raharris's Profile
Looking for the best Fall Church has to offer.
Well, alkapal, I really liked the texture of the noodles and the tofu had lots of flavor. I've been to thai restaurants before where the tofu was just chewy blandness rather like eating a scrub sponge. However, their tofu arrived in wonderful, big, flavorful chunks. Personally, I still think I prefer the lightly sauteed version that Basil Thai Restaurant serves in Charleston, SC, however, this was definitely a great rival!
The noodles were perfectly done, as well and the dish was hot and steaming and swiftly prepared. The only thing I was a little surprised at was the relatively small portion size and lack of vegetables in the dish. I thought the portion size was fine, personally, but I know many other restaurants would have at least also offered an appetizer/soup/salad with it... or garnish ir something. Maybe I am wrong, though... As for the lack of vegetables, I would have like to have seen more sweet basil leaf in the dish, more carrots, and a little more onion (I think in total there were three pieces of each throughout the whole plate). However, I liked the intensity of the spice; it made my lips burn a little, but not unbearably. So I would give it an A- or an A. My pal had the red snapper that everyone was talking about, as well, and WOW. That is one awesome entree! There is this simmering amalgamation of flavors and subtle heat to the sauce and the beans were cooked to perfection! The snapper tasted fresh, however, it was lightly fried, so it was a little harder to tell. Actually, we were a LITTLE disappointed because we thought the menu described it as being sauteed or steamed and served with the beans and sauce. Or maybe it was all supposed to be stir-fried together, I am not sure, but needless to say, I think I stole a good portion of his fish and left much of my dinner for him! Nevertheless, both dishes were excellent and if I lived here I would be there every other night trying new dishes!
The only other drawback was the service. As someone else mentioned about this restaurant, the staff was rather inexperienced and abrupt. When asked about suggestions between some of the top dishes, the waitress became overtly frustrated (despite having been almost non-existent at the table). To be fair, I did see her moving a lot about the restaurant, but she had several other assistants and there were only two other tables. Maybe just a bad night for her ;-)
Looking for the best Fall Church has to offer.
Hi guys! Well, by the time I arrived that evening and was checked in, it was almost 10 pm. By the way, anni was right, my company booked my room at the Comfort Inn by the o I hiked over to the Woodlands Indian Restaurant, per some suggestions on the boards. It was surprisingly good! I got the MASSIVE wrap-sadwich-ey thing with potatoes, onion and other vegetables. It was quite good and served with a "cooling" chutney and also a vegetable soup. The only downside was the service. The waiter was pretty rude and short (I know I was late, but there was another Indian family of three in there at the same time and he absolutely ignored me for as long as possible but chatted freely with them). I definitely felt shut out as a woman (yes, sorry anni, I am female).
The next night was also a late one and I was lucky to find something open. I happened to hit a Korean BBQ and sushi bar on Fairfax Ave. That was pretty amazing! I have never had Korean before. I wish we had some in Charleston! I will look up it's name and post it.
Right now, I just sat down to Paya Thai after reading all the threads about it's Drunken Noodle. I will let everyone know how it goes!
Looking for the best Fall Church has to offer.
Thanks guys! I will see what I can find. I've seen some of these names around the boards, now I just have to map out what's close by. Unfortunately it looks like the hotel pics were deceiving... I'm stuck near Jermantown.
I'll make sure to follow up!
Looking for the best Fall Church has to offer.
Help! I am visiting D.C. from Charleston, SC, and I am staying at a hotel in Falls Church. I was hoping for some suggestions on moderate to reasonably "fine" dining in the area. I LOVE ethnic fare, but I do eat predominately vegetarian dishes, even though I can't stay away from really GREAT seafood. What can I say? I grew up near the water, eating shrimp, oysters, and fresh fillets. PLEASE help me with some suggestions! It looks like there are a lot of really chain-y places near my hotel (APPLEBEES, EW). I would prefer something in the mid-price range with a comfy atmosphere since I am alone, and some tasty drinks (I love gooooood beer, some nice wine, and/or unique cocktails). Any suggestions?
Would American micro work in Britain, mainland Europe, etc?
Can't fully remember, but I seem to recall Budweiser in great big 24 ouncers in Greece. ICK. But then they also only drank Amstel and Heineken in the same great big bottles . . . along with the only Grecian beer I ran across, called Mythos. Guess what - it tasted exactly like Heineken.
Bottled Guinness
ME TOO! One of my guy friends and I actually went around reading (and of course nabbing as much of the free high gravity exports as possible) all the factoids... meanwhile our friends went almost immediately up to the fourth flour! We all made sure to take our turn to pour our "perfect pints." I still have my "certificate" from there! YUMMY memories.
Bottled Guinness
YES THEY DO! And it makes me miss those Irish gates to the factory even more... I was at the Dublin Guinness factory for last St. Pat's and got to tour the facility and each level had tastings for each of the different beers brewed by Guinness (along with some tasty lil' oysters - hmmm I WONDER what they were trying to hint at with getting drunk and easting oysters?!). But every single specialty stouts that they brew for the foreign countries were sooooooo yummy and NONE of them are sold overseas. In fact, it also became obvious to us during the tour (and during other tastings of the draught available throughout the UK) that the draught, both cans and widgets, that make it to the US are not all made in Ireland. In fact, very few products from the actual breweries in Ireland make it to the US.... many fewer than North American bars and restaurants would like you to believe. The key to knowing - ALWAYS check the label on your can/ bottle. I think you'll find most of them state the product as being bottled in Canada. Sometimes, the better Irish pubs here get the real stuff in kegs, but I think they are only a select few... I could be wrong. Yet, I'm betting I'm right because every Guinness I've had here somehow tastes like feet....!
Bistro Savannah, Elizabeth's, Gottlieb's
Hey! How did you hear about these restaurants?
Eating "Chinese" in Athens, GA
HEY DCHEUNG! Sorry it took me so long to get back to the blog about this, but the restaurant is called
EAST PEARL Chinese and Seafood Restaurant
1810 Liddell Ln (Cross Street: Crestwood Parkway NW)
Duluth, GA 30096
I've read other reviews of it and agree that the atmosphere/ decor is probably not very authentic to China, but the food and Dim Sum comes highly recommended. It's probably the best Chinese you'll find around the area.
Eating "Chinese" in Athens, GA
I just went back to athens a couple of weeks ago and saw that new Med restaurant in there. I thought it looked cute (and was shocked at the changes to that lil' strip mall... and even more surprised that a Mediterr. restaurant went in there) and popped my head in. The owner seemed nice and it seemed like the kinda place that the nearby business people and "regulars" might go to, but I wasn't impressed with the menu. Very normal/average Mediterranean.... geared toward being Americanized. Maybe I'm just spoiled after traveling to Greece...?
Eating "Chinese" in Athens, GA
hey dude! I currently live in charleston, sc and I think the town is IRMO, not IRMA...
Eating "Chinese" in Athens, GA
I would go to a place my stepdad and I just found near the Mall of GA. It's run by a crew from Hong Kong and you can literally pick which fish you want to eat from the nearby tanks! Anything that offers sizzling frog legs as an entree must be authentic! they also have big steamers of clay pots with all kinds of seafood or meat with veggies... At the end of th emeal, they gave us their version of a dessert - red bean soup with sugar. I'll have to check out the name and get back to ya.
Barbecue: GEORGIA
Fresh Air BBQ off Atlanta Hwy is scrumptious... but THE BEST is farther up Atlanta Hwy... I forget the name of the place, but it's a hole in the wall off the side of Atl HWY. It's almost to the dowtown area... they have the most tender chicken! But beware - they have VERY irregular hours!
Seeking Athens, GA expense account meals
EAT AT BIG CITY BREAD FOR BREAKFAST. It's in the ghetto-ish area, but EXCELLENT! Especially on the weekends when there's a mini-farmer's market. For a unique dinner experience, eat at Speakeasy. It's tapas style and can be kind of dark inside, but definitely worth trying. It's actually not that far from Harry Bissets and 5-star day.
Charleston: moderate $ dinner in historic Charleston neighborhood
Poogan's does have truly authentic biscuits!
Charleston: moderate $ dinner in historic Charleston neighborhood
I am a Charleston native, I work at a B and B in town, I am a recent graduate of the College of Chas (aka: broke), and furthermore, I am a vegetarian/ light eater. My recommendations for cheaper and lighter/healthier fare than the excellent choices on your itinerary (all of which except Poogan's are wonderful).
1. breakfast at Hominy Grill: it's cheaper and you can find more moderately-sized portions. HAVE THE SUNFLOWER SEED BREAD!! Also, if you can find the Bull Street Gourmet, they have great bagels and coffee and a wonderful atmostphere. Too bad you can't get off the peninsula: Bookstore Cafe and the Mustard Seed are also EXCELLENT, moderately priced Charleston restauarants.
2. Five Loaves Cafe: has a little bit for everyone and provides tasty, healthy, and wholesome fare. Soups, sandwiches, salads, coffee, and drinks. Half portions and combos available. Look for the Millennium Music on King Street and Calhoun: it's located inside there. The more cozy/ romantic location is on Cannon St.
3. Papa Zuzus: mediterranean gyros, wraps, homebaked pizzas. Quick, fast and scrumptious. Plus if you love good, REAL tomatoes, he has the best. Right next door to Millenium on King Street.
4. G&M's Fast and French on Broad St. for lunch. They are an local institution with great simple food and wine. It's cheaper at lunch than dinner.
5. Sermet's Corner for GREAT food, Awesome atmosphere, GOOD prices, and wonderful crusty bread with special olive oil dip. You can get half portions... the mussel app is wonderful. I've never had a bad time!
6. Basil for excellent Thai. Pretty authentic, too (the chef is Cambodian. The service is a little stiff though. Lunch is cheaper than dinner.
Have fun and eat lots (then walk lots!)!
McCrady's in Charleston
DO NOT GO TO HYMAN'S!!!!!! I DON'T CARE IF THEY SAY THEY ARE THE TOP SEAFOOD RESTAURANT! Definitely go to Fig or Blossom or McCrady's (especially if you like wine - they were in the top 50 or 100 for Wine Spectator). Magnolia's, SNOB, or Hank's would all provide an excellent example of the "Southern" cuisine experience. Peninsula Grill, Charleston Grill, or Circa 1886 would offer the ultimate and most authentic experience - but only for those with no cost limitations.
paddler's pub (hot srpings, nc)
I have been back to hot springs three times now for the amabience and the relaxation ... I absolutely love the town! Here's a few secrets though:
1. good for drinks (they have a good beer selection if I remember correctly) but never, ever eat at the Paddler's Pub
2. The Bridge Street Cafe - like mark said -(beside Paddler's and overlooking the river) has improved upon their already good menu; the two meals I had there with my Dad were fantastic! They have lots of healthy, organic, and vegetarian options as well.
3. The other restaurant mentioned by mark is soso. The decorations of the restaurant/ hotel are amazing, but the food and wine are all wayyyy overpriced!
4. The Smoky Mountain Diner is THE place to go to get the local, southern experience. They offer good, solid, and tasty food at wonderfully low prices! The service is a bit rustic, but, like I said LOCAL. It's not the most innovative fare, but definitely flavorful and the staff is very willing to accomodate for healthier eaters and vegetarians.
5. Stay at the Sunnybank Inn. Elmer is the host and resident chef/ guru. He offers a full, hearty, organic breakfast for the guests at an additional cost, and dinner on the weekends. He's an aawesome chef and the house is AWESOME!
6. Tub 5 is THE BEST. Go after dark.
