crackers

well...since you ask... I do have some questions about the rating system. Here is what you wrote about the "panelists" (emphasis added) - My questions - Will you be screening the participants for future lists to ensure that they have "significant international dining experience"? And what does that mean to you? Finally, for this list, did you participate, and if so, what "weight" did you give to yourself? In otherwords, of the 175 panelists, where did you rank yourself? Thanks. [eta: Never heard of Augustine's Fine Dining in these parts - just the one in Maine. ]

With a lot of children, I wouldn't recommend the Helmand (open dinner only) unless they are used to quiet, white tablecloth restaurant dining. I love the Afghan Kabab on the corner of Lombard and Charles (37 N. Charles), just two short blocks from the harbor. It closes at 8 pm and is closed on Sundays. It is very casual - formica tables, spare decor, countertop service. But the meals are ample - the inexpensive platters come with cucumber and tomato salad, spiced rice and fresh pita, great lamb kababs (better than at the Helmand), countertop service and a helpful staff. Their kaddo (pumpkin with yoghurt sauce) is worth getting, and the eggplant dish if they have it.

Last week in Pt. Reyes, I walked in to see what was going on at the Cowgirl Creamery. Turns out I'd just missed their weekly tour and tasting. Bummer. But, there was a brand new cows milk cheese they are trying out called Inverness. I got the last small timbale of the batch. It is a keeper - very good on crusty sourdough with a slice of summer tomato and a grind of coarse pepper. Would have been perfect with some of the Fatted Calf fegatelli I picked up at the SF Ferry Plaza farmer's market (but that didn't make it off the pier.) Anyway, it was 55 shivery degrees at Pt. Reyes. Perfect for an afternoon nap on the warm sands of Limantour Beach.

On August 19th, PBS (on HD and digital channels) is running its Chefs A' Field program with an episode that will feature Cathal and Meshelle Armstrong and their children Eve and Eamonn. The show has them touring Polyface Farms. and then the chef cooks with the kids - chicken with chanterelles, and braised pork belly with fresh beans. Word has it that if you give Restaurant Eve some advance notice, you can order the chicken dish.

Your day will come.

Let's just say I've done more than my share of time in establishments located in suburban shopping malls with animatron rodents and other furry critters as their theme. Chuck e Cheese does not give free milk or juice refills.

Ideally a restaurant should have flexibility to override refill policies on a case-by-case basis. With the retail price of a regular (not organic) gallon of milk now over $4 a gallon in Washington DC, imagine the effect of the local kids soccer teams descending on American Flatbreads after tournaments. I realize that's very different than topping off the sippy cup of a two year old. Like Mark, I'd like to know how other restaurants set their policies on free refills of milk and juice.

In a suburban pizza place, I would expect to see free refills of fountain sodas and ice tea, but I don't recall ever getting free kiddie refills on milk or juices. My kids each could easily down a quart of milk or more at one sitting, so if restaurants are moving toward free refills of milk, I'm all for it! (Disney World just started doing this at their table service restaurants, so maybe it's a bandwagon worth jumping on.)

Pardon the interruption, but people should know that receiving your promotional materials is not free: the cost is giving you a full name and a personal email address, to do with whatever you want. Caveat Lector.

clickity for Petits Aubergine Farcis / Feta-stuffed Mini-Eggplants by the way, you linked to Tana Butler's wonderful I Heart Farms blog. Tana is a member of this board and her blog, and its photography are gorgeous!!!

Jean Georges - Just another Chain Restaurant in a Trump Hotel! Le Louis XV - Part of the SBM Hotel Conglomerate!!!Maestro is owned by a hotel, but that hardly makes it a chain restaurant. Best of luck Fabio - enjoy NYC and everything it has to offer your family, and a world-class chef such as yourself! We here will look forward to your return to Washington DC in a couple of years.

The crispy oysters were on the restaurant menu last night. With an ever-changing creative menu, perhaps it's best to consider what is on the web a "respresentatative menu" rather than the literal menu.

After been shut out of Citronelle lounge last night due to circumstances beyond their control, we decided to pay a visit to New Heights, and I'm very glad we did! Yes, the sauteed soft shell crabs are still on the menu. They come with a cucumber and fingerling potato salad, sharpened with cilantro and a vindaloo oil, and can be ordered as a half entree for $15, or full for $29 on the menu (the lower price listed in the Express might be for the bar menu?) However, I chose to try the new $38 "Melding Pot Menu" - three courses and three glasses of wine - an outstanding bargain and truly delicious. I started with the lamb carpaccio that has been so nicely described above. This is my third time having this dish, so it is approaching "addiction" at this point. I shouldn't even say that or it will surely disappear from the menu! It was accompanied by an Albarino, Laxas, Rias Biaxas, SP 2005. I also sampled the smoked trout with white miso and soba noodle salad. The Idaho rainbow trout was smoked in-house by John Wabeck and was artfully presented and quite tasty. For my main, I chose a roasted red snapper with a corn and fava bean succotash. Perfectly executed and a generous enough portion that I will be reheating it for dinner tonight. I believe it came with a Macon, Alain Normand, "La Roche Vineuse" 2005. Dessert was something wonderful and off menu. As I was sitting down at the bar, I noticed that a dessert was being brought out to others that looked intriguing and "different." I was told it was not yet on the menu. Of course, I had to try it! It was a delightful summer dessert, reminiscent of the tomato marmalade tart with ricotta basil gelato and basil syrup that I love so much at Tosca. This was a deep dish of soft wide ribbons of sweet syrup-steeped ripe red and yellow tomatoes accompanied by a scoop of creamy basil-thyme ice cream. It was the creation of New Heights' pastry chef Melissa Horst and I hope it makes it to the menu, or at least to a special!

Wouldn't you know, last night was the night my friend and I decided to have dinner in the Lounge after a cocktail party at Poste. We'd even found street parking. The signs on the doors of the restaurant indicated that at least some guests were being redirected to Vidalia.

This certainly was not my experience last night at Vermilion. My fish entree, the bbq'd rockfish, was fantastic; moist and perfectly grilled under a light brushing of smoky bbq sauce. Started with an exemplary fresh corn chowder with mussels, and a perfect heirloom cherry tomato salad with burrata and basil: summer summer summer!!! The pork-three ways was equally well prepared, and I was particularly enamoured of the carefully conceived boudin. No complaints about the service at all. Everyone was efficient and helpful, and our server informed us immediately that they had run out of soft shells. We were seated upstairs at a two-top overlooking the parade of life along King Street, which was great for people watching between courses. The only choice I regretted was the nutella pana cotta with hazelnut crepe and mascerated strawberries (sounds awesome, right?!) The crepe had spent too much time in the refrigerator, lacking that warm buttery, soft velvet mouthfeel, and the berries were not flavorful. I am sorry that Heather and Tony are no longer the team they were at Notti Bianche. There are a few appetizer and entree selections offered in half portions at half price (including the rockfish at $14) - making a three-course dinner with a glass of wine for under $40 easily accomplished for those without gargantuan appetites.

Who are you, and what do you do?

Veranda is being promoted as a "Mediterranean" neighborhood place with Greek and Italian food opening soon on the east side of Logan Circle. Their minimal website shows the on-going renovation process and there is a cute computer-generated image of what they hope the small patio will look like when it is open.

Closed a couple of weeks ago. David Scribner told me he is hoping to reopen in September with new partners and a new concept in the same high-rent location.

This Saturday, July 21 is the Asian Festival. There is free admission to the event which includes music, cultural performances, food from a long list of local restaurants with authentic dishes not on the regular menues, crafts, and even an Asian Idol contest. There will also be a Singha Beer Garden, Thai kickboxing demonstartions, a breakdancing tournament, and a lot of tennis activities. 10:00 am - 9:00 pm. Lake Newport Tennis Facility, 11452 Baron Cameron Avenue, Reston, VA. 703.589.4144.

Last month some DC friends of mine asked for recommendations for a casual dinner for visiting cousins from Long Island who were staying at the Inner Harbor during some high school lacrosse tournament. I tried to warn them away from Little Italy. Instead, I suggested a water taxi over to Fells Point or Canton and eating at Peter's Inn, Duda's, One-Eyed Mike's, Mama's on the Half Shell or Birches. Did they listen??? Noooooo. This is the sad email I received back from my friend:

Here are a couple of websites that can help you locate wifi: JiWire.com - Allows you to search via country, city etc. and by categories such as libraries. Anchorfree.com/ Allows you to search via country, city etc. and by categories such as libraries for wireless hotspots. In the Annapolis area: 49 West Cafe 49 West Street Annapolis , MD 21401 410-626-9796 City Dock Cafe 71 Maryland Ave, Annapolis, MD 21401 Alchemy Tea & Trading Co. 92 Maryland Avenue Annapolis MD 21401 410-216-7001 Hard Bean Coffee and Book Sellers 36 Market Space City Dock Annapolis MD 21401 410-263-8770 Muddy Paw Coffee Bar 130 Hillsmere Drive Annapolis MD 21403 Armadillo's 132 Dock Street Annapolis MD 21401 410-280-0028 Corky's Hard Bean Café 562B Ritchie Highway Severna Park , MD 21146 410-518-6077 Garry's Grill 553 Baltimore Annapolis # A Severna Park , MD 21146 (410) 544-0499 The Big Bean 558 B & A Blvd. Severna Park , MD 21146 410-384-7744

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Heard through the grapevine: There will be mock service going on tonight and tomorrow (half price off the check for lunch and dinner) call 966-ROCK for reservations. And report back.

There once was a woman well-sated With opinions on food animated Asked to cease all the cussing She did not cotton to shushing So the requester remained unfellated HAPPY BIRTHDAY HEATHER!

Seriously - only two scallops?!