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We went for an early'ish (7 pm) dinner last night and the place was totally full. I had reserved and waited a short time for our table. Service was quick and affable - moderate noise level - lots of families. I had this: Maui Tuna Crunch Salad sushi-grade seared tuna, tropical organic greens, toasted almonds and miso vinaigrette, and my husband had: Caramelized Sea Scallops grilled and served with roasted asparagus and tomato-mushroom pearl pasta. We started with a Maryland crab flatbread, that was probably a daily special. They did not bring any bread to the table, which was fine with me and the tasty flatbread gave us something light to nibble on. We enjoyed our main courses - everything tasted fresh and properly cooked (the tuna was rare and the scallops were nicely seared and not overdone). They have a nice, not un-reasonable wine list, with many selections offered by the glass. The food prices were moderate.

We were in Lisbon last month and I would continue to recommend the restaurants I wrote about in an earlier post (June 2007), except Conventual, which appears to have closed its doors. If you have a car, two restaurants we LOVE that are up the coast a bit are: Azenhas do Mar, in the tiny town of the same name, not too far from Sintra up the coast, and built into the cliff- side above the water. They have a swimming pool, but we always just go to eat lunch and in the off-season anyway. http://www.azenhasdomar.com/index.php The other one is: Esplanada Furnas in Ericeira, still further up the coast and easy to combine with a visit to the palace in Mafra. As you enter this restaurant you pass a display of all their fresh fish on ice. The grills and chefs are right there too and you select the fish you want and they will grill it for you. You can also order other things - like "fish rice" or "Cataplana" - from the menu once seated. Everything is fabulous and their bread is wonderfull. http://www.restfurnasericeira.com/index.html Another restaurant that's right downtown that I haven't been to, but that is getting great reviews is : http://www.solardospresuntos.com/. I plan to check it out next visit. We always call restaurants and reserve ahead, particularly if you're driving somewhere outside of town and on weekends. Actually, we always do, unless it's a place on the street you just pass by and wander in to. Haven't been to the Algarve for a few years but in the past our family stayed on an organic farm owned by an ex-pat German near the town of Silves. In the town of Silves is the renowned MARISQUEIRA RUI: http://www.marisqueirarui.com/ENG/restaurante.html. All the seafood, especially the shellfish, is fantastic. Don't miss ordering "Ameijoas," tiny clams cooked with wine, garlic and cilantro. Finish by using your bread to soak up all the juice! One other idea is to visit this place in Lisbon for tastings and education on Portuguese wine - and it's free. http://www.viniportugal.pt/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=29&Itemid=44 We're visiting Portugal again the last week of April. If I come up with anything else, I'll let you know.

Dear Don, I would like to echo Ilaine's observation. All my friends come to me for advice on restaurants, because they think I'm so knowledgeable. Of course I tell them where the information comes from but they seem to prefer to let me be the "expert." How great it is to have this unfailing source of information, spiced with good humor and intelligence and a sense of community. We will happily support whatever you come up with! Thank you.

Looks like we should stay at least one more day - and thanks for all the recommendations!

Wow, Joe. It all sounds fantastic (except the suspension bridge). We will have 4 days in June, flying in and out of Seattle. Thought we'd drive first to Vancouver. Stay 2 nights and then wind our way back. Always looking for good food and wine along the way, as well as scenery. What about eating in Vancouver and Seattle? The Herbfarm is beyond our budget limits.

Could you give more details about wineries in British Columbia?

My husband and I had dinner at Famoso Tuesday night and were pleasantly surprised. There were several other diners that night including a group celebrating a birthday. The service was perfect - attentive without being too much so. The quality of the food really stood out. We had fried calamari and zucchini as an appetizer. It was perfectly crispy, almost greaseless and very fresh and tender, and accompanied by 2 nice dipping sauces. For main courses, I had branzino which was excellent, and my husband had red snapper baked in a salt crust, which was just exceptional - moist, tender and delicious! Both dishes came with interesting vegetables. The chef also sent us a treat of freshly-made gorgeous potato chips to go with the snapper. We also ordered asparagus dusted with Parmesan (which we really didn't need), but enjoyed anyway. No room for dessert, but we were treated to a glass of Moscato d'Asti. All in all, very nice.

They do change the cafe menus periodically to accompany specific exhibits, often using well-known local chefs.

From the National Gallery of Art newsletter: "Garden Cafe Italia - In honor of the exhibitions Venice: Canaletto and His Rivals and Italian Master Drawings from the Wolfgang Ratjen Collection, 1525–1835, Chef Fabio Trabocchi is transforming the menu in the Garden Cafe from February 11, 2011, to March 20, 2012, with a selection of signature Italian dishes. Chef Trabocchi has returned to Washington from New York to open the highly anticipated restaurant Fiola in Penn Quarter."

A year and a half ago, I had lunch at Da Felice, Via Mastro Giorgio 29, Rome (Phone: 06 574 6800). It's a trattoria famous for a number of classic dishes one of which is: tonnarelli cacio e pepe. This is a plate of warm pasta that the waiter prepares at your table by tossing the pasta with cheese and fresh pepper until it creates a creamy sauce that coats every strand of pasta - and is simply delicious! It was one of the best dishes I ate on that trip. They also feature a tiramisu served in a glass that is excellent. The restaurant is closed Sunday night only. Definitely call and reserve ahead.

A superb experience at The Oval Room tonight. There was no feeling of "Restaurant Week-itis." The space is so calm and gorgeous; the service was unhurried, friendly and professional. Everything we ate was outstanding. You can see the "Restaurant Week" menu on their web site. There were four of us and we sampled a lot of what was offered and loved it all. Each dish had a creative twist (or two) that really enhanced it. Go, if you can.

We stopped in the Bethesda location a few nights ago for the first time. In an effort to eat somewhat lightly and more vegetabley we had the traditional salad (lots of nice crunchy cucumbers) and the mezze plates that come with nine different items. I liked it all and actually couldn't quite finish it. The light, warm oblong pitas were delicious.

I'm going to Paris in the spring and this is the website I plan to consult: http://parisbymouth.com/ Check it out.

Thanks for all the good suggestions (and the entertaining repartee). Think I'll go with pinot gris, because I have a few bottles on hand, and of course it really does not matter that much. We're just having a couple of friends over to help decorate the tree - and eat onion soup (but, the soup is the heart of the meal and I didn't want to drink something that would clash horribly).

What wine do you like with French onion soup? My recipe calls for some red wine in the soup, but I'm leaning towards drinking white with it.

I just read this very comprehensive and interesting article on rib roasts yesterday. I think it should answer your questions. See: http://www.seriouseats.com/2010/12/what-is-prime-rib-questions-how-to-cook-christmas-recipe-dry-aged-wet-aged.html

When driving down (or up for that matter) I 95, we always try to stop at Ralph's Barbecue at the Roanoke Rapids exit in North Carolina, just east of the highway. Have the Carolina pork barbecue sandwich and slaw.

We ate at Yamas last night and although the place was slammed for some reason and the service was erratic, we really liked the food. Also enjoyed the gyro, as well as house salad, spanakopita and hummus. All tasted very fresh. You can get a Greek jug wine in a little metal pitcher that was reasonably good and inexpensive to boot. if you like that sort of food, i think a Sunday afternoon would be fine.

Why not try Yamas Meditteranean Grill - http://www.yamasgrill.com/ - on Rugby Avenue a few blocks away? It's new to the area and although I haven't eaten there yet, it gets very good reviews and would be open at 4 on Sunday. (We may try it out soon, and if so, will report.)

http://www.foodwineandco.com/ This place opened recently and is nearby on Wisconsin Avenue. I have not eaten there, but it seems to be a very attractive space and could be worth checking out. Of course, there's always The Pines of Rome on Hampden Lane where you can't go wrong with great pizza, an antipasto salad and a carafe of "cheap" red wine!

I used to know some great places in Paris, but it's been a while. I would check out this web site: http://parisbymouth.com/ for information that's "au courant ." Good luck!

I don't think you could find a better restaurant to celebrate a 50th birthday than Corduroy. The ambiance is just so calm and pleasant and the food is always delicious. I've had wonderful fish there and the soups are incredible. Have never felt loaded down after a meal.

Try Ideal Kitchens on Southlawn Drive in Rockville.

I have found really nice white dinnerware at Homegoods in White Flint Plaza in Rockville. But of course it's hit or miss. You never know what they'll have, but it could be worth checking out.

Well, that explains it! Didn't see the dangling eyeball, but there was a guy at the next table with a nail sticking out of his forehead that the kids found intriguing.