legant

Anyone been to Majestic during RW? Any hits? Misses?

Just out of curiosity... are there other smokers on the board? How much of a minority are we? Smokers only -- come out, come out wherever you are! Post here (or PM me if you don't want to publicly identify).

Stick a fork in me; I'm done. Two in, two out -- I'm giving up on trying to schedule this thing. I'm passing the torch. Synaesthesia, since you offered: Popeye's family pack and BYO drinks at your place? I'll bring dessert. Name the date and time.

Not at the table but at the bar. I've enjoyed quite a few good meals at the bar. Here is what I found: Bistro Bistro 4021 S. 28th St. Arlington, VA 22206 (703/379-0300) South Arlington Arlington Burgers/Bar Food American Clare and Don's Beach Shack 3014 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22201 (703/465-7873) Arlington Clarendon Seafood American The Front Page Restaurant & Grille 4201 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22203 (703/248-9990) Ballston Arlington Steaks Seafood Hard Times Cafe 3028 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22201 (703/528-2233) Clarendon Arlington American Matsutake Sushi & Steakhouse 4121 Wilson Blvd. Arlington, VA 22203 (703/351-8787) Ballston Arlington Sushi Japanese Mister Days Sports Rock Cafe 3100 Clarendon Blvd. Arlington, VA 22201 (703/527-1600) Clarendon Arlington American Pines of Italy 237 N. Glebe Road Arlington, VA 22203 (703/524-4969) Ballston Arlington Italian Pizza Rock-It Grill 1319 King St. Alexandria, VA 22314 (703/739-2274) Old Town American Seagars Hilton Alexandria Old Town, 1767 King St. Alexandria, VA 22314 (703/837-0440) Old Town Alexandria Seafood Steaks SoBe Seafood Co. 3100 N. Clarendon Blvd. Arlington, VA 22201 (703/528-0033) Clarendon Arlington Seafood Stars & Stripes 567 23rd St. S Crystal City, VA 22202 (703/979-1872) Crystal City/Pentagon City American Burgers/Bar Food Two-Nineteen Restaurant 219 King St. Alexandria, VA 22314 (703/549-1141) Old Town Alexandria Seafood Cajun/Creole Zig's 4531 Duke St. Alexandria, VA 22304 (703/823-2777) Alexandria Pizza Burgers/Bar Food No, I haven't made it across the river since the DC ban; it's been less than 10 days since the ban and I have yet to have my monthly red meat craving. And, from the times I have ventured into the Commonwealth, Freddy's at Crystal City and Ruby Tuesday's at Pentagon City did allow smoking. For now, let's agree to disagree. As I said, I was reluctant to jump into this conversation. The sentiments on this board are quite obvious. Yet I felt obligated to add my $0.02 and an alternate point of view.

No liqu -- oops! -- desserts.

I’ve held my tongue long enough. My (current) signature and avatar tells you where I stand in this debate. As much as I hate traveling to Virginia, I have spent quite a bit of time researching smoker-friendly restaurants in the Commonwealth. This came after deciding, on three separate occasions, against visiting my favorite burger and beer places ‘cause of the ban. (And this after only day 9 into the ban!) I’ll admit: the allure of going to the burger and beer places was that I could sit at the bar and have a cigarette before and after my meal. Several places voluntarily banned smoking soon after the bill passed. That’s fine; they made a business decision and I respect that. However, I no longer patronize those places. Others have plans to provide heat lamps and enclosed areas on rooftops or terraces. I will patronize those places. If I’m ready to cross the river for a burger and cigarette, you know, as someone “passionate about food,” I’ll search out a “high-end” restaurant that may allow smoking. And, thanks to this board, I’ve been introduced to some very good restaurants. Most are walking distance from a Metro station. I do realize these places may not allow smoking, but that’s okay. If (when) I find one, it will be well worth the trip. Besides… eating at home guarantees that I’ll meet my goal in the “Fit for Summer” challenge. Virginia is a tobacco state; a smoking ban will not happen anytime soon.

Okay folks... shall we try this again? It seems that every TMB group has meet except Upper Northwest. Given the limitations (no Tuesdays or Thursdays) I propose Monday, January 22nd, at Shanghi Garden. (Received too much grief about Uptown Cathay; it seems we missed Coat of Arms.)

What about Ozio on M Street? They've advertized as a "cigar" bar since they moved to that location.

I can top that! Pizzario Uno participated in Baltimore's Summer RW. Right now, the special is: 2 regular size deep dish pizzas for $21. I'm sure one could easily feed a family of 4 (with pop) for $30.

And... Heather didn't want to document this?? Go figure!

Curious minds want to know. Do tell.

Didn't you folks watch Mission: Impossible??!! Hmmm. I guess you did.

Remember this bit from Highlander: an immortal could always sense another immortal in the area. Well, I had a similar experience at Restaurant Kolumbia last night. Mid way through my mini-butcher board, I got this strange sensation. A tingling feeling. I looked up and around the room. Why was my pulse racing? Why did I feel lightheaded? What was going on? I shrugged it off and finished my kielbasa. While sharing entrees with my dinner companions, it hit me again. Initially I attributed these heady moments to the crab & scallop mousse. Or the bite of sweetbreads I was able to grab. No, this was quite different. I was flushed. My palms were sweaty. I had trouble breathing. I quickly looked up from my plate (my dining companions have a habit of stealing food if your attention is distracted for more than four seconds) and inspected the room. It was then that I realized – there’s another Rockwellian here! I scanned the tables, examining the diners and their actions. Who was it? Do I recognize anyone from the $20 Tuesdays or the DR.com picnics? What did s/he look like? How do you identify a fellow foodie in the middle of RW? By the time dessert arrived, I had a heighten sense of consciousness. The feelings were overwhelming. The lights were bright. The room was swimming. I had to get out of there! I asked for my dessert to be boxed. By the time I had gathered myself together, my two dinner companions were well into their chocolate dessert. They exhibited no concern – what so ever – for my well being, concentrating instead on their desserts, as I rushed from the table, (Cruel, heartless foodies!) It was only when I hit the cool, brisk nighttime air did I finally get any relief. Now I find out chickenlover was there as well. Was this a Highlander moment? Or was I in the throes of the flu? You be the judge.

I love the pink countertops!

Is there a published list of ABC closures? At one point the WaPo would list health code violations with close/open dates. Is there something similar for ABC actions?

If only I could be as organized as Biscuit Girl or mktye... I'm going through a minimalist phase and getting rid of the clutter which includes magazines and all of those torn out pages. I'm taking two laundry carts worth of recipes and magazines to the dumpster later today. Although I do go to the web sites, I usually print the recipes and add them to the no-longer expandable folder. The 1999 issues of Gourmet are going. In general, how long do you keep a magazine before tossing or word processing it? Two months? Three months? Regarding the subfolders: do you index the recipes on your computer as well?

You funny.

If a restaurant called me out of the blue and asked for my CC number I would be more than suspicious. Call me paranoid, but I would hangup and call the restaurant back to verify that they did need my CC. If I were you, I'd check my CC statement.

Please don't confuse Van Ness with Cleveland Park. Van Ness needs restaurants PERIOD. The only Indian food available in Van Ness (or anywhere north of Cleveland Park) is Delhi Dhaba. And, after one too many greasy meals, I pestered my South Asian friends to teach me how to master the spices and cook my own saag paneer, aloo gobi, dals and the ill-fated cod in spicy coconut sauce.

Wagamama is coming to the States. I don't know how I got redirected to the site. Anyway, it piqued my curiosity: are there any ramen noodle bars in the DC area. I did a quick search on the board alas to no avail.

My (limited) understanding: the North is spicier and more meat oriented. The South has more emphasis on vegetarianism and rice. Although fish isn't a part of the vegetarian diet, it heavily consumed because of its availability.

You beat me to it! I just saw the sign as well. It's a shame since they spent so much time renovating the place. [Well, at least it's North Indian.]

I don't know how long the link will last...

What's wrong with ramen noodles??!! Hmm. I never thought about ketchup. I wonder... ramen avec Mae Ploy... Mmm

If I meet y'all on the return, at the 1/2 mile mark at 12:45, can I join you at Chez Margolis? [3 mile walk = 1 hour, depending on your pace] I walked ~ 1 mile to the nearest Metro stop when they evacuated Union Station last week. One mile is about all I can do right now. Made pretty good time yet resulted in short term swelling and a limp the next day. It nearly "kilt" me. P.S. What does "bump" mean? It appears frequently on this board.