Lydia R

According to Chef & Robin's eLetter (below) CK will be closed for brunch this Saturday March 11th, but open for dinner. Also note DR's comment (far below) from the Corduroy thread about a recent attempt at Sunday dinner. From the CK eLetter the POT LUCK, Scallop Beignets and Cobb Salad sound really yum!! As of today, their "new" web URL is still under construction (good luck -- looking forward to seeing it). And, it's probably best to call before driving over on weekends...

Looking forward to HEOB (Wheaton) tomorrow. I was there about a year ago for a blow-out banquet chowfest, but haven't yet been for Dim Sum.Hopefully we'll be able to coordinate calendars the April return visit to Gaithersburg's New Fortune.

This is a good example of why I value these boards. This restaurant is in the same shopping center as the first MoCo outpost of the reborn Roy Rogers. I'd have had many RR meals before I'd step into Peking Palace (if ever) without James G's post on Chowhound - and never know what I was missing. Most recently I had scallion pancake and Five Flavor Chicken. The pancake was not the Peter Chang rendition, but the more authentic flat version and the Chicken was a great balance of hot and sweet. They must do as well with typical Sino-American fare because the booth behind me was equally delighted with their Sweet/Sour Chicken and Shrimp Fried Rice. There's also a lunch buffet that's well attended... It's a bit out of the way, but in a growing part of the county with a steadily increasing number of restaurants, both unique (French Quarter Cafe) and not (Five Guys and the usual suburban chains). ETA: clarity

I discovered this place on Chowhound after being frustrated by places closer to Univ. of MD. Franklin's Brewery is one of the few places in PG County that has repeatedly worked for getting a geographically diverse and varied appetite group to agree on. I don't get there often, but wish them well and hope Mike is able to find the right fit. Here's their website for more info: http://www.franklinsbrewery.com/index.php?...id=26&Itemid=53 Edited to add clarity.

Before this week gets completely away from me (it was only a four day week!), I wanted to report back on my first CK brunch last Saturday afternoon. I walked in around 1p to about a third of the tables empty and no waiting list – “wow” I thought, “Saturdays are cakewalks.” Not ten minutes later, all the tables appeared full and the place was hopping. The staff was working hard, but didn’t appear to have been tortured (by children of all ages) as on a previous Sunday. The servers are young, smart and interested in giving good service to their tables – they aren’t ready for dinner service at CityZen, but CK’s not that kind of place. OK, I’d heard about the donuts and Shrimp/Garlic Cheese Grits and they are worth the weekend trek. I ended up packing home half the Pear-Cranberry Crisp -- it was a great breakfast the next morning. Note that the Crisp is made to order so treat it like the Bread Pudding Soufflé at New Orleans’ Commander’s Palace and order it early in your meal – hadn’t had time for it at lunch, but it’s now my favorite dessert. Weekends at CK are a different vibe from Friday lunch (more families, couples and, yes, busier). What a treat – it’s just too bad there isn’t a nearby fallback restaurant to pick-up overflow on weekends.

It looks worse given the Comptroller's interpretation. This article was in today's Baltimore Business Journal. Sorry if this is long, but I wasn't sure what to prune.[Also note the Maryland Wine & Grape Advisory Committee I mentioned upthread is defunct. We now have The Maryland Wine and Grape Promotion Council which was authorized in July 2005 (Chapter 320, Acts of 2005). With input from the Governor's Advisory Commission on Maryland Wine and Grape Growing it distributes grants from the Maryland Wine and Grape Promotion Fund.] Baltimore Business Journal - 2:37 PM EST Tuesday Comptroller's ruling possible 'death knell' for Maryland wineries By: Julekha Dash, Staff Maryland wineries will be prevented from directly selling their wines to retail stores and restaurants starting March 31, according to an administrative ruling the state's comptroller's office issued earlier this month. Should the ruling take effect, it would financially threaten most of the state's 22 wineries, which rely on orders from retailers and restaurants and cannot afford to go through a distributor. "It's a death knell for the smallest wineries," said Kevin Atticks, executive director of the Maryland Wineries Association. Seventy percent of Maryland wines are distributed by the wineries to retail stores and restaurants, according to the association. Atticks defined small wineries as those which produce fewer than 40,000 gallons of wine per year, which applies to 18 of the state's wineries. The comptroller's administrative ruling is essentially an interpretation of existing Maryland law and not a new law, said Gerald Langbaum, counsel for the comptroller's office and a state assistant attorney general. Though Maryland wineries had been selling directly for years, a new interpretation of the law was required in response to a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in 2005, Langbaum said. The ruling declared that states could not favor their own wineries over out-of-state vintners with regards to the distribution of wine. "No one wants to put anyone out of business," Langbaum said. The comptroller's ruling is also a response to a lawsuit filed against the state late last year. The suit alleges that Maryland's sales laws, which allow in-state wineries to sell directly to retailers and restaurants while preventing out-of-state wineries from doing so, violates the U.S. Constitution. Filed by a Pennsylvania winery and a Silver Spring resident, the plaintiffs seek an injunction against the state of Maryland from enforcing laws that prohibit out-of-state wineries from selling wine directly to retailers and consumers. Similar suits have been filed in about a dozen other states. Maryland wineries can sell wine to consumers, retailers and restaurants, while out-of-state wineries must go through a distributor. Owners of small Maryland wineries say it would not be cost effective for them to pay a distributor to deliver their wines. Winery officials are hoping to muster support for a bill that would allow them to continue selling to retailers and restaurants. Senate Bill 812 would also allow small out-of-state wineries to sell directly to retailers and restaurants, through in person, on-site deliveries, not shipments via a courier such as FedEx. The bill has 10 senate sponsors, including Sen. Thomas "Mac" Middleton (D-Charles County), the lead sponsor and powerful chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. Lynne Basignani, co-owner of Basignani Winery in Sparks, is one of 15 winery owners who met with legislators Monday night to muster support for the bill. Basignani is not sure how the comptroller's ruling will impact the 20-year-old winery, but plans to fight it. On Tuesday afternoon, a salesperson at the winery was set to deliver cases of Chardonnay to the Center Club after a last-minute request -- something the winery couldn't do if the ruling took effect. © 2006 American City Business Journals Inc.

I've eaten lunch at CK a bunch of times, but tried to get into Brunch for the first time today. I arrived around 1:45p to be greeted with "we're not taking any more names." There were several bar spaces open, a few cleared tables and no line out front. The waif repeated the same phrase again "we're not taking any more names" without a "sorry" or an offer of additional information -- so I just looked into her tired beyond belief eyes, said thanks and left. It’s like having a flight delay become more aggravating because you’re getting no information from your airline. Luckily I was by myself and didn't have a dining companion to apologize to or explain this inhospitable/weird greeting. I'd purposely arrived late-ish (Brunch is listed as running until 2:30p) to give Type-A folks a clear lane -- sure running out of provisions happens at CK from time-to-time – so staff might be prepared to offer a more positive spin when turning away potential diners (e.g., we’re so sorry, but……hope we’ll see you again soon)…. Does anyone know if CK's taking reservations for either seats or food (like the pizza place in NY that requires an advance reservation for dough)? Or, they could hang a flag out front so we’d know to forgetaboutit before hunting for parking in the neighborhood. Speaking of pizza I drove west and ended up on a stool at 2Amy’s back bar and got served a great consolation prize lunch with a neat dessert chosen by Debbie the bartender (Strawberry ice cream & cappuccino).

This is a great event - we'd been hoping to check NB out after reading the glowing RW reports! Thanks to both Crackers & Starfish for the event planning.

Thanks for posting this. She speaks in short essay form about the emotional-healing power of food and the limitations of her (or anyone's) cooking to turn around diners' blues. She has very kind observations from her little kitchen windows. Here's the link:http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5158955

The SBC in the Kentlands (Gaithersburg) was pretty quickly assimilated after the 2003 purchase. I miss SBC's baristas - they seemed more skilled/artistic.I'm interested if anyone can compare the restaurant-supplying roasters mentioned upthread with Peet's (Bay Area), Green Mountain Beanery (Vermont) or Community Coffee (New Orleans). At one time or another I've ordered from each, but keep looking around. Sietsema has a Bay Area roaster favorite & I can't remember its name - whatever - has anyone tried it? In Seattle, Tully's is a good alternative. It's still a regional brand and its coffeeshops are plentiful if you want to avoid Starbucks (other than visiting store #001 in Pike Place Market - it's not too far from the original Sur la Table).

Looks like many of us will be at Corduroy at least once this coming week. I'm trying to pace myself and wonder if the Corduroy RW menu is posted anywhere? I realize the "regular" menu has changed since my last dinner visit -- so posting even the current menu would be a BIG help. Note: I am an adult and realize items on any menu may be sold-out or otherwise unavailable at the time(s) I order -- I will comport myself in a responsible way if my first choice isn't available, smile and clean my plate.

It would be helpful for potential diners (& supportive of participating restaurants) if the BCC Chamber updated their website -- even with just a "save the date" blurb.http://www.bccchamber.org/restaurants/restaurantweek.shtml As of right now the site still has July info...

Perfect timing. I was wondering what to use my Borders coupon for next week. I definitely need a push to read stuff that that has a plot, but no graphs.

Nothing on his website either http://thebreadlinedc.blogspot.com/

Does anyone know what's on their current dinner menu and, perhaps, can steer me to a yum meal? I've been invited to have dinner at Tabard Inn in the next week, but the posts upthread aren't very encouraging. At this point it almost looks like the best course is drinks there and meal elsewhere.

Seems that great minds think alike. Here's the first part of the wine column from today's Wall Street Journal: ============================================ Talking Wine Around The Water Cooler By DOROTHY J. GAITER AND JOHN BRECHER For Clients and Colleagues, Our Holiday Wine Tips; Reading the Small Print December 9, 2005; Page W8 Around the holidays, wine plays a prominent role not only with friends and family, but at the office, too. Christmas parties, gift exchanges -- there are all sorts of issues. As you can imagine, we're the go-to people in our office when it comes to wine-related holiday questions. Here are four questions we've been asked by our own colleagues over the past year, and we'd guess they're pretty common everywhere this time of year. All of these questions have many possible answers, but we'll tell you exactly what we told our colleagues and what we'd tell you if you were in the cubicle next-door. Q: The other secretaries and I want to give a nice bottle of wine to the boss, but he knows a lot about wine and we don't want to spend too much. What should we get? A: An "RM" champagne. This will show care, taste -- and good eyesight. Let's explain: Most of us are familiar with the big Champagne makers of France, such as Piper-Heidsieck and Mumm, and the big guys dominate the market. Heck, for all we know, the boss even buys Dom Perignon by the case (since he is, after all, the boss and perhaps can afford it). But there are thousands of small producers in Champagne who make a limited amount of highly personal wine and, in some cases, export a little bit of it to the U.S. Some of these names, such as Pierre Peters and Egly-Ouriet, are fairly well known among wine-lovers, but we see new ones all the time. A California wine store recently featured a small-production Champagne called René Collard from the 1985 vintage that was just recently released from the winery. The cost: $59.99, a real bargain for a wine with such history. We had to order it, of course, and it was simply beautiful -- golden, with languid bubbles and nutty, toasty, citrus flavors. Here's where the eyesight comes in: If you look closely, there is a tiny registration number on a Champagne label. Most begin with "NM," which includes the big Champagne houses that buy most of their grapes, then blend the wine and ship it. If it says "RM," that means it's a grower's own wine. This Champagne will be rare, special and distinctive -- and there's an excellent chance it will be new to your boss. Not only that, but it will likely be a bargain -- often $30 to $40 -- because it is, after all, an unusual label that no one has ever heard of. The boss will understand just how special this is. You won't find RM Champagnes at every corner store, but many fine wine shops carry at least one. Copyright - 2005 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved =========================================

When I was waiting outside the closed Sodere for Bilrus and the Porcupines, I wondered whether an alternate location had been declared and, sadly, saw that Queen Makeda's was closed too. Is there a pattern to these closures OR do we need to call everytime? Sorry Bilrus, Ethiopian is definitely a cuisine meant for sharing with as large a group of people as you can tolerate. I don't think I've ever eaten it alone...

So, are we a go or no for tonight?

Looks like Harris Teeter has finally announced the location of their first Maryland store. It's the former Food Lion site on Route 28 in Darnestown (out past Kentlands). Sounds like it might take well into 2006 to make it a reality. Sadly, it'll probably have the same wine-deficit as the Trader Joes in MoCo. Here's the link to the source article in this week's Gazette. http ://www.gazette.net/stories/112205/mont...1916.shtml

Here's CK's Thanksgiving Schedule. I recommend getting on their e-mailing list (we got a special flash the weekend they closed Sunday dinner service 'cuz the cupboard was bare). Hmmm, Pot Roast...

Don't know about the Mermaid (La Sirenita), but El Tapatio opens at 10:00 every morning. Best thing about getting in early there is that the Jukebox is set at merely a mild-roar. If you're driving, looking for the Mermaid, my landmark is a smallish sign perpendicular to the road in red Korean lettering (previous tenant) in a little 3 shop strip (grocery at other end). My landmark for El Tapatio is the go-cart track across the street. Too bad the WPost archives doesn't include the nice map graphic that detailed the locations of the places mentioned in the article. Todd's article about these two restaurants is what first brought my attention to his writing (and this neighborhood). Places like these keep me in Mole and Menudo* until I can hit a fav stripmall resto in bay area California - and makes me wonder why MoCo can't seem to attract any places like these or the ones mentioned in NoVa. *Menudo in a super-size soupbowl, not on the jukebox!

Just wanted to update y'all on the potential Ethiopian trifecta. Cooler heads have prevailed and it looks like the only DR-Ethiopian outing this month is Tuesday 22 November...

Wow! Ethiopian Trifecta (Nov 15, 22 & 29) - this is shaping up to be as much fun as this summer's TemptAsian lunch-athon! Can't make the 22nd, but two out of three ain't bad.

If you're not kidding, I'm game. This would be a fun start for the holidaze... We'll have to promise not to press our "noses" against Michael/Ray's window. These restaurants share an entryway and, uh, maybe more...

I agree with the other Tuesday diners. Of note, their hot tea was very smooth - the waitress said that it was green tea with roasted rice. New place to escape traffic and refresh the soul - just watch out for the missing mortar in the poorly-lit flagstone patio on the way in (entryway is nowhere near ADA compliant), but one you reach the top of the narrow stairs - heaven.