food dude's Recent Activity
Chowhound Post
Univ of MD at College Park Ice Cream?
Are you talking about the ice cream that they serve at Turner Labs? It's got a good reputation, but I think it's just OK. I had some this weekend at the Terps football game.
It reminds me of ColdStone ice cream. Super creamy. Anyone can make super rich/creamy ice cream- just go heavy on the cream. What I think both of those ice creams lack is flavor (and probably enough egg yolks). I like pure, fresh, natural tasting ice cream- and I don't think UofM ice cream has that. Hell, I think Breyer's does a better job at flavoring their ice creams than most ice cream makers.
I remember the best ice cream being made by Howard Johnson's.
Chowhound Post
PGA Tour in Rockville gone out of business
This might be too simplistic of a theory, but I think the name was the problem. PGA Tour? WTF? Makes you think of crappy country club food- or a place with a bunch of golfers hanging around in golf shirts.
Chowhound Post
Gifford's Ice Cream at Harris Teeter
Out Of A Flower ice cream and sorbet went out of business a while ago.
Chowhound Post
Ocassions Caterers
Anyone use them or have feedback on them?
Chowhound Post
The Palm Restaurant at Tysons...
I HATE the Palm in Tyson's. I've never thought the food was bad, just not special in any way really. I'd rather go to Flemings up the street for their steak and wine.
So, the reason for my hate? I once showed up there for a lunch and admittedly thought I might be under-dressed (was wearing black jeans and sweater). The maitre de kept insisting to me that my party hadn't shown. I waited outside for about 30 minutes for them, went back inside and the guy looked at me like he had never seen me before. I asked him again if anyone had shown up from my party, and he said there was nobody there under that name (even though I swear I saw the name on his screen).
So, I left. I spoke to my friends the next day and they told me they were all there and indeed the reservation was under the name I told the maitre de it was.
So, I wasn't dressed up nice enough to get into their mediocre restaurant. So be it. Just tell me! I'm a big boy, I can handle it! The games he played were childish and wasted my time as I waited. Gotta wonder if that's their policy and the way he was trained.
Chowhound Post
Black Salt -- The Tasting Room
Sounds like a great bargain. I had the tasting menu a year or so ago while I sat at the bar. For $80, I thought it was fantastic. The wine pairings were very good as well.
Chowhound Post
Ray's The Steaks
Charlie Palmer's, for starters. After that, I'll take Flemings and then Black's rib eye.
That being said, ordering steak out at a restaurant is like ordering pasta... why bother, when you can usually do it better and for a fifth of the price at home?!?
Chowhound Post
Bethesda Burgers?
I think the 2 best burgers in Bethesda are to be found at Black's and Houton's. Houston's does 3 things great... burgers, ribs, and crabcakes.
Chowhound Post
L'auberge Chez Francois or Obelisk
I think Chex Francois is the most over-rated restaurant in the city.
Chowhound Post
Where are the Region's Best BBQ Ribs?
I can't imagine better ribs than Houston's ribs.
Chowhound Post
Recent trip: Inn at Little Washington
That looks like an incredible experience you had.
I've been to the Inn a couple of times and it was great, but it's been a while.
That being said, I'm not sure I'll ever go back (although with Maestro changing hands, I might have to!!). I tried to book a room there a couple of weeks ago for a weeknight in October for me and my wife's 10 year anniversary. I called and was immediately put on hold by a recording claiming that the receptionist was busy helping other customers and would pick up the phone soon. 30 minutes passed and I finally hung up.
I then went online to request the reservation. They had a space for comments where I went ahead and commented that they shouldn't have put me on hold for 30 minutes AT LEAST (how long would I have remained on hold is anyone's guess!) and that they should just request the customer leaves a message and with contact info and will be called back.
Well, I never got an email reply either. If they can't even pick up the phone and/or reply to an email, I think I have to stay away on principle!
Chowhound Post
Great Sage - recent experiences, anyone?
The food at Great Sage has been decent to mediocre the times I've been there and a restaurant with poor service doesn't mean it has poor service every experience. Obviously, they are not well managed enough that you can reasonably expect to have good service the majority of the time. When I go out to eat, I want to be able to be confident that I'm not play Russian roulette with the service... depending on the server, who's in the kitchen, or how busy a restaurant is. That's not too much to ask.
Chowhound Post
Maestro -- go now
Well, that just sucks. Maestro is the best restaurant we've got... and it is less than 15 minutes from my house in Bethesda.
Looks like CityZen will take the reigns...
Chowhound Post
Mark Sneed, Phillips Seafood President, dies suddenly [moved from DC and Baltimore board]
I said the crabmeat was "darn good". It's obviously not as good as fresh picked Chesapeake Blue Crab, but it's a heck of a lot better than any other packaged crab I've had and better than fresh stone crab, in my opinion.
Phillips' pasteurized crab also has a VERY long shelf life, yet tastes good enough to serve on it's own as part of a garnish, filling, etc.
I always keep a few cans of it from Costco in my fridge- and everyone I've served it to (whether in soups, lightly seasoned on endive, or with corn and guacamole as a dip) thinks it stands up very well... tender, not fishy or bitter, and with plenty of decent sized chunks.
My wife who loves crabs and was born and raised in Maryland eats it straight out of the can, dipped in vinegar and sprinkled with Old Bay.
In a nutshell, Sneed produced a decent product, readily available and affordably priced. What's more, he was a nice guy who did lots of philanthropic work... good dad and husband as well.
Chowhound Post
Mark Sneed, Phillips Seafood President, dies suddenly [moved from DC and Baltimore board]
Very sad. He was a friend of mine and he leaves behind 3 young children. Has done a lot for crabmeat... found a way to produce it cheaply, long shelf life, and darn good quality.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/obit...
Chowhound Post
Tabard Inn vs. Dino vs. Corduroy vs. 1789
Admittedly, I haven't been to Tabard in a few years, but that restaurant was at a time my wife and my favorite. We now live in Bethesda with 3 kids, so always get side-tracked before making it down there WHEN we ever get the chance to go out.
I've always thought the food there was fantastic. And, the atmosphere is outstanding. It's where I proposed to my wife.
I'm no amateur when it comes to dining out... I've been to CityZen, Maestro, Alaine Ducasse in NY, Tom Kelleher's restaurant in Time Warner (I can't remember the name, but I've been there twice- starts with a "P" I think). Tabard isn't on par with any of those restaurants, but I think it's very good (or, at least was!).
Chowhound Post
WANTED: One fantastic dinner
You'll have a tough time getting an excpetional dinner for 4-6 for $150. It'll be somewhat difficult to do for only 2 people.
Chowhound Post
Bethesda Restaurants
Me too. Those and the crabcakes and ribs (and fries and baked potatoes) are what Houston's does best.
Chowhound Post
Inn at Little Washington or Citronelle
I guess Citronelle.
I think that CityZen and Maestro are better restaurants than either of them, though. Maestro might be a bit "too much" for attempting to convert someone. 2941 or Charlie Palmers would work as well.
Chowhound Post
Tabard Inn
I've been eating at the Tabard for about 20 years now. I've never had a bad meal there. It's been one of the consistently best restaurants in the City. It's not incredible, but always good. I don't understand the occasional bad reviews and/or seldom praise for this restaurant which features fine food and a fantastic setting.
Chowhound Post
NY Hound Not Fooling Around
Two more things... I think the best oysters around are served up at Black's or Black Market (same owner). Also, Sushi Taro is bustling enough for kids to go unnoticed and the sushi is real good.
For a great Japanese dining experience (the best in the city), go to um, geez, what the hell is the name of that place on MacArthur? I've eaten there a few times, but the name is escaping me this very minute... a little help, chowhounds?
Chowhound Post
NY Hound Not Fooling Around
Of your 4 restaurants that you've listed, the only one I might consider nixing is Cintronelle. I think it's over-rated. It's not like you will have a bad experience or anything, but I don't think it deserves to be in the same category as Maestro (which is the best dining experience you can have in the DC region!), CityZen, and IALW.
I'd rather dine at Charlie Palmer's or 1789 than Citronelle. I've never been to Eve or Komi, but I'll bet they're more adventurous than Citronelle. And, I've eaten at Palena once about a year ago and had the worst service I've had at any upper-echelon restaurant in years. The food was good, though.
Chowhound Post
Bethesda Resto Week Disappointment: David Craig
My wife and stopped by there Wednesday night at 5:30 and they were booked solid. We went over to Grapeseed.
We didn't know it was Restaurant Week. If we'd known, we'd probably have stayed home. I could be imagining this, but whenever I dine most anywhere during RW, I get the sense that the staff doesn't take us very seriously... assuming we're fly-by-night diners who are just out at the restaurants because there's a bargain to be had. The whole town just has a different "feel" to it, both the diners and the staff (if the staff is making negative assumptions about the clientele that week, maybe they're correct!).
Chowhound Post
Le Paradou vs. L'Auberge Chez Francois
La Paradou is MUCH better than L'Auberge. It's really no comparison.
Chowhound Post
Best Trader Joes in the DC area
TJs isn't the type of grocery store to stock things on a regular basis, which is why they only have about 10% of the SKUs of even a Whole Foods (let alone a conventional market). They only purchase products that they can sell less than anyone else. If the manufacturer doesn't cut them an exclusive deal, they'll refuse to carry it.
Chowhound Post
Great pastry in Alexandria, Virginia?
I love Mancini's in DelRay on Mt. Vernon.
Chowhound Post
Going to Maestro
fyi- the brunch is put out by the Ritz's kitchen, not Maestro's. The dinner experience is quite different. I'd recommend getting the tasting menu. They know what's best for the evening and will give you things that you'll love but you probably wouldn't have ordered... it's more adventuresome that way!
It'll be the best dinner the DC area has to offer!
Chowhound Post
Tabard Inn Last Night
I really hope they're not going downhill. I stopped going to the Tabard years ago because my wife and I moved to Bethesda, but it used to be our favorite restaurant when we were younger. The food was great there for years. I even ended up proposing to my wife there.
I did go there for lunch about 3 years ago, and I still thought it was just as good as I remembered. I've got pretty high standards for food, mind you- for nice meals I mostly frequent Maestro, 2941, 1789, CityZen, etc.
I think your boycott of the place is a bit harsh. You said it was good a month ago, which would lead me to the conclusion that there's a very good chance they simply had an off night. If they were good a month ago, they can be good a month from now...
Chowhound Post
iso fresh tofu near College Park
I think you can get them at the College Park MOM's- My Organic Market. I've seen it at their other stores, but can't remember specifically if they have it there. You also might want to try the MD Food Co-op, which is located in the Adele Stamp Union.
Chowhound Post
Columbia/HoCo shopping getting much better!
MOM's is located at the intersection of 175 and Rt. 1. Big store- looks bigger than a Trader Joe's. Has MUCH more selection and similar prices.
TJ's opens where 108 and 175 intersect in about a year. Costco will be in the same center.
