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My feeling is if you are going to use expensive beans don't settle for mediocre methodology. Invest in a high quality grinder. With practice a pour over system, French Press or Aeropress- all of which are cheap - will get you coffee shop quality brew. That said, I also love my Nespresso machine for speed and ease of use to quality ratio. Now that the pods are off patent in Europe there are some well made refillable pods that can be ordered and I imagine with some ingenuity you could hack a great espresso.

We had a positive experience with Pyramid Granite in Springfield, Virginia. http://www.pyramidgranite.us/ They were very easy to work with and have a great selection with competitive prices. They were recommended by the contractor who did our extensive home remodel. Our space was large and the cuts somewhat complex. We are very happy with their work three years later - the counters have held up well. They also helped get us out of a jam that another granite provider got us into- we wanted an exotic but small piece for our hearth. The other provider sold us a piece of granite that arrived cut to the wrong size and then refused to fix it or pick up the piece of stone. We went back to Pyramid, found a better priced, better quality piece of stone that we liked much better. They delivered that piece of stone quickly as well.

Question- I've only ever been to the Bon Chon in Manhattan at 32nd and 5th which is akin to a fried chicken night club in the evening. They have great cocktails. Do the DMV area Bon Chon locations have adult beverages?

Grilled avocado with ramp pesto and cotija cheese Grilled miso-honey marinated chicken thighs Ottolenghi tabbouleh Grilled apricots with Siggis 4% vanilla yogurt and pomegranate seeds 2011 Recaredo Intens Rosat Brut Nature Gran Reserva

Having been to both in the past year, my vote is for Paris. Nothing can compete with the pure romance of Paris. The dollar is so strong right now against the Euro that the cost issue is slightly less relevant. Wander, nibble and enjoy the joie de vivre.

We just got back from a quick long weekend visit to Barcelona. The city is much changed since our first time there in 2006 - it feels safer, cleaner, more welcoming. We were last in Spain in 2009 for a mega foodie blitz that we planned around a reservation at El Bulli and the trip started in San Sebastian including meals at Mugaritz and Extebarri, a drive through Rioja, then a day in Girona and meal at El Cellar de Can Rocas before heading to Rosas for the meal at El Bulli finally ending in Barcelona - one must purchase meats to smuggle back into the country. It was ten days of once in a lifetime meals, our favorites being El Cellar de Can Rocas and Extebarri. We swore we would return to both. So a year ago, we made a reservation at El Cellar de Can Rocas. We did a mini-recreation of the infamous 2009 trip on this visit to Barcelona - a return to Can Rocas with meals at Tickets and Disfrutar in Barcelona and some late night pintxos upon arrival. Girona El Cellar de Can Rocas - it was as good, if not better than we remembered. The food, service and wine pairings were impeccable and inventive. The food is visually arresting. We are so happy we went back. Gelateria Rocambolesc - the Rocas brothers have an ice cream shop. Fascinating flavor combinations and really interesting toppings including cotton candy. Long line but totally worth it. Barcelona Tickets - When we went to El Bulli in 2009 we didn't get the famous spherical olives, they're on the menu at Tickets and we took full advantage. They will pick items for you and basically keep sending food until you cry mercy. We definitely over-ordered ending up with something in the neighborhood of thirty items. There were only a couple items we wouldn't recommend someone else order and things we would say do not miss. Desserts were not nearly as exciting as the savory items. The setting is fun and casual. Disfrutar - This restaurant is brand new. Opened by El Bulli alums. We went for a late lunch the day we arrived in Barcelona. it is a long and inventive tasting menu and have a great wine list. We really enjoyed it and it is definitely reminiscent of El Bulli - they also do the spherical olive. The setting is very modern. The food is fantastic, but with room to mature. I think this is destined to a must visit place. Boqueria - It is a tourist trap. But a photographer's dream and the fruit stands are bigger and more expansive than we remembered while fish/seafood and meats seem less prominent than our last two visits to the city. But each time we've been we've had a great meal at Kiosk Universal - they serve super fresh seafood a la plancha and seasonal vegetables plus other local specialties. These are always some of our most memorable meals and the tiny, sweet clams are something you dream of. Vila Viniteca - Great wine shop, they speak English and have plane ready boxes. We bought a case of interesting Cava and library reds to bring home. Caelum - They sell artisan foods made by nuns and monks around Spain and have a little tea shop. I love this store, it is a little touristy but I don't care. They make amazing hot chocolate and lots of lovely pastries. Baluard Bakery - Excellent bakery. Good place to grab a snack relatively close to the Sagrada Familia. We've stayed at Casa Camper a couple times now, and definitely recommend this hotel highly. Not cheap, but if you are someone who appreciates amenities and American sized rooms it is a good choice right off Las Ramblas. Photos are all up on Instagram

Torrential rain couldn't keep us away from our rooftop table on Saturday night. Kudos to the Rose's team and their extraordinary good humor and flowing drinks while we waited out the storm. This was our second time dining on the roof and it seems like their is much more structure to the process than there was last summer. The meal was fantastic and the wine recommendations excellent including but not limited to a 2007 Monleale and 2011 Domaine Lucci Gris Noir (so funky, so awesome). We had such an incredibly fun time. We will be back! Photos are up on Instagram @mmusikerrd

Terasol in Chevy Chase for french cafe/bistro.

This is exciting news. I couldn't tell if the coffee there was lackluster because of the beans or the brewing method. Hopefully the former and this change will drastically improve the offering.

La Morelia is my go to for cold brew - super mellow, very low acidity with a hint of nutty sweetness and chocolate. I love it.

Karlaca had a stand at the UDC Farmer's Market in Van Ness this past summer (I sincerely hope they return this coming season) and quickly became a favorite of mine. They would have both cold brew and pour overs available at shockingly reasonable prices given the quality of the product. I have a stockpile of their single grower beans, that I use at home in the Chemex (hot and cold) but have also had great results in a French Press and cold brew. In general, I think their beans produce a really balanced, generally low acidity cup of coffee. As local roasters go, I really think they are one of the best.

Ordered delivery from Dumplings and Beyond tonight. I got the wonton soup. Lovely delicate wontons filled with flavorful shrimp. The broth wasn't too exciting but the wontons made up for it. I also got an order of the beef and celery and pork and chive dumplings. They're really good! Beef and celery were a little greasy but very savory. Celery and pork were just delish. Will be ordering this all again. Note that their delivery area is technically a 2 mile radius but the manager ok'd delivery to my house near Van Ness 2.2 miles away.

2014 was an epic dining year for us - as I type up this list I wonder how we pulled this off without simultaneously going broke and gaining 50 pounds. In DC - Our two best meals were Rose's Rooftop and our final meal at Palena. Both memorable in different ways. NY - Eleven Madison Park was memorable and excellent. The wine we had the next day at Maialino was better - the food just a side dish to the old Italian bottles. CA- Ad Hoc Best for purely memorable and special - Mezze in East Jerusalem at a restaurant without a name Buenos Aires - Aramburu, Hernan Gripponi, Parilla Don Julia, El San Juanino Tokyo - Rakutei, Yoshitaki, Den, Hiosaku, L'Osier also Tuna 'tastes' in Tsujiki London - Dinner, Fat Duck, Five Fields, Gykhana, Dishoom, The Ledbury Paris - Porte 12 Copenhagen - Relae, Noma Cape Town - Savoy Cabbage, Test Kitchen Tokyo -

Noted Don's tweet: @dcdining A great write-up about perhaps the most underrated, and one of the very best, restaurants in the area: @RedHenDC http://goo.gl/dFzARg No question that RedHen is one of the best places to eat in DC right now. But underrated? It requires an act of planning, perseverance and strategery to get a weekend reservation or walk in and vie for a seat at the bar. Even a weeknight reservation after 6 pm or before 9:30 pm less than a week out is a stroke of pure luck. I realize popularity and critical recognition are not the same, but I didn't think RedHen suffers from a lack of either. Am I missing something?

You'll be at Mazza - Friendship Heights is a dead zone for food outside of Range/Aggio and Sushi Ko. I guess you could walk across the street to Clydes and for oysters. I haven't been to Sushi Ko in almost a year so can't speak to quality at the moment. Other options in that area that are good, but probably not what you are looking for - Macon Bistro, Terasol, and Masala Art. But you might also be fine trying for a walk in Blacksalt and sitting at the bar.

Tweet him. @Ruhlman. He is incredibly responsive.

I got take out from Lunchbox today. Admittedly I got there around 2:30 and the place was basically empty. That said service was efficient so maybe they've worked out the issues they had upon opening. I was in and out in a matter of minutes. I got their version of a Caesar salad that comes with kale, collard greens, roast chicken and granola croutons, a side of apple sauce and a cup of squash soup. I thought everything was pretty good, especially the salad. Dressing was a bit heavy handed for my taste but flavorful and the salad is hearty. I liked the soup too, which wasn't cream based and came with pepitas. It might be weird but I am a fool for good applesauce. I liked this version which wasn't too sweet and was served warm. Overall, I was happy with my lunch.

I think the version at Terasol in Chevy Chase DC might fit the bill in terms of traditionalism, ambiance and parking. Although I have not had it in awhile, Cafe Du Parc made a good french onion soup. Free validated parking couldn't get much easier and the ambiance is typically subdued. But it is a pricey bowl of soup.

We are members of several wine clubs. We've been debating joining the Enoteca Pitti wine club for awhile now but haven't as yet pulled the trigger. It is EXPENSIVE but intriguing if you are into esoteric Italian bottles.

Karlaca roasts their beans in DC. I'm sure if you emailed them you could get the freshest batch they've roasted. I love their beans. No bitterness, mild acidity. I've only made them as a pour over/chemex and a cold brew (both quick and soak methods) but been very happy with the results.

If you want even more "local" I am loving the beans from Karlaca coffee . The beans are Colombian but the company is based out of DC and is something of a start up at this point.

Central now serves brunch. $25 for three courses or $35 with bottomless drinks. As brunch goes this is a pretty strong balance of quantity and quality with a diverse menu. A group of six of us met there on Sunday and had a lovely time. My only quibble- a minor one - they have the caesar salad on the brunch menu and not the frisee and lardons with a poached egg. Otherwise, the food was all of the quality you'd expect from Central and the wait staff friendly and amiable. At 11 am when we arrived and around 1 when we left the place was barely half full and included Rush Limbaugh (or at least someone who looked a lot like him). I'd add this to the DC Weekend Brunch thread as well. Solid downtown option and good for a crowd.

You can get Kerrygold in packs of 3 x 8 oz bars at Costco. By far the most cost effective way to buy this product. Also because this is fascinating... Japan is currently experiencing a butter shortage leading to rationing ahead of the Christmas holiday.

Photos below... Porte 12 I would have to concur with Adam23's assessment of Porte 12. This place is destined for greatness. Our only turnoff was that half the place was from New York- clearly we all read the same blogs. Arpege I think Adam23 was a little harsh. It is very expensive and not life changing but if you want to experience truly perfectly and inventively prepared vegetables this is a place to go. And that one "terrible dish" it was just under seasoned. If you want to see a famous chef lose his shit, tell him you think he famous dish needs a touch of salt. Chef himself came over to apologize (leaving us with a small plate of Maldon to assure our food was "tasty enough") he personally prepared and delivered a new version of the course and stood over us watching while we ate it. Clearly we've been watching too much Top Chef...

Been editing photos from Adam23 and my "workcation" over the past couple months in London. Since our plans to go to Fat Duck on Christmas eve had to be scrapped due to their impending renovation, after eating at all the places below, we'll be going back to Dinner Heston Blumenthal's London outpost instead. Although quite honestly Gymkhana would be a good option as well... tough decisions... Photos from Fat Duck Photos from Ledbury Highlights from Seasonal Pantry, Five Fields, Gymkhana, Ottolenghi, Dinner, Typing Room & Clove Club here