MikeLastort

Did this second round ever happen? I'd be interested as well. I was totally oblivious up until now that any of this had happened/might happen again.

No, I've been a total slacker. I need to set something up.

I'll check with them to find out when they have space for 8 people in July and post here as soon as I know

Mike, I'm certain you could find 6 or 7 people.

Well, six. Jan and I are two

Are we going to get the report of the attendees and dishes?

We had serious momentum building, and then ... Boom! Nothing.

I'm certain we could have filled a second round, but nobody took charge. Could we get a synopsis?

I meant to do something after my wife and I got back from Mardi Gras in New Orleans, but we were so busy it never happened.

I'd be willing to try to set something up in June or July.

Any takers?

My wife and I and another couple went to our first Roberto's 8 last night to celebrate my birthday

Incredible. I'll post a more comprehensive review later.

We're heading down to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. I'll set something up after we get back

Well, that went fast. So when is the next DR.com Roberto's 8 gathering?

It would be fun to meet you good people face to face.

Hey, in the picture from that article, that's my hand holding the wine glass, and my wife is the redhead in profile behind the glass. Our friends Vince and Nancy are to her left.

edit - added the photo (thanks Lydia R for the URL)

So sorry that you closed, Enzo. 

My wife and I went to Alba tonight, and had a terrific meal.

I started with the aforementioned chicken soup, Zuppa della Regina. It was sublime. My wife had the Ratatuia Piemontese, which consists of grilled cauliflower, cardoons, kabocha squash, garlic cipollini onions with an anchovy sauce. She loved it.

For the pasta course, I had the chestnut troï¬e with a finanzieria sauce. Trofie are hand rolled noodles, and the finanzieria sauce is made from organ meats - hearts, livers, brains, etc. It was amazing. My wife had the special pasta of the day, which was calamarata with a Neapolitan fish sauce consisting of mussels, clams, shrimp with a tomato base.

For mains, I had coniglio ripieno, which was rolled with a spinach crepe, and each roll (there were three of them) were wrapped with pancetta. Then all three were placed on a bed of polenta with raschera cheese. My wife had the fish of the day, which was branzino with a tomato based sauce. Both mains were also incredible.

Finally, for dessert, I had the coppa di Torino, and she has the torta gianduja.

We had a nice bottle of Arbeta Gavi (2012).

A very nice meal, and we will be back again.

According to their Facebook page, Dolci Gelati's gelateria in Takoma might be open next weekend.

Bump - Dolci Gelati is opening an ice cream shop in Takoma Park this month, and one in the Shaw neighborhood of DC next spring

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/youngandhungry/2013/03/13/dolci-gelati-cafe-coming-to-shaw-and-takoma-park/

The Timpano is fantastic, and reminded me of the movie Big Night

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/29/dcs-best-timpano-italian_n_1637790.html

My wife and I ate there before Christmas. We really enjoyed it. We'll be back again soon

Actually, from the email I just received, he's already there.

"Roberto Donna Takes A Job in Arizona" by Tim Carman on washingtonpost.com

["Roberto Donna To Leave DC" by Amy McKeever on dc.eater.com ... Note: As of Mar 5, 2016, The original washingtonpost.com piece seems to be gone.]
  
I wonder if it's possible for Tim Carman to write anything about Roberto without sounding like he hates the guy.

Al Covo is fantastic. http://www.ristorantealcovo.com/

So is Fiaschetteria Toscana http://www.fiaschetteriatoscana.it/

Here's the menu/details:

Thanks for the heads up!

Looks like the "soft open" will be early November

My favorite was Sabor, in the strip mall on the corner of Flower Ave & Piney Branch, but they closed. La Casita on Piney Branch is pretty good. Thanks for the tip on La Chiquita; I will check it out.

Anyone interested in a Takoma Park/Langley Park taco truck tasting?

I've been tempted by the truck that's usually parked in the lot on the NW corner of the intersection of New Hampshire and East-West Highway. Never tried it though.

Xavier Cervera is taking over the Hawk and Dove

Oh no!!!! That really sucks.

Enjoying a takeout pizza from Roscoe's right now - their "fig pizza" special, which consists of gorgonzola picante cheese, arugula, and prosciutto.

On a very thin crust.

YUMMY!!!!

So yeah, nice sentence structure on my original post in this thread. That's what I get for trying to edit in a hurry.

I live in Takoma Park, just off New Hampshire Ave, and about a mile or so away from La Chiquita, which as at the intersection of on the NE corner of the intersection of New Hampshire and East-West Highway. IMO, they make some of the best pupusas I've ever had. When my wife and I have gone there, we're typically the only gringos in the place.

They don't have an official web site (at least not that I could find) but there are some pretty good reviews

http://www.thenewave.com/go/la-chiquita

http://www.yelp.com/biz/la-chiquita---latin-american-food-takoma-park

http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/restaurants/la-chiquita,1157572/critic-review.html

Anyone able to recommend other pupuserias in and around DC?

I'm a big fan of Roscoe's in Takoma Park. Very good pizza.

Also, Casa Nonna on Dupont Circle is quite good.

[Despite the potentially explosive content of this thread, please remember that gentleness and kindness are two important virtues. There is no reason, for example, that people couldn't have a substantive, passionate debate about even the most controversial and divisive topic while still being considerate, one to the other.

This begs the issue of whether we should be gentle and kind to Roberto himself. Personally, I choose to be because I feel that when someone is at their lowest moment, that is precisely the time that they need friends. Others may feel differently, and that's okay too. But please remember that, in general, personal attacks are not allowed on this board, and Roberto is a person.

Yes, debate, argue about, and flat-out condemn the facts, by all means. But please avoid drawing conclusions such as, "Convicted Felon + Bogus Italian Business Interest + Mansion in McLean + Assets in Wife's Name = Scum of the Earth" because we have no proof that this (the scum of the earth aspect) is true. If my son's life were at risk, I'd happily lie, cheat, steal, and perhaps even kill to save his - does this make me scum of the earth? Maybe, and If so, then so be it. Please think before you post and remember that, at all levels, real people are interplaying here, and that life is not always as simple as it looks.

My goal here is not to absolve anyone of anything; merely to keep the level of discourse, vigorous as it has been, at an extremely high level. Facts always speak louder than emotional accusations, yes, but I think everyone here should be quite proud of themselves for having been model citizens when it comes to this debate, truly.

Roberto, if you're reading this, you can call upon me any time if you find yourself in trouble (flat tire on the side of the beltway? I'd be there in 20 minutes); I cannot promise you I could do anything that would help you with your alleged legal problems even though my humanity cares for your humanity.

Geez, this is a poorly written post, but it's too long for me to go back and edit, so here it goes as is ....

Cheers,

Rocks]

Very well said, and you've expressed exactly how I feel about this situation far more eloquently than I could have.

Thank you!