porcupine

Check out: http://www.pawpaw.kysu.edu/ppf/about.htm It helps to be taking slow nature hike with six year old boy. I just noticed a stand of the trees and started looking around for the fallen fruit while the boy tried to catch a toad. Sheer dumb luck, really. But the trees are quite distinctive, with obovate leaves up to one foot long; once you recognize them, they're easy to spot. Thanks for the other tips, folks!

Today, for the first time, I was able to find ripe paw paws - by foraging in the forest. Has anyone ever seem them available commerically... anywhere? They are, by the way, tasty - like a custardy banana with that terpene-like tang that underripe mangoes get. And yes, I will be planting the seeds.

Tampopo. One of the funniest - and truest - movies ever made.

I've been on a boba binge for a month now. The best I've found is Ten Ren's in Rockville. Next to that is Green Tea Cafe, on Darnestown Rd also in Rockville. A&J's version is also very good. Teaism, much as I love the place, makes horrid boba - overcooked, mushy goo one time and rock-hard the next, and I couldn't identify the flavor. Teavana, in Tyson's Corner Center, makes an acceptable one. Please note, the previous opinions apply to black tea only, not fruit flavors). Hope my findings are useful...

Introduction and thanks: I've been lurking for a long time now, but finally decided to post after another wonderful meal at Dino this evening. Husband and I went for the Katrina fundraiser - thank you, Mr. Gold, for your generosity. I started with a Negroni cocktail and a cheese selection - thank you, Rockwellians, for turning me on to La Tur (but the Perla Grigia was even better!). Continued with arancini (panko-crusted rice balls stuffed with provolone, served with red pepper sauce), then panzanella (because I'm not ready to give up on summer tomatoes yet). Washed these last two dishes down with the '98 Costanti Brunello di Montalcino (on the specials list). Finished with gelato affogato. Wonderful service from Abbie throughout the meal, and Mr. Gold was kind enough to stop by and check on us a few times. Dino is the kind of neighborhood restaurant that makes me wish I lived in the neighborhood. Looking forward to more wonderful dining and discourse... PS - Mr. Gold, those arancini would be an excellent addition to the regular menu!