StorageLady

Got a phone call yesterday that they had a cancellation for next Saturday night, table for 4, at Table 21. SATURDAY! So, yes, the waiting list works. And sometimes, you get advance notice! Volt Saturday night, DR picnic Sunday...Better get my sans-a-belt slacks ready

We stopped by Volt during In The Street for lunch. While there, we tried to get reservations fro Table 21 for a date in the future. We were told that they were no longer taking reservations as they were fully booked through 2011 (yes, 11) Darn.

If you're feeling like some good old "don't care about fat or sugar or cholesterol" picnic fare: Broccoli Chopped red onion sunflower seeds raisins chopped crispy bacon Toss with dressing made with: Mayo, vinegar, sugar Let sit for a few hours. Yum. I feel my cholesterol rising.

I am the chair of my daughter's high school Safe & Sane Committee (Safe & Sane is a post-graduation party that begins immediately after graduation and goes through the night, ending at 6AM the following morning). The focus of the event is to keep the graduates off the roads on what is historically a very dangerous night for teen drivers. Anyway ..... in order to entice the kids to come to the school-sanctioned party instead of an open-field beer-fest, we are charged with organizing an entertaining, fun-filled, exciting night for them. ANd this all costs money. Lots of money. $30,000 - $40,000 on average. Yes, it's a ridiculous sum of money - but if our efforts succeed in keeping the kids from drinking and driving on graduation night, it's worth it. To raise the money, we sponsor lots of fundraisers throughout the year. ANd that is what I'm writing about today. I need some advice on how to approach some chefs to ask for their help in reaching our goal. In our town of Frederick, Maryland, we are indeed fortunate to have some very fine chefs. Some are famous, some aren't. The famous one, (our very own Bryan Voltaggio), is actually a graduate of the high school whose party I'm planning! I would really LOVE to invite Bryan to participate in an event that would help to raise money for our cause. He's such a prominent figure in the community, and his popularity is soaring here. The problem is, EVERYONE in our town seems to be asking him to donate something: time, food, facilities, etc. I'm concerned that I would be just another beggar in line for his valuable time! We do have the high school alum connection, so I'm hoping that will help our case. So - here are my questions for you. How should I approach him to request his help? Our theme for the party this year is "Jersey Shore". We were thinking of having some of the drama students meet with him in their Jersey Shore get-ups to ask for his help. Enticing or lame? What type of event do you think would be acceptable? (I know right now that a local charity is selling raffle tickets for a cooking lesson with him). Would people buy a $150 ticket to have dinner at Volt if it included one glass of wine and the chance for a meet and great with the chef? Do you think that there is any chance that other "Top Chef" chefs in our area might be willing to help? (Mike Isabella, Carla Hall, Spike Mendelsohn). If so - what type of event might encourage them to participate? Any advice you give would be greatly appreciated. Janis

Can't wait! Don and I are bringing along 2 DR newbies (not that I'm exactly a frequent flyer myself). My guests, Keith and Andrea are VERY excited to be coming as they are brand new to the whole phenom that is DR... See you all there!

Joe - I don't remember Squirrel Cage - is that new or did I forget? And rather than having "misspent" your youth - better to refer to it as adding to the rich fabric of your life! Thanks folks for the tips. I KNOW the kids are in for a trip to the "O", and Mineo's has been a go-to place for my family for over 50 years...I can't remember a time when I didn't have a slice from Mineo's on a trip to the burgh.

If we are lucky enough to snag some tickets for the NHL Winter Classic (Caps vs Pens) - we will be in PIttsburgh for New Years Eve. We will have a mixed group of adults and teens - so are looking for a place to eat that would not be a romantic, stay-till midnight drink champagne place. Since I went to school in Pgh, you would think I would have some ideas of my own. but I was a broke grad student and my idea of a big night out was 25 cent Iron city at Squirrel Hill cafe followed by a trip to Primantis after the bars closed. Consequently my dining experience in the steel city is somewhat limited. We will be staying near Pitt and CMU if that helps at all...I'm guessing there will be plenty of activities going on in town for First Night Pittsburgh - so that should keep us fairly well entertained! Thanks for any advice!

We will have a car, so will be able to go just about anywhere...But, we are also hoping to find at least a couple of places nearby as we will probably be beat by the end of the day, THanks..

ANy updates to restaurant choices in Kiawah? Group of 4 women going for a tennis excursion, so we will mostly be looking for some casual dining. I doubt I can convince them to go to McCrady's - only 1 other food-centric person in the group! On our last trip, we went to and enjoyed Poogan's Porch (hey, we're tourists ok?), Mustard Pot and the Boathouse...We love low country cooking, not especially interested in haute cuisine or foams... THoughts?

Something new in the Frederick Costco - they are now selling Prime beef in the meat section..Nice!

my kind of dinner...drooling...

I've never been to this event. Is it crazy crowded or can you actually see the "battles"? Also - is it a madhouse w/respect to sampling the food?

Don and I would like to attend - we are available all 4 Sundays you are considering

Back from Bar Harbor, and thought I would share my findings: Havana - GREAT drinks, good food but not spectacular. Loved the ambience McKays - good, but not fabulous food, good ambience, and a smarmy server Thurston's Lobster Pound - Fabulous lobster, quirky staff, out of the way location, nice spot on the water. Sweetest, most tneder lobster I've ever had. Burning Tree - Outstanding dinner of poached cod in a savory broth, a strawberry salad made with fresh produce from the onsite garden, and a wonderful strawberry cosmo (the best cosmo I've ever tasted, and trust me, I've had a few), mediocre dessert All four of us declared it to be the best dinner we had all week. I would definitely recommend driving the extra time to get here. A+ Morning Glory Bakery - a true find - nice chewy bagels baked fresh, and pastries/cookies made with real butter. Each day they had a different savory special that was very very good - for the plane trip home, I had a turnover filled with cauliflower, havarti & capers. Earlier, we had foccacia topped with tapenade, sundried tomatoes and sprinkle of cheese. One of my favorite places in BH Tamarind - meh This Way Cafe - very good breakfast spot - unusual omelettes, great service, and terrific ambience. Good coffee, too. Beal's Lobster Pound - had the lobster roll. It was fresh and toasty - but there wasn't much of it for $12 and it was a bit underseasoned

Another friend recommended these places - any thoughts? Havana McKays Public House Burning Tree Thanks all! I value the DR opinions above all others!

What's your real name? Just in case we get there, I'll tell him you sent us! Janis

4 days/nights in Bar Harbor coming up in a few days - any suggestions for us? Of course we plan on having at least one lobster roll...After that, a mix of casual dining and probably one nice evening out. Thanks!

[sounds like a pretty good trip food-wise! We may get to Playa for a day, but most likely we will be in Cancun (hotel and downtown). I did find some good suggestions on Chowhound and on a board called Cancuncare. There is a recent discussion about places the locals eat - so that was helpful. So far - no suggestions on places in the hotel zone - which I expected. I'll take along your list for our day trip to Playa! Thanks..

Jenna - please post after your trip and let me know if you found a great place to eat! We are heading to Cancun next month and are VERY tired of all of the touristy food traps....Have fun!

And wouldn't you know it , because of the blizzard: my son's college hockey game was cancelled, my brother's flight was cancelled, and my Dad's 80th birthday dinner was cancelled (well, postponed) . DANG!

Ummmmmmmmmm...YUM!

He lives in Amherst, NH - which I think is only about 30 minutes from Manchester. I had no idea it was a hub!

I think I'll stick with the $16/lb jamon from Isabellas! But, when I finally get my trip to Barcelona...well, Iberico for me!

Thanks for the links. It sounds perfect - I'm sure my Dad will love it! Little brother is flying in from NH for the dinner, and he's a huge fan of Vietnamese as well. Living up in the frozen tundra, he doesn't have much access to great ethnic food (unless he goes into Boston). So I'm sure he will be happy happy happy...

I didn't think that there was a Wegmans in Columbia - I thought my closest one was down near Sterling, VA....But thanks for the tips on the other places to order. I appreciate the help!