mallomar

Thanks for all the responses. As soon as I mentioned Shangri-La, the vegetarian said her son had instructed her to go there, so Shangri-La it was. It was a good choice, although the food was a bit too spicy for me.

Thanks for the suggestions. Grapeseed is a bit too pricey for us (only one of us actually has a real job at the moment), and Gaffney's doesn't seem to have much for vegetarians (our vegetarian doesn't eat seafood), but Passage to India and Mia's sound like good options.

Looking for restaurant suggestions in Bethesda, preferably walking distance from the Doubletree hotel (8120 Wisconsin). Something casual and not too expensive. Ethnic is good. One of the diners is a vegetarian, so I was thinking Asian might be a good option. Only other prohibition is that one of us can't handle hot spicy food. Suggestions? Thanks.

We had a very nice dinner at NKF. I did mention my oily food restriction and was assured that the dishes we ordered were not oily (and they weren't). I had the wonton soup again -- this time it wasn't oily at all (maybe last time someone oiled it up by mistake). And oh, those wontons! We also had an order of steamed dumplings, which were good and came with a nice dipping sauce (not too firey for me). For main dishes, we ordered triple delight (the hubster's favorite dish), a dish that I think was called eight treasure duck, and shrimp with scrambled egg. (I ordered the last because many, many years ago, I had wonderful "shrimp with egg" in Chicago and had never seen it on a menu since.) We also got an order of Chinese broccoli with oyster sauce. Everything was good, and we left the place fat and happy (and with leftovers!). All that -- including drinks -- for $60. Totally awesome! I wasn't brave enough to try the pork with pickled cabbage or the mushrooms with green leaves -- maybe next time! And I also want to try something with more of the barbecued pork -- there was some in the duck dish, and it was yummy.

True story. Many years ago, I was visiting friends who had a new baby (maybe a couple months old). We all went out to a local diner for lunch, and in the middle of the meal the parents determined that the baby needed a diaper change. They proceeded to move the plates aside and change the baby's diaper on the table. I was astonished and horrified. The parents explained to me that someone told them if you take a baby out of the room to be changed, the baby will think it's being taken away because it's done something wrong and be emotionally traumatized. I blurted out that the baby was far too young to notice, and wouldn't remember anyway. I don't think they ever changed a diaper on a restaurant table again. At least I hope not.

Going to New Kam Fong, looking for suggestions on what to order. I can't eat spicy or fatty/oily foods. I like beef, pork, chicken and seafood (except squid, eel, mussels). Don't eat innards. I am particularly fond of shrimp. On my first visit, I had the fabulous shrimp wonton soup, but the soup was VERY oily and made me sick although I didn't finish it. I had a noodle dish that was just okay -- bits of barbecued pork and veg stir-fried with thin noodles. It also had shrimp, but they were tiny little ordinary ones. Suggestions?

You had me at Pissarro. Nope, never been to 2941. I love good food, but generally go to casual places. Don't like to play dress-up. (Or accessorize.) I know the 2941 web site says "business casual," but I work at home, so MY business casual is shorts, t-shirt, and flip-flops! Gotta arrange for a day off, and go ransack the closet ... Thanks, mallomar

I'm invited to a weekday lunch at 2941. There will be a set menu (2 main course options, AFAIK). I'd have to take most of the day off work, which is not easy. But is 294 spectacular? Totally awesome? If I don't go, will I regret it (soon, and for the rest of my life)?

I'm sure that's it. Is it good? Is it a real fancy joint?

Should we be? Is it better than the Blackthorne? I don't know nothin' 'bout no upscale restaurants ...

Spousal unit has informed me that we will be joining his family for dinner next month at some classy joint whose name and location he can't remember. He thinks it's in Upperville, but maybe it's in Middleburg. Definitely in Virginia. Another thing he seems quite certain about is that the name of the joint is a number, possibly four digits. Any ideas what the mystery restaurant in question might be? (I suspect I'll get an answer faster here than from SU or the outlaws.)