sextons

I still have tears in my eyes!! I'm printing his home page as I type to share with everyone I know! Thanks for sharing!!

Zola! Thank you! I knew there were better bars around that area than the Post website was giving me! The only bonus to it being a Monday night is that I'm feeling fairly hopeful that we won't have much trouble getting a reservation for a group our size. I could be proven wrong .... But the Monday night is definitely going to present a problem for after dinner entertainment. I have arranged a three bedroom cottage for everyone to crash in at our departure point so I suppose if all else fails we'll just head back there and continue the party.

So I'm turning 30 and I'm trying to plan a fun night out to DC with a group of friends. I have a pretty good idea of what I want to do but I've never been to any of the places I'm thinking of going so I would really appreciate any input. I'm looking at a Monday night in May (restaurant people - can't go do it on a Saturday) and probably around 10-15 people. Cocktails: Will probably eat downtown so I'm thinking of starting off with some cocktails at a nice bar - nice meaning fun drinks, fun atmosphere, no sports bars. Cost wise - just not as pricey as say Degrees at the Ritz Carlton. The best I've been able to come up with is Ortanique. Dinner: Thinking Zaytinyas. I've considered Cafe Atlantico as well. I remember reading some discussions though mentioning issues with groups at Zaytinyas so that's my only real concern. If anyone has a better suggestion - this is the price point I'm looking for and we just need a place that can handle the group size, has good food (of course), and where we can be a little lively (not loud or obnoxious - just 10 people celebrating a birthday lively). After Dinner Okay this one's a bit tougher for me and the fact that it's Monday night doesn't help. Ideally I would like to go dancing afterwards so I'm thinking H20. (I'm not too particular about the kind of music but I would like someplace where a group of late 20/30 year olds would feel comfortable and just have a good time. It's been a very long time since I've gone to any clubs in DC so I really have no clue where to start. Thanks in advance for any input!!

I like fast food too. Being raised in the 70s as a child who's favorite treat was McD's french fries - it's still comfort food to me. I definitely eat fast food once a week - though usually not more than that. When my husband (a chef) is working and I don't feel like cooking for myself (which is rare) - the drivethrough is my friend. I like Burger King's burgers (cheeseburger, extra pickles) - not the best burger in the world but tasty for the price. I love McD's fries - when the oil has been changed and they're hot. But those two items are really the only thing I will eat at either of those restaurants because of too many bad experiences (primarily food that's been under the heat lamp way too long). I agree that they've put too many items on their menu and should focus on what they do best - burgers and fries. The only places I really deviate from my singular menu item is Arby's, Popeyes and Sonic - I actually have had pretty good luck with different menu items at each of these restaurants.

Sunnyside also just opened a much larger shop in Sperryville (where Faith Mountain and the Emporium were housed for those who know the area). Apparently the selection at the Washington store has decreased some since the new store opened but nothing dramatic. Sunnyside is a great resource for organic farming. I really enjoy Goat Hill Farm (as I'm prone to buy from the smaller farms). It's a great place to visit if you are in the area (although you might want to call ahead for their hours). You can also check out Rucker farm who makes some of my favorite goat cheese.

I was disappointed in what I couldn't find as well (and I was also looking for good imported yogurt). The market and the wine are the best parts. I buy wine at cost through the restaurant I work in and was amazed at the low mark-up on their wine. My husband and I are off on Mondays so we made a trip up there last Monday. The staff said it was the quietest day there since they opened but there was still a decent crowd in the store. We'll definitely go back - more for the market than anything else.

I definitely think the brunch is worth it. There are about 10 entrees to choose from and they tend to average $13-$15. The plates are PACKED with food. Last time I was there I had the pan fried trout which came with cream cheese scrambled eggs, applewood bacon, potatoes, and homemade local plum coffee cake. There might have been something else on the plate too ...! There's always a fish or two, usually some time of eggs benedict, some kind of fruity pancake, chip beef & gravy ... I think it's a great brunch and a great destination for a Sunday drive. I would suggest making reservations - it can get pretty busy in there on Sundays. Hope this helps.

I regularly read Tom's chats but almost never post a question or comment. I do think it is a shame how ridiculously critical some of the posts have been lately - although it really isn't that surprising. There are many people out there who are just looking for something to complain about or as tedwin said - simply have unrealistic expectations. He has been handling them well though.

Looks like I'll be making a trip to Rehoboth . . . ! My mouth is already watering! Thank you!!

So good to hear they're still there! Definitely let me know if you find out more! As a matter of fact we were going to take a weekend in Baltimore soon but if Espuma's is still around we might have to go to Rehoboth instead . . . !

Is Espuma still open in Rehoboth?? My husband and I went there on our honeymoon and had the most wonderful dinner. I wanted to go back on our anniversary this past year but I couldn't find their number or their website . . . I would love to hear they're still there . . . !

A colleague and I just visited both Horton and Barboursville a couple of months ago. I also enjoy the Horton wines and you can taste all 38 of their wines for free . . . ! Definitely try their Dionysus. I'm not as big of a fan of the Barboursville wines except for their Phylleo (dessert wine) which I think is just yummy. The restaurant at Barboursville, Palladio, was a fabulous experience. It's a prix fixe menu with a minimum of two courses. For lunch two courses without wine was $25, with wine I believe was $35. Either way we spent $50 each after taxes and gratuity and it was well worth it. You might want to check on their hours though as I don't believe they're open on weekdays. Other favorite VA wineries: Pearmund (Linden), Piedmont (Middleburg), and Farfelu (Rappahannock). Don't forget 4&20 Blackbirds in Flint Hill if you're in that area. They're open for dinner and Sunday brunch and are another one of my favorite places. There's also The Rail Stop in The Plains. Unfortunately I'm not familiar with any Charlottesville restaurants. Oh - and for the waterfall - try the White Oak Canyon trail on Skyline Drive. The maps they hand out on the drive give you directions to reach the trail from the bottom of the mountain which I believe is an easier hike (because you hike up and then just walk down the mountain at the end of your day). There are seven waterfalls on the full hike (I believe close to 9 miles) - the most impressive of course being at the top of the mountain/Skyline Drive side. The ones on the way up the mountain are fun (the first doubles as a waterslide, the second a shower, and the fourth has a deep swim hole with a rope swing). Hope this helps! :)

Stopped in for dinner Friday night and of course the parking lot and the little restaurant were full. Two women offered to let my friend and I share the four-top they were seated at. The food was just as I remembered it though I'm disappointed to say I didn't get my basket of french fries. My own fault for not asking for them again but by that point I really didn't need anything else to eat. Nice knowing he's still there.

Ohhh - I'm happy it's reopened but it still seems sad. I'll have to get over there soon and show my support.

We've got the TV on in the office here. The winds in Virginia Beach are pretty bad and they are still expecting it to hit the DC area pretty hard . . . joy. I had pretty good luck with the crowds in the stores last night - lots of people and little on the shelves but everyone was pretty nice - all in the hurricane spirit. There wasn't a loaf of bread to be found ANYWHERE or any water in containers larger than 1/2 liter. Walmart was very entertaining: (overhead announcer in a very urgent voice) "We have D batteries! Repeat: We have D batteries! We have a truck getting ready to unload and hopefully there will be some flashlights on board." Five minutes later: "We have flashlights!! We have flashlights! Come to the front if you need flashlights!" And I couldn't help myself! I had to go get a flashlight!

Yeah, but you've got the Inn at Little Washington. You could eat there every night with Patrick O'Connell, et al. Four star food, and you'd only need a small second mortgage to pay the bill...well...maybe a medium sized second mortgage . I presume you have to go to Warrenton to do your supermarket shopping? I tried to circumvent buying water by buying empty plastic containers and filling them with water, but none to be found. Maybe I was looking in the wrong places. Good luck, anyway. THW You're right about the mortgage for the Inn! My hubby works at 4&20 though so if the power goes out then I imagine they'll be emptying out the walkins - although I don't know what good that will do me if I can't keep it cold myself . . . or heat it on my electric range . . . Good idea on the empty containers though - or the ziploc bags (yes I do go to Warrenton to shop). Thanks for the suggestion!

I live out in Rappahannock County for those of you who actually know where that is . . . If you do know then you also know that we don't have a grocery store in the county (country/general stores but no bigger). So I'll be braving the nearest Walmart and Giant tonight in search of bottled water . . . I'm scared. But I just got a 1/2 case of wine from the restaurant and have about a case of beer in the fridge so at least the necesseties are covered! Schools around here (Faquier, Loudoun, Prince William and Stafford) have already started closing for both tomorrow and Friday.

Sorry - should've been clearer: To narrow down our selection we were looking at an Italian or French restaurant - classic in the sense of the cuisine (we were initially trying to avoid fusion as we've had so much of that lately). I just had Nectar fax me a menu and have already picked out my entire meal should we decide to go there!

I would absolutely love to try Nectar. I've heard nothing but good reviews. I think my husband was looking for something a bit more classic, but I might just see if I can persuade him into trying Nectar . . . . I just read the review of Maestro and I soooo want to try it! Unfortunately I can see it being one of those places I would get carried away in and blow my budget! I will definitely keep it in mind for the future though. Thanks to everyone who has posted recommendations so far! I definitely feel assured receiving them from this group!

$150 isn't set in stone - I'd be willing to push $200. Figuring around $50 per person just for food.

Hope no one minds a repetitive topic - but I'd rather use the space here than take up more of Tom Sietsma's precious space on his Wednesday chat. Anyway, Virginia gal here being incredibly indecisive about where to go for an anniversary. Hubby and I are both in the industry, know the hot spots, and have been trying to expand our DC restaurant experience. While I'm a religious reader of Tom's chats I feel completely overwhelmed about where to go. Early October, Tuesday night, looking to spend $150 all inclusive. Won't drink more than 1 bottle of wine and maybe an after dinner drink because we have to drive home. So, I'm thinking I either want French or Italian (ashamed to admit it but I'm pretty inexperienced when it comes to good Italian food). Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Very sad indeed. I used to eat there fairly often but hadn't been there in a few years. I was wondering if it was still open. I've always raved about it - it was a dive of a place but had enough quirky charm (e.g., the chalkboard!), good food and a good beer selection to keep me going back. I had just been craving their fries recently . . . guess I missed my chance.

I second the Rucker Farm Goat Cheese - definitely worth a taste. Sunnyside also has a new market open in Sperryville - I haven't stopped in yet, but it looks great and I've heard good things. That's probably your best bet for tomatoes. While you're on your way to Rucker Farm, keep heading down the road to Farfelu - cute little winery with good wines. Farfelu and Rappahannock Cellars are definitely my top picks of wineries in the county. Skip Oasis unless you just want to see the views - the service is practically nonexistent and the wines aren't all that. Unicorn and Gray Ghost are also nice - decent wines, nice locations. Ummm . . . catch a sunset on the terrace at the Bleu Rock Inn if you can - fabulous views. And if you don't have dinner planned for one of your nights - try either the Public House or 4&20 in Flint Hill (like there are so many other options in the county - but I've also had good experiences at both. Enjoy!!