biscuit's Profile
Alexandria, VA suggestions?
Disagree on Virtue and BGR.
Virtue comes from the same stock as Eve, so while it may not be the same caliber or quality, it's still very good. I've tried several dishes there and everything is always fresh and flavorful. While not every dish is a hit, you just have to find what you like. Overall, it's one of the brighter spots in Old Town, especially when considering the abundance of pedestrian tourist joints.
BGR is not really comparable to Five Guys, IMO. The quality of the meat is much better and you can get it cooked to order, as opposed to Five Guys done one-way burgers. While BGR isn't as good as Elevation or Ray's, it's still beats FG. They have a wide variety of toppings and menu burgers. The Wellington is always a winner in my book. They also have shakes and bottled sodas, always a plus.
25 Most Expensive Restaurants in the U.S.
#14 Le Bernardin was far superior to #2 Per Se. Found Per Se to be wonderful, but certainly not worth the expense.
Native returning for a visit. Need recs.
Animal booked.
Royce sounds great. We went to Dining Room during Voltaggio's stint, so opted for a new locale this time around.
Heard great things about Providence. Forgot about that one.
Maybe Langer's, Ink.Sack or Pizzeria Mozza for lunch. Leaning towards Mozza.
Native returning for a visit. Need recs.
Haven't been home in a couple of years, so I know much has changed. Have been trying to keep up, but not an easy task.
So, planning ahead with your help. We will be staying in the Pasadena area, but willing to travel.
Need the following (have included my ideas so far):
1. One special night out with wife (but doesn't have to be pricy):
• Animal?
• AOC?
• Campanile (I've been for lunch once before)?
• Osteria Mozza (though we have molto of Mario in NYC, a few hours away)
• Border Grill (never went)
• Other?
2. Casual lunch with 4 year-old in tow:
• Ink.Sack (anywhere to sit?)
• Short Order
• Langer's
• Pizzeria Mozza?
• Other?
3. Dinner with Mom, wife and 4 year-old:
• Lawry's (I know, I know, but I've never been there either)?
• AKA Bistro?
• Pizzeria Mozza?
• Border Grill?
• Other?
Is there anything in Pasadena worth looking at? My brother swears by AKA Bistro, but I know nothing about it.
Need Current Info re: Best Crabcake
Thanks for the heads up. I'm originally from the West Coast, so don't know the area as well as I should.
And second Faidley's. It's a solid option.
Did Your Mom Repeatedly Cook a Dish You Despised?
Something disgusting called Diamond Jim (spinach, eggs, mushrooms, and ???).
It always tasted like throw up to me.
Need Current Info re: Best Crabcake
I think the one at Carlyle in Shirlington is pretty darn good, but it's likely there will be many favorites here. Hank's are good as well.
Pork Barrel BBQ
Agree that the ordering situation is extremely confusing. If they roped up one side opposite the sodas and planted an "order here" sign at the end of the row, that would help.
Pork Barrel BBQ
Tried the pork sandwich. Meat was pretty dry. The PB sauce was pretty good, so drenching the meat seemed to help combat the lack of moisture, but only marginally.
Collard greens were too sweet, although the flavor was punchy and inviting.
Ordered the Monster Mac and Cheese for the kids, not realizing that Monster is code for Chipotle. No wonder they didn't eat it. I tried it as well and was pretty awful. Doughy mac and gooey Velveeta-like cheese. The zing of the pepper was the only good thing about it, but nonetheless a fail. Guess there's not much that kids can eat there unless they like BBQ.
Potato salad was average. Potatoes were too firm for me, but the overall flavor was passable.
Don't think we'll be going back unless things improve drastically. I was hoping for good, local Q, but guess I'll have to keep waiting.
Mexican in DC
I finally had the Torta as well and it was worth breaking my seeming unbreakable Carne Asada Taco fix for. Totally amazing. Fresh baked bread and ingredients. Every bite pops in your mouth with flavor. So good!
Mexican in DC
I recently discovered La Mexicana has a Facebook page that I believe the son updates.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/La-Mexicana-Bakery-Taqueria/182453038437102
Good Southern Cuisine
Art & Soul up on the Hill is very good. Shrimp n grits, hoecakes, etc. Prices are mid-to-high, but worth it.
New to D.C.!!! Where do I start? D.C. Staples
Second on La Mexicana, Matchbox and Ray's.
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La Mexicana
13016 Middlebrook Rd, Germantown, MD 20874
The Layover - Singapore
Sure I'll be alone on this, but I liked it better than No Reservations. The pacing, the visuals and the sheer grittiness of it were more appealing to me. It really captured a realistic sense of what a visit to the city might be like. Perhaps to some it should be called "The Leftovers," but to me it has a life of its own and a unique one at that. There's nothing else on TV like what Bourdain does and he always does a superb job, IMO.
Ray's Steak and Cheese
I knew it wasn't a cheesesteak, as I mentioned, which was a bad attempt at humor and not the goal. Am also not familiar with what a "steak and cheese" should be. Nonetheless it didn't fully work for me as a complete package, regardless.
Ray's Steak and Cheese
Yeah, some of us are "Ray's out," but being a fan I had to give it a try, so I drove up to Wilson Blvd mid-afternoon to give it a shot.
The place was near deserted when I got there, something of an anomaly in the space formerly occupied by Ray's Hell Burger Too. I expected table service and then saw a couple of people ordering in the back. No menu. Nice. A manager cursing out staff. Nice. The haphazard chaos of a newly-opened dive, but not by seasoned professionals, but with a feeling of amateurishness. Not so nice.
Ah, but I'm here for the food. A cheeseste...er...."steak and cheese" as they not-so-quitely proclaim. Not a "Philly," nor anything "authentic," mind you, but a "steak and cheese."
Ordering was about as simple as it gets. When I requested my "steak and cheese," the cashier asked "Is that it?" I asked, "What else comes on it?" to which she replied, "mushrooms, jalapenos and grilled peppers." I went for the peppers.
When I got the sandwich, it didn't look very impressive. The roll seemed a bit too large since the fillings were jammed in the middle. It took me a good two bites of the impressive tasting roll to get to the good stuff – a fine combination of meats and cheeses. I could do without the lettuce, which seemed totally out of place. The tomato also was a near-miss, but could do, I suppose. The peppers were in there somewhere, but I couldn't taste them much. The star – the meat itself, however, was tasty, juicy and flavorful. It seemed of good quality, so bonus points there. All together though, it was just above average for me.
On the side, the tots were about as ordinary as it gets, but were a fair accompaniment. The thought of Ore-Idas flash-fried went through my mind, but they went down well enough.
All in all, a good lunch, but if you're seeking the holy grail of "steak and cheeses," cheesesteaks or even sandwiches, this only satisfies, but doesn't seem to command the respect of multiple visits. I might go back if a friend wanted to go, but I doubt I'd go out of my way for it again, like I do for the occasional Hell-Burger. I suppose for folks yearning for a decent sand, it'll work.
Anyone else have a go?
Cuban Sandwich in NoVA
I liked the Cuban at Virtue Feed and Grain in Alexandria.
http://www.foodspotting.com/places/205945-virtue-feed-and-grain-alexandria/items/1538-cuban-sandwich
Mexican in DC
Taqueria Nacionale (if it's still around) or Pepito's II are the best I've had in town. Down in Alexandria, La Mexicana is hands-down best in the entire DMV.
Mexican in DC
Baja Fresh is nada. Last time I went the chips were stale, salsa frozen, the fish watery and bland. I liked this place in my 20's, but since I've had the real deal, I'll avoid. I'll just go ahead and say that it's truly awful.
Galileo III - Don't Go There
The fact that there even was a II, yet alone III says it all. Restaurants shouldn't be named like movie sequels, and of also likewise subsiding income generation.
Bobby Flay’s Burger Palace to open August 16
I don't, thanks.
I take it that makes you the expert by default since you're informed and I'm not. The very thing that seemingly irritates you for some odd reason is what you're now shoving on me. You're real sour about all of this. Not sure why.
I'm likely never going to try every burger in town, nor will you.
I said they were "my faves." I don't think I crowned myself Master of All Known Burgers in DC. You've taken something that most everyone does here (mentioning their favorites) and turned it into an elitist, personal attack.
Last I checked Chowhound wasn't a food critics/experts/snobs paradise, but a place for people who love food.
Thoughts on Virtue in Old Town? Not a great first experience...
Agreed. Shepherd's Pie is good.
Also enjoyed the brunch quite a bit. Good quality food, well cooked and tasty. Can't go wrong.
