collije

I just gave up a 9:30 rez Friday night @ Tosca, grab it! Otherwise if you're willing to do a pre-7 p.m. reservation, you can get the Winter pre-theater special over at Galileo3: 2-course + mini-dessert for $35. The food, service, & quietness hit your criteria

Had the Chivito today for lunch, with the fried egg variant. Love it! It does have a lot of flavors going on. Will be back to try other sammies quite soon. And I agree that now's the time to go. It'll be interesting to see how they manage once more folks are in the know & they become busy.

Took advantage of Roberto's fantastic 4 courses + dessert offer last Thursday (thanks Roberto!) with a friend & we were very happy with our experience. We were also warmly greeted at the front door and requested Table 22 in front of the kitchen (nice view but quite demure that night, might want to come here when the place is bustling & the kitchen is pumping out dishes lol). Food-wise we really liked everything we ate, and especially loved a few. Some items we had: Cotechino e Lenticchie (warm homemade pork, cotechino sausage w/ w/ mostarda di cremona, stewed lentil, piedmonte green sauce). Nice to start with this item. Definitely eat with all of the flavors together to best appreciate. Budino di Parmigiano (parm reggiano cheese pudding topped w/ a layer of burrata and cream of porcini mushrooms). Very very good, just can't sing the super-high praise as other above. Cheese was also 1-note to me. Capesante (sauteed sea scallops atop yellow & black polenta, sauteed lobster mushrooms, cream sauce). Perfectly cooked scallops & nice flavors overall. Zuppa di Castagne (chestnut soup w/ mascarpone cheese, pancetta, duck gizzard). Loved it, was my favorite until the pastas & mains came. Raviolini del Plin (small raviolis filled w/ 3 meats; served in veal jus, butter, sage). Loved it as well. Taglierini Neri all'Aragosta (black taglierini w/ perfectly-cooked HUGE chunk of lobster). Loved it as well. Filetto di Vitello (porcini-dusted & sauteed veal filet medallions, roasted porcini mushrooms, braised cipollini, taleggio cheese sauce & veal jus). Very good. Veal medallions cooked perfectly, and very nice flavors Coniglio (roasted loin of rabbit served over braised legs with pancetta in a sauce of stewed celery, onions, green olives & walnuts) Very good too, well executed. Service was quite good, providing a nice amount of space throughout the meal. Nice to see Nancy checking on the tables regularly with a bright smile. Looking forward to coming back & exploring the menu further. Great meal. If Donna offers this deal again, you gotta take advantage of it. Welcome back Chef!

PS 7s' lounge. Get the OMFG sammie, tuna sliders, or one of several tasty lounge food options

Kenji's method is the same as Alton Brown's. I'm an advocate of start-low, blast high at the end. Made this for friends this time last year, came out perfectly too.

Leftover shiraz-braised beef short ribs (w/ exotic mushrooms, carrots, celery, red onions) over egg noodles. 10 hours on the slow cooker.

Have you tried the pressure-cooker method? Personally love it for easy risotto.

Agreed I've had one of the early versions as Heather that didn't look like the above pic. Another stop is due soon.

There's also Equinox for a non-participating

Interesting. Bobby now Adam in relatively short timeframes.

D'oh, stopped by Estadio around that time after a meeting & it was packed. Should've walked that direction to enjoy some Hopslam instead of heading home

Yeah to me it does although the timeframes of cooking are more in-line with Keller's sous-vide if the temp was adjusted down a bit below 180 degrees.

"...As for the rest of the menu: you’ll find that on chalkboards over the bar, where you can order Mussels with Grilled Pineapple and Sweet Chilis and 15-Hour Roasted Pork Belly". Hmmm, 15-hour Roasted Pork Belly

Agreed, I'm particularly diggin this sammy right now. I had two with the OMFG Dig, I need to catch-up lol.

TICKET PRICE UPDATE! [revised 5/8] The Promo Code discount has ended. Ticket prices will be at the regular price of $66.40 [incl. fees] on May 8-9. May 10 - till the event on the 15th, ticket prices will increase to $75 [+ ticket fees] [but remember any extra money will be put towards the tour goal] [] If you're thinking about going, be sure to purchase your ticket ASAP before the final ticket price hike happens on Monday!

Bump as the promo code [lowering the overall ticket price to $50.30] ends on Friday, May 7th.

x2

Something I'm going to along with some members of my group (11 at this stage) & it seems to be a worthwhile cause. I was able to negotiate a promo code for my group, but figured others might be interested in this too. (I've confirmed that it's OK to pass the code on until it expires) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Event Description: Come join me in a chill night while doing some good: Wine Tasting [drink-up lol!] sampling South African wines [provided by Heritage Link Brands] Noshing on [wine-paired] delicious Afro-centric cuisine [i.e. heavy hors d'oeuvres, see Chef details below] Relaxing to DJ-spun Afrobeat music "Getting Your Culture-On" art exhibition featuring some interesting themed items procured from around the world [such as soccor regalia from the South African National Team] which will be available for Silent Auction if interested. Learning more about wine produced in Africa [comment: some very good values can be found in this region] ISAW (International Society of Africans in Wine) leads the 2010 Drink Well, Do Good tour -- a food, wine, & arts exhibition -- which stops in DC on May 15th. They have a grassroots initiative [nonprofits, community leaders, universities, volunteers, & corporate partners] with a Tour goal to raise $150,000 to acquire a viticultural training center and wine estate in the Western Cape of South Africa. ==> LEARN MORE: http://www.toastafrica.com/ EVENT LOCATION Funxion 1309 F Street, NW Washington, Washington DC 20004 ph. (202) 386-9466 ******************************************* ******************************************* HOW TO ATTEND: I was able to get a discount final price of $50.30 for the tickets (using a promo code, tickets currently sell for $66.40 incl. fees, negotiated with the local ISAW Event Organizers). But that code expires on Friday, May 7th. As far as I currently understand the ticket pricing after May 7th: Ticket prices will be at the regular price of $66.40 [incl. fees] on May 8-9. May 10 - till the event on the 15th, ticket prices will increase to $75 [+ ticket fees] If you're thinking about going, be sure to purchase your ticket ASAP to lock-in the low $50.30 price! ==> To attend this event, click here to purchase tickets online using promo code "weeklydinner". Notes: * Use the link above to purchase your ticket instead of the ToastAfrica.com website [the payment vendor on the TA website can't accept promo codes]. The link above is an APPROVED alternate payment method [got it straight from the Campaign Mgr for this event]. * The promo code will end May 7th, be sure not to wait too long to buy your discount ticket. * Dress code for the event is Cocktail-style [it's a fun, relaxed event] ******************************************* ******************************************* CHEFS FOR THIS EVENT: Summer Whitford has over 20 years of experience in the food and wine industry [former Pastry Chef for 1789 Restaurant and Chef Roberto Donna's Galileo], and has won numerous awards for her work. She formerly served as editor of World Class Cuisine, a highly rated show syndicated in 72 countries. Andrew Holden is Head Chef @ FoodArts -- a Washington, DC based catering and food service company that provides delicious foods inspired by the arts, exceptional service, and extraordinary special events. Some of their clients include Sunday Brunch at Corcoran Gallery [Joe comment: go check that out sometime, live Gospel singing!] and The Phillips Collection. FoodArts' mission is to provide an exceptional food service program to our clients that is consistent with their mission, and goals, and creates interest and excitement in the venues where we provide services. Marvin Woods is an Emmy® Award-nominated television host, cookbook author and celebrated chef recognized for his wildly inventive take on food rooted in northern Africa, South America, the Caribbean and the Low Country. His book credits include "The New Low Country" and "Home Plate Cooking," the latter a spin-off of his TV show "Home Plate," which regularly drew over 7 million viewers. Marvin’s food has been regularly featured in O magazine, Food & Wine, Southern Living and other national publications. EVENT SPACE @ FUNXION: Here's some pics of the event space @ Funxion [doesn't look stuffy to me lol]: ************************************ CLOSEST METRO: Metro Center [Red, Blue, Orange Lines]. Take the "12th & G St NW" exit from the station. Quick 2-block walk to the event. For directions using the Metro, try using the Trip Planner at the WMATA website. PARKING: There's on-street metered parking & garages galore as well [I recommend garage since parking fees & hours downtown are now much higher]. The 13th Street PMI Garage is one of the few in DC that's 24/7, that's my favorite garage to goto in the area: PMI Garage 1325 G Street, NW Entrance: on G Street between 13th and 14th Streets, NW Need to Contact the Restaurant? [i.e. confirm location, notify to the group if running late, etc.]. Text on your phone to 466453 (GOOGLE) and type the restaurant name + the city/state in the message body. Google Business Services will text you back with the address and phone #!

I'm familiar with Wine Woot, but thanks for the other 2. I'll bookmark those.

Another +1 for the Smoked Fried Chicken. Tried it this past weekend [along with accompanying salad w/ balsamic vinaigrette and the creamed corn + the collard greens as sides]. I really liked the subtle smoky flavor, only slightly wished for a mild spiciness / heat to accompany it [add it to the brine?]. I promptly devoured the whole damn thing [wooh, I was stuffed]. Danielle was working the bar at that time & was impressed lol A Glass of Pinot Noir, a bottled Heineken along with the Chicken came out to around $24, a real nice value. Just starting a new gig around Navy Yard, I'm happy to add the East River location to my dining rotation.

Nice to hear! I'll have to stop by soon.

Another favorite of mine here is the sausage & peppers, dubbed Church St. IMO, the taste exactly captures what I used to get in Philly. [the Sarcone's roll helps in a big way]. I usually get mine with extra peppers. Nice alternative to the Roast Pork or Chicken Cutlet sammies.

Lol indeed for my DC friends. Must tryout the Patty Melt sometime soon [easy drive from Bethesda]

Last Friday I made a nice meal [sharing for 2] with 3 appetizers [Escargots de Bourgogne, Arugula Salad with warm Goat Cheese Toast and Grapefruit, and Duo of Rillette and Smoked Duck Breast with Mixed Greens and Cornichons] along with 1 Entree [Traditional Beef Bourguignon served with Creamy Pasta]. Very satisfied with the food choices that night, the Beef Bourguignon didn't wow me but I liked it. Probably our favorite items that night were the Escargot & the Arugula salad. For wine, it's not the most extensive wine list I've seen in the District but we shared a decent '07 Argentinian Malbec [nicely priced at $27]. Service was fairly attentive and friendly. Overall I was pretty happy & found another place to come back to in Woodley Park,

Vidalia's burger is no slouch, I'm a fan too.