Bob Wells

Olive loaf (and its cousin, pickle and pimento loaf). I used to love eating this crap when we visited my nonkosher aunt and uncle's house on Cape Cod. Now, even though I might still enjoy the taste, the nutritional information helpfully posted in the deli case prevents me from every trying it again.

Quisp defeated Quake in a customer poll and Quake was banished to the land of defunct cereals forever. That reminds me of the customer poll that answered the musical question: Are Razzles a candy or a gum? Survey says: Gum.

I gave this place a try today. I was prepared to take one for the team but lunch was not bad at all. I think it's got a real shot. I got the "steak trio salad," which was a nice piece of london broil-type meat and a pile of chopped endive, radicchio, and arugula in a light blue cheese dressing. The "house-made fries," which of course I had to try, were nothing special, though. It's right next to the Mama Lavash Bakery. I'd go back.

While driving out US 29 (soon to be renamed Five Guys Highway), which will indeed take you to Lynchburg, last week, I saw Five Guys in Gainesville and Warrenton. I suspect Culpeper has or is getting one too. There's a Starbucks in the same strip center as both Five Guys. (N.B. the Starbucks on 29 just outside Warrenton near Joe Jacoby Ford is a drive-thru.)

I finally made it to Llajtaymanta today. It's definitely a cheap ticket to La Paz. Once again I found myself somewhat challenged by Bolivian cuisine. I ordered chorizo taratena (helpfully translated as taratena sausage). The portion was huge, like at Luzmila's: six plump sausages on a plate filled with rice, salad, half a potato, and what I think is hominy or some variation thereof. The chorizos are a bright red, and the flavor was completely alien to me. Even Google couldn't help me figure out what exactly I just ate. I would go back, but next time I'll try the sillpancho or the other steak dish. They also have duck, rabbit, and tongue entrees. N.B. Brewskis are available, including Quilces from Argentina.

Thanks for the tip! I don't get over that way too often but the next time I'm anywhere close I will pop in. When I was up in Leesburg recently I spotted a place called European Gourmet Bakery. It's in a strip mall (of course) near the outlets. I was not in a position to stop in but next time I'm up there I'll check the place out.

I paid a visit to Pastries by Randolph today. While their stuff is gorgeous, they don't make palmiers I soothed my dissappointment with a delicious cherry hamantash , and the palmier search will continue.

I just noticed this place today. It's on Idyllwood Road, just off Route 7, in the little plaza behind Idyllwood Plaza just east of Tysons Corner, where Whole Foods is located. Looks rather spiffy.

Were my eyes deceiving me recently, or is Le Grille no longer there? I'm pretty sure there's another Vietnamese restaurant in that space, or at the least Le Grille has a new name. We always liked Le Grille, and it lasted for a long time, but it never seemed to do much business.

Thanks -- I can definitely pop over to Randolph's and check out their palmiers. I will report back!

I grew up near a very authentic french pastry shop in Providence -- interestingly enough, it was named the French Pastry Shop -- that baked the best palmiers I've still ever had. Too many palmiers lack crunch. If I'm going to eat so much butter and sugar at one shot, what I'm eating better be really good. So, where in Northern Virginia (hopefully) or DC can I find really good palmiers?

I finally paid a quick visit to the new Trader Joe's last night. The store is very attractive. The aisles are much wider than in the other stores. The cheese selection is displayed very nicely. Having had a recent good experience with a Wensleydale with cranberries from Costco, I snagged a White Stilton with cranberries at this TJ's. The cashier and another employee raved about it so I have high expectations. They also have Stilton with apricots and also with mango & ginger. One thing that I found particularly impressive was that as late as I walked in (around 8:35, and they close at 9), the samples counter was fully stocked and manned (womanned, actually). The free coffee was also still hot. There was some delectable looking items in the baked goods area -- strawberry rhubard pie and chocolate tangerine cookies, to name two -- that I will not be able to resist on future visits. In the flower area I snagged a dozen beautiful "rainbow roses" for a mere $7.99. All in all, a very nice store that should do quite well.

I believe that employee's name is Poppy.

Mom's is a good choice for sure. They also have a location in Leesburg, right across the street from Galetta's, which I still have to check out. Also very good is Pie Gourmet in Vienna. For something a little less homey but always welcome, Costco's caramel apple pie is gigantic and very good.

Yep, if it's in Purcellville it's in Loudoun. Haven't heard of that winery -- it's getting hard to keep up with them. In fact, while driving on Route 7 last weekend I saw another winery in that area that I hadn't known about. The name was Ventmar or something like that -- I know it ended in -mar. Seems like wine people think Loudoun is a good spot -- I guess time will tell if the wines live up to their expectations.

Don: Thanks very much. Sounds like the Golden Cow is a false idol, not to be worshipped. We certainly agree on Luzmila's saltenas. Those were the first and only saltenas I've had, and I found too them to be really soupy and really sweet. I thought , "This is Bolivia's national food? Yeech. Must be an acquired taste." I'm going to give Llajtaymanta a try real soon.

Across Route 50 from Loehmann's Plaza, where I went the other night for some pho at Pho 50 (which is in nice little three-eatery row with Punjab Dhaba and Old Hickory Grille), is a little plaza called Graham Center, which has a Vietnamese joint called Pho Golden Cow and a Bolivan joint called Llajtaymanta Restaurant. Anyone got some 411 on either or both? I've enjoyed my meals at another local Bolivian spot, Luzmila's Cuisine on W. Broad St. -- is Llajtaymanta a worthy competitor? And how does Pho Golden Cow stack up against Phos 50 and 75?

Raisa: Have you checked out Warrenton, the Fauquier County seat? that's not too far from you. I have heard vague reports of some good non-chain eats in that little burg.

Raisa: those three (I've been to two of them) are "relatively" expensive -- when you asked about Mom and Pop joints I pictured something much humbler, and the reason why there are no such restaurants out in the exurbs is that Moms and Pops don't live there. Basically nobody lived where you lived until recently. I live in southern Loudoun Co -- not too far from you -- and was once as frustrated as you are, until I realized it was hopeless to wish for more than some decent chains. The only Mom and Pops you can expect until your area really becomes settled are pizza joints and maybe some Chinese or Thai eateries.

Linden has a very good reputation. I know I've tried their wines at the Virginia Wine Festival and/or Vintage Virginia, but the combination at those events of sweltering heat and too many samples prevents me from offering any first-hand opinions.

What do people think of the wineries in Loudoun Co.? I like to tell people I live in "wine country." We're about ten miles from Chrysalis in Aldie, which makes a really nice Viognier. Willowcroft is a nice low-key winery with spectacular views and some good product -- we've enjoyed the riesling and cab franc. Swedenburg, regardless of what you think of their wines, will be immortalized for the proprietors' role in the Supreme Court case regarding state wine shipping laws.

Angelina's on Harford Rd. has very good, big crabcakes, but that's the only thing I'd order there. Another option that is quite different would be Friendly Farm up I-83 close to the Pa. border. They have really good, "free-form" crabcakes and other good fried seafood offerings. Stay away from the meat entrees and stay away entirely if you don't like kids.

Anyone been there yet ? How does it differ from the Reston, Fairfax, and Tysons TJ's?

One more: The Virginian, a diner in Vienna, opened in 1965. They are known for having only a pay phone -- if you want to call this place, you have to call the pay phone. Now I find that to be very cool. Pay phones are oh so '65.

It's not just restaurants. My brother and I stayed at a new Jameson Inn once. They say that if there's anything wrong, your room is free. Well, I was waiting for an important call from the mrs. We made sure the phone was free. Hours after I should have gotten the call, I found out that she had tried calling several times but never got through to our room. When we went to check out the next morning, my brother told the desk clerk that we didn't get an important call. The response was not, "Ok, then your room is free" but "What do you want me to do?" They probably think most people will be too cowed to ask for the room to be free. Not us. Free room. But we had to ask for it.