AngloAmerican's Profile
Big Fish Grille (Crofton) -- opinions?
I went once and was underwhelmed. I had lobster which was ... nice. Nothing special. My dining companions had crab cakes and found them...okay...bit eggy. The plates are too huge; your food looks lonely. The side dishes didn't come out with the main meal but a bit later...oddly they were stone cold. I think somebody must have remembered the day the a/c went out because when we were there they had it set on about 40 and it was cooooold.
The whole place was cold though (we were in the restaurant part, around the back), and a bit uninviting. There are better choices.
Why are there so few good bakeries
Does anyone know if the Heidelberg Bakery in Arlington is under new management. I was there on Saturday and it seemed...different. I can't put my finger on it, just different.
Peruvian chicken - replacement for El Pollo Rico?
Oh, no, it's still a kabob place, and I imagine pretty good, but the owner plead guilty to spying for Saddam Hussein, gathering info on US residents opposed to SH, using his restaurant as a gathering place for Iraqi intelligence operatives, and trying to gather information on Fort Meade and the National Security Agency.
I won't go there as he or his wife are still there. Also the cook was part of the operation and may or may not be in jail now. (He was caught trying to cross the border at Buffalo.) It's a shame as spy or not, the place had some good food. But sdomehow now it'd stick in my throat.
Pretzel Baguettes at Whole Foods
They are called "Laugenbroetchen" (lye rolls) and are also available at the Heidelberg Bakery (though not in the shape of a baguette). I used to love them when I lived in Berlin and Stuttgart and actually squealed in delight when I discovered them at WF and previously at the Heidelberg bakery.
They aren't available at Heidelberg if I've gotten there before you. Because I don't get there very often I buy like three dozen and freeze them. The ones from WF were delicious. They only had four left when I was there last; I bought all four. Sadly (for them) they did not survive the trip home but my partner and I polished them off behind the wheel. They were so deliciously chewy and unctiously moist that one didn't need any butter or schmalz (rendered goose fat) or anything on them. Mmmm good.
Why are there so few good bakeries
It might partially also be because while each area or part of the world has its own culinary traditions, the DC area is home to so many people from all over that no one tradition can find a critical mass of potential clients. There aren't enough German/German baking enthusiasts to support more than one bakery. There aren't enough Portuguese bread lovers to support any. That and the lack of knowledge of what good bread is like, or excellent pastries, the distances we travel making us unwilling to go out to get groceries daily (after a long commute!), and the fact that most supermarket breads are 'good enough' - not revolting or horrid and most supermarket pastries are nice and cloyingly sweet which Dunkin Donuts's success proves people want.
All that said, what do people think of Raulin's in Beltsville?
Peruvian chicken - replacement for El Pollo Rico?
I've been looking at Megachicken everytime I mourn "Gourmet Shish Kebab" becoming "Espionage Kebab" driving to the Parkway from Laurel.
Peruvian chicken - replacement for El Pollo Rico?
I guess I'd better try the other places then; perhaps if I'm easily satisfied by Sardi's, I'll be thrilled by the others! :)
South African Food
I think there's one in NY as well. I have to send to Charlottesville for wors and it's bloody expensive. Not the store's fault either, but to ship meats frozen is not cheap. Thanks for the advice. Next time I'm there....
South African Food
It sure does. The odd thing is how the CDB just closed one day, no notice.
South African Food
Ever since the demise of the Cape Dutch Bakery I've been unable to find a source locally for boerewors, chackalacka, or any other of the delicious South African foods I used to get there. I have to send to NC at vast expense and so wors en pap has become a rare treat. Does anyone know where in the DC/Baltimore area I could get my hands on wors, pap, chackalacka, Mrs. Ball's chutney, etc.? I know Nando's is in DC but that's mainly chicken and I wanna have a lekker braai for my chinas this summer (a good barbecue for my friends).
Peruvian chicken - replacement for El Pollo Rico?
Sardi's is excellent. The chicken is sooo good - my friends and I call it "crack chicken" it's so addictive. And the sides are pretty good too, the sauces are delicious and there is more than just chicken. They offer a lovely deboned chicken half (pollo 'Ever'), beef hearts, ceviche, salchipapas, lomo saltado, and chicharron de pollo. Mmmm good. My husband and I go there about once a week.
PG county dining
FYI, Gah Rahm now does a dinner buffet - mostly grill-at-your table meats. Not as many side dishes as I'd like and no sushi (I'm used to Ill Mee in Annandale), but it's quite good. Their lunch buffet is not bad, especially their pa jon (seafood pancakes) which are crispy and good.
Maiwand Kebab - Arundel Mills/Preserve
Was just there for their Monday night lamb curry. Lovely sauce, buttery, spicy but with tantalizing hints of sweetness to intrigue your palate. The chunks of lamb were melty but not gooshy, and had a good lamb flavour. The naan was not bad, perhaps not as charred as I like it. We also got sides of saag (heavenly) and garbanzo beans (gorgeous). I am missing the meal even as I type this this morning.
However, if you go, one side is enough for two people. We were almost too well-fed.
Everyday Eating: Restaurants you frequent
I am at Sardi's in Beltsville nearly once a week. You can't go wrong with Pollo Ever - a deboned half chicken with Peruvian spices. Mmmm with a side of yucca. Price is good - under $10. It's my 'too tired to cook' place. Supreme laziness - they deliver!
What's the 2nd best sandwich place in DC?
Unless you like standing in line though, try to phone or fax your order in...and if you fax it you might want to verify receipt. Just saying. :)
Oh, I'm new to Chow Hound. Hello, everyone.
