JennyUptown

Austin Grill is a good option if you're budget-conscious. I also like the ham sandwich at Gordon Biersch, but they always (always) overcook the burgers and good lord, avoid the pastas.

Updated: bilrus +1 DonRocks - maybe cjsadler mdt JPW + Mrs JPW hillvalley mnebergall hannnah babka - maybe ozgirl +1 - maybe hjshorter DCMark + 1 me That 13 saying yes plus three maybes.

There's Zaytinya And Matchbox. More casual. And Cafe Atlantico Zola and Rosa Mexicano too. Do any of these strike your fancy?

You are most welcome. I'm looking forward to meeting all of you. I have spoken with Adam at Sette and addressed the "no reservations" issue. He appreciated the heads up that we have a large party coming. He also that accommodating us at 6:30 on Wednesday should not be that difficult. For those of you who are coming (or thinking about it), please do your best to arrive at 6:30. We'll mix and mingle until we eat at 7. Keep me posted re: your status if you switch from a yes to a no or a maybe or vice versa, k?

Updated: bilrus +1 DonRocks - maybe cjsadler mdt JPW + Mrs JPW hillvalley mnebergall hannah - maybe babka - maybe ozgirl +1 - maybe hjshorter DCMark + 1 me

I received the following e-mail newsletter from Firefly last night and wanted to share: Greetings and Warm Spring Wishes! The Firefly family is happy to announce its' spring menu thanks to the culinary genious of Chef John Wabeck. With the first installation already in place, the finishing touches should be capped over the next few weeks. We encourage your calls so that we may either fax or email our new lunch, brunch, and dinner menu to you. With an uncompromising wine list to match, our exciting new menu items are sure to make this our most savory season yet. We have also bid good luck to our most adored Restaurant Manager, Tricia Cominsky, who has accepted the position of General Manager at Poste Moderne Brasserie. Her departure restructured the management team at Firefly, as we strongly push forward with Chef Wabeck at the helm as both Executive Chef and General Manager, Samantha Bartz and Ryan Vigeant, Restaurant Managers. We look forward to your next visit, whether passing through town looking for friendly and familiar faces, or rounding the corner to your home away from home! Best Wishes! Firefly - DC is located at: 1310 New Hampshire Ave. NW Washington DC 20036 Phone: 202.861.1310 Fax: 202.659.3597 Visit us on the web at www.firefly-dc.com

Only idiots, children and Randy Jackson (of American Idol fame), that is.

You forgot something, doctoro... The doctor is OUT!

Looking for menus online, I came across the Vidalia/Bistro Bis site and read about their Tuesday night wine tastings. Anyone been?

I'm resurrecting this topic to see who has been to CPS recently and what they thought. I have a former business associate friend coming to town and am trying to figure out where to take him (on HIS expense account, not mine). He used to live in DC, but doesn't have any must-revisit places in mind. Said choosing the restaurant is up to me.

Enlighten me. Por favor.

The latest... bilrus +1 DonRocks - maybe cjsadler mdt JPW + Mrs JPW hillvalley mnebergall hannah - maybe babka - maybe ozgirl +1 - maybe hjshorter - maybe me

One of my friends just confessed to me that she was the writer in the 3/17 chat who complained of a nail in her husband's meal. She said it was actually a screw.

No kidding! Indeed. It was fun fluff. Take it at face value.

And getting back the the original question...what's a good spot for shabu shabu?

we srre staying at the jw marriott near the white house...have client dinner that i think will be at palena, unless there is a better suggestion. have been to dc coast and loved it. citronell and liked it a lot. mc cormick and schmick, the four season and some great thai i cant remember the name of. my 8 year old will be with us and always "wants to go somewhere new and have something hea has never had before" i have wanted to try ten phen, how is that?? The JW Marriott is a good location - near many of the restaurants in the newly hyped "Penn Quarter." Palena is a bit of a haul from that area, but definitely worth the trip. I personally really enjoy Ten Penh - good proximity to your hotel. Your eight year old will, in all likelihood, have a ball at Zaytinya.

And then there's Kuna (reservations necessary), right near Coppi's.

From today's chat: The top guns at Nectar in Foggy Bottom just let me know that the contemporary American restaurant will no longer be serving lunch or dinner on Sunday and Monday evenings. That’s a good thing, says Jarad Slipp, the restaurant director. “This is something Jamison (Blankenship, the chef) and I have fought for since day one and finally it is coming to pass,” he shared in an email. “The two of us know better than anyone else that something gets taken away when we are not both there.” The reprieve gives them the chance to add new paint and carpet to the space.

That is true, nightlife over food, but Cashion's is very good. Why don't you give us some other info about how/where you'll spend your time in DC, what you'd like to spend, etc. Zaytinya will surely come up in our recs so check out those threads (there are two).

This thread may help Also, Mantis is pretty good.

I was just looking at that, but thanks! It looks like the winner.

Updated: bilrus DonRocks - maybe cjsadler mdt JPW + Mrs JPW hillvalley mnebergall hannah - maybe babka - maybe ozgirl +1 - maybe hjshorter - maybe me

With respect to location, I need to make it as simple as possible. He's staying near the Watergate. Metro Center is where the meeting after our breakfast will take place. Thanks to all!

JU, is it just the two of us next week? We know that John W. thinks he has a good excuse, but what about the rest of ya? Nope. I have a number of PMs from people interested in attending. I wasn't going to post the names out of respect for privacy. However, here is what I have so far in terms of RSVPs minus one: bilrus DonRocks cjsadler mdt JPW + Mrs JPW hillvalley me Anyone else?

Thanks for the suggestions, but they are definitely more upscale than this client will want to spring for. I'm thinking more mid-range. Anyone?