mjr_inthegardens

TWILO... 530 W 27th St, 1994-2000 A mecca for dance music, voyeurism, and perfect sound. -mjr

I'm not getting those images coming down the pipe. Great dinner.... thanks to Stone for arranging it. Table 1 can thank Stone and table 2 for our massive overordering prowess... my highlights: -pork buns -taste of jellyfish -- not jellylike at all -braised pork & chestnuts -- awesome -freshly killed chicken -- didn't blow my mind but enjoyed both preparations -Whole fish -- this was a nice contrast against the chili-oil drowned dishes -Dan Dan Noodles... cheers -MJR_inthegardens

There was a letter from a former bronx farmer's market operator & current Greenmarket offical of some sort in the Times today objecting to fiddling with the NY greenmarkets in response to Ms Planck's editorial... I didn't really see any merit to anything she said... "And by bringing farm-fresh food to New Yorkers for almost 30 years, the council has earned the right to continue its vital control of Greenmarket sites in the same way that botanical gardens, zoos and even the Metropolitan Museum are allowed to maintain their share of parkland. " How does 30 years of control undermine an argument for continued innovation? -MJR edited to correct letter writer's position

oops my bad

Cibao is still open but Latin Grill is now Blue Star, a good fish restaurant with a raw bar. -mjr

Better have good food, because what they put on the field sure ain't palatable.

We were there a couple of months ago and that dessert was the highlight for me as well. Spouse thought the chocolate pudding with cardamom espuma was better. But, of course, she is wrong. Yeah I was not feeling the chocolate cake dessert that my sister and her bf ordered. I was all about the medjool.... <drool>

Sorry I didn't get back to this earlier! Trip to DC was not bad at all -- dreary first day, beautiful 2nd half of saturday that made up for it. Magnificent Cherry Blossoms and Incredible Fireworks on the SW Waterfront. Onto the chow... Traffic was hell getting down there, so we just wanted to find somewhere quick to eat on Friday. We ended up dining at a large Salvadorean/Mexican restaurant "El Tamarindo" with an extensive menu just at the bottom of the hill of 18th St in Adams Morgan closer to Dupont Circle.... Not too shabby... Gf's mom had a delicious fish dish with crisy red snapper and shrimp in some sort of sweet red sauce... I had a buritto duo of chicken and beef... wish I had the sense to try some beef tongue or something more exciting. I was desperate for a drink though and after a quick (weak) pina colada, I finished off the better portion of a sangria pitcher solo. Second evening was much better planned a more rewarding -- ZAYTINYA reservation at 5:45 ... in the bright sunshine which later yielded to a dramatic (yet generously shielded by adjustable blinds) sunset... We (the foodies) of the table were unfortunately burdened by a stubborn, recalcitrant 16 year old NON EATER (gf's sister) who turns up her nose at anything outside of chicken, pasta and welldone beef. VERY FRUSTRATING for me and my gf. I persevered and enjoyed though... HIGHLIGHTS: Brilliant Pitas with Greek EVOO and Pomegranate sauce, Hummus, Baby Octopus, Grilled Lamb Chop, Carrot-Pistachio Fritters and that INCREDIBLE medjool date dessert (highlight of meal). I loved the orange shortbread, pistachio cream and the EVOO ice cream.. I wanted to order seconds. The wait service was good and I liked the bottle of medium bodied Greek wine they suggested, although the year that came to the table was '02, not '01 which is an oversight on the menu. All in all a great experience... I look forward to a return trip with completely uninhibited company. Thank you so much to all the EGs who suggested.... I hope other people found this thread useful also. I haven't been to DC in a while and it was refreshing to see the lively (if a little too button down) bar scene, beautiful architecture, world-class cultural opportunities, and kickass metro system. CHEERS -mjr

http://www.newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/food/r...167//index.html Hal Rubenstein review of Spice Market manages to mention Kunz and Wong. -mjr

Village Voice "Press Clips" by Cynthia Cotts on the "Hesser Affair" 'Amanda Hesser's spice market review sparks debate over foodie ethics and tableside manners' includes a link to a thread on egullet "anonymous snark[ing] critic" http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0414/cotts.php -mjr

I can't seem to find it online but I read a news article recently that said Cali's smoking ban has gone un-enforced by police and ignored by many bars. This was at least partially true for about a year after the ban was enacted, but rigorous enforcement of the ban has pretty much brought everyone around to compliance. With the exception of the sole-proprietor places I mentioned above, it's been quite a while since I've seen anyone light up in a bar during business hours. It becomes a cultural accomodation after a while. I remember a lot of NYers being weirded out at first and I imagine Californians were in the same boat, but they got used to it and used to not violating it. I still go to bars where late at night in NYC the law falls by the wayside but the fact is that in NYC you can go into any bar/restaurant during primetime, that is pre-2am and not see a lit cigarette inside. -mjr

That interview is hilariously insightful.

I found this article from google about availability of amalfi lemons in the US... not really too much good news though: http://www.deliciousitaly.com/lemons3.htm

It was indeed good, but on the weekend, you can probably find other choices, particularly in Dupont. During the week, there aren't as many options. I see... then if someone could suggest a good Saturday post-cherry blossom brunch option that'd be cool. I guess the latino dimsum at Cafe A is always an option to book. -mjr

Well you never know when we'll be in code orange, what with the impending elections... THanks for the warning about the early rise and shine schedule. I read another thread that said Old Ebbit Grill was a good breakfast spot... -mjr

cafe atlantico has a website with menus you should cross-reference there... cheers

I have to say that Johnny's half-shell looks more up the alley than Obelisk. Perhaps if it were just me & my girlfriend dining that would be more apropo. I have to thank everyone for their suggestions. I am mildly intimidated by the options at hand! I am thinking about Sette Osteria and JHalfShell, Jaleo and Zaytinya are also beckoning. -MJR

I take it QPR is not Queens Park Rangers?

Sette looks good -- family is Italian so would be a hit no doubt. It's a shame I can't access Seitsema's reviews beyond 14 days out without $. What is the address of Zaytinya? -mjr edit: n/m I have the address from the website. should I be calling for reservations now?

Hi all, I'm traveling to DC with my gf and her mother and sister (16) for the end of the national cherry blossom festival and to visit my sister (24). Was hoping that Delmarva EGs would be able to suggest some interesting restaurants for us to check out... not looking for ADNY prices -- interesting, regional or up and coming restaurants of moderate price. I've only just started browsing but the Cafe Atlantico dimsum brunch sounds really awesome. We are staying on Dupont Circle. Cheers -MJR

July 14th that's right bastille day -mjr

First time posting: had oven braised short ribs with rosemary-butter oven roasted potatoes... falling off the bone delicious, but needed some mylanta afterwards!

I'd add that Ireland does not have winters as harsh as NYC where there were a ton of people bearing incredible cold for a drag outside clubs and bars and restaurants, so perhaps it'll make it easier to bear. The smoking ban in NYC has led to the implementation of new outside areas by clubs and restaurants looking to accommodate smokers and to keep their outsides clean. -mjr

surely it doesn't rain ALL the time? -mjr