ecreson

There are some who argue that the best Korean food is available (in order of precedence) in: Seoul, New York, Los Angeles, and Annandale. Having eaten my way though all four, I tend to agree. For BBQ, the family favorite is still Sorak Garden. You and your clothes will smell like garlic and BBQ for three days. For newcomers, Hee Been, just off I-395 on Little River Turnpike, can be a good introduction. Go for their $15 lunch buffet, where you can get all-you-can-eat table BBQ, and all kinds of things without committing to any one dish. If you really want to eat cheaply, avoid the restaurants and eat at the food courts in the Korean grocery stores--Lotte is the busiest, probably followed by Super H. If you're looking for Korean food closer to DC, I'm not a fan of Yee-Hwa (21st & K); instead go to Woo Lae Oak in Pentagon City, though you'll pay for the experience.

Depending on your appetite, the BDC charcuterie plate is more substantial than some. Given the choice, it feels healthier than rabbit stew!

Wound up at the pike-maker in Eastern Market. For an impusle buy on Wednesday afternoon, they were pretty good, and were definitely in high demand. They had a sort of fruit bonanza pie--rhubarb, apple, berries--that was a big hit. Next year, I would probably still try somewhere else, though.

For the Korean foodies, Hee Been has recently reopened, after a long absence. They have remodeled and added a lunch buffet, which is around $14. I'll go so far as to say it's the best Korean buffet in the area. Four kinds of BBQ (beef bulgogi, kalbi, chicken kalbi and pork), the sushi is fresh, and the kimchi and panchan (side dish) choices are good. It's a good way to be introduced to Korean food, as you get to see and smell everything before making a choice. Hee Been is just off the Little River Turnpike exit from I-395. 6231 Little River Tpke, Alexandria, VA 22312 · 703-941-3737

Does anyone on the board buy their Thanksgiving pies, rather than make them? Any suggestions on where to go for desserts? The Whole Foods pies I foisted on the family last year didn't meet with group approval (and my baking never does!).

The Food Factory for Afghani Kebobs. Fairfax Drive in Ballston, in the same shopping strip as the 7-Eleven. The entrance is from the back parking lot, rather than the storefront.

For Korean BBQ, our household favorite is Suwon Galbi in Centreville. It blows the socks off of most Korean BBQ in the area. Of course, you’ll smell like BBQ afterward, and your mouth will taste like someone’s garlic patch, but it's definitely worth it. A couple others that aren't bad are Sorak Garden, in Annandale and Hee Been (if they're open again--they were closed for remodeling), on Little River Turnpike, just west of 395. I like any of these three over Secret Garden (‘Biwon’, for you Korean speakers out there). Woo Lae Oak is pretty good, but the Korean opinion in our house is that it is overpriced for what you get. Word is, though, that Woo Lae Oak is where Korean diplomats take their expense account money. And if it’s a choice between fighting traffic out to Annandale, or going to Woo Lae Oak, Woo Lae Oak looks quite appetizing and economical. Ultimately, Korean is like any cuisine--personal taste counts for a lot, and most of these restaurants use their own recipe for their kim chi, meat marinades, etc. If you prefer a sweeter bulgoggi marinade, a stronger kim chi, etc., you’ll like one place over another. And don't forget the grocery stores. For really cheap Korean, the food courts in the Korean groceries can't be beat. Super H and Lotte (both on Lee Highway) are two of my favorites for food courts.

Here's a topic that will actually get me to register and post: fresh tortillas. Does anybody have a line on a DC tortilleria, or even somplace like Fiesta Mart (for any of you who have done time in Texas)?