LizH

It was nice to meet everyone. we need to go somewhere where there is good food next time. I was afraid to order anything last night and was starved when I got home. Quarry house gets my vote for after the holidays. Cheers, Liz

not sure I can do the whole Silver Spring tour, but I will at least try meeting up at the quarry house...

I am going try to come next week-- how will I know who the DR folks are? Cheers, Liz

I see that it was mentioned a while back, but I finally tried Blue Ribbon Sushi in soho. It was some of the best sushi I have ever had. we had a sashimi that was a white salmon - I can't remember the Japanese name. It was all that fish should be, it just melted in our mouth. While not cheap, it was pretty resonable for good sushi. We had two beer, a couple of apps (one was Gindara Saikyoyaki, broiled miso cured black cod, that was really good) and quite a bit of sushi/sashimi and I think it was a little over $100 for two. Blue Ribbon Sushi 119 Sullivan Street (between Prince and Spring streets) New York, NY 10012 212.343.0404

No sausage biscuit on the bar menu on Wednesday. I even asked and they said they didn't have it. I assume it will be back...

I still love Ray's and I am so happy it is in Silver Spring, but I have a question...Is the salad they serve in the bar area smaller then then in the main restaurant? I have eaten in the restaurant and it was a good size. I have twice eaten in the bar area and both times the salads seemed pretty small. Once was part of my steak dinner and the other was a paid side dish (when I just ordered a few aps). I was also sad to see the sausage biscuit and the amazing chocolate cake was not on the menu the other night, I hope they come back. Everything else was great, don't get me wrong.

fyi: here is a link to a new food show on PBS, it looks interesting. It is a Gourmet magazine program on PBS. http://www.diaryofafoodie.org/ from the site: Looking at the world food-first, Gourmet's Diary of a Foodie is a sophisticated, high-end series that introduces viewers to a feast of cutting-edge food trends, exotic ingredients, and in-the-know food players on an international level. Expanding on the lessons learned during the show's travels, Gourmet Editor-in-Chief Ruth Reichl, along with a supporting staff of Gourmet's renowned food editors, go inside the magazine's test kitchens to show viewers how they can bring this diverse culinary landscape into their own homes.

Any tips of when to call for reservations? I have been trying to call (for a dinner 4 weeks from now) and it just keeps ringing. Do I let it ring or just keep trying? Thanks!

I just went to Charlie Palmer Steak for RW Lunch. I found the service very good, without being overbearing. There were four of us, and we were boring and had almost all the same thing, but all of us were happy and full. I started with: Chilled Piquillo Pepper and Local Tomato Gazpacho rock shrimp ceviche >>This was more of a smooth, not chunky Gazpacho, and it was a lovely start to the meal. One friend had the English pea soup, which she said was very good, though decadent with a big dollop of "truffle scented creme fraiche." I then had: Marinated Grilled Hanger Steak soft yellow corn polenta, eggplant and roasted pepper caponata >>Steak was cooked perfectly, Polenta was good, eggplant was fine, if a little boring. I do love their hanger steaks though. All four of us had it and were happy to finish all it. Three of us had: Dark Chocolate Terrine candied hazelnut, hazelnut ice cream >>>This was very good, not as good as the chocolate dessert that was on their other special 20.06 lunch they were doing earlier in the summer. It was still quite good. The fourth person had the Almond cake and he was a little disappointed. FYI< they say they are extending RW through next week, I am not sure if they will bring the other 20.06 lunch back after that, or if that was just for the summer. All and all, a great choice for RW. FYI< full menu:http://www.charliepalmer.com/steak_dc/menu.php?i=199

I have been curious about this place, as it is on the way home from the Metro. Does anyone know if the take out is good (besides that one bad time for Dean)? I am more likely to take home from there then eat in. Thanks

Wow, I am glad I finally made it to Colorado Kitchen today for brunch, since it is about to close for a few weeks of summer break. I had never been, but it was lovely. My friend and I shared the donut holes that were little bites of heaven. I then hade the Shrimp and grits, which were just amazing. I almost licked my plate, but I figured that would have been bad form. The shrimp was cooked perfectly and the grits were the perfect balance of garlic and butter. I guess they are open for another week or two and then they have a much needed holiday. I look forward to going back in September. I am kicking myself that it took me so long to get over there.

I find if you make it with chicken broth instead of water it has great flavor. I added some left over chicken and roasted veggies and it was a nice simple summer dinner.

The location is right on Georgia Ave and Bonifont. It is in a space that used to be a deli (according to DCist). And yes, a terrible web site. Dcist also said the owners are graphic designers. Ack.

I agree that the Quarry house would be a good pick. If not, there is also the Austin Grill, which I don't think was mentioned. Good chips and salsa and they have a happy hour. FYI, not open yet, but has anyone seen this?? Not sure what to think! http://www.piratztavern.com/ Warning, bad flash and music. though I kind of like the bird that calls out when you click him. Cheers.

Teaism is not too far (on 8th street, near the Navy memorial). They have french toast and eggs that are good but not too strange for the picky eater. The National Gallery, where I work, has a good cafe, but it does not open until 10:00. I am a little sick of it... but it is one of the better places on the Mall. I also like the American Indian cafe. I think both there and at the NGA you can find "kid food"-- chicken fingers, fries, etc., but at least there are other things for the parents. The cafe at the NGA sculpure garden is also good, and is a nice place for lunch. On Friday nights they have "Jazz in the Garden," which is free. The cafe is open for the Jazz nights. And I agree, jump on the metro over to Eastern Market (Saturday, not sure if it is open Sunday). The Market breakfast is fun. And I still do like the Crab cakes at lunch.

Nevermind... looking forward to next week!

King of pita would have been better. This was thick, and didn't even have a pocket. It was just bread really. Very dry bread.

I have been tying to figure out how to write about my first impressions of the Taste of Jerusalem. I went a week or two after they had opened and got my food to go. The setting is nice, and I really do want local restaurants to do well in Silver Spring. I got a few things to go, which I thought would have been enough for dinner for me and my husband and hopefully my lunch the next day. I got a few appetizers, including hummus and pita, a salad and spinach pies. I also got a chicken kabob entree. Overall the food was fine, some things better then others. I agree with others that a few more spices would been better. The hummus tasted fine, but the pita that came with it was really dry. It was more of a thick, solid, round bread, without any of the airiness that one likes in a fresh pita. They were also a little skimpy with the pita included, but since I didn't really like it, I guess it was fine that I didn't get more. The rest of the food was OK, but I was a little disappointed in the amount of food for the cost (total of about $ 35.00-- food, no drinks). There was only one small kabob. When I saw photos of the food from the restaurant in a recent local review (I think it was the Washington Post Montgomery County section) there were at least two kabobs. I guess they figured out it looked too skimpy for the photo-shoot and added another? In the end we had enough for us two, but sadly nothing for my lunch the next day. I would have said something about the pita if I was eating in, but since I got it to go, I have not figured out a way to suggest they use different pita. I think if you are going to serve this kind of Mediterranean food, the pita should be better. To be honest, the bad pita has made me not want to go back.

The beef proper used to be our reason for heading out to Peking Gourmet. Weused to call it cowboy candy because it was beefy and sweet, with a hint of hot from the chili. I haven't been in ages now that I live in MD, but now I think I need to make a trip over there. Hmmm.... cowboy candy.

Providence Well, I made it to Neath's on Saturday, work didn't allow a good dinner Sunday night. Neath's specializes in seafood and the chef is Cambodian. we enjoyed the food, which was sort of French-Asian. We started with littleneck clams in a lovely broth that was very fragrant. We then had a scallop special (on julianned veggies and fresh fiddle heads, so New England) and an amazing seared Tuna with rice noodles. We finished with a chocolate filled wanton and ginger ice-cream. The setting was lovely, overlooking booming Providence. We were able to steal away for a quick lunch at Julian's in Federal Hill on Sunday. It is a great local joint and they have a fantastic house-made ketchup. It was so good we were dipping bread into it. They used lots of fresh ingredients in what we ordered. I would go back to get some more classic seafood or Italian. There were lots of great restaurants to choose from, just no time! I wanted to try Al Forno, but we were limited with both time and budget. a friend said it is not as good as it used to be. They have some sort of installation a few times a year called water fire (http://www.waterfire.com/) where they light little fires along the river. It was not going on this weekend, but locals told us it is kind of cool.

I too like Sakana. It is small, but everything I have had there seemed real fresh. Service was usually not bad, I like sitting at the sushi bar.

wow, no response! well, I made reservations at Neath's on Saturday and Mill's Tavern on Sunday, I will report back. I also heard New Rivers is good and that Pot au Feu was Julia Child's favorite.

Hi, I am off to Providence next week. Any suggestions of restaurants? I am staying at the Courtyard Marriott near the State House. will be there Saturday to Monday. I will have a car, but we may not want to drive too far. I have been to Newport before, but need to be in Providence for work. Thanks!

FYI, a friend who used to live in Berlin told me about the following restaurant. She said it was her favorite in Berlin. I plan to go when I go to Berlin in September, but since you will be there sooner, can't wait to hear more... http://www.engelbecken.de/ Have fun. Also, make sure to go KaDeWe in Berlin, which is a huge department store that has an amazing food area.

HP sauce from England is pretty good, but If it is a higher quality steak l prefer a with bit of sea salt and fresh ground pepper.