mame11

The scallop appetizer last night was really good. I loved the corn and sausage base on which two deliciously seared scallops rested. It was a rich and decadent dish that made me think about Maine in the summer. Though an appetizer, it was filling and enough (for me) for dinner. However, two other issues marred what would have been a great write up of the restaurant. I also ordered an iceberg wedge salad that sounded delicious. Instead of bacon avocado accompanied the lettuce and tomato. I like avocado as much as bacon and was excited about the salad. I ordered the salad with dressing on the side. The scallops and salad arrived at the same time! Really? I had not ordered a main course yet so I was surprised that they paced the dishes in that way without asking if I wanted them at the same time. Because the scallops were warm I dug in to the dish and set the salad aside. No big deal really since the salad would be fine. Yum. I turned to the salad and was extremely disappointed. The avocado was not ripe! Maybe it's me but I find rock hard avocado unappetizing. The tomatoes on the other hand were overripe and the whole salad was swimming in oil, even though the dressing was served on the side. The server came by and I asked for the check even though I had toyed with the idea of ordering something else. She asked if everything was okay. I told her no the salad was off. She didn't ask why. I mentioned the oil because I had asked for the dressing on the side. She said that the kitchen might have added too much. sigh. If dressing is asked for on the side it seems the kitchen shouldn't use oil. at all. (in the 20 years I've been asking for dressing on the side I've never had oil used on a salad so either I've been lucky or I am right). without asking if she can redo the salad she left and got me the check. I paid and tipped on the whole bill because I thought the scallops alone were worth the price.

I just walked by the little park on Columbia Rd. near 18th where they set up stands for immigrants from Latin, South and Central America to sell their food Friday-Sunday. Someone was setting up elaborate television systems to show the world cup. They even had set up a satellite dish just for the event. I don't attest to the food (anymore) but if you are in the neighborhood and want to watch the action in a (relatively) unique environment I thought I'd share...

I bought a quart of sweet cherries at the market this weekend. They are not as sweet as I would like, in fact they are fairly bitter. I'd like to do something with them that I can freeze. Something like a savory cherry sauce sounds good. Any thoughts? Any recipes? Thanks!

Michael, he didn't take good enough notes from his visits to Ray's. None of his steaks are priced under $20 according to his online menu. Just sayin' he might need to come back for a few more visits.

It looks like I will be back in DC in time for the picnic on Sunday (yeah)... However, I have decided to live as an urbanite without a car. Having previously given such urbanites rides, I now wonder if anybody from dr.com is headed from NW DC to the picnic with whom I could get a ride? I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

So, so, so excited! The time has come... this Saturday the 14th & U Market returns in all its glory.

Just out of curiosity how do you know that the salt in a product is not-iodnized? Or do you buy salt free products? Do you trust the packaging? I ask because I bought some Cava prepared eggplant dip which lists garlic as the last product. Um, yeah, right. I am sensitive to garlic, especially raw or dried but really all kinds. I can tolerate it to a degree so I can buy products and eat out with care. I tasted the eggplant dip at WF and it was good, so I bought it. The batch from which I bought must have had a heavy hand of garlic added even though it is listed as the last ingredient. (BTW, my symptoms for garlic sensitivity are primarily headaches with secondary stomach aches.)

I used to not like it either until I was sick in February and decided that if I would eat oatmeal in the morning it would give me enough energy if I wasn't able to eat the rest of the day. I literally had to suck it up but am now glad I did... try it. I like the WF organic quick oats. Also, I went on a low salt diet and boy was it hard. I found using celery and apples as crackers was great. But I wasn't going totally salt free so I still had cheese and turkey on the "crackers."

Is oatmeal verboten? If not, I love starting the day with oatmeal. I add whatever fruit I have in the house, often "roasting" apples and pears. Sometimes I buy frozen berries and toss them in. It's a good and hearty breakfast. Also, banana with your homemade peanut butter would stick to the ribs.

John T. Edge, who curated the Oxford American food issue in which Kliman's article appeared, has tweeted the following this evening: @johntedge RT @BillAddison: Peter Chang report: @besharodell n @joeyonan and I are at Tasty China. Chang n his wife here, talking to giddy customers. I'll be in Atlanta the second week of April... oh please, Mr. Chang, stay in one place for a bit.

Michael, they should definitely have you on as a guest judge. You would be fabulous!

I think Don Rockwell should be a guest on the show. I just saw a facebook page set up to get Ezra Klein on the show. Um, what has he done for the DC food scene? I spent the last 24 hours in New York. During my visit a few people asked about Chang. I told them I was part of this board and it got me points for coolness. No, seriously, think about it... Don Rocks has fostered a community spirit about and around food, allowing chefs the opportunity to showcase their craft to a wider audience.

and thus you have nailed the reason I have not gone back to the Passenger after a few initial visits. I am not a cocktail connoisseur but enjoy a good cocktail. I am at a loss as to what to order at the Passenger and have not had the best luck when I've said just make me something with "x". The Gibson and The Tabard Inn both provide a list of cocktails from which I can choose or use as a guide. Why go somewhere I don't feel really wants me.

To add to your comment, Waitman, let me say this: in a city that has one of the highest rates of poverty (overshadowed by the relative wealth of many of its residents), the bag tax along with the "slight" increase in metro fares seems particularly regressive.

Why not the cafe at the American Art Museum. It's cafeteria style but the setting is fabulous.

Heather, I hate that you have to do this but it's wonderful that you can! You should start a blog dedicated to this project so that an even wider audience than DR.com can read it. I imagine it would be a good resource. (though definitely post the blog here too...i'm lazy) Here is one thought, substitute jicama and cucumber where you would use crackers. Peanuts seem to be okay on your diet, so you could make your own peanut butter to not use salt. I hear it's easy to do and really delicious. Hmm... peanut butter and banana. peanut butter and apple... Can you have oatmeal? I'll look for a recipe I have for "oatmeal cakes" which are delicious. They aren't cakes per se, more like a potato pancake savory thing.

Oddly, I think coffehouses are lacking in DC which is surprising based on the population, and amount of freelancers. In DC I like: Mid Town Cafe: Since management and ownership changed shortly after opening, the atmosphere rocks. The coffee is as good as Counter Culture can be. They have a really nice variety of pastries and other snacks. My favorite indie shop in DC. Peregrine: Just don't dig it. They too serve Counter Culture but the music has been uncomfortably loud everytime I've been, regardless of time of day or day of the week. They also have a nice selection of pastries and snacks. Big Bear Cafe: Stopped going due to low quality of coffee, uncomfortable seating and poor lighting. Politics and Prose: Love this place in theory and from time to time. Coffee is superb, have real food options and many of their pastries are good. It's in a basement and it feels that way after a while. Also could use a really, really, thorough cleaning as it is grungy. The Indie Shop that Roasts its own beans in Petworth (I think): Nice cup of coffee but wasn't that great and not worth the hassle to go back. Tryst, Open City and the Diner: I really do not like their coffee. Other people I know love these places and use them as second offices. Me, not so much because I don't like their coffee. Here are my, unsolicited, thoughts: This city needs more independent coffee shops that are not beholden to Counter Culture. Places like: Octane Coffee (minus the Counter Culture) Dancing Goats Jo's Coffee Cafe Grumpy Think Coffee Gimme Coffee would be great...

Haven't been in forever but here are solid standbys: Second Bayona Cassamento's for oysters and a real experience Mother's Acme and here is something from the Bitten Blog on the NYTimes: http://bitten.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/23/kerri-does-new-orleans/?src=twt&twt=nytimesdining

Hi crew... question for you all. I made chocolate chip cookie dough today. The recipe yielded so much dough that I would like to freeze it. How do you recommend doing so? Should I freeze it in individual portions or just big chunks? How long can I leave the dough in the refrigerator before freezing? Thanks in advance!

Thanks for the tip! I'm always looking for good podcasts....

Picked up a Thai Chicken Salad from Sauca in Eastern Market today. By far the best salad I've had in DC in as long as I can remember. Hard to judge a place on one visit but I hope they are able to thrive and survive. Seems like the past month has thrown cold water on the food truck phenomena in DC. However, I'll be following the Sauca Truck's website and Twitter to track down the salad again sometime soon!

I headed to NYC today for respite from the snow. No, really I had a meeting but I was thrilled to get away from the Town that Snow Ate f/k/a Washington DC. It was a fun and productive day but no trip to New York is complete without a stop at Ceci Cela. I told myself after all the baking I did during the Snowpocalypse that I would resist Ceci Cela and its divine pastries. Alas, my willpower is no match to the perfect pastries at Ceci Cela. One bite of the palmier was not enough and I've finished it. If you find yourself in NOLITA, its a worthy stop.

As we all emerge from our shelters today to take stock of the remains of Snowpocalypse III (the Blizzard that wasn't invited), I imagine many people will be heading to the grocery store. What items have you run out of that surprises you? What items did you find, and use, in your pantry that surprised you? I'll start: I've been baking a lot! I bought eggs, butter and flour between Snowpocalypse II and Snowpocalypse III but need sugar! I bought a big bag of frozen spinach before the storm hit and need to replenish it. I found rice vinegar in my pantry which I used in the fried rice I made last night. ETA: I need table salt and vanilla too... used up both baking. What about you?

GE: what recipe? Also, you might like the pretzelsI made yesterday for an activity with GElittleboy. Mine didn't turn out pretty but I could see with practice it could get easier...

Because I like to share.