hillvalley

I assumed waitman had signed me up. Thrasher, you're worth all the spam as long as you keep inventing those cocktails

I celebrated the proximity of my new job (woohoo, I'm employed again ) to Old Ebbit by stopping by for a dozen and a half oysters and a bunch of clams with a dman good Bloody Mary to wash them down. This really is the best deal in the city. They had komomotos, two varieties from Maine (laniloa, how is this possible?) plus my favorite raspberry. To the left of me were tourists from NYC lamenting that the Grand Central Oyster Bar doesn't do the same thing and the right of me were the only three people from the Hill who are actually working right now. It doesn't get much better than this on a hot August day. Has anyone been to their Oyster Riot? Is it worth it?

The Hersch is right, it's New Morning Farm at 36th and Alton. If you know where the drive through Burger King is, it's right behind it. Saturday they are there from 8-1:30 and Tuesday they are there from 4-8. They consider Saturday their main market with at least twice as much produce (by volume) than Tuesday. Saturdays they also have baked good, fresh eggs, excellent olive oil, homemade jams and syrups and locally produced goat cheese. Tuesdays they concentrate on produce but do bring in eggs and fresh flowers. Their market on Sunday (across from the flower vendor) is the smallest but they are one of the few totally organic stands at Dupont (except the baked goods and eggs). One other note they are part of Toscoroga (I may have spelled that wrong) which supplies their produce to local restaurants such as Palena, Eve, Corduroy, Circle Bistro, just to name a few dr.com favorites.

I'm not sure if you want suggestions for which boat or seafood. As for boats, I always go to Jesse Taylor (I think that's the name, it's the one on the left side of the U). Until a few years ago I used to go to the boast that is now closed. When they shut down their manager introduced my father to the manager of the place we go to now. As for fish and seafood, I rarely leave without at least a dozen littlenecks When I worked in Alexandria and was feeling lazy and in the mood for a little splurge I would stop and get their cooked shrimp and half a dozen already shucked oysters. You can't find oysters that cheap, at any hour of the day, anywhere else in the city.

I have eaten their fish regularly for 30 years. For about 5 of those years we had something for dinner from the market at least once a week. In that time I have never had a problem, nor has anyone from my family. You do have to know what to look for and developing a relationship with one of the boats helps but one can eat very well over there if you try.

Speaking of PayPal.... Keep your Calander Diva happy....take a moment and complete your PayPal transaction today. Remember, your payment serves as your registration. I have a wait list of 26 people who are hoping you will drop out. Let me know if you have any questions. I'll deal with the wine pairing in the next couple of days.

The final list for our tasting on the 28th: Heather+1 dcfoodie+1 Peter+1 mktye allison eriedy tripewriter+1 crescentfresh+1

At Dupont this morning one of the guys at Toigo told me it was the same corn as last week. Speaking of corn, folks, be nice to your favorite farmer. Make their lives easier, especially in the ridiculous heat. If you must pull down the husk to inspect your corn (which really doesn't tell you much anyway because the other side of the corn could have worms, irregular kernel pattern, etc.) please make sure that you put the husks in whatever container they have provided for you. Nothing sucks more than working 7 hours and then having to spend more time cleaning up after people who can't bother to put their husks in the basket under the table. Thanks The garlic women made their annual two week appearance today. I picked up a couple of different varieties of garlic. Unfortunately they are now done for the season.

Next week I'll start the planning

I am officially kicking off my one woman campaign for Chef Ruta to bring back his grandmother's Roman bread and tomato soup topped with a coddled egg. Please Chef? I've waited all year.......

Doesn't count if they aren't registering

I have two spots open if anyone is interested in the dr.com only tasting on Sunday the 28th.

I could go for a "It's 5 o'clock somewhere" (aka a fruity, vodka hillvalley type drink:) ) from Tallula right about now.

Alright, the new PayPal email, that includes PayPal fees has been sent out. Let me know if you have any questions. Sorry for the confusion, someday I will stop making the same mistake If anyone from PayPal is reading, I've got some customer feedback if you want it

(*$&%)$))%)&)(&$\ Don't pay the PayPal email, I screwed it up and will resend $(#*&$#*

The PayPal email for the cost of the dinner just went out (Kanishka you are the best!!!!). The $65 includes dinner and tax but not Paypal fees or tip. Please let me know if you think you should have recieved it but did not. I will deal with the wine pairings in a few days.........

Welcome to all those who gave into Don's peer pressure I look forward to receiving your replies to my email.

I second that. I tend to avoid the fish counter all together. In Bethesda there are two small Japanese grocery stores where you can purchase it. Daruma on Arlington Ave and Hinata on St. Elmo (I think, can never remember) both have a selection of sushi grade fish for purchase.

I am pretty sure the Chef and crew are closing up shop for the last two weeks in August for a well deserved vacation so your crack fixes (for which I now am craving) and Sunday night visits may have to wait

My summer comfort food: sauteed romas, garlic and basil over mini lasagna with a ton of parmesan washed down with some of Barbara's wonderful lemonchello Dessert will be berries and cream

Just to clarify here, there is only going to be one dinner. There is a waiting list. There are no plans for a second dinner. Hope that helps Also, I'll be sending out PayPal information in the very near future. Payment through PayPal will be final confirmation of your reservation. Details forthcoming. Thanks to everyone!

Here it is, what you have all been waiting for: the final date is Thursday the 15th. Time to be determined. If you received a PM or email from me confirming your spot you are in pending payment. There is no need to respond to my confirmation except with your payment through PayPal, the details of which will be coming soon. Otherwise you should have received a note confirming your spot on the waiting list. Yes, folks, there is a growing waiting list. Your spot is valuable property right now. If you have to cancel please let me know ASAP!!! People who would not otherwise be able to enjoy Chef Cathal's art would like you spot. If you are just learning about the event now and are interested please drop me a PM and I will add you to the list. I have never had an event were people did not cancel so there is hope. Sorry for all the confusion earlier. I am thrilled with the response and can't wait to put faces to most of the screen names For those of you who keep asking, at least 1/3 are members who have never attended an organized event.

All right. Take a deep breath (or a shot of vodka, your choice) because there have been some changes. If we can get 20 people for any of the following dates we can have the whole room. Thursday the 8th Thursday the 15h Monday the 19th Tuesday the 20th Wednesday the 21st Don apologizes for all the changes and the fact that we have to start from the begining. There are a lot of you I am in the middle of Pm'ing. I am going to not respond to any of those and start over. I am wiping the past 1 1/2 of pming and starting fresh. So, if you are interested in joining us for any of those date please let me know which ones and your real name. Again, Don apologizes for the changes but it's for our benefit. edited by donrocks: [my my aren't we cranky] edited by hillvalley: [only when you change dates on me]

I am thrilled with the response I am getting (especially from those of you who have not joined us for an event before) but we have decided to narrow down the dates to make the planning a bit easier. Unless you are free all five dates please be specific about which dates you are free. Also, unless you can swear on your next meal that I know your real name please include it in your pm so I can keep track. Feel free to mention now if you want the wine pairing. I don't need a commitment yet but if you know you are planning on doing it let me know.

As I type my keyboard begins to glisten from the grease on my fingers. Since East Carolina Kitchen burned down a year and half ago I have been searching for a new soul food place. After a few failed attempts I finally got to Oohhs and Aahhs when it was open. Oohhs and Aahhs fried chicken is a work of art. Unlike the chicken described in Kliman's piece my chicken was buffalo wing sized, which was perfect for me. It was expertly fried, the skin had a nice peppery kick to it and the helping was of course generous. This is what other fried chicken should aspire to be. For my sides I chose greens and mac and cheese. I prefer my greens with a bit more salt and vinegar which I added at home. But they are excellent greens none the less. The addition of hot sauce (from the restaurant) made them perfect. The mac and cheese is really a mound of cheesy goodness with some noodles thrown in to hold it together. This, my friends, is not diet food. All the above mentioned food plus some cornbread, which will feed me for two meals and a late night snack, was just $13.14. I mentioned to the owner that I read about her restaurant on the Internet. She laughed and said she gets a group of guys who come in regularly and kept telling her they were spreading the word. Well, the word has spread and needs to be passed on further. This place is brilliant and deserves more attention around here. Note: They are closed on Sunday and Monday. Although the menu says they are open at noon they really don't get going until after 12:30.