ohstate

DC Convention and Visitors group has a meeting planner's facilities search engine. http://www.washington.org/planning/meeting...h/unique-spaces

Bear Creek isn't too far from 2 other SoMD classics - Scheibels and Courtneys (local dive places that reportedly have good food but lack a bit in atmosphere down the road in Ridge). Friends swear by Courtneys. Plus Evans just reopened (after Isabel rennovations) and has been getting good reports. Evan's Seafood (16680 Piney Point Rd., Piney Point, 301-994-9944 Scheible's Crabpot Restaurant, 48342 Wynne Rd., Ridge, 301-872-5185; http://scheibles.homestead.com/ScheiblesRestaurant.html Courtney's Seafood Restaurant, 48290 Wynne Rd., Ridge, 301-872-4403 both reviewed here sometime ago (some places are long gone, RIP Lighthouse): http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A...anguage=printer

Since I'm never around on Saturdays, it is one market I might actually make. Only 3 blocks from home, so no excuses.

Just received this email announcement from the City of Alexandria: The City of Alexandria and the Upper King Street Neighborhood Association proudly announce the opening of the 2008 Upper King Street Fresh Farmers Market on Wednesday, August 13 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The market will be located at the King Street Gardens Park (1806 King St.) just a few steps from the King Street Metro. It will be open rain or shine every Wednesday through October 29. The Fresh Farmers™ Market will offer area residents and commuters the opportunity to shop for fresh, locally grown produce, home made goods and bakery items. It will be an exciting addition to the hugely successful weekend farmers™ markets at Market Square, the West End, and in Del Ray. For additional information, call Debra Monahan, Upper King Street Neighborhood Association at 703.683.1696. http://www.upperkingstreet.org/farmersmarketfrontpage.htm

I have no problem with sweets, but put a basket or bowl of chips in front of me and I am a gonner. Those goldfish at Hanks? All mine. Chips and salsa at a Mexican restaurant? Who needs dinner? I actually go on autopilot with those things. I usually move the offending item as far away as I can. It at least makes me think before I shovel. I don't have the stuff in the house typically, but then again, I don't usually do the grocery shopping. The worst thing my husband will buy is pretzels, and he buys the big thick ones that don't have nearly the salt content to satisfy my cravings. He buys ice cream and it sits in our freezer untouched for months.

I'm headed to New Hampshire this weekend for a wedding - we land Friday in Manchester (lunch time) then head up to Wolfeboro for the duration (although lunch on Sunday will be required as well). Does anyone have any recommendations in either of those places (or in between)? Thanks!

A genuine blue collar southern Maryland dining experience: Crabs, hush puppies, onion rings and long necks at Seabreeze Restaurant in Mechanicsville, MD. $39/doz this weekend - no set size - they throw in a few extras if the crabs are running small. I'd call the ones we got mediums, and they were heavy and tasty. Nothing like sitting by the Pax river in a cinder block building picking crabs on a beautiful day.

Just an update - Fireflies has changed their menu a bit (the big entrees, like roasted chicken, are gone), added more salads, added some pasta dishes, and expanded the beer list since the bar opened. It seems they are subtly shifting their focus here, with bands twice a week and movie nights on some Saturdays (independent unrated films). They now stay open later, and are now open Sunday and Monday nights. I definitely see more young locals hanging out later (and the families are there earlier). I picked up a pizza to go last night, and it was very nicely blistered on the bottom. The place has been packed when we've been there recently.

It was the jalapenos - - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has found a jalapeno pepper contaminated with a strain of salmonella that has sickened more than 1,100 people, officials said on Monday. "FDA has found a genetically matched Salmonella stpaul isolate from a distribution center called Agricola Zaragosa in McAllen, Texas," Dr. David Acheson, associate commissioner for foods at the FDA, told reporters in a telephone briefing. The FDA said the pepper was picked in Mexico but may not have been contaminated there.

The Southern Maryland "Buy Local Challenge" has expanded to a state-wide effort and started today. Much of the local produce is still found at roadside stands in Calvert, although they have started Farmer's Markets in North Beach (Friday nights) and Prince Frederick (Saturday morning). http://www.somdnews.com/stories/07182008/r...741_32167.shtml http://www.marylandsbest.net/ The Calvert County Farmer's Market (Prince Frederick): http://www.calvertnews.info/news/461/calve...-farmers-market North Beach Farmer's Market story: http://www.somdnews.com/stories/06132008/r...515_32140.shtml St. Mary's county has several markets. The local Amish participate at many of the markets and also have roadside stands. http://tour.co.saint-marys.md.us/tourismte...ketscontent.asp

No better friend, no worse enemy than a U.S. Marine.

We take 70 to 68 and usually pack our lunch for the trip. I've not seen anything along that route. IIRC, there was an article in the Post about Breezewood. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...7111301983.html

We've never added the red dye, and that is the exact ratio we use. I guess I should have looked it up years ago. If it is that easy, why does everyone buy those nasty mixers?

And this is the same simple syrup you'd use in cocktails, correct? I thought it would be harder to make, but it sounds just like the hummingbird food we make (although different ratios).

You're a short taxi (or water taxi) to Fells Point. I've always found the Peter's Inn to be tasty, casual, and fun. You could sit at the bar or wait for a table (no reservations and usually packed). http://www.petersinn.com/

For those looking for local crabs: North Beach Friday Night Farmers' Market Date: 7/11/2008 Time: 6 PM Duration: 03:00 Starting this week, we'll have crabs! Now you can get live Chesapeake Bay blue crabs direct from a member of the Maryland Waterman's Assocation at the North Beach Friday Night Farmers' Market. We offer a wonderful selection of fresh farm products and natural, home-made foods. Be here at 6:00pm because we sell out very quickly. The open-air market is located at 5th Street between Bay & Chesapeake Avenues, in North Beach, Maryland. (Note, this is the first I've heard of the Friday night market, so I don't know what else they have). Edit: I found a local news story about the market listing some of the vendors: http://www.somdnews.com/stories/06132008/r...515_32140.shtml

I went last night for the first time with some friends. We each ordered a small pizza, on NY style, the other Neapolitan. Enjoyed a Bells 2-hearted while we waited for our pies. I noticed the manager, who came over to talk to us later, checking each pie as it came out of the oven. He sent one back that wasn't done to his liking. The other pizzas were served, with an explanation from both the waiter and the manager about the one pie. When his pie came out, there were only 3 slices - apparently one had stuck to the oven. Rather than make him wait for an entire new pie, they brought out the 3 sliced pie, promising to make thing right. Not too much later, they brought him another entirely new pizza. He was quite suprised, thinking he'd only get his missing slice. Not that any of us complained. I'd say the manager is top notch there. Anyway, to the pizzas. I had a basic neapolitan, which I really liked, but the crust wasn't quite as crispy as I thought it would be. My husband's NY style crust was more to my liking, tender and crispy (other have described it better than I can). I've never seen him so excited about a pizza (other than one place in NYC). So, I know we'll be back (or get take out). I must say, I like walking to our little neighborhood pizza place, but this is worth getting in the car for.

Petrozza picked Bobby. In the end, he had his choice between Jen and Matt. He chose Jen. Both were disasters, although Jen was mostly a really bitter bad attitude (saving the onion ring incident) and Matt was his usual insane bumbing self. I would never hire either of those two.

Thursday - CD cafe in Solomons - still not as consistently good as it was a year ago or so. I had a down meal here (bad prep, flavors lacking), especially compared to when they were one of the best places in the area. Friday - Vincezo's Grill - Probably my new favorite in the area. Consistently good food, and consistent is an issue down here. Stopped in for appetizers and a glass of wine at the bar after the rain cancelled our outdoor plans. They have a beautiful view and we could watch the local fireworks while toasting the country with their house made limoncello. http://www.vincenzosgrill.com/

We're baiting the traps tomorrow to see what we can catch. Our friend pulled 22 large jimmys from his creek last Tuesday, but we've heard its rather hit or miss right now.

There is a ban in Maryland for harvesting female crabs for recreational crabbers (as of June 1). There is a new regulation to reduce the number of females a commercial crabber can take. Most crab meat that is already picked comes from the female crabs. Most crab houses serve male crabs (Jimmy's). I don't know if Virginia has a ban as well, but I recall that MD and VA were working together on the ban. So, I think you should be able to find local crab houses serving MD jimmy crabs. Summary of proposal: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/crab/...abChanges08.pdf Emergency Proposal: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/regul...egulations.html Crabbing regulations for 2008: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/crab/...rabsummary.html

IIRC, Legal Seafoods does something like this for takeout. I haven't been to one in years, but I thought they did.

Fireflies in Del Ray for a late dinner of pizza and a glass of wine. The pizza was really very good. The crust was just right - tender, nice crunch, not soggy at all. I had the pepperoni, sausage and mushroom version, but I like the Cheesetique one as well. Plus the new bar is open and they had live music.

My husband loved his soft shells at Al La Lucia (Alexandria) about 2 weeks ago. Metro to King street, trolley down King Street, a few blocks north (on Royal Street, IIRC). I'd call to make certain they still have them of course.

Any idea of what to do with this other than its pictured use? We just got it as a gift and I'm voting to return it for something we can really use. We rarely cook for large crowds, so I'm not sure we'd even use it much at all. We already have a small grill basket, although not made of small mesh w/ a lid. What am I missing? Forgot to add that it is so big, you can't close the grill's lid when its on the grill. (We checked out the fit, but didn't actually use it). http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/52...hef's%20Pan