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Here’s Cafe Milano’s response. 

So a thing may have happened last night with DC’s beloved Jose Andres. Based upon his own twitter account. Haven’t seen it reported in a news outlet yet, so leaving under the restaurant but feel free to move to news and media. 

Seafood and gluten-free options/easy accommodations? Can be high-end. 

Thanks  everyone.  These are great suggestions.  And I just realized this topic is in the dining guide. 

I searched the forums, but most greek restaurant references were related to location etc, not necessarily 'the best.' Hi-end is okay, but please include middle-road options, if they are worth it.  So where in DC did you eat your best greek food? Prefer downtown DC areas, but if there is to-die-for in the burbs to, feel free to include.  If there is a Greek forum in DC I missed, feel free to move to that thread. Thanks!

I didn't see Fireflies in Del Ray (Alexandria) listed in 'child-friendly', but they have a nice separate play area, with TONS of toys.  It's not supervised, except that you can watch your child from your table, while enjoying your food and drink, quite easily.

I'd love to hear about any restaurants with play-areas, unsupervised or not, the only other in the area I am familiar with is Joe's Crab Shack in Fairfax.

Ate here Sunday night and had a terrific experience. We did get a couple great deals, Savored 30%, 2 mojitos drink tkts from Zoofari, and comp appetizer (from friend on staff).

Top items were EdamameXO, Shrimp Tacos which (I wasn't sure I would like since they were fried, plus crema, but they) were pleasantly rich and crispy; and the Black Cod (buttery, simple) which was the star. Close second (and excellent) was the Mexican Tart with a dense fudge-y center, crisp (if a little thick for my liking) pastry shell, but the combo of the cinnamon whip and ancho anglaise was the kicker. Right behind the tart (and still great) were the scalllop ceviche, bright, clean, and the empanadas. Tuna tacos were good-plus(?) considering the flavorful char on the tuna, but I preferred the shrimp tacos. Falling in the category of good/solid was the special, a lobster and chorizo curry. Everything alone on the dish was good, but the combination didn't make anything much better, so just okay by me - maybe the plating wasn't the best, the curry and protein came on a long flat dish, with rice in bowl on the side - hard to mix well (lots of sauce left on the plate, despite trying not to).

Mojitos were great - I'm no afficionado on mojitos, but fresh, not too sweet, rum not prominent flavor etc. If you like sake, skip the flight and go straight for the "genbai san no oni koroshi ‘demon slayer’" and get the bottle. Was considered better than 3 other flight selections, also very dry. We were informed 1 bottle holds 4 served glasses, and a glass was $10, but the bottle only $16 (it was a little bottle, but I don't know anything about sizes - 15/16% alcohol). Enjoyed the Sav Blanc by the glass as well.

Service - awesome. Ask for Luis/Louis if you can - clever, entertaining, timely _{(except for the check but perhaps due to Savored and drink tkts!).} We will def go back.

Ris was the perfect place (so I'm told). Best were the Lamb and the Mustard Salmon but all were very pleased and enjoyed the dinner immensely. I can't wait to go myself. Thank you all for the suggestions (I won the good daughter award of the day)!

Rasika West End?

Thanks I"ll check it out...(ETA) bummer they were booked. I also realize that Ris is nearby, that's a popular DR place right?

Anyone have a good suggestion for a group of 15 for dinner from 6-7 pm on a Monday eve (tonight) price point is max 100pp including tip/tax and beverage. Would like to be closer to 50 for food prior to bev/tax/tip. I'm told "they always want something new interesting when they can." Near FB area (Park Hyatt but want to venture out of Blue Duck Tavern) but can taxi if need be. I'm thinking Central, Proof, Brasserie Beck, Vidalia (assuming they are available) but are those too pricey?

If you have a suggestion please let me know! (Just did Zengo - which was awesome last night - will write up later, so that's out.)

Thanks!

This is a good one from Living Social today for Sou'Wester: https://www.livingsocial.com/deals/271182?ref=conf-jp&rpi=56222364

It doesn't look like anyone has been here in a while. Made it there for my bday Sat and found some good things, and some things to avoid. The caesar salad was a highlight, due largely to the dressing. The prosciutto was a nice touch but so mild in comparison that was a little lost. Fantastically rich duck/grand mariner manicotti was the better entree.

Not so good: getting entrees presented to us twice before we were halfway through a 'second' course. Out of the dessert wine list, having none of the white dessert wines, I think only 1 port out of 7-8 options. The brie and black truffle: where the caesar was big, the brie was tiny. I'm not sure it was even 1 oz of cheese on three crostinis, it looked so odd being so tiny. Also, with the black truffle and brie it needed something to brighten/sweeten it, perhaps, but disappointing because it read so well on the menu.

Generally okay: Drinks, wine list (what was available), crab cakes (underseasoned, so meh flavor wise, tasted fresh though). Crab gazpacho, I liked the flavor, although crab not needed at all - husband though it was mediocre.

I'm going to give another try for Brunch as it's a good location, can use the savored discount, and I think there is some potential. I wish they could execute better on what appears at first glance an exciting menu.

Tried Roti today (near Metro Center). As mentioned above, definitely smacks of the Mediterranean Chipotle. Went with the falafel on laffa. Toppings of hummus, red cabbage slaw, mixed greens, tomato & cucumber salad, and feta cheese. Dressings of Tahini and red pepper aioli (even though I asked for shug...unless their shug is bright red and sweet). Falafel was fine, the veg ingredients all seemed fresh. I guess my main bone with these places is they think that if they slather enough sauce and other goop on top then the rest of the ingredients don't have to be that good.

About what I expected...for $7.50 you get a (relatively) inexpensive sandwich that is inoffensive. Solidly example of American assembly line productivity. Henry Ford would be proud.

I would also quibble on healthy it is, their online nutrition calculator rated my sandwich as:

1,111 calories

66g fat

12g saturated fat

1,755 mg sodium

Good point about the health content, there are many students in the Foggy-Bottom area that are taken in by the 'healthy' advertising, but the minute you add all of your ingredients you are easily over 1k calories for lunch. Don't know why people are so easily taken in by advertising, but it is nice that their nutrition calculator is so available. I do like their inexpensive breakfast options.

Help! Need suggestion for an almost 21 y.o. birthday dinner. She's a lovely lovely employee, who is also finishing ROTC training, so can finally eat what she wants. I asked what food she likes and she said steak and burgers "we're thinking Gordon Biersch." So I want to suggest something in that price range - $18-27 steaks and $7-13 apps. Maybe near Adams Morgan? Thought of JPauls and Matchbox of the top of head so other suggestions would be very very welcome.

Here's a positive review a particular brand.

I have seen one in action, tasted the wine after the aerator a few times and thinks it will help for certain price ranges and varietal of wines. (Some wines just don't need any assistance.)

Thanks I tried to search for that but didn't find it!

So has anyone ever used purchased a wine aerator? Are they worth it or just another useless gadget?

Thanks for all the suggestions, may try the deli on my way back to dc :-)

Okay thanks for the help don! 😋  I'm currently sitting in Niles in the Affinia hotel [Sold and rebranded as The Stewart Hotel in Dec, 2016] and it's fine...but heaven forbid I miss out on something else! I'll keep y'all posted...as I get more...well you know.

Thanks to Scooter for the suggestion of Casellula, but there is a closer wine bar the concierge recommended, Ayza. Wine flight...carmen reserva merlot, shooting star syrah and heller estate cab...menu opens at 5, looks like some great cheeses and technically this is a wine and "jacques torres" wine bar". It's tiny inside, with patio...tons of staff here already, maybe it gets busy...

Where to go, bar snacks close to Penn Station / Madison Square Garden? BTW Do New Yorke's refer to Madison Square Garden as MSG?

Help! Two meatheads need to find a great vegetarian restaurant near Dupont, or closer to the Hilton Embassy Row actually...pricing can be mid range; no tasting menus, but still a sit-down dinner...casual recs are welcomed :-)

Burrata was mmmm.... Food & wine was very impressve as was the bar service. First time there and I can't believe I waited so long to go; really warm atmosphere to boot. I am sure it's also a great place for dinner, but I suspect I'll make my way back more often for snacks and wine.

NYE ???

Going there on NYE (yeah, yeah I know!), but hey I put in the time working NYE for many years, and I love this holiday! Anyway I have res. and I just was called today that they are doing a 7-course menu for $125pp... Since I haven't seen that menu or really know what other "entertainment" may be happening, I am wondering about the value, especially compared to the regular menu. When asking about the menu I was told that they would have foie gras (um..okay great, but that doesn't really tell me much...). I am pretty sure no wine is included. Perhaps a comp glass of champagne (and I know from my own exp. no restaurant in their right mind will be serving a comp glass of GREAT champ, but I totally understand that). Anyway if you have thoughts, or hear about the NYE event here, please post!

Thanks!!!

I've recently realized that booking through the restaurant website doesn't allow me opentable points. I was making the effort to do so due to this board discussion, but not getting the points is not fun, so I'll be going back to booking through OT. Kind of crappy for the customer and restaurant though huh....

I do not think anything Michael has said is in poor taste. There is absolutely nothing wrong with him comparing his product to that of his competitors. There is nothing wrong with him saying that his restaurant's approach to pricing and quality is different than others. In fact, both are tried and true methods of marketing and branding.