goodeats

What a beautiful article. It does really capture his enthusiastic spirit. I had the pleasure of meeting him when I was 12 and the same persona shone through this article. Thanks for posting this, KMango!

Interesting, because everything we've been given in my Mandarin class (populated by teachers from the Beijing Language and Culture University) has a goat on it, and they told us it's the year of the goat.  I'll try to get details next week, as our class is on Thursday so we will be celebrating. 

Apparently, NPR has covered this topic. I still stand by what I say, though, even after reading it...

I am not up for cooking for Chinese New Year this year. Reading old posts, I marvel at my ambition and energy and wonder if I will ever get it back. That said, husband did put up the decorations, and I am wondering if any of you know which restaurants will have special menus this season, and when?

The only advertised celebratory dinner I've heard about is the one at The Source. I'm sure other restaurants will have some sort of specials, but best to call and ask.

Hm. I have edited my statement, in case I have misspoke regarding health in relation to coconut flour. Apologies to those I have offended.

My frustration in working with coconut flour still stands, though.

I had to vent somewhere, even though my lemon tea cakes turned out well for little man's class's Valentine's Day tea party, but boy, coconut flour is not easy to work with!

Tell me about the ice cube trays you love.

These because it has a lid. I have a spare one if you'd like it.

Doesn't matter which dialect (Mandarin, Cantonese, Toisanese etc) as they all use the same written characters, just read differently.

Well, yes, characters are not distinguished by dialect, but no, it's not the "same," per se, as there is a difference between Traditional and Simplified characters. (But I'm sure you knew that; just being my "certified geek" self.)

I am not that into tasting menus anymore, so I can't steer you toward those places, but I dine solo at the bar a lot, so below are the bars I've been to and have fun ordering a few drinks and nibbles.

I really like the bar at Iron Gate in Dupont area. I think it's just a great setting to dine in and enjoy a cocktail. If Jeff Faile is still there, then it's nice to have him whip something up cocktail-wise.

I would also want to go to Pinea because I'm a fan of Chef Koslow. I'm sure the bar is beautiful there, since it's in the W hotel. I don't know if they have prix-fixe or not.

Hank's on Capitol Hill, if Gina's there. The bar is well-lighted, decor simple, and has a fun atmosphere.

In Arlington, I think Copperwood Tavern in Shirlington has a nice bar. The one time I went there, the chef was a little heavy-handed in the salt, but otherwise fine. Nice vibe there too.

I don't know where to go to brunch these days, so cannot help in that department.

I promised photos. So here they are. Most were taken on my iPhone, in case you were wondering why the lighting is off.

Well, not road kill, but Great Wall was busted for having frogs and turtles a few years back...

Here's a good list. Maybe Busboys & Poets, too?

Does anyone have experience with Ikea kitchens? I just saw their new line. Love the look and the widgets are enticing.... I would not be installing them myself. 

I don't have any experience with the new line, and I recommend waiting for further reviews until using, but the old line shells were really good and solid. I've seen warping of the old line's cabinet doors, but other than that, haven't had heard anything else negative about them.

I am really having trouble agreeing with your assessment, darkstar. Although I haven't tried it, I really do think it's possible to make good, home-roasted coffee beans. (Link shows a 2-step method.)

A friend does it often (although, granted, he bought a mini-roaster from Sweet Maria's) and produces really good coffee, even with general (probably decent, but not premium) green beans from Sweet Maria's. Online research shows that the old-fashioned whirly-popcorn pots help with a more consistent roast without using a fancy machine. Time-consuming, yes. But probably not any harder than learning to smoke or roast or anything else. Just my thoughts.

Okay--have just searched for "banana roti" and found something similar at Urban Thai in Crystal City area.

So very sad. Thanks for posting this, Pat.

Only last week, I learned (from mom, of course) of the existence of bu jian tian (ä¸è¦‹å¤©) pork, aka "pork armpit".  The literal meaning is that the meat "has not seen the sky", but this is reputedly the most prized cut for making Cantonese char siu.  It's not a standard western butcher cut, so you may have to seek out a Chinese grocery to find it...and get there before mom does.

coincidentally, when my mom visited, we purchased a cut of this at Kam Sam in Rockville. It sells out daily (or at least on weekends), according to the butcher behind the counter, so go early.

Any chance you want to make it?

The service is weird. Super formal, overly rehearsed, and any attempt to ask questions and/or get them 'off script' was met with general confusion.  I know it's really expensive so formality is expected, but the level of stiffness (not just from one individual but all staff interactions - including the big finish with the man himself at dessert) wasn't our particular cup of tea.

Funny--I asked all sorts of questions and they answered them just fine. But this was many moons ago, so I don't know if staff changed or anything.

I've only been to the Foggy Bottom Whole Foods once, and I disliked it pretty intensely. The store being split across two levels makes it very difficult, at least for me, to find anything. Back in the old days, when there were department stores with multiple floors, there would always be a store directory somewhere near the main entrance; if there is such a thing at the FB WF, I didn't see it. <snip> Dosas are among my favorite foods, and if the dosa stand is near the street entrance, the layout of the store won't matter much either. Is it?

They hid the directory right by the elevator on the lower level, near the baskets. I ALWAYS get lost in there, so I always am at the map.

Please do report back on the dosas! It's also hidden, sadly, right next to the sandwich maker, two from the pizza oven. And I think there's this new rule of ordering from the computers instead of at the stand directly. Never a dull moment at that location!

Wegman's is welcome, whether located within the City or far beyond Alexandria's borders, as it appears to be.

I'm surprised that there are not lawsuits brought against realtors/sellers for using "Alexandria" for locations far outside the City.  When I went to register our cars in Alexandria, the City actually had someone going down the line to confirm that everyone really resided in the City.  About 1/3 of the people in line did not, and some of them were quite indignant when they were told they did not actually live in Alexandria.  The Post Office is to blame for much of this, but claiming something south of 495 is in Alexandria is BS.

In addition to the historic cachet of "Alexandria," the City provides outstanding city services.  Fairfax County doesn't even come close, other than having superior public schools.

Of course, I'm in a similar situation now, living in Herndon's zip code but outside Herndon's limits.   I just tell people I live in Fairfax County, near Herndon.

I'm confused by your post, PollyP. There shouldn't be a lawsuit, as there is the City of Alexandria and then there is Alexandria that is part of Fairfax County, which is where the "Kingstowne" area is, but people often get confused (I did) when they first move to this area by that distinction.

Where are you then, if not Herndon?

Yeah but is Kingstowne a place?!?!  As in a mailing address?

I live in Alexandria, but not Old Town.  I'm way outside the beltway down near Mt. Vernon but my mailing address is Alexandria

Well, Kingstowne was designated as a "neighborhood" for, I guess, census-purposes once a lot of housing developed around the South Van Dorn St & Kingstowne Boulevard area of Alexandria (Fairfax County).

Is it sheep or goat? I'm seeing references to both in my Googling.

"Sheep go to heaven, goats go to hell..."

羊 <-- is the Chinese character and its character origin (pictograph) depicts an animal with horns. This could be understood to describe a goat, too, but modern word evolution tagged the word with a location placement (å±± = mountain--pictograph of landform with peaks), so now å±±ç¾Š usually means goat. I guess it could also be a ram?

In other words, I am not sure, since things get lost in translation. But I was taught that 羊 generally meant sheep, rather than goat, since the zodiac personality is usually described as "gentle or calm," with more of a "follower" tendency; hence the mad dash of Chinese pregnant mothers scheduling c-sections before February 19 so their child could have horse-tendencies.

I happen to walk by here almost every day on my way to the Clarendon metro. Posting because noticed their soft opening last week one night and from cheesepowder's post. Their FB page states they will open *today* at 11:30am.

Parking won't be easy, since it's at the corner of 11th street north and North Highland.

Citizen Burger Bar

1051 North Highland Street

Arlington, VA

I don't know how I managed to miss it, but this is the first I've heard of this. Can anyone report?

Likewise.

 Um, this is all I know:  DC Dosa & CP report stating now open at Union Market.

WF is pretty far from my current project site, so I haven't had a chance to make it over there.

Great to get notes from the DR community. Things I've noted that I would like to put in a new kitchen is a double sink and probably a faucet with a foot pedal. Does anyone have a foot-operated sink?
 
Porcupine--what is the benefit of under cabinet lighting?

Kroger to acquire Harris-Teeter for $2.44 Bn.

Kroger's okay, but a notch below H-T in my book.  Let's hope they don't screw it up.

It's been a year since they've merged...should the NC-chain part be amended, since, I think, Kroger's is an Ohio chain?