the sobsister's Profile
Good salads in NW DC?
My first thought had been Busboys and Poets, but the Bistrot du Coin suggestions were swaying me. I haven't been to BdC in a while, though, and the comments I'd read about inconsistent food quality are pushing me back towards Busboys.
Thanks to all the commenters. Any recent experiences with Bistrot du Coin?
Good salads in NW DC?
I'm having dinner with someone on Monday whose only request was for a place she could have a salad. While the meal (hopefully) may not consist entirely of a salad, I'd appreciate any pointers on places in D.C. that serve particularly good salads or have a creative/wide range of salads on the menu. Not really a Chop't kind of place, but a great restaurant/bistro that makes a salad proud. Thanks.
El Rey de Chivito - Fast Gourmet inside of a Gas Station, DC
We went today after reading something on seriouseats.com a while back. Ordered the chivito and the Cuban.
One bite later, and I was all, "Ah sweet mystery of life, at last I've found you..."
The chivito is a great sandwich. The meat components are great, but I really enjoyed the hits of green olive and egg and escabeche in individual bites. The Cubano is built on great, tasty pork. Even though I had my hands full, literally, with the chivito, I still took a number of healthy bites out of my companion's Cubano.
I'm v. curious about other items on the menu, e.g., the Milanesa, which can be breaded shoe leather or a crunchy, juicy delight, but I think next time we go, I'll have to try these two again. Just to make sure my first impression was correct.
I also liked the space (which, fortunately, wasn't full this Saturday lunch hour), including the bathroom, which is a lot nicer than your average filling station toilet.
D.C. Chowhound in London over Thanksgiving
Thanks to all for the great suggestions. Gordon Ramsay is, unfortunately, booked for lunch next week, likely due to the popularity of that lunch.
Two followups: Any bistro/trattoria favorites? Any must-visit Champagne bars?
D.C. Chowhound in London over Thanksgiving
We'll be in London Thanksgiving week, and I'd love to hear favorites. Our only commitment is St. John for lunch. One splurge meal, and delicious-yet-less-splurgey meals otherwise. I've read through some of the threads and gotten names, but would love some current favorite gastropubs (Cadogan Arms?) and restaurants (East Asian, South Asian particularly). And is Borough Market worth a visit? I'm hoping it is, but would like to hear a few thoughts on this.
Thanks.
Recommendations for "Present" Vietnamese in Falls Church?
I've read the Sietsema and Washingtonian writeups of Present, among others, but would appreciate hearing up-to-date recommendations of favorite dishes to order at dinner. Thanks.
Thoughts on WTOP Breakfast Poll?
I found an interesting poll on the WTOP Web site concerning the "area's best breakfast." It was interesting to me, at least, because it includes restaurants I've never heard of or visited, and I'm always in the market for a good diner breakfast.
Here's the link: http://wtop.com/?sid=1721312&nid=25#
and here are the nominees:
Bob and Edith's
Bob Evans
Harold and Cathy's (Dumfries)
Mediterranean Breeze (Ashburn)
Nick's Diner (Wheaton)
Tastee Diner
Virginia Kitchen (Herndon)
Yorkshire Restaurant (Manassas)
Good choices? Are there better out there?
Best roast beef for sandwiches in DC?
I'm looking for a deli/supermarket/sandwich joint/whatever that sells roast beef--ideally, house-roasted--for takeout. I used to get the RB at Whole Foods on P Street but was burned a few times with really substandard meat. The RB at Balducci's on Old Georgetown Road is decent but a shlep. Any suggestions? Thanks.
DC Hound Seeks Help: 5 nights in SF/Napa?
Thanks to all for the great advice. I'll report back with my experiences.
DC Hound Seeks Help: 5 nights in SF/Napa?
Thanks for following up. We'll be in SF Thursday night, all day Friday and Saturday, then Sunday and Monday in Napa.
DC Hound Seeks Help: 5 nights in SF/Napa?
I'm working my way through the posts here but would love to hear from y'all. Big b'day, 5 nights--3 in SF, 2 in Napa--in mid-March.
We have reservations at French Laundry but would love to hear any and all thoughts as to must-eat places (e.g., is Boulevard worth it? is Madrona Manor worth the drive out to Healdsburg?) They don't have to all be high-end, etc. We haven't been to SF in a long, long time, so any/everything will be new. If among your suggestions, you could include great Japanese and Chinese, that would be great.
Thanks to everyone in advance for their thoughts!
How's Teatro Goldoni these days?
I was thinking of taking my mother to TG for Mother's Day lunch. Their fixed menu looks good and I was wondering if anyone's been there recently and what thoughts you could share. I haven't been there in years but have good memories of my last visit (lobster risotto...mmmm).
Any info appreciated.
Best Burger and a Beer in DC?
I'm looking for the best burger in DC being served alongside a good beer. Outstanding fries wouldn't hurt either. Thanks for your recommendations.
Saturday lunch near the Met?
I've been to the Neue Galerie's restaurant and agree that it is quite good, particularly the pastries and soups. I'll look into this Giovanni 25. Thank you both for your suggestions.
Saturday lunch near the Met?
We'll be in on the Upper East Side on Saturday and would love some lunch suggestions. Pricewise, I'm thinking Cafe Boulud or lower. Any cuisine but French/Italian/bistro preferred.
Thanks for the tips.
Celebratory weekend dinner in DC metro?
Thanks for the thoughts.
jpschust: does not need to be Metro-accessible. price point open. quality more important. just not crazy expensive. does 2941 qualify?
elyssa: not done Equinox for dinner. so that's possible. I've done Taberna and Palena's front room. I'm not doing any of the Tunks restaurants this time. haven't been to Cashion's or Vidalia in a long time. still good?
Celebratory weekend dinner in DC metro?
I'd love to hear recommendations for dinner spots in the DC metro area. I'll take Cityzen, Maestro, Eve, and Komi off the table as either too expensive or too recent. Any/everything else is open.
Thanks in advance.
Short-fuse help: best lunch in Philadelphia today?
Thanks for the recommendations. I ended up going to Matyson's where I enjoyed their excellent burger'n'fries and the chocolate-hazelnut roulade.
Short-fuse help: best lunch in Philadelphia today?
I'm unexpectedly to be in Philadelphia today. What are local 'hounds best picks for lunch in downtown/central city? Open as to price and cuisine. Any help would be most appreciated. Thanks.
Birthday Dinner Splurge
Ditto on the tasting room at Eve. Also, Komi, whose food is in a class with Eve's.
Best "Lebanese" takeout in DC/NoVa area?
Yeah, I keep hearing about the LB. But is it all lamb or do they have the veggie dip thing covered as well?
Best "Lebanese" takeout in DC/NoVa area?
I'd love opinions on the best "Lebanese" takeout in DC/NoVa. (By "Lebanese", I mean the standard array of hummus, taboulleh, baba ghanoush, pita, etc.) Some places that had once been great, e.g., Lebanese Taverna on Connecticut, had slipped as of my last sampling. The Mediterranean Bakery in Alexandria, on the other hand, has fine fresh-baked pita but only so-so dips.
It'll be dinner to-night, so your best bets would be appreciated.
French restaurants in Washington D.C.
Is La Chaumiere still decent?
I'm eating there in a few weeks and remember my last visit two years ago as featuring so-so food among "regulars" who'd ceased demanding quality or novelty decades ago.
Quick take on Brasserie Beck
Two of us visited BB yesterday on short-notice lunch.
First impression: beautiful surroundings. The various areas compartmentalized by wood or glass to diminish sense of eating in a barn and increase privacy. Deuce-table cubbies a bit crowded nonetheless. Delft tile palette throughout. Striking open kitchen. Good hostesses.
Service: attentive but inobtrusive.
Food/drink: we skipped appetizers despite the fact that they were very tempting and ordered the mussels in white wine, etc. and the trout in lemon/caper sauce, side of frites. A glass of a white Burgundy whose name eludes me and a draft pilsener. Beverages excellent, not cheap. Mussel broth well-prepared, mussels themselves quite large, texturally a bit mealy but tasty. Trout was excellent.
Frites were quite crisp. Almost overdone. And much better warm. Cooling brought out the oil. By contrast, the frites at Montsouris last weekend, for example, were, in my opinion, considerably better. Browned and crisp outside but tender inside with no residual spurting-oil-filling effect upon cooling.
Chef was in the house so there's no blaming inattentive kitchen. A Belgian bistro that produces sub-perfect fries has a problem. Which is a shame because every other aspect of it was quite enjoyable.
I'll give them another chance but will keep Montsouris on speed-dial.
Where to find Lillet in DC Metro area? (moved from Wine)
They definitely have Lillet (both red and white) at Schneider's.
Wine pairing for Gorgonzola pizza?
Thank you for the great suggestions.
I've ended up going with a Barbera d'Alba (nice tart fruit, long finish) but am very interested in repeating this dish with your pairings.
Cheers.
Wine pairing for Gorgonzola pizza?
I'm doing a Gorgonzola pizza. Maybe a little prosciutto, some spinach, toasted pignoli. Trying to think of a good red pairing. My first thought was a lighter, fruity Italian red, e.g. Barbera d'Asti.
Any other ideas?
Birthday dinner in DC?
My SO's birthday is Friday and we're trying to decide where to eat for the occasion.
Some years we've done Obelisk. We've tried CityZen and Maestro: both just okay at the time.
We're thinking of Komi but are open to any and all suggestions, especially new joints. No Jeff Tunks, no Roberto Donna. Ideally a place featuring a great wine list.
Thanks!
