Mrs. B

Happy birthday to the love of my life, Waitman

2/23 is a tough day but Galactic will soothe my soul as I hold him tight and won't let go.

RIP to my niece Margaux (and the other 4 teens that perished with her on 2/23/96) in south FL.

Don't take anything for granted people, she was only 13.

I suppose the Hughley trial made this very raw.

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Props to Prince of Petworth for posting it for me to find on his site. It made me laugh out loud.

Speedy recovery RJ. Hope you have some good Dead to zone out with. Let me or Charles know if we can do anything for you or your family while you are on the mend.

I second your post Elizabeth. DR is the 2nd place I visit each morning.

Thanks so very much Don. You mean more to us than you will ever know.

Happy Birthday Corrine and Dylan.

We picked up a 4 lb bone in veal loin from Painted Hand yesterday. Would preferably keep it bone in for a festive Thanksgiving main (turkey sucks ventworm nuts imho and will never again disgrace my dining room). Is this a bad idea? I'm of the impression that the bone will add flavor but will it increase the chances of screwing things up? This cut is not the one with cute little bones as one would find in a traditional lamb loin. It's from further back on the animal I believe. The meat on either side of the bone is beautiful but of substantially different sizes.

I just attended an event at the Palomar on P St. I could only stay for cocktails (the passed apps. were fine) so cannot comment on the dinner quality personally. I understand it was pefectly adequate. I believe they were working with around a 7K budget for 50.

To Waitman, who didn't kill me this weekend

The interior was so grim that I may never go back.

No one patronizes a Ray's joint for the interior design, but a room less welcoming than a decent college dining hall diminishes the food and makes one yearn to hurry out.

I feel that way about my kitchen.

That green sauce is crack btw.

I've prepared this at home a couple times and really liked the results. Served once with blue cheese dressing and once with Caeser. The family was skeptical but the food was consumed.

Do people really not have attorneys, physicians, or plumbers that they can recommend? (or should I say ... would put their names on the line for?)

Thankfully I have never had the personal need for an attorney, but if you are an issuer of municipal bonds or an underwriter of same, give me a call, I can hook you up.

I don't go to the doctor anymore because I detest all the ones I visted - ever. Personal friendships are beside the point.

All of the plumbers (except one, now retired) that I have had the displeasure to deal with are beneath contempt.

I am either unlucky or a misanthrope. Probably both.

Hotel Palomar vs. Charlie Palmer

Palomar is slightly less expensive and allows for full bar for 2 hours.

I think that Palmer's will be perceived as a swanker space for our older Esquires but will only have a beer/wine bar (cash for liquor)that may/will be perceived as cheap ass by the non-Esquires though to a great degree imho it was the

loyal minions that made the place great. Of course I was one of the loyal minions not an Esq.

Valet parking at Palomar is $19 and at CP is $8,

Does anyone have any dining experience at both locations? I have only dined at CP and found it perfectly serviceable.

All opinions gratefully considered

Corduroy's second floor comes to my mind. Has a great bar and enough room for a buffet style food

I will pass that on, thanks Ferhat. Unfortunately the website says private dining is limited to 40 and we are most likely 55.

The Tabard suggested we try the Mansion on O Street. Anyone have any thoughts on that? It looks like Charlie Palmer will exceed the budget.

A group of former employees are getting together to hold a reunion in celebration of working at one of the coolest places on earth (if you are a tax lawyer or numbers wonk). We were pretty well lined up with Kenwood CC until a pesky indemnification clause (basically it required that the signer indemnify against everything including malfeasance of the staff) tweaked one of the wonkier among us .

So now we have an event without a location. Any thoughts? Ideally we would have 1 hour of cocktails (with room enough to mingle) and then dinner, buffet would be fine. Tabard is booked. Have not heard back from the Madison (our old stomping grounds) or the Mayflower. The Arts Club comes in a bit over budget.

Thanks in advance for all suggestions.

Rebbie at Mt Pleasant says they will be open 9-1. She also mentions that the forecast for rain during that period is only 40%. She also mentions that there are some pretty spectacularly sweet lipstick peppers.

See you there!

(I think Waitman got notice from Market Fan that U Street will be open as well)

Hopes to open below Perry's in mid-October.
This sounds like a great addition to the neighborhood.

Yippee! I'm heading to Rogue 24 for a dual anniversery. 30 years ago, on the same day, I snagged my first date with Waitman and my first job with a fantastic firm, both events changed my life forever. Mostly for the better And of course Waitman was robbing the cradle

I will report back about the dining portion of the evening.

That would be La for both. While La Fourchette has always had a solid French bistrot menu, the last couple of times I've eaten there the execution was pretty atrocious, and I say that regretfully, having loved La Fourchette for many years.

Quel embarassing! Le it is! To think I bothered to double check that one year of French I had in college with google and still screwed it up.

I have not been to La Fourchette in a few years and am saddened to hear that they have slipped so much. C'est plutot triste.

I stand by La Chaumiere and second the vote for Marcel's.

Sadly there's nothing like Lion d'Or around anymore as far as I know. I'm not sure it is supportable anymore.

Le Chaumiere in G-town tops my list - very old school and La Fourchette in Adams-Morgan should also be considered.

Thanks! And one more Philly question - any farmers' markets worth going to on Saturday or Sunday?

The Italian Market on South Street is on my must visit list every time I go to Philly. The butchers, sausage shops and all around feel of the place makes me very happy. Very good prices. Very cool people. Better than Eataly (and I like Eataly).

Not organic. Atmospheric. Think Rocky. Bring a cooler, you might need it.

I'm going to have a couple of breakfasts or brunches or lunches in Philadelphia this weekend - any suggestions? I'll be staying near Rittenhouse Square but willing to explore a bit.

Waitman & I have enjoyed Silk City Diner a number of times. They have some very inventive specials. If you go, go early as it fills up. It's not terribly close to Rittenhouse Square though.

the excellent rye bread available at Atwater Bakery, just a few feet away from Red Apron. Authentic? I haven't a fucking clue. But it snuggles quite well against the pastrami.

It's also quite nice just toasted and buttered with a bit of crunchy salt sprinkled on top.

I agree with Banco (and Jacques Pepin) that frozen peas are the best bet. But, I would like to add that when you can find them for that elusive 1-2 weeks per year, the fresh taste better and make you feel better for shelling your own. In this situation, cost considerations must be put aside just for the sound that the peas make as they jump into the bowl. And also the joy that comes from knowing that not all peas were fated to become that culinary dental floss passing itself off as food - pea shoots (unless they are prepared at full kee).

I also think frozen spinach works perfectly well for pasta, both filling and the dough itself as well as spanikopita.

To my brother-in-law James Patrick. I hope he is finally at peace.

True. It's that same lack of respect that leads some to conclude that people like you are Luddites or old fogies. "Was der Hansel nicht lernt, lernt auch nicht der Hans."

This Luddite prefers privacy