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NolaCaine

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  1. NolaCaine
    Forgive me for a little vent but here goes: I have food allergies and when I'm having trouble swallowing yet must dine out for business purposes, I call the restaurant and ask about menu choices and easy alterations. It is never a problem. Here's my vent: While the lunch menu says to call about allergies; there is not a phone number. Clicking on "contact us" on the web site home page got me a web form. Of course google had the number. I called. The hostess (A) seemed annoyed that I wanted to talk about food allergies and (b) didn't really seem to know a lot about the menu and (c) doesn't understand that cream is basically milk. Vent over. I hope I survive this lunch. Something tells me that they don't really take food allergies very seriously. Edited to include link to lunch menu in case I missed something. http://succotashrestaurant.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Lunch_DC-10.24.pdf
  2. NolaCaine
    Oh my dear friends, I'm about to come out of the closet. I was raised poor; so poor that not only did I live on food stamp food as a child, but at the end of the month received USDA government food. "American cheese" is a USDA recipe which is why Kraft singles taste exactly like "government cheese." How do I know this? When I started dating my husband, he told me that I should talk to strangers on Metro b/c they have good stories. One day I saw a woman with a tote bag from a dairy conference so I asked her the question. Why does government cheese taste exactly like Kraft. Does kraft have the contract? She laughed and said there are 5-7 contracts to make "government cheese" and Kraft might have one but it doesn't matter b/c USDA publishes the recipe and it is EXACTLY THE SAME. Here's a link: "WTF Happened to Government Cheese?" by Myles Karp on munchies.vice.com I have made entire meals out of government cheese, powered milk, flour, and peanut butter. (Unrelated story): I also met an MD and FBI agent brother set who were Jewish. I have a couple of friends who only date within their faith so I invited the brothers to a happy hour to meet them. The men in my social group behaved like apes and even tried to (figuratively) pee on the FBI agents shoes. My now husband asked why I invited two single guys to a happy hour full of single guys and i told him "because YOU suggested I speak to strangers on metro". (My friends and these two tilted different ways politically so, it didn't work out).
  3. NolaCaine
    snake, garfish, squirrel, alligator I've eaten them all in La. and all were good; but never a rat. Yet. I've also eaten chicken feet and duck tongue. Never, ever again.
  4. NolaCaine
    Full Story: "'The Good Lord Couldn't Get Rid of Them'": Louisiana's Quest To Hunt the Swamp Rat" by Amanda Holpuch on theguardian.com Highlights: Metzler and his fellow documentarians Jeff Springer and Quinn Costello traveled to southern Louisiana, primarily during the November-to-April hunting season. They stomped through the marshes and dined on nutria. “We were able to get over the ick factor because Louisianans know how to cook,” Metzler said. That taste test was inspired by the state wilderness department’s Nutria for Human Consumption Campaign, an initiative formed in response to the overabundance of nutria. It saw celebrated chefs, including the James Beard award winner Susan Spicer, prepare the rat in barbecue, jambalaya and jerky meals. In the film, Spicer insists the rodent does not have a swampy taste. “With rabbit, there is a stigma they are too cute. That’s not a problem with nutria,” he says. The battle against the nutria, and the destruction of southern Louisiana, is felt intimately by Thomas Gonzalez, who informs viewers at the film’s onset: “Hurricane Katrina took my house, but we still have plenty of nutria.”
  5. NolaCaine
    Oh My Yum. Lettuce Starter: Perfect medium-hard egg on top of crispy lettuce. Dressed perfectly well. Cod Main: Just right wild rice, cod, lightly steamed broccoli and cauliflower. Some sort of lemon-y sauce. Included: Light sauvignon blanc $27. Was louder than expected and completely packed. People were turned away.
  6. NolaCaine
    We are all focusing our national rage on the famous but I"m going out on a limb here; most women experience sexual harassment at some point in their career. I'm thinking of my list right now. Assholes.
  7. NolaCaine
    I would like to add a note of confusion. I was informed of this restaurant TODAY. But here's the thing: I work in the neighborhood; maybe 2 blocks away. I don't think there has been advertisement or direct marketing, or even sign on Ct or 17th. Or maybe the people at Edgar keep stealing it. I hear it is very good, very nice, and conducive to an actual conversation.
  8. NolaCaine
    After IlluminAsia, had cravings for anything Asian and kids wanted to try something new. Kids, girl4 and boy7 ordered mini dumplings from appetizer menu and a lemonade. After eating 6 of the 8 dumplings, they declared that they didn't like them. Ahem. Lemonade seemed never empty. Wonton soup = bland. Duck = great. Kids ate lots of duck, and also cucumbers. They tried the rest but weren't that into the duck sauce and pancakes...or scallions. Towards the end of the meal, my 4 yr old girl said: Mommy: May I have only the skin please? Then she said it very slowly so I would not be confused: Only. The. Skin...please? Hot tip: If asked, the kitchen will package duck bones to bring home. I did and when we left our bones were warm so it was obviously fresh. Made duck broth...assuming I"m going to make squash soup with it early this week. Smelled good simmering..
  9. NolaCaine
    Not sure if this is a mini-review or a brag. I took a 4 yr old on girldate to sushi zen because when I offered ramen or sushi she said "shu-shi" so of course, I asked again. Yes, "shu-shi" she insisted. By the time we got to lunch it was about 1:30 on a Saturday and the place was doing a steady business about 1/3 full. For 14.95 we shared a lunch special of 3 rolls: california, tuna, and salmon. It came with a little salad and a little miso soup. It's fine, solid, good sushi from my perspective but her's is more interesting so this is the review from my 4 yr old: 1. Miso Soup: Mommy, don't eat all of my soup. It's good! (big eyes). What's this green stuff? (seaweed). I LOVE SeaWeed! (big eyes again, open mouth). What's this white thing? (tofu; H, L and S really like it). Sad voice: I don't like the white things (neither do I). Well then don't eat them! (for clarity, she said that to me.) 2. Salad: I gave my only daughter my only tomato and only cucumber and the least salad-dressing covered iceberg pieces: Gemme that one (asking for a drenched slice of lettuce). I did, she at it up along with quite a few others. 3. California Roll without roe: I like this. It is good because of avocado! (ate 3 of 6) 4. Tuna roll: What's that (tuna) Can I have one? (yes). It's yucky. I like that and that but not that. (likes the seaweed, rice, but not the tuna). 5. Salmon roll: What's that (salmon) Can I have ones (yes) YUMMY! (big eyes again. ate 2.) There is a children's menu so aside from the rolls mentioned above, there are some other mild variations on the adult menu. And sorbet; mango. Yum.
  10. NolaCaine
    I agree that spicy wasn't spicy except for a direct bite of red chili; green chili wasn't spicy at all. I thought the sitsig especially was very oily last night. I wanted the chicken soup but the waiter suggested something else with coconut milk that was ok. PSA, this is NOT the menu we were handed last night (so I can't figure out what I actually ordered):
  11. NolaCaine
    Have you every really enjoyed a dining experience but didn't like the food? Until last night, I hadn't either and it's an odd sensation. On a Monday night I ventured to Bistro 1512 with my husband for a spontaneous night out. Neither of us had even tasted Filipino food before so we were quite excited. Now, I fully expected lots of fish because, as I understand it, the Philippines is an island nation. Wrong! Pork and chicken like mentioned upthread. Specifically, oily pork and chicken. We did have the good fortune to enjoy a very nice salad with jackfruit. Not only light and tasty, it was perfectly well dressed. Our dear waiter was horrible. Really nice but disorganized and inattentive, yet also amusing. For a Monday night it was about 3/4 full and although the Applebees TVs were on in the bar area, they were off in the dining area; a detail I appreciate. What is up with that space? Isn't this place 3 or 4 in under 10 years: Green Turtle, Applebees, this Bistro. Is Applebees still paying the lease? I think local diaspora is supporting the restaurant and I like that it is near, not a chain, and different. Maybe I"ll go back if/when they get their sea-legs on and offer some less oily options...or someone here tells me how to better order. All that said, I really enjoyed the overall experience. Maybe it was the wine and lovely dining companion.
  12. NolaCaine
    Oh this looks good. Anybody been? Bistro 1521
  13. NolaCaine
    In the former Applebee's space: "Filipino Restaurant Bistro 1521 Now Open in Ballston" by Chris Teale on arlnow.com
  14. NolaCaine
    A quick post to share that I'm not a huge fan of the new Big Buns. About half of the toppings have been removed from the build a burger/bowl menu and no fish! Now the little kid sliders are pretty good and yes, they build a damn good burger but I usually like bowls. Not exactly sure when they changed but my last two outings were less than satisfactory because I wanted to build a damn bodacious bowl; and have something from the sea.
  15. NolaCaine
    Let's call this post "Food Allergy Ballston" to keep it on topic. A few years ago, I was diagnosed with food allergies: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic, allergic inflammatory disease of the esophagus (the tube connecting the mouth to the stomach). It occurs when a type of white blood cell, the eosinophil, accumulates in the esophagus and persists despite acid-blocking medicine. I ignored the dx because it seemed inconvenient to go through a food restriction and illogical to swallow a asthma inhaler. One day I ended up in the ER with an advil stuck in the esophagus and decided to take the condition seriously. Through food challenges I discovered that milk protein and nuts cause an inability to swallow. And So, I have learned that SER is very easy on the no dairy folks. Kapnos Taverna depends on the server. Some will ask for the kitchen to alter items, some will just give you a very limited number of items to try. Despite the name, Cheesetique is very nut-free, dairy-free if you ask but I imagine cross contamination would be a problem for some. Mussel bar too is very friendly as is Bangcock Thai (agian, ask). Super Pollo, however, I am almost positive, uses butter in the rice. I like Smoothie Cafe and again, it depends on the staff. Sometimes they forget to hold the cheese. I miss cheese and butter the most. Second, I miss Blondies with nuts in them. The House of Representatives caterer used to serve the best. I really miss chocolate ice cream with walnuts on top but if I could take one food back, just one, it would be butter. Everything is better with butter.
  16. NolaCaine
    Wanted to chime in that the Cheesetique is quite good. please note that I do not eat cheese. That said, the salad collection is diverse as is the meat and cheese platter. It's a sort of build your own type thing with little condiments. Quite yummy. The wait staff is nice but the space is WAY overlit after dark (IMO). Wine flights are offered and are quite fun too. I'm a fan of SER for dinner. That vegan veggie stew thing ($8) is amazing.
  17. NolaCaine
    Going to be quick here but had lunch at Little Viet Garden yesterday and it was fantastic. I was very, very hungry when I went, which might influence this review. First, let me set the stage. My 3 and 7 yr olds are phonatics but did not want to try "new pho" yesterday. I am not sure how we convinced them, but they went inside. J7 slammed the summer roll and when he got the pho, he said, and I quote: "This pho is great! It's salty...in a good way!" It is and fatty in a good way. Furthermore, with the variety of meat, my kids tried them all and ended up getting more protein then usual. J3 wanted to try everything. Loved the pho. Every time she said she was done, she'd eat more. The broth's depth of flavor was unusually good. The summer roll was just that. Nothing exciting but fresh and good. DH had bun and it was amazing. Not only was the pork perfectly cooked, it had a little juice under it that was smoky, and deep, and a little thick but not too much and the right balance of sweet and savory. I started with crab and asparagus soup. Wonderful. J3 liked it too. I also had a salad that I'm forgetting but it too was great, fresh and not over dressed but had far fewer shrimp then I would like. Very good; very nice space; ample staff. I'd go again and demand that broth for take out if I was sick.
  18. NolaCaine
    Just realized that "munchery" has charged my credit card a "membership fee" in both February and March even though I only used the service once. No human answers the phone. No human or robot mans the "chat" feature. Canceling membership took about 10 minutes to find the right place to do that. I could not find a way to request reimbursement for the "membership" charges so I reported the charges as fraud to my credit card. No notices of new membership fees were sent in February or March notifying me of the fees collected each month. I will fully admit to agreeing to the use of service but they are obviously actively working to keep users from canceling membership and the companies deceptive practices boarder on fraud.
  19. NolaCaine
    Had a great sushi snack today avoiding the cheese. Tuna salmon and warm eel roll all good to great. Salmon perfect. Eel warm and fatty, tuna good. Forgive brevity but my thumbs typed this one.
  20. NolaCaine
    Re the popovers. It's a big puffy bread thing. I honestly don't understand the attraction but they are quite the thing.
  21. NolaCaine
    Because of a career transition, I have found myself at the Cosmos Club many times in 2017 and yet, am not a member. I don't know if that makes my review more or less biased because I actually cannot pick up the bill at Cosmos. I am a fan. First off, the service is absolutely perfect. Second, the building is amazing, beautiful, old, and historic. Third, the walls are full of history. Forth, I feel incredibly young and extraordinarily beautiful when I dine at Cosmos. If you exclude grandchildren, I am usually the youngest in the room by about 20 years. It's amazing. But really, I'm here to tell you about the food. When I first went to dine, I assumed that I would get a big baked potato with sour cream, cheddar cheese and bacon bits. I had, however, a very lovely lobster salad that was lightly, and yet perfectly dressed. ALso, I'm a huge soup and crab fan. Even though their crab soup has square carrots in it, I love it. It's very good and the crab is, I think, added at the end so it keeps its crabby, sweetness. My theory is that the average age of the members is quite advanced and their chef is personally invested in keeping them all alive as long as possible so created a wonderful, light, tasty, healthy menu. He should be commended.
  22. NolaCaine
    Just a little non sequitur to share that the port 'o' call potato with everything on it was a first call for some rather interesting nights in the Quarter back in the day. $5, base-layer laid.
  23. NolaCaine
    I didn't find mention of Galley Foods, Munchery, and Hungry (tryhungry dot com). In 2017, I have tried Galley twice, Munchery once and not Hungry because their website confuses me. All are food delivery services that deliver chilled, yet complete meals and two highlight the "chef" who prepared them. Galley delivered some fabulous fresh sushi salmon on a salad that I loved. Munchery delivered an eel bowl thing that was fabulous, but the Korean beef dish was fatty and didn't really contain a full serving of veg. As you can see, I am not really feeling the food review muse right now and also am not sure if this is the correct location for this conversation. Regarding packaging, it's just a take out container that is recyclable in both cases. The service was fast and friendly in both cases. Kids meals available with both too. Food allergy info easily attainable (and having a dairy allergy makes many of the box options difficult to impossible). However, this week I did not order because I was not inspired by the options...I won't purchase cooked salmon over a carb with a veg b/c (a) I can do that (b) everybody can do that and (c) boring. However, I cannot, or don't often create Korean, Thai, Japanese, or Indian inspired dishes yet love them. Anybody tried any others? Each of the above has a limited delivery area in the DMV too.
  24. NolaCaine
    As always arlnow comments are hilarious
  25. NolaCaine
    I regret dining at BoneFish Grill for the first, and last time in my life on New Year's day. It was not my choice but circumstances were beyond my control. In the same Ashburn shopping center, there is a Starbucks, Smoothie place, and a wiskey bar. Any would have been superior.
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