JRage

Furins in Georgetown makes great cakes and they are usually up to the challenge of making custom cakes... I'd ask them to see what they can do...

Hey everyone, Sorry I haven't been posting lately, I've been pretty busy working on getting Sonoma up and running (as quickly as possible?!?). We are excited to be opening our second restaurant/wine bar and very excited to be in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. Thank you for all of the encouraging posts over the last few months, they've been nice to read throughout this process. We are sending out the first round of email invitations to some "preview" events and I'm guessing that many of you were early subscribers on our website. I think it would be great it we could organize an eGullet "preview" event for many of you. Since there are a lot of industry people, I'd probably arrange it for a Sunday or Monday night... So, if you get an invite, when you respond, mention that you'd like to be involved in the eGullet event, so we put you on the appropriate list. I'm not saying that this group would get any special treatment, but then again... ...maybe I am. Looking forward to hosting you all and many thanks again for all of your support and encouragement. Warmest regards, Jared Rager Sonoma Restaurant and Wine Bar Mendocino Grille and Wine Bar

Actually, the restaurant was designed by Griz Dwight, of GrizForm Design Architects. Griz was formerly a Senior Project Manager for Adamstein and Demetriou and has worked on many beautiful DC restaurants. In addition to Oya he is working on a number of projects right now, including... Sonoma, (Capitol Hill) which is the 'soon to be open' sister restaurant to Mendocino. We've been very impressed with his work and his knowledge. As I understand it, the owner of Oya did act as his own contractor though. Anyway, welcome Oya...to the Washington restaurant scene.

Dined at 21P last night and we had a nice time. Olives, olive oil with rosemary focaccia was a nice starter. I enjoyed the tuna tartare and the pan seared rockfish, both were very nice. Wife had the lobster bisque and a blue corn tamale. Service was good, space looks beautiful, I think they've done a nice job. A welcome addition to Dupont's restaurant scene.

That's actually a cool idea... I'll have to test that out when I take my kid to a real playground.

Nadya - May I borrow some of your irrational attachments? Not that I'm out getting my groove on, very often, but when I've been at work late or I've been kicked out of my Apartment for various reasons, I always end up at Kramerbooks. Big old slice of pie with ice-cream, some sundae toppings and I can't remember where I am. As for Sakana, there might be better sushi, even on the block, but I love that place. I'm pretty sure they don't even like me that much, but it's comforting to get my green tea and my regular sushi, consistently good every time. El Tamarindo used to be a very irrational attachment, as we would go there late night usually extremely inebriated.

Much appreciated...

I'm seriously considering changing my username to ThreadKilla, since there are at least a dozen threads out there that have gone silent after I post on them. Maybe once and a while someone could post the 'sound' of crickets chirping after I post.

Actually, It'll look like a big bag of money, the bag will have handstitched trim and baby hand prints all over it. Now everyone is going to be totally underwhelmed with the actual cake...

What design are you getting? You'll see, it's something my wife wanted to do, I'm pretty sure the inspiration was Martha Stewart. It'll be a surprise.

That cake looked amazing. My son's first birthday is coming up this weekend (his party anyway) and I just placed an order with Furin's in Georgetown. I'll post a picture when I've seen it, but they were very willing to custom design a cake for us. Prices are very reasonable as well, and I know from experience that their cakes are great.

Thanks for asking Don! Mendocino Grille and Wine Bar offers a 15% discount on all food items for industry people and additional specials on Sunday night which include $5 cocktails and half-priced wine list (open to everyone, but designed with our industry peers in mind.) Combined with our Sunday Fare menu (California "comfort food" like Kobe Beef cheeseburgers, fried organic chicken, and macaroni & cheese) industry night at Mendocino offers our restaurant and neighborhood friends an informal (and inexpensive) chance to check us out.

Add Mendocino to that list of restaurants who are extending the Restaurant Week specials a second week. And fresh berries with organic yogurt is a dessert option or a starter for lunch. And a fruit cobbler.

Small correction, the lunch menu is not a "full menu" for restaurant week. I've had some requests for the Restaurant Week Menu at Mendocino, so I'm posting a link to them here. (They aren't up on our website.) As far as the supplemental fees, the few items that have it, range from $2 to $5 (and that is on the VA organic kobe beef.) As far as reservations go, even for lunch, it is a good idea. We only have about 50 seats, so if you really have your heart set on eating at Mendocino, better safe than hungry. If you are solo, then you can always eat at the bar and don't need a reservation to do that. Restaurant week can be crazy though, so you really never know what is going to happen. Let me know if there are any more questions! Mendocino Lunch - Restaurant Week Mendocino Dinner - Restaurant Week

Yes, Thank you dbortnick! We are all looking forward to checking out the new and improved Poste. At Mendocino Grille and Wine Bar we have the whole menu available for lunch and dinner for restaurant week, (there are a few items with a small supplemental fee) but for those of you who have been wanting to come in but are on a tighter budget, it is an amazing deal. We did the same thing last time and it was really well received. Enjoy!

I'm with Sara in that I'm very sensitive to good/bad service. I think the service has the ability to either enhance or ruin your meal. Great service will never make bad food taste better, but you might at least have a more favorable experience overall. Whereas bad service can totally ruin what, as a paying customer, you have every right to enjoy. That said, if I know that I'm going to get bad service, despite the excellent food, I am ok with it. Growing up we used to eat at the Olney Ale House all of the time and the hostess there used to be a 'little' gruff. We saw it as a right of passage to an otherwise good meal. Bad attitude or gruff service has to be part of the philosophy not just a deviation from the plan. I've gone the last few weekends to Colorado Kitchen for brunch and they have their own rules and attitude that we accept going in. We just order, eat and enjoy and then we get the f___ out, before anyone gets hurt. It's not what I go for with my own restaurant, but it doesn't stop me from enjoying theirs. And I'm with Mark concerning the syrup... Liam, I understand the principle behind waiting to eat until I've been brought syrup, but I'd sooner squeeze sap out of the restaurants fake ficas tree before letting my flapjacks go cold.

National Geographic has an awesome office cafeteria setup with fresh pasta bars, salad bars, etc... But I'm pretty sure you need an employee to get you in there as well.

We have soft shell crabs on our menu at Mendocino right now, (I ate them tonight.) Also, I had the Crab Two Ways at Ceiba and I thought it was very nice, the crabcake and softshell crab combo is hard to beat. I believe this is a weekly thing, Breadline has crabcake sandwiches on Thursdays and Fridays. (Can anyone confirm that?) Two Fridays ago they had them, but after a night of too much drinking, I couldn't quite get in the mood. But I might head over this week and try one if it is a weekly special, they looked awesome. (They were definitely fried, sorry Sara...) Now that I think of it, I'm pretty sure that I had soft shell crabs at Citronelle, and if I recall correctly, they stuffed the crabs with additional crabmeat. Those were pretty amazing as well. (Lot of drinking that weekend, so Mark by all means, correct me if I'm mistaken in this.) Edited to account for my not being in town last week...

Brought some family friends to Ceiba last night (Saturday) for the final (third) leg of a tour of the DC dining scene. Wanted to take them somewhere fun, with great food and something a little different. Ceiba was an obvious choice. We had a wonderful time, they treated us very well, and our friends really enjoyed themselves. Here's what we had across the table. As far as wine, our friend chose a Rose (Malbec from Argentina), which was very reasonably priced and very refreshing. Bar: Mojitos - Way too good. Amuse-bouche: (Chef was very kind to send out a wonderful amuse) An avocado "ravioli" with crab-meat, which was delicious and truly inspired. Appetizers: Shredded Duck Confit Empanadas - I love these... "Hot Lava Stone" Queso Fundido - Who doesn't love hot cheese and steak? (I picked at this so much that my dining companions were sure that was eating layers of lava rock... and if I was, I loved it. Grilled Octopus Salad - Excellent Entrees: Brazilian Braised Pork Shank "Feijoada" - Oh man, so good. Toasted Corn Crusted Halibut - Great Whole Crispy Red Snapper Vera Cruz - Really Excellent Crab Two Ways - (Crabcake and Soft Shelled Crab) -Excellent For Dessert: Mexican Vanilla-Bean Cheesecake - Wife ate it so fast, I barely got a taste. Warm Cinnamon Dusted Churros w/Mexican Hot Chocolate - Reminded me of my days in Spain, when the churrorrias (sp?) would just be opening at 5 am as we all returned home from the clubs and bars. Chocolate Cuban Coffee Cake - Good lord, somebody stop me. (Right about here in the meal I was reminded how little will power I possess. Of course we ended up cleaning all of the plates and we didn't leave a single kernel of caramel popcorn. Great experience, including great atmosphere, service, drinks and food. A tip of the hat to Tunks and the crew he and his partners have assembled at Ceiba. Edited to correct various mispellings...

I've updated the menus on the Mendocino website... but if you don't want to go to our website... ...here are some direct links to download (pdf) the different menus; Saturday Brunch Lunch Dinner Dessert Thanks for the heads up! Let me know if you have any questions.

What time would the happy "hours" be? I'd love to finally meet some of you guys...

Whoops! I'll have that fixed ASAP. Looks like we forgot to replace the PDF file, with a spring or summer menu. Thanks for the heads up!

I don't know the details, but I think Grille 88 was faced with the expensive option of replacing a major sewer line into the building and I think it was just too much expense to bear. At least that is what I heard or read somewhere.

Yes. Water and Gatorade, lots of it. Legal hangovers seem to lose some of that rebel novelty. I'm not sure how much drinking advice you need...from the sound of it, you are out drinking more often than I am (and I own a bar?!?) Well, that's pretty sad (for me.) Not necessarily in a feasible 'crawl' order, but here are some of my favorite bars, where I RARELY get asked which college I attend. Cashions - Very cool bar, solid bartenders, nice music and the option for great food. Johnny's - Same 'family', so it stands to reason that they would have an equally good bar. Less atmosphere but somehow more comfortable. Westin Embassy Row, formally Westin Fairfax...(21st? and Mass) - Old school bar, fireplace, coves, a little stiffled but if you are looking for that Mature drink, this place would do the trick and then some... (I like it oldschool.) Ginger Cove/Ginger Reef downtown is cool. (I've only been there once, but I had a good time.) Rosa Mexicano - (already suggested) - we know the majority opinion on this place, but the place is well done (design-wise) and it's a fun, older scene. (you know hip new place.) Four Seasons - Great bar area. I'll think of more favorites later... right now, I need a drink. Happy Birthday in advance. Oh, of course if you find yourself in Georgetown, I'd be honored to treat you to one of your first legal drinks at Mendocino. Can a newly legal boozer enjoy/appreciate a Turley? Just got this years allocation.

Actually, Palena's Bar/Cafe is a pretty good option. You can't go wrong with that.