jqw3827's Profile
Any Good Sushi in DC?
For anyone still reading, while I'm not the world's biggest sushi fan or afficionada, I did live in Tokyo for almost 8 years and even learned how to make sushi at the Kikkoman cooking school. I think that Sushi Taro (and I've not been there since the re-vamp) has the more "neighborhood Japanese izakaya" type atmosphere - and I liked it because there was wide variety on the menu - so that if you took a group, there was something for everyone. Also liked the choice of a Western table, sushi bar or tatami area. Kaz has a more limited menu not appealing to some people. Perhaps more "upscale" - but not so much atmosphere to me, personally. A Japanese friend recently located to DC and I are going to try out Uni this Friday evening on a tasting menu with sake pairs.
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Sushi Taro
1503 17th Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20036
Where are the Apples?
Whole Foods in Clarendon definitely has Honey Crisps - says "locally grown". Saw them last night.
Also, there's a Farmer's Market on Vermont between H & I Streets every Thursday afternoon beside the McPherson metro (a/k/a Mrs. Obama's Farmer's Market). They have apples coming in from W. VA and Pennsylvania, etc. - buy as few or many as you like.
Summer '09 Restaurant Week - plans and reviews
Two friends and I went to Adour at the St. Regis after work on Friday night. I was not disappointed. The portions were sufficient and we were not rushed, though the restaurant did fill up and get a tiny bit noisy toward the end.
We all tried (and liked) the gazpacho with watermelon. Two of us had a lamb chop - cut into a lollipop with a bit on the side - and the third chose the salmon. The lamb was cooked perfected and seasoned well. If I had any quibble, it would have been that the vegetables were skimpy - but we could have ordered a vegetable side.
For dessert, two of us chose the light vacherin and the third chose a dark chocolate Sachertorte. We added a carafe of sauvignon blanc at a reasonable price to complete the meal.
Normally, Adour would be a bit out of my price range for dinner - but if they do RW again - I would encourage anyone to try it.
Summer '09 Restaurant Week - plans and reviews
I'm going to Adour tonight with 3 friends and will report back.
My approach to RW (since NYC days) is always to include something "old" (a place I liked and want to revisit) and something "new" (this summer, it's Adour for me) - nothing "blue".
As a strategy, as others have suggested, if the RW prices aren't a significant savings - then I'd skip it. That's a place I could go any day of the week - when it's less crowded and I can see it on a more "even" or "normal" keel.
So I leave the most expense place to the dinner slot - and fill a lunch slot with something slightly-more-pricey than I would normally spend for a lunch - but not crazy expensive. If it's crazy expensive - it's going on my dinner list.
I am delighted that some of the places I went in NYC on RW 10 years ago now have 4 stars and I probably couldn't possibly afford. Now THAT'S a good RW investment - in time and money.
Summer '09 Restaurant Week - plans and reviews
I think service at the Oval Room has declined in the past year. I work in the neighborhood and it's always been on my RW lunch list. Service was always good - and very welcoming & polite considering I'm not on expense account and can only go on these "special occasions".
However, last winter, at my suggestion, my entire dept. (6 people) went and service was awful. It took forever - and half of us were finished eating before the others got served. Some had to go ahead and leave. Therefore, this summer, for the first time in 6 years, I took a "pass" on the Oval Room.
Summer '09 Restaurant Week - plans and reviews
Unfortunately, I don't think you encountered any special Restaurant Week problem. I ate lunch at Siroc several weeks ago with a friend and I have to think our waitress had never done this work before - AND was poorly trained by the restaurant.
First, my friend had to ask for a knife - and before I could, too, she'd walked off. So I had to ask her to go back for a 2nd.
Then, my friend asked for extra parma - and she offered one teaspoonful - never asked me if i wanted any, too - and walked off. So I had to ask her to go back for it a 2nd time. And my friend then had to ask for a 2nd tsp.
At bill time, my friend had to leave suddenly - but she never asked or offered to go ahead and bring my bill, too - so it was a 2nd trip for that, too! She wasn't a young kid - just clueless.
Coming to DC and dining at BLT Steakhouse and Sushi Taro
Sushi Taro is so noisy - my biggest complaint. I would suggest you do "little dishes" and get a good sampling of everything. Being summer, start with some edamame and a nice cold Japanese beer. If there are others in your group - get the big sized bottle and everybody pour for each other.
I was a long-term resident of Tokyo, and don't really eat sushi outside Japan very often, so I can't help you there. But none of the other small dishes at Sushi Taro has ever really disappointed me.
Recommendations for Best NY Style Cheesecake in Area
Whole Foods in Clarendon used to sell one in the frozen desserts dept - but they discontinued it - which is too bad. It wasn't too big of a "pie" and it wasn't too expensive - and it was delicious. Don't know if other Whole Foods in the area still have (or ever had) it.
As a former resident of Manhattan, I'd vote for Junior's, too, though.
Anyone have news on DC Restaurant Week for Summer '09?
And there will be a Bethesday/Chevy Chase Restaurant Week next week - from July 27 - August 2:
http://www.opentable.com/promo.aspx?pid=271&m=9
DC Restaurant Week--August 2009. Dates?
I was just thinking the same thing yesterday.
There is going to be a Bethesda/Chevy Chase Restaurant week next week (from July 27 - August 2):
http://www.opentable.com/promo.aspx?pid=271&m=9
hot cross buns?
Neither DC nor Montgomery or Howard counties - but in Arlington - from Ash Wednesday until Easter Sunday - most delicious I've ever eaten:
Pastries by Randolph
4500 Lee Highway
Arlington, VA 22207
703-243-0070
Open all day Saturday and half days Sundays - but best to order your hot cross buns in advance on those days!
These are soft and fragrant and filled with both citron and raisins. Sold individually or in half dozens.
Whole Foods usually also has hot cross buns - but closer to actual Easter Week - and it's a smaller heavier (whole wheat?) bun than Randolph's with currants - good but a totally different thing than Randolph's.
