Plankwalker's Profile
how did i miss "slade's" closing in tyson's?
Ah ... Luciano's. In fact, that is the only business at Tyson's that has been there since the beginning. I remember getting pizza there when I was in high school in the late 70's!
Admit it... There's Some Dishes at Chain Restaurants You Like
Interesting discussion here. My 2 cents would note that simple American breakfast food is probably about one of my comfort faves. And who in the world tends to make the best, perfectly grilled hash browns and impecable buttermilk pancakes? Well, where I live it is an IHOP on Richmond Hwy in Alexandria VA. There is another IHOP a few miles away that is OK, but not up to the standards of the Richmand Hwy joint. So the idea is if the kind of food you are looking for is fairly generic (like American breakfast food), I'll take a chance on a specialty (meaning focus on breakfast fare) chain like IHOP on equal odds with some other non-chain that in all likelihood may not even have any sort of first rank cooks on their first shift in the AM.
Admit it... There's Some Dishes at Chain Restaurants You Like
Yes ... yes ... I must confess that I too have a weakness for McDonald's Sausage Egg Cheese Biscuit with hash browns (sometimes I order an extra 2 HBs for a dollar extra). Real gluttony.
Good Restaurants in Vienna, Virginia
I will second the nomination for Skorpios gyros ... I think they are the best in the whole DC Metro area
Does anybody remember when Pizza Hut used to be good?
I grew up in Wichita Kansas in the 1960's ... back when Pizza Hut was new. (It may have even originated in Wichita, but I'm not certain here.) My folks would take me there as a special meal out from time to time, and we all loved there pizza. Maybe my memory is affected by some sort of nostalgia, but I distinctly remember it as being really good, and not something that would ever be mistaken for the crap they make now.
Cheesecake Factory..I am being forced to go
Well for starters ... it is not unreasonable to split any entres or deserts. They are gargantuan! Most I have tried would be a feed for three.
What's the best Mexican fast food chain?
I really have to take exception and draw a red line through ANY fast food Mex places. At least where I live (Virginia, Metro DC are), all of the really great Mex restaurants (and there are A LOT) are mostly family operations. Why even think about Taco Bell when within a few blocks there is bound to be an independent resto with knockout food.
Currently operating chains that used to be, but are no longer in your state?
I haven't seen a Jack in the Box in the Metro DC area in decades. There is one Arthur Treacher's in Alexandria (on Rt.1 ... a but run down, but does a NON STOP business) and a Long John Silvers in Falls Church Virginia in Rt. 7.
Currently operating chains that used to be, but are no longer in your state?
There is a Houlihan's in Springfield Virginia ... I have only seen it driving by, but it is in business.
Currently operating chains that used to be, but are no longer in your state?
Here in the Metro DC Virginia area there used to be several Shakey's Pizzas (it was my very first job soooo long ago). They are gone now, but I understand the chain has been relaunched, mostly on the West Coast.
In Search Of Killer Falafel
Try out Pita House on Cameron St in Old Town Alexandria. Really hard to beat!
Whatever happened to El Puerto?
A few months ago, my fave NoVA Mexican place, El Puerto (on Richmind Hwy in Alexandria), went dark. Does anyone know why? When it temporarily shut a couple years ago it was because off immigration issues ... But now???
Kitchen Nightmare 9/25 Maine vs Canadian Lobster?
My understanding is that lobsters of the same species can taste somewhat different based upon where they are caught. This largely reflects regional water characteristics and the various food sources that the lobsters themselves feed on.
Kitchen Nightmares Special
Six of nine were successful. The others? Lela's couldn't get out of debt quick enough and had to fold. Sebastien's Pizza (that nut!) went belly up. And Secret Garden went back to it's old ways, but I don't know if they are in biz. They have a website. I'm not suprised if Gordon would want nothing to do with that idiot chef (Michel?).
McCormick & Schmick's - opinions, please
There are several in the Washington DC area and I've eaten at most of them more than once. Overall, I really like them, especially one of their signature dishes; parmesan crusted sole with lemon caper butter. Pretty traditional, but quite well done.
On the downside, the new one at National Harbour served me a pretty chewy piece of tilapia yesterday. My first significant M&S disappointment. Of course, they have only been open a little over a week I think.
Cooking shows at hulu.com
Don't forget Three Sheets ... I didn't even know a drinking show existed until hulu.com
Top Chef Episode #2
My early money is on Mark. I intuit he has the chops to at least stay a good while.
No reservations: Romania
I couldn't help but think Zamir screwed this show up. He obviously dragged Tony to events he naturally would have steered clear of ... and then his drunkeness. Those dishes at the feast toward the end looked very interesting, but the focus was on the drunk Zamir. Pity.
Restaurant Advice - Union Station area
Not too terrible 'high end', but if you want a 'working man's' meal, I have always enjoyed the Dubliner. Get an order of the world's best fish 'n' chips and a cool pint of Guiness.
Dining around spy museum or Holocaust museum
I would toss in for near the Spy Museum; McCormick and Schmick's. (I know I'll get hammered for that, but I've had some great meals in that joint). In Alexandria, on King Street there is The Warehouse, The Majestic, and Olde Towne Thai among many.
Notable names in cooking show history?
Does anyone remember Rock 'n Roll Chef? As I recall he just did these little shorts between shows. Mostly quick snacks. Sloppily prepared quick snacks that probably should never have aired, owing to the inevitable hazzards of having a druggy crash and bang around in the kitchen.
