bookluvingbabe

Ah...but it is more affordable than Maestro and Metro accessible to boot....

Stratford--visit one is complete; visit two to come in August. Mr. BLB enjoyed Stratford and the dining but I don't think he liked it as much as I do. The highlights: The Church--I was actually pretty disappointed. Despite a long-standing request, we were seated with a different waiter who just wasn't a smooth or as familiar with the wine list as my usual waiter. Mr. BLB liked the food quite a bit, I thought I had better there. The fois gras was tough! Sapori--Again, I've had better meals in previous years. No pork marsala, no specials, and odd service glitches... Olde English Parlor--Upgraded service, good food and the wandering ministrel seems to be a thing of the past. Boomer's--What can I say? Poutine and good fish. The New Dundee Emporium-- Tea, Scones, Devonshire Cream. Perfection. Other meals-- Madyln's Diner--Nice breakfast Foster's--Nicely poached cold salmon on a really hot day; odd pieces of rhubarb in my husband's creme brulee but not in mine. They comped his dessert and apolgized; he was traumized. Boar's Head Tavern--Nice pub grub lunch before the theater one day. Can't wait for August! Anyone else been recently and have reports? I didn't get a chance to try Garlic's or 38--both new since last year. It also looks like new places are going in where Curry On used to be and in the Albert Place Hotel.... Jennifer

Definitely do the Maid of the Mist. I'm fond of East Side Mario's--it's chain Italian food but it's pretty darn good, especially compared to what we get in the states.

I've always regretted not having enough time to do Niagara on the Lake properly but I'm usually in a rush to get to Stratford when I'm in the area. This year I want to set aside time to visit at least one winery in the area. Which one should it be? Thanks! Jennifer

Wow! Great blog! Like Alex, I'm a Stratford regular. Going twice this summer--lots of great new ideas for daytrips. Thanks! Jennifer

According to Wine Searcher, the Wine Specialist at 2115 M St. NW has it for $13.99 a bottle. I need to get myself down there. They seem to have a lot of stuff I've been looking for. Jennifer

Reidels at Van Ness and Connecitcut has decent BBQ and a nice-ish atmosphere.

Oh My God!!!!!!! Stopped in for a late lunch -- had the deviled eggs, lovely pizza and the most amazing dessert. The vanilla panna cotta was nice but the caramel sauce was beyond amazing. Sublime. Transendental. Simply the best thing I've had in forever. (Or at least since I was last at Palena's for dessert...) Wow. Words simply aren't enough to describe how good this is. Jennifer

I don't know--haven't seen him in a while; wasn't sure if we just aren't coming in on the right nights. Anyone else?

No, but I'm thinking we should stage a takeover of the men's room soon...

I had a similar experience in St. Louis in the 1970s. We always ate in and there was never leftovers taken home. I think it was college where I discovered the joys of cold fried rice for breakfast! Jennifer

How is the gnocchi prepared these days? I'm not a stinky cheese fan... We've been going on Monday's so I don't have to beg for the cookies so I've missed the regular menu offerings of late. Jennifer

You haven't had Ann's Baltimore Cake????? White cake soaked in real lemon juice with vanilla buttercream frosting. Just this side of heaven. Mr. BLB doesn't like it as much as I do...And to be honest, I'd rather just see a plain ole cake on the menu but this is pretty darn good. Jennifer

The penne with the lamb meatballs is something special--I had that the last two visits. On the dessert front: Cheesecake has been there lately. Yummy! The Baltimore Cake made an appearence on Monday. Lovely... Donuts seem to only happen on Saturdays--I've been known to snag an order to go for Sunday breakfast. Jennifer

Just had a totally mediocre meal at Mayorga with what had to be the worst service ever. Thanks for the report on Eggspectations... Jennifer

I have a meeting right at the Silver Spring Metro and thought I would try to have breakfast before hand. I will not go back to Mayorga. Ever... Beyond that, I'm remarkably flexible--just need to be done by 10! Thanks1 Jennifer

I think it's also suffers from the "It's not Palena" syndrome... I've liked but not loved my meals at Buck's but for the money I spent, I KNOW I would have loved the meal at Palena's... Man, Frank should just put me on the payroll I'm such a shill for his place. Jennifer

You may be too late... I think I saw a sign saying the Interpreter was opening today. To keep this food-related--get the pumpkin cheesecake if it's still on the menu! Not as good as the pumpkin goat cheesecake of last fall/winter but still DAMN good. Hubby and I going Monday night... Jennifer

Glad your dinner went well and my recs worked out. We're going on Saturday for our 11 month wedding anniversery/5 year dating anniversery. Counting the minutes until I get those dumplings and the fried oysters again... Jennifer

I am afraid there was only one word for Friday night dinner--perfunctory... Last time we were there, I raved about how great everything was in spite of Michael not being in the kitchen. Not the case on Friday. Two medium hanger steaks--one was perfect, one was seriously rare. Now I was a wuss and didn't send it back. So that's on me... But the service just wasn't there. We weren't quite rushed but it felt like we were a burden when I asked for wine suggestions. No thank you for coming at the end of the meal. Just not the Ray's we are used to. It was also the first time we left without immediately deciding when we we wanted to go back. And I missed the hot chocolate.... The peanut butter stuff did nothing for me. Sigh... Jennifer

I want to say it's 11:30 to 2:30.... Jennifer

Those cornmeal dumplings are darn good.... I'm a sucker for the Michael's Diablo although I get it with the blue chees on the side. I'm totally jealous--Mr. BLB pooh-poohed an attempt mid-week to go with a remidner that we had a big dinner at Ray's tonight. Oh, and total, abject poverty due to taxes... Enjoy! Jennifer P.S. The Bittersweet Panna Cotta is heavenly!

Seven hours until another dinner at Ray's. I'm dreaming of those scallops and I'm looking forward to a nice relaxed dinner with some good wine. It seems like it's been forever but I think it's only been a month... Jennifer

Haven't been in almost a year --stayed at the hotel for our wedding night last May. Liked it a lot at the time but like Corduroy and DC Coast, it's just enough out of the way that it seems to get bumped off the list of places to go eat. The roasted chicken was quite nice as I recall. Didn't I read that the Chef is leaving to start her own place on 17th Street? Jennifer

Palena's not open on Sunday... Sigh... Jennifer