[A Chat with Gillian Clark]

thanks for your time. Quick question: I see you will have a liqour license-will you allow corkage? Would you be interested in working with wine groups to plan a menu around the wines they bring similar to what some other venues around town?

One final question: who will plan your wine menu and will you invest in quality restaurant stemware to complement the wines you choose? thanks again

[SoBe Wine and Food]

Hi, Washington DC egulleter sure could use restaurant recs for Lincoln Road/SoBe area. Is little Havana worth the trip? Stone crabs besides Joes? Good, fairly priced wine lists a big plus for this wino couple. Thanks

[Cognac XO Quality continues to decline]

Decourtet makes a nice VSOP ($25) and XO ($45). A local retailer is offering Tiffin XO for $20-a great value. I agree that Remy XO is not of true XO quality-you are paying for the name

[Restaurants in Silver Spring?]

we had Thai Derm takeout last night and thought it quite tasty. We're meeting some friends at Sergio's tomorrow night-always a good meal and some laughs with Sergio himself. Valet parking on a cold night is nice feature as well.

[Lavandou Restaurant]

I've been to a couple of wino dinners there and my family had a lovely Christmas Eve dinner after the Cathedral service. We brought in two bottles of wine and were charged a reasonable $15 corkage per bottle . For those on the idine club it participates Sunday-Thursday at 20% off the total check

[Picholine]

Admin: Archived discussion on Picholine, covering the year 2002, can be found here.

Any thoughts on Picholine?

[Gulf Coast and Blues Trail]

We're spending a Sunday night in Perdido Key next month and need restaurant recs. Help Please on places open Sunday evening.

TIA

[David Greggory]

We're thinking of trying it this Friday. Has anyone been recently? The Post review was lukewarm

[Matchbox]

How the wine list-price, quality, thoughtful selection? do they allow corkage?

[Restaurants in Silver Spring?]

Sergios in the Hilton-right up the street from the AFI is a great place. Sergio himself will make sure you enjoy his Italian cuisine. Ask him to recommend a grappa. Prices are moderate. I usually stick to the house wine.

[Lewes/Rehoboth Dining]

several restaurants in RB-ex. Cloud 9 $5 per bottle-allow corkage but bring your own stemware.

[Restaurants Allowing Corkage in DC DelMarVa]

It's really up to the restaurant in DC, no matter what they tell you. Bistro Francais and La Chaumiere are $15 which is my limit for corkage. The Caucus Room is the most wine friendly place I've been to. They've waived corkage whenever I've gone and their stemware is excellent. Best advice, call ahead and ask. Be a good corker and offer wine to the staff, tip well, and maybe order a bottle off the list as well AND don't bring anything cheap (why bother?).

Jay