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Showing results for tags 'Rosslyn'.
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I searched and found that nobody has started a thread for Guajillo. So, since I seem to complain the most about the lack of good Tex-Mex in the area I decided I should step up to the plate and take a swing.... Yum. It is neither inexpensive nor a taqueria, but Guajillo should satisfy a craving for real Tex-Mex when a trip to Texas is out of the question. I had the pleasure of eating a wonderful dinner at Guajillo just the other night and am counting the days until I return. The chips are fresh, the salsa complex and roasty, all and all a great start to the meal. For my main course, I had chicken with three different moles. The traditional brown mole tasted exactly as a good mole should... chocolately and earthy at the same time. The green mole was my favorite, spicy but creamy. The red mole was special too. I'd order this dish again if I haven't eaten in days... it is huge! My friend ordered shrimp and goat cheese enchiladas. They were good too. In fact the shrimp were plump and plentiful. Anyway, I can't wait to go back... thinking huevos next weekend. -
Opened 10/21/2013 - Caffé Aficionado, 1919 N Lynn St, Arlington. A new high-end coffee house opened Monday in the CEB/Deloitte building in Rosslyn. They serve Handsome Coffee, from Los Angeles using a 2-group La Marzocco GB/5. They do pour overs later in the day and serve amazing pastries. Not sure who bakes them, but they are delish. Not everything on the menu is available--like some house made Belgian-style waffles. They also have fresh squeezed orange juice. -
Rosslyn is lousy with small sandwich shops, and, frankly, most of them are... well, lousy. Well, maybe not lousy, but certainly bland, nondescript, unimaginative, plain, etc. You get the picture. In this sea of sandwich shop sameness, I must give a shout out to the good folks at Rosslyn Coffee & Deli, who are more than a cut above the rest. Located in an office building near the bottom of Wilson Blvd., the place has no outside signage, so it is easy to miss. Inside you will find a fine array of hot paninis, foccacia sandwiches, and other specialty sandwich creations, as well as your standard deli fare. Today, I had the pastrami panini on a multigrain ciabatta, with havarti, spinach, artichokes, and roasted red peppers. The sandwich was tasty, the ingredients were fresh, and the unusual accents like the spinach and artichokes worked and were much appreciated. Apart from the sandwiches, the care these folks put in to this enterprise is evident from the cleanliness of the store, the quality of the snacks and drinks they sell, and the fact that they also have a surprisingly good selection of bottled beer, including a mini-section with Belgian ales. This is not your gourmet sandwich shop, just a hard-working place making quality sandwiches with fresh ingredients, keeping the hungry of Rosslyn well-fed. It is worth your consideration if you are ever in the area. This is exactly the type of small business that deserves support. -
Just opened. Anyone catch the WP Express article the other day? -
(I just know this is going to become its own post) [ DR] I ate at Open Road tonight. I had the burger (quelle surprise) while my friend had the hanger steak salad. In retrospect, both the pizzas and the fish wrap looked rather good, and might be the go-to if/when I give this place it's second shot. The burger was cooked rather well - the first time in quite some time I've ordered a burger medium and actually *gotten* it medium. The downside was that it didn't have a tremendous amount of taste or seasoning to go with the overabundance of juiciness - the "scallion mayo" and even the addition of bacon didn't help. Next time I might ask for more of the mayo and sprinkle some pepper on there. It's also served on a brioche bun - and unfortunately...meat juices and brioche do not make a harmonious pair. The hanger steak salad looked rather basic - not very vibrant in color - just steak sitting on a bed of mixed field greens with a minimum of garnish (she swore they forgot the potatoes), but the steak was cooked beautifully and had a good taste. My friend remarked to the server that they seriously need to make an entree based on the hanger steak, a la Jackson's, since it outshines the salad considerably. The menu itself reads like an exercise in "making simple sound needlessly complex." The place seems rather targeted at three relatively nearby establishments - the aging Grevey's near INOVA Fairfax and its open-air bar, Glory Days Grill in Fairfax, and Blackfinn Pub. They even have half-price burgers on Monday to compete directly with GD. I wish them luck with that, as Blackfinn is in the middle of a residential complex with covered indoor parking and a short walk from the Metro and a Doubletree, and Glory Days has more parking than ever would be necessary. I also question the logic of a nine dollar hot dog, regardless of whether it's made with Boar's Head. We skipped dessert, as aside from the "Seasonal Crisp," there's nothing available you couldn't get much cheaper elsewhere. Also, the inclusion of the "Old School" treat/snack menu had us wondering just how many Oreos or Twinkies you get per dollar spent. This place is going to make a fortune on booze alone, though...as Happy Hour lasts until 7pm...that is, if you can find a spot. The parking lot was jam-packed yesterday evening ~5:30pm, but the interior had ample seating - most of the customers were sitting/standing in the outdoor bar area (the place has two bars, and the interior one is well-stocked). Once the Italian Deli and the "TRIO Grill" opens up, I really don't know what they're going to do - there's not enough parking by far, and if they're not careful, they're going to cause accidents on Route 29 since there's only one entry and exit for traffic despite a feed-in lane. You could take your chances parking in the adjacent Sunoco station, but seeing as they generally have tow trucks sitting around, I wouldn't advise it. The location is also just far enough from the Dunn Loring metro station that a 'leisurely walk' becomes more of a "burn off dinner" affair. The Italian Market between Open Road and TRIO looks to be just a glorified deli (sorry DrX) based on the modicum of time I spent looking in the windows at the 'menu boards' on the back wall behind the deli counter. There are two rather large beverage coolers on either side of the space, and I'm looking forward to getting a look at what's inside them, since I'm always curious about new sodas, beers, and drinks. Brass tacks: Did I feel adequately fed? Yes. Was the wait staff attentive? Incredibly - almost to the point of fastidiously obsessive. They even collected the straw I didn't use for my iced tea. Was the food good? Decent enough, but I honestly think Blackfinn has the better burger unless they burn the hell out of it like they did on my second visit there. Would I return? Yes, but I'm not exactly in a hurry to do so.- 3 replies
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Heavy Seas Alehouse opened up in Rosslyn this week Based on the crowds there for both the soft open and official open, its arrival has been eagerly anticipated by many! The service was fantastic at the soft open -- despite the crowd (almost every seat was taken), our waiter was friendly and attentive and every staff member who passed by made us feel welcome. The beer was excellent as well, but of course that's no surprise. It's a big, well-used space -- lots of seats without feeling too crowded. Great photos and food menus are here. -
Over the last year more or less there has been an explosion of new places to eat in "Downtown" Roslyn; Downtown Roslyn being the essentially level area near the Metro and differentiated from the office, residential restaurants and retail that stretch up the hill on either Wilson or Clarendon Blvd. These places to eat coincide with the three massive structures added to the Roslyn landscape, two huge office buildings and one enormous high rise apartment building. It would not be fair to call most of this "dining". These are places primarily for lunch, some for breakfasts, and most for quick meals. Just a quick summary to list (hope I haven't missed any) McDonalds (first of the newer places in) replacing its long long standing stand alone building across from Metro. Nando's Peri Peri, The Little Beet, Sweet Green (across from Chopt), Compass Coffee just opened. Under construction are Cava, Bethesda Bagel, a Poke restaurant (name escapes me), and now Sfoglina has closed off its windows and is commencing construction. Ahhhh Sfoglina--the one true dining experience being added to downtown Roslyn. Roslyn: A real sort of downtown with high rise buildings, an office density that rivals that of downtown, and actually a relatively high "urban neighborhood" population (relative to other urban neighborhoods in Arlington (Crystal City, Pentagon City, Courthouse, Clarendon, Vg. Square and Ballston). All of which is to say that if you find yourself stuck in Roslyn...there is now less reason to moan.
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As noted elsewhere Rosslyn is a wasteland for dining. Along with another thread about a hidden better higher value lunch alternative there is Ahra Cafe located at 1100 Wilson Boulevard in the Twin Towers Building with Channel 8 on the ground level off the lobby. Ahra is only open for breakfast and lunch on weekdays and has no outdoor signage. Their breakfasts and lunches are hearty and offer good value for the price. Ahra's specialties are slow roasted turkey, ham, roast beef and brisket sandwiches. They are hearty, large, and accompanied by a wide variety of extras. They offer great value for the price and a cut above the world of chains that proliferate in that wasteland. -
File this away for future visits to the Newseum: Online tickets are 15% off (substantial when you consider general admission is $24.95). Even at full price, this museum is worth the admission - I suspect attendance is dropping off, and it may not be around forever. Also, the tickets include the "next day free" - useful for those (like me!) who quickly develop Museum Fatigue. I went back for the second consecutive day yesterday, and I'm glad I did (I combined day two with a trip to the National Archives - nothing like strolling down the street to see the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, an original copy of the Magna Carta, and the Emancipation Proclamation. These documents aren't terribly beautiful, but just being in their presence is positively awe-inspiring). Make sure to follow their suggested itinerary: Go downstairs to the bottom floor, look around (make sure to see the FBI exhibit down there), then take the extraordinary hydraulic elevators (the largest cars in the world, I believe) up to the 6th floor (where you can go outside onto a large balcony, giving you perhaps the best views in all of Washington, DC), and work your way down a floor at a time. Must-sees include the 9/11 exhibit, the Pulitzer Prize Photos exhibit (one in particular cut deeply into my psyche - a starving child, who collapsed on the way to a food-relief center in South Sudan, with a vulture just sitting there, waiting - do not click on this if it will bother you, and it might). The famous photo of South Vietnamese Police Chief Loan is there - believe it or not, he ran a *PIZZA PARLOR* in Burke, Virginia, called "Les Trois Continents," for fourteen years, until his identity was made known, and was forced to close down. (I couldn't believe it when I first heard this, but I verified it to be true.) There's a strong exhibit about the Kennedy family, in honor of JFK's 100th birthday, but I'm a little "Kennedy'd-out" of late, so I didn't spend too much time there). Also, there's a 100-foot-wide movie screen which I didn't get to see, but you should check on its schedule. And if you've never seen pieces of the Berlin Wall (which started going up the very night I was born!), they have the largest display of it in the Western Hemisphere, alongside an intimidating, three-story, guard tower. I'm probably missing a couple of things, but this list is a pretty good starting itinerary. I remember so well when this museum was in Rosslyn (it opened there in 1997, and moved to its present location in 2008) - it was small, free, and really amazing even then - the outside portion was something people often stumbled upon by accident - but now it has had some serious money pumped into it, and is a major tourist attraction in DC.- 5 replies
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I noticed that Piola (Pizza) is opening in Rosslyn next to Cafe Asia. I'm sure it's just some international corporate mess (their other U.S. locations are in Miami and New York), but has anyone ever been who can tell me something more? -
When I was complaining about the lack of good Italian food in Arlington recently, this doesn't sound like the answer I was hoping for. From the owners of A-Town and Don Tito comes, Barley Mac, an "Italian American" fusion tavern with a beer and bourbon beverage program. . . "A-Town Owners To Open Rosslyn Restaurant" on ARLnow.com -
I went over to the Twin Towers to The Great Eatery, the buffet and sandwich place, and they posted a sign that August 31 would be their last day after ten years. Although I think the cause is mainly the movement of various businesses on the Mall level due to the expansion of the WJLA empire, I am sorry to see it go, particularly as a similar buffet place at the Rosslyn Metro Center closed several months ago. Now, aside from a sandwich shop on the street level, a fairly large complex has no interior dining options. There are still food trucks along Wilson Boulevard and assorted take out places in the block across Wilson, but it is sad when a business closes that was at least convenient. -
Northern Virginia magazine reported that Cassatt's owner Art Hauptman opened the market portion of Bistro 360 on Oct. 17 in Cafe Assorti's former location. Although Northern Virginia magazine states that "Hauptman hopes to have the restaurant and wine bar of Bistro 360 open late next week," the Bistro 360 website says that the Bistro360 Eatery will open on Nov. 3 and the wine bar and market are now open. -
And now it's Amuse (http://www.starwoodh...propertyID=3774) -
I'm surprised that there is no thread yet on Capriotti's, which opened in Midtown at 18th and M last Thursday. The place has had a massive line each day since it opened, including this weekend. I've already been three times. -
Pancho Villa has opened in the former Secret Chopsticks spot (via ArlNow).
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Not sure if this is the right place (apologies if it is) but curious to see what everyone's three favorite restaurants are along this area? My 3 in no particular order 1. Pho 75 2. Cava Mezze (esp Brunch) 3. TNR, go to Fish in Szechuan Broth Honorable mention: El Pollo Rico, Green Pig Bistro -
Can't find a thread on this, but I thought I remember SeanMike posting something. We went here for Valentine's Day. Bless their hearts. This could be a really cool restaurant, but it is just trying to hard. Genuinely, nicely trying too hard, which breaks your heart because it just needs some changes. First off the space- it was really cute, but it got really cold inside the restaurant that night. The service was over the top, but also sloppy in a way. They way over utilized rose petals for Vday (especially as it was mostly friends and families there). They got us water then didn't ask us about other drinks the whole evening. We had two glasses of champagne with the menu, but after we drank that no mention of do we want something else. But they did bring out food frequently, check on how it was and refilled our water after a couple sips had been taken. They had a Valentine's tasting menu, then their normal tasting menu. But one was 6 courses and the other 11. They didn't have a vegetarian or dim sum option. We were kind of struggling to figure out what to order. Hubby wanted the 11 course, we wanted the 6, they said we could do that. Well then the timing was kind of all over the place, which is why we hesitated in the first place on doing that, but we had my cousin who is 17 and from a rural area and just trying new stuff. There was an egg drop soup that was forgettable and just bland (do you have to put dyed rose petals in the food, I don't want to eat a dyed rose petal), the soup dumplings were placed on top of some sort of paper, but it wasn't non-stick enough, so two of mine fell apart with me just trying to not eat the paper attached to the bottom, I think part of this may have been they had congealed a bit. They served mine and my cousins dishes on a shared middle plate, and then we had to ask for small plates, and those weren't always cleared and replaced. I would have prefered just two separate plates as the plate in the middle made it hard to eat. The XO scallops were good, but their XO sauce wasn't quite as addictively good as other versions I have had and the scallops were so big and slippery even I found them really hard to eat with chopsticks, they brought spoons after they saw us struggling. I thought the lamb chops were great, but my cousin found them a bit too spicy and gamey. These came out with foil on the top, we only had chopsticks so we ate these with our fingers, but it would have been nice for them to indicate they were intended to be eaten with fingers, but would bring forks and knives if preferred. The dessert was durian ice cream, which was interesting, but the dish could have been more complex or had some other elements. There must have been another dish, but I can't remember what it was. MK's menu had a few more dumplings, and he really liked some of the items, but others he also thought were bland. I feel like if this restaurant would 1) offer a few more options on the tasting menus so you could tailor it a bit more to one's tastes and dietary restrictions that would be great 2) do more small plates a la carte 3) just taste and tweak some of the items 4) work on service that this place felt like it had so much potential, but was just failing to reach that potential. That is always what I really hate when I go to some restaurants, you can feel that it could be really good, but it isn't there. This is one of those places that needs to hire a consultant just to tweak things. -
I think it's safe to say that Central Place (soon to be the tallest mixed-use development in the DC area) will change the face of Rosslyn dining. Five years from now, people will be like, "Tivoli? Tom Sarri's Orleans House? Huh?"
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Ben's was recently on the Food Channel on one of those Al Roker hosted shows, like Roker on the Road or something like that. -
It has been years since I have been in this place and have no idea how many ownership changes, if any, may have taken place. Last week for lunch I really enjoyed the trout sandwich with a side salad for about $10.50, give or take two bits. Nice crispy long roll. The trout looked pan-fried and was not overcooked, accented with capers. The salad ingredients were very fresh. Very tasty all in all. The web site can use a little work and a good editor.
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Didn't see a topic for this place. AllSpice Cafe is on Oak Street essentially across the street from the new Heavy Seas Alehouse, kind of on the back side of the building, next door to Kanpai. It's a great little place when you're in the neighborhood. Good sandwiches (I've tended to the wraps like the southwestern wrap or bbq chicken).... mrs. rbh likes the chicken hummus veggie sandwich and swears by their breakfast wraps. They have apple fritters as big as a face - and they have Swings coffee. I've had their soups a couple times and was pleased. Soups and sandwich specials rotate daily. They also have a made-to-order salad station that I have to try sometime. Given the other choices around for take-out sandwiches, I put this over all the walking distance places (capriottis, subway, jimmy johns, etc). Particularly for the price. Basically if I'm working from home and want to wander out for a lunch sandwich, this is the default unless I feel like driving to Italian Store or Earl's. I hope that when the demolition starts on this bldg and the one next door in a couple years that they're able to find a new home.
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I'm somewhat surprised that there isn't already a thread about this place (unless I did my search wrong and it's here somewhere). Is it really that much under the radar, or have people been and found it not worth posting about? I, for one, have developed a strong attraction to a few select menu items over the years. Dishes I recommend are 1) The Steak and Cheese Burrito, 2) Fajitas (steak, chicken, or shrimp on the regular menu, specials sometimes offer lamb, pork, and tuna), and 3) Chimichangas (shredded beef or shredded chicken). Most dishes are served with Mexican rice and refried beans. They offer a list of five or six specials which changes weekly, including things like applewood smoked bacon quesadilla, pork adovado burrito, and a chirozo-stuffed baked Vidalia onion. During the Hatch Chile Festival in Hatch, NM, special dishes are prepared with peppers flown in from Hatch. One of my favorite things about this place is the complimentary chips and salsa - SO much better than anywhere else I've tried! The chips are a mixture of gold, blue, and red corn tortilla chips deep-fried and cut thicker than I've had at most of the usual Tex-Mex places. The homemade salsa is more of a thin sauce than a puree, with a distinct cilantro flavor, and usually very spicy. The beers on tap include Victory lager and Dominion ale. They previously offered a wonderfully hoppy red ale which was brewed for them by Dominion, but was unfortunately discontinued after the takeover of Dominion by Anheuser Busch. This is a casual neighborhood place, with very friendly service and even friendlier prices. I believe the owner, Kip Laramie, was a previous owner of the Santa Fe Cafe in College Park, but no longer owns that one (not positive about that). Again, this place is more Santa Fe than Tex/Mex, but it might fill the bill for those of you looking for this kind of food, and wanting to try something other than Rio Grande, Guajillo, etc. -
I went to Tom Sarris the other day and its been one of my favorite restaurants. I always enjoyed the prime rib there and the salad bar. does anyone know about this place? and is there another place that serves prime ribs better? -
I noticed a sign for this place while driving by. It's in the new condo building across the street from Guajillo and Rays the Steaks. Googling found this article. I also found this other article from March (halfway down) that says they'll open in the spring.
