The Iron Gate Inn Restaurant at 1734 N St. NW is a favorite of mine. Mediterranean cuisine served at quiet tables by a crackling fireplace in winter and in an outdoor garden in summer. Great lamb dishes and amazing desserts... (5 replies, last updated by DoubleU February 5, 2005)

I’m so loving this thread. Especially because there’s a pompous, snobby poster on a different board who, of course, dresses better than anyone, has the best table manners, drinks the most expensive wines. It’s... (76 replies, last updated by The Professor December 11, 2008)

I’ve read that, when amongst close friends or family, at a non-highend restaurant, it’s ok to apply lipstick, without a mirror, at the table. That said, it’s not something I’m inclined to do. (52 replies, last updated by Kate is always hungry September 8, 2008)

Chef’s Table is prepared according to each guests' specifications, a $500 room charge will apply in addition to the cost of food and beverage. Reservations are required." sounds great but no way can I afford that. The hubby... (10 replies, last updated by amykragan January 14, 2009)

, if a restaurant isn’t popular, none of this applies. If there’s no crowd waiting to be seated, sit around all evening, by all means. But if your lingering is depriving other hungry folks of good food, you have no... (15 replies, last updated by babette feasts October 12, 2005)

Odd, the worst table isn’t on the covered patio area, it’s right next to the door that leads to it.... I’ve sat there, it’s actually not a bad table at all. It offers a nice view of the room. And yes, the... (3 replies, last updated by Diana January 18, 2008)

Their corkage fee, generally, is applied every night but Thursday. Thursday night is free corkage. My husband handled the money the last time we did the ‘Feed us till we are rolling out the door’ at the Chef’s... (17 replies, last updated by frittering_away January 15, 2009)

I heard that if you reserve a table in a restaurant in paris and possibly elsewhere in france, you are entitled to that table for the evening? so if you arrive late, you don’t lose the table. is this true? what are the... (3 replies, last updated by mc michael August 22, 2002)

, my fil will go first and take 1/2 of what is on the plate. My mil insists on applying her makeup at the table...I know there are two schools of thought on that...I think you should go to the ladies room. I could go on and on... (21 replies, last updated by small h July 10, 2009)

their decision about their policy. I don’t buy the “just show up” bit...none of us would be happy if restaurants arbitrarily changed the rules or numbers of people we could seat at a table after we had a... (16 replies, last updated by Ozumo October 30, 2007)

dh and i were dining tonight at a zagat ‘outstanding’ restaurant 12 inches from the table next to us. there was a couple next to us whose conversation was so loud it was all we could do to ignore it or possibly have... (22 replies, last updated by njchowgal January 29, 2009)

to reserve. Then I ask them to apply the phoned-in reservation to OpenTable so I can get the points. I’ve never had anyone refuse to do that. (60 replies, last updated by Pappy May 11, 2009)

As I was getting nowhere trying to make a winterlicious lunch reservation at C5 by phone, I have taken a different route and successfully reserved a table using OpenTable.com. OpenTable's advice is that if you want the... (12 replies, last updated by nummanumma January 16, 2008)

Hi, I am transferring an old pine table into my kitchen when I will now prepare my meals on. What is you advice on how to do it? I was planning on sanding it down to the wood, but what after? Are there some FDA approved stains or... (12 replies, last updated by renov8r April 22, 2008)

Thanks for sharing this article. It applies to everyone in life, no matter what his or her station. My sister used to work in the restaurant industry and the stories she told of how the kitchen staff gets its revenge when... (16 replies, last updated by R.B. April 22, 2006)