bioesq

To my new grandson, Hunter, born today and giving me reason to celebrate life.

RJ, you have my complete sympathy. I had a very complicated bypass procedure at JH in 2008, and spent nine days on the Bataan Death March diet in the CPCU. I finally determined that the bread and fruit salad were somewhat edible (not even the JH kitchen can screw up a grape), and survived on that although, it seemed, that if I hit the drug pump just before they served any meal, it was not as horrid as it looked-- everything tastes better with morphine.

The one saving grace during the nine days that I was there was when my wife drove over to Attman's and picked up a Pastrami on rye with mustard. This she reluctantly shared with me in a rare moment of pity (and, too, she was tired of listening to me complain). All went well until my blood pressure hit a new Hopkins record, and about ten residents surrounded me with lethal-looking instruments. Still, it was worth it.

If Dr. Shah is still the head of the unit, ask him to tell you some of his Woody Allen stories. It won't improve the cuisine, but it will give you hope that better days are ahead. Get well soon. Regards.

To my friend and colleague, Lisa Raines, who was on American #77 ten years ago today. Your memory will always be a blessing.

You may wish to consider cold, sauteed broccolini with crushed garlic. We have that about once or twice a week during the summer, and it can be made about two days in advance.

Which restaurants do foie gras right, or even "have foie gras"? I do not see it on menus often. My birthday is coming up and I want my foie gras starter! :-)

Thank you.

L'Auberge Chez Francoise usually has it. It's a special at La Chaumiere, and frequently on the menu at Marcel's. Happy birthday.

Carole Sugarman of Bethesda Magazine breaks the sad news.

I was asked yesterday if these past couple of weeks have been a particularly slow time for restaurants. Yes, and it's city-wide, so restaurateurs: just hang in there for a little while.

I have been acquainted with Jean-Michel since he was at the Rive Gauche in the late 1960s. A lovely and thoroughly professional gentleman, his presence on the Washington restaurant scene will be missed. This is a loss for anyone who appreciates competence in a very tough business.

I seem to remember that too, about 35-40 years ago and much further south on 355. Isn't there still a cracked claw on Wisconsin at River Rd inside the DC line? But I think the other cracked Claw (that was pulled into the Peter Pan) was in the rockville/gaithersburg area? Lots of places like that along 355 were torn out and replaced.

Are you thinking of The Dancing Crab? It has been on Wisconsin and Brandywine for about 35 years, and moved next door a few years ago. The Malt Shop, upstairs, was a wonderful dive.

To my older son, Ari, who just launched his third company, solvemedia. And there I thought that you would be a policy wonk.

To my colleague and friend, Lisa Raines, who perished on American # 77. May your memory be a blessing.

In spite of the record-breaking temperatures over the weekend, we enjoyed a very nice stay at the Ashby Inn. Dinner at the Inn was definitely one of the highlights of our little getaway. After a few Goldilocks-like attempts at seating*, we wound up in the very pleasant front room, which we were told was used for overflow. Before arriving at our final table, we did see the outdoor deck - which would be lovely in more comfortable weather - and the Tap Room - which would be a nice cozy spot on a chilly winter evening. There are two other dining rooms; each of the spaces has a different look/ambiance. The room we were seated in had a handful of other 2-tops around the room and a 4-top in the center, allowing privacy, quiet conversation, and plenty of space.

Thanks so much for your review. Four generations of us will be there in a few weeks to celebrate my mother's 90th birthday, and the menu items you discussed sound even more appealing than they were the last time we were there in May.

to kill about an hour, in the vicinity of Farragut West and McPherson Square Metro stops. Looking more for a place to read a book or do some surreptitious people watching, as I can't really drink these days. Bonus for a place that can make a not-too-girlie virgin cocktail.

Off The Record at the Hay-Adams would be one choice.

To all our DR.com fathers out there -- happy father's day!

Thank you. A very happy father's day to my older son, Ari, who celebrates his first one today. What a moment. To all of the dads on this board-- may you enjoy many more celebrations with your families.

Marvin Isley

The chicken pot pie at Praline in West Bethesda is remarkable, and $16.00 on the dinner menu.

In answer to Don's desperate plea (and just because he's an all around nice guy!), I'll delurk and share that this site was singularly responsible for our trying Ray's the Steak. We visit frequently from out of town for medical treatment at Walter Reed, and were longing to find a good steakhouse without snooty pretensions. Budget-friendly was obviously a plus. Ray's is all that, and so much more. We had the delightful pleasure of meeting Mr. Landrum himself, and he personifies everything that Ray's is. The phrases "diamond in the rough" and "heart of gold" come to mind. Cliches perhaps, but true nonetheless.

I'll also share that we're a military family, and a little birdie told us that Ray's regularly and without fanfare provides meals to traveling families of troops who are recovering at Walter Reed. Those who aren't in the military may not fully appreciate the kindness of this gesture, but believe me, when you're on a military salary already and then dealing with the additional expenses of travel, any gesture of kindness is huge. And it's not like Ray's needs the business or the advertising, and doubtful that they'll gain a lot of repeat business from families who are alreadstruggling financially, so it's proof positive that the motive is entirely altruistic.

And of course, the food. Oh, the food. We all chose the highly recommended hanger steak, and it did not disappoint. It was so large that neither my teen daughter nor I were able to finish ours. Sides were delish, but comparable to gilding the lily. This meal was all about the steak. Even our teen daughter, who eats A-1 sauce on everything (even chicken), tore into her hanger steak and didn't look back. My husband and I were holding our collective breath, awaiting the request, but it never came. The steaks were just that good.

Of course, as wonderful and filling as our entrees were, we all still managed to put away dessert. Dark chocolate mousse. Be still, my heart.

Thanks, Don & Co., for introducing us to a new favorite!

Welcome home, and G-d bless you and your family.

Got, I remember that place. Two-tone Black-on-orange mural of Chaplin as their sign?

I got thrown out of Peggy's Place -- next to the Post Pub, down the Street from the real Stoney's -- for knocking over a beer on the bar. Hookers, pressmen, lost tourists, a tough-ass chick behind the bar. I didn't argue.

Wandered with my friend over to the Silver Dollar Lounge. Anyone who can describe location and genre of that bar wins today's prize.

If my ancient memory serves me well, I believe that joint was over on 13th Street, NW between M & N. Gently put, a training ground for young dancers who aspired to join, well... Alvin Ailey. I had a roommate who went to the Georgetown Medical School and was a frequent patron. For whatever reason, he decided to become an OB/GYN.

We have a reasonably fussy Maine Coon female who would enjoy eliminating your mice if there were cat treats involved. Then, too, friends of ours recently moved to Idaho and, early one morning were bringing coffee out to the deck when they encountered a new neighbor. I suspect that the beast would enjoy dealing with any and all rodent populations, as well as unruly children.

Are there any stores around that sell bulk spices? The Whole Foods where I used to live (Hadley, MA) had about 60 spices in bulk bins, which was great because it was cheaper and you could buy only what you needed. Looking for something like that, preferably in NoVA. Thanks.

I'm not familiar with NoVa outlets for these, but the Bethesda Co-op, which is an easy run across either the Chain Bridge or American Legion in Cabin John has an active bulk spice section, and their prices are modest. http://www.bethesdacoop.org/

In addition, prehistoric as I am, Joe and Moe's, Marigold's around 17th and H, Paul Young's, Trav's, its successor, the Inn at Glen Echo, the Tombs, pre-Clydes, Nathan's and the original Four Ps.

And, too, Fran O'Brien's. Like Mr. Eagan's, they honored the returned soldier.

The Hideaway in the back of the Madison Hotel in the 80s, Duke Zeibert's. and the one at Harvey's where they used to pour about twelve ounces of anything you wanted.

The Palm on 19th Street, NW opened in 1972. A few of the original characters, like Tommy Jacomo, are still there.

You may wish to consider a Saturday dinner reservation and a room at http://www.ashbyinn.com/. They are open for dinner on that Sunday, but there's a bit more romance that comes with a wood-burning fireplace and a view of the Blue Ridge from your balcony. In last week's Sunday Post, Tom gave it very high marks. We visit regularly, and adore it.

That is unf#@*ing-believably amazing.

I was going to grill venison and enjoy a chestnut puree and some green beans, but the two does ran off when I opened the bottom deck door.

Apparently the Rockville location has had a fire, which is now out:

It re-opened last night, and seems to have retained the majority of its staff. They were jammed early.

Does anyone know what the relationship is (or was) between the Annie's in DC and the one in Grasonville, MD?

The Katinas family started the original one, and one of the kids owns the restaurant in Grasonville.