raisab

Ouch; I think I'm the main cheerleader for l'Abadache so I'm concerned it may have fallen off. With all the new places to try, I've not been back in quite a while. John, I was at L'Abadache per your recommendation in late February for dinner, it was fabulous. I think I may have posted about it somewhere else on here, but they must of had an off day when images went. I would still recommend it to anyone, the value-quality ratio is great and the inventiveness of the cuisine is surprising considering the price and location! You should try it again, I don't think you will be dissapointed.

I had a Ginger-Gin and Tonic at Gramercy Tavern in NYC last night and even though I don't like gin, I loved this! After searching the web I see that the bartenders infuse the gin with sliced ginger. Does anyone know how long, what type of gin, and is it made exactly as a regular gin and tonic? Any help would be appreciated!!!

I have a question....when tipping on meals that include a bottle or two or more of wine, do you tip on the meal value and wine or just the meal alone? I usually tip 20% on the entire meal when the wine is average priced but when a bottle of wine is over $100, is 20% expected on top of this?

Sorry, late to this thread. Ray's already is nothing more than a place that is all about cash and cramming in as many people as possible. What ever made you think otherwise? Actually, I am opening Silver Spring so I can stop having to cram people into Ray's and let it go back to being a neighborhood restaurant. I'm with Joe on this, by the way, it's the Viennas and the Herndons, the Silver Springs and the Kentlands that will allow chefs to shine and make an honest living honestly and redeem DC as a restaurant town. Bring it to the people and work your heart out for them. Don't worry about the Hummer or the Porsche, just remember who you are working for. It's not so much about rents, although that can slowly suffocate an operation; it's that no DC landlord will sign a lease with an individual operator (and rightly so for the most part) without a ridiculous amount of well-connected backing and, more perniciously, the cost of build-out, PR hype and manpower necessary to do business in DC. To compete in DC you simply must open at the level of IndeBleu, Le Paradou or at the very least Mie N Yiu. And you better believe that Adamson and Demetrou gets paid in full, up-front and in cash (or certified check). Meanwhile, not to worry, the rest of us can just pay extra for our produce, wine, meat, fish and supplies to cover the cost of others not paying their bills. ← [/quote Amen! How much start-up would you need for a restaurant the size of Ray's The Steak? I can guarantee if a restaurant of that caliber opened up in Western Prince William, you would be full every night. Here in Gainesville/Haymarket, we have a BoneFish, there is a wait every night.This for average food, but it is the best we have here. If you build it they will most definately come. Edited to ask what am I doing wrong that the quotes aren't appearing correctly?

(Quote by JPW) (Idon't know why it did not come up automatically) the fact is that the types of people that tend to want to go to a Firefly, or a Corduroy, much less a Galileo or a Citronelle, tend not to be the people who choose to move to Vienna or Herndon. People who tend to want to patronize those types of more upscale places are more likely to want to live in more urbanized environs where they can take advantage of other cultural opportunities. Herndon and Vienna are suburbs, granted they have small town centers, but they are indeed largely populated by people who expressly do not want to live within the beltway and take advantage of the cultural opportunities of a central city. I hate commenting on anything on the DC Board as it is so volatile and smug at times. But I have to comment on your statement on the "kind of people who move into the suburbs". In my neighborhood the average price of a home is over $1 million. Most of us can afforrd to eat in DC and we often choose to do so. We appreciate the cultural events in the city, but guess what? We have children! (as you most recently did also)I have three. If I lived in the district I would be paying over $65,000 a year for them to go to private schools. The service you receive in the district in comparison to the taxes you pay is dismal. I have chosen to live here as has most EVERYONE I know, because of the quality of life for our children. And Joe is right, if more people like Ray Lundrumm and Kinkead, and hey how about Tom Powers would open a GOOD restaurant with serious food out in the suburbs it would most definately do well. Vienna, Herndon, Downtown Fairfax, Downtown Haymarket even. Look at the RailStop in the Plains, Auberge Provencale, Four and Twenty Blackbirds, they all seem to be doing very well. How about it Chefs? Downtown Haymarket is being renovated, the average income around here is much higher than the district, we have no place to really go out to,but lot's of money to spend.

I have been to Oyamel about 4 times now and just went this past Sunday night. It seems to me they have tweaked the menu a bit and added specials. It is markedly improved. (It wasn't bad before just not that exciting). Their winelist has definately improved. They now offer California Wines in addition to their Mexican Wines. I still feel their desserts are good but not authentic enough though. I had the Cajeta dessert and felt it would of benefited from being a bit more authentic as in using true Goat Cajeta as opposed to the bland caramel that was served. I remember enjoying it before have the recipes changed? I guess I feel Oyamel is good but still not that exciting. I go as it is so close to the airport and I need a change from Jaleo every once in awhile, (but I still prefer Jaleo). Edited for misspellings and omitted sentence.

Just a quick note, I ate at Les Allobroges last week, and I don't understand why the place isn't more popular. Sure the location is out in the boonies but so is La Regalade. The food was incredible and quite a bargain. You receive 4 courses and an Amuse Bouche for 28 euros. They have a few supplements whcih are well worth the extra. I had the Galette de Pomme avec Foie Gras Poele (5 euro supp), the Cote De Veau avec Carottes Cumin (sp?) a cheese course (brie de Meaux and Bleu d"Auvergne) and for dessert a Cigare Farci de Chocolat Noir avec une Sauce de Chocolot Blanc. My dinner companion had an Eggplant Appetizer (I ate half of it but I don't remember the name), a confit d'agneau, and his dessert was a Feiullette de Poire et Gingembre avec une Glace Vanille. Please pardon my spelling as French is not my first language and I am too tired at the moment to look up the correct spelling. All in all the resto was a bargain and a place I would definately return. I think the wine ordered was a Saint Joseph, and the only unfortunate part was the aperitifs and water we ordered jacked up the price quite a bit. All I can say is visit this resto if you get the chance, you won't be dissapointed.

Yep, that is a World Market in Pentagon City, Global Market in Manassas has a huge Hispanic section. Super H in Fairfax has a Spanish section but I don't think they carry what you need. Otherwise you might want to call Americana grocery in Adams Morgan or Falls Church.

Thank you both for your suggestions. I am not sure if I have been to Temps au Temps but I have been to Cerisiae. I will try Temps most likely, I was also thinking of Allobroges either this week or next. Is this place new or just mentioned a bit lately? I am sorry for all my spelling mistakes on my original post, it was 3:00 AM in Paris and I guess I was more tired than I thought!

Returned from dinner this evenig at Le Troquet, as always everything was wonderful. We had an early sitting and felt we were rushed to make choices but thta is the extent of my complaints. For an entree we chose the terrine of Foie Gras with quince and toast, nothing original but so delicious. We had the Navarin d'agneau avec harcots blancs. Copious servings and truy wonderfull french comfort food. Our other companion had a creay goat cheese salasd with toast and tomatoe and sweet pepprs This was original and delicious. For her entre she had the rissoto with mussels and scallops, it must have been good as not a rice was left. Desserts were the black and white pots de creme and the fromage offering of the day. Belly's were satiated so the cheese went back untouched and the pots de creme shared but not finished. We had a 2000 Vacueyras which was wonerful. This with three kir royals and supplments for the fois gras came to 55 euros per person. I love this place. I need a suggestion for dinner next wedneday, new young bistro with original food, please. Thansks

I would take one resto out..... Le Dix Vins. I felt the food there was mediocre Le Troquet is definately a keeper as is Au Bon Accueil. L'ourcine is very good....Your list is a very well chosen one as is John's.

Yes is is hell, but DC and MD are burning right there with it! I have stopped going out to eat (except close to home) on weekdays because there is so much traffic in both directions on 66!

This is a silly thing to be talking about, but I have never heard anyone who lives here call it NoVa. Only businesses and the Community college use this name. There is also Nova University in Fort Lauderdale, but we live in Northern Virginia, Fairfax, Falls Church, Arlington, ALexandria etc..but no not Nova. Just my 2 cents, you Districters can call it what you want.

I just made a reservation for Wednesday night.....I specifically asked if he was the chef, the lady who answered said yes. Does anyone truly know if he is gone? If he is, I will cancel my reservation. Merci pour votre response.

I am starting my NEW diet tomorrow. I stuffed myself at Firefly! Between Hub and myself we had almost the entire appetizer menu! Squash and EggDrop Soups, Spring Rolls, Roasted Beets, Fried Oysters, Curry Mussels, Spiced smoked Salmon, plus a side of Mac and Cheese. As if we weren't stuffed just from that, we had the Bread Pudding and the Pear Crisp. And oh yeah, a bottle of the Bailey something SYrah....Groan....it was delicious but my tummy hurts...

I still don't understand how a cheese like Stilton would be confiscated at JFK. I bring in all cheeses all the time! Is Stilton a raw milk cheese? Even so, isn't it raw milk cheese that is under a certain age that is prohibited? I am blessed that I am able to bring back so many stinky cheeses! In fact I hand my cooler to the customs guys and tell them open it up and take a whiff baby! MOst of them just say no thank you, have a good day! John is Vacherin still available this week? I haven't ever had it believe it or not!

John, Yes, Bon Accueil is me reservation for this week. Thank you ! Here's to a new Year and New Restos! Merci Bien! France,..defends only the liberty of nudity, debauchery and decay I Love this

Never mind I see Phamplett on the precious post....Thank you.

← Esmerelda, What do you mean by Pamphlet? BTW I made reservations at Mon Vieil AMi for next week. Astrance for February, and I will probably make one for Maison du Jardin later this month unless someone has any other suggestions. I will be there two more times beyond that this month but there I will be trying some of the newer bistros I did not get to try last year!

Hi John. I would go with in this order; L'Ourcine La Regalade La Cerisaie Temps au Temps L'Entredgeu Unfortunately I haven't tried all the new restos yet as I mix up old and new every month. This week I will be trying Mon Vieil Ami (per your suggestion). Le Vieux Chene is on my list for this month as is La Maison du Jardin (not new but new to me). So many restaurants...so little time! Bonne Annee! Enjoy your Calvas!

Don't worry, I have the same problem, and (when I am in a reasonably good mood) I don't believe I'm ready for the plastic bag yet. ← You know I am beginning to feel the same way...I did make reservations at Astrance for dinner on the 10th of February, but I don't remember the price quoted. It is only a Menu Surprise at night I was told. But if lunch was 300 euros, I am not sure I want to experience L'Astrance that badly. I have been to a few 3 starred restos that seemed more reasonable than that. I absolutely love Le Troquet, L'Ourcine, etc.. and was more than satiated foodwise. How about La Fanille, has anyone tried that lately? John I can appreciate your budget conciousness this year, the euro is just way too strong. It must be hurting Europe also as I know I don't buy anything that is not food or wine related in France or elsewhere in Europe anymore By the way John did you have a meal at Le Troquet a couple of months back? I could of sworn I saw you there...or maybe it was just someone who resembled you. Thank you for your replies and if anyone has any ideas, maybe an inexpensive 30-50 euros prix fixe (romantic please), please let me know.

I have a couple special occasions coming up....I usually go to Bistros that are good but not expensive, this time I would like to try a 1 or 2 star resto who's prices are not out of this world. I have been trying to get reservations at Astrance for over 2 years. Unfortunately I do not know my dates until it is too late to get a table , any suggestions/ Also Le Meurice sounds wonderful, but does anyone know the general costs? Or any other suggestions? John (Resto Roi)? Bux? Pim? Aanyone? Thank you all so much.

I can't believe I finally agree with the majority here. BDC sucks. The food and the service are mediocre at their best! Completely bland and forgettable food.

Oops, I meant John Talbots' reccomendations, as he is our resident resto roi!!!

Malawrey, I am in Paris every 3 days during all year long. Sure it is cold at times, but today when I left it was 3 degrees centigrade and the sun was shining! Highly unsual but beautiful! In contrast last night walking thru the streets it was drizzling and same temperature, yes bone chilling, but to me it was still beautiful! Paris sera toujours Paris as Edith Piaf used to sing and there is always a beauty to it. Enjoy, enjoy enjoy! By the way, use Bux's recommendations for some great places.