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http://wamu.org/programs/kn/09/04/29.php#25123 12:06 D.C. Dining & Developing Neighborhoods You can learn a lot about people from what they eat -- and in today's economic climate, you can learn just as much about a neighborhood from the restaurants that call it home. In recent years, the explosion of Washington's food culture has spilled over into developing neighborhoods throughout the area. But other pockets have had a lot of trouble attracting business outside of chains. Join Kojo as we explore the new neighborhoods that pioneering restaurateurs in the Washington area are penetrating and ponder why other corners of the region have been left behind. Guests Todd Kliman, Food and Wine Editor, "Washingtonian" magazine Michael Landrum, Proprietor, Ray's the Steaks, Ray's the Classics, Ray's Hell-Burger, Ray's the Heat Gillian Clark, Chef and Owner, General Store and Post Office Tavern

Dino, why do you break my heart? We have had such great meals in the past, and especially last Passover. Tonight was...challenging. Two real heartbreakers? We brought two friends to the restaurant because we had such a good time last year. Second? The AMAZING orange grappa that I loved - we asked for a second glass to drink....and she brought the grapefruit. IT was ok, but it wasn't transcendent like the Orange for me. Such a silly thing, but at 3.5 hours after we sat down, it wasn't worth calling her back. Things that were fabulous: the chicken liver, the gefilte fish, and the nutella mousse that I love. The things that bothered me? Letting down my friends - i put my credibility on the line when their seder was canceled, and said how good the food was and the experience here. We had...I don't even want to detail any of the mediocre food that we had. In most cases, it was poor because of bad timing on the service (except for two underseasoned dishes). This was going to be us taking some time off from dining with a bang. We get married in a few weeks and have to cut our dining budget. Well, Kay was nice enough to give us a gift card, so we will be back. I am sorry it was such a rough night for you guys (you both looked as if you pretty tired when we left) but I am more sorry that we usually love eating at your restaurant - but that we disappointed our friends.

We also were there saturday - I'll post a review of the veg menu when I get a chance!

I'm a shiksa**, and we had a great time last year. Hopefully we'll have the money to go again. And we'll bring our own Haggadah this year **Am I allowed to call myself that? Who knows? Whatever - I'm a catholic, not even eating meat on most fridays. But the meal last year with the wine pairings was fantastic.

We're back from our trip up to the General Store - the parking spaces they had definitely seemed to be full. We live in downtown Silver Spring, and so decided to take a nice walk up 2nd to Seminary up to the place - perfect for working up an appetite - and working some of it off on the way back home. I ordered the lentil soup and the root vegetable cobbler - the cobbler was fantastic - actually tasted like chicken noodle soup in food form. Very comforting and good. E had the fried chicken and mac and cheese - and I picked at his fried chicken because it was fabulous. The space is very nice, comfortable - we sat in a table in the back room (we were at first nervous when we got there because all the front tables were full). We finished up with the chocolate pecan pie (not chocolate hazelnut as I accidentally ordered) - which was fabulous, and would have been even more fabulous if it were about 10 degrees warmer. It would have been a lot messier, however. Even E, who doesn't usually do pecan loved it - it wasn't overly sweet the way some pecan pies can be. Definitely worth the quiet walk up there - we'll be back, probably for the fish tacos.

We used to go to summers regularly about 7-8 years ago. It was our go-to place even 5 years ago for Monday Night Football - basically, a bar that still allowed smoking and beer. Ah, the days....

We've eaten in once, takeout twice, and delivery once. Wayne came to give our delivery, but I think they're still working the kinks out. I love the pineapple chicken dish, and the ginger ice tea is fabulous. I've also gotten the cashew chicken, which wasn't bad, and E swears by the drunken noodles. I think I also got a curry, but I can't remember - we've had the spring and summer rolls, which were not bad. This place has definitely become our go-to-thai place, and definitely a nice addition.

That's too bad, we walked by Saturday (after visiting the used bookstore) and were hoping for something not too bad.

We had a lovely meal at Nicaro last night. (I'm on Weight Watchers, and so would not have been able to control myself at Rays, though driving to the Hell Burger was considered for how bad of a mood I was in - we decided that Nicaro was what we were looking for). We had a perfectly lovely meal - the blueberry and arugula salad was fantastic. Our fantastic server recommended a lovely Riseling, and the duck breast was good - but the fennel and lentils were better. E had a salad with a whole anchovy on top - and a great ribeye. We passed on dessert (through no willpower of mine - e doesn't like bread pudding). One complaint about Nicaro-the acoustics of the dining room! It is always so loud in there. Last night, it was only half-full, but with one large table, and I couldn't hear E over our two top. When that table left it was better, but we could hear every word of the tables across the room! They also looked at me every time I laughed, so I assume they could hear me too. I wonder if the acoustics in the bar are any better.

A pizza, with WF organic wheat crust (I was lazy), red pepper pesto, garlic and basil sausage, mozz and parmiagiano-reggiano, and spicy oregano from the SS farmer's market. It was phenomenal, and went well with our Iron Horse Pinot Noir.

Hey guys, So E and I have been together for 7 years and 11 months (today). Our families haven't met, and we plan on getting married next year. However, I would like them to meet prior to the wedding, so I want to host thanksgiving this year. Because I have started eating more and more out of the farmer's market, I thought I'd try to make as many of the dishes as I can come from local organic ingredients. I'm starting to think about this now, because if there is stuff that I can get from the spring markets and freeze, then I'll want to do it. Plus, since our families haven't met yet, I get to be neurotic about this. Here are my challenges: -at least 9 people, ranging in age from 16 to mid-50s -one side kosher - which means that they won't eat pork that they know is there (but I have seen them chow down on spare ribs, wontons, and house lo mein from a non-kosher restaurant. E calls this the "Wonton Principle. I do not get it). Also? no butter or cream in the main dishes. -one person with diverticulitis, who cannot eat nuts or seeds, so the dishes with nuts, seeds or corn must be kept separate -one insanely picky 16 year old. However, since she is my sister, I can tell her to suck it up. However, some of the dishes must be traditional enough for her to eat -One type II diabetic -One person who, if given an option, would eat nothing but Betty Crocker Cheesy Potatoes Here are my thoughts... -Something like this. How long will that mushroom mix keep in the freezer? -I must have 2 or 3 kinds of stuffing, because I love stuffing. -When do I need to order an organic, kosher turkey? And how big does it need to be for this many people? -There will be apple pie, with some great tasting local apples. Possibly two. -Lots of mulled cider -When does squash come in? What squashes are good around here? The only decision that I've really made so far -I must have at least 12 bottles of wine to get through this dinner . I don't know what everyone else will be drinking, but I know I must accumulate at least that much wine . Does anyone have any recipes or experience or suggestions that they can share? I'll keep you updated on my progress .

Today was my first trip to the SS market (I usually go to Takoma, but we're going to do the Post Hunt tomorrow ) and I have to say I was disappointed. I bought some pink ladies, and some spicy oregano (from the "last gentleman farmer in SS"), plus some of the Atwater's carraway rye, but I felt like I had to go to whole foods to finish my shopping, whereas at takoma, i feel like I'm ok for at least the rest of the day.

Hey guys, I bought the Monocacy Ash the first week at the Takoma Market, and got a different one (the name escapes me) this week. They were great - good luck! Kate

Dang, I missed it! I keep wanting to try dim sum. How was it?

Hey guys, I just found out he'll be on in about 20 minutes: http://wamu.org/programs/kn/08/03/13.php#20009.

I doubt they would hold it on a Friday, either. I'm trying to plan a work good-bye party for about 20-30 people on Friday the 19th. We've gotten a table at Ozio's before, and at one point took over a chunk of tables at the (hated) Front Page, but this is the first one I'm organizing, and I'd like it to be nice. Happy hour atmosphere to start ending with dancing (and we can move if we need to, to meet both needs). Are there any other suggestions? kate

E and I were prepping for a week apart, and decided to try Restaurant Eve's bistro for our last dinner together. The bistro had too long of a wait, so we decided to check the bar for two seats together. We were about to leave since there were only single seats at the bar - but the low table by the door opened up. Our service was impeccable - we ordered slowly, ate slowly, and we never felt rushed or felt we had to flag anyone down. E had the Red Lemonade whiskey sour - which I wanted at first - but I was happy with the pomegranate or raspberry martini that I got. We started with the head cheese special - the caper mixture on the side was the best part of the dish. For our main dishes, E had the ribeye - which was good, but he loved (the salt crusted fingerlings were too small to stand up to the salt crust) -- and I had the sweetbreads - which I loved. So, for those of you keeping score - E and I declared this main-dish-off a tie.

We visited EatBar on Friday night with a crowd of 6. The 4 people that got there first poked their heads in Tallula and were told it was a wait until 9:30 for a table, so we decided to jump into EatBar instead (in fact, since I had eaten a very late lunch, it was in the back of my mind just to go to EatBar). Where we ate: One interesting note - the non-smoking front bar was packed, and the smoking back bar was much quieter at 8:15 when we sat down. I (as an ex-smoker) did not notice a strong cigarette smell, and we only caught it in waves. I thought it was a pleasant place to eat. But I was interested in the supply and demand of it all - as a smoker, I noticed many more people smoking in bars than I do now. Perhaps it is a consequence of two local jurisdictions banning smoking indoors or perhaps there is actually a market force against it. Regardless, the bar was filling up by the time we left at 9:30 or so. What we drank: I started off with a Rioja, and E got a Shiraz that I stupidly didn't taste. After I finished my wine, I asked our waitress for a cocktail recommendation, and we settled on the Moscow Mule, a vodka, lime and ginger beer concoction. It was good, with a very strong ginger aftertaste on the back of your throat after about 3 seconds (this could be common to ginger beer, I don't know). It was odd at first, but I decided that I liked it. E doesn't usually like vodka, but he liked it as well. What everyone else enjoyed that I didn't try: The ravioli special was well received, as well as a grilled cheese and what I think was the papardelle. Someone else had the mac and cheese, and I didn't hear anything positive or negative about it - same with the steak tartare (whcih was gone so fast I didn't even et a chance to try it ). Since I was out with a new group for dinner, I didn't forage off of everyone else's small plates . What I did try: We had a long discussion about the potential joy of the Bacon Wrapped figs with Mascarpone and they did not disappoint. I spent a lot of time trying to sop up the mascarpone with the figs, and then with my fork (Luckily E didn't even compete since he hates bacon - go figure!). One of my tablemates actually ordered a second order for himself, since he enjoyed them so much. We also had a pair of Risotto Fritters, which were great at first, but less good when they weren't hot. Does anyone know what the puree is that it sits on? E ordered the ravioli special (and forgot to offer me some, or if he did I didn't remember it ) and the baby burger - which looked adorable, but I wasn't moved enough to try it. The Guinness Cupcake came out within 30 seconds of ordering it, and the dark chocolate glaze on the plate made it worth reaching across the table to steal a bite. Service: Loved it. Very attentive server, great about making recommendations. They were out of many of the salads, but that didn't make it hard to order. One thing I'd like to see is a board of specials in the back, smoking bar instead of just in the front. Overall, we will be back .

We went once or twice and weren't too impressed for either brunch or dinner. However, when you sit at the bar and drink coffee with tons of liquor in it, the food goes down much better.

We go on Tuesdays for half price pizza, beer, and trivia. The food isn't worth it, but we need somewhere that has our Tuesday NTN game without an established team. It isn't so bad when you're splitting a cheap pizza and the beer.

Did anyone else read this? Did anyone else feel like they had been missing something in life, and now we have a life goal? Anyone want to actively work towards becoming a member with me? Here is the form! Kate

Joyce, you and I clearly need to be friends. You seem to have as many problems with food mishaps as I do! Kate

We went to Equinox on Friday for E's birthday. The service was impeccable to start - not just staged perfectly like we saw at Central, but actually naturally, effortlessly impeccable. I did leave with a little bit of a mixed impression of the service, however. We opted for 4 courses and a bottle of wine: The wine: Miss Harry's GSM - I forget the vineyard, somewhere in Australia, but we picked it for its funny name. Our waitress hadn't seen it on the winelist before but told us a bit about the wine's probable characteristics as they tried to dig it up out of the wine cellar (or wherever they keep their bottles). It was big and fruity, just as described, but we liked it. Amuse - Roasted Red Pepper soup was great, but the risotto fritters with a black truffle cream were fantastic - and would be amazing bar food. Course 1 - E had the Creamy Cauliflower Soup which was amazing and had us both licking the bowl. The presentation was also nice - the creamy soup was poured over vegetables at the table, allowing the vegetables to maintain a great texture without overcooking in the soup. I had the Salad of Grilled Wild Mushrooms with Black Truffle Vinaigrette which was fantastic - the pancetta was on the bottom and i do not remember the hazelnuts at all, but I do remember how much we enjoyed the salad. Course 2 - E had the Whole Wheat Pappardelle Noodles with Beef Short Rib which was great - especially the short rib. I had (not on the menu anymore) a tagliatelle with the butter poached shrimp - which wasn't bad. The shrimp didn't add a whole lot to the dish (which could be just because I am coming later to fish and shellfish than other diners), but the sauce and noodles were fantastic. I let E take his first choice of dish since this was his birthday. Course 3 - E had the Grilled Strip Loin of Beef with Red Swiss Chard which wasn't bad - the fattier part of the meat (I don't know if it was the cheek or what) was much more well done than the rest, and the dish was good, but not fantastic. That was actually my first choice, but afterwards I was very happy I went with the Moroccan Style Lamb Tasting with Minted Couscous. The lamb was tender, medium rare as requested, and melted in our mouths. The toasted almonds that were hiding in the sauce lent such a delightful texture contrast, and the sauce itself was divine when paired with the lamb or the couscous. It was difficult to figure out how to eat the little rack of lamb while trying to be conscious of table manners - as well as resisting the urge to lick the plate. We did persevere, and enjoyed every morsel of the lamb tasting. Course 4 - E opted for a cheese course (the cow's milk) and I opted for the Hazelnut and Chocolate Mousse. We decided we wanted to eat one and then the other - the cheeses were nicely paired together, and the accompaniments - the toast, roasted nuts, date paste, and pickled vegetables - were nice vehicles for the cheese course but nothing great. Our waitress came over and saw my untouched dessert, and told us we could have told her we wanted our dishes staggered, but we are pretty easy-going, so we laughed it off. The terrine of mousse was fantastic. Close-your-eyes-and-lick-your-lips fantastic. Such a great end to the meal. Sweets - We did get a little trio of updated passover candies with the check - a coconut macaroon that even E liked, a pear and cinnamon jelly candy, and a Kahlua truffle. We ate them in that order and all was right with the world. Where I am left with not a bad taste in my mouth, but a persistent sense of disappointment - we were seated in the back corner of the restaurant. This was not a big deal at all - the host took my coat, and assured us he would seat no one at the table behind us so I didn't bump chairs with anyone - but I do not think they seated any other party of two at those small tables. Even though I had finished my wine and was considering (mentally) my options as dessert came out, no one asked if we wanted coffee or dessert wines (both of which I was considering). Again, not a big deal, just leaving me slightly unhappy. And finally, the chef made an appearance and chatted with (what seemed like) all of the other tables - except for ours. I'm only 25, and E is now 27 - we don't look like schlubs, I don't think - and this wouldn't resonate so much with me if it hadn't happened at all of the other nice dinners we've gone out to - the chef has come out of the kitchen and chatted with the tables, always leaving us out. That is why, probably above all of the other details, I appreciate the pair of Ray's so much - Michael Landrum doesn't know me from Eve, but he doesn't snub us because we look young. I'm sure it is just my overreaction combined with a series of small coincidences, but considering this stretches from Layalina all the way now to Equinox, it leaves me with a not-totally-satisfied feeling - which is too bad, because the food was excellent.

Anyone heading anywhere interesting for dinner today because of or in spite of the snow? I spent all morning taking care of snow stuff for work and I know a nice bottle of wine is in my future. Any particular place that I should think of going? Kate

OTB is ok - we come for margaritas after work every now and again (we work across the street - literally). Nothing memorable about the food or the drink. We always estimate our checks, so I'm not going to get into that fight .