Sr.Llave

Don't forget Breadline's Cuban Roast Pork sandwich on Thursdays. Slices of roast pork, ham, and cheese with a few pickles and a subtle spread of orange cumin on ciabatta. Place this under the pannini press and you've got a meaty, warm melted cheese sandwich with a crust that doesn't fall apart . The pickles add a nice tart taste. Too bad about the service chaos. One has to go a few times to get used to the process. Things could be better streamlined I think if everyone stood in the same line and the registers were further down the line.

Kliman's article on Colorado Kitchen released today is phenomenal. He manages to effectively encapsulate the contradictions and tensions that subtly overshadow race issues in Washington, DC into a succint column on Gillian Clark, her food, restaurant, customers and neighboring community. It's like he's channeling the sensibility and mood of a George Pelecanos mystery and overlaying it onto a restaurant critique.

As many posters focused on the excellent food, I'll limit myself to pointing out the non-food delights of Nectar. Exemplary service compared to other restaurants. What other restaurant in DC (or any other major city) do the staff escort you to the restrooms? Also, I love the fact that they ask when they deliver the bill whether you used the valet (to assist in getting your car) or whether they can call a taxi for you. The third service-related kudo goes to their having your coats and umbrellas ready for you when you exit. One suggestion that I have (for all restaurants) is to have a database of repeat customers. It would be nice when one calls to make a reservation and gives one's name that they already have the phone number entered into the system. Also, it's a good way of knowing the preferences of a customer. I also like the fact that you can get out of the ordinary wines in different sizes - half bottles,etc.. but that's a food-related kudo.

The best Thai food I ever had was back in 1985 at a dive in Hollywood next to Jumbo's Clown Room (a strip bar that supposedly Courtney Love once danced at). Since then all Thai food has never quite measured up. Having said that, I spend my money at the following DC restaurants: Thaiphoon, Thai Titanic (awful name) and Rice. I have been to Duangrats about 3 times in the past 5 years. The last two times it was uneven. Just my two cents.