John W.

Chocolate + red wine = big migraine

I think I was quoted around $40 wholesale. Gonna be a tough sell.

That's the Hotel Monaco you're talking about, right? Poste is there too. I like Klimton hotels too. Kimpton. Monaco. Kimpton. Monaco. Repeat after me... I like Klingon Hotels, too. But that's another story, folks.

That's the Hotel Monaco you're talking about, right? Poste is there too. I like Klimton hotels too. Kimpton. Monaco. Kimpton. Monaco. Repeat after me...

That's the least of my worries. This is where we re-run the Pootato thread. We have pictures as well.

That's the least of my worries.

Rocks; All dialogue must be screened by myself or Slater for content. Somethings must remain in the family.

Savennieres, "Clos de la Coulee de Serrant, N. Joly, 1999 I admittedly don't know a lot about chenin blanc except that I really like it, and have semi-embarked on an educational quest to familiarize myself with it. This bottle was one of the highlights. Burying cow horns filled with manure aside, Mr. Joly got my attention. Almost absurdly golden in color, with aromas of caramelized honey, flowers, citrus, straw, crushed rock and baked apple. On the palate, more caramelized honey, lemonade and mineral notes blend seamlessly with wet straw and more apples on the extremely long and extremely crisp finish. It seemed to still be tightly wound, I would say 5 more years for this one. Still, one of the more memorable wines I've had recently.

I just got back from lunch at Komi on a (very) rare Wednesday off. Ate by myself, certainly enjoyed it. To start; the apple-cauliflower soup with pine nuts and micro basil amuse. To think one would receive an amuse in this neighborhood is unfathomable. But it is very gracious and very good. I kept thinking to myself the juxtapositon of the semi-formal amuse and Johnny (chef) wearing his John Deere hat was too funny. The wine list is small but reasonably priced with some cool stuff, like 4 Greek wines. For the record I had a glass of a Greek white (forgot already) and the 2001 Vinum mourvedre from Oakville for $49. Starter was crispy sardines with Swiss chard, raisins and pine nuts. I don't order sardines much, can barely eat them when they show up at a table. These where delicious, crispy, full of flavor and well complimented by the chard and raisins. A lemon/curry oil added a nice touch of fragrance and acidity. Worked well with the white, even better with the Mourvedre. Open faced lamb sandwich with arugula, yogurt and cucumbers with housemade pickles was the main course. A ton of sliced lamb was piled high on a brioche crouton, drizzled with cucumber yogurt and garnished with arugula. This appealed to my (pardon the reference) Arby's beef-n-cheddar and gyro addictions, and was quite tasty. But by no means the compare the three. Dessert was easy. If there are about four choices, and one of them is a plum and bay leaf soup with yogurt sherbet (or the like), you have to go with that. Different and tasty. Like the space. Like the staff. Like the menu that has an edge. I'll be back.

Right. Monmarte. Thanks for the reminder that I need to get over there. And soon.

Get out your wallet and go to Charlie Palmer Steak. Not cheap, but the quality is certainly worth the price.

nominee, most useful and enticing thread, 2003

I too went last week. I really like the new room. Warm and inviting, kind of sleek and modern looking. Had the veal cheeks with grits, crabcakes, and the veal cheeks with grits. The wine list there is pretty exciting. Lots of rieslings, a dozen or more gruners, all pretty reasonably priced. We drank a St. Laurent (red from Austria) and a nebbiolo/barbera blend from CA that they sold for under 30 beans. I was impressed, look forward to having a full meal there soon.

Don't forget about MC Michel Verdot, rolling strong on the mic... Anyway, I hope the Komi people do well, what I saw last week was enticing. Just hope they open for lunch, and I'll be there every Monday. That I can promise.

Nah. It only has the distinction of being the place that I frequent the most. Well, maybe the baby/screaming incident. I am merely lamenting the fact that there ain't a damn thing to eat in my neighborhood, except for Dupont Italian Kitchen, but I'm not so sure I'd be welcome there.

Ain't a damn thing here. Had hopes for Logan Tavern but shutting for lunch is not good for me. It seems eating anything in this corridor needs to be immediately followed by vast quantities of booze (for antiseptic purposes folks) at ye olde Fox and Hounds. Help me obi-wan komi...You are my only hope. If not, I'll just have to make the BDC trudge. Again.

Never went to Vivo. Always wanted to, but never made it. I'm going to watch this place closely, as it's right around the corner from me. Went with a large group of people on opening night. Had already eaten, so I just had drinks. Food looked good, and I didn't hear any negative comments, so I'll take that as a positive. Hopefully they'll open for lunch, so I don't have to make the BDC trek for Monday lunch. Space is attractive, staff is friendly, I think it'll be a nice addition to my hood.

Welcome smayman. The food was good enough two weeks ago at lunch for me to go back, but being closed for lunch after a month or so of opening is troubling. It takes a while to grow business, especially at lunch, and I think a decent business could come of it. I'd like to know how they do at night.

So funny. So true.

I tried to go to lunch there on Monday, they are now shut from Monday through Thursday for lunch. I was pissed!!! Now I have to trudge all the way to Bistrot du Coin.

Quite a nice time it was. I really like the space and overall feel. Service is where it needs to be, I made a comment about wine temps in an earlier post and they went out and bought some temp. controlled storage. That is some serious customer service right there. Marky, you forgot about the slab o' foie gras! Agreed. Congrats on a great new space.

Went for lunch yesterday. Same menu all day, some interesting comfort food choices, ie fried chicken with onion gravy and mashed potatoes, lots of sandwiches. I had a bowl of super-rustic textured tomato soup with shrimp, and a grilled bacon, tomato and cheese sandwich. Hit the spot in the rain yesterday. My lunch with a Speckled Red Hen beer was $20. Everything was good, but across the board could have used more seasoning. Prices are pretty reasonable, wine list (for what it is) is pretty well selected, with nothing over $37. Service was friendly but still a little new. I'll go back, especially as the weather gets colder and the need for grilled cheese sandwiches increase. As for your dinner club, it seems like it would be a fun choice. Cannot confirm/deny reservation policy.

It seats up to 16, we generally will accept large parties either early or late. For discussion's sake, we have to break up something that large into two tables, as it really buries us.

Copyright © 2003, Al Dente's guide to the all-time worst pick-up lines. Nominee, funniest thing I have ever read, 2003

Ask Tom. He's the only one that knows. I think I kind of like the stars. I was looking at a few other places on the wash. post website not included in the guide, no stars as of yet. Tom, if you're lurking, do you have plans to annoint stars to all previously reviewed places?