Our merry band, Nora and Scott Griffin and Nancy and I, drove down to Everglades City, ostensibly for a boat ride through the 10,000 Island area of Everglades National Park, but equally for lunch at the Everglades Cafe. Not to spoil the ending, but they have great food in a beautiful setting. Now for some sex. The National Park boat tour takes you through the … Continue reading Havana Cafe of the Everglades, Chokoloskee, Florida

We were joined in Marco by my cousin, Scott Griffin, and his new bride, Nora Raynor Griffin — who I guess is now a cousin. You’ve met them here and here. They arrived in the afternoon, and we all headed to the Snook Inn for dinner. Nancy and I’d had lunch there a couple of days before. Details here (great grouper sandwiches and smoked fish … Continue reading The Snook Inn (2), Marco Island, Florida

The Washington area used to be a barbecue desert. Oh, how things are changing! On a Sunday afternoon, Nancy and I found another winner — Ruthie’s All Day, an honest True ‘Cue place with really good food. Ruthie’s was still almost full when Nancy and I stopped in about 1:30. You know, I need to stop going to Arlington for barbecue on Sundays. Sunday is … Continue reading Ruthie’s All Day, Arlington, Virginia

Fin Bistro is one of the, if not the, most highly regarded restaurants in Marco Island. Now Nancy and I know why. It’s just across the street from the Marriott Crystal Shores, where we stay in Marco, and on a couple of previous trips we’ve tried in vain to get a reservation. You need to reserve well in advance during the high season. This year, … Continue reading Fin Bistro, Marco Island, Florida

Nancy and I found a great new place! Great seafood, great setting, great service. One of our favorite restaurants on Marco Island is Da Vinci, a wonderful Italian restaurant just across from the Marriott Crystal Shores, where we stay in Marco. Da Vinci makes much of their own food — pasta, sausage, etc — in house, and it’s delicious. Nancy and I made reservations there, … Continue reading Deep Lagoon Seafood and Oyster House (1), Marco Island, Florida

Nancy and I ate at the Snook Inn twice on this trip. We’d eaten there before many times (search “snook” for links to prior reviews), and we’ve enjoyed it more and more as we’ve explored the menu. In addition to very good food, the Snook Inn has lots of outdoor seating right on the water, which is an especially big selling point in COVID times. … Continue reading The Snook Inn (1), Marco Island, Florida

I’ve stepped away from endorsement of or involvement in anything involving Congress. I know that if you touch pitch, you’re defiled. I’ll make an exception and strongly endorse passage of the John Tanner Fairness in Redistricting Act. I spent much of my career litigating unfair redistricting plans, and I hope you’ll consider urging your representatives and senators — those of you who live outside the … Continue reading The John Tanner Fairness in Redistricting Act

Something has changed at the Rumba Cafe. Nancy and I always eat at the Rumba Cafe when we go to Marco Island. (Search “rumba” for [previous reviews.) It’s on the way from the airport — the Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers — to Marco Island, and it’s usually our first meal in Florida. It has the best Cuban food in southwestern Florida — … Continue reading Rumba Cafe, Naples, Florida

Thanks to all who made 2020 another great year for the Blog. l’ve had a lot of fun and eaten a lot of great meals. I’m confident that I’ve eaten more hushpuppies this year than any other resident of the District of Columbia (admittedly a hushpuppy desert), and certainly more than anyone who’s actually lost a net 5-10 pounds over the course of the year. … Continue reading Wishing You All the Joy of the Season and a Happy New Year

Have you ever made a recipe with Cheetos? Neither have I. As it turns out, however, Cheetos recipes have “taken the internet by storm.” You may scoff at the notion of junk food as an ingredient, but I’ve seen dishes including fish and chicken crusted with potato chips on menus of reputable restaurants. Emeril has a potato chip crusted fish taco recipe that uses barbecue-flavored … Continue reading From Dubai: A Cheetos Chicken Burgers Recipe