laniloa

Gallbladder friendly food -- baked potato w/o butter, poached chicken, wilted spinach. This is getting old real fast.

Heading into meetings that will keep me offline the rest of the afternoon. Will be heading over to Againn around 5:30 for happy hour. Come join me!

After having my phone stolen this morning, I really could use a drink. Unfortunately, I'll be spending my time talking to the Metro police (heh) and getting a new phone. Promise me you'll have one for me instead!

How frustrating. (Note to self - check that backup contacts list is up to date)

Hrmmm....could be an idea! Any suggestions?

All this talk lately of Againn makes me thirsty. Proof could call my name. Vidalia is always solid.

I'm going to be downtown and in need of a drink around 5:30. Anyone?

Are you looking for specials or just a space>

Thanks for the ideas. I am more interested in having a space where people are comfortable. Specials are just a bonus.

I've been asked to coordinate a happy hour next Wednesday. The group will be between 20-40 people (never know who will have a horrible day at work and bail). Most likely, there will be a core group who is there the whole time and then a group that comes early and another later. Looking downtown DC, metro accessible. I've checked to make sure there isn't an event at the Verizon Center the same night so we won't have to fight those crowds, but the last few happy hours I've been too have been slammed. Have looked around the board but nothing caught my eye. Thanks!

Boca Raton

If you want something close to FLL, Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza is on Rte. 1 less than a mile north of the airport @ SE 22nd St.

And Delray isn't more than a few minutes from Boca; lots more choices there. Been years since I've been, but Max's Grille in Boca used to be reliably good.

I make ribs like this all the time but use no added liquid and they come out wonderfully. I rub the ribs the night before, wrap them in foil, and then the next day put them in a 200F oven for about 4 hours. The ribs, usually St. Louis style, come out tender and juicy.

What do you use in your rub?

I made the World Peace cookies one time, using my stash of Vahlrona cocoa powder and chopped vahlrona chocolate. Such a waste as I thought the cookies were grainy and not spectacular.

Really? These are my favorite cookies and used to be the most requested by my staff. I love sandy cookies.

I have heard, though never verified, that all stone crab (like most shrimp) is actually frozen. Any one have the inside knowledge on this?

Fresh is a relative term when it comes to stone crabs. Claws are cooked immediately after harvest. This keeps the meat from deteriorating or sticking to the shell. They are then sold either "fresh" (cooked but never frozen) or frozen.

I'm in.

Maybe those of us who work in the area can plan a Courthouse/Clarendon lunch gathering some Friday...

I'd be up for that.

I think this is a great tradition to resurrect. It was nice to know that there was always someplace to go on a Friday for a drink, a nibble, and good company without having to herd cats and plan something. I didn't go each week, but I always enjoyed myself when I did.

Had to head north this weekend so I made a detour here. These are some damn fine ribs. Incredibly tender with a great smokey flavor that didn't overtake the pork. Side of coleslaw was good but I was sorry I didn't see the small sign saying they had green beans made with smoked chicken until after I started eating. Was very tempted to take home some brisket and chicken but knew I had a few stops along the way and that was no way to treat these fine meats.

I'm in.

I have to know...where is this available in the area?

I have seen it at the Target in Falls Church.

I've carried my own bags for years and have managed enough coastal cleanups to believe that the potential benefit is worth it. Where I think it will run into problems is with takeout food. I accept the risk of having to wash my bag after carrying takeout because sauces may leak but I'm not keen on the possibility of transfer to clothing or Metro seats. However, I am more than willing to pay the 5 cents for a bag when purchasing takeout - one way or another I'm going to have to deal with the true cost of using the plastic bag. Might as well spread out the payment.

Whaddya think about this KitchenAid 4.5 qt?

That is the size I use and it works very well. You get a nice domed loaf.

See y'all tonight. Dinner after?

P.S. I have a full trunk of food donations from my congregation. Anyone there 2 minutes early to lend a hand unloading would be well appreciated.

See you there. Dinner after sounds good. Metro willing, I should be there a few minutes early to help you unload.

I never had sugared cereals growing up so think of them as a treat. Every now and then I'll have some as a snack. I can't see paying these prices for that opportunity though. If I felt the urge to mix types, I can pick up one of those 8-packs of different flavors for half the price of one of these bowls. Maybe if I'm out and about and wanted a little something sweet I could see checking it out. Given the restrictions on restaurants in the Cleveland Park overlay, I would have preferred to see something I would frequent rather then something I might check out once out of curiosity. Who knows, maybe I'll set one foot in the door and fall in love with the place.

OK, here's the plan for December.

The date is two weeks out, Thursday December 17th, 5pm.

We still have 10 spots held. I am going to start taking names today. In one week, which will be one week before the event, I will cancel any spots not claimed.

We'll see how this works.

In the past, I've said send a PM to reserve a spot, but let's try doing it in the topic to keep it at the top of people's reading lists; perhaps that will help with turnout.

I'm in. Who's going to join me?

I hope you don't cancel all of the slots. If it doesn't seem reasonable to fill 10, maybe we can hold onto 5 or so? I was out of town on Monday but have definitely enjoyed (and appreciated) having the reserved spots, even if I can't make it every single time.

I second this thought. The last two times I have been unable to attend and have attempted to sign up for a slot on their website. All such operations should have their volunteer slots booked for months at a time. Or maybe our answer is to find something similar that isn't flush with volunteers and lend our support to them.

and Candy Cane Joe Joe's are back in stock! Yippee!

Thanks for the tip -- picked up some ths afternoon. I really like how minty these are. They also had a version coverd in chocolate and crushed candy cane but I thought that might be a bit much.

The +1 and I are headed to Boston for basically the first time this weekend (we both went in middle school, but remember virtually nothing about the trip). Saturday night we're meeting up with friends for dinner and going out, but we basically have Friday and Saturday lunches, plus Friday dinner to ourselves and don't know what to do.

Looking online I saw the Parish Cafe that looked really good (http://www.parishcafe.com/menu.html) and is near all of the touristy stuff we'll be doing, but hadn't heard much about it. Any other lunch recs along the Freedom Trail would be appreciated. Not sure if we'll head out to Cambridge one day or not.

One of my Boston friends recommended Giacommo's in the north end for dinner Friday, but they don't take reservations and apparently people wait like an hour outside to get seated. While I'm sure it's good, I don't really want to do that on a cold November evening. There's another Giacommo's that does take reservations I think, but we'd be up for something different. We'll likely be in jeans since we're packing light for the weekend, but don't mind paying a little extra since we're staying with friends instead of getting a hotel.

Anything not to be missed (food or site-wise)?

ETA: We're staying in Fenway Friday night and on Tremont St in the Theater District Saturday night

I thought Giacommo's was extremely overrated and definitely not worth the wait. It was pretty good, not great, and very cramped. I didn't get what the lines were all about.

The Freedom Trail cuts through the North End and you can follow your nose to whatever place is putting out good aromas. For a seafood treat, head over to Neptune Oyster House.