MelGold

So is CitiZen and Maestro. Your point?

I'm glad I made my reservation for this weekend before the review was posted!

I've never seen it in cans. Dr. Browns comes in both packaging year round & don't do anything different for Passover. I think the big boys only do the 2-liter bottles for the holiday (more cost-effective?).

My friend's mom is visiting town from McAllen, TX (for those deficient in TX geography, the "city" is located just north of the border with Mexico on the southern tip of the state in the Valley). The friend thought it would be nice to gather a group of her friends for dinner with her mom, which sounded fun so I agreed. Then I got the email with time & location. Now why in the hell would a woman who knows what real Tex-Mex tastes like take her mom & a bunch of friends who also know what real Tex-Mex taste like to Lauriol Plaza? Wouldn't you want to try a cuisine your mother can't get in the Valley 1500x better?! Regardless, we congregated, waited only about 30 minutes, and were seated in the roaring mid-level. I would say it was quite loud, except the 10 of us were not the quietest of groups. Our server was very enthusiastic and the chips were plentiful. Unfortunately my margarita (which was going to be my saving grace for the evening) was watered down & flavorless (I think they forgot to add the alcohol). The expectations for my meal were so low that the carne asada actually exceeded them. Not really sure what that says though. My friend's mother had the shrimp & crab enchiladas and the guy sitting to my right got the combo steak & shrimp fajitas. Both dishes looked and smelled good, and got thumbs up. Perhaps that's the key: stick with seafood and you won't be too disappointed. That said, it will most likely be another 8 years before I go to LP again. I'll get my Tex-Mex fill from home-cooked treasures (not prepared by me) instead of settling for the mundane.

TGIF has never been more true! Some of us are whimming at Circle Bistro tonight in the lounge. I'm sure someone will be there on the early side...unfortunately traffic will probably push my arrival back to 7-ish (save some wine for me). Hope to see ya later!

Circle Bistro?

I LOVE South Africans! Who is it???

Jennifer, that would work. You can get a gift certificate good at any of the five restaurants (including buzz) by calling any of the restaurants.

Victory Beer Dinner happening this Tuesday at EatBar finally has a menu. It's posted here or here. Looks like a great menu of beer & food! Price is $80 (which includes tax & gratuity). To reserve your space, RSVP to Chris Schaller (pizzaandbrew) at chriss@rusticorestaurant.com.

It is up on the Rustico site. (my last official task scratched off the to do list)

Hey - don't be so presumptious, Shaggy. I might have a date that night!

Happy Birthday, gents!

Fritz Hahn tends to agree! Click

It can be - depends on if there's someone dedicated to doing it in house & is given enough time to update it before the menu goes into effect.

Too true - especially when there's something to celebrate this week. However, being the gracious hostess I am, I will have to miss my pork fix & the perfect opportunity to see if this long hiatus from DC has made Shogun more extroverted so that I at least have dinner baking in the oven when the gang arrives tonight. Have a great time!

Seriously??? That sucks. I'm hosting Shabbat dinner for 8 in my hood. Have fun without me. [sniff, sniff]

Australian Wine DinnerMonday, February 26, 2007 at 7:15 PM Special Guest: John Amo of Grateful Palate $85 inclusive tax & gratuity This month's wine dinner at Evening Star Cafe focuses on February's featured wine region of Australia. Australian Wine Importer John Amo from the Grateful Palate will be walking us through this five-course dinner prepared by Chef Matt Cordes and his staff. An amuse & aperitif will be served downstairs in the wine shop, so check in there before heading up to the No. 9 for dinner! Reserve your seats by calling Planet Wine at 703.549.3444 Amuse & Aperitif Pork Cheek Rillette with Pappadam Chip & BBQ Apple Chutney NV Trevor Jones Sparkling Red Wine (South Australia) 1st Course Horseradish-Crusted Scottish Salmon Herb Salad, Pickled Quail Egg, Fingerling Potato Ragout, Chive Foam 2005 Clos Clare Riesling (Clare Valley) 2nd Course Roasted Australian Prawn Fennel & Endive Salad, Caramel-Basil Sauce 2005 Trevor Jones "Virgin" Chardonnay (South Australia) 3rd Course Roasted Duck Breast Vanilla Whipped Parsnip Puree, Braised Mustard Greens, Blood Orange Duck Jus 2005 Marquis Philips Shiraz (Southeast Australia) & 2003 Brothers in Arms No.6 Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon (Langhorne Creek) 4th Course Roasted Rack of Lamb Mushroom, Sage and Pancetta Bread Pudding with Juniper Berry Beurre Rouge 2004 Kay Brothers Amery Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (McLaren Vale) & 2004 Rusden Driftsand GMS (Barossa Valley) 5th Course Spiced Ricotta Curd Crèpes with Passion Fruit Anglaise 2005 Lilly Pilly Noble Blend

Oh. My. God. Mktye, I knew you were an incredibly organized genius before, but this nails it! I'm in awe!!!!

Anyone coming to Rustico tonight to join me in a drink?

I'm in!

I'm thinking ahead...anyone care to join me Wednesday night in the bar at Rustico for a Brooklyn Brewery glassware giveaway. Pizzaandbrew posted some amazing sounding beers on tap & on the beer engine (Crescentfresh) with a free footed glass from the brewery for every pint you buy. It's from 6 to 9 PM...anyone up for some NY-style beer debauchery?

Sorry, it is February 6th. Tonight is the Delirium glassware giveaway (6 to 9 PM).

As beer lovers, you have known for years that a glass of great beer can augment the dining experience just like a glass of fine wine can. You can finally prove it to the non-believers in your life on Tuesday, February 6th. Garrett Oliver, Brewmaster of Brooklyn Brewery & author of The Brewmaster's Table, joins Rustico & EatBar for a special night to celebrate & "discover the pleasures of real beer with real food." Chef Nathan Anda will present a special five-course menu paired with six vibrant selections from Garrett's portfolio. The beer dinner will take place at EatBar (2761 Washington Blvd., Arlington; 703.778.9951), beginning at 7:30 PM. Cost is $90 (including tax & gratuity) per person; $120 for dinner and a signed copy of Garrett's beer bible. Menu (subject to change) Course 1 Star Anise-Crusted Diver Scallop Green Curry & Spiced Carrot Cappuccino Paired with Brooklyn Lager Course 2 Braised Pork Belly with House-Baked Beans Paired with Brooklyn Pennant Ale ‘55 Course 3 Fried Blue Point Oysters Rémoulade, Oven-Dried Tomatoes, & Capers Paired with Brooklyn East India Pale Ale Course 4 “Steak & Cheese” Smoked Beef Tenderloin with Cipollinis, Piquillo Peppers & Carr Valley’s 8-Year Gouda Paired with Brooklyn Brown Ale Course 5 Duo of Stilton-Style Cheeses One New World, One Old World; with Mâche Salad & Blueberry Syrup Paired with Brooklyn Double Chocolate Stout Course 6 Optional Cigar Paired with Brooklyn Monster Barleywine Reserve your spot for this dinner which will surely sell out quickly! Call Chris Schaller (Pizzaandbrew) at 703.224.5051 or email him at chriss@rusticorestaurant.com.

If anyone on the VA side of the river (or those brave enough to cross over to the greener grass) is interested, tonight is Delirium glassware giveaway night at Rustico. From 6 to 9 PM in the bar, with every Delirium beer you order, you get a cool Delirium glass from the brewery. To peak interest a bit more, tonight's Delirium drafts include Delirium Tremens, Delirium Noel, & Floris Apple. Sorry, CF, I don't know if any are running through the beer engine. On an aside, check the beer thread for an amazing beer dinner coming up at EatBar in conjunction with Rustico. It's not one to miss if you love Brooklyn Brewery beers!

Greg Engert at Rustico is working with the bar manager, Matt Wright, on the beer selection at EatBar. There will be 12 rotating drafts, and the bottle selection is going to keep growing. The current food menu for EatBar is online at tallularestaurant.com under "Bar & Lounge".