silentbob

I have cans of imported tomatoes from Arthur Avenue that are collecting dust in the basement, but want to try something other than a marinara or vodka cream sauce.

My plan is to stop by the Italian Store on Friday. Any ideas on what kind of meat-based sauces I can make? TIA.

Nutella on Ritz crackers.

What? It's quick and tasty!

Do they have any "unique" flavors, aside from the pomegranate sorbet mentioned in the article? I'm headed to Takoma Park tonight and may stop by beforehand.

So I called Capogiro last week, and it sounds like they're only sold at WFs in Philly and NYC right now.

I love Capogiro, but the pints retail for $10.  I'm not sure that's worth it when you can get it fresh from Isee Icy for $7 a pint.

Heard good things about Isee Icy -- that said, I'm looking for the outrageous flavor combinations that you'd usually only find at Capogiro or il Laboratorio. Thanks for the tip, though.

Hard to disagree with Gramercy Tavern's front room or Otto.

Even if you get gelato at Otto, I would recommend a pit stop at il Laboratorio as well.

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Pó (bioesq)

I never thought John Travolta was a particularly good actor, but his delivery of "sausages taste good, pork chops taste good" is classic. And don't forget...

VINCENT: Also, you know what they call a Quarter Pounder with Cheese in Paris?

JULES: They don't call it a Quarter Pounder with Cheese?

VINCENT: No, they got the metric system there, they wouldn't know what the fuck a Quarter Pounder is.

JULES: What'd they call it?

VINCENT: Royale with Cheese.

JULES: Royale with Cheese. What'd they call a Big Mac?

VINCENT: Big Mac's a Big Mac, but they call it Le Big Mac.

JULES: What do they call a Whopper?

VINCENT: I dunno, I didn't go into a Burger King. But you know what they put on french fries in Holland instead of ketchup?

JULES: What?

VINCENT: Mayonnaise.

JULES: Goddamn!

VINCENT: I seen 'em do it. And I don't mean a little bit on the side of the plate, they fuckin' drown 'em in it.

JULES: Uuccch!

Does anyone know if the Whole Foods in the area sell Capogiro gelato?

I am heading to San Francisco next week. I have reservations at the Slanted Door and Piparade. Any other suggestions for quick bites to eat (where I don't need a reservation)? Staying near Union Square, so walking distance would be great.

Cheers.

If you have any time scheduled for breakfast or a mid-afternoon snack, I highly recommend Tartine Bakery just outside the Mission. Their pain au chocolat is wonderful.

Somewhat closer to Union Square is Citizen Cake [Closed Dec, 2011] -- I haven't been but all my friends rave about the place.

Has anyone ever ordered from Saltworks, or know how their brands compare to what's available at Penzeys?

Fuji apple slices dipped in peanut butter, and a tall glass of chocolate milk.

Early dinner today. So I marinated the chuck eye steak in lime juice, garlic and jalapeno slices, and cumin. Grilled 4 minutes on the Foreman, and put the meat on some romaine with pears, pecans, and an onion vinaigrette.

Certainly not the best steak, but pretty damn satisfying for $1.99/pound.

Anyone have (good) experiences cooking or grilling chuck eye steak? Giant has a sale on them, USDA Choice, for $1.99 a pound this week. Wondering if I should take a chance.

The crab cake it is, then. Thanks for the tips.

Your Palm boycott sounds an awful lot like my Clyde's boycott.

Heh. The thing about Clyde's is that half the time my meals there are pretty good and half the time my meals there are pretty bad. Whereas at the Daily Grill, it's consistently mediocre. I'd rather flip a coin with Clyde's, on the chance that I catch them on a good day.

Thanks for the Lolita recommendation! I had a very good meal there last Sunday -- especially the skirt steak special with heirloom tomatoes and sweet corn.

Of course, Capogiro was splendid as well. I got the concord grape and white peach, both of which were like taking a bite of the actual fruit. I also tried a friend's sesame and ginger. Outrageously trippy.

We're headed to Clyde's for lunch next week because the only choices given to us were here, the Daily Grill, and the Palm -- I refuse to go back to the Palm due to horrible experiences on two separate occasions.

Anyone been recently who can recommend some reasonably decent menu options?

(yes, on paper the Palm is probably the superior option but this is a boycott I won't reconsider)

Are they open on weekends? And if so, what are their hours?

Has anyone been to the Farmers Market on Fridays in McLean? (or one within a 5 mile radius)

I was in California last year and had a great Westerly Sauvignon Blanc 2001. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be available around here. Anyone have recommendations for something very similar in the $15ish range?

Perhaps Palena's chicken isn't really chicken at all...

It's people. PEOPLE!

I still have dreams about my meal at Django back in June, particularly the goat cheese gnocchi and the ginormous cheese plate.

I've heard great things about Marigold, but only seem to pass through Philly on Sundays when it's not open.

How does Capogiro compare to Magruder's in Cleveland Park, or even il Laboratorio in NYC?

The Tysons Corner location is pretty good for business lunches as well. I'm quite surprised that the menu prices are so moderate, especially compared to Clyde's and the Daily Grill.

I WANT MAGNOLIA BAKERY CUPCAKES IN DC!

That's funny, most of my NYC friends believe that Magnolia is WAY overrated and undeserving of hype in the same way that Cakelove is here. I've tried Magnolia cupcakes twice and have only been whelmed.

Never been to Cakelove, and judging from everyone's comments, probably never will.

Thursday night is also hamburger night, so I'd consider getting that with one of the small plates -- unfortunately the fried fish with tartar crack, er, sauce doesn't seem to be on the menu anymore (boo hoo).