Ask Tom

Naked sushi and Mexican food

In a city loaded with diverse restaurants, from New American chic and upscale Italian to sandwich shops and burritos on the run, finding the best places to eat can be a real puzzle. Where's the best restaurant for a first date or an anniversary? Father's Day? What's the best burger joint? Who has the best service?

Ask Tom. Tom Sietsema , The Washington Post's food critic, is on hand Wednesdays at 11 a.m. ET to answer your questions, listen to your suggestions and even entertain your complaints about Washington dining. Sietsema, a veteran food writer, has sampled the wares and worked as a critic in Washington, Seattle, San Francisco and Milwaukee, and can talk restaurants with the best of 'em. You can access his Postcards from Tom to read his recommendations for other cities or read transcripts of previous "Ask Tom" chats . Tom's Sunday magazine reviews, as well as his "Ask Tom" column, are available early on the Web.

The transcript follows.

____________________

Washington, D.C.: Hi Tom-- Wanted to share a great experience we had last week at Notti Bianche. We went for a birthday, and had a wonderful experience from start to finish. The food was lovely (specifically, the scallops and the braised short rib mezzaluna). The service was professional, but friendly. The best part, though, was at the end, when the bill was presented along with a birthday card signed by each member of the staff. The effort put into this gesture meant more to us than any comped dessert.

Tom Sietsema: What a fun idea!

_______________________

Capital Hill, D.C.: Tom I need your help!! I have a friend visiting from France who used to live in California and is dying for good Mexican food. We would like to go some place in the district and place that is not to fancy. What would you recommend?

Thanks

Tom Sietsema: Truly "good" Mexican food doesn't exist in the city. Arlington is close, though, and there you have two choices: the cozy Guajillo and the more fanciful Oyamel.

Having just returned from several days of eating around in Oaxaca, Mexico -- my Postcard column runs this Sunday in Travel, by the way -- I can vouch for the menus at both places.

Good morning, all.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Are there any restaurants in the DC area that have "intimate dining"?

Tom Sietsema: What exactly are you looking for (and why do I sense that you're pulling my leg)?

_______________________

Tallahassee, Fl.: Hi Tom. I may have left DC, but I couldn't give up reading your chats!

My husband and I are regulars at a family-style Mexican restaurant. When I became pregnant, the staff was excited for us, and when I had the baby, we brought him in to meet the crew.

However, some of the other customers seem less than thrilled when we walk in with a baby (now 2 months) in tow. Now - if he cries, we leave right away, and we only go at slower times (late lunch, early dinner) - and this is a noisy, boisterous restaurant. Why the stares? My husband suggested that people are uncomfortable when I nurse at the table - but they can't know I'm going to do that when we walk in, and I truly do "cover up" as necessary to avoid any awkward boobie-sightings.

The manager of the restaurant has assured us we're welcome, with baby, anytime...but we don't want to lose him any customers either. What do you think? Grin and bear it? Only go on date night when we have a sitter?

Tom Sietsema: Personally, I love seeing well-behaved families in restaurants -- how else are children going to learn public manners? - and I appreciate parents who move quickly to stifle cries and stop "acting up."

If the owners welcomes you and you aren't disrupting other people, I say: enjoy dinner with the tribe.

_______________________

Birthday dilemma: darn you Sietsema!! as much as I love these chats, they have really made the decision making process much more difficult. I want to take my husband out for his b-day in dec. and can't decide between the tasting menu at Restaurant Eve or having him cook with Chef Luna at Oval Room. Both will be fantastic, i know, but I just can't decide if i should go the relaxing, gastronomical route or the "make him work for his supper" route. seeing as he loves good food and loves to cook, both would be highly enjoyable.

HELP! (also, it's our first big celebration as a married couple--so it's extra special!)

Tom Sietsema: Those are two very different experiences.

Personally, I'd opt for Restaurant Eve. Maybe chef Cathal Armstrong would be willing to talk a bit about how he prepared a dish or two, just to give your mate the sense of instruction you say he likes.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Hi Tome- We had the most bizarre experience last weekend- I wanted to get your take on it. Went to a popular restaurant discussed often in this chat. The food was good, the atmosphere was great, we all had a very good time. However, the male host was very obviously flirting with a male member of our party. He was there with his wife so I'm not sure what was going through the host's mind, but we all noticed it. Then after dinner, the host actually came up to us as we were walking out of the restaurant and put his arm around our male companion and asked him how his meal was!!! Needless to say, he was extremely embarrassed. What would you have done in this situation??

Tom Sietsema: "Sir, have you met my wife?"

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Tom,

I have to give you a heads up to try Vegetate by the new convention center. I'm not associated in any way except that I live about 6 blocks away. I love meat and all its incarnations, so I had minimal expectations for a vegetarian place. I couldn't believe how good the food was. I don't know where they found so many flavors... it was unreal. Particularly good were the sesame-crusted tofu, a sweet potato latke (sp?), and the sauteed greens (I think they were beet greens). Seriously good food, go before it gets too crowded.

Tom Sietsema: The Weekly Dish on Vegetate

_______________________

A card?: Who wants a card from a bunch of strangers on their birthday? I'll take a free dessert over a card any day.

Tom Sietsema: Aw, come on. I think it's a nice gesture. And think of the calories saved!

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Hello Tom:

I loved Wazuri, the afro Caribbean restaurant that used to be in Adams Morgan. Do you know if the owner, Kojo Davis is still in the area and is he still in the restaurant biz?

Tom Sietsema: The last I heard he was consulting at Zanzibar in SW DC, but I'm not sure if he's still there.

_______________________

Chantilly, Va.: Hi Tom,

You do a great job and I appreciate your restaurant reviews. Do you know of any restaurants that cater to diabetics? Since over 20 million people in the U.S. suffer from this (and it is growing), it would be nice if some restaurants at least labeled their menus for us. Thanks.

Tom Sietsema: Rock Creek in Bethesda lists calorie, fat, sodium and other counts on its contemporary American script. That's a start.

_______________________

The $9 Dog...: Good morning, Tom:

Based on your recommendation, my husband and I stopped into Cafe Creme for a quick dinner last night and had a very pleasant experience. The service was friendly - if a bit prone to excessive menu descriptions - the room was inviting, and the food was a fun approach to some classic favorites.

I am a bit curious, however, about your take on the Kobe beef hot dog. While it was quite flavorful - a clear step up from the Hebrew National variety - and served with a creative assortment of accompaniments, it did not rise to the level of Kobe beef we have previously enjoyed.

I am curious whether you have sampled this offering - and whether you think some exaggeration may have gone into the description...

Thanks for all you do!

Tom Sietsema: I have not had the hot dog there. But based on my experience with Kobe beef, in Washington and elsewhere, I'm beginning to think it is much ado about very little.

_______________________

Frederick, Md.: What radio stations are you on and when?

Tom Sietsema: WTOP on Thursdays and Saturdays (and just this Sunday, Nov. 20, on CBS Sunday Morning).

_______________________

Shaw, Washington, D.C.: I'll be out in Falls Church tonight - any dining recommendations?

Tom Sietsema: Cheap: Four Sisters for Vietnamese.

Luxe: 2941 for contemporary American.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Hey Tom, I heard a story this weekend I thought you'd get a kick out of. I went to Connecticut to visit my sister - her husband works as a waiter in a nice, upscale restaurant. While we were there, his manager told us a great story. Apparently, the weekend before, two couples had come in separately and unbeknownst to them, they both made reservations under their names. So one couple comes in, says "Smith, reservation for 4" and they're seated at one end of the restaurant. The other couple comes in and says, "Jones, reservation for 4" and gets seated at the other end of the restaurant. They sit there for 30 minutes without knowing the other couple is the restaurant until one person goes to the bathroom and discovers the other couple.

For whatever reason, they are furious with the restaurant for their mistake. After bitching out the manager, the woman said, "I expect you to buy us a round of drinks." To which the manager replied, "Well, I was going to buy you your dinner but if you just want drinks, that's fine with me" and turned and walked off before they could say anything else.

Tom Sietsema: If only we could all be so quick with a smart response at a moment of tension!

_______________________

Kobe Hot Dog??: Why on earth would you waste Kobe beef on a hot dog??

Tom Sietsema: You get no argument from me!

_______________________

Frederick, Md.: What are you doing for CBS Sunday Morning? TV? or Raido?

Tom Sietsema: CBS Sunday Morning is devoted an hour to food (and critics). I think Ruth Reichl is a part of the show, too.

_______________________

Ward 4, Washington, D.C.: How do you feel about Mixtec for Mexican food? That's where I would send the earlier poster for good but not fancy Mexican food.

Tom Sietsema: I think Mixtec has seen more delicious days.

_______________________

White Oak, Md.: Hi---I'm interested in trying some of the Silver Spring restaurants you've recently reviewed and wondered if there was a significant difference in the lunchtime experience versus the dinner experience. Are your reviews mostly based on dinners or lunches?

Tom Sietsema: I visit restaurants both for lunch and for dinner. If one meal is noticeably different, food- or service-wise, I'm apt to write about it.

_______________________

CBS Sunday Morning?: Will you be on TV???

Tom Sietsema: Yes. In a one-time-only disguise and in profile.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: What are you plans for the big feast day next week? Are you cooking?

Tom Sietsema: I've been invited to the beach, where my host asked me to help him cook. I said yes. We may or may not have turkey.

_______________________

Leesburg, Va.: Tom,

I enjoy reading all of your reviews and I have a question for you. I am a law student and my budget is not particularly large (as I primarily live off of educational loans), but I was wondering of good places where I could take dates in D.C. or the closer surroundings. I'd rather not go to chains, and I'd like a place with good ethnic food or general character, but where dinner won't break my pocketbook (say under $50 for two - not including tip or wine). Thanks!

Tom Sietsema: Cheap and fun: Afghan Grill in Woodley Park, Etete (Ethiopian) in Shaw, Kotobuki (sushi) in the Palisades, Nirvana (Indian vegetarian) on K St. NW and the Chi-cha Lounge (Andean "tapas") on U St. NW.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Tom --

I'm going to be dining at Acadiana soon for a friend's birthday. Looking over the menu, I'm concerned that there's nothing there for my wife, who has a very restricted diet -- essentially, she needs a very low-fat meal. Acadiana doesn't seem to hold many options for her. My question isn't so much about Acadiana, but any quality restaurant.

To what extent should a diner feel comfortable asking for exceptions to the menu? Really, I don't think Acadiana's a good fit for her needs (and preferences!) at all, but I do see that they offer a grilled yellowfin tuna at lunch. Can she order it for dinner? How do most restaurants feel about this?

Tom Sietsema: Diners with restricted diets should call ahead and ask a manager (or someone who knows the menu well) to outline what dishes are suitable. It just makes for a better experience for all concerned.

Do any restaurateurs care to weigh in on this subject?

_______________________

Arlington, Va.: The update reviews in last week's magazine were a great idea--hope to see more in the future. As it happens, I had already made a reservation at Vidalia before I read your (new) review. I was certainly not disappointed. I had only been there once since the remodeling a few years ago and thought the place had slipped somewhat. But I had one of the best meals I've ever had there on Saturday. The food, the service, the atmosphere are top notch. And if I were sticking around D.C. for Thanksgiving, I'd totally order a lemon chess pie to serve at home!

Tom Sietsema: Thanks. I intend to run updates of previously reviewed restaurants every five or six weeks from now on. I'm glad you like the idea.

_______________________

Washington, D.C. - the naked sushi place on the evening news last night: Tom -

I was over at my parents last night for dinner and suddenly my Dad started shouting from the den, "look, it's a naked sushi restaurant," and sure enough, there was a naked Asian girl with sushi all over her. (The restaurant owner made a point of saying that no sushi actually touched her body). I think it was on channel 4 but it was definitely the local news. Didn't catch the name or location of the place. Any clues?

Tom Sietsema: Wow, I missed that. Are you SURE the restaurant is a local one?

_______________________

DC scenester in Washington, D.C.: Tom, did you realize that you made the hot list in Capitol File magazine this month? I had no idea you maintained such a swanky social life!!

Tom Sietsema: I have not seen "the list," but yes, I hear I'm on it -- along with Condi and Bono. Does this mean I get a better table in a restaurant now?

_______________________

U Street, Washington, D.C.: Hey Tom, love the chats.

Heading to Colorado Kitchen on Sunday for brunch -- first visit (and very excited). Any recommendations for us?

Tom Sietsema: Order some donuts to tide you over til the entrees come!

_______________________

Alexandria, Va.: Tom -- in Old Town, I've tried (and loved) your two favorites, Restaurant Eve and Majestic Cafe. Could you give us a couple more places on or near King Street?

Tom Sietsema: The American-themed Vermilion is a looker, and mostly satisfying.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Hi, Tom,

You know, the last three restaurants I tried on your recommendation were losers: Buck's, Jackie's, and Oyamel. Buck's doesn't serve fair-sized portions for the money they're charging, and the service is insulting. Jackie's menu, cooking, and food presentation are flat-out pathetic. Serving sizes, both food and wine, are also a problem. And while the food at Oyamel is good, it's no better than good and from this chef we should expect better. Surely the cuisine of Mexico doesn't have to be as bland as what he's serving here.

When I looked up other diners' reviews on the Post's web site, I found that more of them agree with me than with you. Now, maybe it's a biased sample, but something's happening here. You either are being served different food than we are or you're willing to overlook a lot. If these are really among the top 50 restaurants in Washington, then we ought to move to Detroit or Pittsburgh.

Looking at your reviews, I do think you assign too much weight to a place's look and feel. These can make a difference, for sure, but most of us go to restaurants in order to eat better than we can cook at home. And when we pay $100 for disappointing food, I don't think that a green shag rug and the owner's "groovy clothes and short pink pigtails" really compensate.

Mind you, I've also gotten some very good recommendations from you and from these on-line chats. But, one lesson I take away is never to rely on your reviews without checking what real people's experiences are, and where they diverge, trust the people who are paying for their own meals, not you. What's your theory, though, about why you like (and stick with) places that disappoint your readers?

Tom Sietsema: Great questions. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to shed some light on a few points you raise.

First: I never wrote that the three restaurants you mention are "among the top 50" in Washington. (My dining guide this year featured places that fit an "in the mood" theme.)

Second: People choose restaurants for a number of reasons, not just for sustenance. Trust me, service and setting are really important to a lot of diners, sometimes more important priorities than what's on the plate. I base this statement on daily and voluminous feedback from readers. That said, I'll take good food in OK surroundings over OK food in a fabulous setting almost any day of the week.

Third: Whether you agree or disagree with my opinion of a place, you know who I am (my bio is online) and you know that I rarely weigh in on a place until after I've eaten there three or four times, which is more times than your casual diner.

While I might be recognized in a restaurant, I go to lengths to hide my identity and to get as normal a dining experience as possible. I pay a lot of attention to what's going on not just at my table, but all around me. And I make it a point to drop in on restaurants AFTER I review them to monitor their performance.

As far as reader reaction to my reviews on the Post's web site, you and I have no idea who these people are. Are they diners who want to strike out at a chef (or me) for some reason? Competitors? Publicists? A disgruntled former employee who wants to hurt a restaurant? Someone who eats out once a year, or 100 times a year? I simply do not trust anonymous posters, which is one reason I never allow a reader to gripe anonymously in my Ask Tom column that accompanies my weekly restaurant review in the Magazine.

Restaurants change from day to day and season to season. I don't expect your visits to mirror mine 100 percent of the time, though HOPEFULLY they are close to what I write. In the end, a review is a forecast based on experience and opinion.

_______________________

Wait a minute, Kobe: Tom,

Are you saying Kobe beef is wasted in a hot dog or Kobe beef is not worth the expense period ?

Tom Sietsema: Both. I think the whole Kobe thing is out of control.

_______________________

Annandale, Va.: Tom,

Could you pass along a note to all servers to please try and remember that they are there to enhance their diners' experience; not BE the experience? While having lunch with a group of friends my wife and I had not seen in a year, our server approached our table and immediately launched into the pre-written specials of the day. Once she realized a few of us needed to finish a sentence or two before we could pause to listed, she abruptly stopped, said "Oh. Ok." which did silence the group in a not-so-good way. While I know she had good intentions, she also continually interrupted our conversation with questions like "More Coke?"; "Straw?"; "Can I take that glass?"; "Is that Diet or Regular?", etc. Our group never fell into a good rhythm of conversation. However, once we needed the check, she was nowhere, and we found ourselves doing the wait-for-the-check small talk... for 10 minutes. Once we were finally paid up, we had to listen to her pitch about giving up our names, addresses and email for promotional purposes... all of which I did not want to do... all of which I declined the last time I dined there. Enough already, let me dine in peace.

Tom Sietsema: Wow, we must have dined in the same restaurant!

There's an art to "reading" a table. If only more servers knew how to do it.

_______________________

Clifton, Va.: Speaking of Ruth Reichl, I just finished reading her latest book. I liked it. But I had a little trouble sympathizing with her when she went to a restaurant as a rude character. Isn't some of the responsibility for a "good dining experience" placed with the diner? How much BS should an establishment and their staff be expected to put up with?

Tom Sietsema: I agree. Going out of one's way to be uncivil is wrong.

Like everyone else, waiters should be treated with respect. I can't believe what some of them have to put up with -- and admire, from a distance, those who manage to deliver good service anyway.

_______________________

Naked sushi: Kizoku Sushi in Chicago has made news with naked sushi.

http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/search/mmx-0511108-naked-sushi-chicago,1,3049328.story

Not sure if an DC place has jumped on that bandwagon. It's pretty creepy.

Tom Sietsema: Thanks for the link. I've seen such in movies, but not in real life.

_______________________

Pleading with you in Alexandria, Va.: Tom, I've sent in this question a few times but haven't gotten a response. I trust you over all other food reviewers! What do you know about the Bedford Inn in Bedford, New Hampshire, for fine dining? I am trying to plan a rehearsal dinner and your coverage is so much better than the Boston newspapers!!

Tom Sietsema: Sorry, I don't know the place (which is why you didn't hear from me).

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Would appreciate suggestions on a good (not necessarily great), mid-price range Thanksgiving day meal at a country inn (or other attractive rural setting) within about 2-hour drive of DC. Thanks.

Tom Sietsema: If the Inn at Easton, Aster in Middleburg or the newish Foti's in Culpeper are offering the feast this year, try one of them. All are special restaurants.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Tom,

Apologies in advance for the dated nature. Kuna, later Opera, later Kuna/Opera, despite its multiple personality crisis, was our neighborhood favorite. We enjoyed our first date there, dragged most of our friends and family to dine there, and seriously considered cutting out invitations to many of our family members for our rehearsal dinner, so that we could fit in that restaurant.

No sooner had I sent a coworker last summer did she call me to say, "we've walked up and down the street three times, Opera isn't here." To this day, we are still wondering why, and if they have opened (or intend to) something else.

I reread at least 6 of your chats from last summer, for I'm sure it was brought up at some point, but I'm still left wondering. Do you know what happened, and if we can find Mark and Keith somewhere else?

Tom Sietsema: Sorry, I don't have the inside scoop on that particular (and unexpected) closing. Maybe a chatter can shed some light?

_______________________

Long Beach, Calif.: In response to the small-eating couple who often got rather negligent service, I agree that eating at the bar (if there is one) is one solution. As an oft-times single diner, this is usually my choice even though I spend enough to (one hopes) get treated right at a table. But sometimes bars aren't suitable for eating and conversing, stools may be less than comfortable for those of us no longer as spry as we used to be, and I have noticed that people who don't order alcohol sometimes don't get the five star treatment at the bar either. One approach is to cultivate a few places where you'll be a regular or at least someone who's recognized as having been in before, though that doesn't address the problem of trying new places. Perhaps, rather than "challenging" the server (horrific images crossed my mind when I read that one), you could enlist his/her sympathy--"we're trying this place for the first time and though we're not going to be eating big tonight we'd love to become regulars, ...."

Tom Sietsema: I like your approach!

To get the best service, I always advise people to cultivate relationships with restaurants: go frequently, be respectful, learn the names of staff, introduce your pals to the place, etc.

_______________________

Bristow, Va.: My ten year old daughter and I have created a yearly tradition of eating dinner in an upscale but accessible restaurant so that she may practice her very best manners. Last year we ate at Marcel's and loved it however, we are interested in trying someplace new. We are looking for a restaurant that serves American or Italian cuisine. Can you suggest a restaurant in the DC/Northern Virginia area? Thanks!

Tom Sietsema: I think 1789 in Georgetown would be fun for the two of you. The venerable restaurant is formal but friendly -- the servers wear ties, and male diners are required to have jackets on -- and your daughter should really experience Ris Lacoste's American cooking before the chef bids adieu to the place (after Dec. 31).

_______________________

Bethesda, Md.: Tom, My wife and I are going to enjoy our second "date" since our son was born five months ago. We were thinking about going to Komi. Is there any new restaurant along the same quality and ambiance we should try. We just don't get out like we used to.

Thanks

Tom Sietsema: Komi is very good (and very loud at prime time, fyi). Have you been to Notti Bianche, near the Kennedy Center? I like the food there a lot.

_______________________

Rockville, Md.: Tom, what's your philosophy on rating chains (PF Chiang, On the Border, etc) Though they may not be gastronomic heavens, they are reasonably priced and accommodating to families (and predictable). But what about the quality??

Thanks for answering

Tom Sietsema: I've reviewed chains in the past and I tend to judge them on the basis of what they're promising and what they deliver, just as I do all the restaurants I write about in the Magazine. Some chain restaurants, like those in the Great American Restaurant empire, really excel.

_______________________

Silver Spring, Md.: Looking for the update on the ever-postponed opening of Ray's Classic! Wasn't the original date supposed to be something like April '05? I hope Mr. Landrum isn't regretting his decision to do business in Montgomery County!

Tom Sietsema: You must have missed my recent update in the Magazine. The owner of Ray's is now shooting for a January sailing date.

_______________________

Washington, D.C. : Tom,

The card signed by the staff reminds of a great experience I had on my 21st birthday while eating at Emeril's in New Orleans. My then-boyfriend (now-husband) presented me with a really thoughtful gift which I opened at the table. There was a large table sitting next to us and they thought it was sweet, so they sent over a bottle of Veuve Clicquot (pretty nice treat for two undergrads!) with their birthday wishes. Come to find out it was the McIlhenny family (Tabasco) and the waiter alerted Emeril, who came out with a restaurant supply size bottle of Tabasco which he and the family signed as a "birthday card" to me. Needless to say, it was a great birthday even though I had to go home and write a 20 page Spanish paper that night.

Tom Sietsema: That's a lovely story. Talk about southern hospitality!

_______________________

Oh Tom, they're so hard on you!: This isn't really a question, but a comment: hey, if folks don't like your reviews, then they should (1) not read the reviews and (2) if they do happen to read the reviews, ignore them and make an independent decision about whether to visit a restaurant. It seems that the earlier hostile poster just needs to find something/someone to complain about. I think you do a great job and you're quite fair in what you say. Keep up the good work!

Tom Sietsema: Ah, thanks. Fortunately, the ravers outnumber the ranters. I certainly don't expect everyone to agree with me all the time, but I DO hope people see me as serious (about my work), fair and accurate (when it comes to the details).

It's easier than ever for people to rail against "the critics", what with all the online food sites and such. It helps to keep things in perspective. I'm a big boy with (pretty) thick skin after all these years of writing.

_______________________

re: Kuna: I was actually at Kuna/Opera for dinner on one of it's last evenings (although I wasn't aware of it at the time)...that night, Keith told the diners that they were going on vacation. Next time I walked by I saw that the chairs were gone and wondered if they had gone on vacation too.

Tom Sietsema: Hmmmmm.

_______________________

Alexandria, Va.: For King Street recommendations, what about Bistro Lafayette ?

Tom Sietsema: It's pleasant.

_______________________

Rockville, Md.: Good morning, Tom.

This might sound a little nitpicking, but I'm female, as was my guest for dinner. Often I dine out with my teenage daughter. It is a peeve of mine that the server often addresses us as guys, as in, "Have you guys decided on your dinner?" I'm not sure if this is a form of familiarity, but I think "ladies" is more appropriate. Is there some way to not be called a guy?

Tom Sietsema: Next time that happens, look around, put on a quizzical face and ask: "Are you talking to us? Because we're ladies, not men."

_______________________

Rockville, Md.: This might sound a bit quirky, but did you ever think about rating hospital cafeterias? I happen to know one of them served up the best homemade soup at cheapo prices.

This is not a joke. I'm curious!

Tom Sietsema: Fortunately, I've not had that much experience with hospital food. But ... do tell!

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: The other difficulty for small eaters eating at the bar is cigarette smoke. It spoils a meal quite thoroughly for me - and anyway, I'm pregnant and shouldn't be exposed to it too long for that reason, too. (The pregnancy also stops me from ordering alcohol, which as was said before, may also result in less-than-stellar service.)

I hope DC goes non-smoking in bars and clubs soon. And for those who whine about it, well, it's easier for you to hold off on smoking for an hour or so, or take it outside, than it is for me to hold off on breathing. And if one of us has to be inconvenienced by your habit (and one of us does - if you smoke in bars and clubs, I can't go there), shouldn't it be the person who freely chose the habit in the first place, not the innocent bystander?

Tom Sietsema: You raise some excellent points. Thanks for chiming in.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Tom: HELP!

I'm taking my partner out for his birthday this Saturday. He's thinking the Prime Rib. His favorite place used to be the Jockey Club. What do you think of the Prime Rib these days? Anything like the Jockey experience around D.C. now?

Thanks

Tom Sietsema: The Prime Rib is great -- if you're a regular. But mere mortals tend to be treated less than swell, and there are better steaks to be had in town.

_______________________

Naked Sushi, Chicago: The story on the news last night about the naked woman and sushi was for a restaurant in Chicago. I can't remember the name, but I was there a week ago and they ran the same story on the news. It costs about $500 and lasts around 1 1/2 hours.

Tom Sietsema: That sounds less like dinner and more like a (fill in the blank).

_______________________

Capital Grille: I'm driven or walked by the Capital Grille for 6 years and never particularly wanted to dine there due to it's "Men's Club" look. I've noticed your constant lauding of it lately, though, and when my parents came to town I thought we'd give it a shot. Wow! We were very impressed and happy! My father is a Texan/Californian... he knows both steak and wine, and this restaurant made him giddy! My kona crusted steak was the best I've ever eaten, and the service was top-notch. Though it was extremely expensive, this restaurant is now on my list for special occasions. Thank you for the recommendation!

Tom Sietsema: You're welcome!

_______________________

Ballston, Va.: Tom,

I am making a stew that calls for red wine, what kind of red wine should I buy for cooking?

Tom Sietsema: Well, it all depends on the stew -- is it French? Italian? Mediterranean? -- and your personal preferences. Bottom line: your choice of wine should be good enough for you to drink by itself.

_______________________

Alexandria, Va.: Another thought on people who disagree with your reviews. Complaining is hardly the solution, especially given that a review is an OPINION. It seems to me that the solution is that if you know you disagree with a particular reviewer a lot of the time, then you could continue to read the reviews and invert the ratings for your own purposes.

(No offense, of course! Just an idea for those folks.)

Tom Sietsema: Hey, it makes sense to me!

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Looking for a restaurant with a view,I like Hotel Washington during the summer, any new restaurants in DC for the winter?

Tom Sietsema: I'm partial to the glass-enclosed rooftop deck at Bistro Tabaq on U St. NW, which offers a view of some of the monuments.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: My daughter would like to celebrate her 18th birthday by going to a cool, contemporary restaurant with a small group of friends. Looking for a place that's not too casual with teenage friendly menu. What do you recommend? Thank you!

Tom Sietsema: Try the new Zengo near the MCI Center, with its bold colors and Latin-Asian menu, or the obvious fallback fun spot: the nearby Zaytinya, popular for its small plates of Mediterranean flavors.

_______________________

Washington, D.C.: Unusual recommendations: My friends and I just recently dined at 2941 or is it 2491 in Falls Church ? Which by the way was simply a great experience. Food and service were good. The wine list is eclectic, to say the least, which brings me to this comment. We picked a wine the sommelier deterred us away from because she only had one bottle left or something and it was $75. The wow effect, she actually suggested a different wine and it was St. Michelle something or other from Washington State and because the sommelier raved about it, and because we are a bunch of knuckle heads we went along with her plan which ended up being a huge hit at the table, we all enjoyed it so much. Ready for the Sticker Shock, what we were more impressed and more surprised to find out was the price, thinking she was going to suggest something more expensive to us, it was actually cheaper than the one we had originally picked, this was $55. Does this happen often?

Tom Sietsema: Really good sommeliers know that few things endear them more to customers than suggesting a wine that is below the price of what the customers were considering. I've witnessed that thoughtful practice at a handful of restaurants -- including the four-star Maestro in McLean.

_______________________

Craving Steak: Tom,

I moved to Baltimore in August and really miss being able to use your chats as often as in the past. I am writing because my girlfriend lives in DC. Because we are both in grad school, we have not been out to dinner together in a long time. We are looking for a good steak house that is priced for two grad students. We are going to a bday party at Local 16 on Saturday night, so we would like a place near there, though if you think a restaurant not in that area would be good we are all for it. Just preferably in DC. I have tried Rays in the past and loved it. I was wondering if you thought Annie's would be a good fit. Thanks.

Tom Sietsema: Considering all your requirements -- it has to be steak in the city and it has to be inexpensive -- I'm inclined to point you in the direction of Les Halles on Pennsylvania Ave. or Bistro du Coin in Dupont Circle, both of which serve hanger steak, if memory serves me right.

_______________________

Springfield, Va.: Dear Tom, submitting early... my boyfriend and I are meeting at Dupont Metro and are looking for a good place to eat. He's never had Ethiopian or Indian. Any recommendations for either that are a 15 minute or so walk from Dupont?

Tom Sietsema: For Indian, your best and closest bet is Heritage India on Connecticut Ave., so long as you sidestep the silly "tapas."

_______________________

Alexandria, Va.: Tom-

I'm one of the ravers- I really enjoy your column and appreciate that you write about more than just the food at a particular place. After I've read many of your reviews, I'm as familiar with the restaurant as if I'd eaten there myself.

One question- are you planning on visiting any of the restaurants south of the Beltway? We live near Jeff Davis Highway in the Mt. Vernon neighborhood and have had many better meals than we ever experienced when we lived in the Old Town and Del Ray sections of Alexandria.

Tom Sietsema: Again, thanks for the kind words. My beat is the world, but I'm always happy to find something good close to home. Care to share your faves near JD Highway? (I'll stay on to catch any tips.)

Time to wrap up the discussion for today. Thanks for participating, everyone.

_______________________

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.