JennyUptown

Chef Peter Smith to leave Vidalia

Steve, that sounds amazing. Unfortunately the web site says "work in progress" - no menu posted at this point - so if any insiders can speak to what other delights we might find at Oyamel, please speak up!

Ah, I think there's more to it than that. Scientifically speaking, responders differ greatly from non-responders (that's my psych degree - only a BA - speaking). Plus, whereas I would have gone crazy submitting my comments for Zagat at 21, as 31 approaches, I'm much more inclined to come here post, read and think. Just my two cents.

Oyamel is having three nights of fundraising - October 12, 13 and 14. And I quote (from a newsletter received today): For three special benefit nights, all the proceeds from sales at Oyamel will be donated equally to the following nonprofit organizations: The Michoacán Reforestation Fund is a non-profit 501 ©(3) organization founded in 1997 with the mission of reforesting with Oyamel pine trees the areas surrounding the Monarch Butterfly Overwintering Area in Michoacán, Mexico. Their work involves raising Oyamel fir and pine seedlings, transporting them to the local ejidatarios (peasants working common lands) in the Monarch butterfly overwintering region, and teaching them to plant and care for the seedlings. In the summer of 2004, the Michoacán Reforestation Fund surpassed the cumulative planting of one and a half million seedlings since its founding, and their goal is to increase the numbers planted each year as well as the numbers of ejido families with whom they interact. www.michoacanmonarchs.org For more than 134 years, physicians and nurses at Children’s National Medical Center have been working to safeguard the health of children. Ranked among the top ten pediatric hospitals in the nation, it is the only health system in the region dedicated exclusively to the care of children. The E. Robert Jr. Center for Surgical Care is one of six Centers of Excellence providing care to thousands of young patients annually. The Center offers the expertise of some of the world’s most skilled surgeons and pediatric anesthesiologists along with cutting-edge technology. With the help of generous supporters, Children’s will continue to deliver preeminent care for generations to come. www.cnmc.org Human Rights Watch is dedicated to protecting the human rights of all people around the world. The institution stands with victims and activists to bring offenders to justice, to prevent discrimination, to uphold political freedom and to protect people from inhumane conduct in wartime. It investigates and exposes human rights violations and holds abusers accountable. It also challenges governments and those holding power to end abusive practices and respect international human rights law. The effectiveness of Human Rights Watch endures because of the active support of the public and the international community. www.hrw.org During fundraisers, customers order from the regular menu, as much or as little as they may wish. No minimum consumption is required. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oyamel Reservation Phone Number: 703-413-2288

Abe Vigoda (still alive and kickin'!!) at Grace's Market, UES. Woody Allen, all over the UES. Pretty much can't miss him.

I met Ethan Hawke bowling at Port Authority Lanes. Also saw him at an Irish dump on W 14th not long after that. George Clooney used to frequent the bar at Morgans Hotel, but that was ages ago. Now he's here in DC a lot.

This applies to me 100%. My mother used to serve us NY Strips that bear no resemblance to the thing of beauty Michael serves. Thin as if it had been pounded, with a chunk of gristle on each end. Texture like a shoe. <shudder> Sorry Mom. I felt like I was taking a big risk ( ) trying the strip instead of, say, a rib eye, but man...it was wonderful. I will avoid filet mignon from here forward. I can't wait to try the Ray's hangar steak as it's one of my favorite cuts.

I *love* the chicken wrap with garlic mayo (hold the lettuce) at...Pik-Pita in the food court at the mall in Pentagon City. I don't shop a ton, but when I go there, I always look forward to that wrap. Yum.

Visiting athletes frequent Tao. In most smaller cities, you can just about always find pro athletes at the local Morton's. Often, it's the only place open post-game. And no, I'm not a groupie. I work in sports! Celebrities don't just go to expensive places...Grey Dog Cafe has an interesting clientele. Bar Pitti as well.

Meyhane sounds like it's worth a try (if you haven't been).

I received the following special event notice via e-mail... FIREFLY EXECUTIVE CHEF JOHN WABECK PLATES UP A THREE-COURSE WINE DINNER INSPIRED BY CALDER AND MIRÓ TO BENEFIT THE PHILLIPS COLLECTION To toast Firefly's second birthday, Chef John Wabeck and Firefly's management have planned a special evening that will feature a three-course wine dinner inspired by The Phillips Collection's upcoming exhibition of Alexander Calder's mobile sculptures and Joan Miró's poem paintings. On Monday, October 18, 2004, at 6:30 p.m., Chef Wabeck will prepare a three-course menu ($55 per person, inclusive) , where "the food is the art." Using artistic license for a fundraiser for The Phillips Collection, America's first museum of modern art, the culinary evening at Firefly, coincides with the launch of The Phillips Collection's stellar exhibition, which will be the only United States venue for Calder Miró , running from October 9, 2004 to January 23, 2005. Researching the works of Calder and Miró, Wabeck designed each course around one work by each artist. Renowned for his wine palate, Wabeck pairs each dish with a vintage from the region in which the artist lived. During the evening, Dr. Elizabeth Hutton Turner, senior curator for the exhibit, will share lively anecdotes about the two artists. Firefly will donate 25 percent of the $55.00 per person dinner to The Phillips Collection for the museum's education and community programs. Reservations are required for this artful evening by dialing Firefly at 202-861-1310. CALDER MIRÓ MENU Monday, October 18, 2004 6:30 p.m. $55 per person, inclusive "The tilled field" (Miró inspired...think Spain with squid ink and saffron) Roasted beets, braised Belgian endive, goat cheese, saffron, squid ink Sherry, palo cortado, peninsula, NV "Duck" (Duck was Calder's first piece, created when he was a child) Crisp duck confit with smoked duck risotto, cranberry relish Pinot noir, Lincourt, Santa Barbara County, CA, 2001 Calder/ Miró (a combination of the influences of Calder and Miró) Vanilla panna cotta with "application" of sauces, cow tuile Moscato, St. Supery, Napa, CA, 2001 ### Firefly is located at 1310 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, just a short walk from The Phillips Collection, and serves lunch Monday through Friday, dinner nightly, and Saturday and Sunday brunch. For reservations dial 202-861-1310 or log onto opentable.com. Valet Parking is available for $5.00. The web site is firefly-dc.com. Firefly - DC is located at: 1310 New Hampshire Ave. NW Washington, DC 20036 Phone: 202-861-1310 Fax: 202-659-3597

What's everyone up to this weekend?

The service at Palena is phenomenal 99% of the time. And I enjoy the warm service at my old usual hangout, Bardeo. The staff there is extremely familiar with the dishes and the wines, as well as quite gracious.

I completely agree with eunny jang. Five Guys is a step or two up from, say, McDonald's...but that's not saying much. I'm not sure the burger merits the price.

If you had to choose one place, would you go to Spezie or Al Tiramisu? Please choose one and defend your answer with supporting details.

You took the words right out of my mouth. It's so hard to understand how a place that was so popular could suddenly disappear. I was very sad to see the empty space on my last visit. If I were traveling to Ithaca with a few teenagers, I think I'd keep it REALLY simple and get pizza at The Nines. Is The Chariot still open? Probably ten of the pounds I gained while a student (argh) can be attributed to their corn fritters and pizza during my four years in Ithaca. Oh, and the beer didn't help.

I actually liked BeDuCi. It was a good parent-dining place (if your parents are like mine away). The food was good and the staff was very welcoming.

I'm meeting two girlfriends at Palena. Neither has been so it should be fun to introduce them. We'll sit inside.

Wine is the drink of choice at Ray's. Many interesting affordable offerings.

I like the look of the web site, but the navigation is a problem. What's the latest on this place?

According to a person chiming in during today's Tom Sietsema chat, the price has gone up to $85 per person.

Yes and yes.

Is this the current menu? JRage - are you out there?

Tea at Cafe MoZu

More about IndeBleu.