Merry Mary

Chelsea Handler says "you have to be really really high to eat something like that"

Eve looks like Mary Kay Letourneau

Had another wonderful dinner at Willow last Friday night. We got a late reservation and the room was not full, but let's hope that is just because it is late August.

Between us we had:

Roasted Beets and Goat's Cheese Salad - Frisee, Endive, Romanie, Apples, Candied Walnuts & Beet Vinaigrette - his stardard, fine but I find the walnuts too sugary

Heirloom Tomato Salad - Local Heirloom Tomatoes, Basil Marscapone Mousse & Garlic Croutons with Basil Balsalmic Glaze - a standout, large slices of yellow and red heirlooms and wedges of a cherokee purple, no blight issues here, a generous portion and could have had another for entree

Crispy Fried Crab "Cake & Soft-Shell Crab - Corn Pancake, Corn Sauce, Radish & Thyme - delicate, lightly seasoned, never enough soft shell for me

Brian's Ceviche Shrimp, Scallops, Crab, Mango, Chilies, Thai Basil & Crispy Yucca - had never ordered, so fresh and light, really nicely done

Sautéed Alaskan Halibut Filet - Fennel Ravioli, Asparagus, Snap Peas, Basil & Fennel Broth - so fresh, and a large portion I could not finish

Pepper Crusted Dry-Aged Sirloin - Creamed Spinach Tart, Portobello Fries & Red Wine-Shallot Sauce - had a portobello fry, quite tasty and never had them done like that

The food is outstanding, the service professional as always.

I will add my thanks as well, Daniel. And I'll make a reservation anytime you cool kids want to go to Proof.

I'm interested.

Went last night and had great saltimbocca, the sage leaves were tiny and thankfully did not cover the whole piece of veal because those bites were kind of harshly sagey. The fennel salad was delish, though the promised pomegranate seemed to be missing. Someone else ordered the ravioli - with both meat and mushrooms and they were outstanding - and someone else ordered the halibut with blueberry sauce which was quite odd. The halibut was on a bed of cucumbers and something else, and the elements really didn't mesh. The blueberry sauce looked like pie filling. Just odd.

We had a great Chianti, I think it was Buonanno - I knew I should have written it down. Very smooth.

The outdoor seating area is spacious and accommodates 25-30, but I think the fence in the back separates you from the trash area. As soon as our hot food was served we were besieged by bugs. We were at the back right next to said fence, but I noticed people seated right next to the sidewalk doing the same thing. They need to spray or something.

How could I forget the sides? The polenta was decadent, so creamy and light. The sauteed spinach had slivers of garlic. Cooked just enough - so often I find it overcooked.

For all those who have joined the site recently, the picnic is a great way to meet fellow DR.commers (Rockweilers, Rockwellians, whatever you want to call us...)

The picnic is on Sunday, June 7, 2009. Things usually get going around noon and last until we're done! We'll be at Fort Hunt Park, Site C-2

http://gwhsaa.com/ft-hunt-dir.html

Bumping location at the park

I will be there and since I don't seem to cook these days, I will bring picnic bubbly. And something else, TBD.

Had a very nice dinner the other night with a group. My burger was quite lean, so next time I will try the pork fat version. French fries with rosemary and garlic were delicious, drinks were good, we didn't save room for dessert. The service was outstanding!

veal chop with shallots and pancetta

roasted artichokes

chocolate babka bread pudding with lemon curd

I will take that last seat.

The Chocolate Block 2007

My next project is going to be preserved meyer lemons. I just bought 16 of them at Trader Joe's.

I started a small batch of preserved Meyers a few days ago. Have preserved regular lemons and was happy with the results, but I am a lemon freak and might just be happy with any result.

I noticed that the salt in the Meyers has not all dissolved, so maybe too much? Will it matter? Will see...

Is this Metro accessible? What about after a couple of drinks?

No!

That sounds amazing!

"Ginger Rodgers" (our name)--Hendrick's gin, Dolin dry vermouth, Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur and Meyer lemon twist. Delicious!

Limoncello. Home made.

The communal table is common in private clubs. For members dining solo and reciprocal members from out of town, gives them a chance to sit at a table with others they have something in common with and so can chat up. They order their own dinners and pay their own tabs. Sounds like what you are thinking. Where the table is located in the room is key, so people don't have to get up to let others sit.

That is hilarious!

Oh yeah? Look here.

Substance 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

I've got a batch of limoncello brewing, am about at the halfway point where I add more vodka and the simple syrup.

President Elect Barack Obama

I will try to make it on the ninth. I am going on a trip so I will check back in when I am back.

But really, the drink of the night: Firefly Sweet Tea vodka, on the rocks, with two dashes of lemon bitters.

Now I am going to have to try it with the bitters. Didn't like it with fresh lemon.

I am going to try to make - and I will bring something beveragey.

Just opened, delicious concoctions, both with and without alcohol. A few doors down from Trusty's. Black sign with white lettering, a little hard to see.

They have a menu of hand crafted drinks that will change monthly, a couple of great beers on tap, beers in bottles and some wines. Nicely balanced drinks and a key to let you know which might appeal to you. Bacon infused bourbon!

Fun space, good music, Eric and Safia at the front bar will take good care of you.