squidsdc

I don't think so, and it would be healthier than what KFC is switching to.

Does Elysium in the Morrison Hotel in Old Town still have piano "service?"

Complementing any stay at Morrison House is a dining experience at The Grille. Led by Executive Chef Ryan Houde, our restaurant features relaxed American fine dining with dishes made using the freshest of ingredients, sourced just in time from nearby Virginia farms, markets and artisans.

Join us for drinks before dinner in the Parlor, after which you'll be seated in one of our three comfortable dining rooms. Warm, knowledgeable service combines with a menu of fish, free-range fowl, the finest meats and perfect produce for a memorable evening. Our Cellar Master completes the experience by assisting you with selections from our extensive wine list.

Perfectly suited to the warmth and elegant surroundings of Morrison House, The Grille serves dinner every evening. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, enjoy our classic piano bar with live music provided by our guests and friends from Old Town Alexandria. And for parties of ten or more, The Grille and Morrison House offer a prix fixe menu with hors d'oeuvres and wine pairings in a beautiful private setting.

To make reservations, please call The Grille at 703.838.8000.

If you have a TJMaxx or HomeGoods store near you check them out as they have some crazy deals on Le Creuset from time to time.

Hi everyone,

Longtime lurker (though not in a sinister way), but I felt I finally had something to add to this board, so decided to post.

Pasta with grated parm, crunchy salt, chile flakes, and excellent olive oil.

I schleped out to a specialist in VA today with cat in tow (Hi Scottee M!) and plotted my route home to include a stop to Elevation Burger--'cuz I knew if I didn't, it would be a long time until I found the place. (I find VA so confusing--same street names in different places for example, and even this thread says it's on Lee Hwy, but the address is actually on S. Washington St. )

Good news is that I found it--I arrived a little early tho', and waited the half hour until they opened. The fries were very good--especially since they were so freshly made. Perfectly salted, some crispy, some not. I could not tell they were fried in Olive Oil--tasted more like your standard corn or vegetable oil to me. Now to the burger--I think I made a mistake in not getting a cheeseburger. See, the burger was juicy, it just didn't have a lot of flavor. No grilled flavor, no meaty flavor, not even salt and pepper came through. Maybe the cheese would have added the saltiness, but I'm not sure that would send it over for me. The last time I was in Five Guys (in Gaithersburg) I'd say the burger actually tasted better--even if it wasn't as juicy--and we did have crisp fries there. But even better than that was the burger I had in Olney at Cheeburger Cheeburger recently. (Pekoe, my avatar, did enjoy her sample greatly, I must admit ) The staff were incredibly helpful and friendly, and I could see going here if I lived in the area, but I don't see it as a destination burger place for me. Especially since I'm often in Reston, Tysons and occasionally Leesburg, but rarely in Falls Church. That's not to say I wouldn't go back if I am ever in the area...second chance, ya know?

Another shout out to Meaghan -- shabu shabu (I just like saying that)

(--this coming from a MD-er who was just today trying to navigate N vs S Washington St in Falls Church, looking for Elevation Burger.)

Bob's 88 Shabu Shabu, 316 N. Washington St., Falls Church, 301-294-5888.

I'm looking for a decent place near Farragut North or Dupont. I personally find Firehook pretty gross.

I'm in the oatmeal year round camp (and on the flip side, I take my coffee iced year round too). I have already braised short ribs once and like a lot of you, I'm looking forward to butternut squash soup and rissoto as well. Looking for a good apple cake recipe.

Who knew 6:30 would be the prime time of the evening? Must've been the pre-theatre crowd, as Circle Bistro offers a great selection at only $35---I highly recommend checking it out. But if you are not going for the pre-theatre, I recommend dining a little bit later in the evening, as when we sat down there were quite a few tables finishing up, so that there were a few hiccups in our service. But all smoothed out in the end and we were well taken care of

After being offerd water, then not receiving it, we requested it again. Both of us tried catching someone's eye to see where it was when we did not get it again, but as I said before, I think it was just the timing...seemed like there were a lot of checks needing to be tallied and such to get the earlier diners out. We did finally receive the water, and we were also each presented with a glass of prosecco in honor of our celeberation. A nice touch. I started with the Mushroom Salad with Frisee and Poached Egg--bacon grease in the vinaigrette was all I needed to hear, and boy did it live up to my expectations. Mr. Squids also had a salad of fresh greens, that looked and smelled lovely, but I'm still glad I went with the one I did. I had the Rockfish with oysters and braised celery in a parsnip cream sauce. As much as I love oysters, they did not seem to add a whole lot to the dish--I looked to try to add some salt, but no salt or pepper was on the table. As best I could see, I wasn't sure if there were shakers on any of the tables, and was wondering if the salt and pepper were left off the tables intentionally? I almost felt ashamed asking for them as I never know if it is viewed as an insult to the chef. Once I added a pinch of salt, though, the oysters were fine and worked much better in the dish. The rockfish was perfectly cooked, and did not disappoint. I realized as I was trying to get to all the sauce on my plate that we never received bread. After requesting it twice, I finally was able to soak up the last bits on my plate. (Yes, it was that good--I needed to get every last drop!) Mr. Squids ordered the "Roast Breast of Long Island Duckling, Glazed Brussels Sprouts, Sweet Potato-Apple Mousseline, Duck Jus" This dish is actually the one that Chef Cox prepared at the Fresh Farm Market demo...I almost ordered it myself, but wanted to try something that I hadn't had before, and of course we couldn't order the same thing! It was beautifully presented, and is a nice complement of fall flavors. Since I have the recipe from the demo, now all I have to do is try to make it taste as good at home ( I do still want to try, though)

Desserts were perfectly sized to end the evening. We were both pretty full, but decided to split a dessert. Since we were actually on different pages with what we wanted, we decided to go ahead and each order our own, and that was a wise decision. I can't recall exactly what Mr. Squids had--I think it was a pumpkin custard--I was too intent on enjoying my own dessert of a trio of frozen delights. Melon ball sized tastes of each of hand-churned ginger ice cream, vanilla bean ice cream, and green apple sorbet atop a delectable ginger snap cookie.

We received the check, and noticed that the desserts had not been added to the total...when we brought it to our server's attention, she thanked us, but told us that it was correct. That was very nice, unexpected, and really made us feel as if it wasn't just another dinner out, any other day of the week.

From today's WP Food section:

TODAY: Cooking demonstration and sampling with chef Brendan Cox of Circle Bistro. Free. 5 p.m. Foggy Bottom FreshFarm Market, I Street between New Hampshire Avenue and 24th Street NW. http://www.freshfarmmarkets.org

I went to this--it was a beautiful day, and Chef Cox inspired me to make plans to spend our anniversary dinner at Circle Bistro--we'll be dining there tonite and I am looking forward to it!

I'll probably be at work late-ish (i went out for lunch and then to the gym so i have gotten very little done), but I'm thinkin about getting a late dinner at the bar at Circle Bistro....probably like 8:30? Anybody else is welcome to join, just lemme know.

I'd stop by and say "hi" but our dinner reservation is for 6:30--we may be gone by the time you arrive. This will be my first dinner at Circle Bistro. I really liked what Chef Cox prepared at the Farmers Market, and decided then it would be a great new place to go for our Anniversary dinner (Celebrating 20yrs!)

You bet baby! Hope you have been planning and concocting a killer recipe. Team JG had a productive meeting of the minds (keep sarcastic comments to yourself) recently and we cannot wait to put the piggie to the plate.

Not to fuel the fire, (or to!) Take note---mdt is going to be at Restaurant Kolumbia this evening--who's gonna referee if the dukes come out tonite?

(I really, really wish I could make it to the picnic to witness for myself, but alas, my vacation begins in about 1 minute and I am... yeeeee hah...5..4..3..2..1..OUTTA HERE!)

HECOTB is a typo for HEOTB, which is Hollywood East on the Boulevard. 5-10 minute walk from Wheaton metro station.

(I noticed when I drove past this weekend, it is actually "Hollywood East Cafe on the Boulevard" which means the HECOTB is correct)

Call me unsophisticated but give me a Wonder bread/texas toast and Kraft singles grilled cheese anyday. Probably love it for the same reason I love my old beat up, painted on Tshirts over my brand new nice ones, sentimental value.

I love this combo when I am sick and at that point I usually don't feel like cooking anything but if you want a ready made soup in a can, there is an Amy's Kitchen tomato soup and tomato bisque that I ate a couple of times after I had my wisdom teeth pulled. I thought it was pretty tasty. Although I was pretty loopy on painkillers and ridiculously hungry for real food, so who knows, maybe it is actually horrible.

I actually have both of those Amy's soups in my pantry. They are defintely not terrible, but they also do not resemble Campbell's in any way, if that's what one is craving.

Mr. Squids introduced me to the best grilled cheese---with a thin shmear of mayo. It really adds to the creaminess of the melted cheese. I've also tried mustard, and do like it, but the mayo rules. I hadn't ever heard of it before, but am definitely a convert. We can't be the only ones?

As far as bread goes, if you want some really good thick bread (Texas toast style) try Effie's--they sell it at our local Giant, and we've also found it at Han Ah Reum. Extremely dense, fine grain, slightly sweet. Myself, I prefer a smaller bread-to-cheese ratio for my grilled cheese sammies.

Aside from the issue of it being a ban....this doesn't mean no fried foods. Just a need to use a different type of oil/fat to prepare foods, which is not a bad thing at all. Hydrogenated fats have been proven to do nasty things to our bodies Wendy's has already made the change--can't recall where I read about it, but someone with better linking skills may find the article to paste.

Does anybody whim on a monday? I find myself stranded by a husband who had a last minute offer to go to the skins game...and I'll need to pick him up from a metro later this evening. I was considering Eamonn's, if I can find out how to get there! I'm open to suggestions

I tried to phone before the dinner rush to find out if they are metro accessible, and the message on the machine said all pertinent info could be found on the website...unfortunately, the website I went to is just a home page with no way to "enter" (unless of course there is something wrong with my browser, which is entirely likely) I guess they don't have anyone to answer the phone, but who needs it when you've got DR.com?!

Is it metro accessible?

I'm considering "crossing" the river to get here tonite, but I'm a bit directionally challenged and could use some assistance.

Thanks.

I've noticed a definite improvement in the food section of late...Mr. Squids mentioned he noticed it as well. Anyone else?

Anybody have any information about when this place is set to open? It is supposed to be a seafood restaurant owned by Francesco Ricchi with Enzo Febbraro (of Filomena) as chef. A friend of a friend who works in the building thinks it's set to open in November.

And what else is Ricchi up to these days? (Besides leading tour groups through Italy that is...) Does he play any part in Etrusco or Cesco - two restaurants almost never mentioned on this board anymore?

FROM SCANDAL TO SEAFOOD: Veteran chef Francesco Ricchi signed a 10-year lease over the weekend for the former Signatures restaurant, which shuttered last year in the wake of the Jack Abramoff lobbying scandal. Modeled after one of the chef's favorite dining rooms in Florence, the 200-seat space will focus on fish and seafood, hence its name based on the Italian word for water: D'Acqua (801 Pennsylvania Ave. NW).

<snip>

D'Acqua is expected to set sail in mid-November or early December and to serve both lunch and dinner. Acknowledging the expense-account competition nearby, Ricchi says the forthcoming restaurant will also offer two private dining rooms and plenty of turf: veal, lamb and other meat, hopefully carved table-side. After all, jokes the chef, "We're in the steak corridor there!"

They sell Niman Ranch bacon, ham steaks and pre-cooked bbq ribs at other stores. I imagine this store will have them eventually, if they are not there already. Niman Ranch bacon--applewood smoked--is excellent, IMO. And of course, TJ's sells it cheaper than anywhere else.

I did not read it as a bad review...when I read the post, I "heard" the OP drawing conclusions from what was observed. In my mind they were assumptions, and not necessarily fact. Had it happened to me, and it has in the past as for our own reasons rarely do I or Mr. Squids order alchohol, I would want to make the management aware to find out if there may have been other mitigating factors that could have been contributing to the situation. How the situation is handled from that point would determine whether a return visit and online posting would ensue. I believe that any proprietor, or improprietor for that matter, would want the same opportunity to investigate given to them, and (say it together class) at the time the incident takes place.

I bought a HUGE bottle of Canadian maple syrup for $7.99

I almost picked up the same one! Had to restrain myself, though, as I already had a large jar of honey and butter to go with the figs and bagels I picked up yesterday. (not in that order specifically ) Did you get the Grade B? Let me know how it is if you did! Ever since I've been buying my syrup from a vendor I found at one of the Sugarloaf Crafts festivals, out of Western Mass, I won't go back to anything but the Grade B. (The organic TJ's Grade B was 5.99 for 12 oz, and the Canadian one was $7.99.)

Looking forward to this. Looks like it comes out this month.

Book Description

Michel Richard is a man giddy with invention. Enamored of crispness, this master chef, who calls himself Captain Crunch, makes a potato gratin that is all crust. He makes his grits with tomato water rather than stock (lighter and fresher). He brûlées chocolate mousse, makes risotto from potatoes, and “salami” out of raspberries and almonds. He’s always looking for the twist that makes good things great—whether it’s his lamburgers, lobster burgers, tuna burgers, turkey “steak” au poivre, or the chocolate reverie Michel calls Le Kit Cat.

Step-by-step photos demonstrate Richard’s innovative technique that makes easy work of dicing, shaping, ruffling, and a plethora of other indispensable hand skills. With recipe titles such as Shrimp “Einstein,” Jackson Pollock Soup, Chicken Faux Gras, Figgy Piggy, and Happy Kid Pudding (made in the microwave), Happy in the Kitchen’s promise is good tastes and good times.

My new plan is to walk the 6 blocks there daily, while the weather is cooperating (since my gym membership is not doing me any good when I don't go!) When I went on Friday btwn 5 and 6, I came prepared with my umbrella and raincoat, but unfortunately the skies let loose when I was about a block and a half away. The wind made the umbrella useless, but it was too late to turn back. It was packed, but not so full that one could not navigate the aisles. Staff and customers were excited about the opening. The checkers were cheerful and efficient in moving the traffic so there was not a long wait in line.

I debated when to walk down today, since previous posters had encountered a full house. Maybe if I snuck out before noon I'd have a better chance? Couldn't do it then, so I ended up leaving at 12:45 and decided to take my chances...

The store was practically empty--not of food, of people! I didn't spend too much time perusing the store since I did a pretty good walk-thru on Friday, but I did note that they restocked quite nicely. (Except for the afore mentioned beer, and I also noticed that the refrigerated soups were all but gone) There was still a good selection of wines, but the beer--forget it. Today I picked up some spinach wraps, 2 cooked chicken breasts, slaw, mini bagels, fresh figs, and Greek yogurt for under $18. I'll get at least 4 wraps out of the chicken and slaw, and can add to that with other fixins later on to use up the rest of the wraps. Can't beat that for a week plus of lunches, and snacks! Friday I picked up a Niman Ranch ham steak, baby broccoli and a bag o' salad for dinner, plus some tomato basil pasta sauce for the pantry.

While we do live in SS, it's out of our way home to drive to the one on Rt 29--we've tried that before and by the time we reach SS it's after 7pm, and I'm too hungry to decide what to get without buying out the entire store. Even if I know what I want to get, it's hard not to be enticed to stray--and then we invariably end up eating dinner too late. I love having this store nearby--close enough for a good walk, and I can always drive over and park before leaving work if I need to pick up something that's a bit too heavy to carry.