amcleod

Thanks so much - I looked at those other threads and they are helpful. A cab ride is totally fine as far as distance goes. I guess I would love a great Greek place (there are practically no Greek restaurants in DC), an American place, sushi, bistros, and just your faves. As for price points, I'd say around $25/entree would be the cap. Regarding Frontera - do they take reservations? What's the wait for two on a Thursday night? I know you can eat at the bar...how long would that be? And...if we couldn't get into Frontera, where would you go instead? That probably didn't help narrow it down at all!

OK, I apologize in advance for adding yet another post asking the same ole "I will be in chicago and where should I eat" question...but I am doing it anyway. Here's my story - I am coming in for a conference and will be there for 8 evenings. I've got evening events already planned for some of the nights. So...I need to know where to eat on other nights. I am staying at the Sheraton Chicago, don't have a vehicle. I feel that I am a bit of a restaurant snob. Not meaning I have to do fine dining all the time, but I don't want to waste my time on going to an average place. I love local places, hidden gems, and all kinds of cuisine. Two other things - I have a one-year-old so I very, very, very rarely get to go out to dinner and I live in DC...not exactly the kind of restaurant town Chicago is. so what are your not-to-be missed places? Also...are there some places that serve food late? I have a feeling that after some of these receptions I will still be hungry and need to go out to eat at 10pm or later! Thanks in advance! ann

Hi there! I was one of the people who posted one of the threads referenced so I thought I would let you know where we ended up. I should have reported on the same thread - sorry! Midtown Cafe - great little place, great wine list, great staff! Germantown Cafe - it was referenced in an issue of Bon Appetit. Also wonderful. Restaurant Zola - loved it Also went to a steak house, the name of which I cannot remember for the life of me. it is a person's name - a man. Jimmy something? It was pretty good - it is a "historic" place so that was half the fun. Oh yeah, and we saw Neil Young there too. Good luck!

I am going to a conference in Charlotte next week and need some restaurant recommendations! I've never been before. i will probably have only one evening to dine out. All types of food are welcome. Local folks, what's your favorite place? Also - I won't have a car, so needs to be downtown (staying at Omni) or a short cab ride. Thanks a million!

Thanks everyone! I have been to nashville a couple times and agree downtown is lots of fun. The only places I ate while visiting were The Palm (why we went there, I don't know...there certainly has to be a local steak joint) and Jack's BBQ which was good. Keep those suggestions coming. I do hope to go to The Capitol Grille but am looking for more options. THANKS!

Hello All! I will be in Nashville for a convention. In August. At Opryland. For 8 days. I need some good food escapes. Will have access to a car. Give me your top 5 favorite places. Top requirement: delicious food. Other requirements: atmosphere (fun/funky/relaxed), not stuffy, not too far from the bubble (30 minutes tops), Southern accent (we're from DC, technically the South but not really)... So, if you live in Nashville or go there often, what are your top 5 favorites places? (Don't take price into account.) THANKS EVER SO MUCH!!

I'm about to cry. I shouldn't have read the report. Can another Ray's outing be planned?

It's not that I don't like fruit, it was that i REALLY wanted the ice cream (I"ve had it before) and not a bowl of berries. I would have had a fruit pie/pastry but that wasn't offered. Anyways! Last night had an outstanding dinner at Ceiba. Started with the wonderful black bean soup, then the "Crab Two ways" (soft shell and crab cake - both divine), then the chocolate cake. The dessert was OK, but I had had so much wine at that point that it really didn't matter that it wasn't mind-blowing! ha! Can't wait for Yanyu tomorrow night. A friend is trying to convince me to go to lunch at Tosca for RW extention, but I'd rather do Corduroy. Can't do both because I am so busy :(

I haven't read this whole thread yet so will go back afterwards and edit this post! Went to Firefly on Tuesday for Lunch. WONDERFUL, with the exception (sorry John W) that they had run out of ice cream and were offering three different fruit dishes for dessert. Luckily, a supply of lemon sorbet was delivered while we were dining and I had that...but I was dying for ice cream. Oh well. Had the soft shell open faced sandwich, which was heaven, so that made up for the lack of ice cream. Tonight, going to Ceiba, and Saturday night to Yanyu, and am very glad to read everyone's reports! So who else will be at these restaurants at these times?!

Pan, many thanks! My thought was to go to Katz's for a late lunch on Friday upon arriving into town...and sharing the sandwich! Then go to the Met and have a late dinner or maybe just drinks and snacks or dessert. The thing is, I really also want to have Chinese (Grand Sichuan?) that evening as there is no excellent Chinese food in DC. Hmmm, or maybe we can go to Katz's on Sunday before tearfully departing NYC for our pseudo-city home (can you tell I am originally from the NY area?). That might be the ticket. There are just too few meals for one weekend!

This was quite interesting! I am going to NYC this weekend and hope you can tell me the appropriate way to order at Katz's. I coming to NY with friends (one of whom has never been to NY at all) and they really want to go to Katz's. Your help is appreciated! (We do have a res at Babbo so if we blow it at Katz's, at least we can drown our sorrows appropriately!)

To echo all the others, many thanks for taking our questions! Reading all the posts is very interesting (and entertaining!). I was wondering if there was some moment in your life when you realized that you wanted to do what you are doing. Something you ate that inspired you, a trip you took, a restaurant you visited. Even though you grew up surrounded with people who cook, not everyone would follow that path with such passion and devote so much time and energy to learning the craft...and teach others about it. perhaps this is a silly question, but in general I think that most people don't discover their "true calling," so to me, it is fascinating to hear how those who have discovered it came to find it. (Of course, assuming that being a chef/restauranteur/teacher of Italian cooking actually IS your true calling.) Thanks again, ann p.s. I am coming to NYC in two weeks and am very grateful that I have speed dial and was able to secure a res at Babbo during my trip!!

This was fascinating. Thanks, Chef, for taking time out of your busy life!!

I am also a Penzey's customer, just learned of The Spice House so next time I'm in Chicago, I will stopy by. Anyways...This past weekend I had to go to Connecticut to visit the in-laws and forced my husband to stop at the Norwalk outlet of Penzey's. I can only say that I'd love to have that store in DC!!! The clerk was very, very pleasant and of course it was very fun browsing. So, send in your postcards! I think if you put "Metropolitan DC" that would work - I mean, people would go to Bethesda or Arlington if the store was there instead of in the city, right?!

I've been to the one in Tyson's and also having been to Thailand (a year ago January), I actually liked it because at that location, they had a few items on their menu that I've not seen here (one specific comes to mind: Chicken in Pandaman leaves). Compared to other Thai places, I thought it was better. However, I live in DC so haven't been there since. Typically I visit Thai Tanic on 14th street. while not authentic I like it. Also good is Rice - also on 14th street. A bit more authentic but still not the same as in Thailand. Indy, it is definitely difficult to find Thai that meets one's standards after having the real stuff! Where in Thailand did you visit? I went to Bangkok, Chaing Sien (Golden Triangle), Chaing Mai, and Phuket. I sure wish I could get some sauteed Morning Glory here!

You are all marvelous. Sara, I, too, prefer the sauteed but if faced with no soft-shell or a deep-fried soft-shell, I'll take the deep fried. They actually have a soft-shell sandwich on the menu at Ebbitt Express. Had one last week and it was tasty. Keep the soft-shell sightings (at restaurants) coming! The DH doesn't like them too much so I wouldn't purchase them to make at home (I guess I could just buy them for me and make something else for him but that is a pain in my estimation!)

After reading the thread on Ceiba and noticing on a recent trip, someone had "Crabs Two Ways...crabcakes and soft-shells" I have decided to ask everyone where they've seen soft-shells recently. They are one of my very favorite items and I aim to have them often often often! Personally, had some at Majestic Cafe over the weekend. They were OK...a bit dry (which seems odd), but still soft-shells so not totally disappointing. Tell me where else you've seen 'em! Please, oh please!

Hello! I am wondering if you can help me as well. the DH and I are going up to visit Fallingwater in May for a long weekend (Thurs-Sun) and I of course must know where to eat. Obviously we have quite a few meal's worth of options so your top picks are most appreciated. One of the nights is our anniversary so a special occasion, price-is-no-concern (well, not $500, but a couple hundred is fine), destination would be great too. Many thanks in advance! ann

One of Galileo's private rooms is a wine room. I second the nomination for Taberna. I believe a portion of Marcel's can be portioned off. Same for Tosca.

I just noticed it too. I thought the menu was rather strange myself. I didn't notice anywhere on the menu "Organic". hmm.

I keep forgetting that this has opened - thanks for the reminder. Does one need a reservation for the "cove" at lunchtime?

I FINALLY got to Marcel's two weeks ago and I love it too. I will remember the amuse-bouche of lobster flan for the rest of my life. I said to the waiter when he took it away, "If everything else is awful, I still had a wonderful meal!" Thank you for pointing out that one can just visit the bar to eat there - I don't think I can afford to eat an entire meal there again for quite some time, but this will allow for a fix!

Thanks to everyone! I did a test cake and due to time contraints and laziness, used a 50/50 mixture of buttercream and whipped cream and added raspberries. It worked well - thanks for the idea! And especially, thanks for the reminder about the piping of full buttercream around the edge. Worked like a charm.

I have made a few things and actually assisted at a Sur la Table demo class that she lead. In the class, she made chocolate dipped macaroons, bitersweet souffles, a blondie-type thing (cannot remember the name), and panna cotta. All divine. I made at home the cocoa brownies, the warm mocha tart, and the chocolate-flecked cocoa souffle. All again, are great. The mocha tart is a real indulgence (not like all the other recipes aren't!) due to the shortbread crust - definitely could scale back on the butter in that recipe. I also doubt I will make another souffle than this - it was out-of-this world. Oh yes, her portions are definitely stingy!

I have been to Rice and really enjoyed it. Some different offerings than you normally see. Plus a bit more authentic than most Thai places. I would highly recommend it. But it is rather loud!