Wow! I'm not familiar with tickets- It looks like you buy and pay for the meal whether you show up or not? I don't think I want to risk it coming from out of town, nor did I realize the fare would be upwards $300/p! I saved up two years to get to Komi in DC (totally worth it) but given just a few months away, my "splurge" will be more in the $75-100/p. That said, Boka, Sable, and the Bayless restaurants look good - Boka's menu is intreaging, and well, we just like Bayless. We won't have dressy clothes with us. So, sorry to have to scale back. Any new thoughts, or are the places suggested above good to go? I'll make reservations in next week or so, and promise I'll follow up! Thanks for your advice - 'hounders rarely disappoint!

OK, got a serious cook at home, so tend to like an experience a home cook would generally not be able to re-create. We typically cook American/French/Italian. That being said, if there is a can't miss French restaurant, let us know. Love tasting menus. Big tapas fans.

Twin Cities foodie coming to Chicago in April. Looking for a recommendation at a place we can secure a reservation for a Friday night. Like food more than the scene or name. Willing to splurge. Suggestions, Chicago?

MSP hounder dropping off nephew at CIA. Stopped for dumplings at the Palace, and they were some of the best I've had stateside. Clearly handmade. Tried beef, chicken, and pork - some steamed, some fried- ALL good. Can't wait until the next time I visit him!

Thanks folks! We ended up at Wit and Wisdom late at night and running in from the rain. The folks took the four of us homely wet dogs and gave us dessert in the bar. They were reluctant at first, but we pulled the "chowhounds sent us here" and even though we were an unseemly group, they took us in and made it worth the trip. The rhubarb dessert and dark chocolate/peanut butter were to DIE for. And being from MSP the rhubarb dessert needs to be of top quality. The other two dishes (multitudinous layers of too much for me to remember and hazelnut hoo-ha which I didn't taste due to nuts) pleased the others in the group. Once again, though - props to the place for taking street urchins like us and doing it up right!

Fellow hounder from MSP will meet my sister (from DC) in Baltimore. She has both a sweet tooth and deep pockets. Staying downtown. Dessert need not be in the same place as dinner.

Went there tonight. Best food for the money hands down. Desserts the only iffy (tasting menu). Squash soup, beet salad, short ribs, duck; felt for a moment I was back at Komi in DC, until the bill came. My half was $41 before tip. ( 2 glasses wine.) C'mon. Will be back as often as I can.

CITADELLE, CITADELLE, I mean Citadelle gin! Sorry!

Yesi,
I think the name of the place was En Busca del tiempo. It was on barcelona no 4 right by Puerto de la Sol. I wrote down the name of a dish we had there: Huevos Rotos con morcilla that was very very good. We noticed the bartender making the drink mentioned above (quite a production) at the table next to us. They were locals. When we requested the same, he did not seem as enthused to make it for us. Nonetheless he did, and it was VERY good. Hope you find it and enjoy!

While in Madrid, we had the most lovely gin and tonic which was quite the production. The drink began with the waiter "muddling" lemons, then pouring the gin over the backside of a spoon, culminating with an inverted partially open bottle of tonic. Just lovely. Is there an official name for this drink? I would like to reproduce it here back in the states. Gracias!

Thanks everyone. We'll do the wine pairing and use any leftover $$ to try some of the places you've mentioned. Looking forward to the feeding frenzy.

Looking for a reliable place to buy morels this spring. Whole Foods has been hit or miss. Any suggestions?

Half-pours have never been in our language, but the advice to pair is well taken. Thanks!

Actually, the budget is $600, and I can raise it a bit. . . (A BIT) if the situation warrants. Also, will be staying with relatives (Lorton, VA area) and eating "at home" for as many meals as warranted. :)

I've been a Chowhound's voyeur for sometime now. I've learned a lot about food and finding good food, so thanks. We'll be travelling to DC mid June, and while we were trying to get reservations for minibar and/or Komi, I was informed today by minibar that they would be closing. So I must say it is a relief, because it was very stressful trying to get a reservation. We DID secure a reservation for Komi, and I'm really excited. My question for you gurus: should we wine pair or not? We are wine lovers of all kinds, but I must admit we are not well-learned. I don't know a wine menu well enough to feel like I can make an informed decision if I don't recognize any names. I know the wines I LIKE to drink and would be willing to pay a corkage fee, but don't know how they would pair with the food I DON'T know I'm eating. So what are your suggestions? Finally, we'll be blowing a big wad-0-dough at Komi, but suppose we have $100-200 left for our ENTIRE 4-day visit. Would you suggest VOLT for lunch, or checking out many of the cheaper food suggestions mentioned on the board. We live in the midwest, so want to make the most of our visit.

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Komi
1509 17th St NW Ste 1, Washington, DC 20036