JennyUptown

I like Ardeo's brunch as a nice mid-price alternative - it falls somewhere in the middle between very, very lowbrow (e.g., Texas Toast at Austin Grill) and very expensive (e.g., champagne brunch at the Four Seasons or similar). Plus last time I was there I saw Greta van Susteren and Senator Joe Lieberman (separately). Some people (yes, me occasionally) are impressed by these things.

If memory serves, that's a pretty significant price difference. I always think of Alero (the CP one) as a place to go when I'm feeling poor.

Yeah there's a certain oiliness to the Dupont Melting Pot. I don't know if they're all like that or if it has something to do with the subterranean location. I've only been to that particular fondue place once and it satisfied my curiosity. I liked the cheese, liked the dessert fondue too, but could definitely do without that whole middle course. And the stuff ain't cheap for a DIY meal. I'd rather spend my $40-55 (depending on how many people, how many courses, etc.) on a meal cooked for me instead of one cooked by me. Seriously, Monica, I'm fairly certain that anything you cook up would far outshine The Melting Pot.

Enough (although I spend more time at Bardeo next door). Could you be more specific in your inquiry?

Are the prices comparable to the Cleveland Park location or more like what you'd expect in a place with swank new digs?

Many months after my initial post re: Red Ginger, I made it there for dinner tonight. It was a pleasant surprise. My first impression of the place, though, was not so pleasant: upon arriving at 7 pm tonight (a Thursday, the day of the Inauguration, cold but not unreasonably so), the place had exactly. one. patron. And me. As I waited for my friend to arrive, I checked out the menu. Touches of Caribbean (see jerk chicken lollipop appetizer) and Latin American (various salsas, lots of beans, a quesadilla appetizer) influence. Interesting. I also tried to do that math on the four course meal offered for $35. It seemed hard to make sense of given that two of the entree choices (short ribs and pork tenderloin) were on the high end of the menu's range. Looking around the smallish dining room (it seats 35/40 people max), I admired the colorful decor, but was less impressed with the television positioned in one corner of the room, blaring the local news. As customers started to trickle in, the sound was muted and replaced with softer, pleasant music. My friend arrived and our server took her order for a glass of Malbec. Time passed. No wine. When reminded, he graciously apologized and raced to the bar. He was the lone server and he was trying hard; we forgave him. The food: I contemplated ordering the ubiquitous butternut squash soup (here served with "fig crema"), but instead we tried two very different chicken appetizers. First up, Jamaican Jerk chicken lollipops, roasted corn and black bean salsa with Jalapeno-cumin rouille ($9). The jerk wasn't all that spicy and the beans were reddish-brown, not black, but still...these were some tasty, nicely prepared drumsticks. The skin was golden brown and nicely crusted with seasoning. It had a little kick, but not the serious punch I've tasted with jerk in the past. The rouille and salsa were good enough that we scooped up their remains with warm pillowy rolls when the chicken was done. Next, we had chicken quesadilla served open-faced with cilantro pesto, smoked Gouda, corn tortilla and lime crema. ($8) Wow! This was a pleasant surprise. After a few too many bad bar quesadillas, I usually steer clear. That would have been a mistake here. I liked everything about this dish from the thick corn tortilla (reminded me of flatbread) to the well-seasoned chicken to the pleasantly sharp Gouda. For our entrees, my friend had the grilled rack of lamb in red mole, baby pearl lentils, wilted spinach and pineapple-balsamic reduction ($20). The lamb was tender and cooked to her specifications (medium/medium-well), but I didn't pick up on much flavor from the mole or the pineapple-balsamic reduction. She seemed to really enjoy the whole dish so it could have been just the bites I had. On the other hand, the lentils were perfect - I could have eaten a gigantic bowl of them for a meal. Yum. My entree was quite good. I had struggled with a choice between Jamaican rum & apple cider cured pork tenderloin, collard greens, sweet potato mash and sugar cane whisky sauce ($19) and braised short ribs (the version offered tonight was slightly different from the one listed on the web site menu). I love pork tenderloin, but worried that this dish would overall be too sweet. Although the mashed sweet potatoes got on my nerves after awhile, the pork was really very tasty with savory notes as well as sweet. A few other menu items struck me as particularly intriguing including a vegetarian plate that includes "quinoa pumpkin salad" and "Bamboo crab cake and xuxu slaw." Four desserts were offered: French crepes filled with apple and topped with cappuccino chocolate chip ice cream; sweet potato creme brulee; mango cobbler; and chocolate walnut pecan pie. We chose the first two. For me, the crepes with apples were delicious and enough. I'm an ice cream lover, but I thought adding it to this dessert was overkill. Simple, for me, would have been better. I liked the sweet potato creme brulee a lot more than I would have expected...it was pretty super and the portion size was just right. Loved it. Total damage for two appetizers, two entrees, two desserts and one glass of wine: just slightly over $100 with tax and tip. As we were preparing to leave, we were introduced by our server to Chef Howsoon, a really pleasant man from Gambia who has owned Red Ginger since Spring 2004. He chatted about how difficult it has been to overcome the reputation (mostly for rude service) the previous owners built up and how much he relies on word of mouth to build his customer base. Click here to read Chef/Owner Howsoon's bio The bottom line of my rambling post? Red Ginger is definitely worth a try.

Sorry, Greenwich Village. It was, I believe, on Carmine.

I am due for a visit soon. Maybe we'll do a dumpling tour. I used to order from Buddha House in GV...they were more of a habit than "good." Usually they tasted alright, but every once in awhile...mystery hard chunk.

Thanks to all!

Thanks for the recs. Some of them I'm a little confused by (no Thai, but whatever), but mostly I need a geography lesson. Are any of these near Iota?

<green with envy> I hope you all know how good you have it in NYC re: dumplings (and Chinese food overall). We have virtually no good options here in DC.

NoVa is somewhat of a mystery to me, too. I've made tentative forays in that realm in the last year or so. For example, I have visited Tallula two or three times (couldn't place it on a map though) and I find Ray's the Steaks easily enough. But what's near Iota? I've never been, but its web site says Clarendon. There will probably be four of us and we'd prefer not to eat at Iota. I think Faccia Luna is out that way (not a fan). Something within walking distance would be great, but we're flexible. Inexpensive to moderate eats preferred. Ethnic eats are fine, although neither Thai nor sushi would be the group's top choice. Thanks in advance. [we're going to see my friend Mike's band 'No Second Troy' in case you're curious or might like to join us at the show. Web site is www.nosecondtroy.com]

Yes, but posted on Wednesdays.

How'd that happen? Today is Tuesday (the piece is dated Wednesday the 19th).

I was worried when I saw "barbecue" on the awning. So many styles... so many opportunities to mess it up!! I wonder if any of the non-barbecue items are edible.

Can it be? A new restaurant has opened in the Van Ness area, that dining dessert?? I know it's hard to imagine, but a new spot has in fact opened in this 'hood. Even better: the restaurant seems to be a bona fide place to eat as opposed to the usual places with their empty seats (see Super Panda; see the former tenant in the Riedel's space, an Indian buffet). The awning advertises "Seafood. Hickory Smoked Barbecue. Chops." As those living nearby will attest, the only smell one can pick up is of grease from the nearby KFC/Taco Bell, not burning hickory. Still, I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. From the outside, the interior's appearance could be described either as clean and spare or non-descript and boring. They have put in nice hardwood floors, some booths and tables as well as a bar in the rear. Most times when I have walked by, I've seen a table or two occupied as well as anywhere from three to five seats at the bar. Riedel's has been open for less than two weeks so, to me, that's more promising than cause for concern (yet). The menu posted in the window lists a range of items including pulled pork sandwiches, burgers, jumbalaya and the most expensive item on the menu, a New York strip steak ($22). I have not yet dined at Riedel's, preferring to let the place get broken in at least a little, but plan to stop in soon. When I do, I'll enter with low expectations. It would be great to have a neighborhood spot to visit once in awhile, perhaps for a post-work beer or lunch with friends...but I'm just not ready to get my hopes up.

I tried to go to the web site (to sign up for the newsletter) earlier today. No luck. Any ideas for me as how to get on the mailing list?

Happy happy! Congrats to the Stretch family.

It's more impressive when they have everything they tout actually available...

Banana blueberry bran muffin, toasted with butter at Grey Dog. Great big iced latte to go with. White bean bruschetta followed by white bean ravioli with brown butter sauce at Po. Sausage rolls at midnight at Swift. <Guinness> Ham and cheese toastie at Puck Fair. Bufala Mozzarella, prosciutto, salami, white bean salad (catch a trend here? ), provolone, etc. in a cold antipasti made just to my taste at Pellegrino's. The giganto meat platter at Sushi Samba 7, eaten while all my friends, eating sushi, look at me with envy. A big fat cinnamon bun from Baci cafe on 3rd Ave in the 70s (is it still open??). A slice from Giorgio's - UES or EV, doesn't matter. I like 'em both. Samosas and chicken tikka masala from Baluchi's in GV, my favorite delivery meal through all of my NYC-livin' days.

There are also great good options not far from the show (which is at the new convention center). Matchbox is pretty close. R.F.D. supposedly has good beer.

Great pics, Yetty! Everything looks delicious.

I went to Palena last night (and apparently I wasn't the only one). It was pretty empty when I left around 9, at least in part due to RW.

Buck's (at least last night) would be ok vegetarians if one is willing to pull together a meal of appetizers and sides. Last night, they offered a vegan mushroom soup. The mozzarella appetizer was vegetarian, as well as delicious. The leg of lamb was offered with green lentils...I almost asked my neighbor at the communal table for a taste, they looked so good. I would have loved them as a side. I know how Ms. Greenwood feels about substitutions, but I wonder if she'd allow for no bacon on the iceberg lettuce wedge.

What is Mendocino doing for RW? Drew? JRage? Are you out there?