Halloween

Dean, I think is too late to call Dino tonight, so i'll pay you tomorrow.  I'm confirming for December 4.

I'm in!

I am in shock, too. Here's to you, Mrs. B. In your honor, I am having a glass or two of Beckmen Vineyards' 2008 Grenache. It's comfort food, indeed. Waitman, I haven't seen you in many years, and you may have no idea who I am, but you and Mrs. B. blew me away with your you-ness many years ago. You made me believe in love (again). I am so sorry for your loss.

Thank you Chef Power, Pete and the entire Corduroy team for making my brother's birthday dinner so special.

Imagine our surprise when: (1) we were told that the pork belly-- my brother's favorite--was available (even though it was not on the menu), (2) my mother was presented with apple tart tatin for dessert (it was perfect, by the way) for dessert, even though she thought she was skipping dessert in a futile attempt to "counting calories" after the holidays, and (2) you recommended a wine that paired perfectly with pork belly, pork cheeks, scallops, and antelope. Wow.

I generally prefer the casual atmosphere of the bar and the always-interesting conversations with Pichan, but tonight was a very special occasion, and Corduroy's dining room was the perfect place for us to celebrate it. Thank you.

Pichan, we're sorry we missed you!

I stopped by today to say hi to Bruce. I bought a standing rib roast (it's beautiful!) and country bacon. Thanksgiving, here I come.

1) Isn't there a thread here somewhere on Brussels sprouts? Roast them halved or sauté them, but former best for large quantities. Diced red onion, caramelized; fresh, roasted chestnuts, chopped; reduction of pear cider to glaze. (Chestnuts make good sub for bacon.) I also like Union Square Café's hashed B sprouts, but it's a lot of work for more than a few guests. I plan on making a gratin of greens, instead, this year, but people loves Brussels cooked w fat vs. water.

2) You can never have too many sweet potatoes.

I agree -- you can never have too many sweet potatoes. I am making a sweet potato casserole, a sweet potato pie, and, possibly, a sweet potato-lentil stew. Thanksgiving comes but once a year.

My friends are throwing their mother a 60th birthday party in Naples, and want to have the event catered at their parents' home. They are looking for someone who can handle food, set up (ambiance), clean up, etc. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

To Sue, who was so full of light and joy she could barely keep her feet on the ground. Cancer, to put it mildly, I do not like you. Go away.

To Beerman, who died 3 years ago yesterday and was born 43 years ago today. Thanks for the good times, the laughs, the love, and so many memories.

I would not recommend attempting to buy enough to last the week. We tried that once, and ended up eating it all in a 12 hour period. Talk about a BCC hangover!

I blame you, Lackadaisi. I can barely move!

I've got a hangover. A Bon Chon Chicken hangover. Oh. My. Gosh. I had the spicy and soy yesterday (I prefer the spicy) courtesy of two members of this board, and now I want to drive to Annandale to buy some, maybe enough to last me the week, except my stomach surely will explode before then based on the amount of chicken I ate yesterday. Yes, I know that is a long sentence, but you can't blame me. I'm not in my right mind. The Bon Chon has taken over.

In no particular order:

Radius

Vace

Ledo

Pete's

(I haven't tried American Flatbread, but it's on my list.)

Hi Shaggy,

There are many restaurant recommendations in the dr.com "Caribbean All-Inclusive Resort" thread. I posted some of the recs (even though I haven't stayed at an all-inclusive resort), and believe that you will find plenty to do (eat), hear (several local bands) and enjoy (white-sand beaches, snorkeling, scuba diving) in Anguilla. I'm not a fan of vacationing in St. Martin. For me, there's just too much going on. I've been to Anguilla five times, and believe it is paradise, especially for people who love to eat and to relax. There is a vibrant culture beyond the resorts (whatever you do, do not spend you entire trip at a resort), and people are warm and welcoming.

I check the Anguilla Forum (link, above) and Trip Advisor before every trip to obtain the latest restaurant information. I'll check the recs I listed in the dr.com thread (in 2007 or 2008, I think) and update them. You're going to have an amazing trip!

Revolutionary.

Panorama's olive oil buns and Parmesan hamburger buns got a terrifc shout out today in All We Can Eat today:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/all-we-ca...urger.html#more

They should have gotten a shout out for their multi-grain bread, too. Omg. It is amazingly delicious. I have been eating toast for breakfast, lunch and dinner since Sunday. I need to step away from the multigrain. Wow.

Michael, Michael, Michael,

What can I say? You have a girlfriend?

Thanks all for getting us back on track.

I will be bringing +3 plus first aid kit, cookbooks to swap, deviled eggs, veggie tort, paper products, items others have left during previous picnics, wine from the cellar.........

This is one of my favorite events!

Please tell your friends, board members, wives, husbands, girlfriends, boyfriends, etc.

Thanks, Scott. I'll be there!

So you guys are criticizing the President for ordering his burger medium-well? Well, I take my steak tartare, well, raw; my steak, medium-rare; and, my burgers medium to medium-well. Sue me; bring it on!

Landrum passes Secret Service background check? Bad boy? no, pussycat.

Right?! No wonder Michael was so pleasant, upbeat, and well-behaved during that crazy Arlington interview.

I especially liked the orange and black ensemble and the snow boots. Tres chic.

Congrats, Monica! This is so exciting.

I had Easter brunch at Dino this year and I really enjoyed it. Fun, relaxed atmosphere, and the food was delicious.

I'm with Joe H on this one. I also enjoy Vace's pies, but I don't know how you will handle the beer/wine requirement. Of the big three (2 Amys, Comet, and Paradiso), I prefer Comet, but it can be hit or miss.

Call Giordano's in Chicago. They will ship you a pie, and it will be better than anything you can buy in DC.

Or, far more accessible from Rosemont, of the same genre and arguably as good as Lem's, hit Honey 1 for the same... plus links :-)

(Don't misunderstand, Halloween -- Lem's is a great suggestion and I'm not trying to undercut it. Just trying to provide an alternative Chicago-style BBQ joint of comparable quality that Scott is more likely to get to, given his location.)

No misunderstanding, Dominic. I grew up on the south side, so I'm recommending what I know and love. I've never had Honey 1.