now merged with Greenheart, and they have stores in Aldie, Leesburg, Vienna, and Middleburg. Believe they have a DC outpost coming soon as well.

Heads-up that Jarad Slipp has opened Knead Wine in Middleburg in the small space next to the former Julien’s location. Excellent pizzas and wine - one side of the store has $20 wines and one side has $40 wines. Takeout only. Wonderful addition to the village. Knead Wine

I’ve not had happy gyro, so good to know. Will try when next in DC but no chance I’m making a two hour round trip, especially as we now have Knead Wine in the ‘burg. As to the frozen pizza question, again, Goldbelly offers a wide variety of styles from around the country - all of which are vastly superior to what you’ll find at the grocery.

Goldbelly is your friend for good frozen pizza. Many to choose from. We like Speedy Romeo and Marta (the latter when available).

Also a huge fan of Andy's. They were not open last weekend, but pleased they are now. Think they must be the first business back open in the food hall, or whatever they are calling that third floor space now.

Was "Handmaid" not her official title in the group? If (as reported) Handmaid was Coney Barrett's title, the WaPo is just reporting accurately. Also see no semi-crosseyed photo, but am looking at the web edition and have found that the pictures on the mobile version sometimes differ.

So no surprise, dining at Le Bernardin was both weird and wonderful. The restaurant has invested a huge amount of money in sanitization equipment and the staff uniformly wore masks and gloves (we wore masks while not eating/ drinking), and whenever a server approached our table. There are some pictures and stories floating around from "re" opening night, but I didn't take any. All in all, the food was phenomenal and the wines fantastic - further cementing Le Bernardin as my favorite of the NYT 4*. Nothing remotely like it in DC, for sure. We had the chef's tasting - Menu below: Layers of Thinly Pounded Yellowfin Tuna; Foie Gras, Toasted Baguette, Chives, Extra Virgin Olive Oil Warm Sea Trout "Sashimi"; Osetra Caviar, Light Marinière Sauce Seared Yellowtail Hamachi; Pickled Cucumber-Mango Salad, Lemon-Tandoori Olive Oil Grilled Lobster "Mi-Cuit"; Charred Scallions, Sea Urchin Sauce Américaine Sautéed Dover Sole; Almonds, Chanterelles, Soy-Lime Emulsion Poached Halibut; Artichoke Medley, Black Truffle Butter "The Egg" Milk Chocolate Pot de Crème, Caramel Foam, Maple Syrup, Grain of Salt Tropical Fruit "Pavlova," Coconut Sorbet, Lemongrass-Kefir Lime Sauce Standout dishes were the Dover Sole, hamachi, and lobster, though everything was very good, albeit reminiscent of past menus. All in all, a great trip. That said, quick reminder for anyone voting in the coming month. Regardless of party affiliation, PLEASE vote for the person you feel has the work ethic and stick-to-itiveness that is best for your municipality/ state/ nation. DeBlasio has managed to unite an entire city in opposition to him, regardless of party lines through laziness, incompetence, and indifference to businesses large and small, as well as first responders. He will leave the city in dire straits. If your travels take you through NYC you may eat or drink safely (such as safe is now) and be served by dedicated professionals who want to work and pursue their craft – but are leaving (as so many others) at a breakneck pace.

I suppose that's one way to get out of a second debate.

Same with Bryce Resort, in Basye, VA re: internet - and with food options, come to think of it. That said, Mt. Jackson is reasonably close. Also, Primland is absolutely stunning, but maybe more than you want to spend. Worth checking out just to see the treehouses, though.

Headed to Le Bernardin for (re) opening night on Wednesday. Will be interesting to see what’s changed. Pleased to see that outdoor dining is set to become permanent - maybe DeBlasio isn’t out to completely destroy NYC and it’s restaurant culture.

Yes, but you can't go to Les Pres d'Eugenie the first weekend in October. so not a fair comparison. No argument on the world, however.

Small Private Club in rural Fauquier county (a stone's throw from Loudoun County) seeks a bar manager and bartender/ servers to assist with the ongoing improvement of our culinary program. Love craft cocktails? Passionate about service and hospitality? Love beer and wine? Hate working weekends? Our team is seeking experienced hospitality professionals to improve our beverage program. Successful candidates will demonstrate cocktail/ wine knowledge and a desire to create a craft cocktail menu for our membership. We offer extremely competitive wages and fully paid healthcare benefits. The club is open for lunch and dinner service from Tuesday - Friday, and brunch on Saturday and Sunday. No Saturday/ Sunday evening hours necessary. Please send me a PM if this brief description interests you.

This position has been filled.

Yes. And Richard’s son, who passed away in 2015.

To Richard Keane and Bill Meehan. 19 years. And to Dan Keane. Wish we could have done more to help.

From where and to where in Maine? That's wild unless you are headed to Aroostoock County. I've been driving from DC or VA to ME for the past 19ish years, save for when we fly or leave from NY. Never taken more than 13 to NE Harbor. Of course, now I've jinxed myself... There was a direct flight on United from Dulles to Portland, and Dulles to Bangor, but fear it's a casualty of the pandemic.

Until DeBlasio changes his mind, or doesn't get a plan in place...again.

I hear that. The common refrain among our group about the Cavalier was - "This place is great - too bad it's here, though". Fishers Island in Long Island Sound is very nice. Block Island could also be fun.

Oof. Can’t imagine that job. Anyway, I think you would really enjoy the Cavalier.

100% stay at the Cavalier. Gorgeous renovation. I was there last summer with a group for USTA sectionals and then again for regionals (in Norfolk, but no chance we were staying there). Not cheap, but really a wonderful property. Agreed with Eric on Becca - the indoor pool is lovely and the more casual restaurant got the job done as well. Having the beach club was also very nice, and would make it easier to distance. That said, we went to VA Beach because we had to - I'd point you in this direction instead: https://www.donrockwell.com/topic/14342-bar-harbor-and-down-east-maine/

True, could have happened to anyone. And yes, Djokovic did release a statement, but stormed out without facing live media. Tough year on the PR front for Nole. Think Kyrgios made a great point when asking fans to vote on how many years Nick would be suspended for if he made the mistake. Will be interesting to see how much (or little) Novak is punished.

I wasn’t sure Djoker could make a bad pr year worse for himself but darn if he didn’t manage to do it! Ridiculous.