brettashley01

Oh wow that looks delicious! Do you happen to have a recipe for that??

Oh man, Zapp's Spicy Cajun Crawtator flavored chips from Louisiana. Haven't had them in years but can still taste em... Cooked in peanut oil, though.

I know this isn't a book, but I have a flash card-like game called Wine Smarts (I think I ordered it at uncommongoods.com). It ranges from basic to intermmediate knowledge, and comes with a guidebook. It's good because you can make it a drinking game, too

Thank you, Elizabeth. I did not ask anyone to build a menu around allergies- in fact the only thing I substituted on the RW menu was salad for the appetizer. And I should point out that my friend did not even order off the RW menu. I called first, I asked. And my friend with PKU maintains that she has only been to one restaurant in DC where she could eat nothing off the menu; I too have only found one (other) place where there is nothing I can eat. That is why we don't go to these restaurants. That is why we call before- to make sure that we can go out and have a good dining experience in a nice restaurant with atmosphere. Otherwise we'd just stay home. And then DC would be missing out on two very lovely ladies having a very lovely time.

Anyone know where I can get a good, hot out of the oven, melt in your mouth loaf of olive bread? So authentic, the black olives are almost sweet?

Hmm sometimes it's only 11:25am, but you just know it's 5 o'clock somewhere...

Went to Bombay Club on Friday night with my friend Natasha. We chose Bombay for RW specifically because we both have different food restrictions: I have food allergies and carry an allergy card which lists them: soy, sesame, nuts, carrots. Natasha suffers from PKU and cannot eat any protein, especially dairy. So, of course, before I made reservations I called the restaurant to see if we'd be safe to eat during restaurant week. I spoke to the "chef" and was assured that it would be no problem, no problem at all. Fast forward to Friday. I hand my allergy card, which details my allergies to minuscule details to the server. Out comes my salad- with carrots on it. I send it back. Our server shakes his head. "You are allergic to carrots, I'm sorry." Natasha wisely suggests I inquire as to what sort of dressing is on the salad. I'm told that it is carrot sesame dressing but if I don't want it, it can be changed. crickets The main courses- Natasha had a vegan curry. When she first ordered it, she asked if it was made with milk or cream, and was told no, just vegetables, with paneer. Could they make it vegan? Our server didn't know what that meant. (At this point I'd be asking myself if waiting were my true calling.) My tandoori salmon arrived simply baked, and delicious, I might add. Natasha also enjoyed her curry, and the naan that came out with flecks of spices was light, fluffy in the right places, and perfectly charred on the bottom, with a finish almost reminiscent of matzoh- a good thing by my taste. Ah, and then it is time to order dessert. I'm told the sorbets are chocolate, mango and orange-cardamom. Natasha specifically inquires if there is any dairy in the sorbet. Our server says no. It is plain chocolate sorbet, no dairy. The sorbet comes out and we each taste the "chocolate" and immediately freak out.. Not only does it taste like nuts, Natasha (having PKU) knows for certain there is dairy present, simply by feeling the texture between her fingers. We call over the waiter. I ask again, "Is this chocolate or chocolate hazlenut?" He replies, "It is chocolate, chocolate gianduia[Hm, does he happen to know that gianduia specifies a prailine flavoring- and the presence of nuts? We call out the "chef" who assures me that no there are no nuts- just nut oil. This is why I carry the allergy card- becasue it lists on the back that not only am I allergic to tree nuts, but their oils as well. We're told there's no dairy, just chocolate. Natasha asks to see ingredients, as she can eat cocoa, but not milk chocolate. The chef says sorry, he doesn't know them. They why is he telling us what is or is not in the dish??? We receive the check to find we are fully charged for everything, plus a rice we did not order. We ask to speak to the manager and are informed that the chef who prepares the desserts is not present. Then who did we speak to? Another "chef". The manager removes a glass of wine from our bill. This is just unacceptable. Wholly disappointing. I have left a message for the owner of this restaurant group but have yet to hear back. Definitely the worst RW experience- and one of the worst dining out experiences I have ever had. I would rather not be served something than risk getting sick- which is exactly what happened. I am angry that we were charged to eat in a restaurant that was irresponsible enough to put our health at stake. ETA: By most recipes, gindiuia does include actual hazelnut pieces, and I should have noted that the English translation of the flavor is actually chocolate-hazelnut.

Congratulations!!!!

A dirty vodka martini (yes I know most of you don't believe in them, but I do) at a quiet bar. And if I had to pick the bar, it would be Vidalia's.

I keep seeing ads for the Grand Lido Negril all inclusive resort, which, according to its ads in Food and Wine, a 5* gourmet all inclusive. Anyone been?

Agreed. I can't stand synthetic corks- they always sink into the bottle! And I have opened (far too) many bottles of wine for this to be blamed on lack of technique. Screwtops on the other hand- love 'em. All about the easy access

Just gave up my 10:15pm Friday night at Vidalia res for 2. Jump on it!

Before I knew of my food allergies (soy, nuts, sesame) I was a sushi addict. I would be still; however I find sushi in DC to be sub-par to NY, and the same goes for service, unfortunately. I realize this is a generality but it is sadly true in most cases. I often order sashimi from Uni sushi but decided to re-try Tono tonight. When I called and gave my phone number/address, the manager said that he saw I hadn't ordered recently. I explained that this was due to my allergies- especially the fact that Tono had blatantly disregarded them in the past, including soy sauce which spilled all over my order. Major problem! The manager explained that he was the new Sunday floor manager, and would take special attention to make sure my order arrived allergy free. Wonderful.. I ordered the Sashimi-jo, no sauce anywhere, no allergens, please do not even include soy sauce in the bag, and they were happy to sub a salad for the miso soup. Sounds promising, right? Well, I was told my order would arrive within 45 minutes. An hour later, it showed up. Forgivable, whatever. I opened up the order to see some sort of fried crawfish/shrimp(?) along side my sashimi. What is it fried in? What is it? I called and asked to speak to the manager. He told me it was fried in peanut oil. Ok, so obviously you did not pay attention to my allergies. Then the manager had the gaul (balls even) to tell me not to order Japanese food again, due to my allergies to most of the main ingredients. Sir, I eat fish safely. I eat wasabi, ginger, vegetables- safely. But if there is a peanut fried item in my sashimi, I throw out the 25 dollar order which you refused to refund. And, FYI, I regularly order sashimi from Uni sans probleme. And if there ever is a problem they are gracious about it, at least apologizing and not telling me to stay away from all Asian food. No, I am not foolish enough to wander into Thai restaurants. But I can and do eat Chinese food on occasion (steamed of course, no sauce)... If I could prepare wonderful (and safe) sashimi in my kitchen, I would. God forbid I try to pay you for it.

FWIW, I have been there at 8pm on a Tues or Weds night and had a super long wait to sit anywhere! It was noisy and crowded - the one time I've had omikase was not at Taro, and I remember part what made the experience so enjoyable was being able to observe and communicate with the chef.

Unless you are looking for a slap in the face, or the opportunity to use an EpiPen, never ever order for me.

I see on the Mandarin website that CityZen is hiring a Hostess. Wondering if this is a salaried position... And just what type of personality Mr. Ziebold would be looking for...

Pret's been in NYC for years now... love it

Hey Dean, Did you know that your Menu Della Sera got a shout-out in Daily Candy DC? : Link

Jello jello jello- just not red!!! (This goes for cranberry juice and the like as well, if you're undergoing medical procedures.) I second the jello made with seltzer or diet soda. Chicken broth with lemongrass or other interesting herbs. Personally I love chicken broth with parsley because it reminds me of my grandmother's chicken matzoh-ball soup. Popsicles maybe- homemade with juice. Chocolate tea instead of cocoa. Buy every possible flavor of (non-red) gatorade and make a tasting out of it

Yup, I was thinking of Cereality. And, sure it's fine to keep small boxes of cereal, milk - but on an urban campus, with messy roomates and late night munchies, it's not practical to keep many varieties on hand, and encourages infestation.

It may be stupid-ass but it's money-making. I am pretty sure the company started on/near a midwestern college campus, which is genius, because I really could have lived on cereal and coffee my freshman year. Sure would beat jumbo slice as a late-night snack, and there never are any good, quick breakfast and/snack options in college cafeterias besides the usual starbucks and candy. ETA: Perhaps it wasn't the Cereal Bowl itself, but I clearly remember reading about this concept and its launch near a college campus. It seems this particular company was launched in Miami. I don't think they're one and the same (then again, I could be mistaken, or on an allergy medication induced acid trip).

Anything grilled on the BBQ is summer to me. Also soft, luscious poached salmon. Also hot tea, preferably English breakfast. Best way to rid a fever is to sweat it out...

I loved Mostly Martha. I loathed Raising Helen. Perhaps this is their bastard child that should be kept in the attic...

Hi Heather- where is your kitchen located?