Bethesda Restaurant Week EXTENDED!

Bethesda-Chevy Chase Restaurant Week Has Been Extended!

January 31 - February 6

Many area restaurants are extending their restaurant week promotions with two and three-course lunch for $12 or $15 and dinner for $25 - $30.
Please see restaurant Web sites for complete menus and reservations.

Alfio's La Trattoria 4515 Willard Ave, Chevy Chase (301) 657-9133
American Tap Room 7278 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda (301) 656-1366
Bistro Lazeez 8009 Norfolk Ave., Bethesda (301) 652-8222
Brasserie Monte Carlo 7929 Norfolk Ave., Bethesda (301) 656-9225
Cesco Trattoria 4871 Cordell Ave., Bethesda (301) 654-8333
Divino Lounge 7345-B Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda (240) 497-0300
Food, Wine & Co. 7272 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda (301) 652-8008
Geppetto 10257 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda (301) 493-9230
Grapeseed 4865 Cordell Ave., Bethesda (301) 986-9592
Guardado's Restaurant 4918 Del Ray Ave., Bethesda (301) 986-4920
La Ferme 7101 Brookville Rd., Chevy Chase (301) 986-5255
Lebanese Taverna 7141 Arlington Rd., Bethesda (301) 951-8681
Le Vieux Logis 7925 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda (301) 652-6816
Louisiana Kitchen 4907 Cordell Ave., Bethesda (301) 652-6945
Oakville Grill 10257 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda (301) 897-9100
Old Angler's Inn 10801 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac (301) 365-2425
Passage to India 4931Cordell Ave., Bethesda (301) 656-3373
Persimmon Restaurant 7003 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda (301) 654-9860
Redwood Restaurant 7121 Bethesda Ln., Bethesda (301) 656-5515
Tragara Ristorante 4935 Cordell Ave., Bethesda (301) 951-4935

NEW LISTING! Crescent Plaza #317

Come and Get It!

It won't last - so you guys get first crack at it!

Large, Corner, 1BR with large private balcony facing Woodmont.

714 Sq. Feet - FABULOUS!

I can only keep is secret for a short time. Call me today for a preview ! 703-216-9100

SOLD - FULL PRICE - $384,900 #916

SOLD!

It is nice to report that I sold unit #916 for full price in less than a week!

I thank the owners of Crescent Plaza for their continued faith in my ability to turn prices around in the building. I am happy to report I think we have hit bottom in the downtown market. Look for a slow increase in sales prices from this point forward.

I have been keeping a list of visitors to Crescent Plaza open houses for the past year. Every time a new unit comes available - I make sure an invite is extended to those that have been searching. It has been a very productive strategy.

Keep your eyes and ears open - as I will have a large 1BR unit with balcony coming available soon. Anyone in the building that wants to preview before it comes on the market - let me know. I will also reduce my commission on the sale - so the buyer and seller get a better deal.

Call me today for details!

Friday Wine Review - Domaine Charbonniere - Perdrix - Chateauneuf du Pape – 1998

France / Chateauneuf du Pape $35 / Rhone

Ahh, the joys of having a cellar. With the economy ailing, and me being in an industry that has been severely affected, I am happy to have a cellar to drink during the downturn. I have been drinking 1998 Chateauneuf du Pape on and off for almost 10 years. It was a great vintage, and most of the wines have held up very well.

I was curious how this Domaine held up. A reasonably priced wine, it cost about $25 when I purchased this in 2001. It was a bit tight when I tasted it back then, and has had time to mellow over the years. The tannins have softened, and the wine has morphed into a wonderful treat.

The cork held up beautifully on this wine when I opened it. It poured ruby red, and did not look like a 10+ year wine. The scents from the glass were balsam, black fruit, cherry and a bit of earth. The wine was layered and long. There was still a bit of glycerin which was surprising after all these years. There were still sufficient tannins - though softer then in early life - that leads me to believe this one has 5-7 years left to drink.

Overall, this was a wonderful bottle of wine.

This producer always has a consistently good bottle from year to year. In the great years, this bottle is one that you should stock up on. With 2007 being compared to 1998 as a vintage, I may have to pick up some for the cellar.

What are some of your favorite CDP producers? Not the obvious - like Beaucastle and Pegau - but some of your favorite values in the region? Let me know....