lizzie

https://www.heilig-geist-spital.de/en/home-2/?Home This is a traditional restaurant and very pretty - on the river and city center. It is rather huge. I have not been since prior to covid and was there during the Christmas market, which added an element of spirit to the dinner. It had been recommended by someone who lived there.

Last year in Dublin had a great dinner at Matt the Thresher - mussels and a fish pie and some very nice oysters. Also trekked every morning to Bread 41 on Pearse St for pastries.

I spend quite a bit of time lately in New Orleans (and Baton Rouge) for my job. Peche is always a favorite - I love the baked drum and we always order oysters. Almost anything grilled is great. Also ate recently at Herbsaint - it was very good but still prefer Peche. Enjoyed the Scalibut at GW Fins - also had a local fish (can't remember) in a Thai coconut based dish. Tried the newish (I think) Briquette - very much enjoyed the oysters Rockefeller and Blackened Redfish. Sylvain has always been a favorite but have not been there post-Covid. It has the prettiest patio. And I cannot recommend enough - French Truck coffee. Walked quite a bit from my hotel on my most recent trip to get a cafe au lait and a New Orleans iced coffee to go for later in the day.

I follow them on Instagram but loved the magazine. I recently went through all my cooking magazine 'archives' and purged very many. I may now regret that. (and, hi Pat!)

I've been twice to the Outer Banks, so far this summer. One week in Corolla, in July, in a western-themed, smaller rental between the sound and the ocean. It had three bedrooms, perfect for the small group I was with. We did not eat out at all, except for a few excursions to Dairy Queen (no judgement please.) But we had great local seafood that we grilled at the rental, from Dockside Market and Seaside Market. Seaside has a larger variety of non-seafood items- produce, snacks, mixers, etc. It was a remoter-remote work week for me so I did not go to the beach everyday during the day. Early evenings on the beach saw few people - definitely no crowds. The beaches during the day were not too crowded either - we (ok, the newly licensed 16 year old son of a friend) drove most days to the 4-wheel drive beach. People were not all masked but did keep socially distant. Both the Food Lion and the Harris Teeter were enforcing mask rules - and the ABC store had a 5 (or 8?) person in-store limit. The people in the wild horse tour jeeps were generally not masked and often packed in those vehicles. We did not partake of that experience, but you could walk on the beach safely and still encounter the horses. I then spent a vacation week in August with the same group in a very large, tricked-out house in Salvo (and have this one again in October.) That part of the Outer Banks is much less crowded but also a lot fewer options if you want to venture out. But, many options for renting kayaks, SUPs, bikes etc. We stuck to the beach by our house and and had no crowds, although a bit closer to Rodanthe Pier saw a lot more people. The Food Lion is the only large grocery store on the island and they were enforcing masks and in-store crowding - we had to wait outside one time to get in. Mostly though we bought seafood at Austin South Island and cooked most meals. We got take-out pizza at Lisa's and some prepared meals at Austin South Island, and the kids got carry-out hotdogs at Frank's a few times. Waves Market has some essentials and a great beer selection, and there is a Dollar General for some basics. We normally go out to Top Dog and Waterman's (great sunset locale, room for kids to run around, and in more normal times, live music.) Both were open but we did not visit.

Harris Teeter on Harrison St in Arlington had it a few days ago.

1. Dr. Fauci is in good shape. I pass him running on a local route every week. 2 Perhaps we shouldn't have but my daughters and I ate at Chez Billy Sud for brunch today. Few tables occupied and we all were very far apart. This is going to devastate the local industry and the owner-run places (as opposed to corporate locations like a cheesecake factory) will be the ones that cannot survive and cannot come back. I am fearful for many dear friends and their livelihoods (both as owners and workers.) 3. I would not be surprised if by mid-week all restaurants, bars and retail shops will be ordered by the DC government to close.

Heading to Tupelo early October for a few days - anyone out there in Don Rockwell-land have any recommendations? Food, fun??

adaminamsterdam is an Instagram by a friend of my daughter. He posts a rather robust and very current list of a wide range of restaurants and coffee shops. I always recommend a stop at Eetsalon Van Dobben for a really traditional sandwich - especially the broodje kroket. My family like Hotel Notting Hill, near Heineken brewery and Albert Cuypmarkt, with easy tram access everywhere.

What was the ice cream and candy store on Wilson Blvd/Clarendon in the 90’s? Near Faccia Luna? Anyone remember who owned it?

My daughter and I had a great time. Simonetta was an amazingly patient and fun instructor. We learned so much. And the tasting after the class was the perfect ending. Many thanks to Katt for organizing this.

is there room for two (maybe three) more? I am definite for 2, waiting to hear from my other daughter if she is available.

I have been here twice now - and am a long time regular at Padaek. I really hope this food court can survive - even the small menu is so satisfying. While it is no longer on the menu, they have had crispy rice salad with tofu (and sour pork if you eat meat) that is so good (I believe it is called naem khao thadaeu and I don't know how I have missed this for so long at Padaek). The chef made it for me last night. The soups are as good as others noted above and are consistent with the high quality of the ones in the regular restaurants.

We usually go to Le Diplomate but since none of us eat turkey, cannot comment on the traditional part of the menu... Highly recommend a visit to the Botanic Gardens Christmas train room or the National Gallery that day (although the Botanic Gardens are getting more popular for a Thanksgiving visit each year and last year we bailed on the line.)

Business trip to Little Rock and Hot Springs next week (will be my 48th state!) . Any more recent recommendations in Little Rock? Traveling with colleagues on the government per diem so nothing too expensive.

Octopus cooked under a Paper Bag. My favorite appetizer there.

I sew - it's the Pennsylvania in me. And the 4H. I barter for wine and other spirits in exchange to help with Tae Kwon Do or Scout patches etc. Would love some help though with designing a not traditional t-shirt quilt (if we can make this a quilting thread too.) I want to integrate synchro swim medals and ribbons with the shirts.

I vote for the needing a new editor (gamas al ajillo??)

It is on Main St - I think it is Colombian Breeze. I have never been there - but arepas are on the menu. I think one of the biggest differences is the cheese used in the arepas. And I I often ate at La Caraquena. It was so good and will be missed. And I like the Royal - I have been there several times.

Pupusas are rather easy to find but not exactly the same as arepas. Other than the Colombian restaurant in Gaithersburg, I have not found arepas in a restaurant locally, but would love to know of some. There are two Venezuelan food trucks - Arepa Zone and Arepa Crew. I have had Arepa Zone's and those are fine. I would guess there are many smaller/ not necessarily named local food trucks that at least offer pupusas. But nothing comes near the arepas de choclo from roadside stands high in the Andes near Medellin.

I cannot go on that date, but if there ends up being room outside of the donrockwell community, I have lots of friends in that area who might be interested, including one couple (Denise and Bob Harter) who just are celebrating their 2 year ownership of the 1777 Americana Inn and Black Forest Brewery (http://www.1777americanainn.com/).

I agree the food is basically mediocre, but last week after a fun Christmas tree run downtown and with no reservations, ten of us were seated quickly here. This is after not even being able to get in the door of Old Ebbitt or the Hamilton and a few other places. Happy hour beer and wine specials were cheap and at least for beer had decent options; service was prompt and quite friendly, and without even asking our server gave us each individual checks. Sometimes that is enough to at least balance out the ok food.

My daughters and I opted to stay in DC last year and had a wonderful (about 70') day at the Christmas display at the Botanic Gardens, a few hours at the National Gallery, and then a leisurely and very enjoyable late lunch at Le Diplomate. None of us are fans of traditional Thanksgiving fare (which Le Diplomate offers) and two of us do not eat meat. It was perfect - we could order ala carte so did not have to pick around offerings more tied to the holiday. Mintwood has a fixed price Thanksgiving menu.

I agree on the Island Gourmet grocery store mentioned above for quick lunches to take as a picnic. Also, take the Old Mamalahoa Highway scenic drive and stop at What's Shakin' smoothie shack. Possibly the best smoothie I have ever enjoyed and it is a scenic drive. Donkey Balls chocolate factory is fun, well, just because. There is at least one farmer's market in Kona too. When you drive up to Mauna Kea for the star gazing, take warm clothing - highly recommend a hat and gloves. It gets cold when the sun sets (and get there before the sun sets as it can be stunning being above the clouds for it. Make sure you have enough gas for that and when you drive to the volcano - the drive back is long and very dark if later in the day. My daughter and I were coasting on fumes at one point. And go on a zodiac boat snorkeling tour - much better than the bigger boats. Several leave from Kona.

Colombian, not Columbian. Sorry - I lived there for a while and it holds a special place in my heart and my dictionary.