pjnewman

My wife and I have reservations for the main dining room at 5:45 tomorrow (2/21). If any DR people are there, please stop by our table and say hello. I have shoulder length hair and a beard and if you can't find me ask to find the table with a reservation for Newman. Hoping to see other DR people and am looking forward to a great meal.

Info regarding Carderock. Carderock Picnic Pavilion The picnic pavilion at the Carderock Recreation Area is a large covered pavilion, open on three sides, that accommodates a maximum of 200 people. Convenient and ample parking is available for all attending your event. There are 30 picnic tables in or around the pavilion and electricity, in the form of 4 110-volt outlets, is available for your use. There are 2 large grills outside the pavilion and a large fireplace within the pavilion. Water and comfort stations are located nearby. There is an adjacent field area for activities of all types. You must provide the sports equipment, though poles are provided for volleyball or badminton. The Carderock Picnic Pavilion is available by permit only from Recreation.gov. Reservations may be made up to one year in advance. The cost for the permit is $250.00 for Monday - Thursday and $350.00 for Friday - Sunday, and on federal holidays. No rain dates or partial refunds will be provided Here is a listing of general rules and regulations for use of the Carderock Picnic Pavilion. A more complete listing of park rules and regulations is available. The permit allows use of the pavilion between sunrise and sunset only. The park closes at dark, which is one half-hour after sunset. Only beer and/or wine may be served in unbreakable containers. Alcohol is not permitted outside the pavilion area Catering is permitted, however no vehicle access will be provided to the pavilion. They must be able to operate without running a generator or vehicle. The use of portable gas equipment is allowed. Permission is required to post signs or banners at the pavilion or on the roadways. The park is a "Trash Free Park" and trashcans are not provided. Trash must be picked up and the area left in a clean condition before departure. Fires may be built in established or portable grills only. All fires must be extinguished before leaving the park. Parking or driving on the grass is not permitted. Parking is restricted to designated parking lots and parking may not be reserved. Car pooling and/or charted buses should be considered for groups of 100 or more. No live bands, disc jockeys, etc. are permitted. Any volume amplification must be at a sound level that does not carry beyond the pavilion or interfere with the use of the area by other park visitors. No vending, gambling, raffles or collection of fees of any kind are allowed on park property. No amusement type rides and/or generators are permitted. (i.e. Moon Bounce, pony rides, dunk tanks, etc.) For further information, please e-mail the Fee Supervisor Shaun Lehmann

The oil and red peppers.

Forgive me if this has been the subject of a previous discussion but many a meal at an ethnic restaurant has been complimented by a dish of chile sauce. In the past when purchasing what I hoped would be a comparable condiment at an Asian market,I have always come away with something that I felt was too salty. Is there a style or brand of chile sauce similar to what you might be served at a typical Chinese restaurant? Thanks.

I'm in, +1

I might have overlooked it under this topic but Fishnet has to be included among the best in CP. That and an occasional stop at Ledo Restaurant (not Ledo's Pizza) are my go to places in the immediate area.

My favorite wings within the last year have to be what is served at Stan`s which I remember to be near the McPherson (sp?) Square Metro station. For me a small order is just right. All three parts of the wing are included. I had previously seen a discussion about their liquor pours and asked the bartender about this as I was leaving. 4 ounces was the response. It was a three piece wing seasoned to my taste although hot sauce was available. I only heard about this place though this website but have been back 3 or 4 times in the last year. Thanks for letting me know about this place although I feel a bit guilty never ordering anything but wings (and drinks, but I was taking Metro). Paul

We were in the Hawaiian islands about a year ago and probably had poke a dozen times including for breakfast. Pronounced po-Kay as the posted article states, never with rice and always tuna. Another faux pas that the posted article did not mention is referring to the "mainland" as the "states" as Hawaii is certainly a state as well (although there is a local effort to secede from the US). Locally, I sometimes meet friends for happy hour at Quench in Rockville which has poke on the menu ($9 no rice) although I thought that their preparation was better about a year or so ago.

Madras Palace is closed. In the past I thought that it was reliably good but it has been replaced by a Peruvian chicken place which opened a few weeks ago and whose name I cannot recall.

The fact that it is always open so late (3 AM, 4 AM on weekends) made it a destination to get real food when a musician friend and I needed a place catch up after a concert when he was visiting the area while on tour.

I little bit off topic but in the beginning of July, I asked in the "Help Wanted" topic where would be best to host a retirement luncheon for my wife. We have since signed a contract with Grapeseed for a date in the third week of October as Grapeseed was the overwhelming recommendation on DR. I spoke with a Grapeseed event coordinator earlier today in order to resolve some questions that I had. At the end of the conversation I mentioned that the restaurant was recommended to me through Don Rockwell. Although he was not familiar with the website he said that he would pass the information along. - Paul

Maybe this message should be moved to another topic where it will get more views but I originally got the Hummer as I was a civil engineer (now retired) and used it to do site inspections so that after heavy rains I wouldn't have to walk through a half mile of mud. After retirement I could have sold the Hummer since the original purpose was no longer required but I have found a new calling volunteering for a food recovery organization in Montgomery County called Nourish Now (http://nourishnow.org/). My best days are when I can fill the Hummer with food for people who might not have enough food and are challenged to provide their families with enough to eat. If any restaurants or individuals might help out let me know. Thanks. Paul

Thanks for your advice. I sent an email to Grapeseed: My wife is retiring from NIH at the end of October. The branch typically hosts a retirement luncheon for such an occasion. The cost that people usually pay is about $15 a head although I would certainly be willing to supplement costs in order to make this a memorable event. Please have someone contact me to review my options. I am a member of Don Rockwell and asked where in Bethesda I should consider and your name came to the top. Thanks." I try to promote the Don Rockwell site when I can. I haven't heard back (just sent the email) but expect that this will be just what I was hoping for. - Paul

I awoke this morning not feeling well. I'm still going to try and attend if I'm feeling better later. I wanted to make sure that there is a contingency for ice. I am so sorry for the inconvenience.

A possible change in plans. I was running errands this morning when my Hummer H2 failed to start. It has since been towed to a auto shop but the cooler I intended to bring (42" interior length) was meant for the Hummer and not my other car (Porsche 911). I do have the cooler available so If someone near Gaithersburg could pick it up, that would be an option. Otherwise I can see how much ice I can get in smaller coolers (I suspect not more than 20 pounds at most) and would be happy to bring that. I probably won't know until Friday figuring that parts for the Hummer need to be ordered and nothing ever turns out as easy as one would hope for. Sorry for the inconvenience. I am still in. - Paul

My wife will be retiring at the end of October 2015. A Bethesda area location would be best with 25 to 35 participants. I think that October 22 would be the best date. Her employees are used to paying between 10 to 15 dollars for similar events but I would be willing to supplement or pay for any costs incurred for this event. Let me know of any suggestions, A isolated area would be preferred but not required. Thanks for your help. - Paul

I purchased two slabs of Alaskan Sockeye salmon so home cured gravlax is on the menu. I also will be able obtain a large cooler so I will bring ice. Should I get 50 pounds or more? Let me know. Also I could stop by and pick up a grill from a participant if it's not too far from my trip from Gaithersburg.

I'm in (first timer). Need to visit the store today so see what I am bringing. I will bring beer and possibly a large cooler with ice (how many pounds are needed?) I'll know about the cooler tomorrow as I need to borrow it from my company.

For future reference, Carderock Recreation Area located just outside the Beltway in Maryland (adjacent to the C&O Canal and Clara Barton Parkway) has a picnic pavilion that can be reserved and accommodates up to 200 people. Beer and wine is permitted. The cost is $250 which includes the alcohol permit. Although it has been at least a dozen years since I was there, I recall that it is a lovely area and allows for hiking along the towpath. Pets are permitted. Reservations can be made to a year in advance although firms often use this site for company picnics so as I recall, dates fill up quickly. Just another option for the future. Information from their website: Facilities:There are 30 picnic tables in or around the pavilion and electricity, in the form of 4 110-volt outlets, is available for your use. There are two large grills outside the pavilion and a large fireplace within the pavilion. Water and comfort stations are located nearby. There is a softball field and an area for volleyball or relay games. Horseshoe pits are near the front of the pavilion. All are for your use during your event. You must provide the sports equipment, though poles are provided for volleyball or badminton. Activities and Amenities Within Facility Accessible Flush Toilets Accessible Grills Accessible Parking Flush Toilets A link to their website is: http://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/carderockpicnicpavilion.htm - Paul

Lovehockey - Thank you for the wonderful tour this past Saturday. I've been to the Capitol before (pre-CVC) and never gotten as much insight into the building, its history and artifacts as I did with you. Thanks again. - Paul

Keep in mind that some attractions (Washington Monument, White House (which you already have covered)) and some exhibits at the Smithsonian require timed tickets for entry. I don't believe you have to opt for the next available time so you might consider making a ticket run in the morning for a time later in the day as most tickets for the day have already been distributed by mid-morning. Keep in mind that many monuments (I know FDR and Jefferson for sure) have regular tours given by a park ranger where no tickets are required. You just assemble at a specific location at a specific time (generally hourly). Having the benefit of the ranger's information make the visits more enlightening (Thanks to lovehockey for Saturday's wonderful tour of the Capitol Building). Also, with 10 days you might consider taking a day to venture out of town. There are many civil war battlefields in the area and Harper's Ferry is another possibility. Have fun.

Lovehockey- We are looking forward to your tour. We haven't been to the Capitol since the construction of the new visitor's center. Are we meeting in the visitor's center or at a different location? Let us know. Also, as a token of appreciation we'd love to take you to lunch after the tour if you are available (and other DR participants are welcome). We can discuss your favorite Capitol Hill restaurants at the end of the tour. Thanks again. - Paul

My wife and I would love to participate. Thanks for offering to do this. Paul

hm212- I believe that Pizzeria Paradiso does not accept AMEX. There are other restaurants in the area as well but can't think of others at the moment.

The Germantown location of Hard Times has closed. No great loss as the quality was inferior to other locations.