chuchelo

We had dinner there the week before last and enjoyed the food very much. Unfortunately, it was rather loud and not quite the cozy meal we intended. In fact, guests were seated at nearby tables and left again without ordering because of the noise.

Sorry, no pics. Believe it or not I didn't even take a camera... Redglass, I'm not sure if the dressing was really vinaigrette -- it was more infused than that, not too tangy but certainly not oily. It wasn't creamy. Not very helpful, am I...

I spent much of May and June in France and once was served a salad of diced (very small) raw beets, fresh corn, olives, and tomatoes in a light dressing. I'm not a beet fan at all but I've been taught to eat what is set before one and I'm glad I did. It was delicious!

We ate at Sonoma last night for the first time. It's the restaurant that took Il Radicchio's space on Penn Ave. Has anyone else eaten there yet? I went with high expectations for the idea of a wine bar but had not realized that it was completely focused on Italy. Not that doesn't mean that the wine is not good, of course, just that I was hoping for some French possibilities. Anyway, I ordered the string bean salad, followed by gnocchi. The string bean salad was excellent (though I would have called them yellow pole beans) very fresh, juicy, and well-dressed with something that let the veggies shine through. After three or four bites I did something I rarely do - I sent the gnocchi back. I love gnocchi and seeing that these were "housemade" I was really looking forward to them. BUT, although they themselves were well-made they were FRIED and very oily. Perhaps others are familiar with this way of preparing them but for me it was horrid and really a waste. I don't like oily food, especially when I'm not expecting it. My husband ordered pizza with prosciutto, potatoes, and arugula and it was quite delicious. After sending back the gnocchi, I just decided to wait and share a cheese course with my husband. They had a good selection and we settled on humboldt fog ashline, Vermont cheddar, and romano. After the cheese we had dessert -- housemade pistachio ice cream for him and chocolate "pudding" (it was mousse really) for me. The mousse was very good. It came with two biscotti that had been mortally wounded by the humidity and one bite was more than enough of those. Five glasses of wine accompanied this meal, all very good but very pricey. The prices are given by "taste," glass and bottle. I don't know how much wine you actually get for a "taste" but given that it costed $7 to taste a $10 glass of wine it struck me as a very expensive way to try things. The bill with tip was about $120.00 which was much more than we would usually spend on eating out just because we were just too tired to cook and wanted to try a new restaurant. The place looks as if they aren't quite done yet. I like the sleek look and of all the iterations in that space, it reminds me most of the old Jenkins Hill, which was about 3 or 4 restaurants ago. They have three very large tables with bench seating that look super but looked very uncomfortable for a long lingering meal as the benches had no backs. We'll definitely return but I can't see us becoming regulars.

First, let me admit to being a damn Yankee. Second, what's a meat and three? Meat and three vegetables? This is a kind of restaurant??

Some suggestions if the food is for a repast following the funeral with large attendance: big chunks of protein, like ham, roast beef, roast chicken, etc. and lasagne, potato salad, mac & cheese, steamed broccoli, salad... For food for the family in the weeks to come, consider delivering a whole meal, bagged salad, washed and sliced veggies to eat raw or to steam, some rolls and a main dish. If you make a casserole, it's a good idea to list the ingredients (in case anyone is allergic) and provide directions for re-heating. If you want your dish back, label it clearly. Go light on the desserts and think about nutrition. Sending pizza for the kids once is fine but grief is hard enough without living on caffeine and sugar.

I should also mention that if at all possible you try some of the fromage made by the monks of Abbaye Notre-Dame de Cîteaux. It is amazing!!! If you are driving through Burgundy, it is well worth a detour to purchase some cheese at their store and if you can combine it with a guided visit I think you'll find it very interesting. Their website has the necessary information. Their cheese is sold and served throughout Burgundy (and Europe) so if you make a point of asking for it, you might find it in other places. It's a really yummy cheese and this site has a nice description. If you have the chance to try it, I'd love to hear what you think of it.

Is there a wine store with nothing but Burgundy? That's my new interest.

Yes, isn't the olive oil with vanilla amazing!! I suppose I put the intensity of taste ahead of texture in my rankings, which is why I put Herme first. I didn't care for the caramel at Laduree, it seemed more like toffee to me. Anyway, as you say, what a marvelous occupation it is to consider the merits of each...

I was recently in Beaune (Burgundy) and they repeatedly inform one that the custom requires spitting when tasting. No drinking. Ever. Of course, there are always some who ignore this but the French certainly do not like it. I'm not a professional by any means and I found it useful to take a mouthful and spit, then very small sip to swallow because I think it helps to hit those last tastebuds to get the complete impression of the wine. And I'm talking about tasting a dozen or so wines at a time.

We did Bull Run Farm CSA for a couple of years but it didn't work out for us. I'm glad someone else it enjoying theirs! Great pics!!

I can recommend a great place in Beaune where I ate a few weeks ago, Aux Vignes Rouges on rue Maufoux. Oeufs en meurette, tron Burgundy (sorbet), Charolais faux fillet with vegetables, lovely cheese, and chocolate tarte with a half bottle of an excellent Gevrey-Chambertin. Reasonable too - 57€10 for one, which included a kir and a bottle of water.

Based on my taste test from last week I rank them: 1. Pierre Herme 2. Laduree 3. Lenôtre 4. Fauchon

I am off to France on Tuesday, May 24th and I'll be in Beaune May 30th - June 1st so I'm really looking forward to enjoying some lovely food and wine. I won't have an auto so I'll be spending my time in the old city center, which is fine by me! If anyone has any suggestions for where to eat, especially on a modest budget, I'd love to hear them.

Has anyone been for the Friday lunch? Is the menu the same as for dinner??

I had a CSA share from Bull Run Mountain "Organic" Farm for 3 or 4 years. I put organic in quotes because after all the rules/regs about organic designation came out although they had been using organic methods from the beginning, they decided they didn't want to go through the hassle/expense of getting officially designated. As far as I know they are still using organic methods for everything. Anyway, I stopped mostly because the pickup night and time conflicted with my work schedule and it was way, way, way too stressful getting the share into the house. Also, I came to the conclusion that I'd rather get my veggies at the time and in the quantity that I really need. I'm not saying I'd never do CSA again; at the moment it's not for me. The family at Bull Run are very nice and if anyone is considering CSA I suggest checking them out. They deliver to pickup points on Capitol Hill, in Arlington, Dupont Circle, Alexandria, Manassas and Centerville. You can also pick up at the farm.

Ooops, sorry about that. I hadn't heard of someone named Holly who was a guy except Buddy. My mistake. Sorry Mr. Holly.

You will want to reclassify your source. Before opening her own restaurant she was at Cashion's Eat Place and Morrison-Clark Inn. And I think she is a L'Academie grad. Anyway, I just looked at the Ben's Chili Bowl review. CAN'T believe it got 5 grease stains and Colorado Kitchen only 4. Now, Chef, don't take her head off. Clearly, she knows not what she does.

How come that site says Gillian Clark is a self-taught cook with no professional experience???? Uh oh. Wait 'till Chef sees that.....

Really?? I know folks in Manhattan who eat every meal out because they have tiny kitchens, don't like/know how to cook, or just can't be bothered. Most eat breakfast in the same place at least five days a week, on the way to work. Lunch is between 2 or 3 places, with dinner more widely ranging, perhaps between 5-6 places. I don't think they are (or are considered) abnormal at all. Of course, these folks don't spend a packet and no one is writing any articles about them. But enough about Dr. Hall, (and for the record, I think he sounds lovely!) let's talk about Marcel's and their incredible service. Is this the only example of the lengths to which a Washington restaurant will to go keep regular customers happy?

Ah, but the champagne, the wine!!!

Hmmm, I got the sense that it was Dr. Hall who was providing the psychological commentary of himself from his academic perspective as the dean of psychology at the University of Maryland at College Park. Given that he spends $50-60k a year there, I suppose a car & driver, swivel seat, etc. is cost-effective. And of course, this article is pretty good publicity. Maybe people will go there just to watch the Hall show, as it were. ??? Does anyone know of another restaurant that goes to this length for a customer? On another note, I thought the gullet guys would be all over this story and I thought I would be quite late in the conversation. Does no one read Young & Hungry or is it that no one else thought it was very interesting or?

(perhaps this has already been discussed though a search yielded nothing that I could see - if so, please leave me a pointer to the correct discussion - thanks!) Did anyone read this column in the City Paper about the lengths to which Marcel's has gone to keep a regular diner happy? I found it fascinating. Does anyone know of something similar elsewhere? If not, is it because other restaurants don't have a similar Capital 'R' regular or because even if they did, they just wouldn't take it to this level?

This subject was raised in the Ask Tom section of the Washington Post Magazine today. Here are Tom Sietsema's suggestions: The Bombay Club, Corduroy, Makoto, Melrose, the Oval Room, Le Paradou, Palena, Sea Catch and 1789, all in Washington; Ristorante Terrazza and Tavira, both in Chevy Chase; Le Tire Bouchon in Fairfax; Bombay Tandoor in Vienna; and La Flor de la Canela in Gaithersburg.

Then what about chocolate tea?? Has anyone tried this??