StrongIsland's Profile
One night in Chicago- where should we eat?
Sorry for the lateness of my reply. We went to sable and it was good to very good. Our Chicago friends complimented us on our find as they had not been.
We started with cocktails and this is something I would deffo return for. The know what they are doing with an extensive cocktail list with a real appreciation for old school drinks. I recall getting a blood and sand, which I enjoyed, amongst other drinks.
Dinner was good but I wasn't blown away on anything. We had a number of items and nothing was bad. Just good to very good. Enough so that I would return if I can get some of the great cocktails. Also the service was excellent. Staff was great.
One night in Chicago- where should we eat?
I hear you on the steakhouse. Wasn't my call. I only do steakhouses for business dinners. And that's plenty.
What about table 52?
One night in Chicago- where should we eat?
Sable looks really interesting. Small plate concept always works for (love tapa). And they have some good cocktails. May be just the ticket for our dinner. Or maybe lunch. Or maybe just drinks. We only have one night so trying to make the most of it.
Ever heard of Chicago cut? Local friends want to go there.
One night in Chicago- where should we eat?
We will be in Chicago for one night in two weeks What is a fun restaurant with great food? All ethnicities considered. I have always wanted to hit up frontera grille but wanted the opinions of locals. I believe we will be staying at the intercontinental hotel if that matters but will use cab for transportation.
New to DC area - Restaurant suggestions for Arlington and area
Thanks. Just bookmarked it.
By the way, I constantly refer to these posts for ideas. Me Jana, rustico, eventide, and several others have been my latest places. So thank you, thank you to everyone who gave me great dining options.
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Me Jana
2300 Wilson Blvd., Suite 140, Arlington, VA 22201
Banana Leaves - where to get?
Nice! Thanks. We also found a place online that has them. Obviously we wouldn't be doing this until the spring so we have some time to plan.
Banana Leaves - where to get?
Me and a friend want to do a pig roast next spring. And we'd like to do a polypenesian-style roast burying the pig in the ground after wrapping it in banana leaves. Does anyone where these can be bought in the NYC area?
Portovivo (Huntington) - I'd give it 3.5 stars
Weird. Couldn't find that the first time around.
Sounds like you've had a a similar experience to us. I agree on your Honu comment. We went back in the late spring and things had definitely improved. We will go back there again soon.
Glad to see your comments on Bistro Cassis. I recall a number of people on here noting its decline. So what has happened to turn this place around? new chef? new owners? new menu? It has been a few years since we ate there last. I mostly recall that it was a bit crowded.
Have you tried Fado yet?
Portovivo (Huntington) - I'd give it 3.5 stars
I couldn't find a review of this on here so I am starting this thread. We have eaten here twice now in the last 5 months or so and have enjoyed it both times. The first time we were there i had pork chops, which were large, but very tasty, as i recall. Our most recent visit this week I had pork again (big surprise) which i couldn't even finish. It was a shank this time so a little different. for starters i had the mushroom veloute with raviolis. This was really good as well. Mrs. Strongisland had the skate which was tasty, according to her. Also, enjoyed a couple of drinks at the bar which was pretty busy but we found the bar staff to be very helpful.
Price-wise i had no complaints last night since it was (unbeknownst to me) Long Island restaurant week. On my other visit i recall thinking it was on the higher end of things in Huntington. And of course as soon as you start hitting the wine it really adds up (i.e $14 a glass)
So few complaints from us when we have been there. One negative i like to pin on places out here is when they try too much to be like the city. This place can be like that a bit but i haven't found it a detraction as of yet. Parking can be a pain as well as they have valet parking but I just assume park my own car even if i have to walk a bit.
What have others thought of this place?
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Porto Vivo
7 Gerard Street, Huntington, NY 11743
Fado in Huntington Village NY? Anyone been
This is the new Portugese place that opened up in the Rio Brazilian space on New Street (next to Sri Thai). Has anyone checked this out yet?
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Sri Thai
14 New St, Huntington, NY 11743
New to DC area - Restaurant suggestions for Arlington and area
Checked out EvenTide last week as well. Someone on here recommeded I beleive or I just decided to try it. Since i was eating solo i am not sure this is a great representation of them. Ihad the hangar steak which was cooked just right and it came with a steak sauce which they make. This sauce was interesting but probably mostly because i was sure there was chinese five spice powder in it and i could not get that out of my head (was thinking about how i could do the same at home). There were some fries and a small salad with it but, like I said, i didn't eat anything else so probably need a return to check some other things out. Which I will definitely be doing because clearly there was alot of cocktail knowledge at the bar. The bartender there seemed extremely knowledgeable on the liqour and the cocktails - clearly a serious mixologist. So it will be worth it just to go back and try those.
As far as atmosphere it was kind of quiet but it was early in the week and it seems like it was more of a couple place. Esp. when you compare it to the much livelier Liberty Tavern town the street. But they are going for a different vibe so I don't see anything wrong with that.
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The Liberty Tavern
3195 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201
New to DC area - Restaurant suggestions for Arlington and area
eventide is on the list for a dinner. maybe tonight as i need to go check out some soccer at summers.
New to DC area - Restaurant suggestions for Arlington and area
LOL. Welcome! I am commuting down here most weeks so these recommendations are invaluable. Let us know how you find some of these places.
New to DC area - Restaurant suggestions for Arlington and area
Hit up a bunch of the recommendations this weekend when Mrs. StrongIsland was visiting.
Liberty Tavern – really enjoyed this place. I had the trout and the Mrs. had the arctic char. The rest of them menu looked great, esp. the pork chop, but due to a bbq lunch could not summon the power to go for it. The trout came with Moroccan lamb sausage which was really good, fingerling potatoes and a chanterelle sauce. I could have used with more chanterelle sauce, but not a big deal. I will be returning to this place.
Pho 75 – classic Vietnamese place – situated in a strip mall, cafeteria style, low (or non existent) décor, food that arrives about 1 min after you order it, etc. The Pho was pretty good. I had Pho Tai and the Mrs. had Pho Ga. Broth was just about right although mine was a little weak on the anise which was fine with me. Slurped the whole thing down and I was a happy puppy.
Zaytinya – a recommendation of a friend. I didn’t realize this was Mike Isabella’s place (my friend he was no longer there so maybe I am wrong on this). I didn’t care for him on Top Chef but this restaurant was great. We had lunch and had series of mezze – all kinds of things, cod, sweetbreads, kebbe, sausages, and some veggie dishes and spreads. Everything was really great. Would recommend this as well.
Willow – hit this up because we were staying in Ballston and needed something nearby. I think this place has its detractors (at least in my office) but we thought it was fine. I had the fish stew and I couldn’t even finish it. Now, I probably would not be using pumpkin with fish stew but it kind of worked. I will need to hit this up again for another sampling to really
NoSo – in clarendon. We had lunch there today. Pork Belly sandwich – this should have been better but it was salty and had broccoli rabe on it. The thing with pork belly (and pork) is that it is easy to get it too salty. I have done the same many a time. So the key is to accompany it with something that stands up to it and hits a different taste bud. Think of the pork buns at Momofuku in NYC – pork belly with the pickled cucumber. Great combo. But I digress this sandwich didn’t do it for me. But I really liked the place and will return, especially when the weather is still nice.
Again, thanks for everyone who recommended places to me. I will continue to post here as I eat through Arlington and the surrounding area. Thanks again.
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Zaytinya
701 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
The Liberty Tavern
3195 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201
New to DC area - Restaurant suggestions for Arlington and area
Tried Rebel heroes. 10 minute line wait, then 25 mins for sandwich. Sandwich was light and not a bahn mi. So back to the drawing board. Will check out the taco truck soon.
New to DC area - Restaurant suggestions for Arlington and area
its rebel heroes. I will try it next week. And i am hoping to hit up Rays hell burgers and one other place recommended on here.
I agree on the pho comments. But that doesn't mean i won't persevere and eat through all the vietnamese places I can. And Rossly is not too far away on metro so I will deffo make it there.
Fatty 'Cue - anyone been?
Ate there in the last week and would concur with all the other posters. We liked it but it wasn't mind-blowing. I liked the idea of using some Asian ingredients and ideas in the cooking. I think it works quite well. But it wasn't enough to put it over the top. Also, the ribs were not available when we got there so that was a bummer.
We started off with a couple of cocktails and we both loved them. They really used the smoking concept well in these drinks. We had the lemon drink with smoked lavender and the smokin bone. These were perfect. We then had several other dishes (i will surely forget some here). The bacon and toast (as mentioned above) was actually really good with the mustard. I'd give this a two thumbs up. There was then an egglplant dish which more like a kind of rustic dip, I guess. They gave you bok choy, garlic, beets, green beans, ginger, etc. to dip with. This was ok, but have to admit that I am not an eggplant fan. Mrs. StrongIsland is more of an eggplant fan and she was kind of so-so on the dish. The cucumbers - good but expected more. The smoked duck was really tasty with really crispy skin. But I found it a bit tough to eat. Then the pieces of the whole pig with the buns with the dipping sauce was maybe a little too much David Chang (yes, i know he didn't invent these things but its what most people think about when they see these things) and, frankly a bit plain for me. In fact, i must have thought of Chang as I put my cucumbers in my bun with the pork. I have made steamed pork buns at home and I would prefer my own. Just saying. One thing that i also did like was their table condiment which i would love to make at home. very tasty.
Service, by the way, was great. Everyone we came across was very friendly. Price-wise, i suppose it was a bit on the heavy side but not a complete deterrent to me. I'd still recommend it to anyone who likes to eat out. The mix of BBQ and Asian is too much to pass up. I would actually return to try some other dishes next time. Brisket for one and hopefully some kind of seafood.
New to DC area - Restaurant suggestions for Arlington and area
Sorry it took me awhile to get to any of these places. Apparently when you are staying in a hotel for a week everyone in the office feels it is their duty to take you out for drinks. Finally slowed down after a week! So....
Got over to Minh's last week. I was very excited to finally get some vietnamese and although it scratched an itch, I need to go back and try out some of the other dishes. I had the shredded pork rolls, a cup of pho tai, and grilled pork/shrimp with thin noodles. The pork roll was fine. The pho was a bit lacking in my opinion - didn't get the usual accoutrements and the meat was not that great. I am chalking this up to getting just a cup instead of a whole bowl. Also thought the broth could have used some work. My main dish was mostly fine but kind of basic. And i mean that in the sense that it is a basic dish and i knew that when i ordered. I intend to get a little more adventerous in my next visit. I will also get to this other place and try this salmon soup you are talking about.
So a decent start. but need to get out more. Does anyone know anything about this food truck that serves bahn mi sandwiches? Apparently they are in ballston once a week.
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Minh's
2500 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201
Looking for lunch near Penn Station
Right above the window it should have said, Little Morocco. Either way, sounds like you enjoyed it. BTW - vendy award tix are selling out if you were planning to attend. Got mine last week.
New to DC area - Restaurant suggestions for Arlington and area
Wow, thanks for all the great recommendations.
NY BBQ is pretty lacking but I do have my own smoker and make my own rub and sauce so it sounds like I may not find much of interest. Oh well. Ethiopian I have had years ago but will give another shot at. And, thanks for the burger joint. Here in NYC all the rage is the shake shack burgers, as well as any Pat Lafrieda burgers. I will gladly try this place out.
Thai and Vietnamese never get old. Vietnamese is not that great here in NYC but I have heard that I should find some good places down there. Glad to get the suggestions.
And, not sure I mentioned this, but I am a huge fan of street carts so i am happy to see that I will be able to indulge this as needed.
Goat tacos? Where do I sign up, Steve? This will be fun.
Anyways, thanks for all the recommendations, I will be starting in a few weeks and will be living in a hotel 3 nights a week so these will all come to good use. I hope to come back and let you know my experiences.
New to DC area - Restaurant suggestions for Arlington and area
I am taking a new job in Arlington in a few weeks and wanted to get the low-down on what restaurants i should hit up. I am hopelessly unaware of my dining options. I will be staying in the Ballston Metro stop area but obviously have some mobility. So I am kindly asking for input on the following:
Must-eat joints - i assume mini-bar and jaleo are in this category. What else?
Asian - is there any decent vietnamese, for example? I am pretty much open to anything. I am currently in New York so some of the obvious ones we can forego.
Any other interesting ethnic restaurants?
BBQ - I am hoping my BBQ options will improve as i move south. true?
Anything else that i should be looking for
All help is appreciated.
Looking for lunch near Penn Station
I will throw in my my two cents on some of the carts in the area. Will require a little walk unfortunately:
Little Morocco cart (It says something like this on the cart) on 39th and 7th - chicken and rice with the spicy red sauce. Really spicy sauce, I read somewhere they use harrissa.
Ecuadoran cart on 37th and 6th - just discovered this myself and found it to be a nice change of pace. Not sure if they are there every day.
Mexicue cart - this is brand new and is only in midtown on Tuesdays. They have been parking at 40th and 6th. Expect extremely long line so hit up before noon. find them on twitter for more info.
Also, in k-town, check out mandoo bar for dumplings. They are relativey fast there.
In general the area around Penn is a little short on interesting stuff so expect a bit of a walk.
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Mexicue
, New York, NY 10001
Help! Need recommendations for good restaurants on West side in the 50s, particularly 9th ave area.
Thanks to everyone. We went to Kashkaval. Interesting place; never would have found it on my own!
We had a tapas plate for 1 and a meat and cheese platter. All the tapas plates are vegetarian (as far as I could tell) but they really had a nice spread. The cheese and meat platter didn't offer a ton of options. Cheese selection was pretty standard from what i could see. They offered about 20 different cheeses and then the sausages about the same. We had a soujuki (sic?) sausage which had a strong caraway taste which totally reminded me of some swedish food in my past (at the end of the dinner i realized it reminded me of cheese with caraway in it that i used to eat as a kid).
Mrs. StrongIsland in particular liked this place (she likes the veggie food). It was a bit cramped (packed on a monday night) but still comfortable. Deffo would return. Perfect before the concert at Terminal 5.
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Kashkaval
856 9th Ave, New York, NY 10019
Help! Need recommendations for good restaurants on West side in the 50s, particularly 9th ave area.
That was quick. Those are some very interesting recommendations! Thank you. I am leaning towards kashkaval but Mrs. StrongIsland will have an opinion no doubt. Either way, I will have to check these other places out as well.
Thank you again for your help!
Help! Need recommendations for good restaurants on West side in the 50s, particularly 9th ave area.
Budget - I am not looking for fine dining. Comparable would be like Hells Kitchen, the mexican place which is on 9th. So $10-$20 entree.
food type - anything but italian.
We are going to smashing pumpkins show tonight so trying to eat somewhat close to Terminal 5 which is on 10th and 56th I beleive..
Help! Need recommendations for good restaurants on West side in the 50s, particularly 9th ave area.
I know there are a bunch of interesting places on 9th ave but wanted to see if anyone has any quick suggestions. Thanks in advance.
New LI BBQ
I can't get this URL to work. Is this correct?
Also, too bad about the neighbors complaining. I wonder if my neighbors hate it when I bring the smoker out. Personally, the smell of slow cooking pig flesh is quite outstanding.
Need Suggestions for Vegas - Dining alone
Never got the chance. Too short a visit. But I i did go to Rick Moonen's Seafood in Mandalay Bay. I had oysters, shrimp and some soup. It was good but can't say my choices were actually a test of their cooking as much as their seafood buyer.
Next time I am in town I will have to hit up the vietnamese places. I also read alot of great things about a Thai place that sounded like a not to be missed place.
Need Suggestions for Vegas - Dining alone
I ended up at L'Atelier on Monday night. I had the langoustine, la cebette (onion tart), and the foie gras burgers. All were very good and I enjoyed the company of a mother and daughter who sat next to me. Tried a few of their dishes as well! Great place for the solo diner. Service was great; good wine recommendations and very accommodating with my questions. I would recommend this place but will warn that the price tag is substantial. I really wish i would have had the time though for the tasting menu.
Thanks for everyone's help. Hope I can return the favor on NYC.
Need Suggestions for Vegas - Dining alone
Thank you! I will put all these on the list. I have been very interested in going to Robuchon. This may have to be my dinner Sunday. I've been to a few other Flay places but have not tried Mesa yet.
Will report back after my excursions. I am actually staying at Luxor (saving some bucks for the company) but am willing to cab it for a meal.
