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Raw walnuts are available at any Whole Foods in their bulk section (if they have one). Also, the Bethesda Co-op on Seven Locks Road just off of MacArthur carries them, as well as bulk spices.

I have fond memories of: Cantina d'Italia Duke Zeibert's Jean-Pierre Lion d'Or Le Bagatelle Rive Gauche 21 Federal

There's the Normandie Farm Restaurant on Falls Road in Potomac, established in 1931. The original owners bought land at the Water Gate a few years later and opened an "in-town" version. Interesting history.

If you enjoy a lot of prep work with spectacular results, try this Batali recipe for Timpano. It's absolutely extraordinary. http://www.thegutsygourmet.net/timpano-batali.html

Consider Pó, which is on Carnelia Street in the Village. It has a six-course tasting menu at the unheard of price of $48, and the food is extraordinary. I think that this was Mario's first place in New York, and it continues in the tradition. It's small, not elegant and a tough reservation, but a wonderful value for New York or, for that matter, anywhere else.

In the close but no cigar category, a guy who works for a PR firm here told me that, when All Nippon Airways bought the Westin Washington in 1989, the Tokyo suits had a Japanese firm design the new logo, and they initialized All Nippon United States. He said that a great deal of face was lost when it was explained why they really, really couldn't put that on the canopy and matchbooks.

The Super Fresh in Spring Valley on 48th Street usually has lovely stuff, and it caters to a rather demanding customer base. Also, you can pick up some wonderful wine there to accompany your fish.

Papri Chat Masala Dosa Oothappam Peshawari Chole Simla Mirch Masala Chicken Palak Lamb Nilgiri Khorma Baingan Bhartha Dahi Bhalla Onion Kulcha

For something old school, you might like the Lounge at the Jefferson Hotel on 16th. A few blocks north is the Bar Rouge, which can be excellent if you like small plates.

It's a casual, pleasant neighborhood place with gentle prices and a fairly ambitious menu. The cook turned out a lovely Osso Buco and Chicken Marsala for us, and the accompanying pasta was perfectly al dente. The wine by the glass list is in serious need of an upgrade, but that will hopefully come soon. It's cheerful, the service is competent and the owner is on the floor.