[Dumplings]

And the shrimp dumplings in soup at Full Kee are really good. They are also reputed to have good wontons.

Oh, man... the wontons at Full Kee are indeed good.

[Drinks in Chinatown]

Anyone know of any good, not-so-fancy places to get drinks in the Chinatown/Metro Center area after work? I know Legal Seafoods has a $3 top-shelf martini deal, but not on game nights. And if anyone mentions either Hooters or Coyote Ugly, I will not be a happy camper

[Restaurant Complaining Etiquette]

I had the most amazing experience at Shula's in DC once. My b-f's filet was a tad too cooked (he likes his steak nice and bloody), so we traded since I'm not quite as picky with my steaks. No loud complaining, no big scene - just a swapping of the plates. Not 30 seconds later, 3 of the staff rushed over to our table and immediately wisked my plate away to replace the steak.

I guess I was spoiled, because now when I'm at a restaurant and something isn't quite right, I just expect it to fix itself! In fact, I don't think I've ever said anything about a meal - just grinned and bared it.

So, I guess my question is: what is the best way to complain about a dish without pissing anyone off and getting a big loogie in the next course?

[Best Lunch Spots in DC]

Well, crabcakes are traditionally prepared pan-fried. I figured "fried" meant the way they are supposed to be cooked, and "broiled" was the lower fat alternative. I also can't imagine why anyone would deep fry a crabcake.

[Best Lunch Spots in DC]

Wow - were your crab cakes deep-fried into hard, brown golf balls? After that meal I vowed never to step foot in Johnny's Half Shell again.

[Who Has the Best Sushi in the DC Area?]

Surprisingly, Noveau East in the Ballston Mall has really awesome sushi. Their unagi is probably the best I've ever had - crunchy, caramelized exterior but still tender and moist inside, and the faintest hint of sweetness. They have a constant rotation of japanese specialties (from scallop cups to baby octopus to exotic fishes - many of which I'd never even heard of), depending on what is freshest at the market that day. They're sushi happy hour is also a great deal - dollar sushi with big hunks of fresh fish, $3 beers. I like it far better than Sushi Ko, and as well as (if not more than) Kaz.

[Secret Garden]

I've been to Secret Garden a couple times. The first time we just ordered dishes off the menu and discovered an awesome spicy, beefy soup that was unlike anything I've had before. We've also brought a friend and had the full Korean BBQ sampler. Not only was it a lot of fun, it was some of the tastiest beef, pork, and chicken I've ever had (and I'm not much of a carnivore). I'd definitely go a lot more often if I had a car. Or better yet, a boyfriend with a car.

[Best Drunken Meal]

While I was at Tulane, I got completely addicted to cheese fries from The Boot and a slice of greasy pizza from Dino's after drinking all night. I never thought anything could compare until I went to the Dominican Republic on vacation in March. We drank ice cold 1L bottles of Presidente while eating freshly caught lobsters and fish that were grilled right there at this little shack, right on the beach. It's too bad we didn't discover it until the end of the week - I could have spent my entire vacation sitting there in the sand!

[What's Everyone's Favorite Beer?]

Mmmmm... Abita Amber... which is sorely missed since moving to DC - this town seems to be all about the Miller Lite.

[Inexplicable/strange cravings]

Every once in a while, if I stay out really late, I absolutely crave a glass of really cold milk. I crave it so much, that I actually get cranky and start snapping at anything anyone says to me.

Friend: "Hey, should we catch a cab down on U St.?"

Me: "Don't you 'cab' me, jerk!"

Makes absolutely no sense.

[Your 10 Favorite Cookbooks]

I am virtually tethered to How to Cook Everything. It's a great resource to get ideas on how to cook... well, everything. I also love Alton Brown's I'm Just Here for the Food. The grilled romaine recipe is a must-try, as is the potato chip-encrusted pork chop (simply for the irreverence of it).

[Reasonable Italian in DC/VA?]

I really have to disagree with the Luigi's recommendation. I've eaten there twice based on its reputation. My first meal was a mushy and practically tasteless carbonara and my second was a cheese manicotti with a marinara sauce so salty that I couldn't eat more than one bite. I am definitely now expert when it comes to Italian cooking, but I do know that I make much better Italian food at home.

My best experiences in the metro area have far and away been at Filomena in Georgetown. Yes, the decor is over the top, but the service is attentive, the pasta is fresh and perfectly cooked, and the sauces are awesome.