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Haven't been, but was considering stopping in before going to a concert, so inquired about Happy Hour. Here's their response - "Aperitivo - "Italian Happy Hour"- 5 pm to 7 pm Monday to Friday - 50 % off from Well Drink - Beer - Wine and Free finger food." Hope to check it out soon.

Try Rodman's on upper Wisconsin Ave.

We took advantage of the extension of Restaurant Week to the end of the month to have dinner here tonight - a thoroughly enjoyable experience. As mentioned above the setting is very contemporary/chic. Tables are well spaced, seating is comfortable and service fine. We had many of the dishes already reviewed. Started with the Caprese Fritta - breaded and fried discs of mozzarella with sun dried tomatoes, etc. and Panzanella - nice salad with cubes of bread (and lots of garlic!). For mains, my husband had the ravioli with lots of seafood which he enjoyed and I had the Orata filets in lemony garlic sauce already described - and lots of garlic again. I loved it. We had Tiramisu and the 3 prosecco-infused Sorbettos for dessert, both very nice. If you can get there in the next 2 nights, it's a good opportunity to experience the food and ambiance here for quite a reasonable price! On our way in, we took a quick look at the Domasoteca which is still getting organized but looks worthy of further perusal.

Wanted to meet some friends who live in Columbia at lunchtime yesterday, so we met them for brunch at Cafe de Paris. There was almost no one else there, although the adjoining Crepe Cafe was busy. The brunch menu is a la carte and includes several specials not listed on the menu. We thought the food was very good. Started with warm French bread and butter. I had the quiche special (walnuts and cheddar I think) which was delicious and served with a small mixed lettuce salad and fresh fruit salad as well - very nice. We would definitely try a dinner here if in the area. Didn't check the wine list -wish I'd thought to do so.

And if you get to Uzes, the restaurant Les Trois Salons there is magnifique!

Had a nice "Restaurant Week" dinner here tonight with a party of four. The place was jumping of course, but service was fine and the special menu offered many nice choices. Food was excellent and I left feeling we'd had a delicious meal and for a bargain price to boot!

My husband and I went for a light dinner this evening. The space is attractive and comfortable with a long bar, booths and tables. We were told they'll be adding an outdoor eating space in the spring. The food we tried was fine, if not great. I had onion soup gratinee which was flavorful and cheesey but a bit too salty. My husband's fried calamari was good. He also had the hamburger which was very good, cooked exactly as ordered and served with tasty French fries, crispy onions and slaw. I also tried sesame-crusted rare tuna. It was fine, but lacked punch. They also passed a basket of assorted breads served with two flavored butters which were good. There are lots of choices on the menu and prices are very reasonable. The service was pleasant and efficient. I'd say they're trying to be a reliable, friendly neighborhood place and they should fill that bill quite nicely. I would go back.

This appears to be owned by the same person. Web site makes it look kind of interesting, so since it's in my neighborhood, think I'll check it out. http://gaffneys-restaurant.com/index.php?page=bio

Anyone tried this place?

Thank you Chef and Robin for the special sparkling wine and shrimp puffs treats - not to mention the good service and delicious dinner. I had the catfish. So good!

Ikea has cute children's aprons for $4.99, as well as attractive kitchen stuff you could put a "kit" together with very reasonably.

I too, + 1

The aforementioned El Corte Ingles has an amazing selection of cheeses and meats. We always shop there, but also shop at a supermarket called Jumbo (just off the highway to Cascais, not far from the center of Lisbon, visible from the road on the right). You'd need a car to get there but they have many of the same items for less money. I know there are many smaller deli type shops scattered around Lisbon, but we rarely shop at them. Have a good trip and enjoy the food!

We travel there 2 to 3 times yearly to visit our daughter and her family. Let me recommend a lovely resaturant in the neighborhood where we stay, a little off the tourist track. It is "Solar dos Nunes" at Rua dos Lusiadas, 68-72, Tel:21 364 7359. Closed Sunday. If you travel by bus or trolley, you'd get off just under the 25 Abril bridge and walk up Rua ? de Oliveira one block, then left one block to the restaurant. We usually go for lunch and choose from the daily specials (be sure you look at the menu in Portuguese for these). Last month we had rice with shellfish, and grilled baby kid - both superb. Of course they always bring "starters" to the table that include olives, wonderful little soft cheeses and often slices of "pata negra" ham. The latter is truly special but expensive. (By the way, you can send back any starters you think you don't want. You will be charged for any that you eat.) To the contrary the daily specials are exceedingly reasonable and always great. The house red wine from the Alentejo is delicious. The restaurant is traditional and very attractive and the service is wonderful. This neighborhood is midway between downtown Lisbon and Belem, where the aforementioned Pasteis de Belem (and the Jeronimos Monastery) are to be found. If you get out to Cascais and Guincho, I strongly recommend Joao Padeiro on the beach in Guincho (21 487 1007) for the Linquado (grilled Dover Sole). Sit by the front windows with the surf rushing in below you and enjoy the best sole you've ever eaten! Not inexpensive. Here's another place that's become a favorite. It's called Churrasqueira do Sacramento or Casa Toscano (which I don't understand. Sounds Italian which it's not.) Rua do Sacramento (a Alcantara) 74/76, Tel: 21 396 8633. Closed Sunday. This is a very simple, small, informal restaurant that specializes in grilled fresh fish, and meats too, but we always have fish. You can see what they have in the counter and they grill it right in the front window. It was served with a nice fresh lettuce and tomato salad and boiled potatoes with olive oil. Everything delicious!! And very reasonably priced! Another restaurant we like in the Alcantara area is O Painel de Alcantara, Rua do Arco (a Alcantara) 7-13, Tel: 21 396 5920, closed Sunday. It gets very crowded; should reserve. They serve traditional Portuguese dishes, very well prepared (and copious). Have enjoyed the arroz de mariscos and baked kid. Also very reasonable. Daily specials always good. A truly lovely and tranquil restaurant that is mentioned in most guides is Conventual. We have had several lunches there that were superb. We think it's one of the best restaurants in Lisbon and for such a delightful setting and exceptional food it is not very expensive. It' in the Estrela area, Tel: 213 909 246. For home-style Alentejo specialities - the mother cooks, the son serves, try O Galito, Rua da Fonte, 16-A, Carnide, Lisboa, • Tel: 217 166 475. On our last visit we had the daily specials for our main course - ensopada de borrego - lamb soup, in a clear broth, with chunks of lamb, bread and cilantro. Very tasty. I had tiny grilled lamb chops, accompanied by rice with parsley. Our starters had us a bit puzzled. One was a plate of what must have been "farinheira," little puffs of what seemed like sausage-flavored bread that are hard to stop eating. We also had fava beans with slices of a tasty dark sausage, and a salad of what we thought was shreds of turkey with onion and cilantro that turned out to be rabbit. All unique and delicious. Instead of a sweet for dessert, we asked for cheese and were served a piece of serpa cheese accompanied by a slab of a sweet fruit paste. This was a wonderful combination of tastes and when I asked our server what it was, he responded "You can't buy it; my mother makes it!" This is a lovely little restaurant. Must call and reserve in advance. By the way, don't miss trying some of the wonderful Portuguese cheeses. Some of the top ones are: Azeitao, Serpa and Serra. They are often served in restaurants either as starters or as dessert courses and will be in perfect condition. A real treat! We always buy several to bring home (carry zip-lock bags with you). The department store El Corte Ingles has a great food store on the lower level where we always shop, but there are also lots of specialty deli-type stores around too. I guess I could go on and on. Please PM me if you have questions. Also check egullet forums - lots of info there from several years ago especially.

We passed through Portland twice for lunch two weeks ago. First time, ate at Duckfat and loved the fries and thought the panini were just fine. Rabelais book store is almost right across the street, and there's a great Italian market called Miccuci's on the corner that's worth a stop. Second lunch was at The Blue Spoon where we had the best fish chowder ever and an excellent house salad. I recommend it. Portland seems to have a surprising number of good places to eat!

3 of us headed out to Cava for dinner last night. Got there a little after 8 and found there would be a 45 minute wait for a table. The bar area was packed and noise level was very high. Decided not to wait. I wish they took reservations.

Seemed like a good idea, so we also went for happy hour before going to the Round House, last night. Instead of oysters, we tried spiced shrimp, calamari, and mussels (from the happy hour menu) plus $3 draft beer and $5 glass of Sauvignon Blanc. The service was prompt and efficient. They also brought some good bread to mop up mussel juice. All in all a very nice deal at happy hour prices and the food was quite good. We supplemented with a couple of "small plates" but you wouldn' have to. Have to add that the Thursday night happy hour bar scene is quite a show too.

We'd gotten a nice coupon in the mail so my husband and I decided to try Centro one evening last week. We'd been once before when they first opened and liked it - food seemed similar to what you'd actually get in Italy. I think there's been a change in chef since then, but the food was still surprisingly good. Started with a delicious special of Burrata cheese wrapped in Prosciutto di San Daniele and a mixed fritto of calamari and other seafood that was light and tasty. For the main course I had a half portion of tagliatelle with a wild mushroom and black truffle sauce that was rich and intense - very good. Strangely, I can't remember what my husband had next, but we enjoyed it all. Pretty good wine list, although I don't remember seeing anything under $30. The space is attractive and the service was excellent.

Well put, Anna and Don. I definitely ran out of steam in May, and a 2 week sojourn in Europe didn't help (but I only gained 2 lbs). That said, I did actually lose 23 lbs. starting in October - quite a bit more than 10% of body weight, so I'm happy about that. Still would like to take off 8 or so more and think checking in a few times through the summer is a good idea. I'll give it a try!

Koln (Cologne) Just returned from a 2-week European odyssey (Cologne, Prague, Italy, Lisbon) last evening and celebrated our travelling companions' anniversary at the Glashaus restaurant in the Cologne Hyatt on Monday night. We really lucked out on our trip timing because asparagus was in season everywhere. The day we arrived in Cologne on the outbound portion, they were celebrating "White Asparagus Week," so we duly ate it in many delicious guises. On our way home, Monday night, I had an asparagus cream soup with morels which was simply sublime, followed by asparagus risotto with brook trout. The risotto was excellent but no equal to the variation I'd eaten 5 days earlier in Milan (not surprising). My husband had white asparagus as a main course that came with dishes of both clarified butter and Hollandaise on the side and a selection of sliced hams. Quite wonderful! Both the food and the setting of the Glashaus were delightful. Thanks Joe H for the recommendation!

We enjoyed Wine Wednesday last night too. Was nice to be able to try 3 different styles of Valpolicella and the accompanying food was a good match and delicious to boot.

Thanks everyone for the good suggestions. I have read about some of the restaurants you all mention, e.g., David, but it's nice to have people you "know" add their recommendations.

We have 3 days in Prague coming up in a couple of weeks. Of course we know that the beer will be wonderful, but I've yet to get much info on good places to eat. Anyone have suggestions?

Jake, thanks for this interesting "assignment," and your most informative descriptions. Will be shopping tomorrow and tasting this weekend!

What happened to "Lesson 2?" I picked up what looks like a nice Beaujolais from Joe. Haven't tried it yet, but am ready!