FunJohnny

This will be the first time that I can remember not enjoying the Christmas feast either chez moi, or at a close relative's, and I am seeking suggestions in the DC metro area -- preferably either the District or NOVA for a great meal on Christmas Day. Just spoke with Todd at Restaurant Eve, and they will be closed, but a similarly fine establishment is what I have in mind.

Littlewing- I saw some (Total) just last night (or was it Sunday?) at the Yes Natural Food Market on Columbia Rd (Adams Morgan). Sounds like you better run there before it's gone... (unless I beat you to to it!) ;) ← I saw some at the cheese stand at Eastern Market last week Trader Joe's used to have it, but they discontinued over some kind of lack of proper paper work for importation (which should apply everywhere -- so maybe they are restocked now).

Allright, Rocks -- what was in the brownies? ← Or, more likely, the 'shrooms!

I will -- beginning tonight with the cornbread for the stuffing -- be doing 100% of the cooking. Therefore I plan to be the relative who will be the first to get drunk (after the Bird is safely out of the oven) and be the major pain in the ass as well.

NB it's Tom Turkey. ← Didn't get into the gender , but Tom said last year he ran out and had difficulty in obtaining extra to satisfy the demand.

Yes Corduroy could definitely become habit forming! Don't know if there are still reservations available, but for those that choose to eat out on Thanksgiving should check-out Tom's menu for Turkey Day -- (hint: there's more than Turkey on it).

Snakeheads?

Seems like Tom's weekly chat is becoming a forum to take shots at places that enjoy the high regard of members of eGullet. Am I being paranoid? Or is this the work of an individual, or small group who take it upon themselves to go after a few of the places that get prominent play on this website.

If you want ethnocentric excellence, I would nominate Florence or the general Tuscan region

From the standpoint in this ranked order of criteria: Variety, quality, affordability -- I would have to say NYC -- but I haven't experienced the food scene in London or Hong Kong. I agree with the comments about Singapore, and I would also add Kuala Lumpur (although it does not have nearly the same number of really good restaurants as S'pore, but does have much of the variety) and my personal favorite -- Penang. Also have to caveat that I need to visit Chicago and New Orleans soonest in order to confirm whether I am correct on my vote for NYC.

The Horror! The Horror!

Finally had my maiden meal at Ray's. Went there last Friday with my Republican posse -- red meat and red wine for all. (well, for all of us except for the coke-cola addicted Eagle Scout). Absolutely concur with the (nearly) unanimous sentiment expressed here that this is the best steak house around-- and that's coming from a 3rd generation Palm customer. In terms of quality of the meat -- and it really is all about the meat -- quality/friendliness of service, wine offerings and the overall pricing, I think Michael has set the gold standard. The only downer was the left-over NY strip I was taking home for breakfast on Saturday, and which I left in our car parked in Ballston where we stopped for our celebratory cigars, was being scarfed down by my wife by the time I got home. Can't wait for the next visit.

It might be worthwhile to consider cocktails that may have originated in DC since this is a town lubricated by alchohol -- well at least in the old days. I'm not coming up with anything other than the Cosmo made famous by Monica, but perhaps invented elsewhere.

Love to join you guys, but I've got early res's at Ray's so I have to head to Arlington after work. Cheers!

It's a nice day -- walk up to Zaytinya (Old Ebbitt would be excellent, but the half price deal is not in effect on Fridays).

It also sounds like the "standing reservation" is in the name of some family member other than the one registering displeasure on Tom's chat. ← I saw this same complaint when I googled Ray's and clicked on the Wash Post citation which includes comments. My reaction was similar (although not nearly as hilariously summed up) as Stretch's dissection above. A group of us who feel like celebrating the events of earlier this week -- sorry to those of you who have expressed dismay with those same events -- will be gathered at Ray's this evening and I'll query Michael as to his feelings about this. My guess it's merely water off the proverbial duck's back. Nothing beats success!

Also worth mentioning, the Nieman ranch applewood thick sliced package you can obtain at Trader Joes. Edited to clarify: it's the bacon that's thick sliced

So far only had to make one trip to the emergency room after learning the hard way why mandolines come with the hand protecter -- the nurse who bandaged where the tip of my finger was refered to mandolines as "finger guillotines" (I did have insurance.)

Thanks. I'll give it a try. Look for a post soon asking how to unstick fingers that have been super-glued together.

Any tips from the medicos out there on how to quickly stop finger cuts from bleeding (short of cauterization)? Every time I slice into a digit it bleeds copiously for too long, interuppting and delaying meal prep inconveniently. So I'm wondering if there is some trick to quickly staunch the wound and get back to cooking without adding blood to the dish.

← I had an acceptable cassoulet at the Cote d'Or (now apparently renamed Bistro des Celestines) in Arlington a few months back, and the Duck confit at Mendocino (not a full cassoulet) is scrumptious.

Oh, and another nice coffe table type book -- lots of appealing photos -- is the Saveur Cooking Italian

I think an obvious choice would be Marcela Hazan's Classic Italian

Having sat at the opposite end of the bar today, I can also add "Run Do Not Walk" to have the broiled oysters in a sage/truffle sabayon. Did anyone know that on Sundays (dinner) you can get bottles of wine at half price?

Or maybe just plain old humble pie -- AAAARGH!