Bonz's Profile
Songkran (Thai New Year) Festival 2010 in Silver Spring Tomorrow (April 11)
The Silver Spring festival is terrific, the Sterling one is very so-so.
Looking for great wine list, relaxed environment (and of course great food)!
Dino exactly fits the description of what the OP is looking for . . . but I am now fully convinced to try the new New Heights (for some reason we keep choosing elsewhere).
I agree on the booths at Proof, but the crushing crowds at Proof make me feel far less relaxed than Dino.
Good hearty soups?
Folks are right about the difficulty finding the dedicated soup restaurant of your dreams in this area. Another option I have been loving is delivery from SouperGirl (http://www.thesoupergirl.com). The selection is limited to what she is making that particular week, but what I have ordered has always been quite delicious, organic, and delivered right to my door!
Driving from Arlington to Lexington Park, MD. Seafood Recommendations?
The most authentic local seafood experience to be had is at Courtney's, located just a few clicks south of Lexington Park in Ridge, MD (address is 48290 Wynne Rd., to be exact). Courtney's is run by a husband and wife team: he catches the fish in the morning, she cooks it up good and fresh. The oysters they serve were caught off their pier. To be sure the cinder-block building ain't fancy, but the eats are fresh and delicious.
Soup!!! Gotta have it!
In which case you should bring him to the springtime Songkran festival at Thai Wat in SSilver Spring. One vendoe there has Floating Market Soup as good as can be had in Bangkok. Nava Thai comes closes, to be sure, but is still a bit off-target to the sweeter side . . . . .
Soup!!! Gotta have it!
Very delicious. I am a big Souper Girl fan. I can't say its cheap, however, and I do wish the weekly descriptions were more, well, descriptive (they are intended to be more humorous). But where else can you get home delivery of healthy & hearty soup made from fresh organic ingredients (gleaned from local farm markets) delivered right to my door?
Propane Taxi
I love Strosniders! I used to use them for propane. Now I have eliminated the need to unhook my tank, haul to car, drive, park, haul to fill, and then do all of it again in reverse . . . .
Propane Taxi
You have the issue exactly right, JAC0077, but draw the wrong conclusion. Why go to the trouble of schlepping to the store just to have your propane tank refilled or swap for pre-filled tank? Propane Taxi comes fast, is cheap, and I don't have to run around town! 2 yrs. + for me without a hitch . . . .
Alexandria Institution Shuttering
What memories Generous George's holds for me! I guess the lo-carb craze did them in . . .
Hungry Tiger in Tenleytown
The invisible hand of the market punishing a purveyor of awful food?
hello
Lydia is quite right. Do not miss Praline for your good European coffee and bakery fix.
Praline does have a bistro upstairs, too, but I would hazard that it has the best baguettes and macarons in the area, as well as other great baked goods, and delicious coffee to boot.
Five days in Tilghman Island area. Ideas for great dining along the eastern shore?
I thought Chesapeake Landing was MY secret spot! Rats . . . there are no secrets on ChowHound.
CSA for flowers only?
Does anyone know if there is a DC-area CSA for flowers only? We are not interested in veggies or other eats, just flowers. I thought I saw one once upon a time, but it is eqaully possible that I just dreamed it up.
Thanks, Bonz
Berger Cookies in Northern Virginia?
We found Berger Cookies (with that brand name) this past weekend at the new Harris Teeter in Rockville (oops, I mean "North Bethesda"!).
DC around American University
Can you be more specific about the area in which you are interested. I know of no hotels near American University (I myself do not live too far away), which opens up any number of possibilities.
Any place to find MACARONS (French pastry/cookie) ??
I am generally very fond of Poupon. but find that Praline in Bethesda has the best Parisian macaroons as well as terrific french bed and pastries. http://www.praline-bakery.com. On my last visit, I also saw the Et Voila on MacArthur Blvd. is now selling Parisian macaroons, but as usual I was happily full when I left so I didn't purchase any. http://www.etvoiladc.com/
Teatro Goldoni - Lunch or Dinner?
Indcgirl, my horrible experience mirrored yours. I differ with your post on only one detail: I would place it at rock bottom for DC fine dining experiences. (I also quibble with calling it "fine" - I would say "expensive" -- or better yet,"unjustifiably expensive").
Chow dinner at Udipi Palace - Report
I have to agree with the overall assessment, and also that Woodlands is much better. My favorite for ordering off-the-menu, however, is the nearby Tiffen (not strictly vegetarian). That said, Woodlands wins for the Sunday buffet.
Help: Need a backup for Teatro Goldoni
I have formed the view that Teatro Goldoni is low caliber. But canceling a longstanding reservation manages to exceed even my low expectations of the place.
I have had a wonderful experience eating at the Chef's table at Tosca.
1st Anniversary - need knock out restaurant in DC
If you can get into MiniBar, go! There is no experience like it. You will fun and have great anniversary memories.
Komi vs. Teatro Goldoni should not be a tough decision at all. Komi is excellent and inventive, and the service will help make the occasion feel special. There is a reason Komi is always busy and a hard table to book.
In my humble opinion (and with apologies to my good friend Joe H.), Teatro Goldoni is nowhere near the same class. The food is not great and at times can even be not good. Service is lacksadaisacal. There is a reason that Teatro Goldoni is almost empty every night of the week.
Other than that, you have provided too little information regarding likes/dislikes for me to dig out particular suggestions for you.
Balducci's is Closing in D.C.
Pappy, I agree that the context for SPG has changed. But really, if you are living close to the DC branch, are you going to go to River Falls to grab tonight's dinner? Maybe occassionally, but not typically.
So I do believe that the demise of the DC branch is due to stand-alone horrors. I base this belief on experience. I lived nearby during its transition to the new owners, and it fell apart from (excuse the pun) soup to nuts. The staff changeover in particular was detrimental to the quality of both the experience and the product. I still miss the former wine manager -- his tips more than made up for the extra costs. And I found the same with the butcher, the fishmonger, the prepared foods . . . really everything except the produce and the bakery.
Central alternative?
Joe, Et Voila has become one of our personal favorites. It is a tiny jewel box! And not just for the usual suspects/ They once had a hamburger on special, I was in the mood, and i found it (forgive me for this heresy) even better than Hell Burger.
My only wish was that they had a better wine list, particularly by-the-glass.
Amazing - Teatro Goldoni
That's great to know. But for the typical dining experience in the normal room, I will never go back. On a weekday when the place was virtually empty, I experienced very expensive food that was poorly prepared and lacked culinary merit, was served grissly veal that was far from choice grade, and was treated to service that exhibited extreme indifference (on the rare occasion when the table was visited). I am willing to believe that a different experience could be had at the Chef's table -- but having experience the poverty of the main room, I doubt I would patronize it.
Tudor Place Georgetown area
You will be in the north part of Georgetown, so depending on how much walking you want to do, you may have all of Georgetown from which to choose. You should be aware that Georgetwon can be quite crowded on any fine spring weekend.
Closest to your location would be Cafe Bonaparte for crepes, Patissere Poupon for very nice french baked goods (but no reservations), and (just a little further away, to the north) Bistro Lepic for very fine French cuisine.
I just noticed these are all French -- by coincidence of geography, I assure you, not because I am steering you towards any particular cuisine preference.
the Source vs. Corduroy (sp?)
If someone is deathly allergic, they have the responsibility to clearly state the problem. Sitting here today, with the benefit of hindsight, anyone can cavalierly assume that there must have been some conscious confusion that the restaurant must have simply chosen to ignore. Leaving aside my doubt that food service operators proceed so recklessly, the way the OP stated it, there was no cause for confusion on the restaurants part at the time the statement was made: it would have heard that the person "does eat" what was being served.
Let me confess: My wife cannot eat some food or it will put her in the hospital. I am clear about the restriction and take responsibility for making sure that I am not being ambiguous. It does no one any favors for the diner to be unclear in such a situation and then blame the restaurant after the fact.
the Source vs. Corduroy (sp?)
No. If the restaurant thought it understood, why would it ask for clarification?
I read that phrase as "I'm allergic but eat it anyway," that is, as an "ok" sign regarding a minor allergy of no real consequence. If the allergy was something major, and would send someone to the hospital, why wouldn't someone simply state "no shellfish" or "no saltwater fish" (or whatever, I still can't tell what the statement is meant to get across)?
A Tricky One- Real Chinese Food
The A&J Restaurant in Rockville is exactly the same as the A&J Restaurant I went to in Beijing. Not just the food, but even the way the waitresses dress. It is a chain, I believe started out of Taiwan.
In addition to their ususal fare, you might be interested to know that they serve a very authentic congee breakfast. I don't know of any other place nearby that does so.
Crab cake recommendation
Thanks for the tip - there's nothing like a good crabcake! Can you provide an address? From the information, I am not sure where to drive to happen upon this "little strip mall" that's "not easy to find."
Looking for authentic Thai food
Me, I would disagree (respectfully, of course). Best in DC is Thai Xing, by far. As for Ruan Thai, I am worried that it has slipped a bit, but to my mind Ruan's food still exceeds Kanlaya's. Kanlaya does have the more attractive decor, however.
Pret A Manger
WhadRya talkin' 'bout? There is indeed batter local fare at that price point, and that includes for sandwiches. Breadline is right around the corner from that location, for gosh gum's sake!
