Advice sought: parents coming to town

[JennyUptown]

I may see what kind of availability Firefly has for that night. Yes, we've already been, but when a place is that good (as well as pleasing to my parents), it doesn't matter.

[littlechinagirl]

Took my parents to Colorado Kitchen for an early Sat. dinner (following a full day of wedding planning and battling crowds at the new museum). They LOVED it. So much so that my upon leaving my Dad rushed to the kitchen to tell Gillian Clark that she "has a good thing going here" and my mom gave her a thumbs up.

Parents....

[The Doctor]

OK. Discussions have been had and decisions have been made.

I'd definitely like to hit Old Ebbitt, Palena, Ray's, and Colorado Kitchen (the last will be jettisoned if we decide to eat in one night).

Now the logistics.

Does Colorado Kitchen still serve dinner on Sundays, according to their phone message? It sounded like it hadn't been updated since Mother's Day. And do they take reservations?

And Ray's is open Sunday night, but not Monday, correct? Think it's too late to get reservations for next weekend? I'll be calling this afternoon.

And Palena is closed Sunday, but open Monday, right? I seem to recall from the main egullet thread it was a popular night for members. I doubt we'll actually go Monday, but can we still be guaranteed the full experience if we do?

Thanks much, this thread has been very helpful to me. I'm going to hold off any any seafood establishments this time because it seems my parent would be content with the option of whatever seafood might be on the menu at other places.

[JennyUptown]

weekend? I'll be calling this afternoon.

And Palena is closed Sunday, but open Monday, right? I seem to recall from the main egullet thread it was a popular night for members. I doubt we'll actually go Monday, but can we still be guaranteed the full experience if we do?

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Yes and yes.

[Gary Tanigawa]

And Ray's is open Sunday night, but not Monday, correct? Think it's too late to get reservations for next weekend? I'll be calling this afternoon.

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Correct, Sunday hours are shorter: 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM. It might be too late for next weekend, but call and see what Michael can do. Say eGullet sent you

[The Doctor]

Correct, Sunday hours are shorter: 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM. It might be too late for next weekend, but call and see what Michael can do. Say eGullet sent you 

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Well, I got Friday night at 6 o'clock! How about that! I didn't mention eGullet, but I think I may need to! I think there is a big red asterix next to my reservation -- I spoke to a fellow name Dan (I think? or Dave?) and when he said they had openings on Friday, I also asked about Sunday, but then figured Friday was better anyway and said I'd like to take one of the Friday times.

Oh well. I was just nervous!! I figured we should probably eat the gluttonous and pricy meal first before we run out of energy and money.

[The Doctor]

OK! Today starts the weekend! Ray's tonight at 6, then hopefully the front room at Palena tomorrow night. If we can handle any kind of dinner out sunday, it'll be Colorado Kitchen, but I'm thinking it might be a take-out night, possibly Rockland's or the Italian Store or something. We'll hit Old Ebbitt on Monday to round out the weekend on the way to the airport.

Jenny, what did you decide for your parents?

[mnebergall]

OK! Today starts the weekend! Ray's tonight at 6, then hopefully the front room at Palena tomorrow night. If we can handle any kind of dinner out sunday, it'll be Colorado Kitchen, but I'm thinking it might be a take-out night, possibly Rockland's or the Italian Store or something. We'll hit Old Ebbitt on Monday to round out the weekend on the way to the airport.

Jenny, what did you decide for your parents?

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When at Ray's the Steaks, you should try the blackened scallops as an appetizer. They're great (I must sound like Tony the Tiger).

[JennyUptown]

Jenny, what did you decide for your parents?

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Nothing daring. These are MY parents after all. I decided that it was more important for them to be comfortable and happy, than to be culinarily adventurous this time around.

[DCatty]

As a resident of Penn Quarter, I took my parents to Jaleo quite some time ago. I never would have guessed, but my very-not-adventurous father (mid-60s) was immediately addicted. He loves the food, to the extent that he makes me take him every time he's in town. I was recently able to drag him out long enough to go to Zaytinya, which he also now loves. I post just to say, "you never know...they may surprise you"...so forcing them to think a little outside the box may be fun. (My plan for next time is to go absolutely crazy -- and try to force Cafe Atlantico on him!)

[Al_Dente]

As a resident of Penn Quarter, I took my parents to Jaleo quite some time ago.  I never would have guessed, but my very-not-adventurous father (mid-60s) was immediately addicted.  He loves the food, to the extent that he makes me take him every time he's in town.  I was recently able to drag him out long enough to go to Zaytinya, which he also now loves.  I post just to say, "you never know...they may surprise you"...so forcing them to think a little outside the box may be fun.  (My plan for next time is to go absolutely crazy -- and try to force Cafe Atlantico on him!)

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That's good to hear! Welcome to eGullet.

[mnebergall]

As a resident of Penn Quarter, I took my parents to Jaleo quite some time ago.  I never would have guessed, but my very-not-adventurous father (mid-60s) was immediately addicted.  He loves the food, to the extent that he makes me take him every time he's in town.  I was recently able to drag him out long enough to go to Zaytinya, which he also now loves.  I post just to say, "you never know...they may surprise you"...so forcing them to think a little outside the box may be fun.  (My plan for next time is to go absolutely crazy -- and try to force Cafe Atlantico on him!)

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Welcome to eGullet DCatty. Glad to have you aboard.

[Mrs. P]

With my Chilean in-laws in town, meat is the theme. We'll be grilling at home tonight, and we got a spot at Ray's for tomorrow night (YES!!!). Sunday we're hoping it is a nice day to visit Cantler's in Annapolis. Hopefully we'll also make it to the Palena bar this weekend. If not, we'll be holding out for a 40th Anniversary (for them) and 2 year anniversary (for us) celebration dinner at Charlie Palmer's on Tuesday. Should be a fabulous set of treats!

[The Doctor]

Nothing daring. These are MY parents after all. I decided that it was more important for them to be comfortable and happy, than to be culinarily adventurous this time around.

Well, what counts as nothing daring? You can tell me, I'm "the doctor!"

After Michael's mentioning them in his chat thread, the scallops at Ray's will be heavily considered. Plus there's the soups, and the pie, and I hope we have room for it all. I am trying to find a way to tell the parents about the little nuances of Ray's that won't turn into a half-hour briefing session.

[eunny jang]

Nothing daring.  These are MY parents after all.  I decided that it was more important for them to be comfortable and happy, than to be culinarily adventurous this time around.

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Now you're just being coy. Spill...

[JennyUptown]

Now you're just being coy.  Spill...

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If only that were it! Honestly, I feel like I get enough grief for my own picky eating characteristics (that I'm working to shed, one by one, but at my own pace DAMN IT!!!) that if I tell anyone how truly food-freaked my family is, I'd end up even more on the defensive.

That said, we're going to Al Tiramisu on Saturday night for my pre-birthday dinner (more Libra action here). Nothing new or groundbreaking there, but it will make my family very, very happy.

[Al_Dente]

If only that were it!  Honestly, I feel like I get enough grief for my own picky eating characteristics (that I'm working to shed, one by one, but at my own pace DAMN IT!!!) that if I tell anyone how truly food-freaked my family is, I'd end up even more on the defensive.

That said, we're going to Al Tiramisu on Saturday night for my pre-birthday dinner (more Libra action here).  Nothing new or groundbreaking there, but it will make my family very, very happy.

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Ruby Tuesday?

[JennyUptown]

No, but we'll probably go to a [localish] chain for lunch: Paolo's in Georgetown. We had a nice lunch there a few months back - soup, salad, half-order of pasta, etc. and with the glass front doors open on a sunny day, it's perfectly pleasant.

[The Doctor]

Well, thought I'd put in a brief note to say all was a success this weekend. I'll make comments about the individual restaurants in their proper threads.

Friday night it was Ray's and Saturday night, Palena. We left both places by 8 o'clock and neither was even half full. Maybe it was the holiday weekend. Ray's was definitely the biggest hit. We had an early dinner/late lunch at Old Ebbitt on Sunday, and Matchbox for lunch on Monday. Oh, and Sunday also found us sampling the custard at the Del Ray Dreamery.

The highlights: My father stating that Ray's not only lived up to its reputation, but exceeded it. And at Palena, I think my mother finally learned, via the chicken, that you can trust first class chefs to make virtually anything taste good (she was a little nervous based on the description of the spices used).