susanmab

Where did this info originate?

I live nearby, people talk. Not anyone who should be "in the know", so I certainly don't consider it more than a rumor.

Has anyone else heard that Bebo is closing - in this location anyway?

Inquiring minds and all that...

I would be happy to participate - at the moment I have nothing else in the way.

If there is better sushi in DC, I have not found it.

Two of us, a light sake to start, the yellowtail carpaccio appetizer.

A few rolls, some nigiri, and a richer sake.

Threw sense to the wind and ordered both the green tea tiramisu as well as the chocolate marquise with lemon vodka ice cream. They were both great, but the chocolate and lemon, both great on their own, each managed to stand up to each other for one of the finest desserts I have had in a long time.

So I decided - I would rather eat at Kaz once than a less pricey joint twice. It's just that good.

Two suggestions I will take note of.

For this little Italian place - make reservations in person I gather?

And this is why this is the best blog in America, and possibly in the Universe.

I'll drink to that.

Cheers for someone doing something their own way.

Does anyone know what kind of cheese Central uses in their gougeres?

Also, is it pronounced goo-ZHEHRS or goo-GEHRS? Or neither?

I can't help with either.

But I scarfed a bunch down on Friday. They are oh so very good.

Some friends went down to Taylor's a few nights ago - I missed the excursion by a few minutes. I had to ask for a bite of my gentleman friend's sandwich. Sausage with peppers and onions.

It was sublime.

I was not offered another bite.

I will definitely have to be in the right place at the right time next time.

Finally made it to Pete's. I eschew shopping the day after Thanksgiving, but it was a decent pizza-getting day. Took a long walk through the park, ended up at Pete's.

I had a slice of the New Haven and a slice of plain. I think I judge a pizza joint by their plain, and I was not disappointed. The New Haven was really really good.

It did feel a little pricey, but not disturbingly so.

I have a feeling I'll be back...

Every Thanksgiving morning I get up early to start the bread. I don't have a bunch of traditions, but this is one that I really really love. Wherever I go, I bring with me two loaves of Sour Cream Bread from an old James Beard recipe.

After years of scribbling it out for people after a few too many glasses of wine on Thanksgiving night, I finally found someone who has republished it online.

Highly, highly recommended. Makes incredible toast the next day, and might be the best grilled cheese bread ever (with gruyere made on a panini press or Forman grill is sublime).

What is this Blue Devil that you speak of?

Nothing less than a plate fulla love adorned with Diablo sauce and blue cheese, that's all. (OK, that's not all - garlic and caramelized onions.)

It prompted a "hey, yours is good, but mine is better" gloat from me.

It caused me to be somewhat snide when my friend suggested I meet his new girlfriend over dinner at some _other_ steakhouse last night.

Watch out, this one is dangerous.

I'm looking for recommendations for restaurants in Paris serving Christmas Eve dinner and/or Christmas day dinner. Fancy schmancy is not required, good food (great ingredients, fresh, seasonal, either modern and creative or traditional and homey, cooked perfectly) is required. Location is not terribly important. We're aiming to stay in the 4th, 6th or 7th, most likely. Any other suggestions for things to do/see during Christmas week would also be appreciated. Thanks.

You and me both - I just decided to go meet a girlfriend for a significant birthday she's having on the 26th. We'll be flying in on the 25th and leaving NY's eve morning.

Anything that anyone could add to the above thread would be greatly appreciated. We're both foodies, and we'll likely splurge on one blowout - but we'll be looking for not quite so high-end places for the rest of the trip I'm sure. I haven't been to Paris since my student days, so I remember pretty much nothing that will be useful to me.

For the love of all that is holy, last night's dinner could not have been more sublime.

I had the Blue Devil, he had the short rib. I laughed when I realized that we had forgotten to order salads, but will admit that we might not have had room. And we had broccoli so I didn't feel so guilty.

A really lovely bottle of Sicilian red. Key lime pie and dark chocolate mousse. A goodly portion going home to be today's lunch.

We haven't had such a great time at dinner in ages. And ohhhh, that Blue Devil. I might have had a hard time ordering anything else. Ever. Seriously.

I can't say enough good things about last night's dinner.

Wild boar prosciutto and speck. Mmmm.

For mains, I had the house-made ravioli with sage and butter. The whole branzino across the table from me was excellent, and the linguini with clams next to me was out of this world - it was difficult not to sneak another taste of that one. The grilled salmon was delightful even plain (it had been ordered with all sauces on the side).

I was there a few months ago and thought to myself that it should be in the regular rotation. Last night I was reminded of that very thought.

I think anybody who goes into Litteri's is taking a risk. Looks very questionable to me.

Elaborate? What type of risk do you think we take by entering this establishment?

What experiences have led you to this conclusion?

The New York-style with sausage, onion, and green pepper I ordered for delivery a couple of weeks ago arrived late and cold. I understand delivery introduces an additional set of variables, but this was a very disappointing experience, especially given their price point.

you too?

I think they might be stretching themselves too thin - last few I have ordered have arrived dead cold and not properly cooked to begin with (one was undercooked, the other brned on the bottom beyond an acceptable level.

it's a shame - their pizza was some of my favorite, but I guess it's dine-in only for me now (it's easier to ask for some quality control in person). I live really close (original Crystal City location), so I probably have no excuse for delivery anyway.

Cheers, John and Denise, for your 14 years. The Public House served up some great times during one of the best periods of my life.

President Elect Barack Obama

I'll drink to that.

And it's not even 8:30 and I'm in the office. Ha!

My burger with Epoisses did not disappoint.

Brought a never-been-to-Hellburger friend by last night for an au poivre with blue. ahhh, perfection. Her comment, "it's a good thing I'm leaving town because I live way too close to this place". This was followed by "how have you not taken me here yet"?

I reminded her I've been trying for weeks. Last night I laid down the law and told her she needed to have a reason to miss Arlington after she moves...

They had cannoli flavor for Columbus day yesterday.

Ricotta/orange/cinnamon/chocolate chip.

It was positively sublime.

Man, I remember walking into Suzanne's (remember? anyone?) and ordering cheese based on appearance only and tasting Gruyere for the first time and realizing that it was exactly the cheese that had had in mind for the preceding three years.

Suzanne's...a guy took me there for the chocolate chestnut gateau after dinner on a first date. He got a bunch more dates.

Any credence to the rumor that they're opening another incarnation in Del Ray?

That would be great news, if only because it would be a nice indication that it's not going the way of all other tenants of that spot. I thought it was one of those cursed locations - I didn't even try it for quite a while, and I live walking distance (for shame).

Success at LM!

No line (I went in right after 11), a mixed dozen, and a happy birthday girl and office.

The chocolate peanut butter was definitely the winner, although I didn't think any was a slouch. blood orange, I think one called peppermint patty, triple Caillebaut chocolate, umm, Mexican vanilla, some chocolate pudding thing I think, s'mores - I did not take notes and got a little confused by the end. They were all pretty darned yummy. We were cutting them up and taking tastes from each.

For me, these seemed to be what I thought the cupcakes at Cake Love promised but failed to deliver. My first experience with those was wow, they look so good. But I found they tasted less than good - the cake was bland and the buttercream was greasy and overabundant. All smoke, no fire.

The LM cupcakes were a nice blend of flavors between cake and frosting. Sometimes delicate, but never tasteless. Thumbs up. At $30 for a dozen, this is about what I would have spent (maybe a little more) on a nice birthday cake for my (pretty small) office. Not a bad price for something made locally that morning.

I think if they were all bad, even just that kind from that one window, I assume there would have been something in the press about it? Maybe not. But I figure it was just a rogue that I got or something, or my immune system wasn't able to handle what other people's could that night, or something like that.

GI doc called with test results - it wasn't any of the major ones at lest (not e.coli, not salmonella, et c). Makes me feel a little better.

Once I get over the aversion, I'll definitely be back to half smokes - they're not really hot dogs, right??

I just got word that a coworker is having a birthday today. ooops, we're unprepared.

I was planning to stop by Lavender Moon and try and pick up a dozen mixed.

I do wish they had a listed phone number - with all the reports of inconsistencies regarding their being open or not open, I would really prefer to call first.

If this is a no-go, can anyone direct me to another place in OT where I might buy a cake without having ordered it?