goldenticket

July 17th Port City Beer Dinner. $50 per person (not inclusive of tax and gratuity)

Downright Pilsner

Smoked Corn Pudding with local lump crabmeat, path valley tomato and green onion

Essential Pale Ale

Roasted Virginia Peaches with watermelon, feta, cress and mint

Monumental IPA

“Hangover” Soup of chicken, cilantro, jalapeno, onion, radish and lime

Revival Oyster Stout

Carpetbagger Steak – oyster stuffed ribeye, salt crust potatoes and oyster sauce

Port City Porter

Red Velvet Whoopie Pie with root beer cream filling and dark chocolate

PM me here or email me for a reservation. lighthorseprivatedining@gmail.com

Pat, the +1, and I had a very enjoyable evening at the Port City Dinner. All of the dishes were really good, as were the beers. I think the smoked corn pudding with crab was my very favorite. Every bite tasted like a bit of summer, with all of my local favorites featured (crab, corn, tomatoes). There was a generous amount of crab, and the smokiness, along with the crunchiness of a bit of flaked salt, brought it all together. The hangover soup was probably my second favorite - lots of good flavor and heat, which went well with the Monumental IPA. The staff did a great job in bringing out beers and food to each table in an efficient manner.

Bill Butcher, of Port City, provided interesting information about each of the paired beers and the process his brewmaster goes through in developing them. If you haven't been to the brewery, it is worth a visit. They've recently added an additional tasting bar which will ease the crowding on the weekends.

I was remiss in not writing up a visit during the spring, but I enjoyed the menu then, which included some good seasonal items/flavors. I'm looking forward to returning again before too long to see what's cooking on the summer menu. I would definitely be up for a happy hour!

We ventured out for a late dinner on Friday evening, not too long before the storm hit. Lucky us, we hit the jackpot at Hank's; everything we had was delicious, they were kind enough not to kick us out until the rain had let up, AND they let us borrow an abandoned umbrella for the short walk home.

A dozen oysters on the half shell allowed us to try each of the 6 varieties they were offering. Some of the shucking was a little sloppy, requiring extra effort to loosen oysters from the shell. All were very fresh and flavorful, with varying levels of brininess/sweetness.

The buffalo mozzarella, tomato, and roasted pepper salad was also full of fresh ingredients and fantastic flavor. The ceviche was one of the best I've had in a long time, a huge portion with great hits of heat from the jalapenos and plenty of lime-y citrus goodness. The +1 wanted a burger and it was a damn good one, even if not your typical order at a seafood joint. I finished up with a few pieces of the shrimp cocktail, which had been cooked to order and were also extremely fresh.

I also enjoyed a cocktail, the name of which I've forgotten, but it was a gin collins/rickey sort of thing that went down nice and easy on a sultry summer night. Looking forward to heading back - it had been a long time and I've been missing out, apparently. They are expanding into the former Chinoiserie space (which has moved to the corner of King and N. West St), but it sounds like it may be several months before that happens.

Palena Café, and on the lower end, we always get wonderful service at Taqueria Poblano, and the food is reliable.

I was just thinking that I needed to add Taqueria Poblano (Del Ray) to this list - I completely agree with lperry's comments.

Also on the lower end, the staff at the Hard Times Cafe in Old Town consistently provide excellent, friendly, and efficient service. As do the folks at Kotobuki, which I mostly use for carry out, but they are always friendly and my order is always ready to go and just as I ordered.

Interesting profile of rare wine authenticator/consultant Maureen Downey.

(I don't know her, but we do share an alma mater)

It might be a bit (not much) more than 45 minutes, but The Ashby Inn is just up the road from Sky Meadows State Park. Lunch is available 12-2pm Wed-Sat; Brunch 12-2 on Sun. The covered outdoor patio is a lovely spot for any meal, assuming the heat isn't too oppressive.

Please add me to the list.

Sheldon

Done. Table is under "Jackie"

Maybe because it's a straight shot down Wilson Blvd from Ballston, whereas EFC might require a longer bus ride (and another stop or two on the Metro). I think it's reading it correctly and would go with it.

Any other takers? I'll call tomorrow morning, so speak up before then. The more the merrier - and the more things we can try.

Anna Blume

agm +1

DanielK +1

goldenticket +1

goodeats +1

monavano +1

TheMatt

thistle

Tweaked

Koolpaw

See you all ^ tomorrow at 7pm.

Don't forget to bring cash.

Anna Blume

agm +1

DanielK +1

goldenticket +1

goodeats +1

monavano +1

TheMatt

thistle

Tweaked

ktmoomau - are you going to be able to join us?

How about you, Anna Blume?

Do we need to call ahead?

The Leblon website has lots of recipes. You may have to enter birth year/country, from there click on "mixologia", where you'll find tabs for mixed, muddled, twists, etc., in addition to a caipi of the month.

I'll be there, +1

I'll chime in and say that my office has had some quite decent carry-out meals from the 'new' Toscana Grill. Pizzas were good, but it's been a few weeks, so I don't remember specifics other than they are individual 10" pies, and toppings were fresh and plentiful.

We had a very good catered lunch today, which included:

Classic Caesar Salad - with anchovies! What you'd expect from Caesar, fresh and good.

Caprese Salad - Also what you'd expect, nicely presented with lots of basil and just a touch of lemon in the dressing

Garden Vegetable Risotto - lots of zucchini, broccoli, tomato, yellow squash. Not too heavy and with good flavor.

Meat Lasagna - more tomato/marinara than ricotta, hearty without being heavy

Whole Wheat Penne Turano - my favorite, with spinach, tomato, fresh mozzarella with a light, slightly spicy sauce and what tasted to me like a hint of tarragon

According to my coworkers who usually pick up our orders, staff has been very helpful and accommodating and the renovation in the space is very nice. I think it's going to be a regular spot for the office, maybe replacing Listrani's in the rotation.

I should be able to make it.

I can't vouch for this place since I've not been there myself, but a sushi chef at a place I enjoyed in Encinitas, CA, recommended Shimizu (318 W 51st St). It's located in the Washington Jefferson hotel, so may be open on a holiday. And, for what it's worth, Shimizu is included on Gayot's 2012 Top 10 NYC Sushi Retaurants.

Also too late, but did want to mention that Cafe Nicole in Old Town serves dinner on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and the menu frequently includes Swiss-German items prepared by her Swiss father. Last Saturday Black Forest Chicken Schnitzel was one of the choices, along with a Schlachtplatte, and a venison dish serve with spaetzle. It's not a fancy place, but the entrees run around $15 and include a salad and dessert.

Fresh mangosteens at Super H Mart a few weeks back were an unexpected treat. Much better than the frozen ones I've gotten at Grand Mart in the past. A trip back to Bali via my tastebuds.

I'd be interested as well, probably +1, depending on the date.

I couldn't get to the menu either, but found this one on menu pages.

Moving this to the 'front' page of the thread.

Weather on Sunday looks great, so come on out and join the fun! Fort Hunt Park, Space C-2, take the GW Parkway south of Alexandria and follow the signs for the park exit.

If you don't feel like cooking, bring your favorite cheese, baked good, charcuterie, etc from your favorite local spot. Beverages (water and non-alcoholic, as well as wine and beer) and paper goods are always good contributions.

Also, don't forget to bring some cash to kick in the pot to help cover the rental cost of the picnic space

Scott Johnston, cucas87 +2 deviled eggs, grilled veggies or veggie torte

Goodeats dumplings/wontons

John William G +1 cheese squares, beer or wine

TheMatt

DanielK +1

DCDeb + 1 (tentative)

Weezy middle Eastern chicken salad, GF key lime bars (maybe)

Iolaire +3 side, dessert, non-alcoholic beverage

Barbara, DameEdna chicken liver pate, cheesecake

Nena

Ktmoomau

thistle +2 pork butt, pound cake

Goldenticket +1 mac n cheese, dessert

lperry +1

agm, NotQuickDraw ribs

Crackers, Jacques Gastreaux +1(?) goose pastrami, MPSfH

1000yregg

Fishinnards lamb biryani (?)

ol_ironstomach

Rhone1998 +1

Pat +1 orzo feta salad, brownies

Ilaine +1 beer, ice chest, ice, food TBD

Skipper10 ice chest, ice

bbq4me

sparkycom

Still plenty of time to reply (or PM me) that you're coming. RSVPs are nice, but not required. If you don't feel like cooking, bring your favorite cheese, baked good, charcuterie, etc from your favorite local spot. Beverages (water and non-alcoholic, as well as wine and beer) and paper goods are always good contributions.

Also, don't forget to bring some cash to kick in the pot to help cover the rental cost of the picnic space

Here's the latest list:

Scott Johnston, cucas87 +1 deviled eggs, haggis

Goodeats dumplings/wontons

John William G +1

TheMatt

DanielK +1

DCDeb + 1 (tentative)

Weezy middle Eastern chicken salad, GF key lime bars (maybe)

Iolaire +2 side, dessert, non-alcoholic beverage

Barbara, DameEdna chicken liver pate, cheesecake

Nena

Ktmoomau

thistle +2 pork butt, pound cake

Goldenticket +1

lperry +1

agm, NotQuickDraw ribs, fancy mac n cheese (tentative)

Crackers, Jacques Gastreaux +1(?) goose pastrami, MPSfH

1000yregg

Fishinnards lamb biryani (?)

ol_ironstomach

Rhone1998 +1

Pat +1 orzo feta salad, brownies

Ilaine +1 beer, ice chest, ice, food TBD

Skipper10 ice chest, ice

I had the pleasure of attending the inaugural "Beast" on Monday evening, and thoroughly enjoyed it. If you like to get up close and personal with your meat, this is an (monthly) event you won't want to miss.

SF butcher Julien Shapiro walked the group through the butchering of a side of Randall Lineback veal. I learned a lot of about cuts I'd never heard of before, as well as the breed history, suggested cooking techniques, and lots of other tidbits. We also enjoyed some of Julien's delicious creations: rindswurst, his 'reuben' terrine, fricandeau, and a bit of a barded veal roast. $45 includes the class, nibbles, and wine. Future classes may feature other animals, such as lamb.

Oh yeah, these are good cookies. Picked some up from the minibar offerings at the Ace Hotel and was really pleased with how tasty they are! Good to know I can find them in the DC area, too.

Affluent Americans who are abusively apologetic for all the tangible evil and oppression this country has deliberately promoted world-wide should calculate the Fojol Bros’ legitimate offense handicap for selling vegetarian food -the conscientious consumer’s war cry- from fictitious lands in an effort to make money by selling a product that pleases people.

The Fojol Bros, like Star Wars aliens, are figments of imagination.

Maybe I'm naive or ignorant or insensitive, but fictional kitsch is what I took Fojol Bros for from the get-go. The kind of made-up place names, the carnival truck reminiscent of Professor Marvel's wagon in the Wizard of Oz or a circus wagon; just something silly and fun. And halfway decent and different street food to go along with it.

My ideal endgame in the Fojol thing in particular would be something like (1) the Fojol bros recognize that part of their existing schtick (sp?) rubs some reasonable people the wrong way with no real countervailing value, and that they work towards some change in their style, less costumery of an identifiably "Indian" vibe and more focused on the circus/carnie/medicine-show thing that is the better/funnier element of what they're doing,

I guess the traveling culinary carnival needs to be more carnival and less 'ethnic' to be non-offensive.

Having read this thread in its entirety, I do understand where those who are offended are coming from. I may get flamed for this, but I think it's a shame that people are so quick to look for things to offended by, especially things that don't seem to have any malicious intent. The Fojol guys seem to be interested in being good citizens; their website says a portion of their proceeds fund at-risk youth programs (no way to verify this is actually happening) and they use recyclable/compostable materials. They say any publicity is good publicity.

Ricky Gervais wasn't mentioned anywhere, but I know I struggle when I watch the original BBC version of The Office and Extras. I can't help but laugh and am mortified at the same time. His comedy is very uncomfortable because it says out loud things many/most/all of us may think from time to time. Does that make us bad people? It all comes down to how we choose to treat each other, in my opinion. Discussions like this just provide more food for thought and insight into how our perceptions may differ from those of others. There's a lot to be learned and shared, especially when we can have a respectful, thoughtful dialogue.

PS - Come on out to the picnic on June 3 - we can talk about this topic and lots of other things over some great food and drink!

Can someone post links to pictures of previous picnics? That ought to do it.

1000yregg's pix from Fall 2011 Picnic and the Spring 2011 picnic

and from the Spring 2010 5th Anniversary Picnic (pig, food, dessert & drinks)

I hope our resident photo-documentarian can join us this time!

And a few from the very first picnic. I wasn't there, but it was the pictures of the ventworm cake that drew me in

To see more, search on Picnic in the Events forum and you'll find threads for all of the past picnics.

Can someone please fill me in on what is going on with this kluge? I understand neither the pre-merger companies, the post-merger company, the divesture (if there is one), the closures (if any), and not much else, either.

What happened with what apparently were three independent businesses?

[if someone could help me sort through this tangle of thorns, I'd appreciate it.]

Cheers,

Rocks

I don't know any specifics, but can tell you there are currently two locations in Alexandria. One is in Del Ray (Artfully Chocolate), recently renovated, which now has a 'food and fizz bar', serving sliders and floats. The other is in Old Town (Artfully Gifts and Chocolate - in the Carlyle area), where they apparently host yappie hours every other Friday.

Both carry chocolates from Kingsbury (also available through the online store), along with other vendors including Christopher's.