LGLnDC's Profile
Post-elopement party
Sonoma on the Hill would be a good carry-over of the Napa theme. They have private event info on their website (http://www.sonomadc.com/private.html). It looks like $3000 would be doable for the lounge. The space is really nice and their wine selection is fantastic.
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Sonoma Restaurant
223 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20003
Restaurant suggestions near DC Courthouse on Indiana Ave?
I was going to suggest 701, but after seeing the replies, I second Rasika or Cafe Atlantico. TenPenh would be a good choice. Getting a group of 15 into any of these places next week may be a challenge. Also, I wouldn't exactly describe them as having "a variety of food choices for all tastes."
I haven't tried Art & Soul, but have heard good things about it. It's pretty close and, I think, it has outdoor seating.
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Cafe Atlantico
405 8th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004
Rasika Restaurant
633 D Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004
Art & Soul
225 Pennsylvania Ave SE # 1, Washington, DC
Lunch on Saturday near the National Mall last weekend of March
I live near the Archives/Penn Quarter Metro, so I'm thinking of that Mall-adjacent location. If you're looking for something really close to the Mall and Metro, I second Teaism or Jaleo. Oyamel is also good (http://www.oyamel.com/) and only a couple of blocks from the Mall.
If you head up toward the Hill, I would also second Good Stuff Eatery (it's a little bit closer to the Capitol South Metro than Eastern Market).
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Teaism
2009 R St NW, Washington, DC 20009
Good Stuff Eatery
303 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC
Cocktails Invented in the DC Area
The Gin Rickey was invented in DC.
http://www.theatlantic.com/food/archive/2009/07/summers-signature-cocktail/21438/
Rasika without Reservations
I live above Rasika and go there often. I usually make a reservation, but have never had a problem getting a table reasonably fast when I just show up...especially if I'm willing to sit in the lounge. The wait for a table there shouldn't be that bad. I agree with DanielK--Proof and Zaytinya won't be any better.
PALAK CHAAT -Rasika's "crispy spinach app."
I don't know anything about the recipe, but do know that the spinach is flash fried in a deep fryer--just like French fries. I saw it being prepared on "WETA's Guide to Fine Dining" on WETA Creates yesterday. The entire episode is online at
http://www.weta.org/tv/local/wetaguide/finedining
Bread to make a muffuletta-where to find
Oh, I tried that. I e-mailed Sysco and asked them where they distribute Leidenheimer bread in the Baltimore area. I got no reply. I get pretty fixated on stuff like this. Luckily I had a friend that went to NoLa this week. He picked up the olive salad at Central. I might have had a stroke otherwise.
I agree with everyone else. I think ciabatta is the closest I'm going to get. It'll be delicious, even if not exactly the same. I work close to Eastern Market. Considering the weather forecast for this weekend, that might be the most logical source.
Bread to make a muffuletta-where to find
I found the name of the bakery in Del Ray--Gold Crust Baking Co. Anyone familiar with them? I've only been there once, but got foccacia that made very good paninis. I've heard they also have good ciabatta. I think I'll get a couple of both. I'll try to let go of my need for them to be round.
Bread to make a muffuletta-where to find
I was thinking about making it myself, but I don't have enough confidence in my skills as a baker to try to make 4 loaves. I think monkeyrotica's suggestions are good ones. I know of a bakery in Del Ray (can't remember the name) that makes really good foccacia that isn't too oily. I think that's the closest thing I'm going to find. Although, it's rectangular and that just doesn't seem right.
Bread to make a muffuletta-where to find
I'm making muffulettas for a Super Bowl party. A friend brought me jars of olive salad from Central Grocery in New Orleans, I'm getting the meats & cheeses from Litteri, but now my problem is the bread. I don't know of any place in the Metro area that makes a close approximation to the bread you find in NoLa. I'm familiar with the bread at Firehook, Marvelous Market, and Best Buns, but it isn't quite right. Anyone know of anything? I know I'm not going to find anything that's exactly right, but a firm, 10" round loaf, with thick soft crust would do.
