ScotteeM

I'm sorry I didn't get to go! How was your lunch?

What he said! [edited to add] "No Rating" for Galileo (which is explained because the restaurant is "new or undergoing changes" And, of the "top 40" restaurants in the US, two are in DC, and 10 are in NYC. This is the worst "guide" I've seen in a while.

Wow! When I worked in Rosslyn in the early 1980s, I remember getting takeout from Mario's for lunch and looking forward to it. In the 1990s, I worked in Arlandria and tried the Marino's on Jeff Davis Hwy, which was a franchise of Mario's, and while the menu was the same, the taste just wasn't.

I guess I'm out in the vast wasteland--12 stores near home and 18 near work (Merrifield). The latter includes two stores in the Pan Am shopping center at Nutley and 29--a stand-alone store and one in the Safeway several yards away. Now, if only I liked their products. They'll do if I'm desperate, but give me a good independent coffee place (and there are not too many out this way that are good), or a Caribou Coffee, and I'm set.

Dude, Mute! I spent 30 seconds there just now with the sound on, and I had to leave. I usually leave my speakers off and I mostly don't miss much. Kinkead's website is not the most user-friendly, even with the sound turned off. Try printing the menus--I dare you!

I'll see what I can do about attending. Sounds great!

I've not been to Connaught Place, and I am certainly no expert in Indian cuisine. However, Mr. S and I enjoyed a lunch buffet at Jaipur on Lee Highway in Fairfax. Their website is http://www.jaipurcuisine.com/. I am looking forward to a return visit.

That was a great story, Monica! You really conveyed the sense of devotion and love, and the humor. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks, Don, for sharing it with us.

I've cooked and eaten rabbit a few times, but I can't get past the "cute pet" taboo--one of my brothers had pet rabbits when we were kids. Of course, that didn't seem to bother another of my brothers, who raised meat rabbits for a while. I did enjoy the rabbit dish we had at Maestro a while back. For several decades, Mr. S has maintained that rabbit is a traditional main course for Easter dinner. We've never followed that "tradition" at our house, however.

I shouldn't read this website just before lunchtime! I snuck out of work and drove over to Elevation Burger at about 12:15. It's a little further afield than I usually go for lunch from work, but I had to try it. The place was pretty deserted when I got there. The staff are very pleasant, but I don't know what they would do if they actually had a lunch (or dinner) rush, because their production line is very slow. I didn't check my watch, but with no one else ahead of me, it seemed to take a long time for my order to be ready. I drove back to work, eating the fries in the car, while they were hot. I don't think I've ever had fries cooked in olive oil before. They were fresh and crisp and brown, and somewhat oily, but not a gross oily. They were perfectly salted (to my taste). They cut their fries much thinner than 5Guys, and I think that makes them crisper. My Big Phat Burger was lukewarm when I finally got to it, but it was very tasty. The meat had decent flavor (I agree that it's pretty lean, though), and their special sauce is enjoyable. Everything did taste pretty fresh. I wish I could have tried their shakes, but the burger and fries was enough for one meal. Maybe I'll get a smaller burger next time and indulge in ice creamy goodness. It's too far away for me to make a habit of lunching there, but I do like them a little better than 5 Guys. They just have to get their assembly act together before they get really popular! [edited to add: Their parking lot is tiny! I noticed when I backed out of my space that, if there had been a car parked in the space directly across from mine, I would not have been able to get out very easily. I had to back my Toyota Corolla wagon (compact) into the space across the aisle so as to get enough room to turn toward the exit. Next time I'll park on that side street, where spaces are reserved for that shopping center.]

That was my reaction, too.

That sounds delish! I had smoked Pacific salmon salad on a "bagel" with sliced tomatoes, and a "moosed" latte from Caribou Coffee.

From their (hard to navigate) website: For Dinner Only: Tuesday through Saturday, 5:30 to 10:00 P.M. Closed Sundays, Mondays and major holidays Reservations taken and recommended up to one month in advance. We are able to accept reservations by Phone 202 537 9250 fax (with confirmation) On the WEB at www.opentable.com You might want to call to confirm, but apparently they're only open for dinner, Tuesday through Saturday.

Leftover General Tsao Boneless Duck from TemptAsian Cafe.

It's been a couple of years, I think, since I last dined at DC Coast. I loved almost everything I had there--an oyster and artichoke dish, foie gras with figs, mussels, and my favorite, the Tower of Crab. I did try the smoked lobster once, but to me the smoke flavor overwhelmed and drowned the flavor of the lobster meat, so it wasn't my favorite. I do remember, after a dessert of begnets one evening, asking our server to package up the pastry chef so we could take him home with us. It's a nice space, and the shape of it, at least on the main floor, leads to an arrangement of the tables that feels a little more spread out to me. I've never been upstairs, because I can't walk up that many stairs, they have no elevator, and the restroom is in the basement. I do remember it fondly, and always thought that the media was hard on DC Coast.

Meshelle, What you did was so important, so significant--telling the story! It is clear that some folks who have enjoyed the fruits of this farm have been willing to step up and give up their free time and labor to help these fine folks. My husband and I aren't able to participate in person, but we have been there in spirit and contributed in another way. Mr. S and I haven't yet enjoyed your restaurant, but we look forward to our first time, very soon. Meanwhile, our congratulations to Cathal on his new citizenship (he had to work harder for that than we who were born with it, and it is indeed an accomplishment), and our thanks to you both for bringing the need to move the farm to the attention of this great group. Without your writing, this probably wouldn't have happened.

Wow! Excellent! Congratulations! ScotteeM (Grouper, swimming steadily toward Ventworm)

Sorry I missed the guy with the baseball caps, but it sounds like you had a great dinner! ScotteeM (Grouper, swimming steadily toward Ventworm)

Mmmmm . . . . General Tsao Boneless Duck . . . . OK, I shouldn't have been reading this board at work this morning (on my break, OK?), but after Tripewriter's entry, I couldn't stop thinking about TemptAsian. I sometimes stop there for lunch on Thursdays, when I'm not working, but I couldn't wait till tomorrow! When I got home from work, I called in my order: Spicy & Sour Baby Wontons, Triple Stuffed Bean Curd Skin, and General Tsao Boneless Duck. When I walked in to pick up my order, I scanned the dining room and saw a familiar face in the corner--obviously I wasn't the only Rockwellian who was led astray by Tripewriter's prose. Mktye came over and said hi while I paid for my order. I'm sure she'll be reporting on her dinner. Mktye, did you see the commotion outside just as I left? I walked out, noticed a black sedan parked strangely out front, blocking another car from moving. Suddenly there were about a dozen guys dressed in black, with bullet-proof vests and ski masks and the word POLICE stencilled on their backs (good thing for that). They were apprehending a suspect, right in front of TemptAsian's front door. Luckily there wasn't any gunfire! These didn't look like county or state cops to me--maybe Federal agents--but why the ski masks? Safely ensconced back home, I slurped down some wontons, savored the stuffed bean curd (one of my favorites), and nibbled happily on duck. From the looks of what's left, I'll be nibbling happily for a couple of days! So, Mktye, what did you have for dinner tonight? ScotteeM (Grouper, swimming steadily toward Ventworm)

Just let me know where to be when to taste this masterpiece. I'll report back to the group, I swear! ScotteeM (Grouper, swimming steadily toward Ventworm)

Just give me your credit card information, Sweetie, and I'll take care of it. Going shopping. . . . ScotteeM

Great suggestion! But Mr. S loves thighs, drumsticks, and wings. Whole Foods offers turkey parts, which could be easier than a whole bird. Also, if it is warm enough, roasting the turkey on an outdoor grill (I love my Weber kettle) is awesome! Brining is a nice thing to do to turkey parts before cooking. I definitely agree in keeping the meat simple and focusing on more complex sides. ScotteeM

This is a great topic, Jennifer! I don't have any answers right now, but as I find ideas, I'll be glad to share them here. I don't know what Mr. S and I will be doing for Thanksgiving. We usually go to mom-in-law's, but she's not up to cooking this year. Maybe I'll be cooking for the 3 of us. ScotteeM

Green Bean "Salad" adapted from Chesapeake Bay Cooking, by John Shields 2 lbs fresh green beans 1 stick plus 6 T unsalted butter 2 t dijon mustard (have to check this when I get home) Juice of 2 lemons 8 oz Smithfield ham, jullienned or cut in small pieces 1-1/2 c unsalted peanuts (roasted or raw) salt & pepper Break or snip the stem ends off of the green beans, but leave them whole. Drop in boiling salted water for about 5 minutes, till cooked but still crisp. Drain, toss in large bowl with 1 stick of butter, mustard, and lemon juice. Toss in the ham. Melt the 6 T of butter in a skillet, and saute the peanuts until warmed. Drain in a strainer to remove excess butter. Arrange bean mixture on a platter and scatter the peanuts strategically (Shields likes them in a line down the center, but I didn't do that for the picnic). Serve lukewarm or room temp. This is one of my favorite ways to use the packages of Smithfield ham that my darling Father-in-law loves to send us (he lives in Colorado, but misses Virginia, where he grew up). Enjoy! ScotteeM

I'm so sorry, but I can't make this event. I'm really hoping for this group to come to Norhern Virginia, but in the meanwhile, if I can make it into Maryland for an event, I will. Just not this weekend (sorry!). ScotteeM