White Flint Mall in the North Bethesda/Rockville, MD area could be an option as it is right off 495 and 270. From where I am in VA, it's about a 50 minute drive, without traffic. How far is it from y'all?

If we choose this option--here's some places to eat in the mall:

Dining at White Flint
Bertucci's
An Italian inspired restaurant offering dining choices that are simple, and uncomplicated with a passion for authentic recipes with an unsurpassed attention to detail.

Phone Number: 301.230.3160
Bertuccis.com
The Cheesecake Factory
An upscale, casual dining environment surrounded by an extensive menu offering more than 200 items and over 50 varieties of cheesecakes.
Reservation Policy
We will be accepting reservation for the first 30 minutes of opening on:
Monday through Friday, 11:15am - 11:45am &
3:00pm - 5:00pm
And for the first 45 minutes of opening on:

Sunday, 10:00am - 10:45am
Any other times are all first come - first serve.

Phone: 301.770.0999.
TheCheesecakeFactory.com
Dave & Buster's
Break out of your daily routine and enjoy amazing food, fully stocked bars, and a midway bursting with games. From mouthwatering Pepercorn Ribeye Steaks & Chargrilled Atlantic Salmon to Classic Philly Cheesesteaks, Dave & Busters has something for everyone.

Phone Number: 301.230.5151
DaveAndBusters.com
P. F. Chang's China Bistro
A fresh and contemporary Chinese dining experience with attentive service, wine, and tempting desserts all served in a stylish, high-energy bistro. Be sure to try the Lettuce Wraps!

Phone Number: 301.230.6933
PFChangs.com

Driving Directions
White Flint is located just outside of Washington, DC on Rockville Pike (Route 355) in Montgomery County, Maryland, just outside of the Capital Beltway (Route 495).
From Frederick:
Take 270 South to the Montrose Road Exit going East. Take a right on Rockville Pike/Rt. 355. White Flint is approximately 1/2 mile on the left.
From Baltimore:
Take I-95 South to I-495 West (toward Silver Spring). Take Exit 34 (Rockville/Bethesda). Exit 34 merges into Rockville Pike (headed North). White Flint is approximately 1-1/2 miles on the right.
From Virginia:
Take I-495 across the (Cabin John) American Legion Bridge. Take 270 North towards Frederick. Take Montrose Road exit going East. Take a right on Rockville Pike/Rt. 355. White Flint is approximately ½ mile on the left.
From Washington:
Take Wisconsin Avenue North. It becomes Rockville Pike. White Flint is approximately 1-1/2 miles after you cross under-I-495 beltway on Rockville Pike.
Or go to Mapquest for your door-to-door directions.
Metro
White Flint is conveniently located just outside of Washington, DC, beyond the Beltway. It is easily accessible by taking the Red Line to the White Flint Metro Stop.

I'm in VA (Vienna) but would be happy to come up to MD. Rockville/Bethesda is great, Silver Spring probably ok, too.

Re: dates...are we trying for something sometime soon, as in Feb.? Best not to plan around me; w/ DH's work schedule, my evening availability becomes unpredictable. But I will try to make it whenever the group decides will work.

OK so we have lots of ideas, now what do we do? Start planning or punt until another time?

Unfortunately, it looks like we are not going to be able to put something together in time for igloochic.

Just curious: How many folks can meet during the week? How about on weekends?

Does anyone think there is a better centralized place than White Flint Mall?

The week is too hard for me with work. Weekends is much better. We are almost always free as all we do is work on the house or have really good plans to work on the house and don't actually do it .

Hi just saw this thread today sorry I am late. I live outside of Baltimore and can meet during the week depending on the night- as I often have to travel for meetings. I would prefer not to go downtown DC (crossed "being lost in DC" off my bucket list- it was not so fun)
Igloo- I can pick u up- I work about 5 -10 minutes from KK. Sun Mon or Tues are good. Saturday is out for me cause I have another sleep study at the hospital. Wednesday I have a meeting in Cumberland( anybody there?)
We could meet in Annapolis. Or perhaps a MD meet first for Igloo. and then a meet in middle ground for MD and parts south? We balto area people can meet up and carpool. what say you? Sue

Oh BTW Igloo I sent you an email at your aol account. Did u get it?Sue

BUMP!!

Sorry...I haven't really been ignoring all of you...I've been obsessing over my pantry & hood issues!

Meeting availability...dinner during the week is possible and dinner Saturday & Sunday nights as well. However, weekday lunches are out unless we meet b/w Silver Spring and Lanham/Landover as I work in Greenbelt, MD.

Sunday mornings through about 2:00pm I'm booked up as well.

Lunch on Saturday depends on the my children's basketball schedules...tomorrow definitely not, but I don't know about next weekend since it's playoffs then (no schedule yet).

PF Chang's would work for me since I've heard they have a gluten-free menu, Outback Steakhouse, Chevy's, Chili's, Legal Seafood, Hamburger Hamlet, Carrabba's Italian Grill, Green Sage (but that's in Clarksville, MD), and most any steakhouse. [I have Celiac Disease so I cannot eat anything containing wheat, oats, rye, or barley or products derived from them.]

Does anyone else have any dietary restrictions that are difficult to meet at regular restaurants?

weekends are better for me, but if in MD, (other than Rockville) I'm OK with evenings.

I posted some questions for everyone up there a few posts earlier, just to see if we could weed this out some. I LOVE PFChang's but don't really want to go to Rockville unless it's the weekend, in which case there is STILL RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC IN ROCKVILLE!! But, it doesn't matter to me if that's a better place for everyone.

So far, Columbia sounds good for everyone except VA. I know far out MD's would have a hike to VA. Not sure if there are church-goers here, but Sunday,early afternoons sounds OK too - say around 1:00 or 1:30. How does that sound to everyone. We could meet, greet, eat and still get everyone back home before midnight - LOL. If that's OK, we still have to pick a place. Since Bueh1 picked Rockville, maybe the Columbia folks could carpool.

On the other hand - what's going on by the new setup near Ft. Washington and the WW bridge - I think. I hear it is VERY nice there now. I'll check into that too.

Anyway, let's set a date and then maybe we could find a place based on that.

Your thoughts...???

gng

Maybe we should do a private email and figure out exactly where everyone lives since I doubt anyone wants to fully announce it on the message board. I'm a vegetarian, but I can always get a salad or massively alter a meal as I always do (take out the meat in a pasta), so don't pick based on me.

Is anyone dragging a husband along?

My husband said he'd come...as long someone else's comes as well! He figures we'll be talking kitchens and the non-TKO spouses can get together!

Private email is probably a good idea for figuring out what would be central for everyone. CooperBailey and GneeGirl have already emailed, so if anyone else wants to be involved in determining the location, go ahead and send me an email.

Go to "My Page" and click on "Send me an email"

Even if you don't email one of us, you're still welcome to come!

:) My husband doesn't know yet, but he'll come. I'll tell him once things are planned. I'm not TKO.... I'm obsessed with the entire house . He partially is too since we are DIY. But, I didn't want to drag him if no one elses was coming.

I decided to tell him as he's not paying attention as he's busy playing with the new GPS I got him. He's up for it. (I didn't tell him it is mostly women ).

Yes, I'll be there:

I can travel (No. of Miles): Hmmm...60 or so?

I prefer Gluten-Free cuisine: Seafood, Steak, Mexican, etc. (I'm pretty eclectic in my tastes!)

Generally not Fridays or Sundays until after 2:00pm.

Most days & evenings, it really depends. Right now, the 1st & 3rd Mondays are out, as are Wednesday & Thursday nights...if my DH is to come (Girl Scouts & Basketball practices).

We should just pick a date and go from there...

Monday the 11th or Tuesday the 19th are best right now; Saturdays & Sundays unknown b/c of b'ball playoffs.

Ok can anyone make tomorrow night about 5:30 Inner Harbor? Thre is a california pizza kitchen and Cheesecake factory Hardrock, ESPN etc, There is plenty of parking and is safe. Igloo can you make that? Or Monday night maybe?

Lets also plan a VA/MD get together too, later this month.

I can't make it to the Inner Harbor outing but looking forward to another time!

I prefer not the Calif Pizza Kitchen b/c they have no gluten-free food; but PF Chang's, Hardrock, etc. would work.

BTW...we're meeting w/IglooChic at this get together...that's why it has to be in Baltimore.

We're still trying to get one for the MD/VA/DC group as a whole...send me an email if you're interested in being involved in determining the general location....tell me where you live (town is sufficient) so we can figure out the best "central" point!

See those of you who can make tomorrow w/IglooChic. Hmmm...maybe you ought to let us know so we can make sure we have enough seats...or even tables!

I think it's going to be PF Chang's. You're right - I guess we do need a head count - not sure if they need reservations for dinner time. The restaurant is on Pratt St in the block of Pratt and Gay.

Count me in for 2 people.

PFChangs is good with me. Any of the restaurants in that area will do. Igloo is coming too?

Ughhhh.... I'm still flattened by this flu bug and not going anywhere today, I'm afraid. So sorry! Please do report back and let everybody know the TRUTH about Igloochic!!! lol

We aready have plans :(

We aready have plans :(

Today (2/10), PF Chang's in Baltimore (600 East Pratt St, 21202) @ 5:45pm....we're meeting IglooChic. We'll be using the name "Garden Web"...everyone is welcome!

(If you're the first, get us a table for 8...we have 6 so far, so a couple more would allow more...we can always pull up chairs if we have more than 8!)

Give igloochic a hug from me!

LOL Diva I wonder what the truth about Igloochic is? :oP I'll have to make something up heh heh

I have verified that my darling will have daycare (the hospital has a great play room that he LOVES to play in, but last night they shut down at 5 for no reason so I had to drill them today to make sure they'd be open for us). I'll be taking a cab from Hopkins but there is rarely a wait so I should be there at 5:45 or so at the latest. I WILL BE THERE so if I'm a few mins late (DS throws up on me etc) please hold a seat...and don't drink all the wine! I know how you remodel people are...bunch of drunks (but you can't hold a candle to a hospital mom I guarantee heh heh)

I can't wait to meet new friends :) and lsandler...I'll give me a hug from you! Ya'll are so sweet to have made this work in my schedule. It's been a stressful few weeks...months etc., so a nice evening out is always welcome!

Ugh, I am so sorry to have missed this! Was at a swim meet with DD (she just made Junior Olympics!!!). May be there will be a next time. Enjoy!

Well it's officially over. Maybe not actually...I had to run out and catch a cab back to the hospital before my nurses shot me (DS can be a challenge on his own in the evenings when he's not slept for days). Fortunately he had his favorite Francis tonight so he could have cared less that I was late.

So, that buehl...man can she put down the tequillia!!! Sheesh even I had to stop after the 15th shot but she was still putting them down.... (is tequillia gulten free??? I need to make sure that story seems believable) :oP

We had a lovely dinner and missed a few people :( But there will be another MD get together soon I'm sure for those who are able to make it. I'm just so honored that a few were able or almost able to make it tonight. I had a fabulous time! Even if I had to just scream that while I ran out the door looking for a cab! Thank you all so much :) It's nice to have happy memories to add to our memories here.

I do know from the meeting that SOMEONE needs to post their finished kitchen pictures!!! (the rest of us are in about the same state...walls and nothing else). So my dear and her dearest husband....who knew what fracturing was....let's see those pictures on the web soon so you can share the joy :)

Weeeellll, it didnt actually go quite like that- Igloochic who wore a jacket embroidered with roosters and looked awesome with her purple crocodile boots and handbag. So, we had no trouble spotting her. and yes the tequila did flow.... unusual for a chinese restaurant , but hoo boy.
And someone does need to post her lovely kitchen on the blog. And it ain't me- we are only 95.35% done. And it ain't Igloo cause she has 4 kitchens now!! And one french range- where will it end up? keep tuned for an update.
It was fun meeting everyone and missed one new friend. We will do this again. Here's to Jessie, the cutest little guy in a parka!
What a fun way to spend a Sunday evening- meeting new friends. See, kitchens are good for more than just cooking!
Sue

Hey all - sorry I missed you! Now I know I should have skipped work - all that tequila!!

Best wishes to you igloochic. Looks like I'll have to head to Alaska, huh!

cooperbailey - who's kitchen? Did I miss one????

Everyone - let's keep this going. Let's set another date.

'nite all...

gng

Ok, spill - who's got the finished kitchen?! I already posted my 95% done one so it can't be me (and I wasn't there anyway!)

Sorry to have missed you Igloochic, but definitely best I stayed home - I passed out at about 7.30pm and didn't wake up again until the clock went off this morning! It seems to have done the trick, though - first day in over a week I've been able to get up and move around without being dizzy. Still coughing up a lung, but that will pass in time, I guess.

Anyway, safe travels to your next port of call!

Sorry to have missed the gathering -- Divamum, hope you're feeling better! Definitely a lot of icky stuff going around...this morning, my 7-yr-old daughter woke up crying with a stomachache and headache...I was worried about strip, but after some questioning, I decided to give her a little breakfast. She gobbled it down and was *miraculously* better...turns out she was just really hungry from not eating enough dinner last night. Another bullet dodged!

So....we need to get planning for the "big" group meet...

Last call for people to email me w/their location if they want to have their location used to help determine a central point!

In general, if you could post here if you live in MD, VA, or DC it would also help overall. The town locations will be used to determine actual central point, but if there is say, only one person in MD and everyone else is in VA, then we will move closer to VA... I hope this isn't confusing anyone!!!

Hi all,

If you're still considering Rockville, I'd recommend Rockville Town Center over White Flint. It has a Metro stop but is less trafficky than White Flint for anyone arriving by car. Easy to access from 495 or 270.

Restaurants include Austin Grill (texmex), Gordon Biersch (brewpub), Lebanese Taverna (fantastic!), Stonefish Grill (seafood)and a few others -- tapas, excellent but expensive sushi, an upscale place called Greystone.

In no way am I suggesting this just because it's a stone's throw from my house. :-) It's a charming example of downtown revitalization and it's a little less crazy than areas "down the Pike" (as we say in Rockville).

Amy (an oldtimer who checks in from time to time)

Here is a link that might be useful: Rockville Town Center

MD or VA is fine with us but we are in MD. I know the finished kitchen cannot be us as ours will never be finished . Who knows when I'll actually paint or put in the recessed lights. Rockville Town Center works for us, but it's not very good for anyone further on 95 in either direction, which is why White Flint or Bethesda is better as it is more in the middle. (Plus, we aren't impressed with several of their restaurants).

I'm quite a lot further north than everybody else, but my schedule is crazy anyway so don't plan around me - if I can be there, I'd love to and will join, but things are too erratic in my life to expect y'all to plan around me. Just keep me posted (I can be emailed via GW).

Thanks!

Buehl, You have got me down, don't ya? I promise to behave this time, since that evil Igloo won't be there to get me into trouble. ;)
I think that you and anyone else who has food issues should have final say over what restaurant is chosen.
As long as there is parking, I am there. Sue

Sue, that's no fun if you promise to behave!!!

Dang, I'll send money for shots if ya'll will buy for Sue :oP

DS came down with the same bug that probably hit our invisable friend on Sunday. Last night his final "snack" was chocolate soy pudding. Let me just say...it's not pretty coming back out! He's been running a fever and they discussed putting us into isolation again...but since the other boy in our room is also in the same condition, they're leaving us alonge (could also be because we both...mom's of both boys...said we'd check out immediately if they put us in isolation). They're in panic mode and discussing an IV because DS isn't drinking enough pedialite (which he hates) so I gave up and gave him half soda and half water after the docs went home :) He's going to live (IV for a cold for gads sake!).

Anyhoo, the next gathering held in Alaska can be in our house...any one of them :oP

Igloo, I thought you and Jessie were heading home. Are you stuck here because he is sick? If so do you need a care package?? email me or call my cell if you need help. Sue

i'm in md (chevy chase) and would love to come next time.

I'm in Charlottesville, VA (hence the login name) and I'd be interested if it ends up not being too far. Maybe I can work in a trip to Ikea as a part of it.

Count me in as a Marylander...Bowie. I can travel so that's not the issue. I may have to head to MI to see about my Dad and Step-Mom but not sure when. Also, work is creeping up by back!! So, plan and I'll make a 100% effort to try to be there.

gng

The Invisible One is finally reporting in. After last SundayÂs gathering, The Bug got me down, eliminating my ability to say anything the least bit witty, not that I could have matched the others at that, anyway. DH and I enjoyed everyoneÂs company immensely. It was wonderful to dine among GW celebrities Igloochic (the delightful, devoted mother of adorable Jesse -- I hope he is doing much better), Buehl (who I later realized is the Kitchen Forum FAQ compiler/poster), and cooperbailey (with whom I had several things in common). It would be fun to meet more GW folks, whenever and wherever. We are in Towson, MD, so I expect weÂll be headed south when it happens.

Some have pronounced our kitchen "finished." Now, we all know that "done" is a relative term. I hastily took some pictures of our kitchen before last weekÂs dinner meeting, and the only thing really missing is a window treatment. However, I need to straighten up the counters, find the best angles, and gather all the spec details before preserving our kitchen for posterity in the Finished Kitchens Blog. That new project is definitely on my Someday List  another relative term. :-)

Alice

Alice, unfortunately, I cannot take credit for the Kitchen Forum FAQs... Starpooh, CelticMoon, and other contributers deserve the credit! It was done last summer & fall when I first started lurking and later posting...long before I had the knowledge!

But, yes, I am the one who started the current "Read Me" thread. I would, though, like to add some of the things I've come up with based on everyone's help here (like the storage info & add to the getting started info) to the FAQs, if others agree they're FAQ-worthy.

OK....my count is...

Maryland: 9
...Howard/Anne Arundel/& north Counties: 5
...Montgomery/Frederick Counties: 4

Northern Virginia: 4

DC: 1

Central VA: 2

It looks like our best bet is to meet in Bethesda/Rockville. Some possible places:

• Legal Sea Food in Montgomery Mall (right off of I-270 near beltway)..but it's pricey

• Chili's (up Rockville Pike)

• PF Chang's China Bistroâ (up Rockville Pike)

• Chipotle (up Rockville Pike)

• On the Border (up Rockville Pike)

I'll be honest, the list is filtered through my preferences since I have Celiac Disease (gluten intolerance) and the above restaurants have gluten-free menus or options.

Easter is coming up and along with it spring breaks at many schools....so is March a good time or bad time??? I'm in town, the whole time so I'm good for March.

I am a veggie, but I can eat anywhere... my husband will eat anything (or at least try it once) so he is the easiest of the group. I prefer PF Chang's or On The Border (either, in no order).

March is good for us, but on the 8th (tomorrow), 14th (day trip to sign up with an adoption agency as the things we are doing are with aren't working and our kitchen needs a little one to destroy it) and weekend of the 29th we have plans (sister in town that weekend so we have some flexability but probably not Saturday night dinner). The weekend of the 22nd is probably best for us... but other than the dates above, we're free (all we do is work on the house anyway).

How is your kitchen progress?

You know I'm a PF Chang's fan but not sure you want to go back there since the last time. Date-wise, I'm open, and I'll make sure it stays that way this time - LOL. I was so disappointed I couldn't make it. So count me in, wherever/whenever!!

BTW, thanks for pulling this together!!

gng

But for Legal Seafood, the rest of the restaurants look good to me. Date wise, so far, I am fairly open for March--just pick a date.

Looking forward to meeting all--:p)

I would also like to try to meet up with everyone. I'm free for every weekend in March with the exception of Sunday, March 31st. Any restaurant is also fine with me.
-DG