sara

Oh..but NOW, I have found a cached version of that page, and it appears they updated their website following my complaint. Here is the original version of the terms: http://216.239.41.104/search?sourceid=navc...com%2Fterms.asp I received a note from them yesterday which reads: "Hi Sara - It was sent two day air and double boxed since the weather is getting too hot for ground. If you like, will accept the wine back and provide a full refund, or would be glad to accept another order from you and provide free shipping since the cost was not known to you on your first purchase. Sincerely, Nick Wittman Santa Rosa Fine Wine http://www.santarosafinewine.com sales@santarosafinewine.com" My problem with this is that they don't offer to simply refund the shipping cost--only if I return the wine will they do that!! Am I wrong on this--or wouldn't that be the right course of action? I wrote back already suggesting that they do that instead...

This morning on the terms page I found this info: http://www.santarosafinewine.com/terms.asp I really didn't see that info on the page when I visited it before, but I'm now wondering whether I'd lost my mind!

The Susanna Balbo Crios maybe? Good stuff, a nice reasonably-priced summer wine. You can find it at Best Cellars and also ABC Beverage in Foxhall.

Yep, me too. Especially when said person just pm'd me with a nasty note trashing Ali.

Hi Liam and I are in search of decent places to eat closeby to his apartment building at Connecticut and Ellicot. We've done Bucks, as well as Uptown Cathay and the thai place next to Bucks. What about Trattoria Liliana? I know Tom said good things awhile back. Anyone else been???

Went to happy hour at Circle Bistro last night. $5 mixed drinks-- I had the sweet orange martini, which was basically a screwdriver in a martini glass, but packed a nice punch. Liam tried the melon margarita, which was too much like a midori sour for our taste. Had some bar snacks ($1 each)--frito misto (wayy overdone), peppers with cheese and ham, proscuit w/ cantalope and goat cheese (this was nice). Atmosphere was kinda odd--as Liam pointed out, the decor was sorta retro 80s, the crowd was pretty nondescript, the service was alternately highly attentive and then highly nonavailable...I doubt we'll go back unless it's for a pre-Nectar drink.

LiamDC and I stopped by Marcel's bar last night after drinks at the Circle Bistro. We'd planned to have a meal at the bar, but were sorta stunned by how high the prices are (around $30 for entrees and in the mid-teens for apps)--I'm not saying they're not well-deserved prices, I don't know, it was just more than we were hoping to spend at the moment. Anyways, we shared the Escaragots, which was really lovely as Don said, and had the viognier and a glass of the Oregon riesling. Most amusing for me was the big group of Naval Academy midshipmen and their dates, who'd just turned 21 and were getting carded by the very-nice bartenders. Fun stuff. We'll save our pennies and come back for more, I'm sure.

I always go there with a large group, and I must say, the servers deal with that really well-especially with the kids. The food is great, and the prices are low.

Wabeck, would BDC fit the bill?? Although, I'm going there tomorrow night--so don't take up ALL the seats!

Thanks! I ordered a bottle...we'll see what comes; they had few details (ie. 375 vs 750 ml), not even sure if this is reasonable retail prices or auction or what. Well, the shipment came--I got a whole bottle of 00 Rafanelli Zin. But here's the kicker--there was a $24 shipping charge--bringing that one darn bottle to nearly $80!! Now there was no shipping cost mentioned on the website that I can find, nor was it on the emailed receipt I got. Am I wrong to feel pissed?? It came next-day air-- the website says there's a choice about this, but I sure didn't get one. Any other experiences with this Santa Rosa Fine Wine place??

Has anyone had the Mulderbosch Sav.Blanc from that list? It's on the list of a restaurant I'm going to--for $45/bottle.

Hi I'm driving from DC to Richmond later this summer and hoping to hit some of the VA wineries on the way. Please help me plan. Besides Barboursville, where are the best?? It seems to me that going to Richmond by way of Warrenton and Charlottsville makes sense--do you agree? Any advice is greatly appreciated. thanks!

Personal experience Jared?? Yeah, I'm aware there's a dearth of real Chesapeke crabs, it's been going on for some time; thus the sky-high prices. But when I was younger, I went to Ernie's in Alexandria every week during the summer, and I miss it tons. I guess some calling around is warrented.

Ok, had to do that! Seriously, when does the season start? We're going to be on the Eastern Shore June 25--any favorite places to recommend? Between Easton, Annapolis and DC? thanks

A trusted friend reports walking by Meritage last night and reading a posted menu in the window that she described as "ridiculous--1950s US snob versions of classic European food" such as lobster thermidor. The prices are reportedly quite high--apps in the $12-15 range, entrees around $30. IMO, that neighborhood won't support such a restaurant, mostly because the prices are too high. Anyone know background on Meritage; when they're supposed to open; etc?

I'm intrigued by the review in today's Citypaper-- has anyone checked out Tria, the new wine/cheese/beer bar on 18th (123 s. 18th) yet??

Just got this email, but there was never any question in MY mind... Nectar needs your help. Voting has began for the Rammy's Best New Restaurant category. Since we are by far the smallest restaurant nominated we need to rally the troops and get the vote out. If you would like cast to your vote you may do so online at http://ramw.org/ Feel free to forward this on to anyone who might enjoy a good David v. Goliath upset. Thank You for your support both past, present and future. Jarad & Jamison

Seriously, why bothering googling anything food-related anymore? Asking you guys is SO MUCH faster!! I think LiamDC and I are going with a group there on Friday (hopefully)--if anyone else would like to show up, we'd love to meet ya.

Ah, muchas gracias!! I was getting confused with Circle Bar in New Orleans! Ok, I'm going to go check this place out soon, hopefully Friday, and report back. Has anyone else been already?

Hey I thought I read somewhere recently about a place called the Circle Bar somewhere near Foggy Bottom or Dupont which has a great happy hour. Anyone know the place? Where is it? A google search proved fruitless. I think it may be a hotel bar... thanks!

Thanks! I ordered a bottle...we'll see what comes; they had few details (ie. 375 vs 750 ml), not even sure if this is reasonable retail prices or auction or what.

I am so thrilled that running into Mary Ann and Dan on Monday night inspired me to revisit their wonderful restaurant after a long absence. They are cooking absolutely f-in brilliant food there. Liam and I enjoyed a drop-dead superb set of dishes last night (all of which were specials): 1. Taylor Bay Scallops, in the shell, in a white wine, herb butter and cherry tomato broth with homemade bread. These were the MOST succulent tasty scallops, the size of big mussels, we'd ever had. Each one was treasured, a revelation. I am so regretful that I didn't bring my camera. Every drop of this dish, including the savory broth, was fought over and sopped up. They were especially perfect with the New Zealand sauvignon blanc (Goldwater Dogpoint 2002) Liam brought. 2. Crispy Duck Confit, bing cherry and ginger compote, micro greens. Rich, crispy duck with ripe as hell cherries, a lovely combo. Awesome with the 1998 sangiovese I brought. 3. Sauteed soft shell crabs (2), avocado, cherry tomato, grilled corn salsa, lemon aioli. OH MY GOD. Big, juicy, beautiful, incredibly gorgeous pairing with the avocado and corn. I savored every last bite of this. 4. Grilled Berkshire pork sirloin, pineapple papaya salsa, rice. Very tender, rare center with a nice crispy blackened skin on outside, lovely with the citrusy sweet ripe salsa. The apps were $12.50 each, the entrees about $23. 5. Banana Bread Pudding-- their signature dish, taste it and you'll understand why. Ours came with fresh berries and coconut ice cream. According to Mary Ann, one regular comes in and orders bread pudding as both his appetizer and again as his dessert! Perfect with the Kiona late harvest gewurtz I brought. We arrived at 8:30 on a Friday night of Penn's graduation weekend, and were seated immediately (there were 4 two-tops available). Our server was knowledgeable, polite, and the wine service was excellent (we brought a total of 3 bottles, used separate glasses, everything was chilled appropriately, etc). This was absolutely in the top 5 meals I've enjoyed in Philadelphia in the last 5 years. I think it'd be a real shame to be deterred from this restaurant by its no-reservation, and/or cash only policies, or the owners' desires to close on-time. (That couple works practically alone in their kitchen; IMO it's the owner's perogative once in awhile to close a little early, especially in the dead of winter--sure it's frustrating, but if it were me, at that later hour I would've dropped my partner off to secure a table prior to searching for parking in Old City, which is ALWAYS hard to park in, no fault due to Chloe. Menton, Would you have been equally pissed had you arrived to find out they'd closed for a vacation--given that you'd forgotten to call ahead? It's happened to me twice at Chloe; I still went back. Since we were going to end up going late last night, I called ahead and ask how late they'd be serving...)

Does this indicate a menu change (didn't know their old menu well 'nuff to say)?

The CA-focused menu and lovely (tho pricey) wine list posted on their website has me intrigued by Mendocino. Has anyone been lately? Reviews??? (It would be a rather expensive outing for me and Liam, I suspect, so I'd love to get some advance input)

I'm (Still) obsessed with that Rafanelli zin. I've since found it on the wine list at No 9 Park in Boston and Ocean Ave Seafood in Santa Monica. Any other sightings, I'd sure love to know ( tried to call David once but got a busy signal and gave up--I should try again, I know). I only own one bottle, thanks to a friend who visited the vineyard a year ago.