chuchelo

I've never been to any of the French Wine Society events. Are they worthwhile? Excellent? Just okay? It depends...???

Do tell.

1)In an average restaurant, the one entree will sit on the table while the other is prepared.

At least the food was good!

So, any takers on whether or not the entree of one diner should be sent back/kept warm if the server brings the wrong meal for the other diner? I'm just speaking of a table for two.

Just back from a month in France and still catching up. I really enjoyed reading this discussion. We just had dinner out to celebrate our wedding anniversary. I won't name the restaurant (unless you press me -- it was French ) because this sort of thing happens everywhere. I will say, with this discussion in mind, I made sure we were right on time for our reservation! We aren't normally late, I just wanted to be certain.

Now for the service.

1. If I ask for help with the wine list, it's because I want your expert assistance. I'll acknowledge when it's a stretch to find the right wine (in this case, I had calf's liver, he was having trout) but I expect to be able to rely on your knowledge. Just saying "you can't have red wine with fish" is not helpful.

2. If I order calf's liver and you bring me cowfish, please ask whether or not we would like you to take back the other entree so that we can celebrate our anniversary (about which you knew) by eating our meal at the same time. In this case, I knew my husband was hungry so I told him to go ahead and eat.

3. If you do mess up a bit, please apologize. I'm not going to sue you if you admit fault.

4. If you point at my plate and ask me if I'm "done with that" please ask before removing my bread plate as well. I really wanted those last few bites as I finished my glass of wine. Bummer.

If I'm wrong on any of the above, please share your views. I'm here to learn.

So did anyone end up going to Russia House? I went past there tonight and I admit the menu looks tasty. I haven't had Russian food in ages. Has anyone dined there recently? How's the food?

One time we were seated at a corner table for 2, and it was less noisy than various spots we'd been seated on other visits, even though the place was packed and bustling.  I asked what the table number was.  I'm pretty sure it was 33.  (Smart of me to write it down and have no idea where I wrote it .)  The disadvantage of that table, however, was that it wasn't so easy for the server to make his way back there.

Thanks for the tip!

Like this?

I was there for dinner a few months back. Great food, happy place, and NOISY. If you're looking for a quiet, romantic dinner, this isn't the place. Otherwise, it's fun and delicious!

I think for significant (30+ page) wine lists, PDF shouldn't be an issue for users.  And I understand your point. 

But so many restaurants put their "list" on their site, only for it to go out of date quickly that it becomes just as misinforming as most of those google-ad-grubbing non-sites that purport to have locations, hours, and "reviews."  Or the ones who put their lists up, with no prices.  That's just condescending.

I agree that it would be super for restaurants with deep lists to have them online BUT only if the online list is really accurate and updated. I don't want to get all set to enjoy a special bottle of wine only to arrive and find out it hasn't been poured in months. As for pricing --- perhaps they don't want their competitors to see their list and prices?

ANY music at all = bad website

worse, possibly, is not having a website at all

Perhaps if you organize a group of friends to do a sit-in complete with cushions from home, they will get the hint! I see a place for a cushion concierge in Cashion's future!

Yes, I hear that a lot, Mark, about the giving up the drink. I know a number of folks who give up eating out altogether. Personally, I don't eat fish or seafood so if I'm out on a Friday I'm looking for a vegetarian meal. More often than not, however, I don't eat out on Fridays during Lent at all. It's just easier that way.

I was having a conversation with a friend the other night and the subject of Lent and eating out came up. She was saying that she thought all restaurants would take Lent into consideration and have extra meatless choices on Fridays. I didn't think restaurants would pay much attention to Lent or make any changes just for the season. Later it did occur to me to ask about it here. So, is your restaurant aware of Lent? If so, have there been any changes to the Friday menus?

this is a place that i have always wanted to like.

Amen! I think if they turned it into an all day coffee/cafe/wine bar they would make a fortune. It is just what Lincoln Park needs. The dogwalkers alone would make them a mint!

I listened to the NPR piece and had to laugh when she said that she and her staff would be able to recognize those families who ate together on a regular basis. Still, I think anything that gets people to sit down around the same table and eat the same food more frequently is a good idea.

I have to say - I was planning to meet a friend for a nice glass of wine today on Capitol Hill, and there was NO place to meet for wine - since Sonoma told me they didn't open until 5:30, I opted for a mediocre glass of Greek white wine at Taverna -

Now, this complaint isn't directed to Sonoma per-se, but I will say, that Sonoma is currently Capitol Hill's hope for a nice glass of wine mid-afternoon!  That restaurant could OWN the category for afternoon wine-lovers!

Argh!

I so agree! It would be marvelous for it to be open from lunch on and I think they would make a mint!!!

Here's what I see as the bottom line...

No matter what's going on, whenever a person working in a restaurant is asked the question, "Is there a problem?" the answer is ALWAYS a confident "Not at all." Work it out, whatever it is, behind the scenes!

Hmmm, I went there a few times after they moved and felt like too much had changed and it was coasting on its name. Are there old-timers here saying it's as good again as it was before it closed and re-opened?

It's not authentic Mexican food but much of it is very good food, at least at La Lomita Dos. In fact, the flan is superb!

Edited to add that we used to go to La Lomita all the time but the lines were long so when the same owners started La Lomita Dos (several years ago now) we started eating there. Now it has different owners, still very friendly after all these years.

Kashi Go-Lean Crunch with Greek yogurt topped with cherries

I'm amazed to see that Japan is ahead of us.

I prefer the company of  architects, lawyers, journalists and just about anyone who isn't a foodie. No offense, but foodies can become REAL tedious REAL fast.

Does that include persons who frequent foodie forums??

Here's my real question - why aren't there better restaurants on Capitol Hill? The neighborhood has a diverse base, excellent disposable income, two main drags (Mass and PA), and yet we can't seem to attract and keep good food. Looking back over Cheap Eats or Best Of for both the Post and Washingtonian, Capitol Hill is almost always conspiculously absent. What's up with that??