dcpolicywonk

This year I'm going to try Square Foot Gardening - does anyone have any experience with this method? Any tips, tricks or things to avoid?

Has anyone been recently? I am considering Citronelle for an anniversary dinner along with CityZen and Komi. Thanks.

Don't know if anyone on the board follows Maria Trabocchi on Twitter (mtrabocchi) but it sounds like there is some change happening with regard to Chef Trabocchi and the Four Seasons.

Why is it that sometimes it is just not appealing to go?

about 22 hours ago from UberTwitter

Good news is that he is home!

about 23 hours ago from UberTwitter

@docsconz talk to Fabio

Four Seasons no more.... Sad news!

Rumor has it she went back to her degree background and is at an office job...

I saw her at her last appearance at the Arlington Farmer's Market last year. Said she was going to work at SYSCO as a graphic designer :-(

Just wanted to pass this special along. A pretty good deal for Hank's in Old Town

$20 Lobster Roll Dinner at Hank's Old Town

Lobster Roll <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001oAqlVF4teDNK7qRWAEwtBpMYJiHEQP3_bTa9D6TZLdHYfjGUd892ey3jPxeYMHaL9zRIDDZU8fF

GqL99ssR3e3_8mgkU29DTJJHoDRm9sXA=>

20% more free for gift certificates over $50

December 22 and 23

Your choice of soup or salad

Hank's Famous Lobster Roll

Dessert

FOR ONLY $20

ALSO:

Buy a $100 certificate...

Receive a $20 certificate FREE!

The perfect last minute Holiday Gift!

Hank's Old Town location ONLY

Hank's Oyster Bar

1026 King St.

Alexandria, VA 22314

703-739-HANK (4265)

My wife and I went to 2941 Saturday night for an anniversary dinner and had a great experience. Full disclosure my wife has done some work with the graphic artist for 2941 and so I believe our experience was slightly elevated but only in the number of courses and the tour of the kitchen. From what I could tell all around us received the same gracious service.

I (don't want to speak for the wife ) don't consider myself on par with many of the posters here in terms of pallette but to me 2941 was one of the best meals we've had in awhile and I would put it close to (but not quite on par with) the Tasting Room at Eve. Granted they are very different experiences but I think the quality of the food and the service was that good. We were served by a team but I only got the name of our waiter, Farhat. He was very professional and friendly, had great recommendations and helped make the night very special. Thank you Farhat.

We both had the 3 course Prix Fixe menu that with the extras sent out by the kitchen ended up being six courses. We each ordered a glass of champagne - she had the Philippe Gonet Brut Rose and I had the Deutz Brut. I enjoy champagnes and sparkling wines but know very little about champagne so the Deutz was at the recommendation of our waiter and it was phenomenal. Before our apps arrived we had an amuse bouche that was three small bites. My memory of their exact compositions is a little hazy-sorry. They were a yellow beet salad (nicely dressed but still allowed the earthiness of the beet to take center stage), a tartare (can't remember the fish but the taste was very good - meaty), and a fried risotto ball that was as delicious as it was simple - I wish my risotto came out that well.

I started with the duck terrine and my wife had the butternut squash soup. I enjoy duck a lot but have never had a duck terrine before - I plan to make it as regular a part of my life as I can. I had just finished reading "The Soul of a Chef" by Michael Ruhlman and the first section of the book talks about terrine's enough that I was craving one. The duck terrine had a fantastic duck flavor with a hint of smoke and the consistency/mouthfeel was perfect. The muscat gelee and the huckleberries were a great accompianment. I had a spoonful of the soup and it was the very essence of the squash - just wonderful.

After this came out another complimentary course of ghocchi in a cream sauce. This was some of the lightest ghocchi I've had - practically melted away to nothing in your mouth and the cream sauce managed to be rich without being heavy at all. I would've ordered this as a main if available.

For my main course I had the beef short rib with mole. Not too many places I know of in the area do moles and the only other decent one I've had was at Guajillo a few years ago. This mole was wonderful - rich, full of depth, right amount of cumin and you could just taste the unsweetened chocolate at the very end. The short rib itself was cooked perfectly - could pull it apart with a fork, the fat and connective tissues that perfect degree of melted. It was a very generous portion and I could only finish about half. My wife had the ribeye which, while cooked perfectly, was a little plain compared to my short rib and the rest of the courses. But still very good.

Dessert for me was the Guayaquil Chocolate Moelleux and my wife got the Frozen Tanzanie Chocolate Truffle. Both of these desserts were outstanding. At this point (after two healthy glasses of wine and halfway through the Grenache Noir - Mas de Amiel, Maury, France 2006 I ordered with dessert my taste memory is fuzzy at best. I do remember enjoying it tremendously - especially the port wine-pear sorbet. It made a nice counter to the rich chocolate.

And finally John Leinhardt, the very gracious Director of Operations, gave us a tour of the kitchen, which we really enjoyed. We were especially appreciative that Chef Chemel took time to come off the line and greet us. Thanks to all at 2941 for a wonderful anniversary experience. We will be back.

I need suggestions for brunch in Shirlington Village, preferably a place that takes reservations. Does Luna? Carlyle is my back up but I am open to suggestions.

It is not personally my favorite but Extra Virgin does have a brunch and does take reservations. You may also want to check Bistro Bistro

Any more info on this?

Please post more info. Some of us are very interested!!

I'm a 15 minute walk away and would jump at the chance to not only have a farmer's market in the area but to support it by volunteering.

I've had the Champagne Chocolate and the Armor and Samurai and they are sooooo good! I'm a fan of chocolate and chile (love the sweet/smoky/hot combo) and the champagne chocolate is pure decadence. I haven't been to the market in a few weeks but I've got to get there early or there isn't much left. Glad to see that the bakery is doing well. I'm long overdue to pick up some treats.

Oh my GOD! I can't wait to try this place! As a Scotsman, I can't wait to have a proper fish and chips place. We'll be trying Eamonn's this weekend.

Congratulations! I am selfishly hoping that this will cut down slightly on the traffic in Arlington

My wife and I have a reservation at Willow and are really looking forward to it.

A third prop for Chris at Dino.

Definitely! Was there last week for a glass of wine and a snack after work and he was great. Willing to really talk about the wines and had good suggestions. Another reason (like there aren't already more than I can count) to spend time at Dino.

We just made a reservation here for New Year's Eve. I know, I know - amateur's night. We figured we could get a decent dinner here (love the mussels and beer selection) and, as a bonus, we can walk to our friends' place for the real celebration.

Hey Todd - what do you have cooking up in your cocktail laboratory (please pronounce in the British fashion )?

Wife and I are going to the tasting room for our anniversary next week. Anyone know what the tasting menu looks like or what Thrasher is cooking up in the basement?

crazeegirl said:

Money is not an issue...cheap or expensive...good food is all I care about.

No car. This weekend starting Thursday. Union Square.

Thanks.

I called Gary Danko yesterday to see if there were any last minute cancellations...no luck. I am thinking about dining at the bar.

I would put my recommendation in for (Ana Mandara [Closed Oct, 2012]. My wife and I went there on our honeymoon and it was amazing food in one of the most beautiful restaurants I've ever been in.

My wife and I had our first visit to Dino last weekend and it was as wonderful as I expected it to be from all the posts here. The service was very good considering our server was in training. Really no problems with the service at all. The food was spectacular! I started with the panzenella and that was tomato heaven. Just perfect tomatoes. I don't remember what my wife had but she was also thrilled. For an entree I had the Tagliata di Manzo which was (for me) a perfect combination of meaty goodness (perfectly medium rare). The salsa verde was wonderful and the arugula nice and spicy. My wife had the Bigoi in Salsa and was in anchovy heaven. For dessert we had the Panini al Nutella e Mascarpone. Now you don't ever have to twist our arms too hard to get a dessert with nutella. This dessert was very good and made better with the marscapone and the hazelnut ice cream was perfect. We didn't get a chance to meet Dean but he did have to deal with a somewhat difficult two-top next to us and both he and his staff were nothing but courteous, professional and even friendly when I doubt I would have been. We can't wait to go back to try other dishes and are completely amazed that he can offer this food at the prices he does. A true bargain I think.

Doc,  if we meet up someday, I'll tell you a great story involving a friend of mine, a religious conference, and the jist of your pun.

I was in Cheestique last night just before closing and Jill was setting up for last night's tasting.  She said that she had filled over 100 spots for this tasting over the next two weeks!  Who knew there was so much love for the ghastly stinky cheeses?  I managed to weasel into an open spot on next Tuesday's (23rd) tasting, and was wondering if anyone went last night?  Spill it, folks.

We were at the tasting last night and the cheeses were all amazing. Didn't necessarily like them all but they were all interesting and Jill, as usual, was a font of knowledge on each and every one.

We went last Friday at 9-9:15ish and there was only about a 10 minute wait for a party of four.

However, last call is at 10:30 I believe so you don't want to get there too late.

Sounds good. Thanks for the info alan7147

I ordered and enjoyed a "tower of haggis" starter last year in Aberdeen.

The menu was largely pub fare, but included a few such surreal culinary flourishes.

Then I made the mistake of relating to our hosts my chef instructor's opinion about the limited range of oatmeal. Our home-cooked supper the following night incorporated this theme ingredient in every course.

I don't suppose you (or anyone else) knows of a place in the DC Metro area where one can get haggis?

Yes, there is a bar.  I didn't take a close look but I think there are about half a dozen seats.  Along the opposite wall are your classic bar tall tables and chairs.

My apologies if this has already been covered. I'm dying to try this place - what is the bar availability on Saturday evening? Say I show up at around 6 - is there a wait? Is it easier to grab a table for one?

Sounds interesting. I'm looking forward to its opening.

I used to live not far from this place and started going there not too long after it opened. The prices were so good that I even managed to eat there when I was a poor grad student. It has always been a solid place with good mezze and a solid, eclectic wine list with great prices. One of my favorite things to eat anywhere is the orzo salad at Cafe Ole. Of course I may be a little biased since it was also the location of my first date with my wife.