goldenticket

Heirloom tomatoes and the fun of picking them out at the farmer's market. Tomato lovers will appreciate this article from today's Post:

Heirloom Tomatoes

Also stone fruit, like peaches and nectarines...

I haven't really intentionally gone out looking for wild food - but one of my most pleasant recent memories is from last summer. We were on the way back from a wedding near Solomon's Island, MD, and stopped for a walk around Sotterley Plantation. As we strolled down the Rolling Road (where they used to roll hogshead of tobacco down to the creek) we came across endless raspberry bushes that were full of perfect ripe berries. We ate our way up and down the road and wished we had a basket to fill up for the trip home. They were sweet and juicy and warm from the sun - what a treat!

I also remember picking wild raspberries in the woods across from my grandmother's house on King Street, next to Chinquapin Park in Alexandria. They might still grow there but I think they spray insecticide in those woods now...

Does anybody know if there is a set fee for wine pairings based on a 5 or seven course (like the Lab) meal or does Vincent Feraud just select pairings for you based on your requests?

Alan7147 - I'm pretty sure you can do a pairing for each course if you like - I don't know what the cost is for that. We opted to have fewer glasses of wine than courses - it was a work night Vincent picked a nice one to start with, noticed our glasses were about empty as we started the 3rd course and offered a half glass of something different - same for the later courses - and we switched from white to red. (I didn't see the bill so I don't know what the cost wound up being to compare to the cost of a wine pairing for each course). I'm adding the names of the wines to my post right now.

For some reason, I can't edit my lengthy post above, so here are the wines (I'm missing the name of the last red) we enjoyed:

Riesling 2003 Ehrhart, Grand Cru Schlossberg

Sauvignon Blanc 2003 Ronco Del Cero Venica - a nice change from the New Zealand Sauv. Blancs

Chianti Riserva 2001 St Vincenti Tuscany - yummm...

We did the matched pairing at Eve for the 9 course menu a few months back and it was great but that was A LOT of drinks! Esp. on a Monday night

A quick search prompted by this thread uncovered a can of Campbell's Cream of Mushroom soup dated May 2000...

Cleaning out another cabinet a few days ago led to throwing out some random dip/spread mixes that had been purchased at a long-ago Sugarloaf Crafts Festival. The exact year has been forgotten, but I'd wager a guess that it was pre-1995.

Not sure which is more embarrassing - that I actually bought this crap or the fact that I kept it for so long!

So, I'm not a big fan of birthdays aside from the fact that they provide an excuse to go out and eat REALLY good food, which I had the opportunity to do last Wednesday at Maestro. This was the 2nd annual birthday outing there and I hope the tradition will continue

We were seated at one of the tables right in front of the kitchen, which was just fine with me, as I find the whole - near silent - 'performance' to be completely fascinating. Unfortunately, Chef Trabocchi wasn't in the kitchen, having been called away to a charity event at the last minute. I was pleasantly surprised to find a handwritten note from him on our table, apologizing that he couldn't meet us, but was sure he'd see us again (that's a given ).

After much mulling over the menu, we gave up trying to make our own decisions and turned ourselves over to the capable folks in kitchen (sous-chefs Stefano and ? didn't catch the other's name) and ordered the 7-course "Creazione" tasting menu.

We were treated to an amuse bouche similar to one described elsewhere - 2 tuile tubes, one filled with tuna tartare, the other with buffalo mozzarella, and both topped with little olive-shaped black olive tapenede morsels. This was followed by a perfectly seared scallop on the thinnest of crostini, accompanied by a little test tube that we were instructed to uncork and drink from after eating the scallop. It was filled with just a swallow of a lovely fennel soup. (I could spend days describing the presentation - for me, it 's a key component of the experience and makes me wish I had the digital means to have captured images of each dish)

Next we actually got the first course...the aforementioned

Il semaforo dei pesci su una piastra graziosa

Next was CARPACCIO 2005....I really wish I had a picture of this one! It came out in a hollow glass tube, with 5 indentations in the top, imagine something that could hold votive candles. The waiter produced from inside the tube a giant pair of tweezers and a chopstick rest... we were told to use the tweezers to eat the dish. On either end were bite-sized pieces of seared foie gras - the other 3 sections held carpaccio wrapped around a tofu cube - two were topped with a little morsel of a mushroom mixture on a piece of aged parmesan, the center piece was topped by a poached quail egg atop a crispy parmesan wafer. All three were in a pool of 50 year old Balsamic.....this dish has haunted me since then - the perfect taste/texture combination....drool...

Next were seasoned shrimp (seared on the flattop) nestled on a corn cappucino. Very simple but really flavorful - the shrimp was just the right amount of underdone in the center and the 'cappucino' provided a hint of sweetness.

These 3 course were accompanied by a Riesling and then an Italian Sauvignon Blanc, as recommended by the amazing, helpful, and very friendly sommelier, Vincent Feraud. He obviously enjoys his work and was very pleasant to interact with - not at all intimidating.

Plate #4 was a duck confit tortellini in a delicate consomme with 'minestrone' of vegetables. The duck was tender and tasty and the flavor of the consomme was delicate but rich.

5th course was hay-smoked turbot with crushed fingerling potatoes, a glazed shallot and hay sauce (more like a foam). The hay really flavors the fish and gives it an unusual, but very tasty, flavor.

Next was the one thing I would never have ordered if I'd been choosing my own courses - the goat or

Il Capretto (2 ways) Charcoal Grilled Goat Chop, Pancetta and Salsa Verde, Terrine of Braised Legs, Goat Consommé, Spaetzle

These 3 courses were paired with a chianti (I'll fill in the names later) that was full of flavor and worked well with all of the dishes.

I opted for the cheese course - which included a robiola, gorgonzola piccante, and taleggio. Mr. GT was presented with the lychee panna cotta topped with basil grappa (Wow!) and a chocolate dish that included praline ice cream. THEN they brought out the birthday cake...the white chocolate raspberry confection someone else has mentioned...and split it into a plate for each of us. The never ending extravaganza finally ended with a plethora of mignardises...mini molten chocolate cake, white chocolate covered guavaberry sorbet bonbons, the teeniest, lemoniest little madeleines, and plate with grapefruit gelee, a praline truffle, and mini macaroons. [Groan] What a feast! And actually, due to the just-right portions, we really weren't overstuffed, just very pleasantly sated.

The service was excellent and I love the way the whole staff works as a team to create a flawless experience - cutlery appears from nowhere, plates are whisked away without even being noticed... Few places are able to provide an experience of this caliber...

Sorry for such a long post but I think this meal deserved the attention to detail!

My Kotobuki addiction continues (thanks you to DR'ers!) - went for my (almost) weekly fix on Friday night. It was a little later (maybe 9:30) and it was pretty empty but the sushi was excellent as always. The white tuna is definitely my favorite, with the spicy tuna and avocado roll a close second. The seaweed salad is a nice way to start the meal - tasty and crunchy!

It IS the best deal in the city - we regularly eat far more than should be allowed and our bill is never more than $40 for 2 (w/beers included). Now I'm sitting here wondering when I can make my next trek up there (and I haven't even had my first cup of coffee!)

I tried the kamameshi a few visits ago. I think I'll give it another shot in the winter - it seems like it would be nice and filling on a cold evening. The eel was delicious, but it just seemed a bit dry and not all that interesting - at least with all the great sushi available at the same time.

I noticed the DCist writeup posted on the wall - Kanishka, is that your work?

My vote goes to the [Laughing] Lizard Lounge on upper King St. in Alexandria. Just the walk up the creaky stairs to the bar satisfies the dive criteria, never mind the fun of stepping out of the "ladies room" to wash your hands in the sink that's out in the hallway... great jukebox and always someone interesting to talk to (or just watch)...Larry's a great bartender too.

Will we find out at the Tom Chat today? (why does that sound like an item at a Thai/Indian restaurant?

(sorry - totally off topic...you know TomKat...TomChat...get it?)

The Ritz-Carlton is tossing out Fabio Trabocchi and will re-open the space as an Olive Garden

1 organic Weetabix biscuit and some skim milk

Has anyone else heard that the chef is leaving and turning the kitchen over to the sous chef?

SAYING HER GOODBYES: The heart and soul of the four-year-old Majestic Cafe (911 King St., Alexandria; 703-837-9117) is leaving the restaurant, and the Washington area, next month. Susan McCreight Lindeborg recently announced that she and her husband, Richard Lindeborg , are returning to the place she grew up -- Las Vegas, N.M. -- "before we get too old to do the hiking." While the chef says she has no plans to open a restaurant out west, she hopes to "still be involved in food" there, perhaps in connection with a local university. Fans of her southern-style cooking shouldn't fret too much: Taking her place in the kitchen will be the current chef de cuisine, Joe Raffa , a graduate of L'Academie de Cuisine in Gaithersburg who worked under Lindeborg when she was the top toque at the Morrison-Clark Inn in Washington. Lindeborg plans to visit and to consult from afar. But first, the veteran chef has to tackle something foreign: "I have to learn to cook at home," she jokes.

got a dozen ears of corn from Tiogo yesterday at Court House. It was yellow corn and pretty tasty....for yellow corn .....the tomatoes and white peaches from Tioga were........da bomb.

Oh yes, those white peaches...mmmmmmm!

I picked up some really nice heirloom tomatoes from Reid's at the USDA market on Friday. They had a wonderful selection of really nice, very tasty, tomatoes. Enjoyed some freshly sliced Mr. Stripey on Firehook whole wheat with tuna for dinner last night (along with that yummy yellow corn)...

our server, Derek, was so considerate and fun.

Your last hope for haggis may have been dashed with the recent closure of Scotland Yard in Old Town Alexandria. Not sure that's a big loss

I've always had good luck at the Clyde's at Mark Center in Alexandria. I know it's kind of 'suburban' but it's been an option that pleases a wide variety of tastes in my family. They always have local and seasonal items on the menu and a good range of salads, sandwiches, entrees, meat, seafood, etc. so there is usually something to appeal to everyone. It's part of a local chain so that sort of meets the "typical" DC place. *and they take reservations*

The Mark Center location has several different 'themed' rooms so they should be able to accomodate your group. I don't know about the other Clyde's locations, but this one is convenient to 395 - not much to see in the area, but if they've done the sightseeing that might not be an issue. Maybe others have had experience with other locations.

Union Street Public House or Southside 815 in Old Town Alexandria are also casual places that would put you somewhere where you could take a walk around after dinner.

all the maraschino cherry left overs are given to a local farmer to feed her bees. The honey is a result of that

I knew it was local honey, but didn't know the backstory - thanks for that info! It makes Bee Sting that much yummier!

Mmmmmmmmmmm - Bee Sting frozen custard. Today's (and yesterday's) flavor. I knew it had to have honey in it, but it turns out it's got a baklava thing going on. Honey, plus baked phyllo, and chopped almonds in vanilla custard.

It was SO good, that pint that was supposed to last 2 of us for a few days, well, um, it's an empty container in the trashcan...

fortunately I thought to bring home a Mozambique flavor custard sandwich made with Ginger cookies.

Thanks for the tip Crescentfresh! I'll have to work up something real purty for Friday!

Seriously (sort of) - I'm not looking for special privileges, just wondering if there was some way to (politely) say "Hey, I know you from DR.com"

I'm FINALLY getting to Corduroy tomorrow for their extended RW (it is still going on, right?).  ... What is the proper dress?

PS - As a newbie, I was wondering if you DR.com-ers identify yourself to staff that are regulars on the board (when reserving, when arriving)?? Just wondering what's appropriate...

"more! Give us more!"

I'm having flashbacks to that hotel dining room in Louisville, in the late 80s, where we had the joy of hosting such groups as the "National Nostalgic NOVA (as in the car) Convention".

OR even more 'fun' - the group of 30 Frenchmen who were making the rounds going to garden shows across the U.S.

I, the eager young French major, got stuck waiting on the whole group - alone. Half of them ordered the "Sole Veronique" which no one EVER ordered...the line cook, who was 'in charge' that night as it was a Sunday, had to make up another 10 orders since we only kept a few on hand. Sadly, he slipped on a wet mat just after taking them out of the oven. While he was not badly burned, it was quite a long wait for that part of the order to be remade and finally make its way to the table. Didn't quite turn out to be the opportunity to practice my French that I had hoped for.

But I digress... all I can say is Nadya (and Danny):

"more! Give us more!"

So Nadya - any more entertaining stories to share from Restaurant Week? The first one was great - hope you have some more to share now that RW is behind you - hope it wasn't too crazy!

Chef - Thank you for bringing such wonderful food, wine, drink, and ambience to Old Town!

As both you and your wife are so involved in the operation of Restaurant Eve, how do you balance your family life?

I would think it's challenging, and I'm sure difficult at times, to maintain a reasonable quality of life, particularly given the fact that you have two young children.

Thanks again for taking the time to do this - it's very interesting and much appreciated.

It's also really nice to see you supporting our local merchants and farmers. You and I were in Cheesetique at the same time one afternoon - your order was just a wee bit bigger than mine

Old Town Alexandria has Las Tapas on King Street, which is a few steps above the dreadful La Tasca (Now with two locations to serve you!) but far below the quality of Jaleo.

I tried Las Tapas for the first time last night (after 7 years of living just down the road). Have to agree that it's not on par w/Jaleo. But I think Zaytinya is even better and I really like the wide variety of 'tapas' they offer.

We (4 of us) tried:

1 - Queso Manchego

2 - Ceviche de Pescado y Mariscos: Scallops, shrimp, calamari, flounder and salmon marinated in lemon and fresh cilantro

3 - Avocado Relleno De Gambas: Large shrimp steamed with herbs served in half of an avocado with calypso sauce and cocktail sauce

4 - Spanakopeta (Spanish spelling for Greek dish??)

5 - Grilled calamari with olive oil and garlic.

6 - Stuffed veal scaloppini braised in Spanish wine Sauce

7 - Croquetas De Pollo Y Queso - Spanish cheese w/chicken served w/tomato sauce

We ordered Chorizo but it never showed up.

My favorites were the ceviche, grilled calamari, and Manchego (you can never go wrong with cheese in my book! ) - the seafood tasted fresh and the ceviche had a nice kick with some fresh jalapenos in it.

We also shared 2 paellas (Valenciana and Marinera)- pretty mediocre, but more than enough food with all of the tapas to start. The (red) Sangria was tasty, but at $26 a pitcher, pretty pricey, so 2 pitchers accounted for almost a third of our bill.

The best part though, in my opinion, was the live Flamenco show - the dancers were great!

Had to chime in about a lovely little spot where we had a wonderful lunch at in March. It's called Pizzicato and is a few blocks from the Ben Franklin House at 3rd and Market. Nice and sunny, as it's on the corner of the block, and lively, with an open kitchen.

Since then, I've been thinking about the honey lavender dressing on the salad I had, which was a tasty mix of pears, gorgonzola, crispy pancetta and some very nice greens. One of these days I'm going to have to try to recreate the dressing, as I asked for the recipe since it was so good.

We also enjoyed the calamari appetizer dressed with a trio of sauces - plum, a spicy marinara and a third one that escapes me. A seafood pasta dish was generously loaded with all sorts of shrimp, scallops, squid, etc. and the pizza was nice and crispy.

Nicest treat of all was that the meal ended with a dessert on the house, just because the manager was a nice guy.

I'm not entirely convinced that this is the correct date.

I found the date in the article that is linked in my original post about Orleans House.

Not sure about the other location.

and another Alexandria spot:

Taverna Cretekou - 1973