177298 Sat Mar 25 18:27:37 -0800 2006 6 14 Washington DC & Baltimore Area 0 954054 It seems that I get the same craving around this time of year... Does anyone recommend a really fresh and excellent Nicoise Salad in the DC/VA/MD area? Now, I realize that there is the traditional and non-traditional meaning... Canned or Fresh Grilled. I really don't mind about the tuna as long as it doesn't taste like an over-processed canned fillet or worse over-cooked. In addition, I look for an excellent dressing, fresh anchovies and/or excellent baby green beans. Another plus is perfectly soft potatoes (again, red or white I don't mind) I look for the perfect blend of FRESH earthy greens and a nice salty water sea-blend. oh, and an egg that won't bounce... ;) Anyone know of a new or recently changed menu that includes the salad that you would recommend? Thanks in advance! Sat Mar 25 18:27:37 -0800 2006 0 MLP 1 954057 Just to clarify: traditional salada nissarda is a salad of vegetables with olive oil. Packed tuna and hard boiled eggs are commonly added. The vegetables should be according to the season, but a popular mix would be tomato, cucumber, onion, olive, green pepper, fava, artichoke. Never green bean, rice, potato, lettuce. I have not had a good version in years, and I hate the version at Johnny's Half Shell. Sun Mar 26 04:49:28 -0800 2006 954054 0 Steve 2 954059 There is much bombast and posturing on this subject (but would we expect anything less from a discussion of a "traditional" French preparation). Some purists agree about no potatoes or green beans. But my copy of Larousse, and Julia, both call for them. Olney (Simple French Food, considered by many as definitive) cautions against slavish adherence to composed salad formulas and suggests playfullness and use of whatever is on hand. It seems to me that, given the evolution of this preparation, they ought to be OK. I suspect that's what the OP had in mind. That said, I'm not sure where one could reliably go to get a good one. Places like Les Halles probably have it on the menu but the quality is a crapshoot. If I had such a jones I'd call Gerard (202-737-4445) and ask him if he'd put a nice one together for me. He might be so taken with the request that he'd do something really special. Bistro 123 in Tyson's would be another possibility. Sun Mar 26 09:59:47 -0800 2006 954057 0 johnb 3 954103 It is on the Les Halles menu, and it's eh--passable. It's a grilled filet version, and while the dressing is nice, the veggies on their own weren't well-seasoned. Hm. Now you've got me craving one, and I don't know where to go either! Mon Mar 27 10:51:02 -0800 2006 954059 0 qwertyy 1 954110 I had an excellent Nicoise Salad a few months ago at La Chaumiere (spelling?) on M Street in Georgetown. Very elegant and delicious. The only drawback was the person at the table next to us smoking. Mon Mar 27 12:09:42 -0800 2006 954054 0 Lisa H 2 954163 My absolute favorite is at Bistro Bis on Capital Hill (15 E St.) which is called the MARCHÉ DE TOULON salad - an assortment fresh market vegetables and provençale salads with rosemary aïoli. Fabulous. Mon Mar 27 19:54:19 -0800 2006 954110 0 cv 1 954201 I think the Les Halles version is perfectly passable. They used to use canned tuna, but have been serving seared fresh tuna lately (w/o increasing the price). I think it's a steal for lunch, especially considering the pretty decent french bread that's served with it. It isn't like being in France, but it definitely satisfies my cravings. Tue Mar 28 12:44:48 -0800 2006 954054 0 REL