Alex

Bumping this thread to say that the Dibon is on the wine list at Tupelo Honey Cafe in Arlington. It's normally $32 (about 2½ x retail), but during Happy Hour at the bar or patio (Mon-Thurs, 4-6 p.m.) it's $16.

I concur with Ericandblueboy about the Italia pizza Ms. Alex and I had for lunch last weekend. I'd like to add that the cheese is buffalo mozz, with shavings of grana padano. However, as durwoodx wrote, the light and flavorful crust is what really made the pizza sing. We also loved the eggplant parm app so much we went back the next day and each ordered one for dinner. The secondi (branzino and salmon) were OK but I wouldn't make a special detour to order them again.

I made a reservation on Open Table and was trying to change it, with no luck. I finally posted something on their Facebook page. Someone from Range did respond and changed my reservation. So until they open and list a telephone number, I recommend Facebook.

Well, we still haven't received a reply to Friday's Facebook post, but I found out they now have a phone number, answered by a real, live person: 202-803-8020.

Unfortunately, we weren't able to increase our reservation from 2 to 4, but the person I spoke with said they do set aside some tables for walk-ins, plus there's always the bar, as mentioned upthread.

Ms. Alex and were lucky enough to snag a reservation for Dec. 24. My cousins (two of them) just asked if they could join us and, since there's absolutely nothing now available on OpenTable, also asked if we could call Range and see if somehow they could turn our two-top into a four. I told them I could try, but couldn't locate a phone number anywhere. The only # on their website was for a publicist, I think. The cousins live not far from Range, so one of them could always stop by, but I was wondering if anyone here had a phone number for the restaurant. Thanks.

A quick post here since has been several months since a last report. I'm a regular at all of Dolcezza's locations. Best gelato (and milkshakes!) in town but, increasingly, one of our best coffee spots too.

In the last couple of weeks, Dolcezza has been serving a new roaster's product that I've really enjoyed. They've usually had fine Counter Culture and Intelligentsia in the past along with others. Excellent coffee but not so different from the other top-tier spots.

Then, I saw an interesting bag on the shelf from a Grand Rapids roaster called Mad Cap. I know Robb mentioned he had MadCap last October (upthread) but, for whatever reason, I hadn't noticed it in the stores until earlier this year. Dolcezza is serving MadCap Porvenir from El Salvador and I'll go on record saying this may be the best coffee I've yet had there and one of the best currently in the city. Nuanced. rich, robust with wonderful aroma and finish. Wow! After only seeing this marque at Dolcezza, I also saw and tried the MadCap Guatemalan Finca de Dios at Evening Star last night. That one, while very good, didn't stand out as much to me as the Porvenir but, in any event, I'd strongly recommend coffee lovers give this a try. Just in Bethesda and Dupont since Georgetown doesn't yet have the full Dolcezza coffee program (heard a rumor they may be looking for bigger digs where they can spread out and do everything they're doing north and east).

And, of course, if game to try another of Dolcezza's great coffee providers, MadCap, with the roasters/owners themselves, please take a look here and raise a hand.

I live in Grand Rapids. Madcap is a local treasure. They're *really* serious about their coffee. If you at all can, RSVP, then hike yourself to the tasting and presentation that darkstar mentioned. I wish I could be there.

They're paying attention. Here's what's at the bottom of their online menu page, just above the mandatory "eat this and you might die" caveat: "Make sure to ask about our daily specials and their price".

I'm so confused. Please help.

In the Restaurant Guide, "The Hamilton" is italicized but followed by the comment "...don't expect anything other than genuinely bad (and we're talking dog poop) food." I don't see any post in this thread that could justify such a scathing comment.

The menu looks passable enough for a concert venue (although their wine selections certainly don't qualify for "artisinal" in my book) and I'm glad they offer "cold beer" (vs. the alternative), so I'm wondering why the strange listing.

So, is the event a go? If it is, where in the restaurant will we be? (I've never met anyone who'll be there face-to-face.) Is anyone going to be there early for Happy Hour?

I just tried to make a reservation for this and got somebody who seemed to know nothing about this. Didn't ask for a credit card number, either. I guess we will show up at 7 and see what happens.

The same thing happened to me on Friday. Fortunately, the person who answered the phone transferred me to someone who knew what was going on and took the reservation and deposit. I'd try again and just keep asking until you get to the right person.

Just reserved. Really looking forward to it.

As an occasional visitor to DC and environs, it's impossible for me to eat at all the places I'd like to. Which is to say that unfortunately I haven't been to Corduroy since they moved.

Being a casual kind of guy, I ate in the bar area at the old place. I see in a February post that they offer a three-course $30 bar menu. I don't see any information about that on their web site. Is it still in effect? Can someone give an example or two of what's been on the menu? How many people would a bar table comfortably fit for dinner? On a Saturday at the beginning of August at about 6:30, do you think there'd be a wait? Thanks.

If you're ever in the Grand Rapids area, let me know, and we can pay a visit to the Founders Taproom.

The cheese and charcuterie selection is excellent (and just why DO they call it a Rosette de Lyon? I'll buy a drink to anyone that knows the answer!).

A rosette is a circular badge of pinched fabric that is awarded with a medal and can be worn in lieu of the medal. A slice of the sausage is about the same diameter as a rosette. (The rosette for the Legion of Honor is red, but I don't know if that's part of the equation.) Why "de Lyon" specifically, I don't know.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Just to make sure you know, the Lickety Split lunch is only available in the bar and lounge. It's not available in the Bistro. Here's a sample menu.

Thanks so much for the info. I like that the beverages are considered an "item."

Mr. MV and I enjoyed the Lickety Split lunch recently. Corn veloute (made it at home...not quite as good) and salad with halibut cheeks. Two large pieces of firm fish that were very pan fried and came with a mustard sauce. Incredible as usual.

Ms. Alex and I are contemplating lunch at Restaurant Eve a couple of weeks hence; it'll be our first visit there. I didn't see the Lickety Split lunch on their web site's sample Bistro menu. Did I miss something, or is is simply not mentioned? Do you know if it's available throughout the entire lunch service (11:30-2:30)? Is the dress "code" more casual for the Bistro than for the restaurant or the Tasting Room? Thanks.

When my father-in-law was here we hit Commonwealth for apps and then Pete's -- which is essentially right next door -- for the pizza entree. Amazing that my gout didn't come back that night.

Give a yell if you're getting up that way. I'm two blocks away, I'll buy you a round of Bluebird Bitter.

Deal. Thanks.

Yes, the portions are smaller. I can't honestly say that there's a ton of Southern influence in most of the cooking these days, unless you consider a general obsession with pork products southern. But, whatever it is, it's a great deal.

I love La Chaumiere but, given my druthers, I might do it for dinner as it isn't light eating.

Nothing against the cafe at Palena or Circle Bistro, but for a nice casual meal I might try Brasserie Beck instead, particularly if you've a yen for good Belgian beer. And, speaking of beer, Commonwealth makes for a nice trip outside the Tourist Zone you are in the mood for British brew and /or some general -- if hipster-oriented -- bar-hopping afterwards: The Raven, the Red Derby, Wonderland, the Looking Glass Lounge are all nearby. It keeps you young. Both Beck and Commonwealth are well-regarded for their food, as well.

Yes, in the midst of my research I had noticed Commonwealth. Interesting. Also its neighbor Pete's Apizza, which is on my short list for lunch. My cousins, who live in the Glover Park area, like Beck a lot, so we might wind up there one night. Thanks for the info.

Vidalia's lunch menu (19.90 for three courses) should be on your list.

Thank you; that looks wonderful. Ms. Alex is a big fan of Southern-influenced cooking. Do I assume correctly that the servings on the three-course tasting menu are smaller versions of the ones on the à la carte menu?

Ms. Alex and I will be in DC later this summer, and we're considering our dinner options for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. We've been to DC numerous times (and, of course, make use of Don's Restaurant Guide), but we always can use some advice.

We're not looking for a bargain per se (although we wouldn't say no), but don't want to spend an outrageous amount (as in CityZen's regular menu or Minibar), either. Here are the places we're considering: Proof (possibly the tasting menu); Palena (probably the café menu); CityZen (the bar menu); Rasika; La Chaumière; Circle Bistro. One possible solution is to go to Proof, Rasika, and La Chaumière for lunch and the other three for dinner, but that might depend on where we are at that time of day. Anyhow, here are my questions:

1) What do you think of those options? (We've been to Palena and Circle Bistro before and would gladly go again.) Do you have other suggestions of the don't-miss type? Any place within reasonable walking distance from a subway or bus stop would be OK.

2) I haven't been to Palena in several years. Is the cafe still at the very front of the restaurant, with no reservations accepted? By what time should we arrive to avoid a wait?

3) Is the bar menu at CityZen still "a steal," as Don says in the Guide? Ditto the arrival time question.

Thanks.

Ms. Alex and I had an enjoyable New Year's Eve Eve dinner at Ray's this past Sunday. (Thanks, Michael and Don.) I ordered the cowboy cut ribeye, she the steak diablo, both of which were cooked just as ordered and which also gave us enough leftovers for another meal and a half. Enough folks have commented on the food to make anything I'd add superfluous. The cashews were addictive, but I forced myself to stop so I wouldn't dull my taste buds for the wine (Mt. Veeder cab).

Welcome, Alex! We've conversef over on EG about Stratford a few times. Sounds like a great trip you have planned!

Jennifer

Hi, Jennifer! Unfortunately, we won't be doing our traditional Memorial Day trip to Stratford this year, but will compensate by attending a touring production of Spamalot! here in GR. If you go to Globe Restaurant this summer, I'd be curious to hear how it, and the food, are doing. Last summer they had started cutting back on the small plates and offering more "regular" entrees. Sounds like Stratford hasn't yet heard about the extinction of the entree.

Damn, I feel lazy. We'll be coming down from NYC on Friday and staying thru Monday morning, getting home in time for NYear's Eve. I was pretty damn proud of myself, arranging dinner with a dr.com/mouthfulsfood.com friend for Friday at Vidalia until I saw your itinerary. Now I feel like an underacheiver. Have fun... see you around town. We'll be the ones looking like tourists.

Greetings, fellow shrimp. DC is a good time, isn't it? Sometimes I wish we lived an easy train ride away, but then we wouldn't have the easy ride to Chicago. Tough choice, there.

We'll be doing some of the tourist stuff too -- Nat'l Gallery, Phillips Collection, Freer, Library of Congress, etc. Ms. Alex always makes a pilgrimage to her favorite clothing $tore, in Crystal City.

Greetings, all. My real name is Richard. I've been an enthusiastic amateur cook and an even more enthusiastic eater for a long, long time. I live in Michigan but get to DC about once a year, sometimes twice; sometimes with my wife, sometimes by myself. I've posted a few times on dr.com, but mainly I lurk (a.k.a. do research) when it's time to plan my next visit. I've met Malawry once. I do all of my food-related posting on eGullet. About three years ago I was part of a spirited exchange, shall we say, on eG about BlackSalt.

We'll be in town later this week for five days. Dinners are planned for Hook on Friday, Passage to India on Saturday, Ray's the Steaks on Sunday, and Circle Bistro on New Year's Eve. Lunch, as things currently stand, will be at Cafe Atlantico on Saturday; Joe's Noodle House on Sunday; Kaz Sushi Bistro, Corduroy, or Brasserie Beck on Monday; and at my cousin's house on Tuesday.

Great idea, this forum.

New Year's

New Year’s Eve at Circle Bistro

Caramelized Maine Diver Scallop, Crab Sausage, Celery Root Mousseline, Truffle Vinaigrette

Long Island Duck Boudin, Sweet and Sour Cabbage, Natural Duck Jus

Wild Striped Bass, Satur Farms Chiogga Beets, Tangerine, Ginger

Grass Fed Natural Shenandoah Beef, Horseradish, Yukon Potato “Presse”, Young Spinach

Chocolate and Blood Orange Baked Alaska, Grand Marnier Sabayon, Orange Confiture

65.

85. with wine pairing

We're there! I'm hungry already.

I know this is kind of last-minute, but I was wondering if anyone would like to join me at 3-ish tomorrow (Friday, May 12) for some half-price tapas (and maybe sangria) in the bar area at Taberna del Alabardero. A PM is OK but not necessary; you can just show up and find me. I look like my avatar.

I also am up for companions for lunch on Monday (May 15) at Restaurant Eve. Please send a PM for this one by Saturday, as I'll need to make a reservation.

I'm looking forward to meeting some of the DC crowd (or fellow visitors).