JennyUptown

Oh bummer, this sounds fun. I was ready to borrow a kid and everything! But at the moment, I'm scheduled to be in NYC that weekend, checking out a friend's new baby. If that falls through, I'll bring some sort of fruit salad.

For Alexandria pooches

Sometimes they post the photos a few days later (that's what happened with the JohnW photo).

Tom mentioned it in today's chat. He said it was at 6th and H NW. Has anyone heard of it?

The Post on corkage at The Caucus Room.

GG - thrilled to have you back in action. I was worried that your new project would make you too busy for EG.

Lauriol Plaza (I don't want to go there anyway) is one of the no-res spots. So is Sette. Zaytinya is no res after 6:30.

In the interest of science, I went back to Jaleo tonight and ordered virtually the same meal as the one I had last week...but this time I dined downtown. I had always heard that the downtown location was better with respect to food, however after a few visits to each, I beg to differ based on selected dishes. What struck me as particularly interesting was the portion size differential. Even though tonight I was there for dinner (and last week, lunch), my pork sausage dish was noticably smaller. The sausage itself was only a little smaller, but the quantity (and quality) of the accompanying beans was significantely less. And they just didn't taste as good. In Bethesda, they were buttery and irresistible. The other big difference? We had dessert - flan with cardamon espuma. Yuuuuuuummm.

Awesome post, Pan. Did someone get a new toy (e.g., a digital camera)? L'Impero is a place I hope to visit during one of my next NYC visits.

More specials in Bethesda: According to the Post, Persimmon is having a $5 happy hour (M-F, 5-7p). For $5 you get a glass of wine or a snack. Mon Ami Gabi is also a nice spot (mini-chain, yes I know).

Has anyone else tried Yuca (for food or just for drinks)?

I really want to like Rocklands because it's conveniently located (a stone's throw from the gym!), but thus far, I just haven't been impressed. Over the weekend, I tried the pulled (and chopped) pork sandwich and a small side of the baked beans. They were out of the corn pudding. The pork is fine. But just fine. There's not a ton of flavor even though the sandwich comes doused in some kind of red sauce. I took home a little side of some random mustardy sauce, but it didn't really help. The wall of sauce for in-store use is kind of gross. At least half of the bottles I picked up to investigate were either completely empty or had maybe a spoonful left. The potato bun was your usual bun. I liked it, but it would have been better with tastier innards. The beans were hugely disappointing tasting of almost nothing but ketchup. Previously I have had the brisket sandwich; it too was bland.

I don't remember a ton from my Cornell days (they are kind of a blur actually), but one thing I'll never forget was the corkage lecture we received in Wines (Hotel Administration 430), a legitimate course run by the esteemed Hotel school. The two rules were indeed: Corkage is for special wines, not your garden variety California merlots that run $9 at the neighborhood liquor store. Never bring a wine from the restaurant's list. When in doubt, call and ask.

For those of you who like Faccia Luna... I checked out the posted signs at the Glover Park location yesterday. Looks like they had a fire based on the posted permits. The sign says they'll reopen in "about a month" but the sign's not dated so the info isn't all that helpful. They are also advertising for servers to send resumes.

Great timing, stretch. Just yesterday I was thinking "I wish eg had a list of nice outdoor spots" because my friend and I were scrambling to find one for lunch. Here are a few in the Cleveland Park area that aren't on Open Table's list: Indique - a few balcony tables, others at street level (but these weren't out for lunch on Sunday). Alero - more balcony tables, a deck too although part of it appears to be under construction Yanni's - street level, for the most part. Bricks - yuck, I hate this place, but their rooftop deck is nice for having a beer.

What IS Mexican vanilla anyway? I went to Max's tonight and saw it on the menu. I would have asked about it, but my mind was already made up (chocolate chip). I did the ultimate kid thing today: ate ice cream first and then picked up dinner from Rockland's. Contrary to what Mom would say, I did NOT spoil my appetite.

Just when I didn't think I could find anything new to say about Indique... A friend and I stopped in for a late lunch today. We sat out on the balcony which was lovely (only a very few tables inside were occupied as it was 2 pm and service shuts down at 3). We decided to share an appetizer and an entree which ended up being just the right amount of food. There were two pleasant surprises this time. When we ordered our paneer shashlik (Indian cheese skewered with vegetables like tomatoes, red and green peppers, and onions; price forgotten) and chicken tikka makhani ($9; not adventurous, I know, but enjoyable), our server noted that it came with soup or salad. We chose the soup, a "cream of kidney bean" expecting to taste it, say "whatever" and move on. Instead of the usual broth with beans or something thicker, this was basically an essence of bean. The consistency wasn't at all what we expected but the flavor was excellent. After a few spoonfulls, we requested that our garlic naan be served early for dunking in the soup - perfect. A nice touch: when our entree came, the server brought out a small fresh naan gratis to replace the one that had cooled post-soup. The shared portions were just what we needed. Our bill was $19 and change before tip.

That's the place I meant. It was one of my first DC food experiences. I didn't love it, but at least I didn't feel ripped off when I left.

Funny timing - I attended a wedding reception at the Willard last night. As weddings go, the food was pretty good. The ballroom was truly beautiful. Our starter was two mini crab cakes with a corn salsa of sorts. I don't think it was the "compression" prep mentioned below - the cakes were fresh delicious, not tightly packed. I skipped the salad as I was holding my friend's six week old and I don't generally love salads. PLM ate his though and seemed to like it. Entree was filet mignon with some sort of reduction, scallops served atop avocado puree, potatoes gratin and haricots verte. All fine, you know - typical wedding food.

I can't make it next week (it's PLM's birthday!), but I'd love to sample the area's BBQ.

Oh, but I do! I bought him Pittsburgh Steelers golf balls and everything! And on the day to be designated at alternate Father's Day at the beach, I'll let him eat whatever he wants instead of nagging him to be healthy (while I eat bacon). If that's not love...

Attending a wedding (tomorrow) thus my Dad is getting a rain check. They live a few hours away so if I can't hang on Saturday, it's too far of a trip for just Sunday. I'll see both parents in Rehoboth in another week or so.

Ditto.

Taste-wise, that's accurate. Price-wise, not so much.

It's around Van Ness or Veazey, I do believe, corner of Connecticut. Although I haven't eaten there, I do know where you mean.