Al Dente

Whoa, someone is making ice with water? Someone should contact Achatz about this.

Hello Chef-- I consider myself a competent and perhaps even slightly accomplished home cook, but baking is almost completely missing from my repertoire. I've dabbled in focaccia, played with pastry dough, and experimented with a friend's bread machine, but I need to round out my skills. I must admit, I've been somewhat intimidated by it all. Can you think of any particular cookbooks that would help send me on my way to amateur baking greatness? Thanks!

May I ask some completely heartless yet utterly logical questions? Why are we banning the export of horse meat? For that matter, why were we exporting it for consumption, yet banning consumption at home? And why are horses given special consideration over other animals (cows, pigs, sheep, goats, etc.)? I've never had horse meat (so far as I know), but why does some thoroughbred owner get all up in arms and sponsor this ban? I own a world champion figure skating pig, but you don't see me campaigning against bacon.

Iron Bridge

I went a couple of weeks ago. I've already forgotten about it if that tells you anything.

I went to Sonoma twice last night-- before the Nats game and after. Do yourself a favor and get over there to try the pizza. You can choose from several first rate toppings to go on your red, white, or green (pesto) pizza. I went for a white pizza with gorgonzola and speck. It was excellent.

Bennigan's Locator

I still have 1 ticket left. We (me, my bro, and his wife) will be hitting Sonoma around 5 or 5:30 for some apps and wine beforehand. PM me if you're interested.

Bday boy was spotted at Palena at about 7:30/8pm. He seemed perfectly respectable at the time.

Food still sucks at RFD, but you could go round the corner to Matchbox.

I'm going on a bit of a bachelor party night out Saturday night and we might have to drop in on BdC for our last stop of the evening. What time are they open until?, When do the amateurs go home? Also, what kind of infraction would one have to commit in order to get kicked out?

I'll have to get over to Magruders. There's one near Palena, isn't there? Found a nice Kiwi Riesling called Nepenthe for $8/bottle at Schneider's.

Lobbyists...

I may have up to 3 extra tickets for tomorrow (Tuesday) night's FIRST PLACE Nats game. If anyone is interested in meeting at Eastern Market metro at 6:30 and heading to the game with me, let me know. Price of ticket= 1 beer for me. I have decent seats looking up the 3rd base line from the 3rd row of the upper deck. They're playing Oakland at 7:05. I should know later today exactly what the leftover ticket situation is. I'm waiting to hear if my brother, Derrick Dente, can make it to the game. Apologies in advance should this offer have to be rescinded due to family priorities.

Far out! You have performed a great service on behalf tomato sauce eaters everywhere. What does the dry cleaning bill come to?

Changed it to something more appropriate.

It's quiet. Too quiet.

Is there a whim du jour?

DITTO!

If I opened a restaurant, I'd open one exactly like Komi. I like the simple design, open kitchen, efficient and knowledgeble service, location, straightforward menu, and most certainly the food. We arrived Friday night without reservations, but due to our stunning beauty, we were promptly seated in the window-- presumably to attract other customers. The stuffed zucchini blossoms were perfect, and the speck-wrapped white tuna put a big smile on my face. I wish I was more hungry, as I'm sure I would have ordered more. I'll be back as soon as I possibly can.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll get my hands on a few of them and try them out. Has anyone tried any of the following? I got wind of these from a newsletter from Schneider's: Arcs 2003 Terra Alta.....Reg:$9.99....................Sale:$7.99 Parker said "buy it by the trunkful". This wine is a blend of 88% Grenache and 12% Tempranillo (the most widely planted grape in Spain). It is quite fruity with raspberry fruit and flavors in a light to medium bodied package. Delicious! Sipacha Garnacha 2003 Calatayud.......Reg:$10.99...........Sale:$8.99 Very fruity like the Arcs but with a peppery spice character that lends itself to spicy dishes and barbeque. What a bargain! IA Garnacha 2003 Calatayud....Reg:$10.99.......Sale:$8.99 This is the fullest bodied of the three, with deep, dark fruit flavors and fatness in the mouth.

I had the impression it would be in the next couple of weeks, but I'm not sure.

I might try and swing by tonight after the Nats game. When I looked through the window yesterday afternoon, I saw their new bar top was installed and a few dozen bottles of wine adorned the shelves above the bar.

It had been quite a while, so I decided to make my way over to Firefly Friday night after work where I enjoyed a few drinks along with some beautiful slices of seared tuna. Derek had me sample his version of a Long Island Ice Tea. It's a work in progress, but shows a lot of promise. Look for it in the near future. It has the usual suspects, booze-wise, but it includes lychee juice and Cricket Cola-- a more "adult" cola with much less sweetness. Chef Wabeck also had me try a French White wine that I took the trouble to write down the specifics on and then promptly misplaced it later that evening. Perhaps he can elaborate, but it had an unusual origin and a rarely used varietal if I recall correctly. I'm not very good at wine speak, but it was acidic and citrusy up front and quickly changed character into more mellow melon and pear flavors. Big menu changes are on the way. Apparently very few dishes on the current menu will be on the new one, so get there soon to enjoy your old favorites and plan a return trip when the new menu is up!

I've been given a budget to work with to create my rehearsal dinner for 50 people. Almost all of it is blown on the food, so I'm trying to do the best I can with what I have left. The dinner will be a sort of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding Rehearsal Dinner" in that the menu is Greek, or at least Greek-inspired. It will be casual and hopefully take place outside on an early July evening. So I'm looking for light and easy-drinking stuff. And above all, it must be cheap. I might buy a case or two of something that costs $15/bottle if necessary, but it'd be a big help if I can get by with everything being less than $10/bottle. I've been to Schneider's in my quest for the right grapes, and I've come across a few that fit the bill. On the high end of the spectrum, price-wise, Terry from Schneider's suggested a 2002 Greek red from Santorini called Atlantis. I was surprised by this wine, because I've had so few Greek wines I've enjoyed-- even when I was in Greece. This was excellent-- nice and fruity with a lot of cherry flavor. This might be the one I splurge on at $15/bottle. There is also a 2003 50/50 Grenache and Syrah wine from Costieres de Nimes called Chateau Montroche for $9/pop. This is a Robert Kacher selection, and it's been sort of my house wine lately. I tend to think it might be slightly too heavy for something to gulp down with mini lamb and mint patties, spanakopita, eggplant/walnut dip, tzatziki, a sort of Mediterranean Nicoise salad platter, chick pea salad, and Greek spiced roasted chicken. But, you can't beat the price. I need some whites, but so many that I have tried have been that cat wiz style Sauvignon Blanc that I can't really get excited about. Hold on while I pop another cork. Hmmm, not thrilled with this 2004 "Dry White Wine of the Peloponnese" from Lafazanis. Kinda dull. Though it does remind me that a good Vinho Verde might fit my requirements. So, I need help. What might you suggest? I'm not concerned with blowing people away with sophisticated choices here; we've saved that for the wedding itself. I just want good casual eminently quaffable plonk.