Fynnicki

I have a simple answer as to why I don't always complain about less-than-desirable service: because it feels like work. If the service is absolutely terrible, I will almost always ask to speak to a manager. Certain things always warrant a complaint, at least to my server - being brought the wrong food/drink, being charged for items I didn't order, being served food that is cooked badly (i.e., still frozen in the middle when it's supposed to be a hot dish), having to wait an inordinate amount of time to get service. However, if the service is so-so - just not quite paced the way I'd like, a little too hovering, the wrong degree of formality for the restaurant - it seems like a lot of work to complain, especially if my goal was to have a relaxing meal out. I often second-guess myself into thinking that my complaints are probably subjective, based on my personal service preferences rather than any real errors. I don't really view it as my job to critique/advise the restaurant on more subtle points of service. Also, whether or not I complain depends on the type of restaurant, and whether it is the kind of place that I want to return to (service issues aside). If I find myself at a casual chain restaurant because that's where some friends wanted to go or because I need to grab a quick meal when out doing errands and there isn't anything else around, I'm not very likely to complain about mediocre service. If I try a new restaurant and the food itself isn't worth a second look, I don't really see a need to complain aside from glaring errors. However, if I really want to like a restaurant because the food is fabulous (but some service issues are getting in the way), I'll speak up because I'll want to restaurant to become a place I can love all the way around. All in all, I suppose it depends upon whether I think the complaint will pay off (and I don't mean a free meal or other comped items - the best reward for a complaint, IMO, is an improved dining experience for myself and any other future diners).

That's too bad...I really like Ella's. It's one of the few places I can dash out to for a quick lunch without a reservation and still get good food. They've always seemed busy when I've been there (which admittedly has only been around the standard lunch hour on weekdays).

Of the cities I've visited and lived in or near, I'd have to say Tokyo has the most interesting food offerings. I lived in Japan after college, working as an English teacher for a year, and Tokyo was absolute food heaven for me. From the enormous food markets in the lower levels of the department stores, to the cheap noodle and tempura cafes at the train stations, to the great variety of cuisines available (I had some of the best Cajun, Italian and Indian meals of my life there), to the expensive and exotic high-end restaurants I could barely afford to sneak a glance of through a window, Tokyo seemed to have the best of everything. Of course, I was young then (19-20 during the year I was there), and hadn't had a chance to experience much high-end dining in my life, so perhaps I'd feel differently now. I just can't think of any other place I've visited that has such a variety of excellent food options.

I am floored by people who cut the crusts off of their bread. Now, I'm not talking about people who purposefully make delicate tea sandwiches, but those who, when eating a sandwich or bread and butter, cut off anything browned around the edges. Why????? I am floored by people who claim they don't like sweets - then grab Twinkies and cheap drugstore candy at every opportunity. But, oh, no, they'll always refuse dessert. I am floored by people who will only eat out at fast food restaurants - who would rather go through the drive-thru than sit down for a real meal, even when they have time.

Cranberry certainly sounds good...I love cranberry gingerale (especially during the holidays) so that isn't much of a stretch. Fruitcake also might be okay...it's hard to imagine the complex flavors of a good fruitcake being reduced to a liquid fizzy form (successfully), but I'm thinking of a pineapple-cherry concoction with a hint of spice. The others definitely do not belong in beverage form, though!

Well, I'm back - as you can see from the time, I didn't end up lingering too long, but I did have a great meal that should leave me refreshed and energized for the rest of my day. When I left the office I intended (based on the responses I'd received at the time) to check out Shelley's Back Room, which is only half a block from my office, but as soon as I stepped outside I realized I'd been cooped up all week and could stand a bit more of a walk. So I headed over to a place I've wanted to try for quite some time - Matchbox. Since the lunch rush had passed, I was seated immediately at a cozy high table on the third floor. At first the space seemed a bit crammed, but my table was perfectly comfortable. I decided to order the 3 mini burgers, with cheese (despite some mixed reviews on eGullet, I had to try them) and a small veggie pizza. The burgers came out on a large platter containing, much to my surprise, a HUGE pile of onion straws. I knew they came with onion straws, but I was expecting a sprinkling more than a mound! My burgers were excellent - slightly crisp on the outside, pink and juicy throughout the middle, with crisp, thick pickle slices and perfectly toasted buns. The buns held up well to the juicy burgers and pickles, soaking up the juices without getting soggy (a good thing, as I detest mushy bread). My only complaint would be that between the seasoned meat, tart pickles and slightly sweet rolls, the mozzarella was barely noticeable. Next time, I'll get my burgers without this unnecessary addition. The onion straws exhibited a delightful parmesan aroma, but it failed to materialize in the mouth. The straws, although crisp and appealing, were a bit more bland than I expected. Another dash or two of seasoning would have rendered them the perfect complement to the burgers. By the time my pizza arrived, I was already starting to get full - the burgers were much more filling than I expected, and if I'd known that a platter of three was almost a meal in itself, I probably would have stuck with a salad or second appetizer instead of ordering a pizza. Thankfully, the veggie pizza was very light, with a thin, crisp (but not dry) crust and a generous, but not overwhelming, amount of mushrooms, roasted red peppers and onions, topped by a thin layer of mozzarella. The sauce was a bit watery - it probably could have used a bit more simmering - but otherwise, this was an excellent rendition of a veggie pizza, reminding me of those my parents made when I was a child, with crust and sauce made from scratch and veggies fresh from the garden. The service was just the right tone for this type of casual restaurant - prompt without rushing, attentive without hovering, polite but not formal. As a bonus, I have pizza to nibble on during the evening when I'm working late. I'll definitely be back and look forward to trying more of the menu.

I have had an incredibly stressful week at work, and as such, my boss has granted me a few hours off this afternoon. I work around Metro Center and want to find a place I can linger for at least a couple hours, nibbling on some good food and destressing. I'm willing to walk up to the Dupont Circle area or some other such distance from Metro Center, but can't go too far. I'm planning on leaving around 2:00...and have to be back at work by 5:00 for a standing Friday responsibility. Any suggestions? I was thinking I might walk over to Ella's due to a pizza craving.

If you like turkey bacon, Whole Foods sells an excellent variety. I received a sample while shopping there the other day, and will definitely have to pick some up for Sunday breakfasts.

I tend to seek solace through food and cooking - but not immediately after an upsetting event. If I'm less than a few days removed from the event, I probably don't have much of an appetite, and this is one of the few times in my life when food seem empty and meaningless. If I have people around me to share my grief, disappointment, frustration, etc., I can usually be persuaded to enjoy food a bit sooner. Within a few days, whether alone in my emotions or not, I do seek out food as a source of comfort. Sometimes I will cook - usually something I can share with others, such as a large casserole or batch of cookies. If I'm not dealing well with being at home, and want to be pampered, I'll likely head to a restaurant for a favorite meal, something hearty and nourishing, nothing too exotic. My favorite comfort foods are matzo ball soup - homemade - and pasta dishes, either with a hearty bolognese sauce or a mushroom sauce. And homemade chocolate chip cookies, with plenty of walnuts, are the perfect finishing touch to a comforting meal.

From another petits fours lover, thanks for the suggestions! The best petits fours I've ever had were from Christopher Norman...ordered last year from Dean & Deluca as a holiday treat. Sadly, I can't find them anywhere this year. I did just order some for myself from Divine Delights - all their varieties sound delicious.

Ah, Melrose! I've enjoyed a couple of their holiday buffets and appreciated the quality of both the buffet selections and the entrees. I can only assume that the Sunday brunch follows a similar format? Thanks for the suggestion - this is exactly the sort of atmosphere I'd like.

Tweaked - could I take my one-year-old to Indique? I've never been, but have wanted to try the place for quite some time. However, the atmosphere looks a bit elegant for a young child. She's not one to scream/cry much in public, but with a child that age you never know...so I'd prefer not to risk disturbing other diners unless the place is pretty lively and a few squeals would go unnoticed.

Thanks! I'd still be very appreciative of any suggestions for a Sunday brunch/lunch...the more luxurious, the better, so long as the quality of the food matches the price tag.

I'm planning a couple weekend days out and about in DC before the weather really starts to cool off, and this newbie foodie could use some meal planning assistance. Day #1 - probably a Saturday - will include my one-year-old daughter, so I'll obviously need to stick to places with a casual or lively atmosphere. I was thinking I'd hit Amernick for a breakfast pastry or two, then stroll all the way down Connecticut and have a light lunch at Teaism. After some museum-hopping, I'll probably head back to Cleveland Park and have dinner at Spices...unless someone could recommend an Indian restaurant where my daughter wouldn't be out of place. It's been a while since I've had a good Indian meal. Day #2 - probably a Sunday - solo day to include a brunch/early lunch and a relaxed, elegant dinner, with plenty of shopping in between. In theory, I like high-end hotel-style brunch buffets...but the ones I've had over the past year (Cafe Promenade at the Mayflower, Ritz-Carlton at Pentagon City) have proved a tad disappointing for the price. So, I could definitely use some suggestions here - places where I could linger over brunch/lunch for a couple hours without feeling awkward/rushed as a solo dinner. Then, I was thinking of trying the tasting menu at Equinox for dinner - I've had a few lunches there that I have enjoyed immensely, and a dinner of several courses seems like the perfect way to top off my day. Thanks for your help!

Good chocolate is my favorite indulgence...La Maison du Chocolat is my all-time favorite. I also love artisanal bread (especially a good walnut wheat) and cheddar. And brownies...I have to sneak off every now and then for an Amernick (a local bakery) brownie.

Thanks for the heads-up on the new fall menu! I work near Metro Center and Tosca is one of my favorite lunch spots. I'll be sure to come by sometime during the next few weeks.

I spent a year in Japan after college (teaching English), and had the opportunity to try horse during a vacation to Kyushu. All meals were provided on the tour; for one meal, we were given what looked to be thin slices of lean meat, plenty of veggies, and a small table-top pot to cook them in (if desired). Some people ate the meat raw, but as I wasn't a big fan of sashimi (tried it on several occasions, but could never acquire a fondness for the texture), I sauteed mine in the pot with the veggies. The meat was quite tasty and tender; I assumed it was beef! Later, when we stopped at a local shop, I realized the meat looked exactly like what was being sold as horse sashimi! I'm actually glad I didn't know what I was eating, or I might not have tried it. As it is, I don't think I'd go out of my way to eat it again, but I'm glad I had the opportunity to try it. And I certainly wouldn't balk at eating it if it were served to me, especially cooked.

Let's see...that depends on what qualifies as "eating out." I probably grab breakfast about twice a week...just by grabbing a bagel or some other pastry and juice on my way to work. I try to bring food from home, but don't always have time. The same with lunches...I try to pack my own, but on occasion don't have time or don't have enough tasty leftovers sitting around. On those days, I'll grab takeout from one of the numerous lunch places around my office; my favorites are Dean & Deluca and the Breadline. This can happen anywhere from 0-5 times in a given week. Generally, the more hours I spend at work, the more breakfasts and lunches I eat out. I tend to eat most dinners at home. My husband does most of the weekday cooking, and usually has something ready for me when I get home from work (at about 7:30 or 8 most nights). We probably order takeout (usually pizza or Chinese, although sometimes we'll splurge on Takeout Taxi, a service that delivers from many area restaurants) once a week or so. We also try to get out for a restaurant date about once a week, although this can be either a lunch or dinner on weekends. Generally, I prefer to eat at home or bring food from home for meals at work - those meals are less expensive and more satisfying. But eating out (including takeout) is definitely a convenience, and I try to make those meals as tasty as possible as well.

Favorite easily available spicy snack: Spicy Hot Nuts (peanuts coated in extremely spicy seasonings), a messy and inelegant food. I can only eat a handful or two. Wasabi peas are tasty, too.

I'll concur with the other posters in this thread. I remember going several times as a child/teenager, a number of years ago - it was a popular place for my family to celebrate birthdays. The experience, as a whole, was delightful, but I didn't care for the food. At the time, I thought I was probably just a picky kid whose palate wasn't sophisticated enough to appreciate the food, but I've had much better food from that region since. I don't think Marrakesh would be my choice for dinner destinations these days - there are so many restaurants in DC that I prefer.

I enjoy the Carr's Biscuits for Cheese assortment, when accompanied by cheese or (gasp!) peanut butter. For snacking alone, I enjoy Wheat Thins...as well as Cheddar Goldfish, if those qualify as "crackers." Other favorites: Ak Mak, Stoned Wheat Thins, and the occasional Triscuit.