Vandyhoo

That is correct. Graig is now helping out the guys on the line at Ortanique.

That is correct. Ugly Mug is a great bar, but that is just what they want to be -- a bar. Graig wants to cook, so they parted ways.

I had a late dinner in the restaurant one night as the club crowd was starting to move in. They didn't rush us out, but it was a strange scene as they transitioned from dinner to dancing. I was happy with the quality of the food. And, I'm very happy that they've started deliverying!

Corduroy is having a prix fixe v-day menu. I went to this last year and ate in the bar area (it made it a little more low-key). It was quiet and comfortable and the food was delicious Prix Fixe Valentine's Day Menu Glass of Champagne First Course Choose from: Parsnip Soup with Tarragon Blue Moon Acres Micro Greens with Lemon Dressing Hearts of Romaine Caesar Salad Crab Salad with Avacado and Bulls Blood Greens Giga Moto Oysters on the Half Shell with Champagne Mignonette Seared Sea Scallops, Kabocha Squash Baghi and Thai Curry Sauce Second Course Choose from: Peppered Rare Tuna with Sushi Rice and Hijiki Crispy Red Snapper with Black Trumpet Mushrooms and Potato Sauce Melange of Seasonal Vegetables Whole Baby Chicken with Arugula and Shallots Roast Lamb Top Sirloin with Root Vegetable Mash Beef Cheeks Osso Buco Style with Tarbais Beans Ridgefield Farm Tenderloin of Beef with Turnip Gratin Dessert Selection This three course prix fixe dinner is available on Valentine's Day evening from 5:30 - 11:00 PM for $48 per person plus tax and gratuity. All reservations must be confirmed with a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover or Diners Club). A $20 per person fee will be charged for cancellations made after 5:00 PM, Thursday, February 10, 2005. 1201 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005 (202) 589-0699

I am a big fan of the Alsatian sandwich with butter (you have a choice of butter or mustard). Becuase it's such a simple sandwich, just ham and swiss, it's critial that all the ingredients be fresh - especially the crusty bread.

Lately, I’ve been making a meal of mini-burgers and soup at Porters in Dupont. Double G makes a New England clam chowder that I just love. The recipe is from his days cooking on the Cape.

The opening has been pushed back due to construction delays. The chef is Graig Glufling (Double G), formerly of Matchbox (and for full disclosure, also my little brother). He created the Matchbox menu and is bringing some of it over to the new Mug. The owners even put in a pizza oven for him! When I know more about the opening, I’ll post it.

<ears perk up> Ugly Mug? Where? ← 8th Street. Mid-December opening. Nice beers on tap. Comfort food menu.

Add one more - or make it two more - restaurants serving miniburgers. You can now find miniburgers in Dupont Circle and soon on the Hill. The creator of the Matchbox miniburgers in now chef at Porters in Dupont and the soon to open Ugly Mug on the Hill. Double G will be serving his original recipe in both locations.

Since Graig was in the upstairs kitchen, I doubt he had time to supervise the doneness of the pizzas in the downstairs oven. He was known, however, to get a bit “testy” when servers repeatedly came to him with a well-done re-cook request for the mini-burgers because the servers neglected to tell the customer that mini-burgers are typically served medium.

You heard it here first...A disagreement between management and the chef -- and they gave Double G his walking papers. Just thought you all would be interested to know that after almost 2 years, there will soon be a new chef at Matchbox. -Vandyhoo (double g’s sis)

There is a tavern just outside of the compound called Sam Sneads. Meals there are also included in the room rate. It's cozy. Lots of wood. Good steaks. Oh, and you can pay a few extra dollars and make a reservation in the Presidential Room. The food there is exceedingly better than The Shining-like dining room.

very boring. conversation took a different turn than i expected.

The Kojo Nnamdi Show on WAMU will be discussing the changing face of restaurants in DC -- today at noon. http://www.wamu.org/kojo/index.html I hope some of our local egullet experts will call in with their opinions.

On the downtown mall I'd suggest Bizou (consistently good and inexpensive with outdoor seating on the mall) or Revolutionary Soup (best soup and salads). I don't think Continental Divide does lunch, otherwise that'd be great.

Matchbox won best new restaurant!

Yes, I'm in for 2. thanks. Lisa

I haven’t been since they released the new menu, but I do know that the scallop appetizer is a dish Graig created for our mom. Everyone loved it so much that they put it on the menu. Give it a try and let us know what you think. And be sure to say hi to Graig…I talk to him about eGullet all the time.

fyi..Matchbox is launching a new menu, if not today, than some day this week. I think most changes are to the apps..and no worries, the mini-burgers remain.

I really like Oakencroft - good wine and a comfortable setting to sit back and a drink a glass in front of their pond. Barboursville is close and worth a trip. Virginia is becoming known for its Cabernet Franc, so be sure to give them a try wherever you go. White Hall has an award winning Gewurztraminer that I like to take home. Jefferson Vineyards also has some very nice reds, including a Cabernet Frac, but also a very good Viognier. One I haven't been to is the Kluge Estate Vineyard, but I've heard good things about it and am looking forward to a trip out there myself this spring. I haven’t been too happy with Prince Michel as of late. If I had to narrow down my choices of vineyards to visit, I would cut them off the list first.

Be sure to say hi to my brother, graig, the chef at matchbox. he'd love to hear you thoughts on the place and any other food topic for that matter.

Thanks so much! I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks! I will be staying in the Uptown area, but we're willing to travel a bit if it's worth it. My price range and eating style are completely open. My brother is a chef here in DC and he's taught me to be adventurous! It's a short trip. We arrive Friday afternoon and leave on Sunday. So, an upscale dinner friday night and something more casual for saturday, after a long day (and Virginia win!) at the game, would be great. A good southern breakfast for sunday on the way out sounds nice too. Thanks Everyone!

I'll be heading to Charlotte for the Bowl game on Dec. 27. I'd appreciate it if someone could pass along info on the latest hot spots I should hit while I'm in town. Thanks!