Cmmp

I thought that i recalled a St. Michael's topic, but couldn't quickly find it. we're heading there in a couple of weeks - any recommendations? (we haven't been in about 5 years, I recall an Italian restaurant in nearby Royal Oak that was surprisingly good (Bella Luna??)) thanks!!

I haven't been back here in 3 or 4 years, but we had tickets to Dave Sedaris at the Lizner, so this seemed like the best solution. I had always looked forward to going to Kindead's (and Colvin Run and 21 Federal) in the past and was eager to see how it was holding up. My memories were that each of the operations was highly professional, the kitchens put out good to exceptional food consistently, and the service was nothing but professional, giving the impression of a well trained team. Take into account that it was a Monday night, maybe not the most hopping or high energy evening. The good - the kitchen didn't miss a trick - our salads and mains (halibut, tuna) were wonderful and reminded me of why I'd enjoyed this place in the past. We had a good view of the kitchen and while the team works well together and pumps out the orders, (now moving on to the not-so-good) why are they still using the highly distracting intercom system to communicate downstairs? Also, everyone on the second floor passes right by the open kitchen/expediting area, but I don't remember it looking less than well-ordered. Now it simply appears cluttered, like someone isn't paying enough attention to realize that EVERYONE walks by area. The runners worked hard and showed a high degree of knowledge and geniality. Our server was distracted. We didn't see him much, he'd walk by us a few times without checking in. Not that we need it all the time, but we wanted to order another round of drinks/wine, get our check, and we waited and finally had to flag down another server each time. The hosts also seemed a bit laconic. BTW - great, very well done drinks. Desserts - they need to pay more attention to their dessert prep - it something is billed as warm, it should be warm. The tastes were all fine, but most of the selections appeared dated. Overall - several highlights, but not the professional, high and tight product that we know that Bob Kinkaead can offer. The word that describes the experience best - tired.

I normally do all my own baking, but we're have an event for 70, mostly catered, and I know there will be many things on my mind on the run-up to the party, hence the purchase.

I guess that we'll have to test the Food Matters version this weekend.

Thanks! FYI - I'm in Alexandria and, while NOVA and DC are easiest, I am willing to travel a bit. Looks like, in the short term, we'll be trying xdcx's suggestion of La Mexicana Bakery 1st. Dominion Hills sounds like it is next. thanks!!

I am hosting a party at home at the end of June and it would make many people, particularly my husband, very happy to offer tres leches as dessert, or one of the dessert options. Which bakeries, restaurants, or caterers around the area offer the best version? thanks!!

First time at Ris last night and am happy to report that we were quite impressed. We stuck to the Restaurant Week menu and will certainly be back to mine the rest of the menu. We started with panzanella and the gazpacho and kept trading them back and forth almost as if we couldn't get enough of each. Both were exemplars of the wonderful/ sweet produce that is available at the farmers' markets these days. This panzanella was a bit different than those I've had in the past, this one having less bread but having nice chunks of blue cheese (don't remember which cheese, perhaps gorgonzola dolce) and walnuts. Very playful dish with the wonderful grape tomatoes and red onions. My better half's gazpacho was lovely - a little more brothy than some, but the small slices of cucumbers, and other veggies as well as the perfect amount of lately added bread crumbs made this a very substantial dish. We'll miss these once the summer ends. Our main dishes were the lamb shank and the orchette with spinach, pesto and goat cheese. The shank was tender, flavorful, though it needed just a small touch of salt. The pesto was very mild but each mouthful packed a bit of a 'pow' when you included some of the fresh goat cheese. Normally wouldn't do dessert (or at least two desserts), but, as it was Restaurant Week, we made the sacrifice. Had the eskimo pie and the key lime tart. Both were nice and refreshing, but we probably didn't give them their due as we were pretty full. In reading the above comments, it seems like service has been an issue in the past. We didn't see a trace of that - service was very professional - our server (David?) was both knowledgeable and friendly. Over the last year or two I've avoided dining out during RW due to the crowds, taxed staffs, etc. Last night my husband surprised me with this reservation and I was a little unsure whether any restaurant could satisfy me with both a delicious and relaxing experience. Lucky for me that Ris was up to that challenge.

Wow! Thanks for all the suggestions. TedE - it sounds like the two of you have really done your research on this. As we hit Dino's with regularity, I'd already spoken to Dean about it and he assured me that it would be a fairly easy accommodation. I can also see the pizza and beer at Rustico's being on the agenda, as well. Thanks so much for taking the time to respond.

We have a friend coming to stay with us for a week. She was recently diagnosed with celiac disease. While we will no doubt do some cooking at home, I'd really like for her (and her husband, no food allergies with him) to try some restaurants. I know that we can maneuver around many menus, are there any good restaurants that may be even more amenable, even having a gluten-free menu? Someone told me that the Austin Grill has one, and that may be fine for a lunch while touring, I'd really like to take them to places with better food. thanks!!!!

Someone mentioned Dino as a possibility. Dean used to work for WF - perhaps you can pursuade him to show his place off during the lunch hour.

We recently moved to Alexandria (Beverly Hills area) and have not yet figured out a decent delivery option for Chinese food (not that we've scoured the area for sit-down options, either). Does anyone have a recommendation? Thanks!!

Cafe Mozu at the Mandarin Oriental? Not sure if there is a view from all of the tables, but I believe that you can see the Tidal Basin, and maybe even the Channel, from some of the tables. They may even have outdoor dining.

We didn't see the Fast and the Furious and we don't observe Passover, but we nonetheless found ourselves at Dino last night. It was clear that it was a busy night and we were lucky to nab two spots at our favorite location - the bar. It was wonderful seeing so many families with kids and their Haggadah's (sp?). And, even though we didn't order the Seder dinner, Scott was kind enough to get us the chopped liver as an appetizer. We ordered the two fish specials - halibut and sable fish. Both delicious and a reminder of why we keep going back to the fish so often (even though we are certified lovers of the Bistecca). We finished up with a really luscious macaroon. All in all, last night was a great example of why we keep going back (and will continue to go back after we move across the Potomac Ocean) - reliably terrific food, knowledgable staff, and a warm and inviting atmosphere. Each time we come through the doors there is always a friendly greeting by Kay or Dean. We like sitting at the bar because Scott, Jody, and before them, Chris, always have something delicious to recommend. Will we miss having it in our neighborhood - you bet. But I think that the dining experience is more than good enough to justify the ride all the way back to VIrginia.

Went there on Friday night around 7:30/8:00, not knowing what the seating situation would be like. We didn't need to worry, bar seats were available, and, while you wait for your order, you can scope the three picnic tables. It seemed that everyone was able to get seated at the tables without much of a wait. Just reading about fried clams (should we even need to say "belly clams," shouldn't we always assume that you get the whole clam unless they say strips??? In a world where all is right, there would be no clam strips except at Howard Johnson's (and, where do those bellies go??)) makes my mouth water. and lobster rolls, don't get me started. As we waited to place our order we saw that they were offering steamers. So, we bagged the "belly" clam roll and limited ourselves to an order of steamers, a lobster roll (which comes with fries), a side of slaw and two drinks. Quality-wise we were very happy (and, thus, we look forward to returning). The lobster roll had wonderful, sweet meat and our fries were good and crispy. While $19 isn't cheap, it was, after all, a lobster roll. Right here in DC. The steamers were good, but at $13, it was a very small portion. While steamers would likely appear on my last meal menu, we'll likely forgo them here in favor of one of the Maine meals (looking forward to the grilled fish) (and Maine Meals come with two sides). The slaw was good, but we had alot of dressing with ours, made it kind of soupy at the end. All in all, a good experience. This is a place that we should all nurture, they are trying hard, the quality is good, the kitchen is open and we have nothing else like it in town.

went last saturday night on a whim after looking at some NoVA real estate. Very comfortable atmosphere, great tunes in the background, lovely service, and, most of all, terrific wine and great cheese. As this was just a drop in, we only went for the three cheese plate - got the Stilton, the Humbolt Fog, and an Italian cheese we'd never had before - Menage? all were tasty, and obviously well-handled. Nice bread selection, and I think that the sweet on the plate was quince paste, though I could be wrong about that. Though we were first-timers, they made us feel quite welcome and we could easily have curled up there for hours. We look forward to a return visit.

conference down at the JW Marriott, hadn't thought ahead about lunch, ended up at Blue Point (in the Warner Building) because they could seat us. I think the space hosted a brew pub previously. Had an incredibly disappointing lobster roll - dry, tastless SLICES of what they said was lobster. Was supposed to be in a garlic mayo, didn't taste either garlic or mayo. Good fries, though.

which restaurants have the finest bread? my list - Restaurant Eve (downright amazing - can make a meal of the bread and butter, alone) Dino - the bread seems better and more interesting lately. Where are they getting it? Central Acadiana's biscuits Bistro Bis Cityzen's Parker House rolls Haven't tried in awhile, but the choice at 701 was always impressive, particularly the cornbread. The first few times I went to PS7 the breads were great, but the last time they were a wee bit disappointing. I suppose things have changed at 2941 now that Krinn and his father are gone Needs work Olives Jaleo (is it impossible to have a decent crust by the time it is served?)

You all sure know how to make a newbie feel welcome. What a terrific group of people. More importantly, however, what outstanding food. My husband and I had been there before and drooled over the short ribs, tuna sliders, etc. The charcuterie plate that we had last night ranks right up there for us. We were so busy gabbing that we didn't get to ask our wonderful, extra flexible, servers to describe each item. I guess we'll have to go back and indulge again, for completeness sake. Not being much of a hot dog fan (I'll choose the burger at a barbeque every time), I wasn't sure what to expect. Now I know what they should taste like. Thanks again to the group that is DR and PS7 for such an awesome evening!!!!!

count me in +1 (our first donrockwell event)

The new crostini are definitely worth the trip alone. My favorite was the carmelized onions with that heavenly cheese. Would have considered seconds if we'd not already ordered more food that necessary. Our excuse? Demonstrating to my visiting father that DC had something really special to offer that was both Italian and unexpected. Came through with flying colors. Thanks, Dean.

Spent the last several days in South Carolina, first at Kiawah Island and then in Charleston. Kiawah Island We stayed at The Sanctuary a truly lovely resort (attended a conference and then stayed a couple of days). Neither my husband nor I are golfers, but we really enjoyed the place. We ate at Jasmine Porch a couple of times. The setting was really beautiful and the servers exuded southern hospitality. The menu looked good (many low country specialties), but we found that the food (almost without exception) was underseasoned. Was this because of an inexperienced chef or a corporate kitchen that is trying to cater to a certain crowd, I don't know. Didn't try the "fine dining" restaurant, The Ocean Room. Charleston Read this thread before we headed down and on that basis, made reservations for dinner at Magnolia's and FIG. We heartily recommend Magnolia's. Had a great, leisurely mean with a terrific waiter who gave us the right amount of attention. He seemed to know the menu/ingredients backwards and forwards. Would go there again in a minute. FIG was only okay. Someone on this thread compared it to Cashion's. While the food was fairly good (and way better than Kiawah's Jasmine Porch), I'm just not sure they have their act together. It started with a fairly dim hostess and continued with only adequate servers. If only they were as good and knowledgeable as the serving staff at Cashion's (where whe often let them decide on our dishes). Instead we were taken care of by a couple of servers who could barely recite the specials (though they did mention the prices (always a good thing)). They were both quite pretty and maybe that is why they were hired (lord knows that it wasn't their attentiveness or knowledge of the menu). The jazz trio was quite good and the space very attractive - industrial retro, very different from anything else that I saw. Breakfast at Hominy Grill is a must. Should have tried dinner there, as well. Reminded me a bit of Colorado Kitchen but without the attitude and with better management.

The drink I am referring to was always freshly made - the hotel where we stayed in Rome served the common juices (orange, grapefruit) as a matter of course, but if you asked the server real nicely, they'd go into the kitchen and would have someone whip up the "supreme." Now I wish that I had followed the server into the kitchen and watched the process. The drink was also available in cafes (where they'd charge about 6 euros for it). I don't have any blood oranges now, but I figured I'd do the research now and be prepared when I see them back in the stores (ususally around Nov/Dec I think). I didn't realize that it would be so hard to figure it out. Thanks for your help!

On our last trip to Italy I noticed that some people were drinking a fresh juice drink that appeared to have blood oranges as a main ingredient. We asked about it and it was called "supreme." We ended up ordering it several more times in other locations, as well. I think it was a combination of several citrus fruits and included plenty of pulp. I was sure that we could come and easily reproduce it - no such luck. Could be our faulty memory, but I would like to see if we could make it. Can't seem to locate it on the web, so maybe my memory of the name could be faulty, as well.

I periodically hear that Peter Smith will be opening a new place near the Verizon Center. Anyone know any more about it?