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I actually got a QUART of shelled peas from the Reagan market for $6. I've never cooked with fresh peas before (the realization of which surprised the heck out of me), so I'm looking forward to seeing how they go. When making my corn/pea/tomato sautee yesterday, I found that they need to be cooked a heck of a lot longer than I thought. I did it in batches, of course, but the peas should probably have cooked at least twice as long as I let them. Now I know!

A slice of super-eggy (+ vanilla + lemon zest) multigrain French toast topped with wildflower honey Itty bitty farmer's market strawberries with yogurt and wildflower honey Iced coffee with a lotta milk

More than two weeks of houseguests has finally come to a close, during which time I did no shopping and less cooking. So I took a gander at the fridge and am kind of amazed at what I was able to throw together. Fish sandwich: fried tilapia on toasted bun topped with slaw of bell pepper, brussels sprouts, red onion, carrot, and scallion that was quick pickled, drained, then tossed with mayo Sautee of corn, peas, and tomatoes Cherries

And somewhat preciously marketed as "Baby Bellas."

Two words: frozen grapes. Oh, a few more words: I found some beautiful peas at the market yesterday and am stoked to make a cold mint pea soup this weekend. (I'm going to do some recipe searches but would welcome any DR-tested and -approved ideas!)

Bump! I bought some honey at the farmers' market a while ago, and it has ruined me for that supermarket glop. RUINED. So now I can't resist tasting and buying whatever local I can find. Consequently I have a cabinet full of the stuff and I want to start using it more regularly. I love it on toast; this morning I had it on Greek yogurt with amazing little strawberries from the Reagan Building market. And I make granola bars with it every other week or so. Aside from these and the great ideas above, what else can I do? Cooked or uncooked, I don't care. I just love the flavor! (I don't have any scientific proof for the health benefits of uncooked honey, but when I was in Khartoum, a Sudanese colleague told me he had a tablespoon every morning and had never been sick in his life. He may have been exaggerating, but he sure was one of the most sharp, vital 70-year-olds I've ever met. I hear the same thing about vinegar, but I suppose that's another topic...)

WAMU reports

Chobani passionfruit yogurt Homemade granola bars made with dried mango instead of cranberries Feeling tropically virtuous today!

I've heard the same from Adams Morgan business owners. They really got hit hard by the construction. Apparently the BID opened up small loans for them, but they took a ton of work and a ton of time for businesses to secure.

Eola? Kababji? Kellari? Mio?

In the Ronald Reagan Building, the food court is essentially impenetrable from April to September because of all the high-school tour groups clutching food vouchers. On the bright side, aside from the coffee at the Italian place, the food choices are so abysmal I generally don't have any desire to penetrate it anyway.

Northern Neck area You. Rock. Thank you SO much for recommending Something Different. I stopped there on my way down to Irvington and had an outstanding platter of tri-tip, just off the smoker. It was incredibly tender and flavorful, and the horseradish mustard was a perfect match along with a few shakes from whatever that magic not-salt and not-pepper shaker on the table holds. And those hoe cakes, with their crisp buttery edges and fluffy interior, served with molasses, are dangerously good (it's probably best that they only serve two). On the way back I pretty much bought out the store--officially, to feed houseguests, but unofficially, so I could eat through most of the menu myself: more sliced tri-tip, smoked salmon, pulled pork, Eastern NC BBQ sauce, peanuts, baked beans, cole slaw, and slices of the buttermilk, pecan, and coconut custard pies. I have not tried the pie or salmon yet, but everything else is top notch, especially the beans. I was surprised to like the beans so darn much. Most definitely worth the stop. Also agree on Nate's. My rockfish sandwich was fine (the spicy coleslaw on top was great), but it was nothing to write home about. The manhattan was syrupy sweet--stick with beer. The patio was definitely a better choice than the mobbed bar, but the service is perfectly pleasant, and if you're staying in Irvington and don't want to drive, it's pretty much the only game in town. The Hope and Glory Inn is a gorgeous B&B with wonderfully kind, welcoming staff. The breakfast is mighty fine; the four-course dinner is just okay. And the alcohol program is disappointing--three bad beers, limited hard liquor selection, and no wine list (they tell you the six grape varietals they've and you pick, even if buying a bottle). You can only drink what they sell on their property, so you're pretty much stuck with it.

Last night, I was chagrined to realize that I haven't eaten Ethiopian in DC for at least a year or more. But I've got people coming into town next week who I'd like to introduce to it. What's the scene like nowadays? Who's at the top of his game? Is Ethiopic really worth the extra cost? (And the schlep across the city??) (I'm so provincial.) Even though my guests are first timers to Ethiopian food, they won't need to be handled with kid gloves. Thanks!

Staunton Closed.

Wow. Did you talk to a manager? Not that this would have necessarily accomplished anything--the experience was pretty well ruined by that point--but I'd be REALLY interested to hear what s/he had to say to account.

I wouldn't even know where to start putting on a dinner party like this, and I haven't anything near your excuse. Congrats on the rehab and many happy meals to come!

Tribute?

I really dislike that airport. The last time I was there, I was transiting on my way to Thailand; I was supposed to transit through again on my way back, but that was the day of the earthquake/tsunami so I was understandably rerouted through Hong Kong (which, though it may be tasteless [ha] to say this, is a significantly nicer airport). In any case, each of the three times I've been there, every eatery was packed, with very long lines and service that seems too efficient for my bumbling ordering and money handling. And there are surprisingly few options, so I always end up at the bar that has a little glassed-in, aquarium-like smoking room to drink yellow beer and eat passable dumplings.NRT HKG

To be clear, I wasn't actually offering well-meaning advice. (I rarely mean well. And when I do mean to mean well, it usually turns out poorly anyhow.) A request for donations was put out here without any information about the organization or what causes it will support. Pro-life, pro-choice, local Tea Party, local Green Party, DC voting rights, religious groups--there is an endless list of "local grassroots" recipients that I would or would not want to support. Before I buy a bar stool, I'd like to know who that bar stool is going to help, other than a restaurant.

Sooooo... What exactly IS the cause? Working in the aid field myself, I know it is essential to read up on a beneficiary before donating, especially the financials, to make sure your money is actually making an impact in a field you believe in. I'm afraid that an LLC's stated goal to donate to "vetted grassroots organizations" after it builds out a restaurant and starts earning a profit is not going to attract a deep pool of committed, passionate donors. Just my two cents...

Thank you for the analysis. I lived in Sudan. But you provide an excellent example of how assumptions can ruin a good discussion.

Setting aside the fetish part, what's wrong with other cultures being treated as foreign and unusual? To nearly everyone but a native, they are. My hair and skin color boggles Africans whenever I'm over there. And despite spending a significant amount of time in Ethiopia, Sudan, and other countries, those cultures remain foreign and unusual to me, whether I'm overseas or in DC eating at their restaurants, viewing their art, or whatever else. I really hadn't thought about the Fojol thing until it came up and really don't know where I stand. I guess I just thought they were kind of celebrating and having fun with the eclectic heritage of their food, but I'm glad to hear from others on this because it makes me reconsider.

A look into the kitchen from the Washington Post. (The time lapse thing is pretty cool.)

(Thanks for posting this--I read it a few days ago, forgot to post, and then promptly forgot the source.) Sounds about right to me. I've always marveled at the what must be saint-like patience of the staff of the Diner, Amsterdam Falafelshop, and others, considering the state of the crowds they deal with.

The Public Editor had an interesting column yesterday that featured folks who criticized what they saw as significant flaws in the contest.