347874 Sun Dec 03 22:56:49 -0800 2006 5 14 Washington DC & Baltimore Area 0 2066719 So the menu was sent, with the message "Thanks! Xiong (Tom) Tan, MD - PO Box 8097, Falls Church, VA USA 22041 - 703-575-8713, 703-995-0841-FAX, Xiong_Tan@yahoo.com I suppose they'll post it somewhere one of these days - but for now you can download it off my website www.goodmagic.com/private/menu.htm Sun Dec 03 22:56:49 -0800 2006 14479 wayne keyser 1 2069252 What a nice thing you did, and thank you very much! That menu is surprisingly varied. Looks like they're going to try to reach a wide assortment of diners. I see things there from long ago, and I see they're also bringing in what might best be described as local fare. I love that. There's a whole lot more extensive menu of this type at one of my favorite places over at Bailey's Crossroads - Full Kee. I'm sure you know it. They are the real deal, but I still miss the great little joint that was the original Eat First when Seventh Street was still Seventh Street, with Michaelson's right around the corner. That was such a sweet place. Anyway, with the cold weather upon us, it's time for the winter casseroles at Full Kee, one of the joys of winter. Mon Dec 04 20:34:32 -0800 2006 2066719 54991 Atlantis 1 2069711 If you're wondering where your next fix of Braised Ox Penis is coming from, have I got a Sichuan restaurant for you! Actually, I did not inquire about the availability of this delicacy - I'm trying to cut back - but I did manage to try the Hong Kong Palace version of Hong You Chao Shou - Wontons in red hot sauce. Very nice. On the menu they are listed as "tany and specy." Also, the Green Onion Pancakes are a perfectly fine version. Spicy Dried Bean Curd was served ice-box cold (I prefer my tofu with the chill taken off.) Although this was not spicy, it was very tasty and tossed with surprise celery leaf, a nice addition. As I much prefer Sichuan to Cantonese, I think I'm gonna absolutley love having this place five minutes from where I live. Mon Dec 04 22:22:11 -0800 2006 2066719 10156 Steve 2 2070264 We must be nearly neighbors. No wonder you post about so many places near me. Chow lunch! Chow lunch! Tue Dec 05 01:26:39 -0800 2006 2069711 10624 MikeR 1 2069716 The menu has so many "Chengdu" dishes, but all I find on the web is that "Chengdu is known for hot peppers". Surely there has to be more to it - can anyone enlighten me? Mon Dec 04 22:23:39 -0800 2006 2066719 14479 wayne keyser 2 2069831 It's just a city in the province, the capital city, actually - so it's partially synonymous with "Szechuan" when you're talking about cuisine. In the US, we think of Szechuan, we think of "hot peppers," or some such. In fact, there's a whole lot of sophistication and refinement within the Szechuan cuisine. But, it's not really travelled well to our shores, alas. Chengdu foods are noted for their "snackiness," and, to many (including me), the meticulous care taken in their cutting and presentation make it the prettiest of the major Chinese cuisines. Mon Dec 04 22:52:55 -0800 2006 2069716 54991 Atlantis