MelGold

The Neighborhood Restaurant Group does a Take Out pre-order. You can get everything from Fried Turkeys and Pork Loin to soups, sides & gravies to dessert. Pick up is the Wednesday before with re-heating directions on the containers. PM me for more info if you'd like.

Has anyone been to From Scratch Bakery in Charlottesville, VA? I've heard great things, but am looking for more info...

I'll put in my vote for the coffee shop just a couple store fronts down from cheesetique in Del Ray. The crust was actually - crispy and crackly, not chewy!- and the loaf had a good a good flavor. Everytime I buy some cheese from Jill, I buy a baguette (that she also sells from them in her shop) to go with. Sorry I can't be more specific on the name- anyone know which shop I'm talking about? ← Caboose

Also consider Vermilion (corner of Fayette and King). Vermilion Website

Carpool in Ballston is good for a casual date - the BBQ is decent (not great, but decent), the beer is cold, and if you need entertainment after dinner there's pool tables and darts...try to sit outside if it's a pretty evening.

Stretch would be correct. My sources said it was not pretty! ← Did the lady who got sick in this case imbibe too much, or was it just the flu? ← According to people around them (and the server), the couple wasn't drinking extravagently. At one point the woman told her partner that she didn't feel well, but remained seated...five minutes later, all over the table. Then they got up, collected their things and left without apologizing to the people around them or trying to clean up after themselves. VERY nice. As for the neighborhood relations, the staff is doing daily trash pick up in the neighborhood and there are signs posted all over the restaurant asking patrons to respect the neighbors (if you read between the lines, that would include not throwing trash in lawns, throwing up on the sidewalks or idling your car with the high beams on in someone's driveway waiting for a parking space to open up at 11PM).

Their sign says 7 Nights a week...

Stretch would be correct. My sources said it was not pretty!

Ouch! At $44.50 a gallon I can hop on Southwest Airlines and stock up on Blue Bell while visiting family!

Since we're talking store bought as well, does anyone know if you can find Blue Bell ice cream anywhere in the DC area - preferably NoVA? Does Whole Foods have it (seeing as it's a TX HQ store)? I'm having a craving for their praline pecan...YUM!

Not really on Columbia Pike, but certainly much closer (and tastier) than the BR on 50 is Lazy Sundae (2925 Wilson Blvd next to Faccia Luna and Mexicali Blues in Clarendon - Phone: (703) 525-4960). They have a rotation of off-the-wall flavors, mix ins, and most importantly, it's inexpensive. Enjoy!

Definitely hit Foster's out on 15-501...great coffee, sandwiches and salads. They have brunch offerings, but their lunch is by far a better choice. I'm also a fan of the 501 Diner in Chapel Hill when I'm in the area (their french toast is YUM).

FYI - Vermilion has a new website click here

They have a great website - click here. The woman who took our reservations said dress code is dressy casual - jeans are okay but no shorts, sneakers or beachware.

Thanks! The expectations for dessert on Friday night at Fix are high, but I have a feeling they will be far exceeded... Can't wait. Thanks for the suggestion at Mix - we'll have to drop by for happy hour one of the evenings we're there...and I appreciate the flag about Cravings. Tom Sietsema of The Washington Post included it in his review of Vegas eats about a month ago and liked it, so that would have been sad. Not a huge fan of Bobby Flay restaurants.