As you know if you read my review of Red Maple in yesterday's paper, I love the atmosphere, the food is good, and the staff couldn't be nicer. I had had just as good an experience if not better when I first reviewed Mount Vernon's stylish lounge just after it opened.

So why haven't I been back until now? I think for me, a meal is such a priority I really don't want to eat essentially balancing a plate on my knees. At least, that's sort of how I feel there. (I don't like buffets at people's homes for the same reason.)

But if you go to Red Maple for drinks and the music and nibbles when you need a little sustenance, then it's just about perfect.

I was interested in the fact that executive chef Jill Snyder's sudden celebrity status hasn't seemed to put Red Maple any more on the map that it already was. Or am I wrong? Have any of you tried it because you learned she was a contestant on Top Chef?

(Chiaki Kawajiri/Sun photographer)