laniloa

I was able to get a reservation for Thursday night for a semi-celebration of a friend's promotion. Woo hoo. Michael-- while we were chatting about the reservation I mentioned that the friends who will be joining me are a little down on the DC restaurant scene. You mentioned that it isn't what it should be (even if it has picked up in the last few years). So -- what is missing? What restaurants need to be added? How do we convince the people to demand what other cities have so that small but fabulous places like yours are in every neighborhood?

I had a burger at Firefly for lunch today and it is now on my burgers to eat regularly list (even is the bun is a wee bit too big). The sauteed leeks and tabasco aioli are fabulous. And we've already covered their fries. I like both the turkey sandwich at Breadline. Freshly carved turkey like Thanksgiving leftovers instead of machine sliced perfect slices makes all the difference. As does the spicy mustard. I had a pastrami on seedless rye with a potato knish at the Carnegie Deli before a meeting in NY last week. I dream about this.

I'm definitely willing to go later. I'm trying to get a reservation for 3 at 8:30 next Thursday (hint, hint) but 12-2 is one of our crazy periods at work and I've missed the window the last two days. I'm going to set my watch alarm tomorrow because I can't bear the thought of having to go somewhere else since we are determined to have some dead cow.

Hi Michael-- I'm sure I share this dilemma with others on the board. I want to tell all my friends who are wasting their money at places downtown to come to Ray's. But, it is already difficult to get a reservation and I don't want to contribute to that. So, how do you stay desperately local when you can't just say, hmmm, I'm in the mood for a steak...let's go to Ray's tomorrow night? That said, I'm going to try to introduce a friend to your fine establishment next week. That is, if we can get a reservation on such short notice.

The Sanitary Fish Market & Restaurant in Morehead City, NC used to make me chuckle when I'd pass it. There is a kosher pizza place near my parents' house called Pizza Pious.

I had this for dinner last night and loved it. The yolk melding with the broth gave it an incredibly rich texture. I was having a lousy day and this saved it.

My Sunday backstop is Whole Foods.

I grew up thinking of Ashkenazic dishes as the mainstays of extended family gaherings whether it was a holiday or not. I think of many of these as comfort food and when I'm stressed or under the weather, making matzo ball soup is the only remedy. The comfort comes not only from eating the soup, but going through the process I remember watching as a little girl and having my home smell that fabulous smell. Over the last few years I've come into greater contact with Sephardic dishes and am fascinated by them. The idea of having a Morroccan tangine for Shabbos dinner would make my bubbe's head explode -- ok, maybe that is an exaggeration but she did look really confused when I tried to make it for her.

I meant to also suggest 15 ria to both of you. I've brought several 6-10 people groups there and they were very accomodating. I really enjoy the food (especially some of their specials) and it shouldn't be scary to your crowds.

My dad is unadventurous but my mom is up for anything. Makes for frustrating attempts to show off the great restaurants in DC. I've taken them for good meals at Firefly and if you are interested in Old Town, they really enjoyed the Majestic Cafe. For two New Yorkers, the southern flare seemed so different. My big trick with my parents if I'm unsure what their reaction will be to a place is to have lunch there. For some reason, they expect less from lunch and if they don't like it they know they still have dinner to look forward to!

I go to Jaleo about every 5-6 weeks. I don't find the food generally fluctuates beyond the range of what I'd call acceptable. I don't want it cookie cutter. I want it to seem homemade but better. But I agree that every now and then I get a total dud dish I've enjoyed before and I wonder if I have built it up in my memory and it merely didn't live up to expectations or is it an off night for one of the line cooks? I've good luck when I ask the wait staff in the downtown branch what people been really happy with tonight. Not only do I get pointed towards new dishes, but also ones that are showing well that night. Perhaps more importantly, they may gently steer me away from something that isn't spectacular that night. I can't quite get my head around the sangria on tap though.

I used to love their tangerine beef -- would order it all the time when I lived around the corner. I always forget that they deliver until I'm eating less then wonderful take out. I'd recommend their aged tofu with has wonderful ginger broth. The tamarind chicken was inconsistent but I keep getting it because on a good night it is perfectly tangy and spicy and the leftovers taste better the next day. When I'm having a fried craving, I like the crispy pillows -- veggie stuffed fried tofu with a plum sauce.

I've had good luck going to Jaleo for lunch with a friend who has a young one. The small plates and finger food choices work well for her 4 year old. He likes that he gets to eat the same thing on the same plates as mommy does.

I just figured it was a favorite children's book that was a comfortable memory!

Tom, What a generous offer! I don't eat seafood. I know, its unthinkable. I can't help it. I've tried and tried. If it means skipping an appetizer, I'll still come. But if it is the main dish then I'll have to visit you without the eG crowd. Many thanks for doing this dinner and the chat.

I'm pretty flexible on dates -- it'll be the menu that determines participation.

I can likely make either night. Can't wait to see the menu.

I'm interested

Thanks for the ideas. It looks like Sergio's would be a good bet.

Great suggestions so far. I know my co-worker will eat just about anything but I don't know about the kids. I'd prefer non-chain so DC may be a better option. Price range is $100-$150. Thanks!

Several of us are going to chip in for a gift certificate for a friend's birthday. He has been working crazy hours and not getting to see his family much. He has two kids (I believe 5 and 8) who are well behaved. They live in Silver Spring but I believe would be comfortable going in NW DC too. I'd like to pick a place that they can enjoy and spend quality time with dad. Where should I send them?

I went back this weekend and tried the dulce de leche with chocolate. The owner said it was his favorite and it was definitely delicious. It is a creamy caramel ice cream and instead of chunks of chocolate like you usually get in a chocolate chip ice cream, it has the most delicate flakes of chocolate throughout. I had a nice chat with the owner. He said he had grown tired of weak American style gelato and imported the equipment, ingredients, and brought someone in to train the staff. He claims that American style gelato uses far less cream then what you find in Italy and reproduces the sense of denseness by the way (or amount) of air whipped into the product. His product is the full-cream version and he went with the Argentinian style gelato because of the typical flavors. Basically the whole front of the store opens up and the place seems more like an ice cream stand. Dishes of water were set out for dogs and a few wandered through with their humans.

Aria is my nominee. I had one lunch there a few weeks ago and while the chilled tomato soup was nice, the baked penne with sausage was so salty it was inedible. My waitor asked if there was a problem when he saw me stop eating. I told him and his reaction was "oh, sorry." Perhaps they are still working out the new restaurant kinks but I doubt I'll be back anytime soon.

This past weekend I stopped in to Isee Icy, a new ice cream shop on Wisconsin Ave next to Red Ginger. Not the greatest location for an ice cream shop as Thomas Sweet and Max's are both very close. Also, you'd think it is too far north for much foot traffic and there isn't convenient parking. But, it is worth it to stop by. They told me this was Argentinian style ice cream and it reminded me of gelato -- very creamy. I had chocolate hazelnut that had a nice rich chocolate flavor. Too often, I find the chocolate too thin to carry the ice cream. My friend had a mixed berry flavor that was fabulous. The sweet-tart flavor wasn't lost in the creaminess -- almost more like the crisp fruitiness you'd expect from sorbet.

Rather then one thread that encompasses a host of restaurants not often talked about, I'd recommend starting a a thread for each restaurant. Get the ball rolling and we will eat and post. At least, that seems to be the case.