bilrus

I see that as being a big negative for Paris, too.

I've never had most of these, as I try to never spend more than $5.50 on my wine purchases at CVS. That said, I do like the Chateau Ste. Michelle-Dr. Loosen Eroica Riesling.

Topolobampo isn't terribly formal - tasting menu style, but since it shares space with the more casual Frontera Grill, it is farily laid back. I think it is defintely worth a visit as the cooking is unlike anything you can get here. As for Cafe Spiaggia - I haven't been, but jenrus went last time she was in Chicago and didn't have much to say about it. No rants or raves either way.

And you've always done great for us as customers too.

I'm not one to normally take exception to Tom's reviews, but does this review of Vaso's Kitchen read like a two star review? The equal of, just looking at the most recent dining guide, Layalina, El Chalan, Hank's Oyster Bar, Del Merei Grill and even Colorado Kitchen and only a half star behind Ray's the Steaks and Corduroy? Any review where you have to use phrases like: the word "decent" twice in the same paragraph "not everyone's a charmer" "tends to cook everything medium" "disappointment" "a trip back to the school cafeteria" "resist the impulse" "There's very little seafood on the menu, and that should tell you something" "limp spaghetti" "banquet fare" "served so cold one night that the grains appeared to have frostbite" doesn't seem like a two star review to me. But maybe I'm just feeling grumpy tonight. Has anyone been here to help reconcile Tom's words and stars?

Where is the Capitol Q stand? I ended up having lunch at Red Hot and Blue yesterday and maybe it was just because it was cold as hell, but it wasn't that good and I actually don't mind their pork in the restaurants.

Is this the same place that is really called "Cafe Neuo Kitchen, Store and Tavern at Takoma Park" but most people refer to as 'da Cafe?

Are there any sort of meetings involved with Jenny Craig, a la Weight Watchers?

"Thread" continues to do well with Jenny Craig...

Your list happens to include the only two restaurants I've dined at in Omaha. Upstream is a fun brew-pub. I don't remember exactly what I had, just that I liked it and my colleagues and I got loaded on the beers and had a blast. Vivace was a good spot for a solo diner to sit at the bar and have some good pasta. I agreethat both are good choices.

I was wondering the same thing when I got the cookbook, but amazingly, one of the sources listed in the back of the book for Peruvian products was located on Eldon St. in Herndon, not far from my office, called Mercadito Hisapano (or something similar). The amarillos were frozen, but when thawed, worked fine for this and the majic yellow sauce. The recipe also calls for Aji Limo, which you can substitute habaneros for. The amaraillos have a pretty unique spicy/sweet taste and I couldn't think of a chile that would be a good sub there.

Then I guess that isn't a very good deal then, is it?

I just recieved my monthly email from Thai Import Food and you can order kaffir lime leaves from them. 1 oz seems expensive at $12.95, but that gets you 60-80 leaves.

Well, I finally got around to making one tonight. I made the Lomo Saltado listed here. You've got to love a recipe that includes french fries as an ingredient and that is served over rice. I did cheat a little bit and used frozen french fries instead of making my own, but it turned out really good. This is an interesting example of fusion cooking being a national dish - it is a stir fry, complete with soy sauce, but the Peruvian aji amarillo chiles give it a unique taste. I also messed around and made that crack-like yeloow sauce that is served in squeeze bottles at Peruvian places. Now I need to find a recipe for Peruvian chicken - surprisingly there isn't one in the book. And I'm eventually going to make a few of the ceviches.

Interesting - over the weekend I was asking myself the same questions. OK, so the weight hasn't come off as quickly as I wanted. I haven't stuck to the plan as well as I should have. I haven't been journaling as consistently as I had promised myself and everyone else. I had an unpleasant break-up with my nutritionist. I've been a little grumpy all winter. I suspent that most of you have the same types of complaints. But it is spring - a time for hope, right? I got in my first round of golf over the weekend. I brought the deck furniture out of storage too. Today is Opening Day for the Nats. So in the interest of Spring, what about the positives? Here is the list I came up with: In joining my boxing gym, I've found an exercise that I enjoy and have been able to stick with, for the most part. I've learned ways to add a lot more fiber to my diet. I'm paying more attention to what I am eating, even if I haven't been writing it down. I've gotten a lot of support from people here. I've lost 14 pounds so far. Not a bad list, if I do say so myself. What's your's?

What he said. I thought Manresa was as good as or even better than French Laundry. But if you get the chance, do French Laundry. Not only will you have a great meal, you'll learn what most other high end restaurants are trying to be. I've not been to Cyrus, and I loved Aziza, but French Laundry is that rarest of restaurants.

This is a nice room - my compnay had our Christmas dinner there. Separated enough from the rest of the the restaurant that it doesn't have the noise issues I remembered from the main dining room.

And at Ray's Michael is generally out in the dining room talking with every table.

Some of the food is excellent, some is complete crap. Sometimes the service at the bar is good, sometimes it is crap. That is, in my mind, a worse problem than a place that is crap all the time. They prove that they can turn out good food or be helpful, but that they can't be bothered to replicate it even most of the time. Inconsistency is the big problem here.

Eating Mexican food?

That's actually a pretty good suggestion (you too, Pat).

Where in the city is there a space large enough for a Reading Market type of place that is accessible (and I mean in more ways than just metro-accessible - I mean a place that people will go) and has other things going on around it where the cost to redvelop the land wouldn't be sky high? Taking a space like a parcel of the old convention center site would be great, but that land is worth way too much money.

That is one of the places I've never tried. Every time I end up at that shopping center I go to the Peruvian place there.

I have been working out this way for eight years now and have lunch out just about every day. I'm certainly available. Although the pickings aren't all that plentiful there are a few decent spots and probably a bunch I've never tried.