8Track

There was a big article in the Post today (Metro Section) about a DC Council hearing on the proposed ban. The hearing was evidently packed, generating one of the biggest crowds in DC Council memory. Carol Schwartz has evidently backed down somewhat from her initial proposal for a flat ban, proposing instead some sort of tax credit for restaurants that go smoke-free. Haven't seen the bill, so I don't know what to say about it. Apparently, Mayor Williams is reluctant to support the ban, as he is wary of the fallout on DC nightlife.

You're right. And I bit the bullet and made a reservation at Mendocino Grille, to which we haven't been in several years. We used to be regulars there and even had our rehearsal dinner there. About three months later, we went back, the staff had entirely changed, we were were treated like strangers and the food had taken a big downturn. We never went back. Fortunately, I have read (maybe here) that the place has made a comeback. I thought it would be a nice trip down memory lane.

I would do Ceiba, but we were just there last week! By the way, I did like it very much. (Sorry to be difficult )

You know, I actually did calendar this date last year and dutifully remembered it -- unfortunately, today, which is too late to get into some of the places I'd really like to go! How about Colvin Run Tavern? Appropriate for this sort of thing?

One cannot live on caviar alone.

I like Port of Piraeus on 12th street, between F and G. Good sandwiches, both hot and cold, and a selection of entrees that change daily. Stacks is also pretty good. They're on 11th and Penn. They are a true Kosher deli/restaurant. The stacked sandwiches are huge, and the meat is generally terrific, but it is extraordinarily expensive for a sandwich. Old Ebbitt Express in the same building as, you guessed it, Old Ebbitt, serves good pasta, salad and sandwiches.

Been to Nectar and Marcel's numerous times. 1789 and Citronelle are booked alas. Been to Cafe 15 and Palena and liked them, although wanted to try something new. Another thought -- is there anything in Northern VA that would fit the bill? 2941 only has a table at 5:45.

To carry on my own conversation here, what do people think of Fahrenheit? David Greggory?

Ok, I realize that I am late getting started, but where should I go with my wife for dinner on our 6th wedding anniversary, which is Saturday night? She said she'd like something romantic, and she tends to be on the chic side, although traditional is ok too. I tried Maestro, but they are booked.

Hotel Monacle. Got it.

Any of the Hotels run by the Kimpton Group, particularly the Monarch downtown are chic and comfortable. At the Monarch, you get a goldfish with the room. While in that neighborhood, you can visit Zaytinya and Jaleo for Tapas. I like Zola a lot, if nothing more than the swank scene. The food is solid, and they have a nice wine list to boot. Ella's and Matchbox for pizza are good. Mathbox has a neat little hamburger sampler as well.

I used to go there when it was open for beer and the vegan nachos. For some reason, the vegan nachos were addictive, slathered in tahini and with red onions. I agree though, the rest of the menu was pretty scary.

I should cut them a break, but Marty's -- a new place on Capitol Hill comes close. The waiter disappeared after our order for about 30 minutes, only to return and ask me again what it was we ordered. Drinks were nowhere to be seen. When the food finally arrived, with apologies from the manager, it included a soggy lasagna and partially frozen garlic bread (warm on the outside, cold inside). Phew!

Monmartre is a very solid bistro, but is fairly pricey for what you get. I am partial to Bistro Bis, which is not only chic, but has excellent food. Also excellent, is La Colline. I had what I would call a terrible experience at Charlie Palmers. The food was fine enough, but the service was disjointed at best. We sat at a table across from the bar and the waitress brought two champagnes, one of which she promptly tipped over, spilling the drink all over my pants. She then proceeded to disappear, only to resurface at the maitre d' stand a couple of minutes later. No new champagne. No rag to dry myself off! I had to go up to the bar to get a bar towel, and to warn them that someone might slip and kill themlseves on the wet floor. I really couldn't believe it! Then, to add insult to injury, we waited a good 45 minutes past our reservation for a table, even though the place wasn't very full. I haven't been back in the last 4 months. Hopefully they have ironed out the major kinks there. The restaurant options are expanding on the Hill, with the renovation of 8th street nearing completion, we now have a new Tandoori place, a sonn-to-open irish restaurant, and another work-in-progress family place called Marty's.

Let me know where you find it. I've been considering a stab at mole.

I would not press the garlic. I would mince it. IMHO it results in the loss of the garlic oils and makes it too easily overcooked. I never use the press for anything else but marinades and salad dressings. Otherwise, the recipe seems ok to me. It's really a simple dish that is made or broken by the quality of the shrimp, butter and freshness of the garlic. Do not overcook anything! I would think a minute or two, depending on the size of the shrimp, would be sufficient. With large shrimp, you might even add the minced garlic after the shrimp, because you don't want the garlic to brown too much and get bitter.

The cookbook for the Inn at Little Washington has a recipe for sweet potato soup with rum cream that is terrific and quite easy to make. It has a hint of curry for heat and complexity, and the lemony rum cream adds a great counterpoint.

New poster here -- and my third consecutive of the day as I race down these forums. Mark -- I don't know you, but I have always had excellent meals at Citronelle. At the risk of inflating the Chef's ego, I have to say that the cooking is of the most consistently high quality of anywhere in D.C. The srevice has always been terrific, without being overly officious. Alas, it's not a spot that I can afford to eat at regularly, and unfortunately, it's too far away from my office (downtown) to reach for your average business lunch. (sniff') Keep up whatever you're doing! Cheers, CC

Hey there -- new poster here. I had lunch at Ceiba last week and was pleasantly surprised. I had the tuna ceviche and the conch soup. Both were excellent. The soup in particular, I thought, did a nice job by adding a smoky chile layer that wasn't too overpowering. And, if you wanted to spike it up, it comes accompanied by a little glass of Myers rum and somehting else. Heck, if you don't like the soup, you can still do a shot of the rum. Entrees were notch off the appetizers. Indeed, I can remember too much about mine, other than it was a fish dish. That being said, service was uniformly excellent, and the space is a real looker. I imagine this will be a very popular restaurant -- a glamour spot in a city that frankly could use some more of them. Cheers, CC

Hey guys. New poster here. I am a big fan of Nectar. The restaurant has a relatively small menu with carefully selected ingredients and well prepared food. The food is prepared thoughtfully. D.C. could use more small restaurants like this that pay attention to the customer and appear to try very hard with every meal. I thought Thomas Head's review in the Washingtonian was terribly unfair. I'm not sure what the rest of the readers of this forum think of his reviews, but if I read one more reference to "nutty" dry aged beef, I am going to puke. I think he caters his palate to the middle brow sophisticates of Chevy Chase -- the folks who adore the unimaginative, but steady places.