shellymck's Profile
Can Anyone Offer More Information About "King Syrup"
This was my father's pancake syrup of choice when I was a kid. We didn't use it for any other purpose.
After Thanksgiving Day-
We did a take out Thanksgiving this year (from Whole Foods) because we had been traveling right up until the holiday and I was so pleased with the results that I could imagine doing it again. I would similarly like to hear from people who went this route. Other than Balducci's I don't know of any other take out options. We ordered the all organic dinner and it was plentiful and terrific with the exception of the cranberry stuffing (too sweet but sage stuffing wasn't an option).
-----
Balducci's
600 Franklin St, Alexandria, VA 22314
3 fancy lunches sans enfant-please pick from my iist
Thanks for all those helpful comments. I think we'll try to get reservations at Le Cinq, Chez L'ami Jean and either Septime or L'Agape Substance. Thanks plafield for mentioning Le Cinq. I'm not sure why it dropped off my radar but that's exactly what I was looking for a celebration meal and the recent thread on the 12 course lunch made my mouth water.
-----
L'ami Jean
27 Rue Malar, Paris, Île-de-France 75007, FR
3 fancy lunches sans enfant-please pick from my iist
Thanks for the comments. Looks like Chez L'Ami Jean will definitely be in. I was planning to avoid Septime since I saw the discussion of the NYT mention and thought it might be too hard to get in. I would love to hear some other opinions as well. I was thinking that making a list rather than asking an open ended question would make it easier to respond. Thanks.
3 fancy lunches sans enfant-please pick from my iist
We are headed to Paris for a two week visit in November. I have been doing lots of restaurant research including the archives here, Paris by mouth and French language sites, esp le Figaro. I am looking for help in choosing where to dine for the three LUNCHES that we will have a babysitter, all during the week. We will be staying near the Invalides.
Ideally we would like to do one traditional, one seafood and one modern and/or romantic (my birthday).
I have been debating whether or not to go to l’Arpege, Gagnaire, etc. It seems that for every glowing review there is a very disappointed one. I’m not sure I want to take that risk. I am over seeking out the best this that or the other and am just looking for enjoyable.
I don’t want to spend more than 30 minutes getting there either on foot or metro.
While I have no problem spending money on food I am concerned about wine list prices because super expensive bottles are wasted on me. Another reason why I’m not sure about l’Arpege et cie.
The menu needs to have choices. I prefer not to eat meat when possible although I know it won’t be avoidable in some cases.
This is my list so far: Please pick one each.
Romantic/Modern
Maceo
Le Marcab (was a favorite here the last time we went to Paris but I don’t see much talk about it now)
Le Grand Vefour (I am a sucker for a gorgeous room and we love cheese but I know it gets mixed reviews)
Passage 53
L’Arpege
J-F Piege
Traditional
Chez L’Ami Jean is the obvious choice but on an earlier thread someone said they thought it would be okay with a kid in which case I don’t want to use babysitting time. Le Paul Bert , Chez Denise or La Regalade would be my second choice. If a single well-behaved toddler would be fine at these places also please pick from the other categories.
Seafood
Le Divellec
La Cagouille (I know it’s a current favorite but I’m wondering if “simply prepared” means boring. For me food excitement comes from the preparation, rather than the sourcing).
Gaya
Les Fables de la Fontaine
Thanks for looking over my choices. And thanks to the core group of Paris hounds who keep this board going.
Charged more than menu price [moved from New York State]
I followed this thread with interest because I am one of those people who always checks the bill in a restaurant. I would say that it is not uncommon to be upcharged in this way (menu price different from receipt price) and I am not surprised when it happens. And on principle I always protest no matter what the amount. If the restaurant can go to the trouble of reprogramming the cash register than they can go to the trouble of reprinting menus.
Bobby Flay’s Burger Palace to open August 16
FWIW, if anybody is thinking of trying this place at lunch time, the line was all the way down the block on Friday.
Where can I buy lard near Silver Spring, Maryland?
I noticed some at Giant in Wheaton yesterday--near the butter at the back of the store.
Help!! Looking for an inexpensive place to have a Sunday Brunch Wedding in DC….wishful thinking??
Does it have to be DC? We had our wedding reception at 2941 and when I organized brunch was by far the cheapest option. it's a gorgeous venue.
Food Suggestions In Cambridge, MD
On our visit to Cambridge we enjoyed meals at Jimmie and Sook's and Suicide Bridge Restaurant (go before sunset for the view). Bistro Poplar was considered the most upscale but we were unable to eat there because of a private event. We stayed at the Hyatt and thought the food was pretty awful so don't eat there.
Piece-wise Gyros?
I mostly have to concur with Daniel K. We needed to have lunch in Bethesda today and the uneven reviews put me off Freddy's so, remembering all the good press Yamas got a while ago we gave it a shot. To my mind, it's not worth the schelp from Silver Spring. The gyro was very good and I also liked the veg pita quite a bit but the zucchini fritters were served soft off a steam table, not freshly fried. In addition, the table service is less than competent, though well-meaning. Our fries did not come until after we had finished our sandwiches and when I pointed out a price discrepancy on the bill (versus the price on the menu) I was informed that it was a computer issue that they were aware of but that they really couldn't fix and that if I wanted to press the issue the server might be able to get the manager to fix it. Since it was a small amount it was clear I was supposed to live with the upcharge.
Urban Tastes & other fresh/prepared food delivery services
We used Soupergirl for a month during a particularly busy period. The service was great, whether you like it or not depends on your palate--it's vegan and it tastes healthy but not "gourmet." You can place one-off orders, over the course of the month I found the flavor profile somewhat limited, but I'd be willing to do it again if I was in a jam food-wise.
Any meal delivery or personal chef services in Calvert County?
I'm looking to buy a package of meals for someone about to have a second baby in Southern Maryland. Can anyone recommend a service or person? I'd rather not go the route of one of those places where you make the meals yourself. Thanks.
Salmon burgers?
The ones sold at Costco in Beltsville are delish--Trident brand with Alaskan salmon. About $13 for a sleeve of 12.
Anything chowish near Seven Locks Road and Tuckerman Lane? Monday lunch.
We need to make a trip to the Cabin John mall on Monday. I'm not really familiar with that area--is there anything chowish nearby for a leisurely holiday lunch? All cuisines considered but we're looking for more casual as we have a toddler. Thanks.
Back up place for brunch with a crowd (and kids) in Silver Spring?
I would not suggest the Daily Dish, very poor reviews on here and in my personal experience pretty bad. I'd recommend instead the Royal Mile Pub in Wheaton which does a very nice order off the menu seated brunch on Sat and Sun until 2. You will definitely be able to get a seat.
-----
Royal Mile Pub
2407 Price Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20902
The Daily Dish
8301 A Grubb Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910
CSA 2011 Season
I love, love, love my CSA, Spiral Path Organics. The pickup site I use is Silver Spring and it looks like (at least this is news to me) that they are expanding to Bethesda for the new season. The produce is great, it is a good value compared to organic shopping at WF and I save time at the market with a grab and go pickup. I have been a member since they joined the Silver Spring market a couple of years ago and have never been disappointed and unlike what others describe above it's a very well-run, organized set-up.
http://www.spiralpathfarm.com/index.php?pID=17
Vegetarian Sausage?
Oh, and in terms of price, I find WF, Target and TJ's the cheapest. The major grocery stores are very pricey.
Vegetarian Sausage?
Did you ask? WF is where I buy the majority of my fake meat. I can't believe a particular location would not have it. You may have just overlooked it because the packaging does make it look like meat. It's available refrigerated and frozen. My preferred brand is Gimme Lean sausage style which comes refrigerated in a tube. Morningstar sausage crumbles are also good (frozen) and Trader Joe's fake chorizo is amazing and spicy--it's inside a casing but comes out loose.
Half-priced wine night?
Black Market Bistro does half price off on Mondays. It used to be on everything, now just on select wines.
-----
Black Market Bistro
4600 Waverly Ave, Garrett Park, MD 20896
Breakfast in/near Silver Spring, College Park
--Parkway Deli (better than Woodside)
--McGinty's was surprisingly good
--My favorite on Sat and Sun is Royal Mile which serves til 2. It's just a smidge further in Wheaton.
Good Delivery Pizza in Silver Spring/Wheaton
Have you tried ZPizza? They have a limited delivery area but the driver previously told me she would come out by me near the beltway if they weren't busy. And their pizza is our favorite chain pizza.
Where to buy prepared pastry dough?
I noticed some in Whole Foods yesterday as part of a holiday foods display.
Wine store and pizza near Foggy Bottom metro
There's Bertucci's in 2000 Penn but that's probably not what you're looking for.
-----
Bertucci's Restaurant
2800 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201
DC two nights with 10 year old grandson who knows good food (asian & steak)
I completely disagree about Bistro du Coin--it was good when it opened and the DC nouveau steakhouse trend had not yet started so it had no competition but now it's not good at all. My last meal there was terrible--there are so many better options.
New Whole Foods opening at Foggy Bottom
GW announced today that a new Whole Foods will open on campus next year. If you want to read more see this:
http://www.gwu.edu/explore/gwtoday/onaroundcampus/agroceryforgw?utm_source=gwtodayemail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=gwtodayemail0805
Old Fashioned Metal Ice Trays
According to my husband the trick to getting the ice out easily is to let the trays come to room temperature before filling them up again so no little shards develop when you loosen the ice. I was skeptical but it seems to work, we don't have an icemaker either. Also, look for the trays that don't allow the water to channel from one cube to the next thereby creating a sheet on top, that's also helps.
Where to find sheets of fresh pasta?
For a while my Costco (the one in Beltsville) was selling sheets of fresh pasta; they were extremely versatile and I made some nice lasagne and cannelloni. They haven't had them for a while now so I"m assuming they are done for. Do any grocery chains carry them locally? I'm not really looking to make a special trip for artisanal stuff.
Thanks.
Gillian Clark's The General Store
I'm in agreement with Glinda. We have returned from a first visit where I went in expecting bad service and good food based on reviews here and elsewhere. The service--what there was of it--was friendly enough--but if I'm spending $50 on dinner I don't want to stand in line to order or to ask for anything else. And we did have to stand in line since there was only one counter person and she seemed pretty swamped and the place wasn't that full. Of the dishes we tried we really only liked the spinach and the cornbread. The fish tacos were dry, the sangria tasted like juice, the chicken was very salty and the mac and cheese was bland. And we were disconcerted to find that they have removed all of the straps from their high chairs because, I was told, the straps get food on them. I would rather have my kid get a little dirty than have him fall out of a high chair. I don't get how a supposed neighborhood place would make it difficult to seat children. This is a law suit waiting to happen.
