OneMoreBite's Profile
NOT YOUR USUAL SPECIAL OCCASION QUESTION!
I really need input, but first I did read threads answering this. Those threads didn’t answer my question, but were great help in refining how to ask, “where to go for special occasion dinner?” My husband & I will visit NYC to celebrate a dreaded milestone bday (mine) on a Saturday night about 2 months from now. Even though I will be hideously old, because we are a childless couple who travel a good bit & go out a lot, we like to think we are younger than our age, (doesn’t everyone)? For reference, here is a partial list of restaurants experiences that I remember in the past several years. Le Cirque (in the Palace hotel); Balthazar, Pastis, Schiller’s; Payard (on the UES); Union Square Café; Sant Ambroeus (in the WV); Ippudo; Trigo; Kellari Taverna; Raoul’s; Firebird; Macao Trading Company; Blue Ribbon; Chez Josephine; Jane; Mercer Kitchen; BLT Burger; BLT Fish; Spotted Pig; Katz’s; Tavern on the Green; Russian Tearoom; Felidia; Cornelia Street Café; Bar Americain; Smith & Wollensky; Brasserie Ruhlmann; Tribeca Grill; Lure Fishbar. To give you an idea of our taste, from the list above, the places that I would classify as appropriate for a special occasion would be Le Cirque for the grand atmosphere, spectacle of the crowd/people watching, very good food & service. Balthazar because the ambiance is very cute & it’s hard to get a bad meal there, but also because the party atmosphere. Raoul’s because it’s super cute, fantastic food, and buzzy, happy atmosphere. Following is my list for this occasion. Strict Don’ts: celebrity chefs, multiple locations, Asian or Indian food; sedate or reverential atmosphere, outside of Manhattan, anyplace we’ve been already. Do’s: any area of Manhattan, warm atmosphere, great food, professional friendly service, any price range is fine, very good wine list; really looking for someplace that is very New York, and must be crowded with people laughing & having a good time. By the way, we will be very dressed up. As you can see, my aversion to celebrity chefs & quiet, hushed temples of haute gastronomie rules out some of the usual suspects such as Per Se, EMP, Bernardin, Grenouille, Bouley, etc. Now the disclosure: We have a rez at 21 Club basically because it’s such a legendary place, I’ve always wanted to go there, and to me is the quintessential image of a New York restaurant. Obviously we have time to cancel which is why I’m reaching out to you Chowhounds. Would I like the Waverly Inn? As you can tell, I’m floundering around a bit, and I need your guidance. Thank you so much!
Citronelle or Marcel's?
I'd vote for Marcel's. I've eaten at both and the food was better at Marcel's, the decor was prettier, the service was friendlier. Of course, since both chefs have expanded their restaurant empires, who can tell who will be in the kitchen. Whichever you choose, I hope you have a fun and delicious evening!
If you were a foodie and could live anywhere in/near DC - where would it be?
I completely agree w/narrowing it down to either the Clarendon neighborhood of Arlington or to Capitol Hill. However, no one has mentioned the fact that both are very expensive areas to rent or purchase a home. A general rule of thumb is that Arlington is just a bit less expensive than anything in the city. In terms of a sense of community, & getting to know people in your neighborhood, I think Capitol Hill is a little better. Since you know your partner will be working near Dupont Circle, you may want to check the Metro map to see which neighborhood will provide the easier commute. Either way, if you live within easy walking distance of a Metro station, & you plan to buy a car, you could easily do with purchasing only one car to share. My final words of advice would be: either Clarendon or Capitol Hill are very very nice areas, but don't compromise on the specific location - that is to say, stay close to a Metro station and EASY walking distance to the center of each of those neighborhoods.
Fish sandwiches
Had the fish & chips at Samuel Beckett's and it the fish seemed plump, white & fresh, but the coating was not crispy at all, which to me is very important, and the chips were about average, so was definitely not very impressed. Not a fried fish sandwich, but maybe good to add to this list are the fresh fish tacos at Surfside on Wisconsin Avenue in Glover Park. Cafeteria style, reasonable prices, cooked to order. Yes, please.
Looking for a Great One Night Meal in D.C.
I agree with all the suggestions so far, but the best choice of those already mentioned IMHO is Central, because it is French, which you prefer, and also because of the very festive, hustly bustly atmosphere. I'd describe it as on the more upscale side of "upscale casual." Another idea, and a bit more on the casual side of "upscale casual" and even more hustly bustly is Brasserie Beck, which is Belgian. One more idea is Estadio, which is Spanish tapas, casual fun atmosphere, trendy, and every dish I've tried there has been outstanding.
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Brasserie Beck
1101 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005
Best Veal Chop???
This may not be what you're looking for since it's not what I'd call juicy, and it's certainly not gourmet, but great fun: I've clipped a quote from the menu at Filomena in Georgetown: " A 20 ounce Veal Chop, thinly pounded, crisply breaded and pan fried. Topped with Tomato Sauce, melted fresh Mozzarella and Parmesan Cheese. Served with Rigatoni Pasta with Tomato Sauce on the side. $40" I personally think it's a bit pricey but it is quite the spectacle and, I have to say, quite tasty. For a proper, thick juicy veal chop cooked just right, I'd revisit Mimmo's or perhaps look at Tosca, Posto, or call Al Tiramisu to see when they will have it on special. Hope this helps!
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Al Tiramisu
2014 P Street, Washington, DC 20036
croissants in paris
I read Adam's report as suggested and it is delightful. On my most recent visit to Paris, I can't say I had the best croissant in Paris since my research hasn't been extensive like Adam's. All I can say is that I found the best croissant I've ever tasted in my life. It was a butter croissant from Au Petit Versailles du Marais, Rue Tiron, in the 4th very close to the St. Paul Metro. Honestly, just thinking about it almost brings me to tears. As an added bonus, this place looks like it's been there forever, with beautiful vintage exterior and interior decorations. I hope this is useful to someone on an upcoming visit!
Real food in Port Canaveral before cruise?!
God help me I'm going on a cruise out of Port Canaveral & don't anticipate having very much in the way of real cooking for a week, so hoping to have a decent meal as close to the port as possible before getting on board the ship. I know my travel companions will be spastic until they know we're at the ship on time, so there's no question of stopping on the way. I looked at a satellite photo of Port Canaveral & it looks like there are a number of seafood restaurants with salty, touristy names. If anyone knows if any of these have real food, I'd appreciate it. Sorry for the snotty sounding post. I'm a total food snob & dreading a week of eating meals that are prepared for 2,000 people at a time.
Best Dessert in DC?
I like the bread pudding at Beck. Can't remember why I tried it, since bread pudding sounds like a waste of calories to me, but glad I did. If I remember correctly, it was studded with booze-soaked berries and tiny chunks of chocolate, served warm & topped with creme. It was very sneaky - completely under the radar.
Amsterdam Recommendations
I've been in Amsterdam for 12 hours, and two meals. Did research on this site and on dutchgrub. There didn't seem to be many choices, but here's what I've found. Had lunch at De Compagnon and the setting was very charming. Overlooking the water, very small and casual, but also very correct and formal service. The menu tended toward French, but I don't think you could call it a French restaurant. Seafood was the majority. When we arrived we were brought lovely little rolls - I'd compare them to an American biscuit, but infused with a touch of saffron. Then an amuse bouche assortment of beetroot gaspacho (excellent!) w/ a drizzle of basil infused olive oil, a very teeny tiny mini burger, a thin slice of Iberico, and olives. Choices by the glass were not predictable so we took advantage of that. Everything was absolutely outstanding, with special yumminess for the truffled poached egg in it's shell. Highly recommend. (Don't know why I didn't see this on any site I researched!) Second was an Italian I found somewhere (could've been CH, but now I don't remember) called Cafe de Curtis. Very small, very casual and rustic, menu of the day on a blackboard, approximately 5 choices for each starter, pasta, main & desserts. We shared a Caprese-the cheese had wonderful flavor but the tomatoes were sad and wintry. Spinach ravioli stuffed w/spinach & ricotta in a butter sauce was off the hook, and spaghetti a la vongole was what the dish was meant to be. (pausing here for a moment to remember and savor) (sigh). Lovely fresh filet of fish baked in white wine and topped w/some type of red sauce (don't remember composition of sauce exactly) and scallopina vitello marsala. Both dishes were very, very good, but I am not saying "outstanding" because IMHO both sauces were a bit oversalted. Overall, I definitely recommend this place, and will mention that it is real Italian food cooked by Italians who obviously know their business. (Where I come from that's not always the case).
Breakfast Near the Place des Vosges?
Can you also get egg dishes at any of the above-mentioned places, and if so, until about what time? We usually have breakfast very late, say between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
1st Lunch?
Whichever place you choose for your first meal, I strongly recommend you google photo view it first to see if there are lots of windows & if it faces onto a larger street. In other words, you could end up somewhere wonderful, with cozy atmosphere and great food, but if you have no view onto a bustling street, it just wouldn't be the same!
Need breakfast in Marais to replace my Deux Magots habit!
I'm weaning myself off of the 6th, but I'm a fish out of water in the 3rd. I like to sit in the enclosed patio area of Les Deux Magots and have cafe, croissant, confiture, omelette, fromage, etc. etc. While certainly not the best bargain for breakfast in Paris, it is oh-so-comfortable, and the people watching is non-pareil, so if you can identify a similar experience in the Marais, I'd be very happy!
Birthday in Paris
Sorry, such a broad question & frequently asked. Are you looking for haut cuisine by a Michelin starred chef? Very formal so you can wear your tux? Upscale casual? Loud, crowded and party atmosphere? Super modern cutting edge? Left Bank or Right? Do you have a cost limit? Two hour, three or four hour meal? Prix fixe? If you can narrow it down a bit, I'd like to help since I've faced the same delicious dilemma!
How does Estadia compare to Jaleo?
I haven't tried Estadia yet, but wonder how it compares to Jaleo, which I've always found to be very good, and very authentic. Any comments?
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Jaleo
480 7th St. NW, Washington, DC 20004
Help for tonight-big salads in Virginia!
Going out for dinner w/group of five people. Numerous health issues and dietary restrictions make a salad-centric place the best choice. Any suggestions for big salads? I'm trying to avoid the Cheesecake Factory, Great American restaurants, and ethnic. Prefer Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, McLean. Thanks for any ideas!
Best Linguine Alle Vongole in D.C.?
I've been thwarted twice in the past week trying to find this. First time I ordered and received the dish. The linguine had been cut! And was overcooked! And from a package! And the clams were so full of sand, I was getting a mouthful in every bite. I had to send it back. That was at Fins in Rehoboth. Then on the way back to D.C. stopped in Annapolis at Osteria 177 and ordered it again. They were out of clams! (but everything else was really excellent so consider this a strong recommendation) So I'm on a mission, but now I have an attitude about it and will only eat it at a restaurant owned by someone who was born in Italy (or Bob Kinkaid) (or Cathal) And oh boy the clams had better be fresh. (see? total attitude) Thanks 'hounds for your help!
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Osteria 177
177 Main Street, Annapolis, MD 21401
Corned Beef, Pastrami, Brisket Oy Vey
I miss Mel Krupin. I don't mean Krupin's. I mean Mel Krupin. He knew how to run a fine establishment. We miss you Mel!
Frustrated in Rockville -- why can't I get a decent deli sandwich?
I second the motion to try Wagshal's. It's actually in D.C. on Mass Ave, but fairly near the Monty County line. It's one of the very few places that you could actually refer to as a butcher shop. Also, don't know if this is good suggestion, but is there still a Balducci's in Maryland? I believe there's one near American University . As for an old fashioned deli for the dispaced New Yorker - even if Parkway is not exactly what you've been missing, I believe it will give you a substantial feeling of being "at home" more so than probably any other place in the D.C. area. Two things D.C. doesn't do very well or at least not prolifically are NY deli and NY pizza. I recommend you try around all the recommended places to find the closest you can, and then relax and embrace something that is a real treat if you care to drive East . . . . as soon as you reach Annapolis, you are entering the land of crab. Softshell crabs, crab dip, and crabcakes, crabcakes, crabcakes. You'll eventually get used to each.and.every.place. declaring themselves to have the "best crabcakes." The fun is in finding out who's lying and who's not - when you find the ones who aren't then you're in for a treat, especially if those crabcakes are eaten on a deck next to the water with boats swishing past and osprey swooping along. Not to mention tiki drinks. Hope you'll feel more at more this summer, mrsbuffer!
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Balducci's
600 Franklin St, Alexandria, VA 22314
Where can I find great profiteroles in Washington, DC?
Sorry I don't know the answer but hoping to help by suggesting you check the following as possibilities: I believe they are on the menu at Bistro D'Oc but I haven't ordered them there, and I would see if Central has them, because if Chef Richard can't make them, I don't know who in D.C. can. I can tell you who serves average ones and that is Marvin. (everything else I've had at Marvin has been very good though).
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Bistro D'Oc
518 10th St NW, Washington, DC 20004
Dining in Rehoboth, fine & casual
Sorry if this is a repeat but I searched and couldn't find a post newer than 2008. Chefs move, ownership changes, so this may deserve an update. During an upcoming visit to Rehoboth I will probably visit Nicola's for a Nic-o-boli because it's a tradition if no other reason, and probably stop at Grotto for a super-greasy slice, but when it comes to real food, I'd like some input. In the past, Eden has been my very favorite for fine dining and their top-notch wine program. Any changes to Eden that would have me avoiding it? Visits to Espuma and the Back Porch were so disappointing that I put them on the do-not-repeat list. (I usually give a place at least two chances to win me over, unless the experience is very bad). Basically, I'd like to know if there are any places for upscale dining that shouldn't be missed, and also recommendations for the absolute best crab dip. I am referring to places in town since once I park the car, I won't be driving again until the return trip home. I'll just be there for a weekend so I'm trying to maximize my dining opportunities! One casual dinner and one very nice dinner so unless I hear something to the contrary the "big evening" will be dinner at Eden, but the casual dinner is up in the air. Also feel free to pass along any miscellaneous food tips for Rehoboth. In return, here are a couple of mine: Cafe a Go Go on Rehoboth Avenue makes the best coffee in town, including but not limited to their spicy latin coffee w/chiles and cocoa in it. Wow! After you get your coffee, head to the creperie in Penny Lane for the best breakfast! Huge crepes stuffed with a long list of ingredient choices. My favorite is egg, cheese, ham, tomato & walnut! Approximate cost of a big fat crepe is around $6.50. I can hardly wait to see the ocean - Thanks!
Late-night dining in Monte Carlo
I suggest you try some internet research - this may help: http://www.restaurants-montecarlo.com
Au Pied de Cochon, Bofinger, Chartier-which is most fun?
I'd like to think we will be avoiding the "busloads of tourists" simply because the earliest we eat dinner is 9:00 p.m. Correct me if I'm totally wrong on that. As for fun, I should have been more specific. None of the four definitions above apply. What I have in mind is a crowded, bustling room, people talking & laughing, wine being poured with abandon, table hopping (if the French did that), good people watching, in other words a party atmosphere. Thanks to all for the excellent feeback!
Au Pied de Cochon, Bofinger, Chartier-which is most fun?
I know, I know, these places are touristy, but I've been to Paris many times and am taking my 20-year old niece who has never been. This type of brasserie is, imho, an absolute must for a first-timer. Maybe not the most spectacular cuisine in Paris, but oh, the atmosphere! I've been to Au Pied de Cochon more than once so I'm quite familiar w/it's pros & cons. However, I've never been to Bofinger (mostly because I try to avoid the evil Group Flo!) so I'm leaning toward Bofinger just so that I can see it. Of course, either will be a fun experience for my little cupcake. The whole idea is atmosphere and fun! Please 'hounds, weigh in if you have strong opinions on which is the better choice. I'm throwing Chartier into the mix also so please feel free to weigh in on that as well. (I'm talking about dinner, either on a Friday around 10:00 p.m. or Sunday around 9:00 p.m.) Thank you!
Where is the Best Onion Soup?
Sorry if this is redundant but I searched past posts & couldn't find the answer. I am looking for a place where we could walk in without a reservation and order a light dinner-perhaps just onion soup & a glass of wine. I'm sure there are many opinions about who makes the very best traditional onion soup in Paris, but if I could find one really, really good one . . . you know, the kind that tastes of the deep complexity of the meat stock, the high quality slowwww simmered onions, the good bread, the realllly good cheese gooey on top, not so salty that my hands & feet puff up like a blowfish afterward. Mmmmmmm . . . So maybe not necessarily the very best in Paris (since I'm looking for a casual situation), but maybe one of the best? One of the pleasures of visiting in the off season on a cold autumn evening!
Ciel de Paris-just for cocktails-how to navigate?
Thanks for the ideas; however, I should have said that primary purpose is to view the Tour Eiffel by night, without having to pay for a dinner I don't want. Also, venue must be indoors where it is warm, with someplace to sit and something to drink. Therefore, Georges won't work because their cocktail lounge area is walled off so you can't see the view (bizarre), and the bar at l'Homme isn't really set up for hanging out & Tour viewing, & the La Grande Arch doesn't have a bar :) I wouldn't mind if anyone could elaborate on whether Museum Primitive Quai Branly or Arab Institute would be good for sitting, sipping & Eiffel viewing . . . Thanks!!!
Ciel de Paris-just for cocktails-how to navigate?
I'd like to have cocktails at the bar atop the Tour Montparnasse, but have been unable to determine if one must pay the entry fee of 10.50 euros. I have no desire to visit the observation deck, view the film or visit the gift shop. Just a cocktail, nothing more. It would seem a shame for three of us to have to pay what will end up equalling about $45 USD just to get up to a bar that charges 15 euros per drink. Does anyone know their way around this? Thanks!
Need lactose-free milk in Paris
Leaving for Paris in two weeks, renting apartment in 6th, looked online & can't find anything. Does anyone know where to find lactose-free milk? Thanks!
[DC] Ethnic Food (and more!) near metro?
Welcome to D.C.! You arrive a bit before lunch, just get into town and out of the burbs. First go to Naan & Beyond near corner of 17th & L (Farragut North metrostop) for the yummiest samosas, either chicken, or spicy peas & potato, incredibly cheap, one of each would be a light meal or heavy snack. Beer selection-the legendary, been-there-forever Brickskellar, near Dupont Circle. Also if you go to the Penn Quarter area, 7th & G, there is a beer place called RFD on 7th Street, but don't eat there-good beer bad food. However, also on 7th Street is a yummy Latin/Asian fusion place called Zengo where you can order small plates/tapas. If you want Lebanese, IMHO the best is Lebanese Taverna, a local family owned chain. You can take metro to their Connecticut Avenue location which is across from a metro stop. Bakery cafe fix for Saturday morning could be Le Pain Quotidien, on M Street in Georgetown. It's a Belgian chain. You can get all kinds of breads and baked goods plus omelettes, sandwiches, etc. I would recommend 7th Street for Friday night because it's very lively with lots of places all within a three block walk, so you could do beer at RFD and asian/latin small plates at Zengo, then Saturday late hangover brunch at Quotidien, then maybe dinner at Leb Taverna Saturday. Hope this helps!
Marrakesh Palace-hasn't anyone been there?
Dennis, thanks, but I'm not referring to the old Marrakesh on New York Avenue that's been there for 30 years (which by the way is owned by a Lebanese family I believe), but a fairly new place called Marrakesh Palace on P Street near 21st Street.
