brr

except yum......and that they are served with onion bacon ice cream

[quote name='porcupine' date='21 July 2009 - 03:41 PM' timestamp='1248205316' post='141136' This year has been horrible; we got too much rain in a very cool spring, allowing diseases to get established, and now we have a drought that's further stressing the plants. This thread has been great in terms of info on how to better care for tomato plants. I had ascribed my problems mainly to Porcupines theory above.....I planted my tomatoes literally the day before the 6 week monsoon began and just figured that they drowned

I don't know if its blight but I've been growing tomoatoes fairly succesfully for the last 5 or so years and this year is more or less a disaster. 60% of my plants are dead and the rest don't look too good (with the exception of a few tomatillo plants).

I haven't looked in detail but did notice that the steak is down from an eye-popping $46 to a 'mere' $39

It called mine several days this week! Whether you are solo at the bar or sitting with some friends this remains an incredible, incredible deal! The staff are so friendly and its just mystifying to me why the bar area isn't slammed during lunch. The only minor niggle I have is that the $12 menu doesn't seem to have changed much in the last 6 months - I mean, I love the shrimp burger but it would be good to see a little more variety on there.

As most of you know I'm a big fan of Vidalia's $19.90 3-course lunch special. I also enjoy the Proof $12 lunch entree + glass of wine at the bar special. Eve is another but not practical for lunch for anyone working in DC. Are there other attractive lunch specials I am missing in the Dupont/Downtown area for folks who are nto on expense accounts. Not interested in RW specials, but in longer running deals. Feel free to move to another forum if necessary/appropriate.

Last week brought yet another trip to Chicago, and I endeavored to make the most of my time there, eating and drinking wise. Biggest take away, Chicago is turning into quite the beer mecca, and Chicagoans are still the nicest people in America. Monday lunch brought me to State and Lake, at the new Wit hotel. Its a nice space with what I would describe as a somewhat 'mainstream', but still good, microbrew selection (Dogfish 60, Anderson Valley, Old Rasputin, Allagash). They did have Three Floyds Alpha King but the hit of the meal for me was a Two Brothers Country Ale. Food wise I went for a short rib panini w/ blue cheese. Decent but very very rich. Monday evening led me to the bar at Graham Elliot. I had never heard of this guy until Top Chef Masters and was impressed with what he did on the show so decided to give it a try. Spent a nice few hours trying out a few different apps (a divine Wagyu beef tartare and an earthy snail and morel mushroom puff pastry thingy) and chatting with the friendly staff, while having a few cocktails and more good local brews, Flywheel lager and somethign else (Thanks Lynn!). Tuesday I made the pilgrimage to Hot Dougs. About 40 people in line at 3 on a Tuesday afternoon. Mr Hot Doug cheerily taking orders up front. Not going to add too much to what already been said about this place. I had the foie gras, sauternes and duck sausage and another killer pork one. Tuesday night meant The Map Room. Arrived too late for the free grub so upon a barmans recommendation ordered take out from Cafe LaGuardia and ate at the bar. This was the most pleasant surprise of the week as the food was just fantastic, including a great Red Snapper dish. The Map Room itself was awesome and I ended up basically closing the place rocking out to loads of punk and hardcore with the staff (including a former Jay Reatard guitarist!). Beers consumed somewhat hazy but included, Duvel Green, Two Brothers Hop Juice, a great Doppelbock and at least 3 or 4 others that escape me. Wednesday was a bit of a recovery day. Had a late lunch at Piece, again on the recommendation of the staff at The Map Room, but for whatever reason neither the pizza or the beer really did it for me. Concluded the trip with dinner at The Publican. Beautiful space, very 'trendy', very busy. Sat at the bar tables and enjoyed a few good Belgians with some oysters and a few other bits and pieces.

Looks like there is one opening in Dupont Circle in the spot where the hardware/bike shop and flower shop was (P and 20th or 21st)

spent the weekend hanging with Thomas the Tank in Strasbourg and happened upon a great little Mexican place in Lancaster.... Its called Cocina Mexicana and is a tiny little place in downtown Lancaster (which I must say has a great little vibe to it and appears to have undergone significant regeneration in recent years with a host of new restaurants, hotels and a new college of music (or at least a new building). Sets about 20 people tops.....not fancy, think cefateria style surroundings and presentations but cheap and probably better than 90% of the "Mexican" food available in DC. Tacos start at about $2 and are generously filled with a choice of toppings (I had beef tongue, chorizo and a third with steak, avocado and cactus). Lots of Mexican sodas as well as some home made juices and horchata. Kids menu prices included quesadilla, taco and chicken and were also about $2. If we're looking for a comparison, imho this place is way better in terms of taste the Taqueria Nacionale. If you're in the area you could do a lot worse. Cocina Mexicana 47 N. Prince Street Lancaster, PA 17603 717-393-9193

you had me until "friendly service" - maybe I'm not showing enough leg Despite the general staff churlishness its my go to place because of the great beer and gentle prices. Probably a little loud and crowded for Dan though....

How have peoples gardens done during the recent monsoon season? I have a bunch of moldy looking tomato plants but am hoping an extended run of sunshine may perk them up a little.

too late to help but in the future you might want to consider Broad Branch Market?

We popped in here last Sat night while waiting for a table at 2 Amys. Only had a couple of cocktails so can't speak to the food. I had a very tasty Brown Derby, another had a delicious Cucumber/Thyme gin concoction. The only one that wasn't a hit was the Tarragon mojito which my wife felt was a little bitter compared to a "regular" mojito. Service was outstanding - we'll be back for food in the near future.

The cheese selection is very good, but on Sat night they committed the cardinal sin (for this cheese-obsessed Irishman at least) of listing Crozier Blue's provenance as the United Kingdom. Tsk, tsk!

We've been going to Vidalia more and more lately, mainly because of their fantastic lunch deal ($19.90 for a three course tasting) and think its turning out some of the best food in the city right now. Saturday night was a slightly more expensive outing as 8 of us tried the tasting menu but boy oh boy was it worth it. Service was impeccable and Chef RJ tolerated some food allergies with grace and humor. We had some interesting wines including a first for us: a wine (syrah I think) from Brazil. Anyway the food was dynamite. Highlights for me were the wild garlic soup with morels and foie gras, the shrimp and grits (as good as ever) and one of the best desserts I have had in months. Of course, true to form I can't remember exactly what it was but it involved frozen chocolate mouse topped with a piece of lightly toasted marshmallow. I'm not doing it justice but for chocolate lovers and sweet tooths in general its a must and I hope they put it on the regular dessert menu as I think it was a special.

Thanks for the recommendations! We will probably play it safe and do Cinghiale or Pazo, although the most recent review for Pazo on DR is lukewarm to say the least....

I would say Vidalia - depending on what you order you could easily get a meal there for the same $$ as Firefly or Pesce

Hey all: So I'll be in Baltimore for a casual business dinner next Monday night and am looking for recommendations. Looking for somewhere fun with good food and my knowledge of Charm City restaurants extends to Charleston (never been but have heard good things) and The Helman (love it but looking for something a little more upscale). Any thoughts? Also, its a Monday so some places may be closed.... Thanks Niall

Any recent reports? We have reservations for Saturday

Actually the bento box is $40 "Seasonal Tenshin Bento (available with advanced order)" hmmm, mixed bag for lunch - you can still get the daily lunch special for $12 which represents a 20% increase from before but a fairly manageable $2....you can also get Katsu Don and hot and cold noodles for $12 sushi starts at $15 for 6 nigiri plus 1 roll, there are also $25 and $35 sushi options some (maybe all) dishes now come with a piping hot egg custard soup dotted with some shitakes and a few other buried treats, plus miso soup room is nicely done....no sushi bar

Any word on lunch options? Website seems to be down. God I loved this place for lunch before they closed!

agreed, this weekend I'll be planting loads of lettuce (mmmm, arugula), peas and some carrots

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_...icle5561425.ece

more flip food adobo short ribs - freakin' fantastic!! washed down with "Cumin Get It" cocktails (Gin, lime juice, cumin infused simple syrup and coconut milk) - made primarily not to waste leftover coconut milk but surprisingly surprisingly good banana choc chip bread pudding w/ rum sauce

and its closed....