chickenlover

Any recent reports?

I have a reservation tonight, is it worth going. They still have Rest. Week special.

Any place that calls themselves "The Best Sandwich Place" really oughtta deliver the goods. I was not overly impressed with my turkey sub today: overtoasted roll that shredded the roof of my mouth, dry turkey, gigantic disgusting globs of mayonnaise, and flavorless cheese. The other half is now in the circular file.

I used to work in the area and I ate here a lot. I agree that they are not the best, although some days are better than others. I think they're pretty good when you compare them to their competiton in the area, but that's an awfully big qualifier. There just aren't that many good places for take out lunch downtown and one can only eat at Greek Deli so many times.

Special pizza with green tomatoes, grana and an egg at 2 Amy's. Very good and very rich.

Green tea frozen yogurt at TangySweet. It was good I suppose, but I don't understand what all the froyo fuss is about.

Anything worthwhile here? Surely there has to something good in this college town. Failing that, anything on the way to Morgantown from D.C.?

I need to find a place that can seat 14 tomorrow night. Requirements: casual, kid friendly, Crystal City or close in downtown.

Not particularly interested in the chicken or the burger. More interested in items off the backroom menu. Highlights of what is on the current menu would be greatly appreciated.

Also, I'll be heading back to DC Sunday afternoon, and depending on adrenaline levels, might take a scenic route. South to Morgantown and then I-68. Any food to look forward to on that route? Anything at all on the I-80 - I-76 route past Pittsburgh to Breezewood?

I take I-68 to Southern Ohio often and I am not aware of any good food on that route. I'd imagine there could be something worthwhile in Morgantown but I've never got off the highway to explore.

I find the outer covering on the bean (not the pod) very tough. Should I be removing them.

Since I have now selected Portland as my base for my wine trip out there in August, any helpful hints on hotels to stay at or areas of the city to stay in? We are only going to stay in Portland one night, the rest of the time we will be out in wine country, so something relatively central to the major sights of the city would be nice.

Favas!

We were also at Corduroy on Friday night. It was nice to see some familiar faces and taste some familiar cooking. We started with crab custard/soup and scallop tartare. The custard was the only dish that didn't really work for me. The tartare was very nice though. We followed with crispy fluke w/ potato salad and salmon with snap peas. Both were perfectly prepared. The potato salad was the best I've ever had, hands down. The service, as always, was exceptional (thanks Katt.) The menu was a mix of stand by's (whole chicken, tuna, beet salad) and newer dishes.

The new space is very nicely done and it goes without saying that it's a vast improvement over the Sheraton. As a former resident of the neighborhood, I think that putting a 4 star restaurant on that block is rather forward looking. It looks a little rough right now, but in a couple years it should be buzzing.

Last time I was there the table next to us ordered the vegetable fasting platter with the fish and it is not chunks of cooked fish that I would have expected, but rather a whole, small-medium, grilled (I think) fish which looked plenty meaty. Another reason this place is a great bargain.

My sage bush is officially out of control. Does anyone have an idea for what to do with a lot of sage? Most things that I cook only require a couple of leaves.

As a fan of The Wire, my brand of choice is Honey Nut Cheerios.

Am looking to pick up some basic kitchen stuff (e.g., pans, pots, dishes) Any recommendation for a resturant supply store would be appreciated (that is open to the general public).

Soup

I am unfamiliar with this brand, but would it be more a question of fond memories and the "right" taste as opposed to these being a "gourmet" product? I crave the hot dog buns I used to get in Boston (and before that, at Howard Johnson's and Friendly's) but they are by no means a quality upgrade over the standard Safeway buns I'm stuck with now.

Does anyone know if they are offering a bar menu?

Softshell panini are currently on the menu at 2 Amy's. A truly great sandwich.

michel Richard is a genius creator. c'mon people. the guy stays awake at night figuring out how to cook short ribs for 72 hours, his chef Cedrick, is a craftsman. Lets call Central and citronelle for what they are. pure restaurant genius. Thats why they are both packed and thats why they are both very different. If you want the same old grub, with nothing original,go to old ebbit grill, its good, if you want spectacular visit Michel's spots.

I haven't been to Palena in a million years. I don't know why. What was I thinking?

Try the liver and toast-- a surprisingly large portion of duck (goose?) liver mousse, a deviled goose egg, a little arugula salad and slivers of pickled onion. I can't believe something this beautifully prepared and this substantial costs $11. Tons of amazing flavors will dance on your tongue.

I started to order a cheeseburger, but for kicks I changed my mind and asked for the mixed grill. Freakin' stupendous. Smoked pork tenderloin, rabbit sausage, and a nice hunk of pork belly grabs your attention and doesn't let go. There's a mustardy green herb sauce for dippin', a few fresh favas, and some roasted red pepper artfully arranged here and there. Even the three tiny celery green trimmings made a difference in my enjoyment of this plate.

Man, I'm honored they let me in the joint. I just love Chef Ruta's style. He somehow makes every ingredient give 100% in a dish. Palena is a special place.

Respectfully and sincerely, thank you Chef Ruta!

Al

Oh Dear. I hope your experience was a fluke. Bistrot du Coin is also one of our "go to" places and while it never wows us, it always satisfies. At a place like that with so much volume there is no excuse for limp frites! Are the staff still surly, at least?

Here's a little back story on pizza in Portland. When I lived in Portland from '98 to '02 there was no good pizza in town as in literally not one place worth going. I have regrettably moved away and haven't had a chance to try Apizza Scholls on any of my trips back. I have read about it though and I think that some of the hype, long waits etc. is due to the fact that the place is an oasis in what was previously a pizza desert. (It's worth noting that another recently opened place, Ken's Artisan Pizza, is also highly regarded by locals.) As I said, I haven't dined there so take my comments with a grain of salt.

Thanks to this, the line was out the door by 11:40 today. Meatloaf was delicious as ever.

Also it's very strange to read something that refers to him as anything other than Kostas. I didn't realize he had a last name, thought it was more of a Prince/Madonna/Kostas thing.

I still don't understand why the farmers markets around the area so expensive. Please explain.... you cut out the middle man which has significant overhead and profit margins built into the product. I still pay the prices because, in general, the produce is better, but the cost does not justify the price being charged (besides the fact that we are dumb enough to pay such prices.) Farmers market used to be a friendly affair where you got to know your vendors, you chatted awhile, got samples, hung out and knew what was happening in terms of quality....now like everything else it's become a large business and less friendly (people seem to be impatient and pushing you to keep moving.)