dcdavidm

In addition to many of the other bar-seating restaurants already mentioned, we've always had an enjoyable time eating at the small bar at Bethesda's Persimmon. Same menu as the dining room, and very relaxed and unassuming. We've usually ended up at the bar on a spur-of-the-moment visit that coincided with a full reservation book, but we might as well start heading directly to the bar in the first place.

Hasn’t gone downhill as far as we know. We stopped by for dinner earlier this month on our way to the Rolling Stones concert at the nearby MCI Center and can still heartily recommend it. As usual, we started with two of their wonderful and near-addicting Margaritas (one Blue Agave and one Hibiscus). For starters we had Muestras de Salsa (tortilla chips with a sampling of salsas) and Calamares Fritos. Both were tasty and well-presented. Main dishes were Mole Poblano con Pollo (braised chicken leg and grilled breast served with a terrific mole sauce) and Chuleta Manchamanteles (grilled pork chop in a red mole sauce). Both were tender and flavorful and of the high quality we have experienced before at Andale. The room was filled with seemingly happy patrons; service was friendly and efficient.

Liam -- Thanks for the recommendations. Looks like we will be booking West for one of our evenings! We will also do some exploring in the Richmond area; alas, we won't be there for the Saturday night market...though I have fond memories of Hong Kong.

Thanks, Joe. We agree about the beautiful setting; that is why we keep going back there. I appreciate your recommendations and the links. We have booked Feenies for one of our evenings! Also appreciate the Toronto recommendation; we get there occassionally on trips to Buffalo to see family.

Thanks for the comments on Vij. Your instincts are right about C. We went there years ago shortly after it opened and it was wonderful--imaginative, tasty food; great service; decent wine; great view. Based on that experience we went back last year. The view was still there, but everything else was merely "okay" and the value had declined, in my judgment.

Over the past decade we have traveled often to Vancouver to experience a magnificent city and especially its culinary delights. We haven't been there is a few years but are planning a trip for later this year. We have tried most of the "name brand" restaurants, such as Lumiere, C, Cru, Rain City, Villa del Lupo, Bishops, etc. with a variety of results. Do any recent DonRockwell visitors to the city have suggestions for newer restaurants that they would put into the "don't miss" category? Thanks! David Missert Washington DC

For the past several months we have been stopping by Black Salt (the combination fishmarket and restaurant on MacArthur Blvd in the Palisades neighborhood of DC) on Friday or Saturday for a weekend treat of fresh fish to grill or saute. The fish is admittedly on the pricey side, but the quality is exceptional and we are only buying for two people; we have never been disappointed. Tonight we had a terrific example of the store's customer service. While we were picking out some crabcakes we noticed a display of enticing heirloom tomatoes and bought two for a salad. As we were checking out, the fishmonger said, "Anything else tonight?" I casually and spontaneously said, "I sure wish you had some fresh mozarella to go with these tomatoes." He said perhaps he could do something about that and disappeared into the kitchen in the back of the restaurant, returning a few minutes later with a delightful ball from the restaurant larder. He asked us what we normally pay for a pound when we buy it elsewhere, and rang it up. Wonderful!