bettyjoan

Either time works for me. Once you get the timing all worked out (thankyouthankyouthankyou, by the way), can you post some payment clarification? E.g., how much and to whom and by what method. Much appreciated! So excited to meet everyone--this will be my first DR.com event!

Dined at Central for the first time last night, before a trip to the National Theater (to see "Avenue Q," which I highly recommend). Our reservation was at 5:30, so I was a little worried about being rushed. However, our server read us very well and paced our meal impeccably; we walked out at 7:30, which was exactly what I was hoping for. We ordered a bottle of Malbec, which was perfectly acceptable and reasonably priced (translation: the markup wasn't as ridiculous as it is at other establishments) at $38. For starters, I opted for the mussel chowder--delicious, and I am not the biggest mussel fan! The broth was creamy without being heavy, and the mussels were plump and flavorful. Yum. Boyfriend had the onion soup, which was decadent to say the least. They certainly don't skimp on the cheese! For the main course, I chose the braised rabbit, largely because it came with spaetzle. The meat was very well-cooked, though it was nothing out-of-this-world. The spaetzle, however, and the "glazed" carrots that accompanied the meal? Fan-frickin'-tastic. If we hadn't been off to the theater, I would have asked for a doggie bag--the food was incredibly delicious, but it was too rich for me to finish. Boyfriend got the fish and chips, and he said that the fish was really good. He was NOT a fan of the frites, though, so there is definitely some division on that menu item. He also ordered a side of the mac and cheese, which he said was the best he's ever had. I only tasted a bit, but I agree that it was top-notch. We split the kit kat bar for dessert, and it lived up to its hype. The malted vanilla ice cream that accompanied it was also a pleasant surprise. In the end, we left only $155 lighter in the wallet (after two appetizers, two entrees, a side dish, a dessert, a bottle of wine, a glass of some sort of Port-like drink, tax, and tip). For that price, Central offers some of the best food in town without the pretentious price tag. We'll definitely be back!

If there's still room, I am SO in. Drooling already...

After a long absence, I am relocating in May to my childhood home--Atlanta. My parents live in Lawrenceville, so they don't get into the city much--so is there anyone on this board who can fill me in on what's hot in the ATL dining scene these days? My initial impulse, based on past experiences, is that it's not as exciting or varied as DC, but that it doesn't get nearly the respect it deserves. Thoughts? Thanks!

I second Mark's recommendation--L'Atelier was absolutely wonderful. I'd definitely opt for the tasting menu, though it will set you back more than $250 for two. Well worth it!

Lucky you! San Sebastian was one of the highlights of my backpacking excursion through northern Spain (after living for four months in Madrid). I don't remember any notable restaurants, as I was on a meager budget. However, one night our hostel owner took us way up into the mountains to a fantastic sidreria (cider house)--and it was the most incredible and truly local experience I had during my travels. We were served enormous portions of grilled meats and vegetables, all while dining at large communal tables. We were also able to drink delicious cider, poured right from the barrel into our glasses. If you have ANY way to arrange a similar excursion (speaking Spanish would help in this regard), I would highly recommend it. Safe travels! Looking forward to reading the report upon your return.

Funny that you mention the Michelin ratings--according to the L'Atelier sommelier, the L.A./Las Vegas guide was supposed to come out on the 15th, but somehow the website was updated early and the results were leaked. So, when I was there (on the 13th), not only was Mr. Robuchon himself on the premises for the "big reveal," but he already knew his restaurants' fate. Needless to say, the staff were all pretty giddy about such an impressive accomplishment. I only wish I could have complimented the man himself! I would love to try the Mansion next time I'm in Vegas--now that I have dined at the one-star L'Atelier, it would be interesting to step it up and experience three stars. Here's hopin' for another conference and a BIG raise!

Whew...Las Vegas is an exhausting city, especially when you're fortunate enough to eat like I did! Here's the report from the field... For lunch on my first day, I went to Burger Bar (in Mandalay Place). In terms of atmosphere, it is virtually indistinguishable from any other sports bar or mall restaurant. While there are a few “set” recipes (such as the Surf ‘N Turf burger, which features Angus beef, lobster, and asparagus), the fun at Burger Bar lies largely in the diner’s ability to customize. I opted for the Kobe beef burger (which was $16), cooked rare and topped with swiss cheese, caramelized onions, and oyster mushrooms (these ranged from about sixty cents to two dollars). I also added a side of sweet potato fries (I believe they were just under $3). The burger was absolutely enormous, and it was more or less tartare-style with just a touch of great-tasting char around the outside. The combination of toppings worked well together and added some dimension, but they didn’t mask the wonderful flavor of the beef. The sweet potato fries were good and crunchy, but they weren’t anything particularly special. I also didn’t eat much of the whole wheat bun I had chosen—next time, I’ll just pass on the carbs and save room for dessert. Service was mediocre (I waited almost 15 minutes for someone to acknowledge my presence at the bar), but the draft beer list was surprisingly varied (most domestic drafts hovered around $5). Next was dinner at L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon (in the MGM Grand). The trick is to get a seat at the bar and watch the food being prepared. I was right in the center of the madness, with views of nearly all the kitchen stations, and I enjoyed watching the controlled chaos of such an esteemed kitchen. I indulged in the 9-course tasting menu ($135), and it was absolutely phenomenal. Personal highlights included butter-poached oysters, pumpkin soup with chestnuts and homemade croutons, free-range quail stuffed with foie gras and glazed with acacia honey (served with truffled mashed potatoes that included three huge slices of the exotic mushroom—heavenly), and papaya puree with banana ice cream. Service from my individual waiter was somewhat lackluster (he seemed disappointed that I wanted tap water and only ordered one glass of wine—which, consequently, was $22), but the “supporting cast” of servers assistants did a great job of enhancing my experience. Also, the sommelier stopped by to chat a few times, and he was incredibly gracious and friendly. He even brought over a sample of a rare desert wine for me to try, as he noted that it worked quite well with my final sweet course. Overall, it was a delicious and inventive French culinary experience. Even though I got a late start on Thursday morning, I knew that my breakfast had to be at Bouchon (in the Venetian). I had heard great things about the bistro and bakery, and I hoped it wouldn’t let me down. When I arrived at about 9 AM, the place was bustling. I took a seat at the bar and waited about 10 minutes for someone to greet me with a menu. I knew immediately what I wanted to order—French toast, a side of sausage, and coffee—and my food was rung in at 9:15. As I caffeinated myself, the minutes ticked away and everyone around me received his or her food. At 9:50 AM, I still had nothing to eat, and I asked the server to check on my food and put it in to-go containers (I had to be at work at 10 AM). Finally, just a few moments before ten, my breakfast appeared from the kitchen and I bolted to my conference. I didn’t take my hunger-stoked anger out on the waitress—after all, it wasn’t her fault, and she kept my coffee full. However, I will be hesitant to return to Bouchon without much more time to spare. That said, the French toast was divine; the brioche was layered with apples and custard, and it had just the right amount of sweetness. The sausage was spicy, house-made, and absolutely out of this world. If the food was that good on the run, I’d absolutely like to taste it while relaxing in the charming atmosphere of the bistro itself. I knew that I had to venture off the strip for one meal, and I knew exactly where that meal was going to be. So, after work on Thursday, I hailed a cab and told him to rush me to Lotus of Siam (located on East Sahara Avenue). I told my server about my peanut allergy and told him to pick me out an appetizer and an entrée that would represent the best the restaurant had to offer. To start, I had prawns that were wrapped in bacon, fried (in what tasted almost like egg roll batter), and served with sweet and sour sauce. Meaty and full of flavor, I would definitely order them again. For my main course, I had the drunken noodles with sea bass—and oh my gawd, that stuff was incredible. The fish was lightly fried and crispy on the edges, but velvety smooth on the inside. The noodles were tender and intensely flavorful, especially when paired with the peppers and basil leaves that accompanied them. I asked for the dish medium spicy, and it was the perfect amount of heat—it challenged my palate, but it didn’t obscure the wonderful flavor of the delicate fish. After all of that food and two Singha beers (I had forgotten how good they were), I was as full as I’ve been in a while. But any stomach stretching was 110% worth it, as Lotus of Siam was the highlight of my Las Vegas dining. There you have it--hope that helps any future Vegas-goers! Back to my regularly scheduled diet...

So glad to be back in the kitchen after a week in Vegas! Last night was slow-cooked pork in the form of Asian wraps (served in flour tortillas, since I didn't have lettuce on hand) with sliced cucumbers. Tonight was rosemary- and mustard-seasoned steaks (broiled, since I have no grill) with cooked carrots and roasted potatoes (which were a mix of yukon gold and sweet). Feels good to get some nutrition...

Easiest, Most Crowd-Pleasing Dessert Ever--Homemade Key Lime Pie 6 egg yolks 2 cans sweetened condensed milk 1 cup key lime juice (when they're in season, you can buy them fresh and squeeze them--but when they're not, you can cheat and buy Nellie's brand) 1 large pre-made graham cracker crust Mix first three ingredients till it reaches a custard-like consistency. Pour into crust. Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes (depending on your oven--just make sure the filling is somewhere between liquidy and solid). Serve to much applause.

I wish I could attend the PS 7's event, as I'm a big fan of the place and have yet to try the charcuterie, but I'll be in Vegas that week (eating well, I hope). Hope everyone has fun! I look forward to meeting folks at a future shindig.

Dean, I can't even fathom the amount of groveling you had to do to make up for that one. What a colorful story! Thanks for the laugh--I needed it this morning!

I am the mashed potatoes-- "Ordinary, comforting, and more than a little predictable You're the glue that holds everyone together." I think I can live with that! Strangely enough, my family doesn't even serve mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving--nor do we serve turkey, nor stuffing, nor green bean casserole, nor cranberry sauce. My late grandmother HATED turkey and wasn't a huge fan of the traditional Thanksgiving offerings, so we serve prime rib, sauteed mushrooms, baked/roasted potatoes, and boiled green beans in her honor. Then we have her famous bundt cake for dessert. It's definitely a different kind of "Turkey Day," but it's special and delicious!

Thanks to everyone for responding--I've got dinner reservations at L'Atelier, Rosemary's, and Lotus of Siam, and I plan to go to Bouchon for breakfast one morning. I'll be sure to fill you all in upon my return!

My name is Betty, and I'm a Rockaholic. Seriously, this website is one of my favorite workday distractions. Not that I don't love my job (I'm a standard-issue government lawyer, but I really do enjoy my work and feel strongly about my agency's mission), but I love food even more! I really dig the interactions on this board, and the fact that chefs and diners come together for open, interesting, and (usually) cordial dialogue. I like to cook, but I'm more of a recipe-follower than a recipe-creator. Plus, my schedule is pretty hectic (in addition to my work, I dabble in community theater and volunteer for the American Cancer Society), so I'm often too zonked out to do anything impressive in the kitchen. So, eating out is my main food-related passion, and I do it as much as my paltry paycheck will allow. I'll eat just about anything, and I've had a lot of fun exploring the DC dining scene for the past 2.5 years (I came here from Atlanta by way of Knoxville, and I was born in New York--I also lived in Spain for a while in college). I live with my baby sister (who is moving to San Francisco in May--sniffle), my boyfriend, and my very well-fed cat, Boo. I love to read, I am a HUGE college football fan, I'm a closet TV junkie, and I'm a pretty darn good bowler. I try to work out to reverse all of my dining damage, but I really hate to exercise. I love beer, especially if it's good and hoppy. I like wine, too, but I know very little about it and I can't always drink it because it triggers my migraines. I write for two blogs, one of which (www.EatFoo.com) is food-related and neither of which gets updated as much as it should. I hope to attend a happy hour or dinner one of these days--maybe those of us who are in town for the December holidays can get together. Thanks for everything you all bring to this forum!

In November, I'll be going to Vegas (for business) for the first time ever. There are tons of places to blow my measly per diem, but if I can only have ONE high-end, delicious meal, where should it be? Also, where are the good non-bank-breaking places to dine? My conference is at the Venetian, and I'll probably be staying either at Harrah's or Caesar's (though that is still up in the air). I won't have a car, but I'm not opposed to walking or taking a reasonably priced cab ride. Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated!

Two pieces of buttered rye toast and a bowl of Trix. Truly sad! I love breakfast food, and I always intend to get up early and fix myself something hearty and delicious, but sleep generally wins out. Sigh...maybe tomorrow...

My mom actually cooks them at 450, which does burn the top layer. Taking it down to 425 seems to be the right move, at least in my oven--if you "stir" the potatoes halfway through cooking, most of the pieces get nice and brown and just soft enough in the middle. Many of my guests find them crispy enough that way, but I'm finicky in that regard. The overnight refrigeration lets the 'taters soak up some more flavor, and the skillet-browning gets the texture exactly where I want it. I will have to try your sheet pan method one of these days, when I'm not doing such a monster portion (these spuds are quite popular in my house, so I do pounds and pounds at a time in order to have them available for everyone). Thanks for the tip!

Steak salad (with last night's sirloin, red leaf lettuce, cukes, tomatoes, fresh corn, red bell pepper, and honey dijon dressing) and fresh blackberries. Best lunch I've had in a while!

Saturday night: sauteed sea scallops (seasoned only with a bit of salt and pepper) and a fantastic caprese salad. I know, those two components don't really "go," but they were exactly what I was craving. Sunday night: grilled (indoors, sadly) top sirloin steaks, blanched green beans, and my mom's famous roasted potatoes.* Yum! * As many coarsely chopped potatoes (type doesn't matter) as I can fit into a big throwaway lasagna pan, very lightly coated in olive oil and onion soup mix, go into the oven for 2 hours at 425 degrees. Mom would serve them just like that, but I like to refrigerate them overnight and then cook them till VERY crispy in a large skillet. They usually retain enough oil from roasting that I don't need anything else in the pan. I guess this way they're more like home fries, which I love.

Enjoyed dinner at the bar at Proof on Wednesday night--the space is just gorgeous, and I liked the clever tie-ins to the National Portrait Gallery (my favorite of DC's museums). The by-the-glass selection is varied and fairly-priced, and I enjoyed the Alvarinho that the bartender picked out for me. Service at the bar was attentive without being cloying. I wish Mr. Zutant's dad hadn't called right after I sat down, as I would have loved to engage him in discussion. Ah, family! Next time, perhaps. I opted for two "Firsts," the gnocchi and the sweetbreads. The former was absolutely divine--perfectly textured, intensely flavorful, and not distractingly heavy. I wish I had ordered the large portion. The sweetbreads were not quite as impressive--there was a little too much emphasis on the "sweet," with the occasional bite packing an overly salty wollup of bacon. It wasn't a total miss, but I'll opt for something else next time. When I arrived at 5:30, the place was nearly empty (just me and a couple at the bar, with no one at any of the tables). When I departed at 6:30, there were people practially jumping over each other to secure my newly-emptied barstool. I can certainly see why the place has been such a success--I'll absolutely be back. Thanks for bringing great wine and food to the neighborhood--bravo!

After much anticipation, my best gal pal and I dined at Minibar last night in celebration of her birthday. Actually, I'm not sure that "dined" is the proper verb to encapsulate the two-hour event. It's probably more accurate to say that we "experienced" Minibar and all of its wonderful, challenging zaniness. The chefs were a delight (though they were probably sick of us by the end of the meal, as we were asking voluminous questions), and the food was nothing short of amazing (though there were a few misses, I'll admit). Here's the rundown, with some commentary: MUNCHIES Caipirinha "Nitro"--certainly better than the caipirinha that I had downstairs at Cafe Atlantico (the bartender there was awful, both in regards to making drinks AND making conversation)! Parmesan "Pringles" "Tumbleweed" of Beet Olive Oil Bonbon "Mojito" "Bagels & Lox" "Cornbread"--reminded me of the texture of the shrimp macaroons at wd-50, and I wasn't really a fan. Cotton Candy Foie Gras--absolutely mind-blowingly delicious. I believe my exact words were, "This kicks the ass of every foie dish I've had before." Curried Chicken Wing Steamed Bun with Caviar FLAVORS & TEXTURES Salmon-Pineapple "Ravioli" with Crispy Quinoa Zucchini "Risotto"--the seeds replaced the Arborio rice, with very nice results. "Sun-Dried" Tomato Salad "Caesar Salad" Asparagus "Egg"--a brand-new dish about which our feedback was solicited. While I love white asparagus, I commented that the almond was quite overpowering. Corn on the Cob "Guacamole"--I don't usually love avocado, but if I could eat it like this every day, I would be a convert. Delicious, wrapped around some spicy tomato puree and topped with corn chip pieces. Smoked Oyster and Apples--not my favorite flavor combination. New England Clam Chowder Breaded Cigala with Sea Salad--fantastic. "Philly Cheesesteak"--this was incredible, with a crunchy hollow mini-baguette filled with aged white cheddar "cheez whiz" and topped with thinly sliced (and barely cooked!) Wagyu beef. DESSERT Pistachio-Beets and Mixed Berries--I liked the beet sorbet more than I thought I would, but the pistachio was a tad overwhelming. Thai Dessert (due to my peanut allergy, I had Mango Soup with Strawberries--and the strawberries were actually Pop-Rocks, which I found to be clever and actually quite tasty) SWEET ENDING Matcha Ball Saffron Gumdrop in Edible Wrapper--my favorite sweet of the evening. Passionfruit Marshmallow Pina Colada Injection I echo a previous poster who commented that he/she would have liked to have seen some of the prep work being done--while the assembly of the dishes was cool to watch, it was obviously the end of the process and I would have enjoyed seeing some of the beginning and middle. I got the sparkling/champagne flight, and it was a good choice--most of the selections were light enough to let the flavors of the food shine through (with the exception of the sparkling shiraz, for which I did not care). With food, wine, tax, and tip, my total was $210. Steep? Certainly. But Minibar is a once-in-a-blue-moon kind of place, and I felt that it certainly lived up to its hype. I would say that it was worth the hefty price tag, as it was a culinary journey that I will not soon forget.

I second the black cod recommendation--delicious!

I'm not a fan of raisins (though I love grapes), and I can't stand olives. Blue cheese makes me gag. Ditto on the cottage cheese. While I LOVE eggs, I cannot stand the sight, smell, or taste of egg salad--there's something about mixing eggs with mayo that really grosses me out. I only like whole bananas when they're ultra-green and unripe--the second they get brown, I start sacrificing them for chocolate chip banana bread. I don't like licorice, but fennel is okay. Aside from those little quirks, the only thing I avoid like the plague is peanuts--I'm mildly allergic (no throat-closing, just itchy, annoying hives), but more importantly, I really hate them. Always have. My childhood friends said I was "un-American" for not liking peanut butter. This thread has been great--nice to know there are lots of folks out there with strange food issues!

Wow, as soon as Tre said, "I could make bread pudding in my sleep," I knew he wasn't long for the Top Chef world. Famous last words. Too bad--he was one of the more focused and professional contestants, and I believe he has a lot of talent and drive.