TE-DC Christmas lunch/brunch in Frederick?

[Possegal]

I'm in for the lunch if we are starting by noonish, as I'm supposed to be somewhere else by 4. Not that I usually have more than one thing on a weekend day, normally I'm quite boring actually.

[7rider]

Okay....so let me throw something out here....
How about Firestone's at noon?
Notice this on their menu: 18%gratuity for parties of six or more. Separate checks with advanced notice.
What are we up to? 8? If we want to do separate checks, KaliD., would you like to call and check on availability (since you volunteered to call)?

[divingbiker]

Okay....so let me throw something out here....
How about Firestone's at noon?
Notice this on their menu: 18%gratuity for parties of six or more. Separate checks with advanced notice.
What are we up to? 8? If we want to do separate checks, KaliD., would you like to call and check on availability (since you volunteered to call)?

I called, and they're closed today. The guy who answered said he didn't think they had any vegan food, but I should call back tomorrow and ask the chef. So before we settle on Firestone's, I'd at least like to find out if there's anything I can eat.

[Zen]

Sit tight and let me ask around

[Kalidurga]

Ok, made three phone calls:

Acacia is closed today. The menu lists a fruit plate and a citrus sald, but I'll try them again tomorrow just for the heck of it.

Cafe Nola has a dish of quinoa cabbage rolls that's vegan, as well as an accommodating vegetarian/vegan-sympathizer chef. They prefer groups of our size to make a reservation.

Cacique has veggie fajitas that qualify as vegan, and they would also want a reservation to be made.

[divingbiker]

Ok, made three phone calls:

Acacia is closed today. The menu lists a fruit plate and a citrus sald, but I'll try them again tomorrow just for the heck of it.

Cafe Nola has a dish of quinoa cabbage rolls that's vegan, as well as an accommodating vegetarian/vegan-sympathizer chef. They prefer groups of our size to make a reservation.

Cacique has veggie fajitas that qualify as vegan, and they would also want a reservation to be made.

Thanks, Tam. Which of these places did you like best?

[Kalidurga]

The only one of those I've been to is Cafe Nola and I've recently become addicted to their grilled cheese sandwich and pumpkin ginger soup. Nola's kind of the new "hot, hip place" in Frederick, though the owners have had a presence downtown for a while through their old place, Downtime Cafe.

Zen mentioned Cacique as one of her favorites. Both it and Acacia have been in Frederick for a while, and both are mentioned frequently over at the FrederickMarylandOnline blog as excellent spots.

We probably wouldn't go wrong with any of the three, really. So, are we now aiming for noon for chow time? That would mean meeting between 11:30-11:45 to give time to get downtown, get parked, and wander to wherever we're going.

[divingbiker]

And, yes, I'd totally support a post-holiday/1/20/09 get-together at a more transit-friendly, centrally located D.C. venue, too. I'm sure we can entice more for that, too!

Maybe the Sunday of President's Day weekend?

Are any of the Virginia folks going to organize this?

[Cataboo]

I'm not sure I could make it - but a nice "brunch" on the Virginia side would be China Garden in Rosslyn, definitely metro accessible and you guys could have dim sum.... You can order off the menu (for the vegetarian or vegan?) as well.

It's not the heavy greasy chinese food that you normally associate with a chinese restaurant.

[7rider]

I can't make Prez Day weekend, but have fun if something pulls together. Take pictures!

[Kalidurga]

Are any of the Virginia folks going to organize this?

Bueller..? Bueller.....?

[Zen]

..

[divingbiker]

Bueller..? Bueller.....?

I'm such a fuddy duddy that I don't even get it.

[HillSlugger]

I'm such a fuddy duddy that I don't even get it.

me neither

[ny biker]

Okay I live in Virginia so I'll bite. Even though I don't think I can make it to brunch on Sunday.

How many people are we talking about here?

What are the requirements for the restaurant? Metro accessible, inside the beltway, certain types of foods that are must-have or must be avoided, ...?

==========
update - now that I've had a chance to read earlier posts on this thread:

The only Cracker Barrels around here are in Manassas and Dumfries. I'm guessing most of you don't want to drive that far. (I love Cracker Barrel.)

Do we want vegan or vegetarian options?

Do we want a location where we can wander around afterwards? Like maybe Old Town Alexandria?