DonRocks

Gerard's Place is going to institute a new formula beginning February 27th: a $59 three-course dinner menu, and a $29.50 three-course lunch menu. And! Beginning sometime in April, the restaurant will once again be opening on Sunday nights, with a reinstitution of the NO CORKAGE FEE policy. I've discussed this with Gerard, and I think it's a great idea! There won't be as much foie gras or caviar on the menu, but the restaurant will become more accessible, and Gerard will be cooking almost every night. A sample dinner menu: And a sample lunch menu: Also stay tuned for upcoming details about a Sunday cooking class open to members here. Cheers, Rocks

I had a chicken kabob for lunch there today - as good as ever (unfortunately, this includes those hot, soggy tomato wedges which I always eat, but I always wonder why I do.) Cheers, Rocks

Do they bone the fish, or do they de-bone it? Speaking of which, not many people realize that Andrew "Gallstone" Jackson was into kinky chain sex. Proof: the equestrian statue smack dab in the middle of Lafayette Park, to be viewed from the eastern perspective. Cheers, Rocks

[it's okay if there's a flurry of planning activity on threads such as this - once critical mass becomes apparent, I'll simply move the planning postings to the "On A Whim" thread, so don't stress about where to put them too much.]

The February 8th chat.

The following posts have been split off into separate threads: Taberna del Alabardero (Meaghan) Jaleo (jaytini) Las Tapas (CrescentFresh) Panache (Jacques Gastreaux) Corner Bistro (lizzie) La Tasca (CrescentFresh) Toro Tapas (jaytini)

That's not a potato dish; that's a potato hula-hoop.

How cool of a name is Thor! It's like being named Zeus! "I lifted weights for two hours yesterday, and when I woke up this morning, I was really Thor." 17 drafts, with the astonishing Clipper City Small Craft Warning pulled from the pump. 56 ales, divided into 16 useful and informative categories. 14 lagers in 3 categories. Alert, alert: go to Birreria Paradiso NOW, because it's the best place in town to drink beer. What a great bar! 10 seats, with another 25-or-so in the surrounding area. It's going to be overrun by crowds (remember I said this), but for the next few days or weeks, it's just a fabulous venue for beer lovers. When the Clipper City cask expires - probably in about five days - they're going to be replacing it with something from Victory. Make sure to remind Thor not to shake the next cask up before tapping into it. I'm not sure I've ever had a better Weizen Bock than his recommended Schneider and Sohn "Aventinus." Thor loves Belgian-style Saison, and was raving about the Brasserie DuPont "Saison DuPont Vielle[sic?] Reserve." I often find the banana aromas in these beers offputting, but that's strictly personal preference (*). When I asked for a beer list, Thor left his busy station and disappeared for several minutes - then emerged, beer list in hand, hot off the presses. And I mean that almost literally: He was kind enough to go and print me out a copy, and it was still warm from the printer. Cheers! Rocks (*) Once upon a time, there was a small child who took spearmint-flavored pills twice a day for several years, and as an adult, still can't cozy up to the flavors of spearmint. The banana aromas - which come from the specific yeasts used in the brewing process - remind me of what I sometimes used to find in the inexplicably and terminally overrated wines from Georges Duboeuf - The Whore Of Beaujolais.

<perk>

Bartender: "I need a new car." Drunken Patron: "Want a BMW?" Bartender: "Sure!" Next time you go to Equinox on a Monday or Wednesday, ask Tony (a personal trainer by day) about the time he swapped fitness-training sessions for a car.

I was suggesting someone from the restaurant could go meet the disabled patron outside, at the parked Segway, with wheelchair transport. I'm not sure how many restaurants have wheelchairs at their disposal, so this may or may not be a viable solution.

[i'm really not looking for anything other than to provide an enjoyable community for people here - any goals I had for this website were reached long ago. Publicity is fine and I won't turn it down, but I'm not going to go seek it out either. I do think this has been an interesting topic, a trainwreck at times, but largely entertaining, and closely enough related to the local restaurant scene where it has been appropriate.] No comments about this as a potential solution for all parties?

[bob's Noodle 66 postings split into a separate thread here. (Feel free to continue discussing potential Twenty-Dollar Tuesday events there on this thread.)]

Do hotel restaurants ever have access to wheelchairs? If so, then perhaps disabled Segway patrons can call in advance and request someone from the restaurant to meet them outside for assistance to their table. This also alleviates the problem that occurs when a disabled Segway diner with his Segway parked in the coat closet needs to pee. Cheers, Rocks.

I'm not Nadya, but all along I've thought her original posting was nothing more than a humor piece based on a real-life event. The actual events were interesting enough, but her embellishments and style are what made it funny. It was an exercise in creative writing, at least that's the way I've always seen it. Cheers, Rocks

Colorado Kitchen is one of the most important restaurants in the United States. My prediction is that Gillian will soon get the national recognition she deserves, and my fear is that she'll eventually be tempted to take the wrong fork in the road. Is there a way to get rich and successful in this business without losing your soul? Stay tuned. Rocks

True confessions ...

Poached in olive oil. Winter vegetables. Just get it. Trust me. Brendan will bring the fish out to the lounge if you knows you're coming and parade it around.

Ben's Chili Bowl Put 'de Chitterlin's in 'de freezer To eat on another day, Wipe 'de chil'rens mouf's, 'Den put 'de Collard Greens away, We're goin' to BEN'S CHILI BOWL Dat's what i heard my Momma say. Chili dogs, cheese fries, half-smokes, My pulse begins a new romance, I order one half-smoke to start Jes' to satisfy my heart, 'Den i bow my head in prayer, And bless 'de food i'm eatin' 'dere. -- Walter Irving Ray, Jr.

About a month ago, I was browsing the bookstore at Busboys & Poets, and came across "'De Colored Section," a book of poems by Walter Irving Ray, Jr. published in 2005. I've talked with Mr. Ray and he has graciously allowed me to reprint one of the poems here: his beautiful little jewel, "Ben's Chili Bowl." "'De Colored Section" was published in 2005 by Esoray Publishing Company, Washington, DC 20012, and is copyrighted by Mr. Ray, whose impressive biography is here.

I'm not optimistic that we're going to fill this second evening, but I was faced with two choices: not mention it and guarantee 50+ people would be shut out, or mention it and see what happens. I think it's going to be difficult to fill, so please don't get your hopes up. Why don't you let mdt know right now if you're interested? Scroll up to the previous post, click on "PM," and reserve your spot. Guests, please feel free to register and join the event. Click here. Cheers, Rocks

Then run do not walk to Mendocino Grill (call to see if they still have it first).

Go to Circle Bistro and get the steelhead trout. It's so good you won't believe it. Ask Brendan or Barry to show you the fish.

Tom has decided he'll close down the restaurant the next night (Wednesday, March 1st) as well if we can get 55 more people, and do the exact same menu for the same price. The cardinal rule will be: none of the Tuesday attendees can post about the meal until Thursday. Don't get your hopes up about this until we've achieved critical mass, because if the numbers don't come out, we can't do it. Hope you're not busy at work today, mdt. Rocks

Okay here are the attendees (I did this very quickly, and checked it for accuracy one time, but I can't guarantee it's correct until I doublecheck): 56 butternut + 1 19 Pappy + 1 35 gary tanigawa 8 porcupine + 1 43 MMM + 1 20 B.A.R. + 1 41 babka + 1 55 guinha 63 rbh 45 Pete + 1 7 jjshyne + 1 16 MeMc 44 NewFoodie + 1 25 lackadaisi + 1 54 JLK + 1 61 eoksala + 1 47 silentbob + 1 12 Tweaked 2 cucas87 29 Shogun 42 moniquedc + 1 27 Scott Johnson 24 clayrae + 1 60 sashorter 30 JPW + 1 18 bilrus 57 ScotteeM + 1 58 Giancarlo Buonarotti _+ 1 31 Jacques Gastreaux + 1 22 Biotech + 1 40 dcdavidm + 1 46 StephenB 15 Barbara + 1 And that makes 55. First twenty people on the waiting list are: 34 escoffier + 1 13 Billy DeLion + 1 5 Skysplitter 4 crackers + 1 62 MsEB + 1 37 cooter + 1 17 ctay122 + 1 39 rvanrens + 1 33 demvtr + 1 50 Buckinghamilton + 1 51 crescentfresh + 1