Damian

Just bought them. Have been looking for some new stems - this was too good to pass up.

Ann may want to join too, Suvir. Not sure what that does to the numbers. Edit: Actually, I am sure. It adds one.

Congratulations - it must be a relief to have finished, but also a bit sad to have your "child" in someone else's care for a while. I have every confidence that it will turn out to be something excellent.

I would follow Suvir to Yankee Stadium since he knows the way like the back of his hand. I would also happily follow him anywhere that has anything whatever to do with food and fun, including this current proposed jaunt.

Syrah, and it is a wonderful dish. Hard to go wrong at Daniel, the two times I've gone I've had dishes that simply struck me dumb with pleasure. Next time I'd be tempted by their seasonal offferings I think.

Steve, Thanks for the report. My experience tallies with yours on the Delmonico at City Hall, mine was cooked to order - med-rare (maybe I ordered their default cooking style!), but was undistinguished in flavor and rather dry. Too bad, because I was looking at the steaks aging in the window near the kitchen and was really looking forward to a good one. However, I found the raw bar to be quite good and am tempted to go back for an oyster fry after your post. I think I'd go back for some fried oysters and a burger for lunch, maybe this weekend. I liked the room, we had a corner booth, and sat next to each other - and that always makes me happy. I liked the photographs and actually thought it felt very New York (but I'm a transplant, what do I know).

Rochelle, If I haven't told you lately, you rule with an iron fist! Thanks for the continued posts - just great.

kskis! So glad you enjoyed and many, many congratulations and warm wishes! Glad to hear that you liked Waterlemon and Lameshur for snorkelling. I agree that the beach at Cinnamon Bay (or little Cinnamon) is spectacular (hard not to find a spectacular beach on St. John, really). I also enjoy the hike out to Ram Head and the incredible view that is its reward. Sounds like I should stop off in St. Thomas next time before moving on to St. John and the BVI. Thanks for the report!

Have not seen any moped or motorcycle rentals on St. John, I doubt they exist - mopeds would be hard pressed to make it up some of those hills, and I've never seen a motorcycle there that I can remember. Mini-SUVs are where it seems to be at. Incidentally, just got back from my week on the Eastern Shore of Maryland -great crabs this time of year - spent much of the week getting around on a pair of mopeds, can certainly appreciate the appeal - especially there where things are flatter than flat!

Not too expensive to rent a mini-SUV on St.John and you will want 4wd due to steep hills, even on paved roads. Not sure what the car ferry would cost, or the logistics, but suzuki samurais rent for about $45 per day (less by the week for interested others reading) and can take you over almost the entire island.

Thanks as ever. Always an engrossing read!

Sounds like you are staying on St. Thomas - sorry I can't offer more insights on that island, we usually fly in and then make a beeline for Red Hook to catch the ferry to St. John. I don't know of anything special to do on Norman Island - doesn't mean there isn't anything just that someone else might be better source. I'm sure you're charter captain will know of some good snorkeling spots, so I wouldn't worry about that so much. There are some caves which are interesting formations (might be just off Tortola, Norman Island, I can't recall) not sure if they are worth a special detour, but can be fun for a snorkel if you happen to be near by - again your charter captain will know about them. Jost is a funky little island, there isn't much to the little town except for Foxy's. Foxy's might actually get some decent nighlife, they've been known to have live reggae bands on occasion, in any event it is a very cool place to wind down from a day of snorkeling, and the food is half-decent. There is also the Soggy Dollar Bar, so named because you have to swim ashore to get there and they pin your currency up on a clothesline when you use it to let it dry. They are famous for the "painkiller" oft-imitated, seldom equalled. It is a much quieter place than Foxy's (you can't get from one to the other by land) and is attached to a small hotel. In general, the only "must-do" in the BVI is to completely and utterly relax and get into the flow of a very quiet tropical life - this is not something you can really do on a day trip, but a week there will make St. Thomas seem like Chicago, and San Juan like New York. I am starting to get jealous - if it wasn't for an impending week of relaxtion on the Chesapeake Bay, I'd be at wit's end. I truly love that part of the world.

Can't help much with St. T, but on St. John, for fine dining the options are limited...this is a very, very casual place after all. I've probably been to St. John 10-12 times, and I'll give you my favorites. Seafood is generally the way to go (except for a snack at the barbecue shack in the center of Cruz Bay). Asolare - As close to a "destination" restaurant as exists on St. John, high above Cruz Bay - go at sunset for beautiful views and good, often Japanese-inspired seafood preparations. Reserve, pricey. Equator - This is the Caneel Bay Resort's restaurant and it is lovely, the food is well prepared, and it is resort-pricey. Another sunset favorite is to have drinks down by the water and then walk up to Equinox - you do not need to be a guest to enjoy. Reserve I enjoy Morgan's Mango and the Lime Inn in Cruz Bay. Very relaxed West Indian seafooders with all the tropical drinks you can think of. Great atmosphere at both places. Reservations not necessary, but a good idea Have been to Zoso's and enjoyed - Italian, mostly pasta and fish, stylish place and not as laid back as the Mango or the Lime Inn. People enjoy Sogo's for West Indian fare, I've not been so can't comment. Skip Paradiso and I have never been impressed by the Fish Trap. Outside Cruz Bay on the way towards the Wyndham there is a gourmet store in a mini strip mall on the right - good for prepared foods, etc. to take to the beach. Out on the island there isn't much except for Lucy's near Coral Bay - people laud it for authentic Caribbean cooking, but I've never been. The owner/chef (Lucy) is somewhat mercurial and it is not always predictable when she will feel like being open. There is also Chateau Bordeaux on the Centerline Road which gets high marks - again, I've never been to this one-but probably worth some investigation. For casual places & nightlife. (Realize that nightlife is not the name of the game in St. John, no nightclubs or anything close, and most bars close relatively early 12:30 or so, I've found). Coral Bay - Shipwreck Landing and Skinny Legs are fun places to while away some time (lunch - casual dinner). There is also a little snack shack way out past Coral Bay where there are great conch fritters and the like. Cruz Bay - Quiet Man Pub is a personal fave as is the bar at the Mango and Lime Inn. Woody's is good for frozen drinks & will put your picture on the 'net if you like that sort of thing. I've seen pretty people hngning out inside Zoso at the bar. There is one nightclub-type place come to think of it right in the middle of town not far from the ferry dock - can't remember the name, but loud music is the giveaway. Off the beaten path - my favorite snorkeling spots are Waterlemon Key (Need to go slightly off-road and then walk for about 1/2 mile). I also like Salt Pond Bay (off-path beach) and the hike out to Ram Head (fairly strenuous, but beautiful destination). Good snorkeling in Little Lameshur Bay also - can be hard to get to. On the path - Trunk Bay and Cinnamon Bay are stunningly beautiful beaches even though can get a bit crowded. On the road from Cruz Bay to Trunk Bay there is a set of stairs leading down on the left a little while before Trunk Bay (I forget the name of this little beach, but it is usually quieter, and there is an interesting trench to snorkel). We usually do at least one day of day sailing over to the BVI and stop to snorkel along the way. Foxy's and the Soggy Dollar Bar are fun spots. The Baths on Virgin Gorda are pretty spectacular, but a bit far and can be crowded on occasion. Anyway, if you have more specific questions - I am happy to tell you whatever I know.

Hmm... we just had our second this year and did it at Daniel. Foie gras with apricot for the second? Oh yes. It's all downhill after that anyway, right? Kidding (gulp) I hope. Edit: In re-reading this post, I did not intend to imply that we "did it" at Daniel for our anniversary. We just went there for dinner. I swear.

Happy.

Thanks Innocent! I actually enjoyed the basil cake, I found it to be innovative and loved the mint sorbet that came with (If I recall right). You're right, those biscuits and scones were definite highlights. Too bad the service was such a letdown.

Thanks yet again. Sounds like things are going swimmingly for you, I'm glad.

My experience with service at Compass is that was unpolished and uneven but eager to please - I am willing to overlook a lot given the right attitude. It sounds like that attitude was not present at your meal and could not serve as the saving grace for the utter ineptitude you experienced. Was the champagne complimentary because the waiter noticed your displeasure or was it something you had ordered? Do tell about the food if you have time.

I'll tackle the lunch question: Cheap lunch near 13th and I- Havana Breeze (next door to DC Coast at 14th and K). Decent traditional cuban/latin favorites - decidedly lowbrow, but one of my favorite lunches when I worked near there. Also good for a cheap lunch - southern Indian food counter at the Old Post Office Pavilion's food court (Penn and 11th, maybe, you can't miss it). Eat on the balcony overlooking downstairs or outside. Again, decidedly lowbrow but quick and tasty. Jaleo is good for a quick tapas lunch (go a bit early or reserve) a bit far at 7th and D, but you can hop metro red line one stop to Gallery Place and walk down 7th. Have an overpriced hotel salad (not particularly good food) and a drink on the roof of Hotel Washington (15th and Penn.) for the view - if its not too hot. Museum lunches are fun in Washington. Lunch by the fountain in the National Gallery's West Wing is a favorite (not the big cafeteria with the waterfall). Closer to you is the Museum for Women in the Arts at New York and 13th, I believe. (don't pay the admission fee, just tell them you are going to lunch). Old Ebbitt has a nice room, but unspectacular food - it's kind of a Washington institution for burgers and such (excellent raw bar actually). The Occidental Grill is better but pricier, another classic Washington lunch spot (seafood special is usually good especially if Rockfish, softshells or crabcakes). 15th and Penn. (willard Hotel) I second the opinions of Malawry and Liza thus far (never been to Melrose) and I'm sure Klc will weigh in shortly.

Having bartended at various points in my life, I've yet to meet anyone who can tell premium vodka from rail vodka in a bloody mary. Vodka tonic maybe. Martini - surely, surely. In fact, if you order a bloody (or other vodka drink with heavily flavored mixers for that matter) and request premium stuff, don't be so sure you're getting it. It is a not uncommon practice to put rail liquor in such drinks even when premium is requested- sure helps on inventory day.

After becoming New York's number one baseball fan, Suvir, can a mayoral candidacy really be that far behind?

Thanks for another outstanding write-up Southern-G. It's been great reading about your NYC food odyssey.

Damn, shared a bottle of Jaboulet Crozes-Hermitage 1999 this evening. Didn't memorize as well as I thought - skip this one...boring. Bright fruit, but not much else happening. Even for a young wine, this lacked any sense of fun. Not cheap either at $25 at Beacon Liquors.

Excellent thread. Thank you one and all. Wish I could contribute more, but my experience is quite limited. I have had the 1999 Domaine Vieux Telegraphe and really enjoyed, and the Rasteaus are very accessible wines. Now I'll have to try some of these recommendations and report back.

Echo to the above...even if I don't always reply, rest assured that I am avidly reading, thoroughly enjoying, and eagerly awaiting.