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lhollers

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Everything posted by lhollers

  1. lhollers
    This is awesome. Went back last Wednesday night, and it was packed inside and out. Few open seats outside at the picnic tables, but it was, admittedly, a bit chilly. Overordered as always (goat curry, spicy keema curry, masala chicken, and karahi chicken...and roti and palaak paneer and daal), and saw a really cool interaction: the owner (whom I've seen there many times, but never actually met) was greeting people, expediting, checking in, etc. ... the usual stuff. A deaf couple walked in, and he immediately went over and started signing and making sure they were taken care of. Maybe ASL is just way more prevalent than I ever knew, or maybe he has a deaf family member, but I'm always so, so impressed when business owners on H St. do this. The proximity to Gallaudet means a lot of deaf customers - showing them that you care and want them to feel comfortable is always awesome to see. Wishing this family ALL the success.
  2. lhollers
    Just wanted to bump this thread and let people know that Himitsu had its official opening last night. I was lucky enough to attend a preview dinner on Wednesday; raw fish preps and the entire beverage program are absolutely going to be highlights. Not really fair to "review" or critique, as they weren't even really open yet, but multiple plates are priced substantially lower than they should be. Happy to post photos of the menus and / or food if helpful. A super talented young duo, and one that should do quite well in the space. Cheers!
  3. lhollers
    Lunch here again on Monday: there was a special of an enormous plate of rice; a small, iceberg-only lettuce salad; three tortillas; and two roasted, guajillo chile-marinated, bone-in pork ribs. $8. Threw on an al pastor and a lengua taco for good measure, and I was out of there with two meals worth of food for less than $15. Family running the place couldn't be kinder, and the place is packed every day with Latin American construction workers - good sign. 100% agree: best tacos on H Street.
  4. lhollers
    We fly out September 14th! Still would love to hear others' reports or recommendations for all of Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. Thanks!
  5. lhollers
    Thanks, man! From a long time ago, but hopefully still applicable for those new to Eden Center...
  6. lhollers
    Shameless self-promotion: https://www.thrillist.com/eat/washington-dc/the-best-dishes-under-10-at-eden-center
  7. lhollers
    First time I've checked in on the San Francisco thread, strangely - I lived there for three years before moving to DC, and a lot of your post reminded me of home. City (and its dining scene especially) is incredible. Hit me up before you go next time, and I'll put you in touch with some of my bar and restaurant people out there. Glad you enjoyed the trip! Cheers!
  8. lhollers
    Fair enough - half a mile from the Shaw metro and one mile from the NoMa metro. Pintxos are $1.50 to $5.00 (with most being $3 or $4); main menu items range from $4-5 snacks to $6 cheese to $9-10 veggies to $10-17 seafood and meats. There's also a 26 oz. bone-in ribeye for two that's $65. Ciders are from all over the world - Vermont, Wisconsin, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Germany, New Zealand, U.K., Normandy, Spain... All ciders by the glass are 6 oz. pours and range from $5-8. Some of the bottles are a little bit more expensive, but are also bigger.
  9. lhollers
    Attended a media preview here last night - ciders are outstanding...this crew really knows their stuff. Downstairs bar will be set up like Etto, with all the pintxos on display across the middle of the bar. Pick what looks good, bartender plates it up for you. Over 20 ciders on draft, multiple more by the bottle, as well as beers, wines, and cocktails. Full menu is available upstairs and down (and both floors have a bar), but the downstairs is definitely more of a "pintxos bar" in that it's meant for socializing and recreationally snacking and boozing, while the upstairs is more of the "Basque restauarant." Pintxos were super fresh - Chef Vallcorba is all about letting ingredients speak for themselves. From the larger plates, the octopus and the quail were ridiculous, each being one of the best preparations of the protein that I've had in quite some time. No metro access hurts, but this should still be a busy spot. DC loves new things. Ciders and pintxos are new things (to DC). Cheers!
  10. lhollers
    Hello, all: Traveling to Thailand and Vietnam in mid-September. I'll be there for a little over a month and would love recommendations re: where to go, what to see, and what to eat. Flying into and out of Bangkok, but otherwise have no restrictions. Cheers!
  11. lhollers
    Went two weekends ago to enjoy the nice weather and check out the new spot. Really great rooftop - wide open, nice large communal tables as well as some comfy lounge chairs and couches, and an epic banquet hall that looks perfect for a wedding reception or something similar. We were just there to enjoy the day, so we ended up getting a few wines by the glass (great selection, as there is with beers as well) and a dozen of the peel and eat shrimp, which was easily one of the best dishes I've had in 2016. Nothing special or fusion-y, just impeccable shrimp in an outstanding cajun-esque spice rub. We will no question come back for this dish alone (and get the two dozen this time). Many, many tables were sharing either the sampler platter, which appeared to have a variety of the smokehouse's signature smoked seafoods, or the grilled fish plates (most of which appeared to be salmon when we were there, with a few firm whitefishes also making an appearance). They also had a special of a whole steamed Maine lobster and sides for $25. Four glasses of happy hour wine and a dozen shrimp on a gorgeous rooftop set us back under $50. Highly recommended. Cheers!
  12. lhollers
    Absolutely agree with this. Though I can think of multiple broths I enjoy more, I've long championed Daikaya's noodles. I also had the shio chintan at Bantam King - I found the broth to be great for what it was: a more distilled, amped-up chicken noodle soup. That said, I still strongly prefer the more assertive-style broths. I also found the noodles to be overcooked, the broccolini to be cumbersome and superfluous, and the toppings scattered haphazardly on the bowl. I'd come back just because I love ramen (and to try the paitan), but to me personally, this isn't one of the best bowls in town.
  13. lhollers
    DC's a small town, man...really happy I randomly bumped into you at the game last night. The DC food scene, Instagram, and the Don Rockwell community especially are going to lose a lot of excellent writing and insight with your departure. Good luck in Houston, and stay a member on here. Cheers!
  14. lhollers
    Absolutely agree. Really, really enjoyed our meal here, but the fried chicken didn't wow us.
  15. lhollers
    @Waitman: excellently written, and a pleasure to read.
  16. lhollers
    Don, sorry - poor writing on my part. We're looking to spend no more than $3,000 (and preferably closer to $2,000, obviously) on food (doesn't have to be anything special or amazing...just typical holiday party buffet munchies fare), and hoping *not* to pay a fee for the room/space itself. Drinks would be solely from a cash bar, preferably one dedicated to the event itself (i.e., drinks would not be included in the food/room fee...though that would be great if they could be!). Thanks! (and, of course, THANK YOU for the blast out on Twitter!)
  17. lhollers
    Hi all! I serve on the Board of the DC Chapter of the Sierra Club; we're starting to look for places for this year's holiday party and have the following criteria: available December 1st accommodates 100 people Metro accessible ADA compatible private room preferred private bar preferred AV capabilities would be great (microphone, place for a projector, etc.) $2-3k food/room budget Any and all suggestions are super appreciated, and thank you!! Cheers!
  18. lhollers
    Probably going to have to make it out to Eden Center. My favorite, though I'm sure there are 50 different opinions on "the best," is at Banh Cuon Saigon. The stall is SW 54, down the hall from Phuoc Loc Bakery.
  19. lhollers
    I have a buddy who runs the catering / corporate sales arm of a new gourmet food preparation and delivery service, Galley. Happy to put you two in touch if you're interested. Cheers!
  20. lhollers
    Definitely agree with Mark on the beer menu, and I honestly think they did the same with the food menu. When I first moved to DC four or so years ago (and even for a while after that), their menu kept getting bigger and bigger. The last few times we've been in, I've noticed that they've significantly chopped down the menu to what they do best: mussels, two (great) burgers, another sandwich or two, wings, and some appetizers / salads. I have no idea if this actually led to them improving overall (I never really noticed a decline), but it seems pretty sure that they'd improve once they chose to focus on a smaller group of defined, sure-fire items. Just my two cents. Place still rules, and yes, their beer selection and, almost more importantly, knowledge is out of sight.
  21. lhollers
    Man, big bump for this thread, huh? Just wanted to add that the mussel shipment Granville Moore's just got in is ridiculous. Went last night with a buddy that just moved to DC, and they were easily the largest, sweetest I've ever had. Legitimately enormous. Some great bowls currently on offer, too (we did the Miso and the Adobo), in addition to the always stellar beer selection. Cheers!
  22. lhollers
    DanielK: Lunch was slammed - definitely waits, but everything there is to go (I mean, you can stay and eat at Prequel if you want to, but everything is boxed up to go) and there was a line from 11:15 am until 1:30 pm or so. Dinner last night was a little more chill...I'd recommend against getting the advance ticket, as they led to the only two service snafus we encountered yesterday. If you're going to be in between 6:00 and 6:30 (which it sounds like, if you're headed to the game at 7:00), you should be completely fine getting a seat by just walking in. That said, yesterday was the first day, so please check back on here before taking that advice as gospel - if we crush again today, next Friday might be busier than yesterday and today. Thanks!
  23. lhollers
    Simul, thanks so much for the kind words! We were way busier than we anticipated yesterday, leading to us running out of ahi and yellowtail earlier than we planned - sorry about that. Really glad to hear you loved the Korean bowl, though! That salmon was on point... Also, if you make it back in, the Mexican bowl (the one with tofu) was actually one of customers' favorites yesterday - a little spicier than the other bowls, and the crisp fried tofu is an awesome pair with the creamy avocado. Give it a shot! Thank you again for coming in, and we'll hope to see you again soon! Cheers!
  24. lhollers
    Thanks, Don!! We would, of course, love to have you make it in if you can (and that goes for everyone on this board). Cheers!
  25. lhollers
    First of all, thanks Josh!! We're hoping DC gets into the poke wave, and we've noticed for a while a niche that seemed like it could be filled. We'd love to have you in Thursday or Friday! Nailed it. I've always it seen it phonetically as POH-kay. Thanks Simul! Would love to have you in to one (or all) of the events! Oh, and, also - here's the event invite with a little more info. Please do give a ton of feedback, whether that's here on DR or through contacting me personally - Kevin's an amazing chef with a sterling resume, but we, of course, want to put out the best product we can. Customers' honest opinions will help us do that! We're also on Twitter and Instagram at @pokepopdc!
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