goodeats

You have to try the Maialino - milk fed suckling pig cooked on the rotisserie and served with a fantastic pig stock sauce. It's my favorite addition to the menu.

First off, I second the recommendation. The meat was tender, moist, flavorful, had crispy skin, and melty fat. All you want to ask for when ordering suckling pig! Second, THANK you Dean for creating such a family-friendly atmosphere and dining place. Although we were early diners at 5:30pm, it was still nice to see how accommodating and super-friendly the staff was to two toddlers and how patient they were when gebaby (fka DS) went up and down the stairs between the dining rooms.

Bimbap, Mr. Bimbap, Babybimbap, two friends, gebaby, his dad, and I took advantage of Dino's RW continuation tonight, and boy, was it wonderful! It was a nice gathering of old college friends going onto the next stage of lives (toddlerhood and newborn) and seeing them enjoy "adult" food. Gebaby and Babybimbap certainly enjoyed the Spaghetti with Meatballs (ok, Babybimbap enjoyed his meatballs more), as well as gebaby enjoying Calamari, Maialino, and a bit of Wild Boar Pasta. The squash blossoms bimbap had also looked delicious. I really enjoyed the complimentary limoncello. All in all, a nice way to end the weekend -- a family-style dinner.

Things I learned--I have to bring Mr. BLB so I can ditch the stroller. It's just too much of a zoo at Dupont these days.

A reminder to those with peanuts to not go between 9:30 and at least 10:30am. Had to bring the stroller today and it was like 1 lane traffic on the Bay Bridge during peak-beach season. Not to mention those *trying* really hard to squeeze by the stroller, between opposite traffic and then giving me dirty looks when they trip on my stroller trying to squeeze through the non-existent space in the first place. It was supposed to be an enjoyable experience, but I certainly left feeling more stressed than I really wanted. Otherwise, the peaches were really good, had some wonderful looking string beans (?) from Spring Valley Farm and DS enjoyed great tasting gala apples.

I feel like I am on a mission to find really good, fast, and tasty lunch places while working downtown near Metro Center for this month. Today's find was based on a recent post for quick lunch ideas near Metro Center (see post #12 for original suggestion), specifically, a recommendation for Mayur Kabab House. Having driven past there numerous times, but not brave enough to go in until today, I was quite pleased with the results.

For lunch, the best option is their Lunch Buffet for $8.00 (tax included). The buffet, which can be dine-in or carry out (I chose the latter) includes four vegetable dishes, chicken curry (bone-in), chicken kabab (also bone-in) and rice and baked naan. The portions were HUGE, to the extent that I now have dinner too.

The vegetable dishes for today were: daal, paneer with peas, an eggplant dish, and a cauliflower dish. The eggplant was very soft and flavorful and the chicken kabob and curry chicken both very moist and not dried out from the burners. Would definitely go back.

What should I do the next time? It has to be somethign I can make the night before and then keep in the fridge at work and take over around dinner time.

If you can make Indian food or just a spicy curry dish, that usually heats up very well the next day. That or stir-fry with rice? Beef stir-fry tends to reheat well, I think.

I do have one suggestion for future events of this nature: I think it would be best to return to the previous method of paying ahead, using PayPal, for example, and either paying the restaurant the total amount ahead of time or having a person designated to pay the tab at the dinner.

Agree. Need to figure out a good account format to pay ahead, in case of last-minute absentees. The restaurant is doing a special menu for our group, so it can be frustrating when the number calculated for the food decreases and they can't serve that to the general public nor get the money back for the grocery money. THANK YOU Walrus for setting this up -- you and Tripewriter were missed.

THANK YOU times 1000000 (tripled cubed) to Chef RJ, who not only planned a wonderful menu, accommodated non-meat eaters and crazy people like me (who onions are my stomach's worst enemy), BUT also regaled us with surprises and wonderful stories.

Many people took pictures to share and more to come.

The next Thursday "Co-Op Produce Prep" 5p-8p shift that has more than a couple of spaces available is September 18th. 25 of the 30 slots are currently open.

I would love to volunteer!

Sunday brunch: Cafe Bonaparte's Crepe Cup* and Berry Parfait* split with DS. Son finished the parfait pretty much by himself, allowing me to taste 1 loving spoonful that appears to be homemade yogurt. Unsure why this place isn't much on the radar, since it was quite good.

*Can't remember the exact name, and don't have the brunch menu in front of me, but these words were part of the description.

Lots of different sauces to go either on pasta or on meat (like turkey or chicken breast). Stews (throw in crock pot, let it stew ). Pasties/pies/dumplings. Soups (other half can make sandwiches to go with).

PS. Pls. let me know if I can help!

I now know what Alice in the television versions of Alice in Wonderland felt like upon opening the door to the wonderland. My evening spent at the bar seemed nothing short of magical -- feeling blessed that I got a peek of Chef Ziebold's vision and complexity right before the restaurant's two week vacation (they reopen Sept. 2, if memory serves me correctly). And that is the exact phrase of my evening: it won't be recaptured very well because there was wine involved. Lots due to the excellent wine pairing choices made by the debonair Andy Myers.

I compare the entrance to Alice because it was hidden to me, then seeing the open-air feeling of the hallway, and finally, the exquisite wave of flames from behind the bar was almost like a phoenix and flames mythology sense. But I digress.

I am happy to be inducted into the amuse fraternity and experience the consistent one and the same mushroom fritter. Which then I might be flamed for, as I enjoyed it a lot because it reminds me of a tater tot (but a good tasting, non-oily one).

My highlight of the evening was the Creamed corn soup. I was attracted to its simplicity: fresh corn, salt, and cream. Served in an all white tasse with ridges and a bit foamed for that cafe feel.

I enjoyed the Barramundi dish as well because of the flavors combined was moist, softened by the heirloom tomatoes, and contrasted with the crisp touch of breaded rock shrimp.

Also memorable was the Trio of Lamb: lamb loin, lamb sausage, and alas, a third that I forgot. But the meat was so good.

I think my comment to fement everything's post is that Chef Ziebold's dishes aren't made to be dissected, but to be enjoyed as the whole. Not a whole, but the whole. Together, the combinations proved complex, like impressionism to an extent, but individually, you only see the dots in pointillism.

Many thanks to Saul (Attack of the Clones) and Sharon for wonderful service!

ETA: I am forgetting a few dishes and the wonderful dessert -- sorry!

How about the cafe at either the Smithsonian American Art Museum in the new atrium or the American Indian Museum?

Summertimes and museum cafes do not equal a "relaxing atmosphere" because of tourist season. I remember going in the summer once and feeling like a squashed pancake because either the lines get too long to get the food or there was no place to sit.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MeMC & DPop!!! Enjoy your day!

Bar service was quite lovely last night. Had really buttery, hit-the-spot biscuits, which was part of the pulled-pork sliders I ordered. Paired that with an Abita Amber and watching the amazing Michael Phelps last-bit reach in the 100m Butterfly for the gold certainly made my Friday night dinner.

I am always looking for quick breakfast and lunch places, as document review can be draining and snacking is fun. So, I am quite happy that Devon & Blakely is literally right across the street from my current project.

They have a wide-offering of breakfast foods (croissants, muffins, scones, parfaits), to lunch (sandwiches, made-to-order salads, small sides, and lots of soup selections), to snacks (rice krispies, UK candies [e.g. Aero, KitKat, Polo], cookies, chips/pita crisps, rice krispies). They also have some vegetarian & vegan options available.

Breakfast items: I can't recommend the Iced Coffee -- it was super-weak, but the sugar-free scone was very good. It had a bit of a ginger kick, which was a great way to start off my day.

Lunch: Green Pea Soup with Mint & Lemon (v) *really* hits the spot. Also enjoyed the sampling of Butternut Squash Apple soup. They also have cold soups available, with a Carrot & Ginger one I am interested in trying. Soups range from $3.25 to $5.25 for a 12oz. Also ordered a made-to-order small salad ($2.95 base) + toppings ranging from $0.75 to $2.00. (in my case it was $4.45).

My wallet will be a bit lighter and tummy happier going back to try more stuff here for the next few weeks....

1331 F Street, NW

Washington, DC 20004

Nando Peri-Peri was there for a tasting. Slight rainstorm in the beginning, but was glad it cleared. Really ripe cantaloupes at a few of the stands, and of course, had to buy some peaches. Glad I was able to run out during break to enjoy these items!

I had a wonderful first experience last night, although, please forgive for not remembering the name of my delightfully fruitful Plum-named cocktail (includes Plum Wine); BUT I was too busy enjoying the HOT Ham & Cheese panini. It was really good, especially as a late-night snack. There are two other panini options, but I can only remember the Mozzaralla & Tomato Basil.

Sat in the back this time, but hope to try sitting at the bar on my next visit!

I'll take a stab, though I think you might be get a good answer searching online, if no one else posts. I grew up on gas ranges, and really love them. Especially the professional lines, because of the higher btus and the speed I can get things stir-fried. In this current house, there's no gas line, and I've had to resort to electric. I'm actually liking it, though I don't think it's any easier to clean the coils. I have found that replacing the coils (they're usually sold at Home Depot or order online, if you have GE) helps the wimpiness of the heat, if that's your main problem. I don't know too much about ceramic induction cooktops, though I've heard if you wait another year, you won't have to install a cooktop, as there are some prototype stand-alones (I may be wrong about this). But that's the biggest turn-off for me: the cooktop. I like the stand-alone feel, but I can't explain why. I guess I've had this notion that it's easier to replace if something ever goes wrong. I also don't think induction tops are any easier to clean, as things can get stuck on them and be hard to clean off as the other types.

As for ovens, if you don't like convections, I've heard that electrics (new models) are getting just as good results as convections, if not better. I've not heard many good things about the Jenn Air convection (for one reason or another), so it may just be yours. But I enjoyed my former convection (DCL), as it did cook faster, heated well all-around, etc. I enjoy my current electric oven as well.

I really like gas stoves (since I grew up cooking on gas), so I would recommend getting this over the others. So my thought is to replace coils for a short-term fix; save up and figure out how much the gas line would accommodate for what gas stove, and see if an electric oven comes with it.

A healthy Cali Vegout Bite wrap from Organic to go, which was cancelled out with the Coke I'm drinking with it.

I will attest that Porcupine is quite the hottie right now!!!!

Ditto. She looks quite FIERCE!

Seat for 1 at the bar, with 2 great bartenders. Felt like fried food and ended up ordering Scottish Eggs ($7) and Bucket of chips (w/o sauce - $5). Ordered a UK pint of Stonewall Dry Cider on tap, which ended up being WAY more than I should really handle. But I was committed to finishing the pint. Felt like I ordered hangover food before I drank or became drunk!

Scottish eggs comes with 3 sauces: spicy mayo, honey mustard and a garlic, olive oil, something green herb sauce. Additionally, there are condiments that include malt vinegar, and a spicy mustard, along with a relish that I wasn't brave enough to try. 1 order comes with 6 halves or 3 eggs in this great "holder" of eggs and sauce. I love the eggs right out of the fryer, as it's breaded and fried. But after it cools down ever so slightly, the breading tasted a bit heavy. I ended up peeling some of my breading off. I also am being a poor writer, as I forgot what the breading consisted of, after being told.

The chips were more like steak fries cut, and actually tasted like such, but it was thick and hearty and starchy and FRIED! But it could be better. Was too full to try the dessert, but the Lemon Trifle dessert looked good (neighbor had some).

They're still in first days mode, even though tonight had a pretty light crowd. But the bartenders were saying that they ran out of some on tap and in the bottles/cans.

I LOVE the coppertop bar. It's very pretty and shiny (yes, girly words, but hey...).

Gentlemen (and ladies), be nice to the lady. Twitter arguably can be a valid technology. Even if it may not work here, it's undeniable we are living in an instantaneous world, where many demand information NOW if not 2 seconds ago. That picture was arguably poetic, even if low-resolution. Where's the romance in you?!

Don't forget their soymilk selections: unsweetened (red cap); sweetened (green cap); and the other kind (blue cap). AND its soybean pudding. Mmm. Thankfully I just bought some. At around 12pm today, there was fresh lemongrass chili tofu served. It was busy at that time, and at 1pm when I stopped by for soy pudding with ginger syrup after lunch.

The only confusing part when I first went is that you have to order the tofu from the tofu area and other stuff from the other areas. I recommend ordering from the other area first and then tell them you want to order tofu, while walking toward the tofu bar area to point/tell them your order. Their bubbles aren't so good (50-50 chance of it being good), but you can ask for the smoothie drinks w/o bubbles, to just add coconut jellies, which are really good.

edited for errors on all fronts....

Did anyone hear that Zagat himself came into restaurants last weekend and graded them solely based on walking in and looking at the decor and plate presentation? can i say that's odd?

I don't think that's odd if you've ever seen them as judges in the Iron Chef episodes....

eta: Welcome! Don't forget to check out the Events & Gatherings forum (or the calendar on the main page) for upcoming get togethers!!

Saturday special melt-in-your mouth brownies, fleur-de-sel caramels, and pecan buttercrunches!! Not to mention chocolate samples. All wrapped in beautiful ribbon or in great reusable tin boxes. Always too pretty to eat.

Thanks for making my week Jason! Go visit!! Buy! Take advantage of the special Andelman is offering!!

That is SO true. Do you know how hard it is to get ketchup out of your Blackberry keyboard?

I agree. All I can think of, if I Twitter during dinner, is how much it'll cost to replace my phone because I've dropped into the soup/meal/whatever again.

So I ask you good people two questions: 1) how the hell do you stop yourself?! and 2) what's the one food item you can't seem to stop yourselves from binging on when a whole bag/plate/box is put in front of you?

1. Scoop out or dole out only a set portion. Reevaluate your refill level after you finish. Allow yourself a second helping, but a little less, and less guilt too... Sadly, this is what I have to do when I find good cereal -- I eat a great big bowl, and even though I know I'm full, I'll still want to have seconds...

I used to eat all this crap - bags of Doritos, 1 AM McDonald's Double Cheeseburgers, Pints of Haagen-Dazs Vanilla Swiss Almond ... but I found the incredibly effective, and incredibly expensive, solution ... eat better

I also think that Don has a point that when you eat better, there's less of a craving for certain things processed maybe? All I can think of is that I would probably eat more grocery store-bought marshmallows than 1 scrumptious vanilla-lavender marshmallow from The Dairy Godmother.

2. Pork jerky for some reason. Processed and marinated in its salty goodness. Only of the Chinese/Malaysian variety. That or bowls of shaved ice with condensed milk.

But I can never finish a pint of ice cream in one sitting. The fact that people can do that still astounds me.