wolverine

I went with friends the other night. It was extremely expensive.

I went as well. Overpriced for the quality. The table service is very good. However, the maitre 'd spends so much time glad-handing and speaking to certain patrons that others accumulate by the front door waiting for their tables in a half-empty restaurant - he also publicly reprimanded one of his waiters. I can't say enough good things about the rest of the wait staff though. Lots of the items on the menus and a good number of daily specials. Thought the zucchini tapenade was tasty (despite Seitsema's experience), especially if you like garlic. I really enjoyed everything leading up to dinner, but it becomes so much that I was almost full -- that's my fault though. I had one of several veal scaloppini options and thought it was quite good. We also had the seafood linguine and the risotto, neither of which I would order if I returned. I thought the seafood linguine was, well, just too fishy- (and not fresh-) tasting. My companion thought the risotto was overly salty. I'd be interested to hear how the main seafood items tasted, such as the bronzini or the dover sole. Strangely, while the food was quite pricey, the wine was not so inflated.

Either that or they have creative books and records.

$20 worth of free alcohol with the purchase of a $35 cigar anyone?

Thanks for the advice. The first post mentions kitchen and wine cellar tours. Does anybody know if you call or ahead or just request one upon arrival?

---"In my opinion, the quality of food offered in this place has plummeted in the last 6 months"---

I must agree with the above statement...I went yesterday and thought it was just not memorable in any way. It used to be great, but it has just been in steady decline the last few times I went. I wrote a quick bit about it at dcbites.blogspot.com

dcbites

Really? Maybe they're becoming inconsistent, but that last couple of times I have been there the food has been great. I just tried the fire and smoke pizza and highly recommend it. As always, the spicy meatball was delicious.

Going down to Tampa to visit family soon. Based upon the reviews here and input from friends, we've already booked Bern's. Any other suggestions from persons who have been to Tampa in the last year or so?

Here's a link to place in question.

Haven't read entire forum, but I believe he was referring to The Striphouse.

http://www.theglaziergroup.com/restaurants...ouse/index.html

Pretty good place. They have a great tomato and onion salad, which I guess shouldn't be the focus of my comments since it's a steakhouse. They season the steaks with a heavy coat of kosher salt -- a little too much for me -- but it's interesting and good nonetheless. The goose fat potatoes are interesting, but I preferred the black truffle creamed spinach. I have been to their Houston and NYC locations. Found them consistent.

If you're in NYC, I'd recommend trying Dylan Prime. Great steaks and excellent/interesting sides.

http://www.dylanprime.com/

Hmm, I had a truly unremarkable omelette at the Red Hawk, and maybe something else another time (a pasta dish? don't remember, it's been too long) that was also unremarkable. I didn't think much of Red Hawk, but I never had a sandwich there.

All about the sandwiches. I can't speak to any other item on the menu.

If you're in A2, the Red Hawk is a must. Great place for a sandwich. I recommend the Fundraiser (ham, turkey, cheddar, tomato, onion & ranch dressing -- get it grilled), unless the Midnight Snack (salami, turkey, mozzarella, and slaw on pumpernickel -- again, grilled) ever returns to the menu.

Get it with a Bell's.

Was it bad, or just not to your taste? BdC's is usually one of my favorites because it's not overdressed.

Point well taken. Probably just not to my taste.

I wanted to bump this up to see if there were any new thoughts on this topic. I have been craving steak tartare for a a week or so now. ANy brilliant ideas?

I recently had steak tartare at both Bistrot du Coin and then Bistro Bis. If I were craving steak tartare, of the two, I'd choose Bistro Bis. Unfortunately, my steak tartare at Bistrot du Coin was not good (everything else was fine though).

... The last experience I had here was... lackluster at best, but it was like a totally different restaurant tonight. Crabcakes may not be true Maryland crab, but they were delicious, service was top-notch, and maybe its just me but I really enjoy that they keep hot cookies and milk on the dessert menu....

I've had the same problem -- really good one night and near terrible on another, although the hashed browns a la Oceanaire are always good. When they have it (and, unfortunately, they usually do not) try the hamachi.

I have to completely agree. I love TdA, especially for happy hour, but when I went during RW, none of the items on their RW menu were on their regular menu (I think). And, I should mention the dishes I tasted during RW were poorly executed, yet every other time I've gone (non-RW times) the dishes were excellent.

The service I received, on the otherhand, was (and still is, everytime I go) spectacular.

If you want to try TdA, if you can afford it, I would try going there during non-RW, or if you can't afford it, try the happy hour (and the sangria).

Same here. Generally love Taberna, but thought the choices were terrible (ended up ordering off of regular menu anyway, which is very good). Do restaurants generally post RW menus ahead of time?

They're back...I wonder if they are available for dessert in the lounge?

I had one in the lounge the other night along with a Chocolate Three Ways. So, yes, they are. Enjoy.

There is one going into Gallery Place/Chinatown. Shortly after it was announced, a poster reviewed one of the chain's restaurants in Germany. Not too flattering.

Click

It could be better in United States though, given that some companies have different strategies across countries.

Understood. Sure it's a fine place. Just was irritated at the time and venting.

wolverine,

Blue Duck has done nothing wrong.

Everyone else: Please don't pile on.

Cheers,

Rocks.

So I have an important evening planned. Blue Duck takes my reservation. I tell my colleague, "We'll be dining at Blue Duck at X hour." Blue Duck later calls back -- apparently, they made a mistake. No table will be availbale until at least over an hour later on that evening, which nears 10:00 p.m. In my humble opinion, and once they've effusively taken my reservation, this is unacceptable. Once you take the reservation, you agree to honor it. Otherwise, you should not so confidently take it. Some sort of accomodation, or apology, should be made. I actually want no apology. An apology does not restore the reservation I promised others. Rather, I'd prefer honesty, and not a subsequent phone call informing me that the restaurant cannot plan its evening. In any event, I presume Blue Duck's menu is better than its staff, or the person that responded to my request. In any event, somebody else better inform me that Blue Duck's menu outbalances this incident, because I doubt I'll be making a return reservation.

If you do decide to take a run out there to check on the post-litigation state of the place, however, note that a little B&B cottage industry has sprung up in the area to shelter those who can spend $500 on dinner, or $500 on lodging, but not both on the same night. Google is your friend.

Does anybody know of a great B&B out there? I can google, but was interested in recommendations. All are appreciated.

Has anybody found decent barbeque in the area? I've been referred to Rockland's, tried it, and was unimpressed.

Actually, I heard the exact same thing from some locals, there seems to be a lot of buzz. It was merely my own mood that deterred me, but I'm glad to hear it's worth the trip. It's also right down the street from Joe's in case you're vacillating.

Recently there myself. The food was outstanding (from the appetizers through desserts). The scene was just as good (and as entertaining). While we had to wait for past our reservation by a half hour so, the bar was great and so was the service.

Does anybody know how far in advance one generally needs to book a reservation at Maestro?

I think California Tortilla is consistently the best. I used to prefer Baja Fresh, but their quality has slipped over the last year and a half. For those who like Chipotle, I'd recommend trying Qdoba. Same quickness, but better and, for reasons I can't explain, seemingly fresher (both have the food by the counter all day).

Anybody notice that Gina got a shout out in today's Post Weekend section? She's the best.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/conte...6080300471.html

It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that Andale has been shuttered on Monday night. I had the pleasure of opening it when it was originally the Mark, and then we did a complete concept change in Aug of 01 and became Andale. There is no need to go into the details, as we all know the restaurant business is tough. Alison Swope is one of the best Chefs this city has had the pleasure of dining with, and is one of the best people that I know. She will be missed, until she decides what she wants to do next. There were several parties interested in moving into the space, espescially Oyamel. Both the Jaleo and Oyamel Crystal city locations are taking a beating financially due to that location, and are looking to relocate, close or sell, as I understand it. I was told that the owners of Ceviche-wherever that is-was going to move into the Oyamel location, but am not totally confident with my source. Just goes to show that two good concepts, can be the victim of a dicey location, but that's the gamble we take in this business. The new owners of the Andale space are the people who own the Peacock Cafe in Georgetown. I am not sure of their plans with the space. Alison and her cooking will be missed until we are lucky to try her food in her next project.

Has this been confirmed? The signs on the restaurant say closed for renovation. I know this generally means closed and looking for a new tenant. Any hope for survival?