catharine

Not fabulous, but this might help. (Scroll to the bottom.)

Congratulations!

We're heading here soon and it sounds like there is good food to be had at the resort. Has anyone tried restaurants in the surrounding area?

I had an extruder machine that I eventually gave away. Be aware that, without commercial equipment, it is not possible to use the hard semolina flours and get pasta like you can buy at the store. With regular flours, even penne, rigatoni, etc. will be soft in texture. The machines are fun, though. Like the Play Doh barbershop my cousin had when we were kids.

I've read a lot of reviews and it seems that this extruder works better than the previous KA models. Who knows. Maybe I'll get it and report back.

PS - I loved the Play Doh barbershop! I've mentioned it to a few people over the years and no one has heard of it. Funny.

This is an extruder, and does not appear to have the ability to roll out sheets of pasta, so you would not be able to make ravioli or other stuffed pastas with it.

True. Though I don't plan to give up my manual machine, just add to the kitchen gadget collection.

Now that you mention in, it all of the years I've owned my current machine, I've only made ravioli once. I think if I had to choose one I'd go for the extruder.

I have an old fashioned crank pasta machine. I like it, but it can be tricky to crank, push the pasta through, and catch the extruded pasta. Also, not sure if it is just me or my machine, but I find that the handle occassionally falls out.

I used the Kitchenaid rollers at a friend's house and it worked really well. I've been coveting it ever since. That is, until I learned about this baby.

The reviews are good and I'm hoping to get lucky for my birthday next month.

I haven't been to Tallula in a couple years I don't think, but am going on Saturday with the +1 and his parents. What's good on the new menu? Anything to be avoided?

I enjoyed a wonderful meal at Tallula last night. I very much enjoyed the cod that others mentioned. However, my companion had the duck breast and it was outstanding. I highly recommend it.

The mushroom soup was a nice starter, but kind of underwhelming. (I guess I got spoiled by Palena's butternut squash and shiitake soup last week.) I was similarly unimpressed by the belgian waffle dessert. Nevertheless, I was really pleased with the meal overall and look forward to returning soon.

Stopped by today and met Justin (and his wonderful staff).The shop looks great. We sampled the strawberry vanilla cupcake and we were definitely impressed. We brought home a couple for later and I will report back. I am so excited to have Bakeshop in the neighborhood.

Tallula's Neighborhood Nosh Menu is available Sunday - Wednesday to guests who are seated between 5:30pm and 6:30pm.

It is a Three Course Dinner (Appetizer / Entree / Dessert) for $35.00 *does not incl beverage, tax and gratuity.

We offer our full menu to guests who wish to enjoy the promotion!

Reservations can be made on OpenTable or by calling us at (703) 778-5051

Thanks,

Matt Molaski

Tallula / EatBar

Thanks, Matt. Sounds like a great deal! I look forward to taking advantage of this offer.

Has anyone tried the Neighborhood Nosh special that Tallula announced in a recent email? I checked the website, and the only info I have is that it is a three-course menu available Mondays-Wednesdays 5:30-6:30 for $35.

Sounds fabulous! Count us (me and +1) in.

On my DC Restaurant Examiner page, I have compiled the Menus for DC's Winter Restaurant Week, Janurary 11-17. You will find listings and descriptions of participating restaurants and their menus. Lunch (3 courses $20.10); Dinner (3 courses $35.10). I have also included my DC Restaurant Week Top Ten Picks and Tips on how to chose RW restaurants wisely and get the best bang for your buck.

Very helpful. Thanks for posting.

The place is looking great. The butcher block counter he got is unreal and a beauty.

Health inspections this week and he's hoping to open a week or two after. He's going to have a wide assortment of cakes, cupcakes, cookies, etc. and will also be serving coffee with the help of Nick Cho. I'm very excited to see this place open soon.

I can't wait. Clarendon desperately needs this.

On Saturday, I took one for the team and conducted part one of what I hope will be my first DC cupcake tour. I had noticed Furin's before when walking through Georgetown. Their window display at the time had a variety of cupcakes. The featured their luscious, large cupcakes with a sign that said "Ours" and next to it a small cupcake that said "theirs." No doubt that they were referencing Georgetown Cupcakes.

We ordered what I think they called cakeolicious: yellow cake with chocolate buttercream frosting (cost around $3.50). Now, I consider myself to be a cupcake connoisseur and I have to say, that the cake and frosting, both together and separate, were some of the best I have ever tried. The cake was flavorful and moist, and the frosting was just the right amount of chocolatey.

They also offer real food, including brunch and salads that looked really good. But alas, I had to stay focused and on task, so real nutrition will have to wait until next time.

Website is here.

For what it’s worth, Baked and Wired chocolate/peanut butter cupcake was as good as usual, and Georgetown’s vanilla coconut cupcake was the best flavor that I’ve tried so far. However, if I had to pick a winner, it would probably be Furin’s.

We had the Latino Dim Sum brunch here on Sunday as well and thought it was wonderful. The pacing of the dishes was perfect. It was definitely a good value, but we didn't leave stuffed. Our favorite dishes were the pork belly confit with passion fruit oil, the conch fritters with a liquid center and the surprising pan dulce with cinnamon syrup.

St. Martin; St. John

My vote is for St. Martin. Unfortunately, it has been a while and I don't have specific recs, but compared to all of the other islands I've visited, I felt that it offered the best quality food and the best variety. St. John (USVI) was also pretty good.

Dear Catherine and Goodeats-

I feel betrayed.

Hehehe. You know I love you and your chocolates, Jason. But peeps are..well...peeps and yes, I do enjoy them on occasion. Want me to bring you one? You know, just to check out the competition?

Hard Times Cafe has reasonable prices for decent food. Here is the "u-cater" menu. I used them for an office lunch and was really happy with the value (less than $7 pp). There were lots of leftovers that did well in the freezer.

Happy Holidays!

Peeps Shrine Opens at National Harbor

WTOP reports that they are offering chocolate-covered peeps right now.

Excellent! That is worth a try. I will report back.

That's what I'm intrigued about too. Has anyone tried G Street's Montreal bagels yet?

I went last Friday, pre-opening, when they were "sampling" various menu items. I tried the bagel, which was served with veggie cream cheese. I'm not sure how to describe it. It was good...harder and chewier than "regular" bagels but with a nice flavor. I'm not rushing back for one, but it is worth trying.

Count me in +1. Thanks!

Planning on cooking pasta for dinner, you turn on the tap, wait until the water gets cold, fill the pot, and bring it to a boil.

How come?

What's the point of starting with cold water each time you boil something?

I heard that hot water comes out of the tap with more minerals, therefore you want to start with more pure, cold water. Is that nonsense? I don't know.

Only possibility for me is 10/11. Can we start another poll?

Jason - you know you'll be seeing my face a lot more in the future. I am so thrilled for you. And for me.

Good thing I'm training for Ironman... I could eat my weight in fleur de sel caramels.

I'm still raving about the class I took at Artisan. Wow, I think it was 2 years ago. I'd be interested in doing it again. It was so fun and educational.

When Jason says you go home with a lot of chocolate, he's not kidding.

Potentially good news for Arlington residents. See the owner's email message below.

To Whom it May Concern,

I'm writing to let you know of a new produce stand that has opened up in the Ballston area and is open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. We are located at 3540 Wilson Blvd, right next to the Arlington Arts Center and across from the VA square metro. We are open daily and carry fresh local produce including: peaches, sweet corn, tomatoes, cantaloupe, watermelon, squash, zucchini, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, cucumbers, peppers, green beans, eggplant, apricots, nectarines, and plums. In fact we carry more fruits and vegetables than most of the local farmer's markets, are more reasonably priced, and are open daily!

I wanted to know if there is a way you could pass this along to some of your members to let them know of this great addition to the community.

Thanks for your time and I appreciate your help in spreading the word.

Best Regards,

Jeff Poe

Poe's Produce

3540 Wilson Blvd (Across from VA Sq. Metro)

Arlington, VA 22201

Fresh Local Produce Daily

Hours: 10 a.m. - 7 p .m.