atarah's Profile
SOHO date night?
Would love any recommendations for a Soho dinner date, where we can still get a reservation for next Saturday night, hopefully. We're staying in Soho, so prefer that neighborhood, if possible. We're looking for something on the quieter side, nice but not exhoribatant (is that still possible in NYC?). Any cuisine is fine.
Thanks!
Need recs for restaurants in Coolidge Corner
Our dear friends are moving from DC to Brookline, specifically Coolidge Corner. We want to buy them a gift certificate to a restaurant in the neighborhood where they can get decent carryout, or have a casual dinner with their toddler. They'll be new in town with no sitter, so we're not looking for any swanky date night places, yet! Are there any quality neighborhod Coolidge Corner spots you can recommend? The kind you go back to again and again and don't ever get sick of? They have pretty wide-ranging tastes... Indian, Asian, Latin, bagels, delis, you name it, any and all would work.
Thanks!
Recs needed for getaway weekend
Please help these two new parents who used to be foodies but haven't been out to dinner in ages! We've never been to Philly, and are taking a "getaway" weekend there in Nov. We love all kinds of cuisine, and will be staying in the downtown Marriott on 12th and Market. We'll ahve our car, but prefer to stay central unless we're going somewhere amazing.
We're looking for something special, but not too pretentious or fancy, with entrees that tend to fall below $30.
Best Boulder Restaurants?
Some friends of ours are moving from DC to Boulder, and we'd like to get them a gift certificate to a great Boulder restaurant. We're looking for something special but unpretentious, centrally located with great food and nice ambience. Suggestions?
Thank you!
Homemade tortillas in SS?
Anyone know where to buy homemade tortillas (or at least fresher and more homemade than the ones I'd find in a grocery store) in Silver Spring? Thanks!
Sascha's or B&O restaurant for bday dinner? Please help me decide!
My family in Baltimore is taking me out for my birthday this weekend. They have left the final choice between the two up to me. I can't tell much from the B&O website, so any insights would be appreciated. Which would you choose?
Which has better food, and better atmosphere for a bday celebration? We want to be able to enjoy some great dishes, but also be able to talk to each other without shouting over the din (a la Pazo!). Is one especially better with fish/seafood than the other?
Thank you!
Options in Lancaster County?
We're off for a spa vacation in Amish Country in Intercouse, near the city of Lancaster. Does anyone know of any good restaurants in the area? Are there other choices other than places that have the words farm, family, or buffet in their title? (Not that there's anything wrong with that!). Thanks in advance!
Padron peppers in DC or MoCo?
Does anyone know where I can find Spanish padron peppers in the area, or of any specialty store that sells Spanish cheeses and groceries? Thanks!
Crabcakes near BWI
I know this board is crabcake-overstuffed, but could someone please tell me the name of a place I'm thinking of? I think it's initials (G&H, L&H?) and it's near BWI and supposedly has excellent ccs. Thanks to anyone who can help!
Middle Eastern grocery?
On the "other side' in Wheaton, MD there is a small, but excellent middle eastern market on University Blvd., right off of Viers Mill. I can't remember the name, but it is on the same block with Cristina's restaurant if you want to search it. Maybe someone on this board will know.
Chocolate/Novelty Shops?
Can anyone recommend any chocolate or novelty shops that might sell chocolate cigars that say "It's a Girl?" I know this is a little odd and specific, but I remember seeing them somewhere, and I want to buy them as a gift.
Any fun, kitschy chocolate shops would be great to hear about.
I'm in Silver Spring, so anywhere in DC or MoCo would be helpful.
Thanks!
Good wine buys in Silver Spring or NW?
No, actually, that's not the case (no pun intended!?). Wine and beer ARE definitely sold privately throughout MoCo. We have many, many wine and beer shops as well as grocery stores that sell wine and beer. You are right about hard alcohol, though.
Anyway, I'd love to hear about any specific stores, in MoCo or DC, where people have found good bargains for nice wines.
Good wine buys in Silver Spring or NW?
We need to stock up on some wine for a party we are throwing at a BYOB restaurant. Does anyone have any recs for a good wine shop with reasonable prices? Anywhere in or near SS is fine... DC, Rockville, etc.
And if anyone has any specific wine recs, that would be appreciated too. It's a casual Italian restaurant, and we'll need both whites and reds.
Thanks!
Prince Edward Island Mussels
Mannequin Pis (www.mannequinpis.com ?) has fabulous PEI mussels and the drive to Olney is worth every mile. Choose from 17 different mussel pots. My favorite area restaurant, even though for me it is quite a schlep!
Dinner options near the Warner?
We're going to a show at the Warner soon (near Metro Center), and would love some dinner recommendations -- within walking distance. Nothing too too upscale. We were thinking along the lines of Oyamel, Jaleo, Rasika, but would like to be closer to the theater than those are.
Thanks in advance!
Rec for restaurant and inn near-ish to Boston?
I'm a DC chowhound who wants to buy my Boston friends a wedding present of a dinner and night at an inn within a few hours drive of Boston. Any suggestions? I'd like to steer clear of the Cape since they go there fairly regularly.
Thanks!
Atarah
Middle Eastern Markets
There is a middle eastern market on University a couple of blocks north of the Wheaton Metro. It's a small middle eastern speciality shop, but I cannot remember the name right now! But it is on University just east of Viers Mill in the heart of Wheaton. They have a great selection of spices.
Someone on chound recommended it to me when I was looking for preserved lemons. Maybe google to get the name? Good luck!
Dim Sum buffet Sunday
If you can go few miles away, try Hollywood East Cafe in Wheaton. Wonderful dim sum. It's on University near Viers Mill, a short drive from Rockville.
Coffee Shop with Big Chair
Mayorga in Silver Spring has many chairs and couches, and you can sit and read all day. It's a great space. There is also one that opened up in the Tivoli complex in Columbia Heights, right near the Metro, but I haven't been.
Also, 14th and U cafe has many laptopers and readers. It's a small cozy little place, located at, well... you guessed it.
Food near Marriott Wardman Park?
There are a strech of restaurants right on Connecticut across from the hotel, which are nice for the sidewalk cafe atmosphere, but most are pretty mediocre or unremarkable as far as the cuisine. An exception is Lebanese Taverna. I'd recommend that for lunch or a leisurely dinner. Nice ambience, and very flavorful dishes.
If you walk east on Calvert, one block, you'll hit Mama Ayesha's, another great neighborhood Middle Eastern place.
Dinner in DC area with a child...
Malaysia Kopitiam on M and 19th (may be off a street) if you like Malaysian food, that is. It's casual and homey, and the food is consistently good.
good place for 6/7 people, not too pricey
Try Skewers or the Italian place below it, whose name escapes me right now (anyone know?). They are on P St. in Dupont. Both are very casual, neighborhood spots. The food is nothing to write home about, but it's acceptable, and they are reasonably priced and good for groups.
Sette, on Conn Ave. and R Sts. NW (a block from Dupont Metro) has some pizzas and pastas for that price range I believe. It's more stylish place than the ones above, and I really have enjoyed the food there.
Open late on Sundays in Silver Spring area?
I wouldn't give up on Korean just yet. Call Woomi Gardens in Wheaton (on Hickerson I believe) for their hours. The Gallery may serve that late, on East West Highway, but it isn't cheap and it can be a scene.
Solo dining - One Night in DC
Both Cafe St. Ex, and its related tapas-bar incarnation, Bar Pilar, are in walking distance (they're a few blocks away from each other on 14th St. NW in the U St. Corridor) are great for dining alone. Both are hip little neighborhood bistros, with delicious menus and a welcoming atmosphere. I think Pilar may do a food/wine pairing menu, but I'm not sure.
www.barpilar.com
www.saint-ex.com
Also, there are some good places on P St. near 15th, Logan Tavern and Merkado. Same owner, but Merkado is Latin-influenced.
Enjoy your one night in DC!
Buying chanterelles in DC?
Try Han Ahn Reum or Hmart, or Lotte World. All the large Korean grocery stores carry an amazing variety of mushrooms. They are always fresh and inexpensive. They are located in No. Va. and Silver Spring.
Berkshires... Huge disappointment at Napa
Has anyone been to Napa in historic Lenox? We had an awful experience there last weekend. It seemed like every single staff member was under 18 years old, and the lack of experience and professionalism showed. It took us more than 20 minutes to receive menus and then our server missed taking our drink orders. When we asked for silverware, she gave us paper napkins and said they "ran out of linen" although other diners continued to receive linen napkins throughout the night.
The couple dining next to us asked about the cuts of meat, and the server went back in the kitchen and appeared with three packages of frozen, bloody meat to show them the options. This must be against health code, not to mention every other standard of professionalism!
I could go on, but I'm curious to know if this is typical of Napa and what the problem is.
Baltimore Italian
Germano's is very good, and Chiparelli's (all yours, spell-checkers!) is an old famous standby, but I haven't been there in years and can't comment on its recent quality.
However, many native Baltimoreans will tell you, there is really only one Italian Restaurant in Bmore, and that is Sabatinos.
Looking for Two Ingredients: Tasso and Fresh Blue Corn Tortillas...
Try calling Latin Market in Wheaton, or just google other Latin markets in Wheaton. There are many small business there that sell homemade tortillas. The one I'm thinking of is on University or Ennals right between Viers Mill and Georgia.
Please post if you do find them. I'd love to know where they can be found!
Grocery Store Plantains
I'd be really surprised if the Columbia Heights Giant doesn't have them in abundance. You may also want to try the market on P St. and 22nd, next to Soho Tea and Coffee and Z furniture (I forget the name). They have a pretty good fruit selection for a small market, but I can't remember if they stock plantains.
Visiting DC for 48 hrs on Monday...
Two good "quick escapes" from the Mall are Teaism (informal, but excellent tea shop and full cafe) for lunches, and Oyamel (Mexican) for dinner. They are a couple of blocks off the Mall (maybe D St NW?), about a block away from one another.
I've heard good things about the AmIn Museum Cafe, but other than that I'd run, run, run from the Mall and museums when you want to enjoy a meal.
