VaPaula's Profile
15 East alternative?
I'll second Yasuda for sushi; I just had an amazing experience there a couple weeks ago. We went for lunch. I didn't see omakase on the menu, but asked the chef to choose for us anyway. He proceeded to feed us fresh, bright, clean, wonderful sushi. I'm too embarrassed to tell you how much we ate, but it was wonderful. Not cheap, mind you, but worth every penny. It was almost like a vertical tasting - eel from two different places, fixed slightly differently, etc. Really fabulous.
We also had a great lunch at 15 East a few months back. if I was forced to compare, I'd say 15 East is bit more refined? Not even sure if that's the right word- both were great. You won't suffer at Yasuda.
Cedar, 8th and E Street NW, Washington DC
Wow, that's impressive on so many levels. Thanks for the review. I had a business lunch at Cedar a year or so ago - food and service were great. It definitely flies under the radar.
Advice - Mains under $30
I'm going to recommend one with the caveat that I have never been to Ai Fiori. Mains under $20 (which sounds scary now that I see it). We just went to Antibes Bistro last weekend (LES). Loved it. Where else can you find a $12 foie gras appetizer in Manhattan? No gristle, decent size, perfectly cooked, tasty.
Oh, and they had good cocktails as well (I got one with beet juice, Lillet & Grand Marnier called a Red Rivington - nice, earthy flavor). Added bonus was a stop at Schiller's Liquor Bar around the corner beforehand.
Service was good, but we were kind of difficult (friends who haven't seen each other in awhile, gabbing for a LONG time before looking at the menu) so it may well have been stellar had we been normal customers. ;-) Great bartender, too. Cute space.
Any new cheap eats discoveries around DC?
I must have been starving, lol. We loved Sundevich (really GOOD bread) and can't way to work our way through the menu.
Not new, but I recently had a good cheap eats experience at Cava Mezze (Capitol Hill) during their happy hour. We made a meal out of several dips, pita and other hh apps specials, had 3 glasses of wine each (we were thirsty, what can I say?) and walked out with a $36 tab for 2.
Real Buffalo Wings Needed
Cracklin on the bone is an excellent analogy! I'm from Buffalo, too, but I visit family often enough that I don't even bother with the "soggy abominations" found in many other areas. I am, however, noting places mentioned in this thread, and will check some of them out eventually.
I've tried DanielK's suggestion of asking for "extra crispy" which has had mixed results.
And stop trying to give me Ranch dressing!!!! It's wrong, I tell you, just wrong!!!!
And I agree, everyone has their favorite wing joints, but I've never had bad ones in Buffalo. My favorite wing joint closed a couple years ago (devastating!) so I've been seeking out others when I'm there. I typically go for a friend or family member's recommendation, which is often a corner bar.
Wisconsin Food in DC, MD, VA?
Not a bar, but they have it on tap at National's Park - the Summer Shandy.
Have motorcycle. Will travel for good food. (DC, MD, VA and WVA)
In keeping with this area, I'll add Market Table Bistro in Lovettsville. They've redone their website since we went, and while it looks kinda fancy, if you go to "gallery" you can see that it decidedly is not. Very casual, and just very good simple and fresh food.
Also Pomme in Gordonsville, although that might be slightly outside your distance criterion.
Suggestions for afternoon drinks/appetizers this weekend?
Oops! Thanks for the update.
I'll have to think on it some more....
Suggestions for afternoon drinks/appetizers this weekend?
I hope you have better luck than I do with this (same situation except I've been gone longer). It seems like everyone is all gung-ho until the day arrives, and little by little, they start bailing! LOL, maybe it's me...
Anyway, I'm thinking of Nuela. We did this with some friends a few months ago. There were only 4 of us, but the bartender was so accommodating and nice - he could have easily handled more of us. We were there on the early side of their happy hour, and there was plenty of space to spread out.
Welcome home! The first trip back can feel weird, although not in a bad way. Have fun!
Rogue 24 in DC - Report
Thanks, Steve.
I understand not wanting to describe ALL the dishes, but can you describe your top one or two? Like, which ones are you still thinking about this morning?
Good salads in NW DC?
I really like the Many Vegetable salad at Founding Farmers. If you like big salads with a lot of stuff in 'em, that's a good one. They have a fairly large selection of entrée salads.
Updated report on Dino
Thanks for posting, mdpilam - glad you liked it. I just recommended it to someone on another board.
We got the cheese that came with the warning (sounds like the same one Mr. Jeserf had). Wow, we LOVE stinky cheese, but we met our match with that one! We ate a fraction of it - just couldn't do it. I would say that's the last time I don't heed a warning on a menu, but of course, I know that's not true. ;-)
Party Food in DC
We've started using Roti for this type of thing - yippee, no more bad sandwiches!! People at the meetings rave over it - such a nice change from the usual. It's not a deli, of course, and I really have no idea about the prices, but you may want to look into it. You'll be the office hero. :-)
Staying in Vienna, visiting DC, where to get healthy cheap eats?
Just passed by a little while ago - it's Turmeric. I was close. ;-)
Thanks for the info - that space has been empty a LONG time. I hope it's good. The market for bad Chinese food in that area is saturated, I think.
Green Pig Bistro (Clarendon)
Sorry, haven't been, but I just had to tell you that I LOVED Feast. I still dream about it, and it's been several years since I ate there.
Oh, and welcome to the DC area, air!
best place to buy fish in NoVa
Ziv, you've just described a fantasy of mine. :-) That sounds amazing.
And that rainbow trout is so pretty, agarnett100.
best place to buy fish in NoVa
Agreed - and I'd be happy to take one off a fisherman's hands in those conditions - at least I'd know it was fresh, which I can't say for a store, pristine or not.
best place to buy fish in NoVa
The only thing I miss about living in Richmond is Bon Air Seafood. I thought when we moved here, we'd have something similar, if not more choices, but thus far I have been pretty disappointed. Granted, I haven't even looked at some of the markets mentioned above, but judging by the comments in this and other threads, I'm pretty sure I won't like them- for fish. When it comes to buying fish, it needs to be fresh, it has to LOOK fresh to me, and the place has to be pristine. I don't mind eating food from a hole-in-the-wall, but fish is a whole different ballgame for me.
Having said that, The Organic Butcher of McLean usually has a couple decent fish choices. A couple. My friend bought a whole rockfish there for a dinner party awhile back, and it was delicious. It's not cheap, of course.
CHOWDOWNS in metro area
We had a great time - it was nice to meet everyone!
I was told that as the newbie to a Chowdown, I had to write the review. Please don't make me list everything we ate!
Our favorites were the chili paneer, chili pakora (obviously we like spicy), both dosas, the noodles, and certainly others I am not remembering right now. Least favorite was the dish I ordered: vegetable korma. After all the spicy, I thought the coconut milk would be nice, but I think my tastebuds were so jacked up that it seemed much too bland for me.
Oh, and I thought the service was great. Very friendly, very accommodating. We will definitely go back - good stuff, and lots more menu items to explore.
Staying in Vienna, visiting DC, where to get healthy cheap eats?
I noticed when I drove by the other day that it has already become something else - Tamarind Something? I have no idea if it changed ownership or if they're reinventing it. I do like the Indian grocery store next door, though.
Graffiato: Recommend Chef's Tasting
We went last night. Overall, we liked it a lot.
Favorites were:
Pork ravioli - a special, which is being entered into some sort of Chefs' pig contest this weekend
Broccolini - nice, clean fresh flavors
Burrata - those onions do something wonderful to this dish
Crispy potato gnocchi
Spring garlic soup
Marinated octopus
Flatbread with pepperoni dipping sauce (not a culinary experience, but fun & tasty)
Salted caramel gelato
Just OK
Suckling pig lasanga
Glazed pork belly - I was looking forward to it, but it was just disappointing - not a lot going on
Bitter orange cheesecake
Strawberry zeppoles - what strawberry?
We went with friends we haven't seen in awhile. Really hard to have a conversation. We were happy they took us upstairs, which is better, but still pretty loud. Music was not blaring, which was a good thing.
I made the reservations for 4 about 3-1/2 weeks in advance, 8:30. Of course, we still had to wait. :-(
CHOWDOWNS in metro area
Glad we're still on - wasn't sure we would be with the Caps game starting at 3:00. Hey, it's not like it's game 7. ;-)
Thanks to you and Seema for organizing, and I think I am in the minority when I say I LOVE NAME TAGS! See you tomorrow.
Good news for crab lovers!
Good news. I'd like to think that some of my contributions to The Chesapeake Bay Foundation since moving to VA had something to do with it. :-)
Regarding price, the cynic in me says no way will it have an impact - we'll still be gouged.
Seeking vegetarian restaurants in the DC area
I like Sunflower. There's one in FC, but I've only been to the one in Vienna. I find their menu items hit or miss, though. The "Chinese" type stuff is gloppy and gross, imo, but I love their soups. There's one that has a veggie burger (and lots of noodles) in it that I really love.
Making Tosca's Rabbit Ragu at Home
I winced when I saw "grinding" - sorry. First off, I haven't eaten that dish at Tosca, so I suppose it will be difficult for me to help in any way. However, I have made numerous ragus over the years (venison, various types of beef, etc.) and braising is always the way I did it. I think the bones will add so much flavor. I would debone after braising the rabbit, chop up or shred the meat and add it back in. But again, haven't had the dish - just wanted to share my concern about getting rid of the bones + grinding. The rest of the ingredients sound wonderful, btw.
Good luck!
Pre-theater dining near Arena Stage
This might be what the person was thinking of:
http://www.station4dc.com/
I haven't been, so don't have an opinion, but I love the idea that you can have dinner before the show, and come back for dessert after the show.
Have fun!
Good, Fun Restaurants in DC
You lost me at music. If I notice it during dinner, that means it's either too loud, or just not a style I enjoy.
You have a lot of good recs already. I'll add Masa 14 - definitely fun, good food, and I noticed a couple of large parties when I was there. Plus, you're in a good area if people don't want the fun to end. :-) Ardeo Bardeo also - definitely lively, although I haven't eaten there.
CHOWDOWNS in metro area
I've already responded on the Google invite for +2. The original invite, that is. At the time, it looked like there were a lot of people coming. Now there's a 2nd SP event on the calendar that I can't do anything with - maybe it's just a reminder...?
Anyway, I vote non-buffet during a non-crowded time!
Off the Grid DC Restaruants
We didn't eat there, but we stopped in for cocktails last weekend. I have a new addiction: the Cider Sidecar. OMG. I know it's Spring and all, but this was like drinking a glass of Autumn. SO good.
