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Shaho

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  1. We were there last September. I'd echo the posts above that good food is everywhere, and tabelog and Google are good resources. Lunch is great value for higher-end restaurants. Here are some of the places we enjoyed that weren't too hard to get into, in case you are nearby: Shoraian, Arashiyama, Kyoto - tofu-based omakase, beautiful riverside location, not the broadest range of flavors but good value and quality. We reserved this through AmEx concierge, it seemed popular but not overly so, so your hotel might be able to help you once you get there. Sanga Ono, Kyoto - breakfast restaurant in our hotel at Kyoto. Lots of variety. Bakuro Ichidai Ginza, Tokyo - excellent sukiyaki and hida beef (alternative to wagyu/kobe). Hitsumabushi Bincho, Tokyo - chain of Nagoya-style eel rice restaurants, which lets you try the eel in 3 different ways. Bento boxes that you buy at the train station are a fun way to enjoy a Shinkansen ride too!
  2. Thanks for the review! Chef Danielle was on a David Chang-produced cooking competition, Secret Chef, on Hulu, so I've been thinking of checking this place out. I have fond memories of some of the previous tenants of this location (Crane & Turtle, Himitsu), and it sounds like Almeda might continue that trend.
  3. Lotus of Siam, Raku, and Chengdu Taste are our go-tos for authentic Asian food off-strip. Lotus of Siam still has their chef's meal which is something like a "best hits" tasting menu as of a few months ago. Just a note that some of their dishes with higher-end ingredients and higher price tags, such as their Garlic Prawns and Crispy Duck Khao Soi are on that menu (not that they aren't worthwhile, but just a warning in case you're looking for something more moderately priced).
  4. Some older reports here: I've been and enjoyed it as well (pre-COVID), including the all you can eat salad.
  5. Enjoyed the outdoor cabanas even though it was a chilly day (our original dinner reservation was canceled due to expected cold, so we moved it up to lunch). The heaters don't quite warm up the entire room in that sort of weather, but we saw several parties bring in their own blankets, which should have been enough to get cozy. The lunch menu was small but delightful, as was the service. Our order of parsnip soup was split into 2 bowls without our asking, always a nice touch. The brussels sprouts were one of the best versions I've had, perfectly charred and crispy without even a hint of being burned. The loaded potatoes were not at all subtle, but deliciously decadent and made perfect leftovers later that night. We had the smash burger, olive oil poached cauliflower, and pork bolognese from the larger plates menu. Again, nothing surprising about the burger, just a delicious patty in a potato roll. The bolognese was another rich dish that hit the spot in the cold, with excellent ricotta and garlic toast to accentuate the classic pasta. The cauliflower had nice texture and flavor, though it worked better to balance the meal than it would have as an individual "main," as its placement on the menu somewhat suggests. I'd highly recommend the cabanas to anyone with even a bit of COVID trepidation, especially in the in-between season before full outdoor dining opens back up.
  6. We were there for a celebration event this summer. Service and ambiance were excellent. We had the Chef's Tasting Menu, which was 5 courses with a selection of 2 options per course. Food ranged from beautifully plated and uniquely balanced (a yellowtail tartare with peach, Rosé foam, and crispy lotus root) to a little more by the numbers. Overall I would say most dishes were above average with only a few standouts, but paired with the ambiance it was still a wonderful experience and exactly what we were looking for. The dining room was fairly busy on a weeknight evening.
  7. Tacqueria Los Primos in north Laurel is legit, and I second the vote for Mango's. I believe the chef at Amber Spice is the former chef from Curry Leaf as well? That was my go-to back in the day. I still dream about the pound cake at the Dutch Market...
  8. Although very rare, there were nights when I saw another chef manning the kitchen or helping out. I would guess that the restaurant passed over to them when the Lis retired, although recent Yelp reviews indicate that the menu has indeed changed "somewhat."
  9. With the lottery odds flattening out starting this year, rebuilding by trading away your best players and tanking for high draft picks is even more of a crapshoot than it has been in the past. The Wizards actually stand to benefit from this change, as even with a mediocre team and the 6th worst record overall, they have a 38% chance for a top 4 pick this year. Their best bet is to draft a good player this year, hold Wall out next year and remain mediocre enough to get another good pick, and build around the still young core of Beal, Troy Brown Jr, Thomas Bryant, and 2 high draft picks. If Wall can come back to at least 80% effectiveness, we still have a slim possibility of becoming a contender despite our salary cap limitations. The move to essentially give away Otto Porter hurts from a talent perspective, but frees up enough financial flexibility to work around even 2 supermax deals with draft picks and value free agency signings like Jeff Green. This year's draft lottery will be critical, as obviously a game changing talent like Zion could change the trajectory of this franchise completely. Even if we don't land him, Ja Morant, Bol Bol, Darius Garland, and R.J. Barrett (my preferences in order) have All Star-level upside. I'll be watching the draft lottery, draft, and new GM selection with great interest. Replacing Ernie Grunfeld with a forward-thinking GM who understands scouting, team-building, and has a long term vision for real success could be the turning point the Wizards have long needed.
  10. "Chef Tim Ma Is Closing Kyirisan in Shaw" by Anna Spiegel, Washingtonian. Closing April 18th. Tim Ma will be focusing on his other restaurants, American Son and Wild Days at the Eaton Workshop hotel.
  11. Left or right U-turn? I was against the window in the bar area to the left, although I might have sat at the opposite end to you because I don't recall the tree or gold pattern as vividly.
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