Walrus

Don't know whether we're interesting or not, but (work permitting) we might be tempted into going out

Actually, the restaurant at Corduroy is closed on Sundays -- just the bar is open. We were there last weekend and had a delightful time talking with Tom, the bartender, as well as a very nice white burgandy

Last night, at Eve, I had the only meal that's brought tears (of joy) to my eyes. We started at the bar -- I had the Graham Beck champagne-style beverage (for a short time only, they're serving vintage at nonvintage prices -- and trust me, it's worth it! A beautiful drink indeed), Craig had the pickeled martini (with pickled air ), and my friends both had the mojito -- DELICIOUS. Then, at the table, Todd brought us a sample of his basil two ways cocktail -- outstanding. Sweet but light, with none of the alcoholic burn that I associate with cocktails -- the drinks at Eve are the only hard alcohol drinks that I can not only tolerate but enjoy. Then, the meal: I started with the tortellini with fava beans, in a sauce that rocked my world. Craig had the quail salad, and our friends had the beet salad and the mussels (which were liberally distributed around the table, with accolades all around). The beans were a surprise for me -- a great accompaniment for the luscious sauce -- though the pasta itself didn't leave a deep impression on me. Then, the main course. I had the hen special, and it blew me away. I mean, seriously, tears sprung to my eyes! The flavor, texture, saltiness and flavoring. Wow. I thought perhaps it had been brined, but Cathal said no -- so just beautifully cooked. A masterpiece. On the side was a (I believe) leg confit, with cooked cherries, and it also was superb. Best. Food. Ever. In fact, all of our dishes were so good that nobody _wanted_ to try anyone elses -- they were too wrapped up in the intricacies of their own food to want to spoil it with something outside their own dishes. Craig had the rockfish special, and our friends had the lamb and something else that the hen has wiped from my mind. Dessert was birthday cake and cherry fritters, with vanilla custard to share, plus one of our friends had an Irish coffee, made "the right way" -- by Cathal himself. We all lusted after it, but a sip to taste was all we were allowed Now, the wines. I couldn't begin to go through all the various glasses that we had, but I'll do what I can remember (which, embarrassingly, isn't anything like names, wineries, or anything useful -- just what I recall of the flavors). First, Ronnie, who sommoliered for us, was outstanding -- charming, personable, and willing to go through every course each of the four of us was having to make recommendations. Not that we've ever been disappointed with the service at Eve in any way, but he was a stand-out. After I started with the Beck sparkling wine, I moved on to a lovely white (not the pinot gris but...the other one) -- such flavor! It was great with the creamy sauce for the pasta -- cutting through while complementing. For the hen, I had a Rhone (the first one on the by-the-glass menu) that was exquisite. Craig had it with the quail for his first course, and only one sniff of his glass was enough to get me excited about having a glass all my own! (Insert evil, no, I'm not sharing, laugh here.) It was warm and spicy and delectable -- peppery and perfect (PERFECT) with the hen dish. I don't know that I've ever had a wine pair as nicely with a dish ever before. Craig had the rose with his fish, and that was also a stand-out glass. It began fruity and ended on a zingy, spicy note -- the finish lasted a long time and was a treat to the end. One of our friends had an Australian riesling that she said tasted very creamy, and our other friend had a red that was grapes -- big, black, juicy grapes -- through the finish. Yum. We decided that Eve is the sort of place where you could spend, you know, five or six hours at the bar, drinking, and not only never repeat yourself but never have a disappointing sip. Expect to see us there soon

We had a fantab dinner at Ray's last night -- Jared was wonderful -- steering us, surprisingly, to what turned out to be an OUTSTANDING pinot noir -- from Australia. It was fruity and light -- a very pretty wine. Yum. The salads had great flavor (if perhaps a smidge overdressed), and the steaks, as always, were superb. The key lime pie -- chosen even over chocolate! -- was also tart and tasty. We turned out to be an unexpectly difficult table, as one of our party was on a security detail and couldn't get away, so we were three for most of the evening (with a steak ordered and put aside to take home for him), but then he was free, and we were actually the last folks out. Thanks to Jared et al. for a great night out :-) We'll be back sooner next time!

We're heading to Morimoto the first weekend in June -- our annual pilgrimage :-) Something we didn't know about the omakase until our second visit is that if you choose, you can go beyond the three prices listed on the menu -- we went, I think, $30 more and got an omakase personally prepared by Morimoto himself -- including fugu!!!

We first had Gruet in Santacafe in Santa Fe and liked it so much we're probably serving it at our wedding (also in Santa Fe) -- we were thrilled to see it in Oyamel but haven't found it elsewhere in these parts...good to know that we'll see it at Corduroy! Can't wait for our next excursion

We also went for the 9 p.m. seating on the 14th. Everyone had a good time and enjoyed the atmoshere and the feeling of space that the architechture and layout inspire. I loved the wines we had -- especially the Amethyst Vinalia Meritage -- yum yum. It was light and airy, especially for a red, and I would be happy to have a couple cases in my closet! :-) I had the arugua salad, which was nice, if perhaps a little overdressed? The fennel was a nice touch. Personally, and maybe it's just that I've gotten overused to doing this at home, I might have added some dried cranberries or something to add to the flavor just a bit. I enjoyed the very flavorful boar sausage. I did think, and again this is entirely subjective!, that the pasta was just the littlest bit undercooked. Also, I was getting grit of some sort mixed in with the sauce. Not much -- a couple, three pieces -- but enough to make me hesitant with each mouthful. My least favorite part of the evening was the chicken -- it was almost completely flavorless and had lost most of its skin somewhere in the kitchen. That and the greens served with it were just plain blah. The polenta, however, was delicious! Creamy and flavorful (!), it struck just the right note with me. The cheeses were also lovely, though we all would have appreciated some coffee with them. I liked the Humboldt Fog and the ricotta (I think that's what it was!). Yum. In short, for $25, not a bad meal. I look forward to seeing what they can do when they're ready :-) Also, I LOVE the wine spigots! I want one in my house!!!

Sorry! Crapulous day at work = staying at home with a pizza from Lost Dog Cafe.

I think with Ethiopian, either you love it or you don't, and lot of that depends on the quality of your first experience. I first ate Ethiopian in Chicago and like it quite a lot. I enjoy (or have in the past) the food and the atmosphere at Zed's in Georgetown. Not a $20 place, but the food is nice :-)

We'll probably be there, but I'm not sure what we'll bring...from me, most likely something sweet :-) And if I'm lucky, Tripewriter will make one of his delicious salads!

I like the fries at Iota, in Arlington, and the lovely truffled fries at Firefly -- I have to be careful where I put them, though, as they have a tendency to mysteriously disappear if they're not under constant guard One thing I learned to love when I lived in England was fresh chips/fries with garlic mayonnaise. With a nice pint, it was, to me, the absolute perfect meal!

I know where you're coming from! Thanks to some bad (BAD!) tax advice last year, I'm taking a serious hit this year. Sigh. We like Mexicali Blues in Arlington. The food is good, the service friendly, and during happy hour (until 7 p.m.) you get one appetizer free for every one you order. Plus, on Thursdays, you get a live mariachi band :-) The one downside is that the food can be inconstent -- some days so good you do a little chair dance, some days just acceptable food to fill an empty stomach. Happy hour seems to increase your chances of good food -- I guess because it's busier? Enjoy! Now I wish I were going there for dinner ;-)

I'd love to come, but no can do. Big deadlines have made me a virtual zobmie and guaranteed to be no fun. Enjoy!

Hooray!

Rats...I had hoped to make a pilgrimage to try that strawberry beverage touted in Tom's chat...now what? Do I wait? Do I go? It being tax season ( ) finances only stretch to one trip. Any idea when Chef C will return?