Halloween

Don Rocks, I'm not convinced you exist, but assuming you do, I am very concerned about you. Very concerned.

The garganelli with sausage and greens is yummy!

I will be happy to make a cash donation, as well. My back injury flared up last weekend, so I am not able to do much lifting, etc. right now. If a group will be going next weekend, then I should be able to help out.

Hello bar neighbor. Great meeting you. It seems we weren't the only members of the rockwell cult at Dino's on Wednesday. We're taking over. To Rocks!

Notice to all newbies from a fellow newbie: Come on out to the picnic!!! Don Rocks (international man of mystery whom i have never met) and the entire rockwell crew are very welcoming! Really. I attended my first DR HH a couple of months ago with much trepidation. I am happy to report that I had a great time (I knew no one!), was warmly welcomed, and was encouraged to jump right in and make myself at home. I encourage you to do the same. Hope to see you on October 2!

I am happy to report that the fried fish with tartar crack (and that is exactly what it is!!) is available at sat/sun brunch. On several recent consecutive saturday mornings, I plopped myself down at the counter, ate that delicious fish, and savored every drop of that tartar sauce, and i don't even like tartar sauce.

I hung out at the bar at Dino last night from 5 to 9:30. It was my first visit to Dino, although I was in the presence of a familiar face, since I follow Chris wherever he goes. I had the restaurant week menu and several (I lost count) 3 oz tastes of pink and red wines. Talk about being drunk on food, people and, of course, wine! By the end, I was too full to finish my dessert, a ricotta mousse (with ripe, juicy nectarines?). For me, the highlight was the affettati misti, an assortment of sliced cured meats, frittata and cheese. The new york steak (a taste of which was offered to me by a lovely, charming couple at the bar) was tasty, as well. I'm looking forward to sampling more of the menu (probably taking it easier on the vino) on my next visit.

Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful!

Thanks so much! That is exactly what i've been hoping to find.

That salad looks oh so yummy and delicious. It's 7am and wish I could eat it for breakfast.

I am renovating my kitchen and am comparison shopping for a gas range (among other appliances). Oh the choices! I have narrowed my choices for the refrigerator and dishwasher (although I remain open to suggestion), but I am completely overwhelmed by the options for a gas range, ie., dual fuel, convection, double oven, warming drawer, griddle in the middle, GE Profile vs Jenn-Air vs Kitchen Aid, freestanding range vs. cooktop/wall oven, etc. I have become obsessed with this purchase, spending my weekends at Home Depot, Loews, the Great Indoors, Bray and Scarff, and sears.com, to no avail. So, I am turning this over to the rockwellians. The only thing I know for sure is that I want the cooktop to be gas. I would greatly appreciate your input, advice, and/or strong feelings on this subject. Thanks!

Corduroy sounds great. I'll be there.

Yes! Make it so crescentfresh.

Are newbies welcome to attend? I've never done a DR HH (or any other events), but I would be delighted to kick things off tonight!

I swear by Queen Makeda. Last week, my out-of-town cousin and I stopped by, and Mama prepared us a feast. She just kept bringing us more and more dishes to "taste." My cousin was amazed. I like Sodere (far more than most of the Ethiopian restaurants on 9th/U Street), but when I want a soul satisfying meal, I head to Queen Makeda.

I hesitate to add to this conversation for two reasons. First, i am a long time lurker who has never posted, and I am not looking to make enemies. I am very happy to participate in the site and enjoy being here. Second, I am frustrated with the entire conversation and want it to end, somehow. Nevertheless, here's my two cents (in response to the entire conversation, not just Brian's post). I went to CK alone two sunday evenings ago. I had a delightful, unrushed dinner, during part of which I read the citypaper. I arrived early, around 6:00 pm or so, purposely avoiding sunday brunch and late sunday dinner. CK was mostly empty. I ordered the rockfish. Five minutes thereafter, I decided it was about time I tried the onion tart. I asked the waiter (who warmly recognized me) if it would be ok for me to order the tart even though I had already ordered my entree. He said it was fine. I must admit that I was afraid to make the request given what I have heard about CK and given the tension I have occasionally sensed myself. If they had been busy, I probably would not have ordered the tart. If they had been busy, i probably would not have lingered over the meal. If they had been busy, I would have expected less attentive service, etc, etc. I think we have a right to expect a lot from CK, but I sometimes wonder if we expect too much. For months and months I wouldn't even go to the place because i thought I might get my head cut off. On my first visit, I was surprised to find chef in the kitchen with a (zen-like) smile on her face, cookin' her butt off. Have all of my experiences been perfect? No. I happen to be very frustrated with the small scoops of ice cream that accompany the delicious (and now unavailable) apple pandowdy, and occasionally frustrated that it can take a bit to be seated, even when there is no crowd. But i'm not sure what all of this means. This is not Citronelle, after all. What should I reasonably expect from CK? Is is possible that the race and gender are influencing my expectations? Am I bothered that Chef dares to speak her mind, black woman that she is? To what extent should I take into account CK's location and size and the fact that I don't have children and can simply sit at the counter if no other seats are available? I don't necessarily know the answers to these questions, but it certain helps me to explore them and to explore my motives as I sit fuming about the small stuff. To be sure, I should expect a reasonable level of service and, in the case of CK, I have come to expect a comforting and delicious meal, but I have grown weary of what I experience as the sense of privilege surrounding people's food experiences, and not just at CK. Some weeks, I can barely bring myself to read Tom's weekly chat because I know it will contain complaint after complaint after complaint. In the case of CK, I adjust and give the benefit of the doubt and everything else because I love the food. At some other places, I have had one too many disapointing meals where I felt cheated and disappointed. So, at CK, where I delight in the food (with few exceptions), I am willing to loosen up and enjoy the ride.