Help!! Looking for an inexpensive place to have a Sunday Brunch Wedding in DC….wishful thinking??

for a cocktail reception try the Washington catering Co & Elizabeth's on L St. They are located in a lovely townhouse on L St right downtown (1300 block NW if I remember correctly) and the venue is free if she is your caterer. Elizabeth did our wedding (at Meridian House) and she worked within a tight budget and we had fantastic food.

florwoman in Washington DC & Baltimore Area

2 days in Sonoma - planning advice sought

Just need to report that we had an extraordinary meal at Barndiva last night. Hubby had pork tenderloin wrapped in bacon w/morels, which sounds over the top (and perhaps is) but beautifully pairs the smoky bacon flavor with the subtle tenderloin. Then load it up with morels - wow. I had the ribeye - sliced with gorgeous fava bens, onions, tiny potatos, peppers -- to die for. We drank a gorgeous Rusina Zin with it. Never want to leave.

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Barndiva
231 Center St, Healdsburg, CA 95448

florwoman in San Francisco Bay Area

Jaded California food snob seeks like-minded fusspots to recommend good DC restaurants

At the expense of repeating some good advice from others, here are some greta places in DC. Yes, many are expensive - it's just how things are in DC, and I can't comment much on the suburbs.
Kinkaid's - wonderful seafood, expensive but gret special event restaurant;

Blacksalt - we eat at the bar a lot and it's always marvelous (also a great place to buy seafood);

Siroc - a favorite Itialian(ish) restaurant downtown. The chef makes everything fresh incl bread and gelato and is truly amazing. Moderate prices by DC standards. He also has opened Vento on P st, which isn't quite as good.

Haandi - extremely flavorful Indian in Bethesda;

Rasika - echoing others

Johnny's Half Shell - at the foot of Capitol Hill - best crabcakes in the city

Et Volia - great mussels, amazing gravlax, and authentic rude service in the Palisades;

Bistro Du Coin - echoing others;

Komi - start saving your pennies now for a worthwhile experience;

Restaurant Nora - still great after all these years;

Centrale - reliable Michel Richard but always a wait.

Palena - ditto other positive comments

I won't gush over Restaurant Eve like others do -- I've only eaten in the tasting room, and while it was good we found it a bit frou frou for us. Perhaps the regualr dining room would have been abetter fit for us, but haven't been back.

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Restaurant Eve
110 South Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

Palena
3529 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

Rasika Restaurant
633 D Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004

Restaurant Nora
2132 Florida Ave., N.W, Washington, DC 20008

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

Johnny's Half Shell
400 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC 20001

Haandi
1222 W Broad St, Falls Church, VA 22046

Siroc Restaurant
915 15th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005

florwoman in Washington DC & Baltimore Area

2 days in Sonoma - planning advice sought

Thanks very much - can't wait!

florwoman in San Francisco Bay Area

2 days in Sonoma - planning advice sought

OK - Barndiva is reserved and Ridge is added (as it happens I had a bottle of the 3 Valleys Zin at dinner last night and was reminded how good their wine is). Thanks, all.

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Barndiva
231 Center St, Healdsburg, CA 95448

florwoman in San Francisco Bay Area

2 days in Sonoma - planning advice sought

Thanks - will check all these out. But seriously, how can I add Ridge unless we lop something else off? I'm inclines to skip LaCrema unless I hear it's a great experience, but I know my hubby will not want to hit 10 wineries in 2 days (and it's even a lot for me).

florwoman in San Francisco Bay Area

2 days in Sonoma - planning advice sought

oh, and after reading some recent posts, adding Barndiva as another option.

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Barndiva
231 Center St, Healdsburg, CA 95448

florwoman in San Francisco Bay Area

2 days in Sonoma - planning advice sought

We are planning a two-day getaway to Sonoma and have a few things locked in but are looking for advice on restaurants and "must-visit" wineries.

Day 1 - we will drive up and have a 2:30 appointment at Merry Edwards (the last time I went there the office was in her garage!). Thinking of lunch at either Underwood or Willow Wood beforehand.

We then head to Healdsburg, where we are staying at the H2Hotel. We got their "Path to Pinot package, which includes dinner at Dry Creek Kitchen, a $50 certificate for lunch or dinner at Bovolo, and complimentary "enhanced" tastings at: Davis Family, Longboard, Thumbprint Cellars, and La Crema.

We are waitlisted for a tasting at Rafanelli (they may not have tastings that week), and are also considering Preston, Limerick Lane, Garry Farrell, and Quivira.

I think it's too ambitious and would love advice on which to visit and which to skip (I love free tastings but will trade better for free).

Also, need to decide where to eat on our second night. We are considering Zin or Baci - can't get into Cyrus - and would love to stick close by so we can indulge and walk back to the hotel.

Thanks very much.

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Bovolo
106 Matheson St, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Dry Creek Kitchen
317 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Limerick Lane
1023 Limerick Lane, Healdsburg, CA

Baci
336 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, CA 95448

florwoman in San Francisco Bay Area

Help! Affordable cooking class/workshop in Florence or Venice?

I second In Tavola -- I just took 3 days of classes with them; 1 group market tour and cooking class, and a 2-day beginning pastry course, which was one-on-one and fabulous!!! We are still in Florence and had to have a dinner party and then take the rest of the cakes and pastries to my husbands's writing program because I made so much (and due to good instruction it was all really good).

florwoman in Italy

Looking for a Cooking Class In Florence Italy

I just spent 3 days with InTavola -- 2 days of 1-on-1 pastry class with the wonderful Roberto, and 1 day of a market tour and class where we made a meal including pasta with veggies, classic Florentine meatballs, bruscetta and panne cotta. I think it would be fun for a group with kids and a lot less money than Judy Witts. They offer a variety of options (I would ask if Roberto is teaching -- he's fun and a great teacher. InTavola.org -- the staff person who handles email is Lisa -- be sure to ask her specific questions. Have fun!!

florwoman in Italy

2 weeksin Florence

We are finding some great places but are overwhelmed by the number of loud, poorly behaved Americans and are desperate to find some "undiscovered" gems that cater to locals. Help! So far we have been fortunate to find La Bottega Del Buon Caffe, owned by a talented young chef and his brother. It's a bit out of the way on Via antonio pacinotti, but worth the walk or bus.

florwoman in Italy

2 weeksin Florence

We went to Sostanza last night and it lived up to all we have heard. we shared the steak, chicken, fresh white beans in olive oil and a green salad. It was hot, noisy and the service was fantastic. Thanks for the great recommendation.

florwoman in Italy

2 weeksin Florence

We will be living in Florence from 25 June - 9 July while my husband/partner-in-chow takes a course, and I need to come up with a range of places for dinner. We can't afford Cibreo every night, so I'm looking for a range of places, some casual, some nicer. Our only thing is that he simply won't wait for a table, so no reservations and gets a line is probably not going to work for us. We plan to head out of town one night to Chercina to visit I Ricchi (we know the son who has restaurants here in DC), and will likely do a day trip to Siena and/or San Gimignano, but otherwise are looking for restaurants in town. Oh, we will be staying in the historic center near the Accademia. Thanks

florwoman in Italy

Multi-day cooking class in Florence

Thanks, I will check them out. Have you taken classes with them?

florwoman in Italy

Multi-day cooking class in Florence

I will be in Florence for 2 weeks and want to take a multi-day cooking class (preferably spread out over the period). I have found lots of 1 day courses, plus a school called InTavola, which got one good review on these boards more than 2 years ago.
I've checked SlowTravel w/o success. Anyone have good suggestions? Also --I can't afford to spend $1,000 or more -- i'm looking for something more in the range of $5-600.
Thanks.

florwoman in Italy

Non-Chain restaurants in Woodland Hills

Hi: I am spending a week in Woodland Hills and am desperate to find some good local places to eat, and I don't mean PF Changs. Some restaurants with good food, a decent wine list, doesn't have to be fancy but a place that a foodie will be happy. Ethnic food is good too, but I am looking to stay pretty local for at least a few nights. Thanks

florwoman in Los Angeles Area

New Restaurant Review- Siroc = Wonderful

I just want to second this review. Siroc is fantastic and the best new addition to the DC restaurant scene. Go back and try the osso buco and the chocolate tart -- they are both divine!

florwoman in Washington DC & Baltimore Area

Great new find on McPherson Square

Right before the inauguration when it was impossible to get in anywhere, my friends made a reservationa at a brand new place called "Siroc." It's in the space previously occupied by gerard's Place and it is a gem. Italian but not really what up'd expect. Grilled meats and a few pastas and really interesting salads. One friend had the best Ossobuco I've ever tasted, and I tried some gnocci that have forever changed what I used consider heavy little potato balls. These were light and simply delicious. It's a small place and, for now anyway, pretty quiet -- close to a bunch of hotels and K St. If you are bold I am told the rabbit sausage is great (I just can't eat thumper...).

florwoman in Washington DC & Baltimore Area

Friend on a "raw cleansing regime"

You are right! I thought finding a good salad place would be a cinch, but it's just not! As for ceviche -- she's not normally a vegan, but I think is not currently eating any fish.

florwoman in Washington DC & Baltimore Area

Friend on a "raw cleansing regime"

Several friends are getting together for dinner this weekend in DC/Bethesda/Silver Spring area and one is currently on a raw food cleansing regime. She says salads are fine. The rest of us are omnivores and really care about good food and wine, so we can't just go to some O' Salad Mio type place. Help, please....

florwoman in Washington DC & Baltimore Area

CA Coast Trip Restaurants

Great tips, thanks -- here's a question though -- we are eloping in Big Sur and not staying at the Post Ranch or Ventana -- where should we eat that night? Is Big Sur Bakery nice enough for a post-nuptial feast or do we need to go to Cielo or Sireea Mar

florwoman in California

First LA Visit...Mexican?

Bringing my boyfriend for his first visit to my hometown. He, of course wants Mexican (we live on the east coast and it's mainly bad), but I have no idea what's good anymore. We're staying on the Westside. Open to non-Mexican suggestions too for a first night ever in LA.

florwoman in Los Angeles Area