Pool Boy

Anyone know the hours at Ace?

Where?

Is this related to Cowgirl Creamery???

OK, is there a good place on the Maryland side of the Potomoc to get your knives professionally sharpened?

Also, WRT the Chef's Choice Electric Knofe Sharpener....Are there any downsides to using one of these (I have not as I do not own one) versus taking your knoves to somebody to do them for you?

TJ,

I highly recommend working with Joe if you are looking for something special.  I had commented on how much I liked the O/S that we had a while back and Joe managed to get me some at an excellent price.  Couldn't ask for better service or knowledge.  Excellent source if your others don't have what you want.

Thanks, deedub... O/S?? Wha?

I've ordered from only Stirling Fine Wines in NJ myself and even then I only went there in person. But, I do generally believe that some of the best prices on wine in the country are in NJ. I have heard very good things about Wine Library as well as K&L, too. WineZap and Wine Searcher are also very useful tools (though not perfect). Googling a wine you like also sometimes turns up retailers that carry the particular wine you're looking for, too.

OK, could you please tell me where this place is? Address? Phone? Web? Ahhhhhhh!

Thanks!

Firstly, might I suggest the thread go by its proper name, Firenze?

My favorite meal in Firenze was at Il Ritrovo (via de Pucci, 4A, Firenze, 055/281688). Very small and located in a basement, it's hard to find, but Marco and Rosetta treat you extremely well there. And the food is simple, but incredibly delicious!

I dined at Gary Danko about a year ago. I thought it was overrated. The food was good, the service was good. It was very fresh. But, IMO, there was not enough going on in any of the dishes to really blow me away. For the same moey or less, I'd go to Fleur de Lys [Closed Jun 28, 2014].

.

Be sure to take Barbara's advice seriously.  Joe is THE MAN!

Ace Beverage?

Que?

It was a lot of fun. 2003 Bordeax. 10 of them. Some good, some not. Not sure when the article will run, but I'll try to post some TNs later.

So this is how they select the panels?

No idea. Usually it seems it's only been 2-4 people, but this time it is eight. I'll report back after I attend.

I noticed that in the April 5th wine column, they asked people to email in if they'd like to participate in a wine tasting with WP Wine guy Ben Giliberti. So my wife encouraged me to email in and I did and they picked me.

Anyone else going to be attending this? It's on April 19 at 6. I think they said it'd be 8 people. Just wanted to know if any folks here'd be there, too.

Porkobuco...heh heh heh. Sounds good. Grazie!

It's been too long since I have been to Palena. I think I was last there in July or maybe earlier. I am going with my wife tonight to treat my father and his wife to a nice dinner out.

Anyone been in the last coupld of weeks that can enlighten what's new on the menu? We're going tonight.

In the battle of the barbecue in Cockeysville, I'd take Andy Nelson's over Corner Stable any day.

Details please? Where are they located? Phone #?

As for Corner Stable, I do like their stuff. I believe thatthey start the cooking proces by par-boiling them, but that is purely a guess. Surely not the best method, but I really do enjoy their ribs and fries and a Rolling Rock when I am up that way. And yes, I like G&M Crabcakes, too. What I like about them is that they are largely very different from other crabcakes -- unique.

I am going to dine here Saturday night with a dozen or so of my fellow wine-os. What's on the currnt menu that is a must not miss? I'll eat virtually anything everything. TIA!

Does the tip out policy differ significantly at really top end places? Say like at Maestro or say Le Bernardin in NYC? Just curious.

Also, I use 15% as my starting point and work up or down from there. And at places I frequent, I tip better for sure. But I am wondering if I am coming off as a cheapskate. As someone already asked, when did 15% become 20%? Sheesh/

Is Obelisk worthy of a re-look now?

My wife and I went back 5-6 years ago and it was good, but was not particularly memorable. The one thing I do remember was how few tables there were there and that they had great service.

There's on ein Laurel near my home. My wife and I dine there when we want a quick meal and have a hankering for their chili (I go Terligua, my wife goes for Cincinatti), usually as a chili mac or frito pie (I tried it as a bubba once and it was too much). Ilike their wings well enough, but have'nt had them for quite a while, but agree with the grilled comments. Their onion rings are greasy and huge, but good (especially with that side sauce). But oooooof can you get full there but quick.

Generally though, I prefer to make my own chili.

While the food was reliable and capable and decent...But the service and the singing waitstaff (seriously, they sing operatic arias, etc) is what makes this place. The Victor Cafe. Had a blast there last year with friends.

If y ou're willing to venture over to NW PG County (Laurel) try Laurel Meat Market on Main Street. If you want to be sure you get what you want and when you want it, it is best to order ahead. They have always been able to get me what I want and they cut to order and prep the meat any way you want.

Bonaparte sells their bread at the Dupont farmer's market.  Their baguette is good; their croissants a little loose but tasty.

Don, I do remember the guy in Oxon Hill but can't remember his name or the name of his shop.

Bonaparte's bread is excellent. If you have your heart set on getting the bread you want, better call a day ahead and order it. I go early and scarf up as many miches and pain de mies as they let me buy. Their pastries are excellent too.

In Columbia/Ellicott City, I'd also recommend Tersiguel's. But I like Cafe de Paris as well for something a bit more casual and fun. Trattoria e Pizzeria absolutely rocks. I still occasionaly stop by there to pick up a pizza even though I live in Laurel now (and get my pizza fix usually from Pasta Plus).

Laurel is pretty much a culinary wasteland for a good steak and seafood place though, which is the question at hand. If you go east on 198, though, before you get to NSA, there is a place called Casey's Crab Co that makes some of the best fish and chips I have ever had. Really great. It is more of a place to go buy fresh seafood and order takeout though -- no place to sit and eat.

For good steak and seafood, I'd really advise you to head in to DC. It's really not that far.

Another vote for Cellartracker. It is extremely useful and powerful.

Internet purchase of wine is useful as you can shop around and get the best deal. If you know what you ae looking for that is. Parker is Parker and knowing what he likes and doesn't (even if you do not match up to his style) is useful as you can determine if you'd like it based on his TNs or not. Ditto for any other person or persons that review wine.

I purchase not too much on the internet, but when I do, I know what I am looking for and price/service are king.

I am wine storage challenged too. I only have two small wine storage units capable of holding about 80 bottles. The rest go in to the coolest and darkest closet I have inside of styrofoam and then a cardboard box.

Home Depot generally carries a good, buut somewhat noisy, model by Sunbeam of all people that holds about 40 bottles or so for just $150 or so. Lowes carries a more expensive model that holds in the low 30s bottles and costs almost $300 (Haier?). Ideally though, imagine the most wine you could ever imagine having cellared. Got it in your head now? You sure? Ok good. Now triple it. That is how much storage capacity you should be prepared to buy. Seriously.

Dual zones are not too important IMO but a light can be handy. A tempoerature gauge would be nice, but I don't trust mine. Just buy some cheap thermometers and keep them in the unit until you get a feel for the temperature differences between the top and bottom of the unit.