anhdeluxe's Profile
Has anyone tried Wasabi?
I like Sushi Go Round in Gallery Place better. Wasabi is not awful, just middle of the road. Some of their original rolls aren't bad, but SGR is better, if only for the fun drinks and inventive hot dishes they have too.
When you leave DC, what restaurants do you miss?
Jaleo. and the rest of Jose Andre's empire. Esp. Zatinya. Belga, Ray's and Rustico. Soul Vegetarian. The Diner and Tryst. There are a lot of emotional reasons for all of these, and the food is great too.
Near Metro Center - Posh
Last night I went to Posh for a late-ish dinner (8:30 on a Thursday night) It was probably for the CBC convention but there was a DJ spinning great R &B but man it was really loud. It was more of a nightclub than a restaurant that particular night but the food was surprisingly really really good!
We started with the buffalo mozzarella and tomato caprese salad. The cheese was great but the tomatoes were a little less than flavorful. Good fresh basil pesto and balsamic but the tomatoes were hard to like.
I had the fried chicken quarter, apple bacon collard greens and the manchego smoked gouda mac and cheese. All were really excellent. the chicken is a new favorite of mine in DC. For 17 bucks it's cheaper and better than Georgia Brown's by a mile. The mango drizzle set it off perfectly. The skin was perfectly seasoned and crisp, not greasy. The meat was moist and juicy. Be warned, it's all dark meat (my favorite) and you get two drums, and one and half thighs. (it was an odd cut to be sure)
The melting collard greens were cooked for 13 hours. The pork fat was amazing. The flavor was perfect, just a little tangy and smoky.
I only had one little bite of the mac and cheese because it was so hot...came in its own ramekin. But the bite I had was excellent, although I would run it under a broiler for more crust.
My companion had the cajun seafood pasta with scallops, humoungous shrimp and a pretty anemic looking lobster tail. he pronouced the scallops excellent. The sauce was describes as an "old-Bay" alfredo. There was a lot of it. I had to take food home.
All in all, service was good (I think our server's name was Eric) the bread was hot and savory with parmesan baked on top, and the music was great even if it was too loud. I'll be back when it's a little earlier out.
DC Restaurant Week - How Am I Doing?
Just went to Ten Penh last night for RW. Lots of good food. I had their delcious non-alcoholic specialty cocktail with the pop rocks on the rim -- it was fun and passion-fruity. So good I had two. My salmon tartare was actually partially cooked and the cream cheese it was topped with helped me eat it with chopsticks...but I was surprised by the cream cheese. My sea scallops were just a touch overcooked and a little too salty but not horrible. The porkbelly that came with was fantastic - seasoned like char siu but meltingly tender. The mashed potatoes that were served with were a bit firm. Dessert of the blondie with coffee ice cream was really good... but it's impossible to mess up a simple ice cream and brownie combo. Of course I'll be back. They do yummy stuff there, and I really dig their wine list.
Nagashi somen in Yokohama or Tokyo?
Is there a place to get it while i am here in the area for a week? I'll settle for places that have just the cold somen noodles too... Thanks for the suggestions!
Looking for Good Chicken Wings in Northern VA
I totally agree - Bon Chon is the best in NoVa! I like the non-spicy, soy-garlic variety, but don't forget to call ahead, otherwise you may have a bit of a wait. Also love the sweet daikon pickles.
4 Straight Dudes in DC
First place I thought of too! I love Ray's steaks. I like Etete for Ethiopian, but some of the newer places in Penn quarter aren't bad. I was at Oyamel last night and it was delish, with great service. You can't go wrong with Jaleo or Zaytinya either.
Sushi
although I have to say, KAZ's food is wonderful, but they've had a snotty and snobby maitre'd the last couple of times I've been there.
Jamon IBERICO (where to buy)
Despana in NYC carries three kinds. Their Jamon Serrano starts out at 29/lb. but their Iberico and Bellota with the black hoof is 99/lb. and 120/lb. You can order online.
Simply Home Cuisine
I have not seen a review of RICE the sit-down place that adjoins this take out establishment: in a word: YUM. The novel, different varieties of rice are delicious. I recommend the coconut sticky rice, and the purple rice. Go with a few friends so you can sample them all. It's a bit spendier than most Asian/Thai establishments, but you're paying for a beautiful space, flattering lighting, and well-thought out dishes. If there is duck on the menu, I strongly suggest you go for it, although their normal curries are no slouch either. Veggies would like this place too.
Good Coffee Shops in Greater DC Area
I like Busboys and Poets on 14th and V, Mayorga Cafe in Silver Spring, (new outlet in Columbia Heights as well) - they roast their own too! I like Vietnamese coffee in Eden. And Georgetown has any number of cafes that aren't exclusively coffee, but fulfill your other requirements. I like Marvelous Market myself.
Sushi
Second KAZ - I really like their inventive Japanese small dishes too. Had the fatty tuna there last week and it was like if heavenly butter on the tongue. Skip dessert, though. I also like Momo's on Queen street in Old Town.
Where to find croque-en-bouche?
Sweet Surrender in Pentagon Row has closed! It's now a pizzaria but before, they were able to do a croquembouche. Perhaps the Pain Quotidien in Old town might be able to do it if you special order?
bubble tea shops in northern VA, DC ?
OMG! I can't wait! It's about freaking time decent bubble tea came here...
what do you do with Bragg's Amino Acids?
I like it on eggs (boiled or scrambled or fried) but it is also tasty on tofu. I love it sprayed on plain popcorn with nutritional yeast.
Chopped Liver
Loeb's sandwiches may be good but their chicken matzo ball soup is the worst I've ever had. If that is any indication, I'd play it safe and order from Sarge's in NYC -- they Fed Ex for the holidays!!!
Best Carrot Cake
Tonnie's Minis in the village - 3rd and Macdougal. You also might want to check out Make My Cake in Harlem.
East Village Bakery
There's a pretty good Greek-esque bakery on Rivington and Clinton or thereabouts. Great bread and it seemed to be flying out the door.
Best soup dumpling in the city?
I must concur. I've never had finer soup dumplings than New Yeah. Thin, almost delicate wrappers, and excellent crab and pork fillings. The plain pork is delcious too.
Lobster Roll
Is Ed's Lobster bar better than Urban Lobster? What are your fave lobster roll rec's?
What Makes You Consider Eating Soup When It's Hot
Chicken Matzo Ball or Pho. I will make scratch vichyssoise and gazpacho, but that's a given in this sticky weather.
Which healthy substitutes actually taste better to you?
I just switched to agave syrup instead of stevia when needing to sweeten my coffee/tea and other foods. Natural Sugar is good for you but not good for me.
Where to begin? New Orleans hound in NYC.
Love Florent. Also Jane on Houston St. is very good. I also like Blue Ribbon - Blue Ribbon Sushi was fantastic.
Best delivery/cheap eats in Midtown East
Sarge's does respectable deli and they are open/deliver 24/7. Best Chicken Matzo Ball soup broth since 2nd Ave. deli closed.
Haribo Twin Cherries: The Best Gummi
Will always be a fan of Haribo Gold Bears, then Twin Cherries, Strawberries, and Rollo, in that order.
delicious chilled soup?
The Cantaloupe-Ginger was the best at Rustico. The others -- Cucumber-Mint and gazpacho were good and okay respectively. If you ever see the potato-leek in the cooler at Marvelous Market -- grab a container and guzzle it...so delish!
Best sushi in D.C.?
KAZ, and then Momo Sushi. For just every-week, nothing-special-but still-good, I like Bonsai Grill on 23rd in Crystal City. It's uneven though. Sometimes it is really bad, but when it is good (crowded) then it is really a great deal. Sushi Taro and Sushi Ko are always too crowded but it's for a good reason...
SF Hound visiting DC - what do you think of my list?
I heartily second
Jaleo, Etete, Zaytinya, Cashion's Eat Place and would skip Malaysia Kopitam, Greek Deli, and would add some upscale southern like Georgia Brown's, Indigo Landing, B. Smith's. I like Kaz Sushi Bistro, and Five Guys is best eaten in Old Town Alexandria. If you take the King Street metro you can eat Eaomonn's A Dublin Chippery or Restauarant Eve (spendy but worth it)
From DC to NYC: What We've Heard So Far
I'll be making the same trek myself the next couple of weeks and I live in the Lower East side but let me add:
Late night: Cafeteria in Chelsea (24-7), Florent in the Meatpacking District (24-7), Mamoud's in the Village (legendary falafel dive 24-7) Yakitori Taisho on St. Mark's (up stil when the bars close). Vanel's on First Avenue (soul food til 6 am on weekends) and Blue Ribbon (up until 4 am)
Dim Sum: Mandarin Court for traditional but good, and Dim Sum GoGo for more inventive but contemporary service (no carts, you order from a sushi-like menu) Avoid Mandoo Bar!
Pastries: Payard. Get the macarons. I also like Chinese pastries like the BBQ pork filled buns in Chinatown.
Good culinary shopping: Fairway, Dean and Deluca (bigger than Georgetown's)
For specialty restaurants: nothing but rice pudding at Rice to Riches, nothing but french fries at Pommes Frites, Nothing but Mac n Cheese at S'Mac.
what's your fave LAMAZOU sandwhich?
I love the Smart Duck. Besides the fun name, the smoked duck breast is a perfect foil to the creamy brie and puckery cornichons. Don't forget the sides - a smooth and mild hummus and excellent homemade dolmathes.
