morela

The Reuben from Marvelous Market (as always on toasted/buttered rye). The Market on the Boulevard on MacArthur Blvd for the CJ Islander (marble rye, awesome smoked turkey, hellman's mayo, homemade cranberry sauce, and icebergio lettuce)! Sweet Stuff in McLean also has awesome hommous, so lube your "carbs" with that. What about Po' Boys? Louisiana Express in Barfesda is pretty good. Anyone else?

Michael, That burger you made me last night induced some really strange behavior. Despite my toxic companions, after the brilliant and priceless meal, I wandered to the south end of the Key Bridge and starting praying in front of that spray-painted sign that says "Virginia is for Losers. " I did that for maybe, like, 90 minutes! Afterwards, I walked across the bridge, but not on the little pedestrian path, on the thin metal railing; at any given moment I could have fallen right into the river. Don't worry, Michael. I wasn't the least bit scared because I had my wings. And when all the cars started to honk at me, I retorted by flashing my chest at them. Apparently, I made it home okay, but a strange cat was in my room when I woke up... I must say, though, today I feel better than I've ever felt in my life. How did you make those burgers again? I know you said there won't be a 'next time,' but why then, should I continue to live? That should be my last supper.

Other than from the food, it's plating, and ambiance, soul radiates from servers and front of the house staff that has more personality than a special agent on duty. Robotic, pretentious, hovering service lacks soul and chips away at class. It can ruin an otherwise great meal, and make you feel mocked, and like a big fat sucker for letting yourself or someone else spend so much damn money. We want professional human beings with warmth and charm... Thank you Palena, thank you Nectar, thanks Restaurant Eve, Ray's the Steaks, Guijilo, BDC, Pesce, Equinox, Layalina, little tiny nooks and crannies in strip malls and far from metro stops... thanks Firefly, and little man who used to deliver my Chinese food, thanks Tom Power at Corduroy, and the friendly people a Straits of Malaya, cheese dudes who care. Fine, and Maestro (even though I've never been there). (This was inspired by Margaret Wise Brown's Good Night Moon: Good Night Moon is the story of a bunny who is being put to sleep by an old woman. Comfort, peace.)

Layalina is the greatest. I want to go get stuff from there right now and eat it at home! PS: Anyone coming downtown tonight, heads up for IMF protest stuff; road blocks, barriers, paper parking signs that have potential to ruin your lives... They're still out there.

This S.O.S. thread might evoke some memories...

Yes, it does have a very small (maybe 5 seats bar). The bartender there is usually a guy named John. He is a generous pourer (probably because he is otherwise bored). Oh, and the pork is good (at least the prep a few months ago), and so are all the dippy things that you might share with three other people at a bar (honorable bread too). The octopus, on the otherhand, is just like you'd expect overcooked octopus to be. And that is all I remember...

Find out on October 3, 2004, I said.

As usual, entertaining and gracefully crafted into one bite, here's Todd Kliman this week on Galileo. If you want to catch up on some of the previous weeks, here's a link to the archive: https://secure.washingtoncitypaper.com/cgi-...tartsearch2.bat <I have let this escape me a bit, partly due to the fact that the links expire so quickly>

Here's Tom Sietsema on Le Paradou. For some reason the *stars* seem to be embargoed until Sunday.

Hey, how about those Yankees?

Where's everyone getting their debate on? Fo' shizzle. Take advantage of your space tonight, starting a little before 2100.

I went to Second Story Books at lunchtime and passed by that terrible BeDuCi en route. It's closed now and construction seems to be underway ...and on the door there's notice that the SBC Cafe folks are opening 21 P in early October. Great space, I must say, but a sleeper of a name (this place is at 21st and P Streets). Does anyone know more about this venture?

Nope, read the Washington Business Journal link that Klc posted up above... I wish Vidal Sasson would open a smoothie place.

As kinky as my hair... I hope this isn't ANYTHING like Toka!

The last regular magarita I had there (no more than two months ago) was about as bad as the railiest rail one at sports bar in middle America. Locally, I might try private schools in Alexandria! I miss those treats from Fourth grade.

Not to create linguistical controversy, but as a kid, I always called that place RugFuckers

I'm willing to bet that the worst burger in D.C. is actually right in D.C. Ever had a burger at a D.C. Public School? How about a hospital?

"I'm sorry, we're out of that." I've been there two maybe three times in my life (all this year). I can't tell ya why either. That should be their slogan. We can hardly wait to tell you that everything is all gone.

Stay away from that Suicide Curry. It is still on menu, and it SUCKS. It really is like a failed attempt at suicide.

They all have those nice teeth, though... I don't even get the slogan. Wait longer for what? Cosmetic dentistry?

Stretch, I like you. I wonder if people from The Weekly Standard or AEI will go there. I bet it's just National Geographic types.

Aye 11th the Ginger Salad, and call me white bread, but I love the Wafu Salad with that crisp, cold iceberg and that drinkable sesame-peanuty-misoy-just plain-hyphenate-me three-more-fucking-times-good dressing. I challenge the kitchen and instead of plain or chicken wafu, I ask for shrimp or crispy duck on mine (that's right,feel free to mooch off of the sibling on the corner). Sushi, sake, ginger salad, all for the love of my floppy wallet. And CNN on flatscreen plasma at the bar. I can honestly say, I watched Reagan's funeral, Osama bin Laden's first tape, Micahel Jackson's funky face...all at Spices. Yikes! I think I saw the OJ Simpson chase at home before Spices was around. Not sure.

MARCEL'S

Citronelle Equinox Tabard Inn (great backyardy thing) Le Paradou Poste Hmmm, Rays (that one table out front from time to time )! Persimmon in Bethesda Cashions Palena I wonder if City Zen has outdoor seating... I guess the Wilson Bridge and the river smells aren't that appealing

Actually Rocks is allegedly involved in a "hype and dump manipulation" scheme. Apparently his goal is to drive everyone to one particular restaurant so that he can go to another one with less chance of being seen. The Restaurant Association and some whistle blowers are on the case now. If found guilty, Mr. Rockwell could be sentenced to a minimum of three cases of Red Bicyclette Vin de Pays d'Oc Chardonnay and an overnight stay at one of the Four Stars McDonald's.