thomasec's Profile
Good/Cheap Lodging and Food Downtown?
Thanks for the great suggestions Ligament! I'm not sure if American Airlines will let me bring Weiner Schnitzels on the plane, but I'll try.
As I said, I am definitely going to be hitting up Salumi's on Friday for lunch, and I will probably eat at Belle Epicurean for breakfast/lunch on either Saturday or Sunday (as it's right next my hotel). I'm sure I will have at least one meal at Pike Place Market (Cafe Campagne looks excellent for brunch, but I am open to other suggestions).
I would love to get some (relatively inexpensive) fresh seafood while I'm out there within a mile or so of our hotel (400 Spring St.). But really, I am interested in any regional specialties that you can't get in Chicago.
Thank you so much for the suggestions! They've helped immensely!
Good/Cheap Lodging and Food Downtown?
Thanks for the advice Ligament! I'm not sure if American Airlines is going to be OK with me bringing a couple Weiner Schnitzels on board, but I'll try.
I will definitely be hitting up Salumi on Friday, and probably going to Belle Epicurean for breakfast/lunch on either Saturday or Sunday since it's right next to my hotel. I'm sure I will make at least one trip to Pike's Place Market for lunch.
I'm still trying to figure out a good (and relatively inexpensive) seafood restaurant while I'm out there. Fresh fish is definitely not something you can find in Chicago (at least for a reasonable price), so anything under $35/person within about a mile of our hotel would be excellent (400 Spring St.).
Again, I am interested in any regional specialties that you would not be able to find in Chicago, so definitely keep the suggestions coming! I appreciate the help immensely!
Good/Cheap Lodging and Food Downtown?
Thanks for the help guys. I got an excellent rate at the Executive Hotel Pacific (400 Spring St), so I went ahead and booked a room there.
In terms of restaurants, I'm coming from Chicago, so I'd really love to get a few regional specialties that I wouldn’t be able to find back home.
If I wanted to stay under $20 per person for lunch and under $30 per person for dinner, what places would you guys recommend? I'm going to be getting in on Friday afternoon (at which point I am going to RUN to Salumi's before they close), and leaving first thing Monday morning, so I basically have time for 6 to 8 meals.
Chicago has plenty of great Thai, Vietnamese, and Mexican, so any specialties that don't fall into one of those three categories would be great. I would really love to get some excellent (and relatively inexpensive) seafood while I'm there.
I'm not going to have a car while in town, so I'd prefer to walk wherever we go (although if a place is truly that special, I don’t have a problem getting in a cab). Thanks in advance!
Good/Cheap Lodging and Food Downtown?
I have a work conference at the beginning of February in Seattle that I am planning on extending into a short vacation. I don't want to spend too much on a hotel, but I'd like to be within walking distance of the major sites/restaurants. Is anyone familiar with either of these two places?
Ramada Inn Downtown Seattle
2200 Fifth Ave
Seattle, WA 98121
Executive Hotel Pacific
400 Spring St
Seattle, WA 98104
They both seem to have pretty mixed reviews online. I'm 24 and traveling with another friend, so we don't need anything special...just a convenient place to lodge.
And if anyone has any recommendations for any other hotels, or good/cheap places to eat near any of the hotels I mentioned, it would be much appreciated.
The honest truth: Can't-miss dining in Chicago
In all honesty, practically every "famous" steak house in Chicago also has a branch in DC. And in my opinion, Ray's is way better than all of them (and much better than anything you can get in Chicago).
Best sushi in D.C.?
Mikaku and Sushi Sono...both are a bit out of the way, but completely worth it. Nothing I have had in town even comes close.
Dessert in Baltimore
http://www.vaccarospastry.com/locations.jsp
Vaccaros...it's not even debatable
Where can i get a good prosciutto and mozzarella sandwich?
Unfortunately I don't have a car in the City. Would I be able to get to Bari and Riviera via the bus?
Where can i get a good prosciutto and mozzarella sandwich?
I'm looking for any place that serves a simple prosciutto and mozzarella sandwich. Anyone know of any places that have imported prosciutto and make their own mozzarella? I'm right at Clark and Fullerton, but really anywhere in the city is fine. Thanksss!!
930 Club
DOMKU!!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?node=cityguide/profile&id=1111346
Cooking dinner for girlfriend (first time cooking) [Moved from Chicago board]
Thanks for all the awesome replies. Ballulah, you're post was a bit overwhelming at first, but after going through it once or twice, it doesn't sound too hard to prepare. I might take the recipe to fox and obel's and see what they think.
Also, on a side note, I called sweet and savories and they said that they don't offer JUST the desert tasting anymore (you have to order the chef's tasting menu which includes the 5 course desert option). This strikes me as odd, because I called the other night when there was a different host, and she said that they only offered in on Tuesdays and Thursday. I might have to call back and see what they say. Does anyone know of any other places that offer desert tastings if sweet and savories falls through?
Again, thanks for all the help. I'll let you guys know how everything goes.
Cooking dinner for girlfriend (first time cooking) [Moved from Chicago board]
It's my girlfriends birthday next week, and seeing as how I don't really have a job right now, I was thinking of cooking her dinner, and then taking her to Sweet and Savories for their 5 course desert tasting.
Now...I have never really cooked before, so I'm asking for some help from my fellow chowhounders. I was debating getting a prepared main dish from somewhere like Eat-z's or Fox and Obel, and maybe cooking a few sides by myself. I'd love to cook everything myself, but I really don't trust myself to cook a main course, especially in my tiny apartment.
She definitely likes heavier comfort food (mac n cheese, grilled sandwiches, steaks...stuff like that), so I'd like to make her something along lines. If anyone has some suggestions for recipes, or some prepared dishes, I would really appreciate it.
Moving from D.C. to CHI and looking for places similar to home..
So I have been at my friends place for quiet a while in Lincoln Square, and I finally found a nice 1 bedroom in Lincoln Park, right near the Fullerton El stop that I am moving into in about a week. Anyone have any recommendations for this area (Right at N. Lincoln and W. Fullerton)? A lot of places looked very "college-y"...really looking for some nice ethnic/unique stuff that won't clog my arteries.
Hidden gems...hole in the walls....
Hamburger - Five Guys (obviously)
Indian - Bombay Bistro (in Rockville and DC)
Hollywood East Cafe - Dumplings (try there Dim Sum if you can)
Moving from D.C. to CHI and looking for places similar to home..
So....been to a couple places and here's what I think so far. Love the food here....really, really, awesome stuff. Although a bit heavier than I'm used to. Went to Agami last night for sushi, and had a great meal (with less then great service...). Cuts of fish were HUGE, and very fresh. Also tried two of their "Signature" Maki rolls, which were a little bit intimidating, but still very good. Excited to try some more Sushi places. Typically like more traditional sushi places, but my girlfriend wanted to go somewhere a little classier for valentines day. All in all a good experience.
Also tried "The Bagel" which was good. Huge portions, excellent potato pancakes, and pretty good ruebens and matzo ball soup. Excellent service, great atmosphere, and nice manager. Will certainly be stopping here again.
We're going to try to get some dim sum this weekend, and I'm hoping to try Spacca Napoli sometime within the next week. Thanks for all the awesome replies so far. I have about a dozen places I am eager to try from all of your responses.
b-day party for 16-22 people in gaithersburg/bethesda
Bacchus
7945 Norfolk Ave
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 657-1722
Although I'm not sure if they'd be able to accommodate 22 people in their private room.
Moving from D.C. to CHI and looking for places similar to home..
jpschust...Ha, I dunno if I can quite afford Alinea yet, but I'll make sure to post any standout restaurants I find once I move. Even considering doing a blog since I'll be trying a ton of new places once I get out there.
Moving from D.C. to CHI and looking for places similar to home..
I am incredibly excited to try some new places...I guess I was more looking for people who are familiar with both areas to give me some advice on some good places to try in Chicago if this is what I like in DC. I have been a regular at these 5 places for years, so I think it's a good judge of what kind of food I would enjoy, that's all.
Moving from D.C. to CHI and looking for places similar to home..
So I'm relocating to Chicago next week for my job, and while I am extremely excited to try a bunch of new restaurants in the mid-west, I am going to miss a few places that I go to on a regular basis here in D.C. I was wondering if anyone was familiar enough with both areas that they could offer me some recommendations for restaurants in Chicago that may be similar to the following places that I have come to love around D.C:
Sushi Sono (Columbia, MD), has bar-none the best sushi I have ever had. The freshest and biggest cuts of fish I have ever seen, fresh wasabi, daily specials flown in from Japan, and really reasonable prices. I have no problem driving 45 minutes from Rockville to get there. This isn't Nobu, or some other upscale and expensive place. This is more of a traditional Japanese restaurant with the freshest ingredients possible...is there anything comparable to this in the Chicago?
Crisp and Juicy (All over D.C.), for the best Peruvian chicken. My favorite place for carry out. Their chicken is on a rotisserie all day, and it is completely drenched in seasoning. There hot sauce is awesome, as are all of their sides (yukka fries, yellow rice, beans, plantains, etc..). This place is a total hole in the wall, lacking any real decor, with a half chicken and two sides coming out to about $8. Going to realllllyy miss this place.
Urban BBQ (Rockville, MD), more for the atmosphere and owners. I'm sure there are really great BBQ places all around Chicago, but are there any that aren't menu/sit down, and offer a friendly, community type of feel. Memphis style BBQ is a MUST.
Ray's the Steaks (VA) is the one I'm most worried about, which is odd considering Chicago is known for their steaks. I have eaten at both Gibsons and Mortons in Chicago, and they don't even come close to this steak house in Virginia. Perfectly cooked steaks, with complimentary sides...I have NEVER had steaks this good anywhere. What's even better is that the prices are extremely reasonable, particularly for the D.C. area, with most steaks staying under the $30 mark (and this includes sides). It's a really bare bones type of steakhouse, where the emphasis is on the food. If I can find steaks as good as this in Chicago, I think I will be OK. I took a group of friends from Chicago here when they visited, and they all said it was the best steak they had ever had.
2 Amy's (D.C.) is traditional neapolitan style pizza that is certified by the Verace Pizza Napoletana Association. Really thin crust, excellent buffalo mozzarella, and great small plate appetizers like raw beef, roasted Spanish almonds, and friend cheese and risotto balls. I see that Spacca Napoli in Chicago is certified by the VPNA as well. Anyone have any thoughts on Spacca Napoli, or know of other places that might be similar to what I'm looking for?
Thanks for any input. I appreciate it a ton, and look forward to coming to Chicago!
Business dinner in Rockville??
Sol D'Espana Rocks! Excellent paella and traditional Spanish dishes. Clyde's might be a more business atmosphere, but the food is pretty bad in my opinion. Feels like an overpriced TGI Fridays with LOTS of families with small kids there. Amada Amante is another nice choice, although I haven't been there in a few years and I know the service can be a bit slow at times. Black Market Bistro in Garrett Park is another good choice, although I don't know if they offer reservations for dinner (I know that both Amada Amante and Sol D'Espana do).
Wheaton Tonight: Best Ethnic restaurant to try???
I still think that Hollywood East is by far the best Chinese restaurant in Maryland, despite what other people may say. There dim sum is top notch, and everything from traditional "American" Chinese food (orange chicken), to very ethnic stuff (pigs heart in ducks blood) is great. Pollo Rico is always packed, though I personally prefer Crisp and Juicy's chicken (especially with there extra spicy sauce). Just my opinion. Hope this helps.
Sushi Lessons In D.C. Metro Area
What about picking out fish, proper cutting techniques, rice preparation, etc... I personally feel that Sushi is one of the hardest things to prepare RIGHT.
Sushi Lessons In D.C. Metro Area
To jrsmoltz:
This is the only weekend that's going to work for me, however I emailed a lady who does in house sushi lessons, which I think would be even more fun. Unfortunately for me (fortunately for you), she is out of town this coming weekend, so I am exploring other options. If you want to get in touch with her, her email address is:
sushiparties@yahoo.com
Sushi Lessons In D.C. Metro Area
Don't think I can get that many people. Any other places?
Sushi Lessons In D.C. Metro Area
It's my friends birthday this coming weekend, and I was hoping that a group of us (about 6 people) could get a Sushi making lesson. Does anyone know of any places that offer this? Thanks in advance.
Need some GOOD Cheap Eats in DC
2 Amy's is a great choice for large groups, and I think you can make reservations for parties greater than 6.
http://www.2amyspizza.com/
