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Tip from a New Yorker: As for it "rare," and you'll get one still pink inside, except for the 5% of the time it comes raw inside by mistake. There's no POS key for "medium rare" (or so I've been told). In any case, if you're not pleased with the doneness, or anything else, return it to the pick-up window and you'll get a new burger with an apology and a smile, no questions asked. Customer service is what these guys do best.

Hello, dcdiningists. Last year, Don reprimanded me for cluttering the main board with my annoying annual requests, so here I am in Help Needed. A few New Yorkers are contemplating a weekend in the District, culinary ambitions somewhat chastened by the new economy handed down by our political masters. (That’s a non-partisan statement, so please be not distracted.) Our only must-do is Ching Ching Cha—that oasis of tranquility—plus perhaps the General Store, Etc., if it’s as tasty and charming as Colorado Kitchen, and maybe Ray’s Hell Burger, if it’s convenient, just for the heck of it. A few specific questions: If (big IF, as in unlikely) we decide to (semi-)splurge on one dinner, is there any good reason not simply to return to Komi? We preferred Komi’s food and vibe to CityZen’s (disclosure: we had the CityZen bar menu, but added supplements) and nothing we ate at Central inspired us to fork over what Citronelle would require. (Rereading the previous sentence, I see that it WAY understates how very much we appreciated Komi.) We had a ball at minibar, but don’t need to return just yet; we haven't eaten at Palena. Is any Ethiopian restaurant currently better than Etete, where the waitress, albeit reluctantly, even allowed us to order raw dulet last year? Are worthwhile fried oysters, crab cakes, or soft-shells from the mighty Chesapeake Bay anywhere nearby to be found? Are there any other inexpensive or moderately priced places, either new or board favorites that we’ve missed or resolutely avoided, that we absolutely must try? Is the Eastern Market worth a stop for snacking or foodie sightseeing? As always, we’re looking for special and uniquely DC places that we can’t easily replicate (or surpass) back home. Thanks in advance to all. P.S.: Thanks again to those who suggested last year that we visit Dumbarton Oaks.

Mrs. B and The Hersch, thanks especially for the sightseeing suggestions. Gardens are among our very favorite things.

Thanks for all the suggestions; I shall read and digest. agm, the meal at Central was both overpriced and flawed, and dampened our enthusiasm for trying Citronelle. We've enjoyed Komi and the minibar on previous visits, but, given the choices available to us back home, the likely risk/reward ratio seems most favorable at (moderately priced?) places unique to, or at least characteristic of, DC.

Three jaded (etc., etc.) New Yorkers, in DC from the evening of Friday, May 2, through the late afternoon of Sunday, May 4, are looking for suggestions for the TBDs in -- or other comments on -- our tentative plans, below: Friday dinner: Ray’s the Classics Saturday coffee: Hotel (Bethesda Marriott) Saturday lunch: TBD Saturday dinner: Colorado Kitchen Sunday brunch: TBD Sunday afternoon: Ching Ching Cha We're considering Ethiopian (the forums seem to indicate Etete, Dukem, Queen Makeda, or maybe old faithful Meskerem), but crab cakes, softshells, or fried oysters might be nice. We’re a little wary of going upscale after our recent dinner at Central MR (though Komi was excellent), but we'd consider recommendations of special and uniquely DC places, beyond Ethiopian and seafood, at any price point. Those with the patience and inclination can scroll up in this thread for our recent experiences.

A note from a New Yorker in town for a quick weekend: Komi and Colorado Kitchen, completely different though they be, were everything we expected, and more, producing a fair number of Oohs, Ahhs, and Mmms. Ching Ching Cha was an oasis of civilization amidst the hustle-bustle that is Georgetown. The oysters and soups at Old Ebbitt were irreproachable, no matter who owns the place. Other than a few things like the short ribs, Central MR generally disappointed, given its lineage and price point. We passed on RTC because the party preferred Central MR to some steakhouse. We also missed Ethiopian, but there's always next time. My meal-planning research consisted of several hours with dr.com and some menu checks. Thanks again for the guidance.

I live in NYC--and my favorite steak in the world is a dry-aged Lobel's rib, which I pan-sear and -roast, Ducasse-style, basting constantly with herb-enhanced butter to aid in caramelization--but I visit this site every so often, just to read Landrum.

Food-board progeniture, as I think I know it: In the beginning, there was Roadfood, the book; CH predates RF as a web site. Jason started eG with Steven Shaw, another CH evacuee, who already maintained a web site of a different name featuring his own writing, but not a message board. Out of eG came OA, MF, DR, and boards yet unborn—and good luck to the lot of ‘em.

…gone, and now back home. Blizzard or no, we went, we ate, we photographed, and we had a ball. CrescentFresh, I’ll try to get my dining companions’ images posted sometime in the next few weeks. Thinking it would be fun to try both the same chef’s “normal” and experimental cuisines—and to ensure we’d be well-fed—we made Saturday an all-Atlántico day, starting with a delicious, original, and filling dim sum brunch prior to a short walk to the Cézanne exhibit at the National Gallery. Dinner at minibar (they seem to elide the article and capitalization) was one of the very most interesting and delicious meals I've had, in which regard I disagree with those who find this food more intellectually stimulating than tasty. The experience itself was sheer fun: Five people sat on stools at a copper bar facing two chefs, who, along with a waiter, did nothing for 2 ½ hours but prepare food in an open kitchen as we watched, place it before us upon the counter, explain exactly what they had prepared and how, and answer with patience and enthusiasm as many and as detailed questions as we cared to pose. Dish descriptions and analysis may accompany the posting of the photographs. Sunday morning, we called Colorado Kitchen several times, getting, variously, an answering machine and fax tones. Thinking that perhaps ignoring the phone was one of CK’s quirky charms, we broke fast but lightly (blueberry pancakes for me) at the hotel, walked the Mall a bit more, and visited the Botanic Garden, which always has, among other things, a large and highly photogenic display of that most beautifully gynecologic of flora, the orchid. We then detoured past CK on our way out of town, hoping for brunch, to find it genuinely closed. Once again, thanks to all for your recommendations, especially those which, for whatever reason, we chose or were forced to disregard. Maybe next time.

There's a chance we might have one seat to spare. (Actually, try gamely though we may to make our way down from NYC, there's a chance we might have four seats to spare.) Anyone seriously interested in this seat at the Minibar tomorrow night (Saturday, February 11, 6:30 pm), please PM me--though I won't know until later this evening whether it's available. Going...going...

Heh. The NE corridor is scheduled for a dumping this weekend. Hope we don't have to cancel.

Good evening, kind ladies and gents. Thanks for the welcome and the suggestions. Let me see… First, I’m not looking for places necessarily similar in atmosphere or cuisine to those I named in New York—just one or two that are similarly sui generis, DC-style. Because two of our party are fans of El Bulli and experimental cuisine (and especially because of the write-up it got from Don Rockwell—the man, not the com), the Minibar is non-negotiable; so’s probably CK. Now, to summarize what we’ve got so far, both in this thread and via PM: PRE-MINIBAR (Saturday afternoon) Old Ebbitt Grill for drinks and oysters. Tabard Inn for drinks and appetizers. Teaism for snacks or sweets and tea. (Could also be post-Minibar) 2 Amys for world-class pizza, good salads and small plates. POST-MINIBAR (Saturday after about 8:30) Jaleo for Tapas. Citronelle for dessert. Not to worry; you won’t leave hungry. COLORADO KITCHEN (Sunday brunch) Arrive no later than 10:45. Check. In fact, we’ll arrive at 10:30. Skip it entirely. This seems to be a minority opinion. MUSEUM The coolest place on earth. Really far (two hours, round-trip) from anywhere. Do something with more local flavor downtown or in Georgetown or Old Town. BEN’S CHILI BOWL Avoid at all costs. Get a real DC half-smoke—but nothing else—and see the U Street Heritage Trail. Get a half-smoke ‘n’ eggs breakfast—but nothing else. OK, continue to argue amongst yourselves while I prospect the site. Thanks again. Edited to add 2 Amys, submitted by a bashful PMer.

This is NOT one of those annoyingly general posts that litter Chowhound saying, “Hey, we’re visiting DC for a few weeks. So where should we eat?” Please read on… Four Noo Yawkuhs will be spending an upcoming Saturday and Sunday in your fair city, dining Saturday at the Mini-Bar and brunching Sunday at Colorado Kitchen. If y’all would be so kind as to assist, we have just a few questions: What might make for a good Saturday-afternoon snack, say a DC counterpart to our own Katz’s, Papaya King, Mei Lai Wah (a favorite Chinatown roast-pork-bun place), Doughnut Plant, or even Pearl Oyster Bar? The aforementioned five have nothing in common save that they’re interesting, idiosyncratic, and relatively quick. On the off chance that we’re still hungry after the Mini-Bar, where might we head for a nearby postprandial (9 pm) bite? And no, not Wendy's. At what time must we arrive at Colorado Kitchen in order to partake of the first seating? Non-foodwise, is it worth a schlep to the airport for a sci/tech fan to see the Udvar-Hazy Center? What really important question(s) have I foolishly neglected to ask? TIA. Edited to fix an infernal typo.