jparrott

So does the bar at Citronelle require a jacket?

I'm a huge fan of craftbar, for the reasons lxt has stated above. One of the great solo or group wine bars in the city--and cool people too, when you go at off hours. Great place to spend much of a Sunday afternoon (as is Otto, my other fave wine bar).

I would totally have paid an extra $3-5/pp to get to take the minijito home

Make sure you call ahead about the wine. I have heard conflicting things about the corcake policy. You can also do fine, as we did, starting with the 1+1=3 vintage cava and then moving on to the viognier. Sadly, Cafe Atlantico does not permit corkage anymore. However, they have drastically upgraded their champagne list--the best accompaniment to the minibar. BTW, I find this policy silly. Other than the champagne, Cafe Atlantico's list is an affectation, a political statement rather than an attempt to match the food and its sophistication. And the markups on the lower end are up to 5x.

The anchovy foam one (with a small piece of roast, marinated anchovy on top) was the star of the meal for me. Brilliant stuff. I could've eaten fifty of them. Jake

Just took a quick walk around a bit of Springfield...no watering holes open here, for obvious reasons...so it's downtown for the wife and I--maybe Matchbox, maybe RFD (liquids only), the Brick...no telling....

So are things open in DC this evening? We're all watered out, here in the burbs. Time to switch to something stronger :-). Jake

My wife and I were at the minibar last night. The Big Guy was there too, but he was eating with a couple of his mates. It was brilliant. The flavors, the interaction with the "cooks," the give-and-take on flavor combinations (we spent a lot of time talking about the best ways to take the combos to more conventional forms for home entertaining), the new and improved list of champagnes (but, come on, ya gotta have a few rieslings). So take the following "criticisms" with this paragraph in mind. The first bit, a chocolate truffle filled with foie gras and tamarind, was too cold. The foie with vanilla cotton candy could have used a bit of pepper. How long until we see that cotton candy perfumed with truffle instead of vanilla?? The jicama wraps/purses fall a little flat, especially those wherein the jicama is wrapped around arugula. The textures are too close and the whole things feels a little wan. No cheese course (other than the cabrales in one of the salad and some grated parmesan)...I'm thinking whipped taleggio with pop rocks or something :-). In short, while the $65 price point is useful for engaging the public, it seems like there could be some real fireworks here at about $85 or $90, with the same inventiveness applied to more and different ingredients. But it was highly, highly enjoyable. Can't wait until they start changing it around every few days, so we can go back! Jake

Sounds good. Also, as I recall, Atlantico's corkage is $15, so bring your fine rieslings to your heart's content. Silly procedural questions: 1. Price? 2. Need a reservation? Do they take reservations? 3. Amount of time? Jake

Well, this sure sounds like an eGullet outing opportunity. Jake PS Hey Don, good to see you in this corner of the cyberworld.

I can't imagine going to Rules and ordering anything less exotic than the wild hare stew (which is awesome, as is the grouse, when you're in the mood for those sort of things). And sticky toffee. Great place for lunch on Madrid (3PM) time with their "pre-theatre".

for real? the specials looked pretty much the same as they were the other night. i realize they don't change them very often, but it didn't seem out of date. that's more than i can say for a lot of restaurant websites! Well the list of wines by the glass lists a 1998 supermarket chard and a 1997 white zin, and the wine list on the site can't possibly be up to day--hasn't changed since the one I downloaded from the site two years ago.

Dunno. But at least now I know to BYOG when I go to senselessly slough it around as a Burg winebar. Thanks. Edit: Man, that website is old, old, old.

Les Halles is fine, if you sit at the bar and use it as a half-drinking, half-eating experience. If you expect to sit at a table and get solicitous service, fuhgeddabouddit.

Never made it that far down the menu. I'm a half-smoke boy.

So if anyone wants to sample the spit-roasted lamb and other goodies, shall we meet for an impromptu eG offline at Zaytinya, tomorrow (6/15) at noon/12.30? If people respond by, say, 11am, I'll be in the bar by 12.15 (my first name's Jake).

I'm sorry. I've eaten at the Silver Spring (and Fairfax) Tastee and "The Diner," and neither hold a candle to Ben's.

All together now. "BEN'S CHILI BOWL" near 14th and U. Half-smoke breakfast, eggs over easy, homefries well-done, biscuit, please.

And five bucks extra corkage at Charlie Palmer Steak

I give that retort only 89 points.

The best value Condrieu producer I've found is by far Francois Villard. Restrained oak treatment, actual acidity, and even a little positive development with a year or two's age. Several different bottlings, including a sweet "Quintessence" that's pretty good but not a revelation.

Is it $12.50 if you bring Hyde de Villaine? Maybe there ought to be a checklist. Start at $10 All new oak? If yes, subtract $5, if no, add $5 Parker 92+? If yes, subtract $5, if no, add $5 Current release year? If yes, subtract $5, if no, add $5 French? If yes add $20 and you can only get a veggie plate, if no, subtract $5 "Gobby"? If yes subtract $5, if no, add $15 No thanks.

Is it true that it's no corkage for american wines and $25 for non-american wines? I saw the mention of corkage fee earlier, but I also heard the above rumor elsewhere.

I added my contribution on to my last credit card check there, and a friend gave them a credit card number over the phone. So plenty of ways to help out. And I'm with Mal on the number being much higher than $3500.

Yes. Which is why it's unfortunate that he didn't take that part of the sushi-ko experience with him.