LizH

Those shrimp cakes are the best. I first went there with a friend originally from Vietnam, and she also really liked it. We usually would go to places way out in the 'burbs, and this was the first "close in" place that she liked. Needless to say it was fun going with her, as she always ordered the best things. She is the one who got me trying the shrimp cakes. I always find the food to be very fresh and well prepared.

Has anyone been back to Tabaq recently? Any suggestions for what to order (besides not ordering overpriced drinks)? Thanks!

I am heading to San Francisco next week. I have reservations at the Slanted Door and Piperade. Any other suggestions for quick bites to eat (where I don't need a reservation)? Staying near Union Square, so walking distance would be great. Cheers. --- Plouf (giant shrimp)

FYI, there is a sweet article about their wedding in Sunday, September 18th's NY Times wedding page.

I was taken to DRINX last night. This is the new bar (restaurant?!!?) at 601 F St. NW, which is attached to the MCI. The drinks were ok. Food (which is 25% off until today I think) is... not so much. There were some free potato "balls" for happy hour, which were like mashed potato with a fried layer outside. They were ok for free. We ordered the calamari, which was pretty terrible. It was very salty, we left most of it uneaten. A friend ordered the crab dip, which was too rich, with a layer of truffle oil on top and not enough crab. We didn't order them, but yes, there were mini-burgers on the menu! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> FYI: from the weekly dish from 8/17:

More good... I agree about Sniders... I am picky about my bagels, and I like theirs. I think they are from the NY Bakery on Georgia, which seems to have an impossible parking lot. I also really like Snider's deli and meat departments. They have a great butcher. Bad... The seafood at Whole Foods in SS, it is ok, but so expensive. How is that new seafood place on Georgia near Sniders?

I agree that this restaurant is a bit more relaxing at lunch then dinner. The Carrot fritters are always a must, as well as the braised lamb with eggplant puree. The last time I was there (last week of July) the service was actually a bit odd. Usually they are very quick to keep the bread coming, we waited for ages (even after delivery of our mezze that required bread for dipping. It did not come until we had asked 2 or 3 times. We also needed to fight off the bus-people, who try and take your plates away when we were still eating. The warm chocolate cake is always a wonderful end to the meal, do save room for it. It has a spicy kick (cardamom and ginger?) that I love.

Since I noticed that some are still looking at this thread... here is what I ended up doing... Marinade: Extra Virgin Olive Oil Balsamic Vinegar Fresh ginger Lime juice and zest Grilled for a very short while, the meat was tender and flavorful. Even better... we had great leftovers. I think I like it as much when it is cold as hot off the grill.

FYI, there was an interesting article in yesterday's NY Times Magazine about the sous vide process, which includes quotes from Richard and other local chefs. In fact, a number of DC area chefs are using this process. NY TIMES "Under Pressure" By AMANDA HESSER Published: August 14, 2005 How Bruno Goussault turned down the heat and started a culinary revolution in vacuum-packed bags. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/14/magazine/14CRYOVAC.html

Does anyone have a great venison recipe? I am looking for a simple marinade for a venison steak that I plan to grill. I usually make something up with whatever I have in the house (soy sauce, oj, etc.). Thanks in advance. Liz

I haven't been is a good while, but a friend from "The County"-- i.e. St. Mary's --always takes us to Capt. Leonards. It is a crab place-- the three best things there are their steamed crabs, crab cakes, and jumbo fried shrimp. It is very casual and fun. It is on a main road, NOT on the water. You can also get steamed crabs to go, which we sometimes do. Captain Leonard's Seafood Restaurant 27240 Morganza Turner Road Mechanicsville, MD 20650 301-884-3701 FYI, I also found this about it in the Washington Post: (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/04/19/AR2005041905124.html) Capt. Leonard's Seafood Market ( 27240 Morganza Turner Rd., Mechanicsville, 301-884-3701) serves steamed crabs and everything else on the brown paper-covered tables that fill this roadhouse. On a Saturday night, it seems everyone heads for Capt. Leonard's: families with small children, bikers, yuppies and singles. My favorite item on the menu, the captain's fried large shrimp basket, will remind you how fried shrimp is supposed to taste. Cheers, Liz

I went to Dino's Saturday night with a group of friends, and we all had a wonderful time. Indeed, the newly acquired machine cuts the prosciutto made for amazingly thinly sliced meat. It really did melt in your mouth. Dean came by twice and was as enthusiastic in person as his posts here. I found the wine to be very reasonably priced, and Dean's wine suggestion was wonderful. Overall everyone was really happy with our selection (including multiple appetizers, cheese plate, prosciutto plate, a few of the pastas, etc.) One of my friends did not enjoy her lamb as much as we all enjoyed the pastas (Wild Boar!) and the whole fish. I loved the salt on the table, which you could add either whole, or ground. The quality of all the ingredients in our meal can not be overstated. For my next visit I think I would stick to sharing some of the wonderful cheeses, meats and other appetizers, as well as some of the smaller plates of pasta. It made it more fun to share and taste so many things. Service was friendly and helpful, and I never felt rushed, even for a busy Saturday night. One tiny comment, there were spelling errors on the menu, a spell check would help. I would love to have a place like this in Silver Spring (hint, hint!)

FYI, I went to Oceanaire in one of the earlier years of RW. Indeed one choice was the wedge of iceberg. We did the math, and if you ordered the same exact items being offered it either was cheaper then doing RW or you saved $1. I hear they have gotten better in the past couple times that they have done RW. Even so, after being burned, I would go elsewhere. We ended up ordering off the menu, which was fine. I don't see what the fuss is about that place. It is like a steakhouse but with fish. I would rather go somewhere like Restaurant Eve for the same price as what we paid!

Well, I didn’t think it worth a whole new post, but I didn’t end up at Merkado. Instead, and this was out of my hands... with a large group and a long wait at Merkado we ended up at the "must miss" P Street Bistro Café. There was nothing memorable in any of our meals (out of 6 of us!). Food was sent back, other food not touched. We also left with the smell of french fries on us, so their ventilation system needs some work. All around, it was a disaster.

As someone from Silver Spring-- I REALLY want to like Jackie's. They do a few things well (steak, mini burgers), and other items are OK. I would really like to see more daily / seasonal specials, as I feel I have memorized the menu. Even with the few items they added in the last couple of months, I feel like it needs... something. Alas, it is the only "nice" place for dinner in the area, until Ray's comes!

I think I am going to Merkado this weekend, any improvements? Suggestions of what to order? Do I have to eat the nachos with chopsticks? Thanks!