hillvalley

So many fucking tomatoes.  Again.  Still. And don't forget the abundance of eggplant.

Eggplant dip we made by throwing whatever was around together and blending it with pureed, grilled eggplant

Pea and mint dip

Caprese soup with shrimp

Grilled eggplant parm with homemade tomato sauce

Roasted corn

Grilled peaches, figs, cantaloupe

Macarons

Plain G&Ts with Green Hat and Fever Tree for two of us

Grilled peach juice G&Ts and Fever Tree for the other two

Last week we had three of the worst rolls I have ever been served.  We had a yellowtail and scallion, tuna, and oshinko.  None of the rolls were rolled properly: they all opened up and as we ate them fell apart.  There was too much rice which was not well seasoned.  The yellowtail was fine but not nearly the quality I expected after Kliman's article.  They were also out of natto, which you know pissed me off.  Especially since you can buy it at Piak's produce in Eastern Market four blocks away.

I'd like to think our trip was an off day but a) the person I went with had had this experience before, b ) if you can't roll a basic maki you have no business opening a sushi joint, and c) there were five other people there while we ate so it is not like they were slammed.  Very disappointing.

Rosemary lime rickeys

The title says it all.

The gas grill is full of lobster tamale*, roe, and guts.  I've never cleaned a grill and don't know where to start.

*Yes, I cried when I realized I lost some of the tamale.

Elizabeth is indeed a fantastic server; I don't understand sitting anywhere but the kitchen.

It's interesting that New Foodie mentioned that they served one dish before she was finished with a previous dish because I had the same problem tonight.  For me it's hard to look past since we were mere feet from the guy who was calling out orders and the level of service they hold themselves to.

The crispy cauliflower is back on the regular menu.  This dish is classic Rose's and a must try if you like cauliflower.  I'm not going to describe the dish because it should be tasted without knowing what to expect.

I don't get the strawberry pasta.  It's bizarre. We agreed this was the best adjective to describe the dish. Strawberries and tomatoes don't do it for me.  I found it spicy but I have a low heat tolerance.  The rigatoni with squash blossoms was much better.

The crispy squid is a great version of fried calamari, although again spicy.  The avocado and radish add a nice texture and flavor.

The jonah crab claws are fine, nothing special.  It could make for disastrous or excellent date food depending on how the night is going. The honey glazed carrots are a spiffier version of the honey carrots that my mother makes for the Jewish holidays.  Her's will have dill in them this fall.

I'm fairly certain that they aren't giving out free "extras" anymore.  New Foodies understandable disappointment reminds me of the Palena caramel sadness of a decade ago.

One last note: there is not a hint of bacon on the menu.  This has to be one of the only menus in the city without it and it wasn't really missed.

PS: Shouldn't it be 'On' Barracks Row instead of 'In' BR since  Barracks Row is only 8th street?

To ol_ironstomach for bringing my car out of the analog age.

sour-milk biscuits with strawberries, sweetened ricotta, and whipped cream.

no, I did not mean to post this in the dessert thread. 

you've heard of "breakfast for dinner." why not "dessert for dinner"?

I have a group of friends who celebrate special occasions by having dessert for the first course and last.  Different desserts of course.

Jonathan's pizza is as good as anything I ate in Italy or the Italian part of Switzerland in the past year.  The daily HH makes it an absurd deal.

My only complaint is that clearly no woman was consulted when discussing the mirrors in the bathroom because it is impossible to make sure that your makeup is perfect in those things.

To the Class of 2014

Strawberry basil lemonade:

Blend strawberries, basil, and a few turns of black pepper if you are so inclined.  Make ice cubes out of the puree.  Throw a few ice cubes into the lemonade of your choice and add vodka.  

Kale caesar salad

Bump.  Anyone know where to buy them in DC?

Two dinner parties, two nights in a row.  While neither meal was difficult and there were repeats, we're not cooking for a while.

Last night:

Eggplant dip

Olive tapenade

Red leaf lettuce and beet salad with homemade dijon vinaigrette

Mayo free warm lemon potato salad

Sauteed spinach with garlic and lemon

Grilled scallions

Flank steak marinated in soy, ginger, scallion

Grilled pineapple topped with grilled blueberries

Tonight:

Eggplant dip

Olive tapenade

Tomato chutney over whipped cream cheese

Mixed greens with dijon vinaigrette

Clams and spaghetti

Strawberry and grilled pineapple fruit salad topped with whipped cream

Homemade rugelach

Chocolate covered marshmallows

Coffee milk

Go to a two star and make sure you hit Le Comptoir.  Other than the sea urchin I had at Huitrerie Regis, this is the meal I still dream of two months after my visit.

I've gotta say a lot of you sound old and crotchety on this thread.  Regarding waiting in line, you old people forget what it's like to factor in the time and cost of a babysitter into the mix.   Imagine trying to plan a night out at one of these evil, no reservation taking places while trying to factor in a babysitter.  At least you can now spend money that was once devoted to paying the babysitter on drinks or Uber.

If you are going to brave the waits for Rose's and plan on driving do yourself a favor and avoid Friday nights during the summer.  From now until Labor Day the Marines put on a parade every Friday night.  Parking is restricted on 8th and 9th between G and I.  Construction on the freeway doesn't make things any better. Although the parade doesn't start until 8:45 the restrictions start around 4 and the tourists and their busses start arriving by 6.  It makes for great people watching but a traffic nightmare.

As for Toki, take an afternoon off and go for lunch.  Parking is a breeze, there is no wait, and if it's slow you can have a great conversation with the bartender on the merits of reading the New Yorker online v. paper.

I think what you experienced has to do with American food and the amount of chemicals used.  Switzerland does not allow   chemicals to be used in the production of food and my body can handle greasy, fatty food better than it does in the States. In the States I have a sensitive stomach but over here I can eat the same foods without problem.  I would never think of having a Cheeseburger Royal, fries and a diet Coke in the States.  It would make me sick for days.  Yet today I had that for lunch and was fine.

I know none of it is good for me and that there are long term effects so I do still eat in moderation but when splurging I can enjoy at a level I would not dream of when I am home.

Regarding drinking water, it is one of the easiest things you can do for yourself.  Keep a water bottle at home, work, and in the car and you are good to go.  I drink between 50-70 oz a day and can feel a difference when I don't.

To Steven Shaw, cofounder of eGullet. Without him none of us would be here.

Thanks to a food message board that went live right around 9/11 many of us have found love, created friendships that can't be replaced, and enhanced our passion for food.

Suggestions for nonpizza places?  We'll work through the list above but knowing my parents we'll need some other choices.

Also, suggestions for Sorrento?

To my girl G, seven years later.

Old Bay Fun Fact: It's kosher.  Back when kosher boy was in the picture, besides the aforementioned potato salad and coleslaw, we would put it in turkey burgers, meatloaf and scrambled eggs.  It's also good in egg salad or deviled eggs.

Cocktail sauce would also work in meatloaf or as a plan dip for veggies.

Last night: A big ass prawn.  Described as gigante maxi in Italian.  Pan seared in butter topped with Old Bay.  Coppa and ementhaler to munch on while the prawn was cooking.  Mini fruit tarts and cannoli for dessert.

Tonight: sauteed squash blossoms, potato pancakes and pan fried lamb chops.  Black Greek olive tapanade on crackers to munch on while everything was cooking.  Strawberries and cream for dessert.

Aperol spritz are the drink of choice when we need a cocktail in the late afternoon but have an evening event/obligation with students.  

Duck rillettes

Egg salad made with Greek olive oil, French mayo, tabasco and cornishon

Peanut M&Ms from the States

Apple soda

...cleaning out the fridge and cabinets

The French version of a Slim Jim, but oh so much better.  And Laphroaig.

At almost 4:30am is this a late night or early morning snack?

Thomas Sweet in Georgetown was the place to go to for ice cream cakes back in the day.  If you were really lucky you got to stop at Commander Salamander to get your hair sprayed neon pink before you picked up the cake.