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That's why I wrote, "Irish foods or foods that feature Guinness or whiskey as an ingredient." And it was my oversight to not put "Irish-American." Thanks for the salmon idea.

Sorry--"Irish-American."

I'm throwing a St. Paddy's day party for about 15 people and looking for interesting, thematic foods to serve as appetizers. (My famous Guinness stew with boxty is featured as the main course.) What say you, lads and lassies? I want Irish foods or foods that feature Guinness or whiskey as an ingredient. My situation: no microwave, cool oven, great toaster oven. Erin go bragh! (Please feel free to expand this thread to include your approach to the sacred meal--corned beef and cabbage--and other topical yummies. I may not make them this year, but they'll certainly go in my file! I'll also take musical recommendations for proper atmosphere... Get creative!)

Does anyone know anything about the Giovanni Trattu in Dupont that one poster praised?

Anybody know? That could be a good 'new' place to try out one Friday. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I'm not sure about their specials, but Russia House is quite The Scene on the weekend, with techno music and a lot of young, smoky Europeans in small clothes. Being a wet blanket, I prefer it on a weeknight.

Amen. That's a pretty high-quality burger for the price. Definitely opt for it over the other HH options.

Oooo... I don't know, but I'll second your rec if it has. I miss living near that place. Great turkey ruben.

I like Timberlakes if you're looking for a sit-down pub joint--reasonably good bar food, reasonable prices, good selection, and a real neighborhoody type of place. I actually quite like the corned beef and cabbage they offer around St. Paddy's Day. And it's much less hectic and, er, sanitary, than the Childe Harold (which is also a cheap eats suggestion). But I suppose I wouldn't call either place "great," so I guess that was no help at all!

I am SO disappointed that I missed this... a cracked rib has had me confined to the couch for the last week and codeine made me space what day it was. But a big thanks to David for being so cool and understanding when I called. On short notice I expected to have to just write off the cost, but he gave me a full refund and some nice sympathy. I will definitely plan a visit once my brittle bones allow!

This is not nearly the same thing (unless you live as close to 18th and Columbia as I do), but I wanted to take the opportunity to pitch the online farmer's market. You can order from their Web site each week and pick up your goodies from his truck Saturday mornings in Adams Morgan or Takoma Park. I go to the market almost every Saturday during the summer, but tried this when it closed down for the winter and I really like it. My faves: Their homemade butter is excellent and their salad greens are magnificent.

Speaking of... I just had my first Breadline Cuban sandwich and I have two words for you: Yum Eee. The pork was a bit dry, and I only had one pickle slice on my second half, but holy sha-moly. That thing went down in about ten minutes flat. Next time I'll probably ask for it without that kind of wierd sauce, but no biggie. Incidentally, one of the things I like about that place is that they always have their chairs and tables set up outside, seemingly no matter what the weather. So as I ate outside for the first time in 2006, I thought about how I wasn't sure that that sandwich, however good, was worth $8.25. I mean yeesh. That's a fair amount of money that precluded me from getting chips and/or a soda. But then I breathed the air and watched the passersby and had my hair whipped about by the wind, and I relaxed a bit. I thought about the type of sandwich you can get in that neighborhood for $6--generally tasteless cold cuts, uncreative combinations, spongy corporate bread. And I decided, heck yeah it's worth the price. I mean, I'll always think an eight-dollar sandwich is expensive in the same way that I think gas should cost 99 cents a gallon and cigarettes should cost $1.35. But here, today, $2.50 for gas, $5.25 for smokes, and $8.25 for a kickin' sandwich is a reasonable expenditure. Thus endeth my lesson for today.

For me it wasn't so much the reservation system as the proprieter calling the entire metro area a bunch of assholes. As a member of the metro area, I'll go out on a limb and say that may not be the best way to win friends and influence people.

Did he really recommend Aria to the group of sweaty 10k-ers? Sure it's no 1789, but jeez. He must really not like that place!

I had my first rabbit ever there a few weeks ago. Suddenly, I see Elmer Fudd's side of the issue. And maybe now I know what I'm having for dinner tonight...

Principia, you sure it's the policies that are alientating people?

When I was there on a Wednesday in October, it was full.

Today's chat is >>HERE<< Now, I'm an editor, but will someone please tell me what soulful means as regards a restaurant and why he uses it so darn much? Tom and his modifiers.... Sigh. Edited to add: I really agree with the folks in the chat who are irked by the "amateur night" assignation. I guess I've never eaten out on special holidays because I always figured it would be a disappointing hassle. But why is that? Why do restaurants book to the rim on key days when they KNOW it will hurt the quality of their food and service? Does concern for hospitality get suspended for Valentine's dinner or Mother's Day brunch? I've been to seethingly packed restaurants many times and they've managed it. Why are these days different?

Tom Seitsema blurbs about Gerard's in The Weekly Dish today.

I'm going to Corduroy +0... Was the original plan to seat me at a table by myself?! Rockwellians are weird...

I think my single self is tagging on with married folks to the Birchmere's Burlesque-apades. I shudder to imagine what munchies they'll be serving...

Sooooo... ? How'd it go? What'd you make? How much were you appreciated? Do tell!

Awwww... Talk about your guilty pleasures! Moment of silence.

Are they still making pizza? I was wondering if they'd had to have nixed that when Hank's replaced the pizza/cheesesteak storefront.

I don't have the scoop, but its neighbor Dean & Deluca closed the same week as well... which seems to indicate a land issue, rather than a business one.

I just made one of my favorites last night--a veggie curry stew out of Jump Up and Kiss Me--Spicy Vegetarian Cooking. (This looks like a very good cookbook, but I've owned it for years and have only made this stew. I don't know why.) From the best of my recollection... Sautee 2 teaspoons of ground cardomom, a couple of chopped carrots, a chopped medium onion, and a few mined cloves of garlic in some olive oil until fragrant. Stir in some chopped zucchini and yellow squash, cauliflower florets, a can of garbanzo beans, about 1/2 cup of raisins, some green olives (optional), and a chopped potato (optional). Add 1 can of tomatoes, 1 can of tomato sauce, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of pepper, 2 teaspoons curry powder, 2 tablespoons of honey, and cayenne to taste. Simmer over med-low heat for about a half an hour, adding water if it gets too dry. Serve over couscous with a dollop of yogurt (optional) and chopped mint (optional) on top. I love meat, and even I think this stuff is awesome. I think the cardomom is the sacred secret, but everything else can be played around. You can really use whatever veggies you've got around and fiddle with the spices--I omit the cayenne, reduce curry powder to 1t and add 1t spicy garam masala. It freezes beautifully, and couscous takes all of five minutes to make. The yogurt and mint on top are optional, but are great for the same reason that loading stuff on top of chili is great. Good luck!