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Washingtonian has a blurb in the February issue... Polenta fries? Oh, yum!

Did anyone see Supermarket Sweep on Dateline last night? I never watch this show, so of course the one I catch in my lifetime is about unsanitary grocery store conditions. Guess which national chain is the most life-threatening? That's right! It's Safeway with an average of 25 critical violations per 10 inspections! (A critical violation is one that can result in sickness for the consumer.) Back to the farmers' markets for this gal...

This kerfuffle reminded me that, among restaurant terminology, "cakeage" is my favorite by leaps and bounds. What a great word.

I tried once to find that it's closed Mondays. Menu looked good, though.

Giant, I am happy--well, not happy, but whatever--to know that I just don't have rotten luck that this keeps happening to me. Do you remember when the P Street WF first opened? Once, when I got home, I discovered that the bagger had left out a loaf of bread. I called to check on it, and the manager said, "Yes, I'm so glad you called! We have it right here. Do you live nearby? May I send a young man to your apartment to give it to you?" Wow! What service! What consideration! Now, I come home to find not only my bread missing, but double and triple charged for some things. Last time, it totaled about $7. I called and they told me I had to come back that night. "No because I'm miles away, I have no car, and it's 8 at night. I'll come tomorrow." The next day, the woman takes my reciept and refunds my double cole slaw, my double chicken, my double tuna... Wait. I actually bought three cans of tuna. "I thought you said you wanted a refund," she accuses. Sigh. In the end, she accidentally RE-charged it all to my credit card TWICE, removed it three times, and then pulled me out of the checkout line 15 minutes later because she'd neglected to get my name and address. What a difference five years makes.

I am totally on board with many of these--baloney (spelled like that!), Hi-C, Kraft Mac & Cheese, Fanta Grape... And I'll add Dippin' Stix to the list. (Remeber THOSE?) But nothing beats Fanta Orange when you're in the tropics, and I've recently discovered that Cracker Jacks are less cardboardy--and purty darn good and addictive, in fact--if you buy them in the bag, not the box. I'm just sayin'...

I'm in Adams Morgan, but judging from my utter lack of self control around cheese, a mile walk to and from the Metro is probably a smart idea...

Thanks so much for your concern, Dean. I want to reiterate that the busser, bartender, and consumables were all very good, so our night wasn't really "messed up." It was just a disappointment, not deserving of the food, to have so many hiccups in our meal from what may very well be a good server on a bad night. On a more expansive level, whereas I am apt to give a second chance to a restaurant like Dino that's gotten consistently good reports, my friends who eat out a lot but aren't food geeks won't. Where do you all fall?

But strangers aren't supposed to touch or pet the dogs because they're working, right? I just saw someone petting another person's service dog unbidden and was wondering about that...

I finally had my much-aticipated first meal at Dino's last night. Due to a dieting dining companion, we didn't order the RW menu... but I don't usually do dessert anyway (I'm a salty girl!), so no biggie. The food was really tremendous. After learning that both my friends texted that they'd be considerably late, the terrific bartender plied me with two delicious crostini--squash and asiago. A promising beginning. (Why can't I get my winter squash to taste that good??) The chopped salad was a good-sized plate of veggies, including roasted beets, mushrooms, carrots, and celery, with a nicely tart dressing using phenomenal olive oil. The Italian bouillabaise really hit the spot too. The monkfish and mussels were a bit dry, but a fork loaded with a bit of fish, a bit of sauce-soaked bread, and a bit of tomato made for the perfect bite. The bread basket was good, too--especially so considering that we got to dip it in that phenomenal oil, sprinkled with sea salt. (Actually, I sprinkled the sea salt over most of my meal; not because it was badly seasoned, but rather beacause it's SO COOL to have that option.) Unfortunately, our server really brough the whole meal down a few notches. Our bottle of wine didn't show up til halfway through the appetizers. The bread basket promised when we first ordered didn't show up until halfway through our entrees, along with spoons for the bouillabaise. Although one of my dining companions clearly ordered two crostini, three were brought--however, we didn't bring it up because that didin't really register with any of us until we saw on the bill that they'd also charged for three. Also, if you drop the check but we still have a half bottle of wine left, there's really no reason to come back every five minutes to see if we've paid, is there? And while I'm no design maven, my friend thought the upstairs was a bit, in her words, "Denny's-inspired." Conclusion: We may return, but likely just to the bar for small plates and the terrific wine options.

Okay. I'm sold. I see the driving directions on their Web site. Any love for the carless? Does Metro drop off nearby?

Has anyone else noted that the newest DR member is DC Segway User??? I wonder if he's come to give his side of the story...!

I think this thread must have sent a surge to their site. Thanks. I'll bookmark it and take a look later today...

This sounds really amazing. I've been meaning to seek out some cool cooking classes in the city, and this sounds right up my alley. Not to ruin ctay's Christmas gift, but how much do these classes run and how often? Long wait lists?

Eek. I just noticed that the Restaurant Week menu is served for the entire table only. Is that normal? One of my party is planning on just a salad...

Thanks all for the terrific reviews. I'm going tomorrow for my first time and am already salivating...

Give him steak within walking distance of Dupont: The Prime Rib. I know all its foibles, but I love that place. And I think the big leather chairs, linen tablecloths, and piano player make it an awful romantical joint, if masculine.

Strawberries are on sale at Safeway this week... Coincidence?

Science Club? That sounds interesting. Anyone have news on what it is? Bar, lounge, resto? What kind of drinks, couches, food? Maybe you have to check your brain at the door?

Clearly, take the credit card number and penalize--er, charge them 60 bucks!

I like how "penalty" is crossed out and replaced with "charge." I suppose that's supposed to make dropping some dough for being rude less painful? [Though if we're going to start enforcing politeness by contract, I say we start on the Metro. Each fare card ought to have a statement on the back binding the holder to certain rules, such as not standing in the doorway...]

Chef will be interviewed on the Kojo Nnamdi Show today at 1:30pm on WAMU 88.5FM.

Cheers to Dean Gold's explanation to the credit card complainer. Very professional and detailed and non-adversarial.

What's the story on RW for one person who wants to eat at the bar? Would I be able to slide onto a stool unannounced, or do places like Corduroy and Dino take ressies for the bar during RW? (I know some restaurants do that for new year's... Just checking...)