DLB

I have no issue with saying Thank You, I always go out of my way to say Thank You when I am being offered good service. I am really just asking if restaurants are asking too much of their customers. The thank you comment was just really a joke.

I really love using open table, and I make most of my reservations that way. However, I get the feeling that most Restaurants don't like this system. Is this really the case? Also, I eat out quite a bit and understand that you should be polite to the staff, and it's sort of a partnership. I have loved reading your insights, however they seem to focus so much on what the customer is not doing correctly to please the restaurant. I understand that the public can be a pain in the ass as I have waited tables before, however we are customers it's not our job to make your life less complicated. Danny, I don't know about you, buy I am not told "Thank You" everyday for showing up and doing my job I just think the restaurants are now expecting too much from the customer. Discuss Here is another interesting blog post from Frank at the New York times. "The Chef Will Serve You Now" http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/?p=53#more-53

I know people have issues with Starbuck, however it is a few steps up from what you use to be able to get in the states. DC really does need better local coffee shops. I was in Chicago last month, and I discovered Intelligentsia Coffee. This place was packed just like Starbucks, but it as local and had great service. One of the employees told me they only let the regular drip coffe sit for an hour or less, then it's trashed for a fresh pot. Is there a place like this in DC, that I have been missing? BTW you can order the coffee from Intelligentsia on line, it's good stuff http://www.intelligentsiacoffee.com/

The wife and I will be driving up at the end of July for about a week. We are staying in the old city, and would like to know it there are any "must eat" places in Montreal. I already made a reservation at Brunoise, and will most likely be trying the following. Does anyone have any other suggestions or comments on these places. Thanks Joe Beef Au Pied de Cochon Brunoise

Did you think to PM before posting this? You got this off subject not me. There are so many " Know it alls" on this board!

LOL LOL Funny, but you have way too much free time

I have a reputation now among friends and family of being a very good cook, although I think I have a long way to go. I am not really intimated by cooking for anyone, I sometimes feel pressure when we are having a dinner party, because what the expectations are among our inner circle. When my in laws were here a few weeks ago, they kept requesting me to"show them my skills" this was a little annoying but I did make two dinners and a breakfast for everyone. On the flip side of this, I often fell like we intimidate our friends when they invite us over. Most of them are not as into food as I am, and there are always disclaimers when we walk into their homes about how it's not going to be as "fancy" as our dinners. This really upsets me and makes me feel really uncomfortable, as if we are having competing dinners or something. I am just happy to be a guest, and not have to host, I could care less about the food, although it's always good!

I went to the Chantilly location yesterday, and the buffet was pretty good, and great deal at $8.95. I have been on a mission to find good lunch food in Chantilly and this is one of those places.

Saucy? That's a new one

Is this a photo lesson?

Will there be food?

Tonight: Market Greens with Goat Cheese and Walnuts Roast Chicken and Flageolets with garlic confit Blueberry and Strawberry Shortcake with cardamon

Tonight more food from the Bouchon cookbook. We started with the Dungeness Crab Salad, with Citrus Vinaigrette. I used back-fin crabmeat from Whole Foods and arugla from the farmers market it was served with toasted brioche. Very good stuff here. The main course was Sole Meuniere, I could not find Sole today, so I uesed some very nice Fluke Flounder from Black Salt. At the moment this is my favorite cookbook

I have been working my way through the Bouchon cook book. Here are a few items made this past week. Tuna Sandwich Potato Leek Soup Lemon Tart Strawberry Sorbet Salmon With beurre blanc sauce The following are just random meals. Pasta Sauce Sunday Breakfast Salmon Bake in Foil with Potato Puree (the potatoes are from the Bouchon cookbook)

Cold Stone is not bad, however this area is really lacking in a really good independant Ice Cream shop. I usually make my own, which I think is better than any shops around here, however I really wish someone would open something along the lines of La Berthillon. I know people always say this the the best Ice Cream in the world, I would argue that it's better than anything you can find in our area

There is a new vendor at the Arlington Farmers Market, Shoe Box Oven I think is the name. Some of the Items are a little expensive but the bakes goods that I have tried the last few weeks have been really good, and taste of real quality! I tried the Champagne Brownies a few weeks, and they were great, this past Saturday there were mini almond cakes with pecans. Most items I saw were around $6. Check it out! http://www.shoeboxoven.com/

I orderd a bottle of this a few days ago at Charlie Palmer, and it was excellent! I tried a few stores in VA on yesterday, however I could not locate any bottles. Has anyone ever heard of this wine? It's a blend of Cabernet Savignon and Syrah from Nappa. I wish I had a glass right at this moment!

I love those Izze drinks! We had a fridge full, then my in-laws came for a few days, and they were drinking them like it was water! WTF...when I came home yesterday they were all gone! 16 bottles gone! Were are you finding Ramps? The Arlington Farmers Market never has any!

I think Charlie Palmer is a good bet. I was just there last night to celebrate my wife's graduation from Law School. All in our party enjoyed the food and the atmosphere is really nice. I did not think the service was as attentive as I would have like it to be, however I understand It's difficult to manage a 10 top. I had the very good bone in rib-eye, which I think half the table ordered and the other half had the Duo of Beef, which I had on a previous trip a few weeks ago, It's a boneless beef short rib, and a fillet. For dessert I would recommend the mixed berry cobbler, sorbets or ice cream, and the pineapple upside down cake. I really like the cobbler, as none of fruit was over cooked. The manager escorted us up to the roof after dinner for an awesome view of DC. It's most likely the best view of the Capitol Building in the city

harlie Palmer is now open on Sunday. I have a reservation for this coming Sunday. They just started serving dinner a few Sundays ago

I am not a fan, however I think this post should be deleted...it's really in bad taste. What were you thinking???

I shop and the Arlington Whole Foods, and the seafood is going down hill. I saw on of the guys through a piece of fish in the case, as if it was trash. The seafood always looks like is sitting in water at the store. I have been going to Blacksalt recently, as it is not far from Arlington. The seafood always looks good and fresh, sitting on those marble slabs. Whole Foods to me is not what is used to be, however it is still better than the rest.

A few weeks ago I walked into Harry's Tap Room, and ask for a slice of cheesecake to go. I told by the host that Harry's was a "dine in restaurant only"....WTF. All I wanted was a damn slice of cheesecake, for some reason this really Jerked me off!

would say the restaurant is more on the casual side. The bread basket was a highlight it included; biscuits, corn muffins, and ham crackers...all good. They served the bread with a round disc of butter with honey in the center.

o I have never had a mouse in my kitchen, and if I did I would not eat there until I was sure the problem had been resloved. I have never run into any mice while have a picnic. Growing up I was toldt that the kitchen and bathroom should be the cleanest places in your home. To this day, I really believe you can tell how clean a restaurant is, by checking out the bathrooms. It the bathrooms are nasty, most likely the kitchen is as well.