Murphie
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clam (34/123)
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I ate there during the second night of their soft opening . First impressions: nice decor, except for the oversized TV on one wall. Glare from the semi-open kitchen makes its way well into the dining room. Friendly staff, seemed to know what was going on, place about half full, the owner very active with customers. You can tell when the owner is there because his bliack Alfa Romeo is parked just outside. Authentic! I had a caesar salad, watery, and I could not taste anchovies in the anchovy dressing. That was followed by a huge serving of fresh fettuccine bolognese. Really great, rich, little tomato, loved it. Did I mention that it was huge? Finished with a nutella pannacotta, made on site that was really nice. Drank the house red, very good, kind of like a super Tuscan, but not really identified on the menu. Total bill with tip for one $50.00. I'll be back soon, will be looking for ways to enjoy a little lighter meal.
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- Takoma Park
- Takoma Metro Station
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Closed as of the New Year. Sushi and Thai place to follow next month.
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Am I the only person that's been there? Oh, wait - Seitsma, two stars.
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Lunch is on! Now serving Lunch Mon-Fri @ 11:30. Brunch Sat-Sun @ 10:00!
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Closed, replaced by Horace and Dickie's #2
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Yes, initialize! These is no doubt this is the best restaurant in TP. DCS, it looks bad for lunch on the 19th, BTW. Lunch in a few weeks is what I've been told. I'll say that Takoma Park at lunch time is relatively slow, unless you are camping at Capitol Cheese Cake. They will have to build that business seperately. I went in solo Saturday and had three appetizers for dinner, Addies Mussels excellent as always, a B+ chorizo that was flat after the mussels and maybe needs some help with the presentation, and a variety of oysters. Previously loving the Old Salts at Union Market, my favorite were the meaty Moonstones from Rhode Island. Neighbors have had similar, very positive for food ( a chicken entree was raved about), drinks and general karma; including some start-up service quirks that were quickly turned around. One friend with a bunch of food allergies just gave a list to the server, which went back to the kitchen and were readily and cheerfully accomodated. Despite the talk, some early visitors were hoping for more vegetarian entrees . Prices are similar to Roscoes, but not excessively so - and of course its difficult to compare menus. Entrees typically $17, sides $7-8, ala carte. But there are more economical choices too, 10oz draft beers for $4.50, with that and wonderful cannelli and kale (of course) soup for about $, and roasted brussel sprouts $7 you can have a nice meal for $20 plus tip. A wonderful addition, not only to Takoma Park, but the area. Go.
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- Takoma Park
- Tavern
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Whoops, thats Sunday December 8. Thanks Lydia!
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Going out guide has the news today, Urbanspoon had it yesterday and featured some nice interior photos. The community is really looking forward to this! http://www.urbandaddy.com/dc/food/28355/Republic_Jeff_Black_s_Countercultural_New_Bar_DC_DC_Restaurant http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/going-out-guide/wp/2013/12/03/jeff-blacks-republic-to-open-sunday-in-takoma-park/
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Maybe I'm too PC, but the Bread and Chocolate thing is carried a little to far when it comes to server's uniforms. The women all wear red t-shirts that sayon the front "Chocolate Girl", and the males "Bread Boy". When I see African-American employees that have to wear these, its makes me cringe.
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Downtown Takoma Park's dining options continued to expand with the opening a week ago of Takoma Bistro, operated by the Bread and Chocolate people. Taking over the ill fated Everyday Gourmet, with some art and a little remodeling they've transformed the space into a warm and inviting cafe that also has outside seating, open seven days a week for three meals a day. a beer and wine license is expected in about a week. Right now the place opens early, at 6:30 well ahead of competitors like Capital City Cheesecake (7:30, weekdays) and Marks Kitchen (9:00, weekdays). The breakfast menu includes eggs, waffles and pancakes (like Mark's, no hot cereal), lunch and dinner offer a wide variety of sandwiches, side and entree salads, burgers and the like, examples of more substantial entrees include chicken pot pie, moussaka, salmon and a flat iron steak. An expresso machine is turning out some great coffee and espresso based drinks. My companion and I went in for a late lunch. She had a tuna melt, but strangely the cheese was under the tuna, not melted on top as per the menu. She thought the accompanying side salad was ok, but boring. I had the burger, beautifully cooked and very good. The shoestring fries were a little overcooked. We finished with a latte and a cappuccino, both exceptional. Friends at a table nearby really enjoyed their salmon salad. The place has been slammed since it opened, and the staff is definitely still finding its way, so involved with working out details of the operation that sometimes customers get ignored. Procedures have to be worked out, and someone needs to keep an eye on the floor at all times. But the community has clearly welcomed Takoma Bistro, and the staff knows there are many rough edges and is working to correct them. Hopefully it will not only bring another option but some synergy to the growing Takoma dining scene. 6923 Laurel Avenue, at present 6:30AM to 9 pm.
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Can anyone comment on the noise level here? Any more recent visits? Thanks
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A friend suggested we drop in to Pollo Mex last night, and I was dubious because it sounded like yet another latin american chicken place. Well, they do have rotisserie chicken, but that barely scratches the surface. Arriving about 8PM on a Wednesday, the place clearly does a lot of carryout business, and about 3/4 of the twelve or so tables were occupied. Three guests were also seated at the (full) bar, eating and clearly enjoying a pitcher of sangria. Noise level was low to medium. Service was prompt and friendly, we started with a half-pitcher of margaritas that lasted the two of us through the meal, accompanied by nice light chips and a clearly homemade salsa with nice chunks of tasty fresh tomatos . We split a ceviche appetizer, and were blown away with its good sized chunks of firm flounder mixed with romaine, tomatoes, onion and cilantro...somehow there was something special in the dressing, and we pondered for a while before realizing it was a touch of ginger. This is a generous, outstanding dish that could be a light meal for one. I had a grilled steak, looked like thick flank but I dunno, flavorful and moist, with tostones and yucca, I preferred the oh so mildly sweet yucca to the drier tostones. My companion had a wonderful dish of pork with onions, fried plantains , beans and rice. That was it for us, no dessert. Overall, great service, great food, and an interesting and broad menu with something for everyone. Next time, I want to try the tortas, havent had a good one since I left California and I have a feeling Pollo Mex will deliver. http://www.pollomex.com/ (the online menu does not reflect the full menu in house).
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Pizza quality has improved here, the word is that they substantially increased the temperature of the wood-fired oven so that it is not operating at about 900 degrees instead of 700 earlier, and I think this has solved the problem of the soggy centers. Beet salad is just excellent, indeed all of the salads are good, splitting a salad and a pizza makes a wonderful meal for two. Kron, the excellent and very professional bartender, is less evident, more typically these days its one of the three owners or a grumpy, distracted female notable for how much she stands around doing nothing. Insider tip - the four tables parallel to the the long side of the bar are assigned to the bartender, not one of the regular servers. If the place is swamped you may need to make yourself known to whoever is behind the bar. Overall, I find myself going here more often. The pizza is much improved, the staff generally friendly and helpful.
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Had a decent meal at Taste last night, Saturday, but the bottom line was it was too noisy for my date and I to enjoy. Not a spare table in the house, the concrete floor, sound reflective glass paneling between the bar and the room, and live music over the top of it all did us in. The food was very good. Standouts were the wilted spinach salad, the "Taste" beet salad (with cuminized walnuts a plus, but measly beets a minus), the Taste steak, beautifully cooked with lemon potatoes. Service was excellent; we asked to be moved because of the noise (which barely helped) but the request was dealt with promptly and with smiles. Server carefully went over the menu to suggest items for one of us that is lactose intolerant, though the kitchen then proceed to put a pesto garnish (with parmesan) over most of the items. But the noise had us leaving before dessert or coffee. My iPhone app, for what it was worth, was indicating an average dB of about 80, spiking every few seconds into the 90's. We literally could not converse over the two-top. We saw friends there that told us how much the loved the place, and obviously many other folks were enjoying the lively scene. We do want to go back, but will pick an off weekday for a second try.
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I'm looking for a low key place for a first meeting... normally I'd do a wine bar-small plates kind of thing. We'll both drive and meet there. She lives in Brookville, I'm in Takoma Park, so anywhere in between on the Georgia, Layhill or New Hampshire Ave. corridors. I'm afraid of pretty slim pickings, among bars or restaurants, that is. I'm looking for low noise level, comfortable, but no excuses. From the reviews I see two possible candidates in Olney al Sospiro Trattoria Romana & Wine Bar or Taste Mezze. Anything further south? This adventure is probably a bad idea since I rarely go outside the Beltway Anyway, I'd appreciate comments and other ideas. Thanks Murphie
