Al_Dente

Unless there was heavy drinking involved, I seem to have pretty good luck avoiding disaster. My worst disaster in recent memory involved beer and tequila. Folks got hungry, so I rumaged around the fridge and found a nice lookin flank steak which I then proceeded to destroy. I butterflied the entire thing into one huge thin piece of meat. My brilliant idea was to stuff it with mozzarella, garlic, and parsley, roll it up and tie it, and throw it on the grill. When I finished rolling it, it was the size and shape of a NFL regulation football. My tequila induced state convinced me that this would be grillable somehow. By the time it was done on the inside (had my handy thermometer in there), it was dry as a bone and tough as leather. I still get grief over this.

I'm a fan of Evening Star-- really dig the quail app, and on some nights they do some pretty tasty soft tacos al carbon. I usually eat at the bar downstairs, and I really like the space. What kills me though, is the live music they have down there. It takes up 1/2 the bar. Why don't they move it upstairs? I've walked in, saw that the band was there, and walked out on a number of occasions.

Are you talking about the Royal Palace? They might serve food, but I wouldn't eat there. Ew, no! Different spot. Looks more like a retail space, but they're advertising for either retail or restaurant. Royal Palace lives on. What is Royal Palace?

Don't be so hard on yourself. You did the right thing!

I've heard sleeping in the remaining pasta sauce is taken as the highest form of compliment in some parts of Sardinia.

I've seen the occasional half smoke at hot dog cart vendors downtown, but I'd never associate it with DC. Not sure what I would say DC's dish should be. Crabs are more of a Baltimore thing. Make a political statement-- PORK is DC's signature dish.

Not mocking. Just a fellow parentheticalist here. ()

I (which is to say me, or the sentient being sitting here actually typing this post) can't (or cannot, for those of you who prefer to avoid contractions) wait to hear (or read, as it were) the rest of this stor [HAD TO POST DUE TO BOSS LOOKING OVER SHOULDER]

You not only have the right to tell that story, you have the DUTY to tell it. This should be good...

You'll be sure to create an attractive presentation of the breasts by adding this: Clickity

Shrimp shells and heads for stock. Then it's GUMBO TIME!

I cut off the root end and then just kinda score them "length" wise with a paring knife and peel. I might be wasting a layer of the good part, but, it isn't much of a hassle.

To my beloved Pork Butt: This Valentine’s Day, I want to thank you for all the fond memories we’ve shared together over our enduring romance. I love to slowly heat you up for hours and then you fall apart with just a touch from my fork. Some might call you a shoulder, but to me, you’re always a butt. You can be exotic, sophisticated, or down to earth, whether you’re lounging in a simple rub upon the sweltering grates of the grill or luxuriating in a rich bath in my cast iron enameled tub—the steam rising as if a low flame were under you. I know you caught me spatchcocking that chicken, and there was that one time you found me marinating with a brisket. But I swear, the whole time I was really thinking of you. What? No, that serving platter doesn’t make your butt look big. Really, honest! Love, Al

Does anyone know how long the wait is for available seats for 2 at the minibar. I want to do it again and a friend of mine, with much trepidation, is willing to go out on a limb and see if she likes it. Is the next opening 3 months away or something?

Thanks, but I'm not into the kinky stuff

I'll go one step further than Carolyn with the abbreviation of this "holiday". I dread VD. I'm not taking anyone on a date on the 14th because of VD. To me VD is embarrasing. You take someone to some swanky joint for dinner on that date, get served mediocre (at best) food, and pay through the nose because maybe they throw in a "free" glass of champagne-- all because of VD. This year, I'll be cooking at home too. Or at some lucky lady's place. No needless VD suffering this year!

Save a few pieces for grilling some salmon!

Another Wegman's virgin here. I look forward to making a trip out there-- not too far. I live in Old Town Alexandria. Big feast at my place when I get back! I'm going to make the trip worth it.

Welcome to eGullet ozgirl! Keep on posting.

I spent a month in Amsterdam one day. Hit the coffee shops of course. Perused the "menu", selected something suitably strong sounding, smoked it, and floated down the street looking for grub. It was late in the a.m. and I hadn't had breakfast, so I stopped at a place in the Red Light District and grabbed a seat outside overlooking the canal. They had dutch pancakes with a huge selection of toppings. I ordered one with goat cheese, tomatoes, and I believe some sort of sausage (sounds more like a pizza). At this point it felt like my brain was in a vice and my eyeballs had receded to the back of my head. It also seemed as though my breakfast was taking hours to be served. An arm-sized dildo floated past me in the canal. Finally, a pancake the size of a manhole cover appeared before me. I ate the entire thing, managed to semi-coherently ask for my check, paid up, and slept the afternoon away in my room.

I like the wings at Austin Grill. Not traditional-- dry spice rub and then grilled. I copied this last night for the game. Mmmmmm.

My memory is a bit foggy, but I believe the Tune Inn on DC's Capitol Hill has taxidermied (a word?) rear ends of antelopes or something above each of the doors. You have to take a look to pick the one that most closely matches your..... errr..... physiology.

Excellent suggestion.

Nope.