Hannah

The windows were still covered, and various constructiony noises were audible from outside on Friday. Haven't been by there this week yet.

Can't make it this week - time to play with the new table saw.

Not us - Hitchhiker's Guide opens tonight, and since I've never once managed to get home from a work-night happy hour sooner than 11pm, doing both won't work.

Depending on when you catch the housewares departments at places like Marshalls, TJMaxx, Ross, etc., they can have All-Clad, Calphalon, Anolon, or LeCreuset, as well as occasional one-time-only weirdness like a set of Laguiole steak knives I saw once. The caveat with these places is, if you don't buy things the second you see them, they WILL be gone the next time. They're also not very good if you're looking for a specific pan in a specific size. But the prices, assuming they actually have what you're looking for, are excellent. Also, don't overlook Amazon's outlet areas - same caveats as above, but I've gotten some good deals in their kitchen and housewares outlet.

I vote 22nd as well - parents plan to be in town on the 15th.

I'd settle for lobster. Or langoustine, if I must.

Put me down as a maybe for Bis, since I'm in the vicinity already.

I actually liked their show, but then I don't find the accent jarring. Seemed like a pretty decent how-to-cook-Italian-at-home show, certainly better than the Muppet Food Network has doing their Italian show. The first episode I saw was the one featuring Damian's mom - you look at her, she's the archetypal wee Sicilian grandma, until she opens her mouth and the Hill Country accent comes out. Very funny. We've eaten at the Reston Carrabba's once and haven't been back. If you have to have chain Italian, Maggiano's is better. San Vito in Herndon (haven't been to the Ashburn one yet) is way better than either.

Can't do it this week (just finished prepping the basement for paint, yay), but next week might work - and there are 5 home games next week, so it's wide open.