ckendall

Just a quick note: some VA friends wanted to dine out in DC and we decided to try Firefly where we had not been for quite some time. We got a table in the back room which was very fortunate as during restaurant week on a Friday the bar was hopping and the front room was loud. Restauarant week menu was a steal, for $35.12 we got an app (chicken livers/devilled eggs and beet salad were notable) a main course (chicken was outstanding, arctic char good and eggplan parmesan a bit dull) and dessert (the chocolate thing and red velvet cake and cantaloupe sorbet were all wonderful). We carried in some wine and the server had a bit of difficulty with our no longer youthful corks but the manager (?) quickly took over and remedied the problem and with a decent pour of two nice 93 California cabs was willing to waive corkage. Service was fine and a good time was had by all, with my VA friends vowing to return for the chicken.

Living only a few blocks away and having bought gas here on and off for ten years I was a bit hesitant but finally tried it; Chivito and Milanesa were both fantastic and fries (carried home) were very good.

I finally made it to Ray's HB last night and must say that I was quite disappointed. I would have been able to overlook any of the individual problems I had, but the sum total left me reluctant to return. I understand the model and the vibe, but I did not have a pleasant experience. I will say the burger was incredibly juicy. The problems were: (1) a fairly filthy table; the cleaner more or less wiped the onions left by the previous diner onto the floor; when I looked beneath the table there were at least two pieces of silverware along with napkins and other detritus; (2) an overcooked burger (ordered medium rare, basically medium to medium well); (3) missing raw onion that was eventually replaced by flagging down a not so happy server; (4) a random piece of pepper on my plate...this said to me that whoever plated my dish was sloppy; (5) cole slaw inside a little plastic container with a few pieces hanging out from the lid...I am not sure if this is clear, but there was a lid on the slaw and parts hanging out. I will note that this was relatively early (we got to Ray's around 6pm) when there was a line but it was not (I gather) especially crowded). Friends of mine have had great burgers at Ray's and encouraged me to try it. But last night I got the impression that the people who work at Ray's were going through the motions. Cole

I have to second the positive Komi experience; one night, relatively shortly after the Komi makeover, we wandered down 17th St looking for something to eat. There was a lengthy wait at Sushi Taro so we popped over to Komi and they pleasantly explained the new terms and immediately seated us and treated us like old friends, despite our rather casual attire and lack of a reservation. A great time was had by all.

Another Corduroy tale; Saturday night (I know, I know, but this was the only night a friend who travels a lot could dine with us and then she got sick at the last minute), two of us arrived at 8:30. There was a mini-mob scene at the front, as a party with four young children was also waiting for a table, and the kids were all over the place. Our table was not ready, and I am far from the most patient person in the world. But pretty soon we were seated, and my appetizer (duck confit on some Tuscan bean, a change in the menu) was great, as was the tuna on sushi rice. The soup ordered by my dining partner was great, and the chicken gallantine (?) provided her with a great dinner and lunch the next day. The glass of pinot noir (2002 Hautes cotes de Beaune or some such, from the unknown to me Lycee Viticole) was pretty good for high school students, and the creme brulee dessert was very nice. A very nice evening. Cole